bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors Affecting Development of Alternaria Leaf Spot of Asalio Caused By Alternaria Alternata And Identification of Pathogen
Authors: Kumari Poonam , Trivedi Amit , Deora Akansha , Geat Neelam , Kumar Lokesh
Published: December 2021

The present study was on management of Alternaria leaf spot caused by Alternaria alternata in Asalio. The disease was found to be very severe in all Asalio growing areas causing heavy destruction. The main aim of this investigation was to find out effect of age of the host, inoculum density in Alternaria leaf spot disease development and molecular identification of pathogen. The result shows that the susceptibility in Asalio increased with increase in age on inoculatios of A. alternata. Maximum disease was obtained in the plants ageing 40 DAS with PDI 55.60 per cent. Among the variously examined levels of inoculum concentrations. The two lower concentrations 1 × 101 and 1 × 102 conidia ml-1 exhibited significant difference in the PDI (20.00 and 31.20 respectively) within each other. 1 × 103 and 1 × 104 conidia ml-1 inoculum levels were found to be significantly at par to each other with PDI (39.20 and 40.80 respectively). 1 × 103 conidia ml-1 inoculum concentration was optimum for causing highest level of disease. After inoculation of inoculum 1 × 103 conidia ml-1, typical leaf spot symptoms were observed on the leaves of Asalio plants. Disease severity according to the scale was 39.20%. For molecular identification, 650 bp internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions (ITS1, 5.8s and ITS2) were amplified through polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The nucleotide sequences from ITS regions of the isolates were submitted to NCBI with GenBank accession numbers MA585375.
Green Policy, Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Protection Investments - Evidence from Chinese Listed Companies in Heavy Pollution Industries
Authors: Zhang Jingyi
Published: December 2021

Corporate environmental investment decision-making behavior is influenced by both the external factor of government green policy and the internal factor of corporate social responsibility. This paper empirically examines the effects of green policies and corporate social responsibility on corporate environmental investment using a fixed-effects panel data model with a sample of Chinese listed companies in the heavy pollution industry from 2013-2019 and further analyzes the possible moderating role played by market competition. The results show that: (1) Green policy and corporate environmental investment have an inverted “U-shaped” relationship, which indicates that there is a ”degree” limit to the impact of green policy on corporate environmental investment. (2) There is a U-shaped relationship between green investment and environmental governance green policy tools and corporate environmental investment, while infrastructure green tool and corporate environmental investment in an inverted U-shaped relationship (3) Corporate social responsibility and the scale of its environmental investment has a positive relationship, green policy and corporate social responsibility have a joint effect corporate environmental investment. (4) The higher the degree of market competition, the more significant the effect of green policy on corporate environmental investment.
Explaining the concept of self-care in Iranian pregnant women: A qualitative study
Authors: Rahimparvar Seyedeh Fatemeh Vasegh , Moghadam Zahra Behboodi , Akbari Malihe
Published: December 2021

Background
Self-care is one of the most appropriate approaches to achieve successful pregnancy outcomes. This study aimed was to explain the concept of self-care in Low–risk pregnancies based on the experiences of pregnant mothers and health care providers.
Methods
The present study was qualitative research of contractual content analysis. Purposeful sampling with maximum Variation was done among pregnant women under the care of health centers of Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2020. In-depth and semi-structured individual interviews were used to collect data, which was saturated after 14 interviews with pregnant women and health care providers. Data analysis was done using the approach presented by Zhang and Wildmouth (2008).
Results
The content analysis of the interviews led to the extraction of three main categories of comprehensive care, barriers, and facilitators of self-care, and eleven sub-categories for the concept of self-care in pregnancy.
Conclusion
According to the results of this study, to improve self-care behaviors in pregnant women, it is necessary to pay attention to the facilitators of self-care and try to remove barriers by the health system, and establish effective communication between health care providers and pregnant mothers.
Organoids from Patient Biopsy Samples can Predict the Response of BC Patients to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy
Authors: Shu Dan , Shen Meiying , Li Kang , Han Xiaojian , Li Han , Tan Zhaofu , Wang Yu , Peng Yang , Tang Zhenrong , Qu Chi , Jin Aishun , Liu Shengchun
Published: December 2021

