bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PENGARUH PENERAPAN MODEL FLIPPED CLASSROOM COLLABORATIVE LEARNING TERHADAP KEMAMPUAN SCIENTIFIC REASONING DAN KEMAMPUAN SCIENTIFIC ARGUMENTATION
Authors: Magfirah Magfirah , Ahmar Dewi Satria , Sangkota Vivi Dia Aprianti
Published: January 2022

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui: (a) gambaran kemampuan scientific reasoning dan scientific argumentation mahasiswa setelah mengikuti pembelajaran dengan model flipped classroom collaborative learning (b) Ada atau tidaknya pengaruh implementasi model flipped classroom collaborative learning terhadap kemampuan scientific reasoning dan scientific argumentation  mahasiswa. Penelitian ini adalah quasy-experiment dengan desain two-group posttest only design. Populasi penelitian adalah mahasiswa Prodi Pendidikan Kimia Universitas Tadulako tahun akademik 2020/2021 semester genap. Sampel penelitian terdiri dari 21 mahasiswa di kelompok control dan 21 mahasiswa di kelompok eksperimen. Sampel ditentukan dengan teknik random sampling. Instrumen yang digunakan adalah The Lawson classroom test of scientific reasoning (LCTSR) dan Test of Scientific Argumentation . Teknik analisis data yang digunakan adalah statistik deskriptif dan  statistik inferensial menggunakan independent sample t-test. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan kemampuan scientific reasoning dan kemampuan mahasiswa di kelompok eksperimen lebih tinggi daripada di kelompok control. Pada kelompok eksperimen rata-rata kemampuan scientific reasoning mahasiswa yaitu 66,45 dan pada kelompok kontrol 53,27. Pada kelompok eksperimen rata-rata kemampuan scientific argumentation  yaitu 63,32 dan pada kelompok kontrol 52,82. Selain itu. Hasil uji independent sample t-test, nilai signifikansi terhadap data kemampuan scientific reasoning mahasiswa adalah 0,029 (<0,05) dan nilai signifikansi terhadap data kemampuan scientific argumentation mahasiswa adalah 0,042 (<0,05). Oleh karena itu disimpulkan bahwa terdapat pengaruh dari penerapan model flipped classroom-collaborative learning terhadap kemampuan scientific reasoning dan kemampuan scientific argumentation.
KARAKTER PEDULI LINGKUNGAN LAHAN BASAH: VALIDITAS MODEL PENDIDIKAN LINGKUNGAN
Authors: Sholahuddin Arif , Analita Rizki Nur , Fitriana Rezky , Sadiqin Ikhwan Khairu , Astuti Rani Widya
Published: January 2022

Pengembangan karakter peduli lingkungan lahan basah pada siswa SD memerlukan model atau strategi yang tepat. Karakter peduli lingkungan tersebut meliputi kerja keras, menjaga kesehatan dan kebersihan, bertanggung jawab dan bijaksana terhadap lingkungan lahan basah. Penelitian ini mengembangkan model pendidikan karakter peduli lingkungan lahan basah (PKP-LLB). Penelitian pengembangan ini menggunakan model evaluasi formatif metode Tessmer yang terdiri dari atas evaluasi diri, prototyping, dan  uji lapangan. Uji coba model PKP-LLB dilakukan di SDN Pasar Lama I Banjarmasin. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menghasilkan model PKP-LLB dan perangkat pendukungnya yang valid untuk meningkatkan karakter peduli lingkungan terhadap lingkungan lahan basah. Penelitian ini menemukan bahwa (1) desain PKP-LLB sangat valid berdasarkan telaah ahli, (2) perangkat pendukung utama model PKP-LLB sangat valid untuk digunakan dalam menerapkan model PKP-LLB untuk membekali pengetahuan. dan karakter peduli lingkungan lahan basah (3) siswa tidak mengalami kesulitan dalam membaca dan memahami materi penunjang pembelajaran. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian dapat disimpulkan bahwa model PKP-LLB ini valid, namun memerlukan uji coba dan evaluasi lebih lanjut untuk mencapai kepraktisan dan keefektifannya.
From Water to Land: The Structural Construction and Molecular Switches in Lungs during Metamorphosis of Microhyla fissipes
Authors: Chang Liming , Zhang Meihua , Chen Qiheng , Liu Jiongyu , Zhu Wei , Jiang Jianping
Published: January 2022

Metamorphosis is a critical process for most anurans to transition from water to land. The appearance of air-breathing lungs occurs during the change in oxygen medium from water to air. Revealing the structural construction and molecular switches of lung organogenesis is essential to understand the realization of air-breathing function. In this study, histology and transcriptomics were combinedly conducted to explore these issues in Microhyla fissipes lungs during metamorphosis. During the pro-metamorphic phase, histological structure improving of the alveolar wall was accompanied by robust substrate metabolism and protein turnover. The lungs, at the metamorphic climax phase, are characterized by an increased number of cilia in the alveolar epithelial cells and collagenous fibers in the connective tissues, corresponding to the transcriptional upregulation of cilia and extracellular matrix-related genes. The post-metamorphic lungs strengthen the contracting function, as suggested by the thickened muscle layer and the upregulated expression of genes involved in muscle contraction. The blood–gas barrier is fully developed in adult lungs whose transcriptional features are tissue growth and differentiation regulation and immunity. Importantly, significant transcriptional switches of pulmonary surfactant protein and hemoglobin facilitate air-breathing. Our results illuminated four key steps of lung development for amphibians to transition from water to land.
CRISPR-Cas Systems in Gut Microbiome of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Zakharevich Natalia V. , Nikitin Mikhail S. , Kovtun Alexey S. , Malov Vsevolod O. , Averina Olga V. , Danilenko Valeriy N. , Artamonova Irena I.
Published: January 2022

