bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Child Maltreatment and associated Sociodemographic factors among Children affected by HIV/AIDS in Ghana: A Multi-Informant Perspective
Authors: Doku Paul Narh
Published: April 2021

Background: Child maltreatment and its consequences are considered a major public health concern among children because they can cause significant physical and psychological problems. Child maltreatment is widespread but often underestimated. Surprisingly, there is hardly any data on the frequency of child maltreatment in general and particularly on orphans and vulnerable children in low-income countries. Method: This study employed cross-sectional, quantitative survey that involved 291 children aged 10–17 years in Lower Manya Krobo District, Ghana and examined their exposure to and experience of child maltreatment. The survey also examined parents/caregivers’ exposure and perpetuation of child maltreatment. Results: Some form of maltreatment within the household was reported by approximately 90% of children, and it was significantly higher among orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) as compared with comparison children. Children living with HIV/AIDS-infected parents and orphans of any type reported higher exposure to domestic violence and experienced significantly more neglect, psychological and physical abuse than the comparison children. Conclusion: The results of this survey demonstrate that maltreatment among children affected by HIV/AIDS are not rare, and that the dysfunction family conditions that they find themselves bear systemic risks for maltreatment. It is important that culturally appropriate and evidence-based interventions are implemented to address the maltreatment.
Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)-based Development of Grid-connected Rice Husk-fuelled Bio-power Plants in Mekong Delta, Vietnam
Authors: Song Nguyen Van , Ha Thai Van , Thuan Tran Duc , Hanh Nguyen Van , Tien Dinh Van , Tiep Nguyen Cong , Phuong Nguyen Thi Minh , Phuong Pham Thi Lan , Uan Tran Ba , Tu Phan Anh
Published: April 2021

The research is designed for developing the pilot small-scale clean development mechanism bundled project activities in Vietnam electricity/ energy sector. Its overall purpose is to assess the potential of rice husk - fuelled bio-power development projects in Mekong delta. Based on estimating the electricity potential of a bundle of rice husk-fuelled bio-power development projects in Mekong delta with the capacity of 11 MW per project, assessing their CO2 emission reductions (CERs) and CER credits, calculating and comparing their financial indices (NPV, B/C, IRR) in two cases: W/O CDM and W/CDM, the research expects to establish a rice husk energy balance flowchart for the whole Mekong delta in the year 2021 and recommend policies to use for bio-power generation the unused rice husk that is dumped and discharged from local paddy milling centers into rivers and canals, as well as, to put forward a safe and environmentally friendly solution to minimize thoroughly the current serious pollution of rivers and canals in Mekong delta with the increasing unused rice husk quantity in the context is where the sea level rise phenomenon is the strongest in the world .
Observation of miniaturized bound states in the continuum
with ultra-high quality factors
Authors: Chen Zihao , Yin Xuefan , Jin Jicheng , Zheng Zhao , Zhang Zixuan , Wang Feifan , He Li , zhen Bo , Peng Chao
Published: April 2021

Light trapping is a constant pursuit in photonics because of its importance in science and technology. Many mechanisms have been explored, including the use of mirrors made of materials or structures that forbid outgoing waves, and bound states in the continuum that are mirror-less but based on topology. Here we report a compound method, combing mirrors and bound states in the continuum in an optimized way, to achieve a class of on-chip optical cavities that have high quality factors and small modal volumes. Specifically, light is trapped in the transverse direction by the photonic band gap of the lateral hetero-structure and confined in the vertical direction by the constellation of multiple bound states in the continuum. As a result, unlike most bound states in the continuum found in photonic crystal slabs that are de-localized Bloch modes, we achieve light-trapping in all three dimensions and experimentally demonstrate quality factors as high as Q = 1.09×106 and modal volumes as low as V = 3.56 μm3 in the telecommunication regime. We further prove the robustness of our method through the statistical study of multiple fabricated devices. Our work provides a new method of light trapping, which can find potential applications in photonic integration, nonlinear optics and quantum computing.
Ectopic expression of finger millet calmodulin confers drought and salinity tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Jamra Gautam , Agrawal Aparna , Singh Nidhi , Sanyal Sibaji K. , Kumar Anil , Pandey Girdhar Kumar
Published: April 2021

Drought and salinity are major environmental stresses which affect crop productivity and therefore are major hindrance in feeding growing population world-wide. Calcium (Ca2+) signalling plays a crucial role during the plant's response to these stress stimuli. Calmodulin (CaM), a crucial Ca2+sensor, is involved in transducing the signal downstream in various physiological, developmental and stress responses by modulating a plethora of target proteins. The role of CaM has been well established in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana for regulating various developmental processes, stress signalling and ion transport. In the current study, we investigate the CaM of Eleusine coracana (common name finger millet, known especially for its drought tolerance and superior Ca2+ content). In-silico analysis showed that Eleucine calmodulin (EcCaM) has greater similarity to rice CaM as compared to Arabidopsis CaM due to the presence of highly conserved four EF-hand domains. To decipher the in planta function of EcCaM, we have adopted the gain-of-function approach by generating the 35S::EcCaM over-expression transgenic in Arabidopsis. Overexpression of EcCaM in Arabidopsis makes the plant tolerant to polyethylene glycol (PEG) induced drought and salt stress (NaCl) as demonstrated by post-germination based phenotypic assay, ion leakage, MDA and proline estimation, ROS detection under stressed and normal conditions. Moreover, EcCaM-overexpression leads to hypersensitivity towards exogenously applied ABA at the seed germination stage. These findings reveal that EcCaM mediates tolerance to drought and salinity stress. Also, our results indicate that EcCaM is involved in modulating ABA signalling. Summarizing our results, we report for the first time that EcCaM is involved in modulating plants response to stress and this information can be used for the generation of future-ready crops that can tolerate a wide range of abiotic stresses.
Impacts of Global Warming on Meiyu-Baiu Extreme Rainfall and Associated Mid-Latitude Synoptic-Scale Systems as Inferred From 20km AGCM Simulations
Authors: So Ka Wai , Tam Chi-Yung , Lau Ngar-Cheung
Published: April 2021

