bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fructose-a double edged sword for cell death versus differentiation and long-term survival of NSC-34 motor neuron like cells in vitro
Authors: Lodha Divya , Subramaniam Jamuna R.
Published: February 2021

In various neurological and neurodegenerative diseases (ND), motor neurons (MN) of the spinal cord are affected leading to movement impairments. The ND, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), is caused due to MN degeneration. ALS afflicts athletes and other major sports personalities, who generally consume fructose enriched sports drinks. Recently, we have reported that high fructose (F5%) impairs the metabolic activity in the NSC-34, MN cell line and reduces the healthspan of C. elegans. But how fructose impacts the MNs either in vitro or in vivo in the long term is not understood. Here we report, to our surprise, that high fructose (F5%) treatment of NSC-34 leads to differentiation of 1-2% of cells with progressive neurite extension. They could be maintained for 80 days in vitro with 5% CO2 and O2 at 18.8%. On the contrary, 5% fructose significantly reduced cell viability by ~85% and inhibited cell proliferation by Day10. Nuclear staining displayed multiple nuclei in the cells indicative of cytokinesis inhibition which led to the lack of cell proliferation. Further, F5% significantly increased ROS levels (^~34%), the potential cause for reduced viability. In addition, no induction of expression of the master oxidative stress response regulator, the transcription factor, nrf-2, or the downstream effector, sod1, was evident. Despite the adverse effects, in the absence of any, F5% is a potential strategy to maintain at least a small percentage of MNs for a long time, ~45 days in vitro, which also reinforces the Redox-Cell death versus cell survival conundrum.
Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Genotypes in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients in Kinshasa: Prevalence and Risk Factors
Authors: Ngilibuma Mathieu Muna , Mokoli Vieux Momeme , Nlandu Yannick Mayamba , Engole Yannick Mompango , Ilunga Cedric Kabemba , Longo Augustin Luzayadio , Luse Jeanine Losa , Bukabau Justine Busanga , Mbendi Charles NLombi , TShimpi Antoine Wola , Sumaili Ernsest Kiswaya , Nseka Nazaire Mangani , Jadoul Michel , Situakibanza Hyppolite Nanituma , Makulo Jean-Robert Rissassi
Published: February 2021

IntroductionThe steady increase in the number of chronic hemodialysis patients in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) calls for improved management of those patients. The present study aimed to determine the frequency of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, the prevalent genotypes and the risk factors associated with HCV in hemodialysis patients in Kinshasa (DR Congo). MethodsA cross sectional study was conducted from February to June 2018 in all hemodialysis centers in Kinshasa. Blood samples were collected from 127 chronic hemodialysis patients and tested for the presence of antibodies against HCV. The HCV genotype was identified by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT- PCR). ResultsTwenty-two (17.3 %) patients were anti-HCV positive, ranging from 0 % to 52.9 % in different centers. Genotype 4 was detected in 18/22 (81.8 %), followed by genotype 2 in 2/22 (9.1%), and both genotypes 2 and 4 in one patient (4.5%). One patient had an undetermined genotype (4.5 %). Having received at least 4 transfusions [7,21 (1,09-10,61); p=0.040)], not being under EPO treatment [5,81(1,47-12,96); p=0.012)], being on hemodialysis for at least 14 months [3,63(1,60-5,05); p=0.035)]and being dialyzed in an overloaded center [2,06(0,83-5,86); p=0.073)] were associated with a greater risk of HCV infection.ConclusionThis study highlights the importance of strategies to prevent HCV infection in hemodialysis patients in Kinshasa. This issue is important for SSA countries which are facing several economic and logistical challenges.
Wavelength Plasmonic Demultiplexer Based on Square-disk Resonators in MIM Waveguide
Authors: faghani arman amiri , Yaghoubi Elaheh , Yaghoubi Elnaz
Published: February 2021

A palsmonic demultiplexer based on cascading square nanodisk resonators in a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) plasmonic waveguide is proposed in this paper. The basic structure of the proposed demultiplexer is a plasmonic filter which consists of two waveguides, a middle cavity and two square nanodisk resonators. According to the simulation results the transmission spectra Full Width at Half-Maximum (FWHM) in the proposed structure reaches about 10 nm.With appropriate choice of refractive index (RI) and geometrical parameters the proposed structure can be adjusted and modified. The prposed structure has low FWHM, high sensitivity and acceptable figure of marit (FoM). By putting three filters with the same dimensions together, a triple-channel demultiplexer with three different wavelengths in each of the channels is designed. The effect of cross talk in the designed demultiplexer is less than -25 dB. The proposed structure can be used in the large-scale photonic integration, ultra-compact demultiplexer devices, nanosensors, integrated plasmonic devices and the development of optical integrated circuits. These structures numerically studied using Finite- Different Time- Domain (FDTD) simulations.
Clinical and Psychosocial Stress Factors are Associated with Decline in Physical Activity Over Time in Children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Authors: Heale Liane D , Houghton Kristin , Rezaei Elham , Baxter-Jones Adam D.G. , Tupper Susan M , Muhajarine Nazeem , Benseler Susanne M , Boire Gilles , Cabral David A , Campillo Sarah , Chedeville Gaelle , Chetaille Anne-Laure , Dancey Paul , Duffy Ciaran , Duffy Karen Watanabe , Ellsworth Janet , Guzman Jaime , Huber Adam M , Jurencak Roman , Lang Bianca , Laxer Ronald M , Morishita Kimberly , Oen Keim G , Petty Ross E , Ramsey Suzanne E , Roth Johannes , Schneider Rayfel , Scuccimarri Rosie , Spiegel Lynn , Stringer Elizabeth , Tse Shirley M.L. , Tucker Lori B , Turvey Stuart E , Yeung Rae S.M. , Rosenberg Alan M
Published: February 2021