Background Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has been widely used to treat locally advanced and inflammatory breast cancer. The initial purpose of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in operable breast cancer is to reduce the tumor stage, achieve local control, and increase the conservative operation rate. Another significant advantage of using neoadjuvant chemotherapy is the early identification of unresponsive tumors, predicting the sensitivity of new drugs and promoting the development of new medicines and clinical trials. It is generally believed that complete pathological response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy treatment predicts survival. The overall survival rate of patients who achieve pCR is much higher than that of patients who do not. Therefore, it is essential to predict the response of patients to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. There is increasing evidence that patient-derived organoids (PDOs) can be used in cancer research and drug development and for the personalized in vitro evaluation of drug responses.Method We generated a living organoid biobank from locally advanced breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy. These patients had three clinically common molecular types of breast cancer (luminal-type, triple-negative and HER2+ breast cancer). When the patient received clinical neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the organoids were treated with similar drugs, thereby simulating the situation of the patient receiving treatmentResult We successfully constructed organoids from breast cancer biopsies to simulate clinical treatment, demonstrating that viable tumoroid lines can be generated from a small sample of tissue. The phenotype of breast cancer organoid often agreed with the original breast cancer according to the blinded histopathological analysis of H&E stain tissue and organoid sections. Our clinical trial data confirm that the patient's response to chemotherapy closely matches the organoids’ response to drugs. The patient-derived organoids may identify breast cancer patients who respond to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and thereby improve initial care.Conclusion Our data indicate that patient-derived organoids can be used to predict the clinical response of breast cancer patients to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in vitro and to screen drugs that have different effects on different patients.
Multi-Platform Simulation of Infilled Shear-Critical Reinforced Concrete Frames Subjected to Earthquake Excitations
Authors: Huang Xu , Brodsky Alex
Published: December 2021

This paper proposes a multi-platform simulation method for seismic performance assessment of masonry infilled reinforced concrete (RC) frames, especially for those who tend to fail in shear during an earthquake due to inadequate reinforcing details. The method is based on a micro-macro modeling approach where a detailed finite element (FE) model of the RC frame is incorporated with a strut model of the infill wall. It takes advantage of the strut model in terms of computational efficiency and the FE model based on the Modified Compression Field Theory (MCFT) to capture the nonlinear behaviour of the RC frame with explicit modeling of the beam-column joint failure and shear failure of the frame. The proposed method is validated against previously tested frames subjected to lateral loads, and its advantages over the conventional struct models are demonstrated through both quasi-static and dynamic analyses.
Removal Mechanisms of Cr(VI) By Redox-Active Moieties on HNO3 Modified Biochar Under Different pH and O2 Conditions
Authors: Yin Xiyan , Wen Jia , Xue Zhuangzhuang , Yang Cuilian , Li Yangfang , Yuan Li
Published: December 2021

Nitric acid (HNO3) modified biochar (NBC) has been demonstrated to be a promising sorbent. However, the roles of their redox-active moieties (RAMs, i.e., environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) and oxygen-containing function groups) in Cr(VI) removal under varying pH and O2 conditions remain poorly understood. In this study, HNO3 oxidation caused an obvious increase in specific surface area, porous volume, RAMs content, and surface potential of the biochar, leading to the more effective removal of Cr(VI) (with the removal rate reached 100% at pH 2.0) than that of the untreated biochar. Kinetics experiments revealed that O2 and pH are of great importance for the reduction efficiency and rate of Cr(VI). RAMs on NBC can either directly reduce Cr(VI)(predominant pathway) or activate O2 to produce •O2− for indirect Cr(VI) reduction. In addition, we examined the changes in the compositions of RAMs during the reaction by tuning the RAMs compositions using methanol and hydrogen peroxide. The results of electron paramagnetic resonance and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis demonstrated that the main electron donors on NBC were different at different pH values: oxygen-containing groups, e.g., –OH and C–O–C, played a dominant role in reducing Cr(VI) under acidic conditions while the neutral condition was beneficial to EPFRs-dominated reduction. This study investigated the roles of the EPFRs and oxygen-containing function groups on HNO3 modified biochar, which may provide new insights into the promoted reduction of Cr(VI) by applications of biochar.
Quantitative Health Risk Assessment of Wastewater Treatment Plant Worker Exposed to Staphylococcus Aureus Bioaerosol During Warm and Cold Periods: Disease Burden and Sensitivity Analysis
Authors: Ma Jia-xin , Cui Bei-bei , Liu Man-li , Yuan Jie , Yan Cheng
Published: December 2021