The impacts of global warming on Meiyu-Baiu extreme rainfall and the associated mid-latitude synoptic-scale weather systems over the Eastern China (EC) and the Baiu rainband (Bu) regions in East Asia have been examined, based on simulations from the 20-km Meteorological Research Institute atmospheric general circulation model (MRI-AGCM3.2S). This model was demonstrated to give realistic Asian extreme rainfall, when compared with data from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM). Here we used a novel wave-selection algorithm based on the 300hPa wind, in order to identify upper-level propagating wave signals in conjunction with the occurrence of extreme precipitation in either EC or Bu. The same algorithm was applied for both the present (1979-2003) and future (2075-2099) climate simulations from the AGCM, so as to infer the impacts of global warming on the behavior of these systems. Results show robust decrease of intensity of systems influencing both Bu and EC in the future warmer climate. Their corresponding low-to-mid level circulation, as revealed by vertical velocity, temperature advection and sea-level pressure composites, was also found to be weakened. This is likely related to changes in the background circulation in future over the East Asian mid-latitude zone, such as the widespread increment of the seasonal mean static stability at 500 hPa. However, the wave-associated precipitation over these regions was enhanced in the future climate simulations. This can be attributed to more strong intensity rainfall, which increases as the background temperature in these regions warms, largely following the Clausius-Clapeyron relation. Therefore, changes of wave-related extreme precipitation in EC and Bu are mainly controlled by the thermodynamic effect; the latter appears to be much stronger than the potential impacts due to the slight weakening of these weather systems.
Phosphorylation dependent mitochondrial translocation of Nr4a3 provokes cardiomyocyte death
Authors: Zhang Hang , Xie Hongyang , Hu Jian , Zhu Zhenbin , Zhuang Lingfang , Chen Qiujing , Shen Weifeng , Sano Motoaki , Fukuda Keiichi , Gutiérrez-Chico Juan Luis , Lu Lin , Zhang Ruiyan , Yan Xiaoxiang
Published: April 2021

Immediate early gene-nuclear receptor subfamily 4, group A, member 3 (Nr4a3) is implicated in a variety of cellular processes. However, its role and underlying mechanisms in ischemia reperfusion (IR) remain unknown. Here, we show that Nr4a3 expression is upregulated in the heart after IR and that cardiac specific Nr4a3 deficiency protects against myocardial ischemic injury and improves cardiac function. The overexpression of Nr4a3 in both neonatal and adult mouse hearts is sufficient to cause left ventricular dilation and contractile dysfunction without additional ischemic stress. Mechanistically, ischemia or hypoxia triggers Nr4a3 phosphorylation and translocation from the nucleus to mitochondria, where it interacts with and promotes Bnip3 integration into the mitochondrial membrane. This integration leads to mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening and decreased mitochondrial permeability transition pore (ΔΨm), which causes cardiomyocyte apoptotic and necrotic death. Our findings describe an Nr4a3-Bnip3 mitochondrial pathway underlying cell death.
Effectiveness and tolerability of radiotherapy for patients with indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma - a monocenter analysis
Authors: Hadi Indrawati , Schummer Anne , Dreyling Martin , Eze Chukwuka , Bodensohn Raphael , Roengvoraphoj Olarn , Belka Claus , Li Minglun
Published: April 2021