Human gut microbiome is associated with various diseases, including autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Variations of the taxonomical composition in the gut microbiome of children with ASD have been observed repeatedly. However, features and parameters of the CRISPR-Cas systems in the gut microbiome of children with ASD have not been investigated yet. Here we demonstrate such an analysis in comparison with the healthy microbiome. For the identification of CRISPR-Cas systems, we used a combination of the publicly available tools suited for completed genomes with subsequent filtrations. In all considered datasets, the microbiomes of children with ASD contained fewer arrays per Gb of assembly, than the control group, but the arrays included more spacers on average. These patterns were observed systematically in our datasets, although their statistical significance hardly matched the thresholds. CRISPR arrays from the microbiomes of children with ASD differed from the control group neither in the fractions of spacers with protospacers from known genomes, nor in the sets of known bacteriophages providing protospacers. The majority of bacterial protospacers of the gut microbiome systems for both children with ASD and the healthy ones was located in the prophage islands.
A Rare Case of Hepatic Vanishing Bile Duct Syndrome Occurring After Combination Therapy With Nivolumab and Cabozantinib in a Patient With Renal Carcinoma
Authors: Gourari Karim , Catherine Julien , Garaud Soizic , Kerger Joseph , Lepida Antonia , Georgala Aspasia , Lebrun Fabienne , Gomez Galdon Maria , Gil Thierry , Willard-Gallo Karen , Langouo Fontsa Mireille
Published: January 2022

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) significantly improve the outcomes of patients with advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), but high-grade toxicities can occur, particularly during combination therapy. Herein, we report a patient with advanced metastatic ccRCC, who developed grade 4 cholestasis during combined therapy with nivolumab and cabozantinib. After the exclusion of common disorders associated with choles-tasis and a failure of corticosteroids (CS), a liver biopsy was performed that demonstrated severe ductopenia. Consequently, a diagnosis of vanishing bile duct syndrome related to TKI and ICI administration was made, resulting in CS discontinuation and ursodeoxycholic acid administra-tion. After a 7-months follow-up, liver tests had returned to normal values. Immunological studies revealed that our patient had developed robust T-cells and macrophages infiltrates in his lung metastasis, as well as in skin and liver tissues at the onset of toxicities. At the same time, peripheral blood immunophenotyping revealed significant changes in T-cell subsets suggesting their potential role in the pathophysiology of the disease.
The Complex Universe
Authors: Laforet Christopher
Published: January 2022

In this paper, it is proposed that to fully understand the Cosmology of the Universe, we need to consider the FRW metric to measure the Universe in our past light cone and the internal Schwarzschild metric to accurately predict the scale factor. The unknowns in the internal Schwarzschild metric are solved for using cosmological data and it is shown that the predictions it gives match observations without the need for a cosmological constant. The entire Schwarzschild metric in Kruskal-Sezekeres coordinates is examined and we see that it describes two CPT symmetric Universes moving in opposite directions in the time dimension. One Universe contains matter while the other contains antimatter. It is then shown that due to the sign of the angular term in the internal Schwarzschild metric, the time dimension is complex-valued which allows the Universes to, in a sense, bounce off each other at the Big Bang due to particle annihilation and reproduction, after which both Universes expand away from one another. At the singularity, the geodesics reverse their direction in time and begin to re-collapse toward each other. This creates a discontinuity in the geodesics at the singularity, giving rise to the singular nature of the coordinates at that point in time. Finally, we look at the external solution and find that gravitational event horizons cannot be formed or reached until the end of the re-collapse. We find that all the gravitational event horizons in the Universe represent the same point which is the annihilation event at the end of re-collapse.
Effect of Docosahexaenoic Acid as a Chemopreventive Agent on Experimentally Induced Hamster Buccal Pouch Carcinogenesis
Authors: Alqalshy Emad , Ibrahim Amr Mohamed , Abdel-Hafiz Ahmed Abdel-Shakour , AbdEl-Rahman Kamal Abd , Alazzazi Magdy , Omar Mohamed , Abdel-Wahab Amr Saad
Published: January 2022

The purpose of the current study was directed to investigate the effectiveness of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) as a chemopreventive agent on experimentally induced hamster buccal pouch (HBP) carcinogenesis; Material and methods: 40 Syrian male hamsters, five weeks old, were divided into 4 groups of 10 animals in each as follows, GI: Topical application of liquid paraffin alone (thrice a week for 14 weeks), GII: Topical application of 7, 12 dimethyl benz[a]anthracene (DMBA) alone (0.5 % in liquid paraffin, thrice a week for 14 weeks), GIII: Topical application of DMBA (0.5 % in liquid paraffin, thrice a week for 14 weeks) + Oral administration of DHA (125 mg/kg b.w. in 1 ml distilled water by oral gavage, thrice a week for 14 weeks on alternative days of DMBA application), GIV : Oral administration of DHA alone (125 mg/kg b.w. in 1 ml distilled water by oral gavage, thrice a week for 14 weeks); Results: Gross observations and histopathological findings revealed a-GI: normal stratified squamous epithelium b- GII: well and moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) c-: GIII: showed variable results ranges from hyperkeratosis, hyperkeratosis and focal hyperplasia, mild dysplasia, and well differentiated SCC with superficial invasion of tumor cells not extended to deeper areas d: GIV: normal similar to GI. Immunohistochemical results revealed that oral DHA treatment to DMBA treated hamsters restored the normal expression of bcl-2; Conclusion: DHA has the potential to be a dietary chemopreventive agent due to its capacity to improve carcinogen detoxification and to block/suppress the initiation and promotion stages of experimentally produced HBP carcinogenesis.
Compost Effect on Organic Pepper and Olive Sapling Growth
Authors: Kir Alev
Published: January 2022