Biological treatment in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) releases high amounts of bioaerosols carrying a variety of pathogens. Quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) is a framework prevalently intended for the quantitative estimation of health risks for occupational exposure scenarios (e.g. in WWTPs). However, the quantitative contributions of health-risk-estimate inputted variable parameters remain ambiguous. Therefore, this research aimed to study the disease burden of workers exposed to Staphylococcus aureus bioaerosol during warm and cold periods and to strictly quantify the contributions of the inputted parameters of disease burden by sensitivity analysis based on Monte Carlo simulation. The results showed that the disease health risk burden in the warm period was higher than in the cold period, disease health risk burden in the rotating-disc aeration mode was regularly higher than in the microporous aeration mode. The disease health risk burden of the workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) almost all satisfied the WHO benchmark (≤10E-6 DALYs pppy), and was consistently lower by one or two orders of magnitude than the workers without PPE in both warm and cold periods. Referring to the sensitivity analysis, exposure concentration and aerosol ingestion rate were the most and second predominant factor for the estimated risk in all exposure scenarios, respectively. The sensitivity of the removal fraction by employing PPE ranked third in the contribution to disease health risk burden. In addition, no remarkable differences were revealed in the sensitivity percentage ratio between warm and cold periods. This research can deepen the understanding of the QMRA framework and promote the development of sensitivity analysis, especially under various meteorological conditions (warm and cold periods).
Deep metric learning improves lab of origin prediction of genetically engineered plasmids
Authors: Soares Igor , Camargo Fernando , Marques Adriano , Crook Oliver
Published: December 2021

Genome engineering is undergoing unprecedented development and is now becoming widely available. To ensure responsible biotechnology innovation and to reduce misuse of engineered DNA sequences, it is vital to develop tools to identify the lab-of-origin of engineered plasmids. Genetic engineering attribution (GEA), the ability to make sequence-lab associations, would supportforensic experts in this process. Here, we propose a method, based on metric learning, that ranks the most likely labs-of-origin whilstsimultaneously generating embeddings for plasmid sequences and labs. These embeddings can be used to perform various downstreamtasks, such as clustering DNA sequences and labs, as well as using them as features in machine learning models. Our approach employsa circular shift augmentation approach and is able to correctly rank the lab-of-origin90%of the time within its top 10 predictions -outperforming all current state-of-the-art approaches. We also demonstrate that we can perform few-shot-learning and obtain76%top-10 accuracy using only10%of the sequences. This means, we outperform the previous CNN approach using only one-tenth of the data. We also demonstrate that we are able to extract key signatures in plasmid sequences for particular labs, allowing for an interpretable examination of the model’s outputs.CCS Concepts: Information systems→Similarity measures; Learning to rank.
DDX3X mediates EGFR-TKI resistance through VEGFR signaling
Authors: Ohtsubo Aya , Kagamu Hiroshi , Watanabe Satoshi , Shono Kunihiro , Masuda Takaaki , Sekiya Tomoki , Suzuki Ryo , Yanagimura Naohiro , Shoji Satoshi , Nozaki Koichiro , Tanaka Tomohiro , Saida Yu , Kondo Rie , Shima Kenjiro , Kimura Yosuke , Hokari Satoshi , Aoki Nobumasa , Ohshima Yasuyoshi , Koya Toshiyuki , Kikuchi Toshiaki
Published: December 2021