Background: Physical activity (PA) patterns in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) over time are not well described. The aim of this study was to describe associations of physical activity (PA) with disease activity, function, pain, and psychosocial stress in the two years following diagnosis in an inception cohort of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Methods: In 82 children with newly diagnosed JIA, PA levels, prospectively determined at enrollment, 12 and 24 months using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C) and Adolescents (PAQ-A) raw scores, were evaluated in relation to disease activity as reflected by arthritis activity (Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score (JADAS-71)), function, pain, and psychosocial stresses using a linear mixed model approach. Results in the JIA cohort were compared to normative Pediatric Bone Mineral Accrual Study data derived from healthy children using z-scores. Results: At enrollment, PA z-score levels of study participants were lower than those in the normative population (median z-score -0.356; p = 0.005). At enrollment, PA raw scores were negatively associated with the psychosocial domain of the Juvenile Arthritis Quality of Life Questionnaire (r=-0.251; p=0.023). There was a significant decline in PAQ-C/A raw scores from baseline (median and IQR: 2.6, 1.4-3.1) to 24 months (median and IQR: 2.1, 1.4-2.7; p = 0.003). The linear mixed-effect model showed that PAQ-C/A raw scores in children with JIA decreased as age, disease duration, and ESR increased. The PAQ-C/A raw scores of the participants was also negatively influenced by an increase in disease activity as measured by the JADAS-71 (p<0.001).Conclusion: Canadian children with newly diagnosed JIA have lower PA levels than healthy children. The decline in PA levels over time was associated with disease activity and higher disease-specific psychosocial stress.
Energy Consumption Improvement of OOK Transmitter Based on Minimum Energy Coding
Authors: peng yue , Andrieux Guillaume , diouris Jean-francois
Published: February 2021

Energy consumption of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) including OOK transmitter is important for short range transmission and long battery life time requirements. In this paper, the Minimum Energy (ME) coding strategy is adopted to improve the energy efficiency of an OOK transmitter. We first give the energy consumption model based on a real OOK transmitter, which can completely switch off the transmitter during the transmission of low bit '0' and has an energy effciency of 52 pJ/bit. Based on this energy consumption model, ME-Coding provides an energy effciency of 30 pJ/bit for coding size k = 3. Moreover, larger coding size others more significant improvement, at the sacrifice of spectral effciency and transmission range. In this paper, we have also determined a closed-form solution for the optimal coding size for a given transmission range constraint.
An Efficient Mobile Data Gathering Method with Tree Clustering Algorithm in Wireless Sensor Networks Balanced and Unbalanced Topologies
Authors: MEDDAH Meriem , HADDAD Rim , EZZEDDINE Tahar
Published: February 2021

Mobile Data Collector device (MDC) is adopted to reduce the energy consumption in Wireless Sensor Networks. This device travels the network in order to gather the collected data from sensor nodes. This paper presents a new Tree Clustering algorithm with Mobile Data Collector in Wireless Sensor Networks, which establishes the shortest travelling path passing throw a subset of Cluster Heads (CH). To select CHs, we adopt a competitive scheme, and the best sensor nodes are elected according to the number of packets forwarded between sensor nodes, the number of hops to the tree’s root, the residual energy, and the distance between the node and the closest CH. In simulation results, we adopt the balanced and unbalanced topologies and prove the efficiently of our proposed algorithm considering the network lifetime, the fairness index and the energy consumption in comparison with the existing mobile data collection algorithms.
Superluminal Electron-Positron Pair
Authors: Tan Jufu , Fan J. D.
Published: February 2021

It is deduced that when an electron and a positron form a stable structure, the dimensionless speed of either of them, α = v/C, where C is speed of light, satisfies the so-called basic equation of α^2 - b α = 1 = 0, where b is the reciprocal of α, the fine structure constant of a hydrogen atom. One of solutions to the basic equation, the superluminal speed, α 1 = b = 137.036, represents a superluminal pair of electron and positron, in which there is the Lorentz force only while neglecting the Coulomb force between the two particles at an ultrahigh speed. Another solution stands for a positronium with a short-lived life time. The superluminal pair of electron and positron or superluminal electron-positron pair consists of an electron and a positron moving at a superluminal speed of and has a stable quantized energy system with quantized energy of E ̃_n=2m_0e υ ̃_n^2=nhV ̃_n where v = nbC with n being an integer, and is able to radiate and absorb rays of electrons and positrons with ultrahigh energy. The superluminal electron-positron pair may possibly be a particle of dark matter. A divided superluminal electron-positron pair on an energy level n can release electrons and positrons, moving at a superluminal speed of v = nbC, which may possibly be particles of dark energy as well. Therefore, we are led to conclude that there might exist quantized superluminal motions of electrons and positrons in the universe.
The effect of COVID-19 on spermatogenesis
Authors: Kamel Mostafa , Moniem Abdel , Zarzur Mohamed , Kurkar Adel , Behnsawy Hosny
Published: February 2021