To substitute of conventional manure and peat with alternatives sourcing from environmental conservation concerns, several promising alternatives has been attracting scientific parties’ interest, recently. However, among them compost perform the best, mostly and support carbon sequestration and mitigation against climate change. The article describes the made locally produced 70% in volume olive pruning branches compost (COMP) performance in two trials as an organic amendment in pepper production and an olive sapling substrate during 2019-2021 organic management in Turkey. The application of COMP to pepper trial conducted using factorial randomised block design with 4 replications and 6 treatments increased total organic matter and soil organic carbon, significantly (p<0.05) as compared to non-used plots in two locations. The olive sapling trial was conducted using a randomised plot design with 4 replications and 4 treatments. After the 12 months of growth, compost had the largest architecture rooted plants significantly different (p<0.05). Fresh volume (cm3) of COMP used saplings were obtained 35% less than 40% peat treatment, significantly (p<0.05) while 6th month measurement was found as 40%. It is concluded that to enhance circular economy recycling and composting olive pruning branches is lucrative for the country to reduce external input usage in organic horticultural production.
Cochlear Implants for Patients With Common Cavity Deformities and the Impact of Electrode Positioning
Authors: Bae Seong Hoon , Choi Jihoon , Choi Jae Young
Published: January 2022

Objectives. Common cavity deformity is a rare congenital bony labyrinth malformation associated with profound hearing loss. Cochlear implants are widely used for hearing rehabilitation for common cavity deformities; however, the reported prognosis is poor. Due to the deformed anatomical structure, it is important to consider the position of the electrodes to maximize the performance of the cochlear implant. The present study discusses the impact of electrode placement on hearing outcomes.Methods. A retrospective medical chart review of eight common cavity deformity patients (10 cochlear implants) who received cochlear implants was performed at a single university hospital. In all eight patients, implant surgery was performed using single-slit labyrinthotomy. Electrodes wer e manually bent before insertion to prevent misplacement and to reduce physical damage to the neuroepithelium.Results. Four of the 10 electrodes were misplaced, with their tips placed in the anterior semicircular canal or internal auditory canal. However, after implant surgery, all patients—including those with misplaced electrodes—gained auditory perception and improved hearing function. One patient who had electrodes that did not contact the inner wall of the cavity showed limited activity of the electrodes (27%) compared to others (64%–100%).Conclusion. Proper contact of the electrode with the inner wall was more likely to be important for cochlear implant success in cases of common cavity deformity than appropriate placement of the electrode tip.
Initial Cenozoic Exhumation of the Northern Chinese Tian Shan Deduced from Apatite (U-Th)/He Thermochronological Data
Authors: Yu Jingxing , Zheng Dewen , Zhang Huiping , Wang Yizhou , Hao Yuqi , Li Chaopeng
Published: January 2022

The present topography of Tian Shan is related to the India-Asia collision, whereas the mechanisms for the topographic growth of Tian Shan remain at the center of debate partly due to the poorly constrained onset timing of the Cenozoic tectonic deformation. Our new apatite (U-Th)/He (AHe) data in the northern Chinese Tian Shan suggest that rapid cooling commenced at 20.2±4.9 Ma along the northern margin, which is consistent with published fission-track data from the same area and confirms that the youngest component of fission-track has been totally annealed. Moreover, AHe data from the interior mountain suggest that enhanced cooling began at 28.0±2.3 Ma, which is slightly older than that from the northern edge of the mountain. Although thermochronological data suggest that both the interior and northern margin of the northern Chinese Tian Shan have undergone rapid cooling since the late Oligocene-early Miocene, well preservation of relict low-relief surfaces along the northern rim of the northern Chinese Tian Shan and published thermochronological data indicate that the northern Chinese Tian Shan may have experienced differential exhumation in the Cenozoic. Combining the thermochronological and geomorphological evidence, we propose a progressive northward growth model for the northern Chinese Tian Shan. During the late Oligocene and early Miocene, compressive deformation derived from the India-Asia collision have arrived at the northern Tian Shan to reactivate both the interior mountain and its northern margin, while intense exhumation was concentrated in the interior mountain range. Then, deformation extended northward into the foreland basin that may be initiated in the middle-late Miocene.
Iron Sulfide Solubility Measurement and Modeling Over Wide Ranges of Temperatures, Ionic Strength, and pH
Authors: Wang Xin , Dai Zhaoyi , Ko Saebom , Deng Guannan , Zhao Yue , Dai Chong , Li Wei , Paudyal Samridhdi , Yao Xuanzhu , Kan Amy T. , Tomson Mason
Published: January 2022