Although epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are remarkably effective against non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR-activating mutations, lung cancer cells acquire resistance to EGFR-TKIs without exception. Several mechanisms of EGFR-TKI resistance have been reported, but there are many aspects that remain to be clarified. We previously identified DDX3X as an immunogenic protein preferentially expressed in murine melanoma with a cancer stem cell (CSC)-like phenotype. DDX3X induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition and reduced the sensitivity to EGFR-TKIs in PC9 cells, human lung cancer cells harboring EGFR exon 19 deletion. We also reported that there was a small nonadherent subpopulation of parental PC9 cells that highly expressed DDX3X and had CSC properties. In this study, we found that VEGFR2 was upregulated in lung cancer cells that strongly expressed DDX3X and that these cells were addicted to VEGFR signaling. The blockade of both EGFR and VEGFR signaling reduced the phosphorylation of downstream signals in the cells with DDX3X that acquired EGFR-TKI resistance. The addition of VEGFR-TKIs or anti-VEGF antibodies to EGFR-TKIs significantly inhibited the progression of EGFR-mutated NSCLC in a xenograft mouse model. These data suggest that the blockade of VEGFR signaling enhances the antitumor effects of EGFR-TKIs by eradicating cancer stem cells, which mediate resistance to EGFR-TKIs.
Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) in Imported and Domestic Camels in Saudi Arabia – A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Molecular Study
Authors: El-Kafrawy Sherif A. , Hassan Ahmed M. , El-Daly Mai M. , Al-Hajri Mohammed , Farag Elmoubashar , Elnour Fatimah Ahmed , Khan Anas , Tolah Ahmed M. , Alandijany Thamir A. , Othman Noura A. , Memish Ziad A , Corman Victor M. , Drosten Christian , Zumla Alimuddin , Azhar Esam I.
Published: December 2021

Camels gained attention since the discovery of MERS-CoV as intermediary hosts for potentially epidemic zoonotic viruses. DcHEV is a novel zoonotic pathogen associated with camel contact. This study aimed to genetically characterize DcHEV in domestic and imported camels in Saudi Arabia. DcHEV was detected by RT-PCR in serum samples, PCR-positive samples were subjected to sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. DcHEV was detected in 1.77% of samples with higher positivity in domestic DCs. All positive imported dromedaries were from Sudan with age declining prevalence. Domestic DcHEV sequences clustered with sequences from Kenya, Somalia, and UAE while imported sequences clustered with one DcHEV isolate from UAE and both sequences clustered away from isolates reported from Pakistan. Full-genome sequences showed 24 amino acid difference with reference sequences. Our results confirm the detection of DcHEV in domestic and imported DCs. Further investigations are needed in human and camel populations to identify DcHEV potential zoonosis threat.
High-throughput analysis of magnetic phase transition by combining table-top sputtering, photoemission electron microscopy, and Landau theory
Authors: Kotsugi Masato , Nishio Tadashi , Yamamoto Masahiro , Ohkochi Takuo , Nanasawa Daigo , Foggiatto Alexandre
Published: December 2021

Recent progress in materials informatics has triggered growing interest in combinatorial experimental systems for materials development. We demonstrate a novel high-throughput experiment combining compact materials synthesis, synchrotron radiation measurements, and statistical data analysis. This technique focuses on not only drawing phase diagrams but also analysing phase transitions for exploring the functions of magnetic materials. This study involved the rapid preparation of a composition-gradient Fe–Co–Cr ternary thin film using a table-top sputtering system and 3D printer, followed by measurement of the chemical components and magnetic contrast by photoemission electron microscopy, through the acquisition of one million spectral datasets within 10 min. The ternary magnetic phase diagram of Fe–Co–Cr obtained by statistical analysis of the magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) contrast images was in perfect agreement with previous studies. The MCD histogram was fitted based on Landau theory, and the estimated critical exponent β (0.36 ± 0.028) showed excellent agreement with previous theoretical and experimental studies. This study successfully demonstrates universal physical parameter analysis that characterizes magnetic properties by a high-throughput approach combined with a simple experimental apparatus.
Regressional Optimizations of Cotton Spun Yarn by Controlling its Process Parameters
Authors: Zeeshan Muhammad Ali , Abro Zamir Ahmed , Rehan Abdul Malik , Shah Ahmer Hussain , Khoso Nazakat Ali , Tariq Syed Qutaba Bin
Published: December 2021