Background : The viral pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a serious worldwide public health emergency, evolving exponentially. While the main organ targeted in this disease is the lungs, other vital organs may be implicated. The main host receptor of the SARS-CoV-2 is angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a major component of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). The ACE2 is also involved in testicular male regulation of steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis. A recent report published in JAMA Network revealed that in an analysis 38 semen samples from COVID‐19 patients pcr +ve. As the SARS-CoV-2 may have the potential to infect the testis via ACE2 and adversely affect male reproductive system. From this point the purpose of this study is how covid-19 affect spermatogenesis. methods: Aim: how covid-19 affect spermatogenesis. Design and setting of the study: a100 patients had been enrolled in the study by a criteria suggesting good semen analysis. two sets of semen analysis done, the first after 72days of first positive swab for covid-19 to show changes in semen analysis from normal values in the cycle of spermatogenesis during infection, the other sample after 72 days from the first sample to show if the changes regress to normal and to compare it with the first sample. Results: a total number 100 patients first sample show 2% of patients oligospermia, 36% of patients teratospermia . the second sample show 4% of patients teratospermia . by comparing the two samples there is a significant increase in sperm concentration with mean concentration in the first sample 96.49 million /ml , mean concentration in the second sample 104.67 million /ml , a significant increase in motility (A+B) with mean percentage of 44% in the first sample and 46% in the second sample , a highly significant increase in the normal forms of sperms with mean percentage of 23.4 % in the first sample and 30.55 % in the second sample .Conclusions: covid-19 affect spermatogenesis in the form of reversible teratospermia, reversable decrease sperm count but within normal level, reversable decrease in the sperm motility but also within normal level.
Grey-box modeling and hypothesis testing of functional near-infrared spectroscopy-based cerebrovascular reactivity to anodal high-definition tDCS in healthy humans
Authors: Arora Yashika , Walia Pushpinder , Hayashibe Mitsuhiro , Muthalib Makii , Chowdhury Shubhajit Roy , Perrey Stephane , Dutta Anirban
Published: February 2021

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been shown to evoke hemodynamics response; however, the mechanisms have not been investigated systematically using systems biology approaches. We postulate that such a mechanistic understanding of the hemodynamics response, called cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) to tDCS, can facilitate adequate delivery of the tDCS current density to the neurovascular tissue in cerebrovascular diseases. Our study presents a systems biology approach to evaluate CVR during high-definition (HD) tDCS using a physiologically constrained grey-box linear model. Our grey-box linear model was developed for the multi-compartmental neurovascular unit consisting of the vascular smooth muscle, perivascular space, synaptic space, and astrocyte glial cell. The physiologically detailed model generated vessel oscillations in the frequency range of 0.05 – 0.2 Hz driven mainly by non-linear calcium dynamics. Then, model linearization was performed to develop a grey-box linear model for evaluating the acute effects during the first 150 seconds of anodal HD-tDCS in eleven healthy humans using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) based measure of blood volume. The grey-box linear model was fitted to the total hemoglobin concentration (tHb) changes with optodes in the vicinity of 4x1 HD-tDCS electrodes. We found that the grey-box model pathway from perivascular potassium to the vessel circumference (Pathway 3) presented the best fit to fNIRS tHb time series with the least mean square error (MSE, median < 2.5%). Then, minimal realization transfer function with reduced-order approximations of the grey-box model pathways was fitted to the average tHb time series. Pathway 3, with nine poles and two zeros (all free parameters), provided the best Chi-Square Goodness of Fit of 0.0078. Therefore, our study provided a sound systems biology approach to investigate the hemodynamic response to tDCS that needs further investigation in health, aging, and disease. Future studies can leverage transcranial alternating current stimulation for frequency-dependent physiological entrainment of relevant pathways, e.g., oscillations driven by nonlinear calcium dynamics, that can provide additional insights based on our grey-box modeling approach.
Comparative analysis of perinatal outcomes and birth defects amongst adolescent and older Ugandan mothers: Evidence from a hospital-based surveillance database
Authors: Serunjogi Robert , Barlow-Mosha Linda , Mumpe-Mwanja Daniel , Williamson Dhelia , Valencia Diana , Tinker Sarah C. , Adler Michelle R. , Namale-Matovu Joyce , Kalibbala Dennis , Nankunda Jolly , Nabunya Evelyn , Birabwa-Male Doreen , Byamugisha Josaphat , Musoke Philippa
Published: February 2021