Iron sulfides constitute a diverse group of solid phases and aqueous complexes, many of which are critical in both natural and industrial processes, such as marine sedimentation, oil and gas productions, metallic equipment corrosion by hydrogen sulfide, and water treatment, to mention a few. As the fundamental basis of related research on iron sulfides, an accurate thermodynamic model for iron sulfide solubility prediction under wide ranges of conditions (e.g., water compositions, temperature, pressure, and pH) is required. In this study, a plug flow reactor was built to measure iron sulfide solubility at various temperatures (25–90°C), pH (5.9–6.9), and ionic strength (0.150–4.27 mol/kg). Using the mackinawite solubility data measured in this study and in literature, a new Pitzer theory-based thermodynamic model with the explicit presence of ion complexes was developed. In this model, a neutral aqueous ion complex, FeSaq, was included explicitly. The mackinawite solubility product constant was fitted with a temperature-dependent equation from 23 to 125°C: pKsp,m=−94.97+4,444TK+14.64×ln(TK), with TK as temperature in Kelvin. This model can accurately predict the mackinawite solubility with standard error of estimate (SEE) of the mean SI = ±0.015 SI units, under wide ranges of temperature (23–125°C), pH (3.16–9.66), ionic strength (0–5 mol/kg water), and Fe(II) to S(-II) molar ratio (from 1:1,000 to 10,000:1). The Gibbs free energy and enthalpy of formation for mackinawite were also derived. This new model could help improve FeS scaling and corrosion control in complicated industrial systems, as well as the sulfide-related heavy metal transport in natural aqueous systems.
Optimization of Engine Parameters using NSGA II for the Comprehensive Reduction of Emissions from VCR Engine Fuelled with ROME Biodiesel
Authors: Saravanamuthu Murugapoopathi , Thulasiram Ramachandran , Ramasamy Dharmalingam , Sundaramoorthy Surendarnath
Published: January 2022

Diesel engines are most widely used as power plant for many applications, like automotive, agricultural purposes, portable machines and remote location power generation, because of their higher torque, power output, energy content per unit mass and cost of fuel. Because of the higher compression ratios, the diesel engines are able to produce greater cylinder pressures resulting in higher temperatures and thermal efficiency. On other hand, the diesel engines produce COx, NOx, Soot and sulphur emissions which are harmful and pollute the environment leads to acid rain, global warming and variety of human diseases. Also, the Present emission regulations are framed such a way to ensure the environmental sustainability in addition to the economic and social importance. These constraints make the researchers to find an alternate fuel for replacing the diesel fuel on the existing diesel engines for the reduction of environmental pollutions. Biodiesel is found to be a very good alternative fuel obtained from natural resources and having good energy with least possible emissions. Rubber seed methyl ester (ROME) is one kind of the biofuel can be used in the existing diesel without any engine modifications. The ROME is produced using trans esterification process and the biodiesel blends are prepared in the sequence of B20, B40, B60 and B80. The ROME is tested on the Variable Compression Ratio (VCR) engine to test the emission characteristic in line with the performance characteristics. To reduce the emissions, the prediction models are developed for CO and NOx using the Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The models are verified through the ANOVA and p-test for their adequacy to create the hypothesis of the experimentation. The NSGA II evolutionary multi-objective optimization is used to optimize the engine parameters to minimise the pollutions from the ROME fuelled engine. Finally, the optimized parameters are verified though the experimentation to verify the least possible emissions from the engine.
Effectiveness of Intra-Articular Injection of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) In Isolated Patellofemoral Arthritis
Authors: El-Desouky Ihab Ibraheem
Published: January 2022

Background: Adults commonly develop isolated patellofemoral arthritis (PFA). It has been suggested that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may be beneficial in the conservative treatment of tibiofemoral knee osteoarthritis (OA). The purpose of this study is to compare patient complaints prior to and following PRP injection for PFA during conservative treatment.Materials and methods: This study included eighteen female patients with unilateral PFA between the ages of 25 and 40 years. They received a single dose of PRP injections after failing to respond to conservative treatment. The outcome measures, which included VAS and Kujala scores, were compared to a matched group of eighteen patients managed conservatively but successfully. Both groups received the same physiotherapy regimen, and all patients were followed for one year until the final assessment.Results: At the final follow-up, the PRP group's VAS scale was significantly improved compared to their pre-injection status, with a p-value of < 0.001. However, no statistically significant difference was observed between the PRP and the non-PRP groups that improved with conservative treatment (p>0.9). Comparable results were obtained when the two groups' Kujala scores were compared.Conclusion: Patients with isolated patellofemoral arthritis who do not respond to conservative treatment may benefit from a single PRP injection, which may postpone or eliminate the need for surgical treatment.
Hepatic Fibrosis: A Manifestation of the Evolution of Liver Disease in Patients with Ataxia-Telangiectasia
Authors: Barreto Talita Lemos Neves , Filho Roberto José de Carvalho , Shigueoka David Carlos , Fonseca Fernando Luiz Affonso , Ferreira Ariel Cordeiro , Kochi Cristiane , Aranda Carolina Sanchez , Sarni Roseli Oselka Saccardo
Published: January 2022