Purpose To analyze the effectiveness and toxicities of radiotherapy in indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (iNHL) patients treated in our institution. Material and Methods Patients with iNHL treated with radiotherapy between 1999 and 2016 were included. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints were local control (LC), overall survival (OS) and toxicities. PFS, LC, and OS were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier method. Log-rank test was used to investigate the differences between subgroups. Cox proportional hazard model was used for univariate continuous analysis.Results Seventy-five patients were identified in our institutional database between 1999 and 2016. Fifty-eight (77.3%) had stage I after Ann-Arbor and 17 patients (22.7%) had stage II. The median follow-up was 87 months (95%-CI: 72 – 102 months). Median single dose per fraction was 2.0 Gy (range, 1.5 – 2 Gy) and median total dose was 30.6 Gy (range, 16 – 45 Gy). Radiotherapy was performed in 2D (n = 10; 13.3%), 3D (n = 63; 84.0%) and VMAT (n = 2; 2.7%) techniques, respectively. The median PFS was 14.0 years (95%-CI: 8.3 – 19.7 years). The estimated PFS after 5 and 10 years were 73.0% and 65.5% in Kaplan-Meier analysis, respectively. The 5- and 10- year LC were 94.9% and 92.3%, respectively. The 5- and 10-year OS were 88.6% and 73.9%. In univariate analyses of PFS, younger patients (≤ 60 years old) had significantly superior PFS to those older than 60 years old (5-year PFS 81.9% vs. 65.1%, p= 0.021). Dose escalation >36.0Gy had no prognostic influence in term of PFS (p= 0.543). Extranodal involvement, stage and histology had no prognostic impact on PFS. Depending on the site of lymphomas, the most common acute side effects were: dermatitis CTCAE °I - II (8.0%), xerostomia CTC °I (8.0%), cataract CTC °I (12.0%) and dry eyes CTC °I - II (14.6%). No adverse event CTC° III was reported. Most acute side effects recovered at 3 to 6 months after radiotherapy except for CTC °I cataract and xerostomia. Conclusion Local Radiotherapy was highly effective for treatment of early stage iNHL with no serious side effects in our cohort. The most acute CTCAE °I – II side effects recovered 3 to 6 months later. Technique advances seem to have further improved effectiveness and tolerability of radiotherapy. Trial registration: Local ethics committee of Ludwig-Maximilian-University (LMU) Munich approved this retrospective analysis on the May 7th, 2019 (Nr. 19-137).
Seasonal Variation in Space Use and Territoriality in an Invasive Large Mammal (Sus Scrofa)
Authors: Schlichting Peter E. , Boughton Raoul K. , Anderson Wes , Wight Bethany , VerCauteren Kurt C. , Miller Ryan S. , Lewis Jesse S.
Published: April 2021

An individual’s spatial behavior is shaped by social and environmental factors and provides critical information about population processes to inform conservation and management actions. Heterogeneity in spatial overlap among conspecifics can be evaluated using estimates of home ranges and core areas and used to understand factors influencing space use and territoriality. To understand and test predictions about spatial behavior in an invasive large mammal, the wild pig (Sus scrofa), we examined variation in space use between sexes and seasons. We predicted that if animals were territorial that there would be a reduction in space-use overlap when comparing overlap of home ranges (HR-HR), to home ranges and core areas (HR-CA), and in-turn to core areas (CA-CA). Home ranges and core areas were estimated for 54 wild pigs at Buck Island Ranch, FL from GPS telemetry data. Overlap indices were calculated to estimate the strength (space-use overlap) and number of potential interactions within three wet seasons (June-October) and two dry seasons (December-April). Across all seasons, males exhibited larger home ranges compared to females (M = 10.36±0.79 km² (±SE), F = 3.21±0.16 km²) and interacted with a greater number of individuals than females. Home range size and strength of interactions did not vary between wet and dry seasons. Consistent with our predictions, wild pigs appeared to exhibit territorial behavior, where strength of overlap decreased when comparing HR-HR to HR-CA and HR-CA to CA-CA. Strength of overlap varied by sex, which was lowest between females, intermediate between females and males, and greatest between males. Our framework can be used to understand patterns of space use and territoriality in populations, which has important implications in understanding population processes and how pathogens and parasites might spread within and among populations.
Trends in Arctic seasonal and extreme precipitation in recent decades
Authors: Yu Lejiang , Zhong Shiyuan
Published: April 2021

Daily precipitation data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ERA-Interim) from 1979 to 2016 are analyzed to determine the trends in seasonal and extreme precipitation across the pan-Arctic and estimate the contributions to the trends from the dynamic (e.g. changes in circulation patterns) and thermodynamic processes (e.g., sea ice melt – water vapor feedback) and their interactions. The trends in the seasonal total precipitation are generally consistent with the trends in the occurrence of seasonal extreme precipitation. Although the trends vary considerably in direction and magnitude across the pan-Arctic and the seasons, more regions experience a statistically significant positive trend than negative trend, particularly in autumn and winter seasons and over areas of the Arctic Ocean and the northern North Atlantic. Statistically significant negative trends are mostly found in areas of northern Eurasian and North America. The thermodynamic processes account for more than 85% of the total trends, with the rest of the trends explained by the dynamic processes (e.g., changes in circulation patterns) and the interaction between dynamic and thermodynamic processes.
Impact of Cymbopogon Flexuosus (Poaceae) Essential Oil and Primary Components on the Eclosion and Larval Development of Aedes Aegypti
Authors: Castillo-Morales Ruth Mariela , Serrano Sugey Ortiz , Villamizar Adriana Lisseth Rodríguez , Méndez-Sánchez Stelia Carolina , Duque Jonny Edward
Published: April 2021