Background: Uganda has one of the highest adolescent pregnancy rates in sub-Saharan Africa. We compared the risk of adverse birth outcomes between adolescents (age 12-19 years) and mothers (age 20-34 years) in four urban hospitals.Methods: Maternal demographics, HIV status, and birth outcomes of all live births, stillbirths, and spontaneous abortions delivered from August 2015 to December 2018 were extracted from a hospital-based birth defects surveillance database. Differences in the distributions of maternal and infant characteristics by maternal age groups were tested with Pearson’s chi-square. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) were calculated using logistic regression to compare the prevalence of adverse birth outcomes among adolescents to mothers 20-34 years.Results: A total of 100,189 births were analyzed, with 11.1% among adolescent mothers and 89.0% among older mothers. Adolescent mothers had an increased risk of preterm delivery (aOR: 1.14; CI: 1.06-1.23), low birth weight (aOR: 1.46; CI: 1.34-1.59), and early neonatal deaths (aOR: 1.58; CI: 1.23-2.02). Newborns of adolescent mothers had an increased risk of major external birth defects (aOR: 1.33; CI: 1.02-1.76), specifically, gastroschisis (aOR: 3.20; CI: 1.12-9.13) compared to mothers 20-34 years. The difference between the prevalence of gastroschisis among adolescent mothers (7.3 per 10,000 births; 95% CI: 3.7-14.3) was statistically significant when compared to mothers 20-34 years (1.6 per 10,000 births; 95% CI: 0.9-2.6).Conclusions: This study found that adolescent mothers had an increased risk for several adverse birth outcomes compared to mothers 20-34 years, similar to findings in the region and globally. Interventions are needed to improve birth outcomes in this vulnerable population.
Absence of gut microbiota affects lipid metabolism in the prefrontal cortex of mice
Authors: Chen Jian-Jun , Xie Jing , Zeng Ben-hua , Li Wen-wen , Bai Shun-jie , Zhou Chanjun , Chen Wei , Wei Hong , Xie Peng
Published: February 2021

Objectives: Lipid metabolism is closely associated with many important biological functions. Here, we conducted this study to explore the effects of gut microbiota on the lipid metabolism in the prefrontal cortex of mice.Methods: Germ-free (GF) mice, specific pathogen-free (SPF) and colonized GF (CGF) mice were used in this study. The open field test (OFT), forced swimming test (FST) and novelty suppressed feeding test (NSFT) were conducted to assess the changes in general behavioral activity. The liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to obtain the lipid metabolites. Both one-way analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA) and orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were used to obtain the key differential lipid metabolites.Results: The behavioral tests showed that compared to SPF mice, GF mice had more center distance, more center time, less immobility time and less latency to familiar food. Meanwhile, 142 key differential lipid metabolites between SPF mice and GF mice were identified. These lipid metabolites mainly belonged to glycerophospholipids, glycerolipids, sphingolipids, and saccharolipids. The gut microbiota colonization did not reverse these changed behavioral phenotypes, but could restore 25 key differential lipid metabolites.Discussion: These results showed that the absence of gut microbiota could influence host behaviors and lipid metabolism. Our findings could provide original and valuable data for future studies to further investigate the microbiota-gut-brain axis.
Investigating the Determinants of App-based Land Transportation User Loyalty in Jakarta Using PLS-SEM Framework
Authors: Christian Michael , Jasfar Farida , Hady Hamdy
Published: February 2021

This study aims to investigate user loyalty factors using application-based land transportation in Jakarta. The methodology in this study uses a quantitative approach and a questionnaire is used as an instrument to collect data. With an unknown population, this study used 301 samples of application-based land transportation users. The statistical method used to analyze the hypotheses in this study is Partial Least Square - Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with WARP-PLS. Based on the results of statistical tests, it was found that 6 hypotheses were accepted, and 5 hypotheses were rejected. The result of this study explains that ease of using the application affects the loyalty in using application-based transportation. Meanwhile, loyalty is not influenced by application display, service responsiveness in applications, service adjustment, service guarantee and user attitudes. This research further explains that the ease of using the application, application display, service adjustment, and service guarantee affect the user's attitude. On the other hand, service responsiveness does not affect attitude towards using. As novelty, the use of the loyalty framework in this study uses the use attitude as a mediator of main factors in service quality for application-based transportation in urban areas. As a managerial implication, it is interesting that the results of this study explain that loyalty in the use of application-based transportation is not automatically formed from a positive attitude towards using. The adjustment of services provided on the application because of competition in the application-based transportation industry must be able to meet user expectations which tend to change according to the offers provided by service providers.
Screening of sweetpotato germplasm collections for sweetpotato weevil (Cylas spp.) resistance in Tanzania
Authors: Kagimbo Filson , Shimelis Hussein , Sibiya Julia
Published: February 2021