Cotton is the most commonly used natural fiber and has a significant contribution to the production of yarn manufacturing. This yarn is subsequently utilized for the production of fabrics, garments, and other textile products. The quality of the end product depends on the selection of an appropriate spinning process and output parameters. Numerous methods and processes are involved in the production of yarn. Ring spinning machine is most commonly used for the production of cotton spun yarn. It is necessary to optimize the process parameters of ring-spun yarn without compromising on quality and production. In this research work; these parameters have been optimized by applying the multiple linear regression analysis. The process parameters (especially spindle speed, twist and yarn diameter) and their effect on yarn quality have been discussed in detail. Total 135 ring-spun yarn samples have been produced under three different levels of spindle speed, twist, and linear density. These yarn samples are categorized as 8 Ne, 16 Ne, and 24 Ne at three different Twist multipliers (3.8, 4.0, and 4.2) and different revolutions per minute of the spindle (9500 rpm, 10500rpm, and 11500 rpm). The models have been designed to predict the quality of ring-spun by utilizing USTER evenness tester data. The Count of yarn, yarn twist, and spindle speed were selected as a predictor. The multiple regression method has been used to find out the relation between the process parameters and yarn quality characteristics. The high values of R2 (the coefficient of determination) showed the relationships in the prediction model.
Effects of Water Stress on Vegetative and Reproductive Traits of Three Commercial Cotton Varieties in Field Conditions in Central Iran
Authors: AREFI ALI NADERI , TAVAKOLI AlIREZA
Published: December 2021

Backgroundwater scarcity is one of the most important factors that restricts crop production specially, cotton which must planted in areas without cold temperature limitation. Most of such area in Iran encounters drought events, hot temperatures and high atmospheric evaporative demand. So, understanding of stress severity and cultivar responses will help to better management of crop in stress conditions. Our previous study showed that cultivar responses in view of some physiological and morphological aspects were highly different in water stress condition. In this study we focused on yield formatting traits.Results Three cotton commercial varieties; Khorshid, Khordad and Varamin studied in sever, mild and without water stress. In normal condition zero type cultivar, the khorshid, produced the highest seed cotton yield. Varamin cultivar had more and longer sympodial branches which could raise it’s yield. Also, Varamin cultivar’s seed cotton yield was higher than the others (3617 kg -1 ha compared with 2477 and 3060 for khordad and khorshid, respectively). Khorshid was superior to the others at sever water stress.ConclusionSeed cotton yield showed high correlation whit boll number and boll weight and vegetative aspects such as plant height, node number and sympodial branches number. Management for developing more sympodial branches results in higher bud and flower and will increase the yield. Totally, we recommend Khorshid and Varamin cultivars for normal condition and Khorshid for sever stress conditions.
Effects of Non-Darcy Mixed Convection Over a Horizontal Cone With Different Convective Boundary Conditions Incorporating Gyrotactic Microorganisms On Dispersion
Authors: Ferdows M. , Alshuraiaan Bader , Nima Nayema Islam
Published: December 2021