The current study describes the effects of sub-lethal concentrations and constituent compounds (citral and geranyl acetate) of Cymbopogon flexuosus essential oil (EO) on the development of Aedes aegypti. We treated eggs with 6, 18, and 30 mg.L-1 and larvae with 3 and 6 mg.L-1 EO concentrations. Citral and geranyl acetate were evaluated at 18, 30, and 42 mg.L-1 and compared to the commercial growth inhibitors (diflubenzuron and methoprene). We measured larval head diameter, siphon length, and body length. Finally, we examined concentrations of moult hormone (MH) and juvenile hormone III (JH III) using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The EO decreased egg hatching at all concentrations and altered molting among larval instars and between larvae and pupae, with an increase in the length (3 mg.L-1: 6 ± 0.0 mm; 6 mg.L-1: 6 ± 0.7 mm) and head width (3 mg.L-1: 0.8 ± 0 mm; 6 mg.L-1: 0.8 ± 0.0 mm) compared with the control group. We did not detect chromatographic signals of MH and JH III in larvae treated with C. flexuosus EO or their major compounds. The sub-lethal concentrations C. flexuosus EO caused a similar effect to diflubenzuron, decreasing hormone concentration, extending the larval period, and death.
Causal Connection Between Serum Levodopa Metabolic Profile and Medication in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Chukyo Akiko , Fujimaki Motoki , Kaga Naoko , Taka Hikari , Li Yuanzhe , Ueno Shin-Ichi , Takeshige-Amano Haruka , Funayama Manabu , Ishimaru Tomohiro , Miyamoto Kengo , Teranishi Hirofumi , Hatano Taku , Ishikawa Kei-Ichi , Oji Yutaka , Mori Akio , Tsunemi Taiji , Ishiguro Yuta , Daida Kensuke , Imamichi Yoko , Sasazawa Yukiko , Kataura Tetsushi , Kitagawa Mitsuhiro , Nishikawa Noriko , Imoto Masaya , Ueno Takashi , Komori Osamu , Miura Yoshiki , Akamatsu Wado , Hattori Nobutaka , Saiki Shinji
Published: April 2021

No methods to assess efficacy of levodopa-associated therapy by blood sampling in Parkinson’s disease (PD) have been established. In this study, we investigated levodopa associated metabolites to characterize their associations with medication and clinical symptoms in PD patients. Comprehensive metabolome analysis using plasma from PD and controls was performed in two independent cohorts (PD: 109, controls: 32; PD: 145, controls: 45). In another validation cohort [251 PD patients (16 de novo, 17 receiving only dopamine-receptor agonists, 218 receiving levodopa/benserazide or levodopa/carbidopa with/without other parkinsonian drugs) and 40 age-matched controls], serum levels of levodopa and its six metabolites were examined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The association of each metabolite with clinical parameters, medication, and enzymic genotypes was investigated. Significant increases in 3-methoxytyrosine and homovanillic acid were observed in PD patients administered levodopa/benserazide or levodopa/carbidopa. Serum levels of levodopa and five of its metabolites were significantly increased in PD patients administered levodopa and were related to the levodopa or entacapone dose but not to disease severity. Levodopa levels were more effectively preserved in PD patients given levodopa/benserazide than in those given levodopa/carbidopa, especially when taken with entacapone. Each dopamine or 3-methoxytyramine level was efficiently expressed with a numerical model using levodopa, entacapone, and selegiline doses as variables, indicative of its application for drug efficacy monitoring. Benserazide (25 mg) blocked AADC and preserved levodopa levels more effectively than carbidopa (10 mg), and entacapone provided a concomitant effect on levodopa level preservation. The drug efficacy of levodopa-associated medication could be monitored by dopamine or 3-methoxytyramine levels.
Screening lager yeast with higher ethyl-acetate production by adaptive laboratory evolution in high concentration of acetic acid
Authors: Xu Xin , Niu Chengtuo , Liu Chunfeng , Wang Jinjing , Zheng Feiyun , Li Qi
Published: April 2021

Ethyl-acetate is important for the flavor and aroma of the alcoholic beverages, therefore, there have been extensive efforts toward increasing its production by engineering yeast strains. In this study, we reported a new approach to breed non-genetic modified producing yeast strain with higher ethyl-acetate production for beer brewing. First, we demonstrated the positive effect of higher acetic acid concentration on inducing the expression of ACS. Then, we applied adaptive laboratory evolution method to evolve strain with higher expression level of ACS. As a result, we obtained several strains with increased ACS expression level as well as ethyl-acetate production. In 3 L scale fermentation, the optimal strain EA60 synthesized more ethyl-acetate than M14 at the same time point. At the end of fermentation, the ethyl-acetate production in EA60 was 21.4% higher than M14, while the other flavor components except for acetic acid were changed in a moderate degree, indicating this strain had a bright prospect in industrial application. Moreover, this study also indicated that ACS1 played a more important role in increasing the acetic acid tolerance of yeast, while ACS2 contributed to the synthesis of cytosol acetyl-CoA, thereby facilitating the production of ethyl-acetate during fermentation.
Change of Plasma Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein Level Predicts Clinical Outcome at 90 Days for Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Yang Xiaoli , Sun Wenbo , Hou Duanlu , Wang Tianyao , Li Chen , Luo Yufan , Zhang Shufan , Shen Liwei , Liu Wenpeng , Wu Danhong
Published: April 2021