Weevil damage caused by sweetpotato weevil (Cylas spp.) is a major constraint to sweetpotato production in Tanzania due to a lack of improved varieties with durable resistance. The objective of this study was to screen sweetpotato germplasm collections for weevil resistance and to select the best parents to be used in resistance breeding. Field studies involving 96 sweetpotato genotypes were conducted at two weevil hotspot sites in Western Tanzania using a 12 x 8 lattice design with three replications at each site. Data collected included yield and yield related traits, weevil reaction and weevil damage score. The tested genotypes differed significantly (P < 0.01) for sweetpotato storage root number, root weight, root infestation and root damage score. Weevil infestation on storage roots significantly (P ≤0.05) correlated with total root number (r = 0.38) and weevil damage score (r = 0.79). Marketable root weight and total root weight were significantly correlated with infested root weight each with r = 0.45. The study identified nine sweetpotato genotypes expressing resistance and 10 genotypes with moderate resistance to weevil. Five genotypes including Magunhwa, Chuchu ya Nesi, Rugomoka, Tumauma and New Kawogo were selected with weevil resistance and desirable yield and yield-related traits. These genotypes can be used in future weevil resistance breeding programs of sweetpotato in Western Tanzania or related agro-ecologies.
Effect of different LED lights spectrum on the in vitro germination of gac seed (Momordica cochinchinensis)
Authors: Lim Chew Hong , Guan Toh Sin , Hong Eyu Chan , Chow Yeow Lit , Lynn Chew Bee , Subramaniam Sreeramanan
Published: February 2021

Momordica cochinchinensis, also known as gac, is an indigenous fruit that can commonly found in Southeast Asia. Studies had shown that M. cochinchinensis contained a higher level of carotenoids, β-carotene, and lycopene compared to other vegetables and fruits. The present study was conducted to study the effect of light conditions on gac seeds germination and effect of light-emitting diode (LED) spectra (violet, blue, green, and red) on shoot, root, and leaf formation from germinated gac seeds. A total of 60 surface sterilised uncoated gac seeds were cultured in MS media where half of them exposed to sunlight while another half kept in the enclosed cupboard. Germinated seeds were then transferred to new MS media which contained 1 mg/L of BAP and cultured under different LED lights. Gac seeds germinated well in 12 hours light treatment at the rate of 75% after one week while dark treated seeds did not germinate at all. The green LED light spectrum was the most effective for the production of the highest mean number of shoots at 4.75 ± 0.63. On the other hand, the violet LED was the most effective spectrum in producing the highest number of roots, which was 7.50 ± 0.58. Meanwhile green LED produced the highest root length of 6.25 ± 0.25 cm. Besides, green LED treatment also able to induce the highest number of leaves, which was 10.21 ± 1.89. Lateral shoot and tendrils were developed on blue LED spectrum treated seed. In conclusion, light facilitates gac seed germination while the green LED light induced better characteristics of gac plant.
Assessment of inoculation techniques for screening sugarcane resistance to red stripe disease caused by Acidovorax avenae subsp. avenae
Authors: Bertani Romina Priscila , Joya Constanza María , Henriquez Diego Daniel , Funes Claudia , González Victoria , Perera María Francisca , Cuenya María Inés , Castagnaro Atilio Pedro
Published: February 2021

The red stripe disease caused by Acidovorax avenae subsp. avenae in sugarcane, has become a quite relevant issue in Argentina because of its high incidence in the sugarcane growing area. The resistance of host plants is the most promising method for controlling the disease. In that sense, the Estación Experimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres (EEAOC) has a Sugarcane Breeding Program, which generates new varieties with higher productivity and good sanitary behavior. The lack of an effective screening technique to select resistant sugarcane genotypes limits the cultivar selection process. To develop a practical and affordable method for achieving the expression of the red stripe disease, three available inoculation techniques were evaluated under controlled conditions over two sugarcane varieties, with a previously adjustment of soil composition and nutrition and relative humidity. They consisted in (i) scrubbing the leaf surface with a cotton ball soaked in the suspension of A. avenae subsp. avenae; and spraying inoculum under two conditions: (ii) leaves pre-treated with a refined sand scarification and (iii) leaves with no scarification. Fifteen plants were inoculated per cultivar and treatment according to a randomized protocol with three replicates and the severity of the disease was evaluated on a scale of 1- 9 according to the International Society of Sugarcane Technologists. The spray inoculation using a bacterial suspension of A. avenae subsp. avenae without abrasives was also field tested. These results contribute to sugarcane breeding programs, providing a tool to assess the resistance to red stripe of their materials, overcoming the lack of bacterial pressure or favorable conditions for the disease.
Evaluation of nitrogen fertilization for planting corn in a yellow latosol under no-tillage system
Authors: Souza Luana Paula Freire , Paula Manoel Tavares , Veloso Carlos Alberto Costa , Carvalho Eduardo Jorge Maklouf , Silva Arystides Resende , Pontes Altem Nascimento , Souza Marcelo José Raiol , Urbinati Claudia Viana , Nunes Henriqueta da Conceição Brito , Simões Pedro Henrique Oliveira
Published: February 2021

The objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of nitrogen fertilization in relation to the population of corn plants in a yellow latosol under no-tillage system. The experimental design was a randomized block with three replications, in a 4 x 4 factorial scheme, corresponding to four levels of N (0, 60, kg haˉ¹ 120 and 180) and four planting densities (45,000; 55,000; 65,000 and 75,000 plants haˉ¹). 48 soil samples were collected to determine chemical soil attributes (pH, OM, K, Ca, Na, Mg and Al) and 48 leaf samples to determine macronutrients in the leaf (N, P, K, Na, Ca and Mg). The data were submitted to comparison of means by the Scott-Knott test. The corn yield increased linearly up to the dose of 180 kg haˉ¹ N. Higher productivity was observed with the combination of 120 and 180 N (kg haˉ¹) with the density of 75,000 plants ha-1. There was an increase in the N content in the leaves with increasing doses of N in the soil
Formulations for Effective Detoxification Derived from Three Medicinal Plants: Thunbergia laurifolia, Clerodendrum disparifolium and Rotheca serrata
Authors: Boonthai Prasit , Noikotr Kowit , Saemram Naraphatra , Sudmoon Runglawan , Tanee Tawatchai , Chaveerach Arunrat , Patarapadungkit Natcha , Siripiyasing Pornnarong
Published: February 2021