This paper discusses an investigation of the influence of dispersion impact on mixed convection flow over a horizontal cone within a non-Darcy porous medium subjected to convective boundary conditions. By imposing appropriate similarity transformations, the nonlinear partial differential equations governing flow, temperature, concentration, and microbe fields are reduced to a system of ordinary differential equations, which are then solved using the MATLAB BVP4C function. In a few circumstances, the research is brought to a strong conclusion by comparing the findings of the current study to previously published works. Mixed convection parameter λ, buoyancy parameters N1,N2, Lewis parameter Le, bioconvection lewis parameter Lb, Bioconvection peclet number Pe, Biot number Bi, Biot number of Mass transfer Bi,m and also Biot number of motile microorganism transfer Bi,n are all numerically calculated for various values of the dimensionless parameters of the problem. The results also reveal that, in the presence of dispersion effects, these parameters greatly influence the heat, mass, and motile microorganism transfer rates, as well as the corresponding velocity, temperature, concentration, and motile microorganism profiles.
Site-Specific Variation in Bacterial Loads of Wooden Nest Boxes in the Pre-Breeding Period
Authors: Zabłotni Agnieszka , Kaliński Adam , Bańbura Mirosława , Glądalski Michał , Markowski Marcin , Skwarska Joanna , Wawrzyniak Jarosław , Bańbura Jerzy
Published: December 2021

Among environmental factors affecting life - history traits of birds breeding in nest boxes, an influence of microbial communities is relatively poorly understood. In this study, nest boxes used for breeding by great tit (Parus major) and blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) were sampled before the start of the breeding season to assess the bacterial loads of the nest box. Samples from the entrance hole and the interior of the nest box were taken at two different study sites: an urban parkland and a natural forest. Nest boxes were sampled to check if their bacterial loads differed between habitats. The second objective of this study was to check whether the occupancy of the nest boxes during the previous season would influence the bacterial load of the nest box. To verify this prediction, two categories of nest boxes were sampled at both study sites: nest boxes occupied by any of the two tit species in the previous season for breeding and nest boxes that had remained empty that year. The bacterial load of the nest box was significantly higher in the forest study area in both the occupied and unoccupied nest boxes. The nest boxes used for breeding in the previous season had significantly higher bacterial loads, but only in the forest area. Our results suggest that the bacterial load of the nest box can vary between habitats and may be positively related to the presence of the nests in the previous breeding season.
Reducing the Number of Measuring Points of the LED-Based Colorimetric Probe
Authors: Arbanas Milos , Batinic Branislav , Bajic Jovan , Vasiljevic-Toskic Marko , Brkic Miodrag , Rajs Vladimir
Published: December 2021

In this paper, reducing the number of necessary measuring points for estimating a reflected electromagnetic spectrum of a printed color patch is presented. In our previous work, a machine learning-based method was proven to be superior to Cubic Hermite interpolation in estimating spectrum based on six measured values. Now, the new hypothesis is that the number of measuring points could be decreased without the significant loss of the spectrum estimation. The ECI2002 test chart was used to create the dataset, which was further divided into training and test subset. For all the colors on the test chart, the measurements were performed on printed patches with the device proposed in our previous work, as well as with the commercial spectrophotometer X-Rite i1 Publish Pro2, which were then used as the ground truth, or reference values. The Artificial Neural Networks were trained to estimate spectrums based on measurements acquired with our device. The results proved satisfactory even when the number of measuring points is reduced from six to three.
Structural and Dynamic Properties of Hydrophobic Eutectic Solvents Based on Menthol and Fatty Acids: a Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study
Authors: Pour Samaneh Barani , Sardroodi Jaber Jahanbin , Ebrahimzadeh Alireza Rastkar
Published: December 2021

The structural and dynamical properties of the binary mixture of Menthol (MEN) and Fatty acids (FAs) were investigated using molecular dynamics simulations. We focused on the relationship between the structural and dynamical properties of the eutectic mixtures of MEN and FAs with different molar percentages of FAs. Structural properties of the eutectic mixtures were characterized by calculating the combined distribution functions(CDFs), the radial distribution functions (RDFs), and the angular distribution functions (ADFs), and the Hydrogen bonding network between species and Spatial distribution functions (SDF). Further interaction between menthol and Caprylic acid molecules was confirmed by the results of these analyzes. Also, the transport properties of the mixtures were investigated by using the mean square displacement (MSD) of the centers of mass of the species, self-diffusion coefficients and vector reorientation dynamics (VRD) of bonds. The simulation results indicated that intermolecular interactions have a significant effect on the dynamic properties of species.
Is Dynamic Spino-Pelvic Alignment During Gait Associated with Quality of Life in Patients with Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Canal Stenosis?
Authors: Miura Takuya , Tominaga Ryoji , Sato Keita , Endo Tatsuya , Iwabuchi Masumi , Ito Toshikazu , Shirado Osamu
Published: December 2021