Background: Ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) is a DNA repair disorder characterized by changes in several organs and systems. Advances in clinical protocols have resulted in increased survival of A-T patients, however disease progression is evident, mainly through metabolic and liver changes. We aimed to identify the frequency of significant hepatic fibrosis in A-T patients and to verify association with metabolic alterations and degree of ataxia. Results: Dyslipidemia was observed in 16/25 (64%), diabetes in 4/22 (18%), insulin resistance in 5/17 (29%), hepatic steatosis in 13/20 (65%) and suggestive of significant hepatic fibrosis in 5/25 (20%). Patients in the group with significant hepatic fibrosis were older (p<0.001), had lower platelet values (p=0.027), albumin (p=0.019), HDL-c (p=0.013) and Matsuda index (p=0.044); and high values of LDL-c (p=0.049), AST (p=0.001), alanine aminotransferase (p=0.002), gamma-glutamyl transferase (p=0.001), ferritin (p=0.001), 120-minutes glycemia by OGTT (p=0.049), HOMA-AD (p=0.016) and degree of ataxia (p=0.009). Conclusions: A suggestive diagnosis of significant hepatic fibrosis was observed in 20% of A-T patients which was associated with changes in liver enzymes, ferritin, increased HOMA-AD and with severity of ataxia compared to patients without hepatic fibrosis.
Out-of-date datasets hamper conservation of species close to extinction
Authors: Abeli Thomas , Sharrock Suzanne , Rocchetti Giulia Albani
Published: January 2022

International databases and data aggregators on species conservation status are powerful tools supporting the efforts of conservation biologists and practitioners in reducing the loss of biodiversity. However, out-of-date information and poor interoperability of databases can hamper conservation of highly threatened species or in extreme cases can result in their removal from conservation frameworks. Lack of common standards for database updates, slow update timing and incongruencies among datasets result in confusing information that prevent proper conservation prioritisation and actions. A simple survey to update and solve incongruencies between the BGCI PlantSearch Database, the IUCN Red List and other datasets resulted in a change of status of sixteen plant species, including the “rehabilitation” of fourteen species thought to be extinct.
3D Reconstruction From Structured-Light Profilometry With Dual-Path Hybrid Network
Authors: Wang Lei , Lu Dunqiang , Qiu Ruowen , Tao Jiaqing
Published: January 2022

With the rapid development of high-speed image sensors and optical imaging technology, these have effectively promoted the improvement of non-contact 3D shape measurement. Among them, striped structured-light technology has been widely used because of its high measurement accuracy. Compared with classical methods such as Fourier transform profilometry, many deep neural networks are utilized to restore 3D shape from single shot structured-light. In actual engineering deployments, the number of learnable parameters of convolution neural network (CNN) is huge, especially for high-resolution structured-light patterns. To this end, we proposed a dual-path hybrid network based on UNet, which eliminates the deepest convolution layers to reduce the number of learnable parameters, and a swin transformer path is additionally built on the decoder to improve the global perception of this network. The experimental results show that the learnable parameters of the model are reduced by 60% compared with the UNet, and the measurement accuracy is not degraded at the same time. The proposed dual-path hybrid network provides an effective solution for structured-light 3D reconstruction and its practice in engineering.
ETC-1002 Attenuates Porphyromonas Gingivalis Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation in RAW264.7 Cells via the AMPK/NF-κB Pathway and Exerts Ameliorative Effects in Experimental Periodontitis in Mice
Authors: Li Hong-yan , Zhang Peipei , Lin Hongbing , Gao Huan , Yin Jianyuan
Published: January 2022

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by periodontal tissue destruction and tooth loss. Clinically, the failure of periodontal therapy stems largely from an inability to control the inflammatory response. Resolution of inflammation is an active, energy-requiring repair process, not merely a passive termination of inflammation. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a key energy sensor, has been shown to negatively regulate inflammatory signaling pathways. ETC-1002 is an activator of AMPK. This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of ETC-1002 through modulating AMPK in periodontitis. Results suggested that ETC-1002 exerts anti-inflammatory effects in Pg-LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells via the AMPK/NF-κB pathway in vitro, and inhibits the progress of experimental periodontitis in mice in an AMPK signaling-dependent manner in vivo. These results provide evidence for the beneficial effects of ETC-1002 in the treatment of periodontitis.
Ultrasensitive Detection of COVID-19 Virus N Protein Based on p-Toluenesulfonyl Modified Fluorescent Microspheres Immunoassay
Authors: Mao Mao , Wu Feng , Shi XueYing , Huang YuLan , Ma Lan
Published: January 2022

The pandemic of new coronary pneumonia caused by the COVID-19 virus continues to ravage the world. Large-scale population testing is the key to controlling infection and related mortality worldwide. Lateral flow immunochromatographic assay (LFIA) is fast, inexpensive, simple to operate, and easy to carry, very suitable for detection sites. This study developed a COVID-19 N protein detect strip based on p-toluenesulfonyl modified rare earth fluorescent microspheres. The p-toluenesulfonyl-activated nanomaterials provide reactive sulfonyl esters to covalently attach antibodies or other ligands containing primary amino or sulfhydryl groups to the nanomaterial surface. Antibodies are immobilized on these nanomaterials through the Fc region, which ensures optimal orientation of the antibody, thereby increasing the capture rate of the target analyte. The use of buffers with high ionic strength can promote hydrophobic binding, in addition, higher pH could promote the reactivity of the tosyl group. The detection limit of the prepared COVID-19 N protein strips can reach 0.01ng/mL so it has great application potential in large-scale population screening.
Adipocyte-derived CCDC3 Promotes Tumorigenesis in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Through the Wnt/ß-catenin Signalling Pathway
Authors: Wang Fen , Jin Feng , Peng Shanshan , Li Chen , Wang Li , Wang Shubin
Published: January 2022