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between change of plasma oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) level and clinical outcomes in patients with acute atherosclerosis related ischemic stroke. Methods: We recruited acute ischemic stroke patients within 3 days after onset consecutively. Plasma oxLDL level were measured on the second day after admission and before discharge. Initial stroke severity was assessed by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS) scores, and infarct volume was measured using diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) by ITK-SNAP software. Clinical outcomes were evaluated by neurological improvement at discharge and favorable functional prognosis at 90 days. Results: 207 patients were enrolled into this study. Compared with mild change of oxLDL level group, patients with significant change oxLDL level group were more likely to have higher ratio of neurological improvement at discharge(55.07% vs 14.49%) and favorable functional prognosis at 90 days(91.30% vs 55.07%). The DWI volumes in patients with different oxLDL level change groups were no statistical difference. In multivariable logistic regression, the degree of oxLDL level change was related with neurological improvement at discharge and favorable functional prognosis at 90 days. Compared to patients with mild change of oxLDL level, patients with significant change were more likely to have neurological improvement at discharge(OR=7.21,95%, 3.09-16.80, p <0.01) and favorable functional prognosis at 90 days (OR=6.67, 95%CI, 2.15-20.73, p <0.01).Conclusions: The degree of oxLDL level change is related to the neurological improvement at discharge and favorable functional prognosis at 90 days for patients with acute atherosclerosis related ischemic stroke, but not with infarct volume.
A Survey On Fragmentation In Distributed Database Systems
Authors: Taki Mohsen , Ardakani Mohammadreza Mollahoseini
Published: April 2021

One of the most critical aspects of distributed database design and management is fragmentation. If the fragmentation is done properly, we can expect to achieve better throughput from such systems. The primary concern of DBMS design is the fragmentation and allocation of the underlying database. The distribution of data across various sites of computer networks involves making proper fragmentation and placement decisions. The first phase in the process of distributing a database is fragmentation which clusters information into fragments. This process is followed by the allocation phase which distributes, and if necessary, replicates the generated fragments among the nodes of a computer network. The use of data fragmentation to improve performance is not new and commonly appears in file design and optimization literature. An efficient functionality of any distributed database system is highly dependent on its proper design in terms of adopted fragmentation and allocation methods. Fragmentations of large, global databases are performed by dividing the database horizontally, vertically or combination of both. In order to enable the distributed database systems to work efficiently, the fragments have to be allocated across the available sites in such a way that reduces communication cost of data.In this article, we have tried to describe the existing methods of database fragmentation and have an overview of the existing methods. Finally, we conclude with suggestions for using machine learning to solve the overlap problem in fragments.
Prevalence of anti-nuclear autoantibodies (ANA) in the general Polish population - analysis of the influence of sex and age on the variability of ANA.
Authors: Krzemień Paweł , Kasperczyk Sławomir , Banach Maciej , Kasperczyk Aleksandra , Dobrakowski Michał , Tomasik Tomasz , Windak Adam , Mastej Mirosław , Catapano Alberico , Ray Kausik K , Mikhailidis Dimitri P , Toth Peter P , Howard George , Lip Gregory H , Tomaszewski Maciej , Charchar Fadi J , Sattar Naveed , Williams Bryan , MacDonald Thomas M , Penson Peter E , Jóźwiak Jacek J
Published: April 2021

Objectives: Diagnosis of Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases using antinuclear autoantibodies (ANA) is dependent on many factors and varies between populations, such that the screening dilution used for indirect immunofluorescence assay (IIFA) should be defined locally for each population. The aim of the study was firstly, to assess the prevalence of ANA in the Polish adult population depending on age, sex and the cut-off threshold used for the results obtained. Second, we estimated the occurrence of individual types of ANA staining patterns.Methods: The tested material included serum samples from 1731 participants (1043 women and 688 men) that were tested with the commercially available IIFA using two cut-off thresholds 1:100 and 1:160.Results: We found ANA in 260 participants (15.0%), but the percentage of positive results strongly depended on the cut-off level. For a cut-off threshold 1:100, the positive population was 19.5% and for the 1:160 cut-off threshold, it was 11.7%. The most prevalent ANA staining pattern was AC-2 Dense Fine speckled (50%), followed by AC-21 Reticular/AMA (14.38%) ANA were more common in women (72%); 64% of ANA positive patients were over 50 years of age.Conclusion: ANA prevalence in the Polish population is at a level observed in other highly developed countries. ANA were more prevalent in women and elderly individuals. In order to reduce the number of positive results released, we suggest that Polish laboratories should set 1:160 as the cut-off threshold.
3D Numerical Investigation of Face Stability in Tunnels with Unsupported Face
Authors: GEORGIOU DIMITRIOS , KALOS ALEXANDROS , KAVVADAS MICHAEL
Published: April 2021

The paper studies the stability of unsupported tunnel faces by analyzing the results of a large number of 3D numerical analyses of tunnel faces, in various ground conditions and overburden depths. The analyses calculate the average face extrusion (Uh) by averaging the axial displacement over the tunnel face. Limiting face stability occurs when the average face extrusion becomes very large and algorithmic convergence becomes problematic. Using the results of the analyses, a dimensionless “face stability parameter” is defined, which depends on a suitable combination of ground strength, overburden depth and tunnel width. The face stability parameter correlates very well with many critical tunnel face parameters, like the safety factor of the tunnel against face instability, the average face extrusion, the radial convergence of the tunnel wall at the excavation face, the volume loss and the deconfinement ratio at the tunnel face. Thus, semi-empirical formulae are proposed for the calculation of these parameters in terms of the face stability parameter. Since the face stability parameter can be easily calculated from basic tunnel and ground parameters, the above critical tunnel parameters can be calculated, and conclusions can be drawn about tunnel face stability, volume loss and the deconfinement ratio at the excavation face which can be useful in preliminary tunnel designs.
Characteristic Analysis and Optimization of a Four-bar Compliant Mechanism with Single Flexible Member
Authors: Liu Shanzeng , Sun Zhaopeng , Shen Gang , Li Yunwang
Published: April 2021