Background:

Based on the long history of the medicinal use of Thunbergia laurifolia, Clerodendrum disparifolium and Rotheca serrata, the extract formulations of these species: T. laurifolia and C. disparifolium; T. laurifolia and R. serrata; and T. laurifolia, C. disparifolium and R. serrata, called formulas 1, 2 and 3, were created for detoxification testing to take more advantage of each species.

Objective:

The objective of this study is to estimate the detoxifying effects of studied extract formulations on human cell and tissue culture as a preclinical trial.

Methods:

The major phytochemicals were derived by GC-MS. The detoxification efficacy of these formulations in cells and DNA levels were derived by MTT and comet assays in toxic PBMCs (incubated with rice whisky or bathroom cleaner).

Results:

The phytochemical constituents were detected at 23.48% phytol and 43.03% oleamide in T. laurifolia; 12.88% oleamide, 20.93% 9,12,15-octadecatrien, 25.52% squalene, 22.19% butylated hydroxy toluene and 15.36% vitamin E in C. disparifolium; and 30.41% phytol, 32.78% oleamide, and 12.20%, 9,12,15-octadecatrien-1-ol in R. serrata. The toxic cells treated with the plant formulas 1, 2 and 3 showed no IC50 values, but formulas 1 and 2 displayed higher efficacies than formula 3 did. The comet assay indicated that the experiments (the treatment on toxic cells with the plant formulas) induced significant (p < 0.05) DNA damage compared to the negative control due to poisoning occurring before administration of the plant formulas. The OTM of the controls was significantly (p < 0.05) longer than the experimental samples showing significantly reduce the toxicity of the created formulations.

Conclusion:

The formulas showed high detoxification efficacies and formulations 1 and 2 resulted in higher levels of detoxification than formulation 3, especially in immediate treatment after receiving toxic substances.
Asthma-COPD Overlap: A more Simplistic Approach
Authors: Corlateanu Alexandru , Covantev Serghei , Botnaru Victor , Dumitru Silvia , Corlateanu Olga
Published: February 2021

Obstructive pulmonary diseases are a group of respiratory conditions characterized by
airflow limitation. They are prevalent in the population and lead to significant morbidity and mortality.
The two most commonly encountered conditions are asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary
Disease (COPD). Although, for many years, the two conditions were regarded as separate, it
was realized that some patients may have an overlap between these illnesses. This observation led
to the identification of asthma-COPD overlap (ACO) syndrome. ACO is an umbrella term that is
used “to collectively describe patients who have persistent airflow limitation together with clinical
features that are consistent with both asthma and COPD”. Its importance in the field of respiratory
medicine is increasing every year as there are more data that underline the importance of its timely
diagnosis and management. The current review is a timely update of the advances in our understanding
of ACO.
Junk Food Consumption, Perceptions and Associated Factors among the Private School Children
Authors: Acharya Shiva R. , Pahari Sandip , Moon Deog H. , Shin Yong C.
Published: February 2021

Background:

Urbanization and recent development in the food industries have led to a
notable increase in junk food production, making them readily available, accessible and affordable.
The main problem with junk foods is that they are low in satiation value. People do not tend to feel
as full when they eat them, which can lead to overeating. Junk food tends to replace other, more nutritious
foods. It is considered as one of the prominent causes of the pandemic of obesity.

Objective:

The study aims to find out the perception and factors influencing junk food consumption
among private school children of Pokhara Valley, Nepal.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 220 students of 12 different private
schools of grades 4-9 in Pokhara, Nepal. Systematic random sampling was done to collect samples.
Data were collected by a self-administered questionnaire. Chi-square (χ2) test was used to find out
the associated factors with junk food consumption.

Results:

Though the majority of the students (80.9%) stated, junk food was unhealthy but were predominantly
lured by its taste. Taste (80.5%), lack of time (16.4%), advertisement (13.6%) and
changing lifestyle (6.4%) were the major influencing factors for junk food consumption. Half of
the students were unaware of the nutritive value, food quality, ingredients, preservatives used and
negative consequences on health. Grade of the students and gender were found to be associated
with the average frequency of junk food use per week and junk food consumption pattern, respectively.
The data shows the average consumption of junk food increases as the students grew from
smaller grades to higher ones (X2=53.025, P ≤0.01).