Background: Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is a highly aggressive disease whose unique metastatic site is the omentum. Coiled-coil domain containing 3 (CCDC3) is an adipocyte-derived secreted protein that is specifically elevated in omental adipose tissue. However, its function is still unknown.Results: Overexpression of CCDC3 was associated with poor prognosis of EOC. CCDC3 interacted with multiple key signalling pathways, including the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. EOC cellular proliferation, migration, and invasion were promoted in vitro when co-cultured with conditioned medium containing CCDC3, and this tumour-promoting effect was induced by activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Furthermore, the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of EOC cells was reversed after CCDC3 silencing.Conclusions: Our results support that CCDC3 promotes EOC tumorigenesis through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and that CCDC3 may serve as a novel prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for metastatic EOC.
Mechanical ventilation and histological fibrosis in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome undergoing open lung biopsy
Authors: Li Hsin-Hsien , Wang Chih-Wei , Chang Chih-Hao , Huang Chung-Chi , Hsu Han-Shui , Chiu Li-Chung
Published: January 2022

Background: Mechanical ventilation is the most important support treatment for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS); however, it brings with it the risk of ventilator-induced lung injury, which can lead to pulmonary fibrosis and prolonged mechanical ventilation. Our objective in this study was to examine the correlation between ventilator settings and histological fibrosis in ARDS patients. We also examined the impact of histological fibrosis on clinical outcomes and mortality.
Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with ARDS who received open lung biopsy in a tertiary care referral center in Taiwan between March 2006 and December 2019. Mechanical ventilator settings were recorded at the time of ARDS diagnosis and on the day of biopsy.
Results: A total of 68 ARDS patients who had received open lung biopsy with diffuse alveolar damage (DAD; the hallmark pathology of ARDS) were analyzed and stratified into non-fibrosis (n = 56) and fibrosis groups (n = 12). Mechanical power and airway pressures at the time of ARDS diagnosis and airway pressures on the day of biopsy were significantly higher in the fibrosis group than in the non-fibrosis group, and lung compliance on the day of biopsy was significantly lower. The duration of ventilator usage and time spent in the intensive care unit and hospital stay were all significantly higher in the fibrosis group. Hospital mortality was higher in the fibrosis than in the non-fibrosis group (67% vs. 57%, p = 0.748). In the fibrosis group, patients with AE-IPF (n = 5) received higher ventilator load and faced higher hospital mortality than DAD with fibrotic phase (n = 7) (80% vs. 57%, p = 0.242). A multivariable logistic regression model demonstrated that mechanical power at ARDS diagnosis and ARDS duration before biopsy were independently associated with histological fibrosis at open lung biopsy (odds ratio 1.493 [95% CI 1.014–2.200], p = 0.042; odds ratio 1.160 [95% CI 1.052–1.278], p = 0.003, respectively).
Conclusions: Our findings indicate that prompt action aimed at staving off injurious mechanical stretching of lung parenchyma and subsequent progression to fibrosis may have a positive effect on clinical outcomes.
Keywords: Mechanical ventilation, Acute respiratory distress syndrome, Open lung biopsy, Histology, Diffuse alveolar damage, Pulmonary fibrosis, Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, Outcomes
FLASH irradiator at the Radiological Research Accelerator Facility.
Authors: Garty Guy , Obaid Razib , Deoli Naresh , Royba Ekaterina , harken Andrew D. , Brenner David J.
Published: January 2022

The Radiological Research Accelerator Facility has modified a decommissioned Varian Clinac to deliver FLASH dose rates: Operating in 9 MeV electron mode (FLASH mode), samples can be irradiated inside the Clinac head at average dose rates of up to 600 Gy/sec (3 Gy per 0.5 µsec pulse, 180 pulses per sec). In this mode multiple pulses are required for most irradiations. By modulating pulse repetition rate, dose rates below 1 Gy/min can be achieved, allowing comparison of FLASH and conventional irradiations with the same beam. Operating in 6 MV photon mode, with the conversion target removed (superFLASH mode), samples are irradiated at instantaneous dose rates of up to 1 GGy/sec (0.2-150 Gy per pulse, 360 pulses per sec) and most irradiations can be performed with a single very high dose rate pulse. In both modes we have seen the expected inverse relation between dose rate and irradiated area, with the highest dose rates obtained for beams with a FWHM of about 2 cm and ±10% uniformity over 1 cm diameter. As an example of operation of the FLASH irradiator, we present dose rate dependence of dicentric chromosome yields.
Optimising data visualisation in the process control and IIoT environments
Authors: Maharaj Robin , Balyan Vipin , Khan Mohammed Tariq
Published: January 2022

In the present context of the 4th Industrial revolution, there is a growing need to get data from different data sources in a standard data format. This paper presents a solution to achieve this convergence in using IoT technology, extracting available data, and making it available to high-level systems in a standard, low latency framework. This paper presents different protocols like OPC UA, Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT), and Constrained Application Protocol(COAP) to achieve this data transportation/acquisition. It also presents an emerging Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) technology, LoRa WAN, to augment the data of the process control system, explicitly extending the range of sensors to wireless data points.
Fault feature extraction of rolling element bearings based on short-time processing
Authors: Chen Fan
Published: January 2022