The characteristics and optimization analysis of a four-bar compliant mechanism with one flexible member (or flexible joint) are carried out. Firstly, based on the pseudo-rigid body model theory of the compliant mechanism, the kinematics relationship, system kinetic energy and potential energy of the general four-bar compliant mechanism are analyzed, and the dynamic model of the four-bar compliant mechanism is established by using Lagrange's equation. Secondly, through the creation of the energy equation of the four-bar compliant mechanism and the analysis of the first and second derivatives of the input variables, the parametric conditions for the existence of the bistable characteristics of the four-bar compliant mechanism with one flexible member are proposed. Then, taking the compliant bistable switch as an example, the internal relations between the driving characteristics of the four-bar compliant mechanism, the initial motion position of the mechanism and the parameters of the flexible member are explored. Finally, based on the improvement of the performance of the compliant bistable switch, the optimization analysis of the maximization of the motion range of the driving link and the maximization of the deformation energy of the flexible member are carried out. The research provides a theoretical basis for the product development and control of a bistable four-bar compliant mechanism.
IGF-2 modified by the m6A demethylation enzyme ALKBH5 in the ossification of the ligamentum flavum
Authors: Kuang Ming-jie , Wang Hai-feng , Qiu Jie , Wang An-bang , Wang Feng , Tan Bing-yi , Han Shi-jie , Li Xiao-ming , Wang Da-Chuan
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) is a pathological heterotopic ossification of the paravertebral ligament. However, the specific pathophysiology mechanism of this disease is still unknown. The m 6 A methylation and its potential functions in OLF remain to be unexplored.

Method: In this study, we performed a transcriptome-wide methylation analysis using the OLF and normal ligaments to explore the mechanism of OLF. Common and region-specific methylation have different preferences for methylation site selection and thereby different impacts on their biological functions. We screened out the methylase-ALKBH5, and by promoting or inhibiting its expression, observing the content of m 6 A, and measuring the ossification of ligaments, and then measuring IGF expression situation by alizarin red staining, alkaline phosphatase, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, etc.

Result: MeRIP-seq and qPCR showed that the m6A methylation level of OLF group was usually higher than that of control group. In addition, we found that ALKBH5 is an important demethyltransferase in OLF, which promotes the expression of m 6 A. ALKBH5 promotes the expression of IGF-2, which in turn promotes osteogenesis in OLF.

Conclusion: Overall, we provided a region-specific map of m 6 A methylation and characterized the distinct features of specific and common methylation in OLF, and we proved that IGF-2 can be regulated by ALKBH5 to promote the process of OLF.
Digitalized Earth's most severe sea-level regression and extinction
Authors: Dong Mingxing
Published: April 2021

End-Permian mass extinction is the largest bio-crises in the past 542 million years in Earth's history. Despite half a century of study, what caused the catastrophe remains equivocal. Fossil collections in the study area of Bayan Har, NW China, suggest a continuous Permian sequence, whereas most mid-to-upper Permian strata were missing. By correlating the Permian sequence reconstructed from reworked carbonate clasts with the measured Permian section, we corroborate a sea-level fall of at least 354 m caused by plume-induced uplift, resulted in the erosion of the last 15-Myr Permian carbonate strata, from Uppermost Permian to the fusulinid zone. The marine regression and resultant erosion occurred not only in China but also in Canadian Arctica[1], Oman[2], Canadian Rockies[3], Norway[3], North America[3] all over the world. New sections and digitalized sea-level regression demonstrate that the period of extinction falls within the hiatus, a break in deposition between the uppermost Permian carbonate strata and the clasts reworked from Permian platforms, representing a duration of sea-level drop 354 m. Carbonate clasts, Siberian Traps volcanism, global warming, anoxia, and ocean acidification are all post-extinction geological events. Why did the extinction occur during the falling stage? We will never know because we can't study a hiatus unrepresented by strata unless we associate the extinction with the sea-level drop.
Postpartum brief educational interventions for women who have had gestational diabetes: a qualitative study of of health care professionals’ views
Authors: Evans Josie MM , Ireland Aileen V , Cameron Dawn M , Clarke Kate M , Eades Claire E
Published: April 2021

Background

Women who have had gestational diabetes during pregnancy are at very high risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life, but their understanding of the risks is often limited. In this study we explored the views of health care professionals regarding offering brief opportunistic advice to women after their pregnancy, during unrelated consultations in primary care, relating to reducing diabetes risk.
Methods