This study aims to investigate the relationship between dynamic alignment of the spine and pelvis during gait and quality of life (QOL) in lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LSS) patients. We evaluated QOL using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), trunk and hip muscle strength as physical function, static spinal alignment, and dynamic spinal/pelvic alignment during gait. The relationship between the ODI score and physical function or static and dynamic alignment were examined. A total of 30 preoperative patients with LSS were participated in this study. ODI score significantly correlated with trunk extension strength (r = -0.559, p = 0.002), hip extension strength (r = -0.473, p = 0.011), maximum flexion angle of spine during gait (r = -0.551, p = 0.002) and maximum anterior tilt angle of pelvis (r = 0.528, p = 0.004). Multiple regression analysis showed that trunk extension strength (standardized β; - 0.35), maximum spinal flexion angle (standardized β; - 0.51) and hip extension strength (standardized β; - 0.40) significantly affected the ODI score, with adjusted coefficient of determination of 0.62. The results of this study showed that the LSS patients with weak hip or trunk extensor muscles, a greater angle of pelvic tilt or a less spinal flexion during gait had a lower QOL.
WITHDRAWN: Neonatal Circumcision: Public Health Necessity or Ethical Dilemma? – Systematic Review
Authors: Morris Brian J. , Rivin Beth , Krieger John N.
Published: December 2021

Male circumcision (MC) is common in many countries. Despite clear health benefits, ethical arguments have been invoked opposing MC, especially when performed neonatally (NMC). NMC is when most MCs are performed in developed countries. Here we provide the first PRISMA-compliant systematic review of the disparate evidence of ethical and legal arguments concerning NMC and MC of older boys. Searches were performed of PubMed, Embase and Scopus for publications relevant to ethical and legal aspects of MC in developed Anglophone and European countries. This led to retrieval of 48 articles meeting the inclusion criteria. A further 18 articles and 16 Internet publications were identified from searches of bibliographies of articles retrieved. Two more were supplied by a legal academic colleague. In total 84 publications were reviewed. The literature revealed arguments by some that parent-approved MC of a nonconsenting child is unethical. But parental consent also applies to vaccination and all other medical therapies in children. Strong data support a conclusion that: (1) NMC is low risk, (2) NMC provides immediate and lifetime medical and health benefits, and (3) NMC has no adverse effect on sexual function and pleasure. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child articulates the right to health and focuses on the best interests of the child as its guiding principle. Discouraging or denying MC to neonates is arguably unethical, given the overwhelming health benefits. Legal scholars regard case-law as supporting the legality of NMC. Ethical and legal arguments support the rights of males of all ages to lifetime protection against infection and diseases caused by lack of MC. Arguments opposing NMC generally involve distortion of the medical evidence, poorly designed studies and opinions. Opposition to NMC goes against the principles of evidence-based medicine used in reviews conducted to develop pediatric policies in support of optimum public health, sexual health, mental health, and human rights.
GTSception: A Deep Learning EEG Emotion Recognition Model Based on Fusion of Global, Time Domain and Frequency Domain Feature Extraction
Authors: Zhao Jian , Zhang ZhiWei , Qiu Jinping , Shi Lijuan , KUANG Zhejun , Jing Weipeng , Zhu Zhan-peng
Published: December 2021

With the rapid development of deep learning in recent years, automatic electroencephalography (EEG) emotion recognition has been widely concerned. At present, most deep learning methods do not normalize EEG data properly and do not fully extract the features of time and frequency domain, which will affect the accuracy of EEG emotion recognition. To solve these problems, we propose GTScepeion, a deep learning EEG emotion recognition model. In pre-processing, the EEG time slicing data including channels were pre-processed. In our model, global convolution kernels are used to extract overall semantic features, followed by three kinds of temporal convolution kernels representing different emotional periods, followed by two kinds of spatial convolution kernels highlighting brain hemispheric differences to extract spatial features, and finally emotions are dichotomy classified by the full connected layer. The experiments is based on the DEAP dataset, and our model can effectively normalize the data and fully extract features. For Arousal, ours is 8.76% higher than the current optimal emotion recognition model based on Inception. For Valence, the best accuracy of our model reaches 91.51%.
Explicit Modelling of Multi-Period Setup Times in Proportional Lot-Sizing Problem with Constant Capacity
Authors: Kaczmarczyk Waldemar
Published: December 2021