Fault diagnosis of bearings is a crucial part of the maintenance process of the rotary machinery. Extracting the cyclic characteristics of the impact force is of significant importance for the bearing diagnosis. To highlight the fault features from signals combined with heavy background noise, a novel approach for bearing fault diagnosis based on the short-time processing is proposed. Fault signals are regarded as periodic impulse response signals. Firstly, a vibration signal is band-pass filtered with a subsequent spectral analysis. Then we integrate the energy of the filtered signal with a constant length, and the natural logarithm is considered to obtain the energy curve. The energy curve is a straight decaying curve, and its spectral energy is more concentrated on the fault characteristic frequency compared with envelope. Finally, the fault characteristic frequency of the bearing is found by the spectral analysis of the energy curve. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by simulation and experiments. The harmonics and sidebands in logarithmic energy spectrum are suppressed well, and the fault characteristic frequency is highlighted. Comparison of the proposed method with Hilbert envelope method shows that the proposed method can highlight the fault characteristic frequency.
Multiscale assessments of hydroclimatic modelling uncertainties under a changing climate
Authors: Oyerinde Ganiyu Titilope , Lawin Agnide E. , Anthony Tobore
Published: January 2022

Since the 1970s, climate change has led to decreasing water resources in the Sahel. To cope with climate change, reliable modelling of future hydroclimatic evolutions is required. This study uses multiclimate and hydrological modelling approaches to access past and future (1951–2100) hydroclimatic trends on nine headwater catchments of the Niger River Basin. Eight global climate models (GCMs) dynamically downscaled under the CORDEX CMIP5 project were used. The GCM data were bias-corrected with quantile–quantile mapping. Three rainfall–runoff models (IHACRES-CMD, IHACRES-CWI and Sacramento) were calibrated and validated with observed data and used to simulate runoff. The projected future runoff trend from 2061 to 2090 was compared across the three hydrological models to assess uncertainties from hydrological models. Results show that the bias correction positively enhanced the quality of eight GCMs across the nine catchments. An average Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) across the nine catchments was improved from 0.53 to 0.68 and the Kling–Gupta Efficiency (KGE) was enhanced from 0.65 to 0.83. The three hydrological models were calibrated and validated appropriately on the nine catchments. Despite this, high hydrological modelling uncertainties were witnessed with contrasting projected future runoff patterns by the three models. We recommended the use of ensembles of both climate and hydrological models to provide reliable hydroclimatic modelling.
Evaluation of satellite-based and reanalysis precipitation datasets by hydrologic simulation in the Chenab river basin
Authors: Ougahi Jamal Hassan , Mahmood Syed Amer
Published: January 2022

Several satellite-based and reanalysis products with a high spatial and temporal resolution have become available in recent decades, making it worthwhile to study the performance of multiple precipitation forcing data on hydrological modeling. This study aims to examine the veracity of five precipitation products employing a semi-distributed hydrological model, i.e., the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to simulate streamflow over the Chenab River Basin (CRB). The performance indices such as coefficient of determination (R2), Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) and percentage bias (PBIAS) were used to compare observed and simulated streamflow at daily and monthly scales during calibration (2015–2018) and validation (2019–2020). The hydrologic performance of European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Reanalysis (ERA) 5-Land (ERA5) was very good at daily (calibration R2=0.83, NSE=0.81, PBIAS=−6%; validation R2=0.75, NSE=0.74, PBIAS=−9.6%) and monthly ( calibration R2=0.94, NSE=0.94, PBIAS=−3.3%; validation R2=0.91, NSE=0.89, PBIAS=−3.2%) scales. This study suggests that the ERA5 precipitation product was the most reliable of the five precipitation products, while the CHIRPS performance was the worst. These findings contribute to highlighting the performance of five precipitation products and reference in the selection of precipitation data as input data to the SWAT model in similar regions.
Electrocoagulación con electrodos de aluminio para tratamiento de aguas residuales de curtiembres en Villapinzón, Cundinamarca, Colombia
Authors: Muñoz Espitia Miguel Ángel , Cortés Bermúdez Jairo David , Agudelo Valencia Rafael Nikolay
Published: January 2022

Este articulo proviene de la investigación “Análisis de la eficiencia de la electrocoagulación con electrodos de aluminio para la reducción de turbidez y demanda química de oxígeno (DQO) en las aguas residuales de pelambre en el municipio de Villapinzón, Cundinamarca”, la cual se desarrolló en la Universidad Libre, seccional Bogotá, en 2019. Los residuos líquidos provenientes de las curtiembres tienen como problemática común las aguas obtenidas del proceso de pelambre, ya que poseen altas concentraciones de sustancias contaminantes que son vertidas y afectan a cuerpos de agua. Por ello, este estudio tiene como objetivo evaluar un sistema de electrocoagulación a escala de laboratorio para remover turbiedad y DQO, por medio de ensayos realizados en modo discontinuo por períodos de 45 minutos. Con variaciones en la cantidad de electrodos (2, 4 y 6; planos y perforados) y con una intensidad de corriente aplicada de 12 A y 10 V, la máxima remoción de turbiedad y DQO alcanzó valores de 99,77 y 74,18 %, respectivamente, cuando se usaron 4 electrodos planos. Para turbiedad, el uso de electrodos perforados permitió alcanzar valores de remoción del 98 % (con 2 electrodos). Esta técnica también permite eliminar sulfuros, empleando 4 y 6 electrodos, alcanzando una remoción de 45,86 y 48,21 %, respectivamente. En el estudio se pudo determinar que la cantidad adecuada de electrodos para el proceso es 4. El aumento del número de electrodos reduce la densidad de corriente, aumenta el área de contacto y favorece la disolución de aluminio en exceso.
Industria 4.0: el reto para las pymes manufactureras de Bogotá, Colombia
Authors: Ladino Fernández Jessica Marcela , Briceño Barrero Diana Liseth , Rodríguez Rojas Luz Andrea
Published: January 2022