The study took place in three Health Boards in Scotland. We conducted semi-structured one-to-one interviews (either face-to-face or telephone) with three health visitors, three practice nurses, two GPs, two diabetes consultant and two obstetricians. A focus group with five health visitors was also held. A topic guide was followed, covering the feasibility and acceptability of delivering a brief educational intervention during a routine consultation, the optimal way to identify and recall women with previous gestational diabetes, and the possible content and timing of the intervention. A thematic approach was used to analyse the qualitative data generated.
Results

The interviews/discussion lasted from 15 to 66 minutes. There was widespread support for such an intervention from all participants and general consensus that health visitors would be best placed to offer educational advice and support as part of the Health Visiting Pathway in Scotland. Thematic analysis generated three significant points of discussion: implications for training of health visitors, the need for a systematic approach to identifying women with gestational diabetes, and the optimal timing of delivery. Despite an already demanding schedule of providing advice and education to women, health visitors were confident that they could offer educational advice, provided that they received appropriate training to do so. However, there would need to be a watertight system for identifying women in their care who had had gestational diabetes. In terms of timing, later visits around 6–8 months after delivery were considered most suitable.
Conclusions

There is support from health care professionals, and most pertinently from health visitors, that the frequency of routine visits with women during the Health Visiting Pathway programme in Scotland provides potential opportunities for education around future diabetes risk to women who have had gestational diabetes.
Patients’ Perspectives on the Experience of Absconding From a Psychiatric Hospital: a Qualitative Study
Authors: Kaggwa Mark Mohan , Acai Anita , Rukundo Godfrey Zari , Harms Sheila , Ashaba Scholastic
Published: April 2021

Background: Absconding (i.e., escaping) is common among patients with mental illness admitted to psychiatric hospitals. Patients use various strategies to make absconding successful due to the experiences faced during admission. We conducted a study to identify patients’ perspectives on the experience of absconding from the psychiatry facility. Methods: We conducted 10 in-depth interviews with patients with a history of absconding from the hospital who were accessing care at the Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital in Mbarara city Uganda. Interviews were audio-recorded, translated when required, transcribed into English, and analyzed thematically to identify relevant themes. Results: Participants ranged in age from 18 to 55 and the majority (n = 9) were male. Most had absconded at least twice from a psychiatric facility. We identified different experiences that influenced patients’ engagement in absconding from the psychiatry hospital ward. These included: (1) stigma, (2) experiences with caregivers: mixed emotions, (3) poor resources and services, and (4) the influence of mental illness symptoms. The loneliness of stigma, negative emotions associated with the loss of important roles given the nature and framework of caregiving on the psychiatric ward, as well as the stress of limited resources as a salient part of the patient experience as it relates to absconding.Conclusion: Our findings indicate that absconding is a symptom of a larger problem with a mental health system that perpetuates stigma in its design, isolates patients and makes them feel lonely, and forces patients to rely on caregivers who infantilize them and take away all their freedom in a facility with no basic services. For many patients, this makes absconding the only option. Within such a system, all stakeholders (Policymakers, health care providers, caregivers, and patients) should be involved in rethinking how psychiatric facilities should be operated to make the journey of patient recovery more positive.
Wax-Oil Lubricants to Reduce the Shear Between Skin and PPE
Authors: Yap Kian Kun , Murali Manoj , Tan Zhengchu , Zhou Xue , Li Luli , Masen Marc
Published: April 2021

Prolonged use of tight-fitting PPE, e.g., by COVID-19 healthcare workers leads to skin injuries. An important contributor is the shear exerted on the skin due to static friction at the skin-PPE interface. This study aims to develop an optimised wax-oil lubricant that reduces the friction, or shear, in the skin-PPE contact for up to four hours. Lubricants with different wax-oil combinations were prepared using beeswax, paraffin wax, olive oil, and mineral oil. In-vivo friction measurements involving seven participants were conducted by sliding a polydimethylsiloxane ball against the volar forearms to simulate the skin-PPE interface. The maximum static coefficient of friction was measured immediately and four hours after lubricant application. It was found that the coefficient of friction of wax-oil lubricants is mainly governed by the ratio of wax to oil and the thermal stability and morphology of the wax. To maintain long-term lubricity, it is crucial to consider the absorption of oil into the PPE material. The best performing lubricant is a mixture of 20 wt% beeswax, 40 wt% olive oil, and 40 wt% mineral oil, which compared to unlubricated skin, provides 87% (P = 0.0006) and 59% (P = 0.0015) reduction in instantaneous and 4-hour coefficient of friction, respectively.
Reliability of Hounsfield Units as a Measure of Bone Density: Applications in the Treatment of Thoracolumbar Fractures
Authors: Ullrich Bernhard Wilhelm , McLean Aaron Lawson , Mendel Thomas , Kaden Ingamr , Hein Elizabeth , Lattauschke Anne , Beyer Julia , Hofmann Gunther Olaf , Klauke Friederike , Schenk Philipp
Published: April 2021