Conclusion:

Junk food consumption was notably high due to various enabling factors such as addictive
taste, changing lifestyle, propagandist advertising and instant availability. Grade and gender
of the students were the predictors of over-consuming junk foods.
QUALITATIVE IDENTIFICATION OF BORAX CONTENT IN MEATBALL SNACKS USING TURMERIC PAPER AND SHALLOT EXTRACT
Authors:   Teuku Umar University, Rahma Cukri , Hidjrawan Yusi ,   Teuku Umar University
Published: February 2021

Borax as a food additive chemical is very dangerous. Borax is prohibited from being used in food because it can cause various diseases such as cancer, kidney damage, and even death. This study aims to identify the borax content in the meatballs sold in Meulaboh City. The study design uses purposive sampling with a total of 20 meatball samples from each seller collected and continued by a qualitative test using turmeric paper and shallot extract. The study results show that all samples tested were free of borax. This can be seen from the absence of changes in turmeric paper and shallot extract. Therefore, it can be concluded that the meatballs sold in Meulaboh do not contain borax and are safe to consume.
How the Intelligent Recognition Industry Service (IRIS) Center is driving technological research in Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Chang Chuan-Yu
Published: February 2021

The Intelligent Recognition Industry Service (IRIS) Center, which is part of National Yunlin University of Science and Technology (YunTech), Taiwan, connects industry and academia in order to develop artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for pressing challenges in industrial automation,
healthcare and industrial living. Professor Chuan-Yu Chang is Director of IRIS and Distinguished Professor at the Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering, YunTech. IRIS has four strategic principles: its human resource strand, international strategy, industrial strategy
and technology pillar. Key foci centre on advancing international collaborations, introducing intelligent recognition technology within industry, promoting the use of AI and prompting its core technologies. Via its industrial service process, which begins with the identification of an industrial
requirement and flows from diagnosis and resource matching, through to the provision of a customised service and problem resolution through the implementation and upgrade of technology, IRIS offers the expertise of its academic research staff to companies with a view to solving industry problems.
IRIS is a leader in R&D in Taiwan and beyond, with particular strength in intelligent recognition technology, integrating sound recognition, medical imaging, UAV image recognition and vision inspection. The Centre seeks to advance R&D in these areas in order to improve lifestyles and
workflow within Taiwan and highlight IRIS's status as a powerhouse in AI research on a global stage. An example of technology being developed at IRIS is the 'Infant Crying Translator' project, in which Chang and his team are using baby cry recognition technology and have launched the world's
first baby cry recognition app to help parents understand the meaning of their baby's cries.
Collaborations towards scientific breakthroughs
Authors: Shieh Dar-Bin
Published: February 2021

Dar-Bin Shieh is Deputy Minister of The Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), Taiwan, which supports and promotes innovations in science and technology. Before assuming his current position, Shieh previously occupied roles including; distinguished professor in the College of Medicine
at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU); attending physician at NCKU Medical Center; Director of University Development at NCKU; and Founding Chair of the International Institute of Macromolecular Analysis and Nanomedicine Innovations (iMANI). Shieh and the MOST believe that science and technology
should be developed for people, responding to society's needs, with a view to promoting the local economy and improving quality of life. The MOST is working towards a long-term national science and technology development roadmap that can assist with national development. The MOST is a proponent
of the importance and value of international collaboration and has restructured its funding system to further encourage these collaborations. It also encourages cross-disciplinary collaboration, with a view to sparking innovation. Talent cultivation and recruitment are key challenges in scientific
advancement and the MOST has initiated two talent recruitment programmes, including the Einstein and the Columbus programmes, to help encourage, foster and develop scientific talent in Taiwan.
The Effect of a Health Game Prompt on Self-efficacy: Online Between-Subjects Experimental Survey
Authors: Haring Priscilla
Published: February 2021

Background

Games for health are increasingly used as (part of) health interventions and more effect research into games for health is being done. This online experiment questions expectancies of games for health by investigating whether a game for health prompt might be considered arousal congruent cognitive reappraisal and as such positively effects self-efficacy before gameplay.

Objective

The aim of this study experiment is to test whether a game for health prompt effects self-efficacy and other well-being measurements, as a first step into investigating if a game prompt is a form of arousal congruent cognitive reappraisal.

Methods

This study used an online, 2D, between-subjects experimental survey design with self-efficacy as the main dependent variable. Stimulus is an assignment for health-related problem solving concerning living with diabetes type II, introduced as a game (n=125) versus the same assignment introduced as a task (n=107). Measurements after prompting the game/task assignment include self-efficacy, positive and negative affect, expected difficulty, flourishing, and self-esteem.

Results

The results indicate a small negative effect from prompting the game assignment on self-efficacy, compared with prompting a task assignment. This effect is mediated by the expected difficulty of the health game/task. No differences between the game and task groups were found in affect, flourishing, or self-esteem.

Conclusions

This experiment provides no support for the notion that a game for health prompt might be seen as arousal congruent cognitive reappraisal.
A Gamification Framework for Cognitive Assessment and Cognitive Training: Qualitative Study
Authors: Khaleghi Ali , Aghaei Zahra , Mahdavi Mohammad Amin
Published: February 2021

Background

Cognitive tasks designed to measure or train cognition are often repetitive and presented in a monotonous manner, features that lead to participant boredom and disengagement. In this situation, participants do not put forth their best effort to do these tasks well. As a result, neuropsychologists cannot draw accurate conclusions about the data collected, and intervention effects are reduced. It is assumed that greater engagement and motivation will manifest as improved data quality. Gamification, the use of game elements in nongame settings, has been heralded as a potential mechanism for increasing participant engagement in cognitive tasks. Some studies have reported a positive effect of gamification on participant performance, although most studies have shown mixed results. One reason for these contrasting findings is that most studies have applied poor and heterogeneous design techniques to gamify cognitive tasks. Therefore, an appropriate gamification design framework is needed in these tasks.