La cuarta revolución industrial es una etapa caracterizada por el uso de diferentes tecnologías que implica cambios en la manera como trabajan las empresas. En tanto que la emergencia sanitaria ocasionada por la pandemia de COVID-19 determinó el cierre de un importante número de las empresas manufactureras, la industria 4.0 representa una oportunidad para enfrentar la crisis por parte de las pymes bogotanas del sector manufacturero. La finalidad del presente documento es presentar un diagnóstico relacionado con la implementación de la cuarta revolución industrial en las pequeñas y medianas empresas manufactureras, contribuyendo de esta manera a establecer una hoja de ruta que permita poner en marcha estas tecnologías en las empresas colombianas. La metodología se dividió en tres fases. En la primera se identificaron características de la problemática. La segunda fase consistió en recolectar información por medio de una encuesta a 100 pymes del sector manufacturero. En la tercera fase se documentaron los resultados obtenidos. Dentro de las conclusiones del estudio, se destaca que el 85 % de las empresas no realiza capacitaciones en herramientas de la industria 4.0 y solo 18,6 % de ellas tiene un plan de inversión en esta dimensión; apenas un 3,9 % utiliza software especializado para el tratamiento de sus datos y el 36,3 % de las empresas no usa ningún método de ciberseguridad.
Aplicación de semillas artificiales como método de conservación in vitro de orquídeas
Authors: Cárdenas Guarín Jurghen Hernando , Sigarroa Rieche Alina Katil , Salazar Mercado Seir Antonio
Published: January 2022

Las técnicas de conservación ex situ de germoplasma vegetal se han convertido en herramientas imprescindibles para la preservación de la biodiversidad en el mundo. Las orquídeas son conocidas por ser una de las familias más afectadas por este problema, y se requieren de grandes esfuerzos para asegurar genéticamente el germoplasma de estas especies. Con el paso de los años, el cultivo de tejidos vegetales se ha establecido como el método más práctico y efectivo para la conservación y propagación de la familia Orchidaceae, debido a la gran cantidad de material que se puede disponer de un número limitado de plantas. Sin embargo, es bien conocido el corto tiempo de vida en almacenamiento que presentan las semillas de las orquídeas. Desde el desarrollo biotecnológico se han implementado técnicas como la encapsulación de embriones vegetales, la cual ha obtenido resultados efectivos y favorables para la conservación de germoplasma de las orquídeas. En la presente revisión se hace una recopilación de algunos de los avances más significativos en la técnica de semillas artificiales, resaltando sus principales diferencias y similitudes con otras técnicas de preservación vegetal utilizadas para la conservación de orquídeas. Se demuestra así que las técnicas de encapsulación de embriones representan un gran avance para la conservación de orquídeas a corto y mediano plazo, y la optimización de los protocolos permitirá su uso en diferentes laboratorios de la región y el país, y contribuirá a la estandarización de la técnica y su implementación en distintas variedades de orquídeas, obteniendo un impacto significativo en la conservación de germoplasma de esta familia.
eHealth Literacy in a Sample of South Asian Adults in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada: Subanalysis of a 2014 Community-Based Survey
Authors: Makowsky Mark J , Davachi Shahnaz , Jones Charlotte A
Published: January 2022

Background

Digital health interventions are efficient and flexible methods for enhancing the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. However, little is known about the characteristics associated with eHealth literacy in the Canadian South Asian population.

Objective

The aim of this study is to describe perceived eHealth literacy and explore the extent to which it is associated with sociodemographic, health status, and technology use variables in a subset of South Asian Canadians.

Methods

We analyzed data from the e-Patient Project survey, a mixed-mode cross-sectional survey that occurred in 2014. The eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS) was used to measure eHealth literacy in a convenience sample of 511 English- or Punjabi-speaking South Asian adults recruited from a community pharmacy, a family physician office, and community events in Edmonton, Alberta. Multivariable quantile regression was used to explore variables associated with eHealth literacy.

Results

The analysis was restricted to 301 internet users (mean age 39.9, SD 14.8 years; 166/301, 55.1% female) who provided responses to all 8 eHEALS questions and complete demographic information. The mean overall eHEALS score was 29.3 (SD 6.8) out of 40, and 71.4% (215/301) agreed to at least 5 out of the 8 eHEALS items. The eHEALS item with the lowest level of agreement was “I can tell high-quality health resources from low-quality health resources on the internet” (182/301, 60.5%). Although there were statistically significant differences in eHEALS scores according to age, educational achievement, language preference, and the presence of chronic medical conditions, multivariable regression analysis indicated that language preference was the only variable independently associated with eHealth literacy (coefficient –6.0, 95% CI –9.61 to –2.39).

Conclusions

In our sample of South Asian Canadian internet users, preference for written health information in languages other than English was associated with lower eHealth literacy. Opportunities exist to improve eHealth literacy using culturally and linguistically tailored interventions.