PurposeThe aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of Hounsfield units (HU) for bone density measurement in spinal trauma. HU have already been demonstrated to be reliable for this purpose in degenerative spine disease.Methods This study is a retrospective cross-sectional analysis considering CT scanner model, slice thickness and HU in native and contrast CT scans. Linear regression, bivariate correlation and ROC analyses were performed to analyze the relationship between qCT values and HU. The inter-rater reliability of HU measurements was assessed using the intra-class correlation coefficient.Results344 patient datasets were analyzed. CT scanner model and slice thickness were found to have no significant impact on HU. The inter-rater reliability for HU measurements from native CT scans was ICC(3, 1)=0.932 (CI95: 0.919 – 0.943, p<0.001). The formula qCT=0.8·HUwithout CM+5 can be used to predict qCT values from native CT scan HU. ROC analysis revealed maximum sensitivity and specificity of 0.91 and 0.93, respectively, with a cut-off value of 93 HU to predict osteoporosis.For contrast CT scans we determined an ICC(3,1) of 0.889 (CI95: 0.801 – 0.948, p<0.001) and a formula of qCT=0.6·HUwith CM-4. The maximum sensitivity and specificity calculated using HU in the presence of contrast medium were 0.83 and 0.89 with cut-off of values of 122 and 125 HU, respectively, depending on the observer.ConclusionsHU are reliable for measurement of bone quality in spinal trauma, especially in native CT scans. HU measurements from contrast CT scans should be used more cautiously for bone quality estimation.
Harmful Alcohol Use Among Healthcare Workers at the Beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Kenya
Authors: JAGUGA FLORENCE , KWOBAH EDITH , MWANGI ANN , PATEL KIRTIKA , MWOGI THOMAS , KIPTOO ROBERT , ATWOLI LUKOYE
Published: April 2021

Background: The on-going COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a major negative impact on public mental health particularly among health care workers. Alcohol use is a common maladaptive response to stress that is associated with adverse health consequences and that could impair productivity in the workplace for the health workforce. The aim of this study is to document the burden and factors associated with harmful alcohol use among health care workers at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya.Methods: This study was a cross-sectional analysis of data obtained from a parent online survey that investigated the prevalence and factors associated with mental disorders among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya. Analyses for this study were conducted to examine the burden and factors associated with harmful alcohol use among a sub-group of 887 participants who completed the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) questionnaire.Results: Three hundred and eighty nine (43.9%) participants reported harmful alcohol use. The factors significantly associated with increased odds of endorsing harmful alcohol use were: being male (AOR= 1.56; 95% CI=1.14, 2.14; p=0.006), being not married (AOR= 2.06; 95% CI=1.48, 2.89; p<0.001), having 11-20 years of experience as compared to having 20+ years of experience (AOR= 1.91; 95% CI=1.18, 3.12; p=0.009), and being a specialist (AOR=2.78; CI=1.64, 4.78; P=<0.001) or doctor (AOR= 2.82; 95% CI=1.74, 4.63; p<0.001) as compared to being a nurse. Conclusions: A high proportion of health care workers reported harmful alcohol use at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya. Males, the unmarried, those with 11-20 years of experience in the health field, doctors and specialists were more likely to report harmful alcohol use. These findings highlight the need to institute interventions for harmful alcohol use targeting these groups of health care workers in Kenya during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cadmium Adsorption in Leaf Cell Walls Prevents Redistribution to Silique in Arabidopsis Thaliana Ecotypes Jm-1 and Kyo-0
Authors: Xiao Yan , Liu Dong , Li Li , Zhang Zhenhua , Luo Jin-Song
Published: April 2021

Background: Along with the rapid progress of industrialization and urbanization in the world, soil Cd pollution has become an increasingly serious problem. Phytoremediation has been widely used to mitigate heavy metal pollution in soils; however, it is difficult to reduce the Cd content in the grains of food crops using Cd pollution remediation techniques. Results: Here, we found that the Cd concentrations in the leaves, stems, and siliques of Arabidopsis thaliana (A. thaliana) ecotype Jm-1 were higher than in the ecotype Kyo-0. The Cd concentrations in the cell walls (CW) of the leaves were lower in Jm-1 than in Kyo-0, while the concentrations in the CW of the stem and silique were significantly higher in Jm-1 than in Kyo-0. The Cyclohexane Diamine Tetraacetic Acid (CDTA)-pectin and hemicellulose in Kyo-0 had higher Cd concentrations than those of Jm-1. The pectin methylesterase (PME) activity was higher in Kyo-0 than in Jm-1, and the expression levels of PME1, PME2, PME12, and PME25 were upregulated in Kyo-0 after Cd treatment. In addition, no significant differences in the Cd concentrations were found in the xylem of the two ecotypes, while the Cd concentration in the phloem was significantly higher in Jm-1 than in Kyo-0. The expression of iron transport-related genes showed that only YSL3 and ZIP11 had significant differences between the two ecotypes after Cd treatment, and the expression of the vacuolar Cd compartment-related genes that are responsible for transferring Cd from the cytoplasm to the vacuole showed that only CAX1 expression was significantly higher in Kyo-0 than in Jm-1. Conclusions: Kyo-0 accumulated less Cd than Jm-1 in the silique, which may be because (1) the activity of PME that is mainly regulated by PME1, PME2, PME12, and PME25 was higher in Kyo-0 leaves, leading to more Cd chelation in the pectin of the CWs, and (2) the expression of YSL3 was induced to regulate the transport of Cd in the phloem, thus reducing the transport of Cd to the silique. This study would benefit future research and agricultural practices.