Objective

This study aimed to propose a framework to guide the design of gamification in cognitive tasks.

Methods

We employed a design science research (DSR) approach to provide a framework for gamifying cognitive assessments and training by synthesizing current gamification design frameworks and gamification works in cognitive assessment and training, as well as incorporating field experiences. The prototypes of the framework were iteratively evaluated with 17 relevant experts.

Results

We proposed a framework consisting of 7 phases: (1) preparation; (2) knowing users; (3) exploring existing tools for assessing or training a targeted cognitive context and determining the suitability of game-up and mapping techniques; (4) ideation; (5) prototyping using the Objects, Mechanics, Dynamics, Emotions (OMDE) design guideline; (6) development; and (7) disseminating and monitoring.

Conclusions

We found that (1) an intermediate design framework is needed to gamify cognitive tasks, which means that game elements should be selected by considering current cognitive assessment or training context characteristics since game elements may impose an irrelevant cognitive load that, in turn, can jeopardize data quality; (2) in addition to developing a new gamified cognitive task from scratch, 2 gamification techniques are widely used (first, adding game elements to an existing cognitive task and second, mapping an existing game to a cognitive function or impairment to assess or train it); and (3) further research is required to investigate the interplay of cognitive processes and game mechanics.
Adolescent Problem Gaming and Loot Box Purchasing in Video Games: Cross-sectional Observational Study Using Population-Based Cohort Data
Authors: Ide Soichiro , Nakanishi Miharu , Yamasaki Syudo , Ikeda Kazutaka , Ando Shuntaro , Hiraiwa-Hasegawa Mariko , Kasai Kiyoto , Nishida Atsushi
Published: February 2021

Background

Video game loot boxes, which can typically be purchased by players or are given as reward, contain random virtual items, or loot, ranging from simple customization options for a player's avatar or character, to game-changing equipment such as weapons and armor. Loot boxes have drawn concern, as purchasing loot boxes might lead to the development of problematic gambling for adolescents. Although parental problem gambling is associated with adolescent problem gambling, no studies have evaluated the prevalence of loot box purchases in adolescents’ parents.

Objective

This study investigated the association between loot box purchasing among adolescents and parents, and problem online gaming in population-based samples.

Methods

In total, 1615 adolescent (aged 14 years) gamers from Japan responded to a questionnaire regarding their loot box purchasing and problem online gaming behaviors. Problem online gaming was defined as four or more of the nine addictive behaviors from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The adolescents’ primary caregivers were asked about their loot box purchasing.

Results

Of the 1615 participants, 57 (3.5%) reported loot box purchasing. This prevalence did not differ according to primary caregivers’ loot box purchasing, but adolescents who purchased loot boxes were significantly more likely to exhibit problem online gaming (odds ratio 3.75, 95% CI 2.17-6.48).

Conclusions

Adolescent loot box purchasing is linked to problem online gaming, but not with parents’ loot box purchasing. Measures to reduce these behaviors should target reducing addictive symptoms in young video gamers.
Understanding the Public Discussion About the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention During the COVID-19 Pandemic Using Twitter Data: Text Mining Analysis Study (Preprint)
Authors: Lyu Joanne Chen , Luli Garving K
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a national public health protection agency in the United States. With the escalating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on society in the United States and around the world, the CDC has become one of the focal points of public discussion.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to identify the topics and their overarching themes emerging from the public COVID-19-related discussion about the CDC on Twitter and to further provide insight into public's concerns, focus of attention, perception of the CDC's current performance, and expectations from the CDC.

METHODS

Tweets were downloaded from a large-scale COVID-19 Twitter chatter data set from March 11, 2020, when the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic, to August 14, 2020. We used R (The R Foundation) to clean the tweets and retain tweets that contained any of five specific keywords—cdc, CDC, centers for disease control and prevention, CDCgov, and cdcgov—while eliminating all 91 tweets posted by the CDC itself. The final data set included in the analysis consisted of 290,764 unique tweets from 152,314 different users. We used R to perform the latent Dirichlet allocation algorithm for topic modeling.

RESULTS

The Twitter data generated 16 topics that the public linked to the CDC when they talked about COVID-19. Among the topics, the most discussed was COVID-19 death counts, accounting for 12.16% (n=35,347) of the total 290,764 tweets in the analysis, followed by general opinions about the credibility of the CDC and other authorities and the CDC's COVID-19 guidelines, with over 20,000 tweets for each. The 16 topics fell into four overarching themes: knowing the virus and the situation, policy and government actions, response guidelines, and general opinion about credibility.

CONCLUSIONS

Social media platforms, such as Twitter, provide valuable databases for public opinion. In a protracted pandemic, such as COVID-19, quickly and efficiently identifying the topics within the public discussion on Twitter would help public health agencies improve the next-round communication with the public.