The planning horizon of small bucket models is often divided into many fictitious micro-periods, with non-zero demand only in the last micro-period of each real (macro-)period. On the one hand, such models ensure schedules with short cycle times and low work-in-process inventory in multilevel systems; on the other, they make setup times that are longer than a single period more likely. This paper presents a new mixed-integer programming model for the case with setup operations that overlap multiple periods. The new model assumes that the capacity is constant in the whole planning horizon and explicitly determines the entire schedule of each changeover. Moreover, a two-level MIP heuristic is presented that uses model-specific cuts to fix a priori some minor decisions. The results of the computational experiments show that the new model and MIP heuristic require a substantially smaller computational effort from a standard MIP solver than the known models.MSC Classification: 90B30 , 90C11
Soil Microcosms for Bioaugmentation With Fungal Isolates to Remediate Petroleum Hydrocarbon-contaminated Soil
Authors: Daâssi Dalel , Almaghribi Fatimah Qabil
Published: December 2021

The aim of this work was to isolate indigenous PAH degrading-fungi from petroleum contaminated soil and exogenous ligninolytic strains from decaying-wood, with the ability to secrete diverse enzyme activity. A total of ten ligninolytic fungal isolates and two native strains, has been successfully isolated, screened and identified. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the indigenous fungi (KBR1 and KB8) belong to the genus Aspergillus niger and tubingensis. While the ligninolytic exogenous PAH-degrading strains namely KBR1-1, KB4, KB2 and LB3 were affiliated to different genera like Syncephalastrum sp, Paecilomyces formosus, Fusarium chlamydosporum, and Coniochaeta sp., respectively. Basis on the taxonomic analysis, enzymatic activities and the hydrocarbons removal rates, single fungal culture employing the strain LB3, KB4, KBR1 and the mixed culture (LB3+KB4) were selected to be used in soil microcosms treatments. The Total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), fungal growth rates, BOD5/COD ratios and GC-MS analysis, were determined in all soil microcosmos treatments (SMT) and compared with those of the control (SMU). After 60 days of culture incubation, the highest rate of TPH degradation was recorded in SMT[KB4] by approximately 92±2.35% followed by SMT[KBR1] then SMT[LB3+KB4] with 86.66±1.83% and 85.14±2.21%, respectively.
Pseudorabies Virus Infection Induces Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Through PERK and IRE1 Pathways of Unfolded Protein Response
Authors: Chen Li , Ni Minshu , Ahmed Waqas , Xu Yue , Bao Xi , Zhuang Tenghan , Feng Lei , Guo Meijin
Published: December 2021

Pseudorabies virus (PRV) is a pathogen of swine resulting in devastating disease. Some viral infections can cause endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and unfolded protein response (UPR) to restore ER homeostasis. However, the mechanism of how PRV induces ER stress and UPR activation remains unclear. Here, levels of proteins or transcriptional factors of three UPR pathways were examined in suspension-cultured BHK-21 cells to investigate PRV-induced ER stress. Results showed that PRV triggered ER stress and UPR of the host cells with the upregulated expression of glucose-related protein 78 kD and 94 kD (GRP78 and GRP94). The protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase (PERK) pathway was activated to upregulate ATF4, CHOP, and GADD34 expression. Additionally, the inositol requiring kinase 1 (IRE1) pathway was triggered by splicing of X box-binding protein 1 (XBP1) mRNA and the enhanced expression of p58IPK and EDEM1. Furthermore, our data demonstrated that PRV took advantage of ER stress to accelerate its replication with the activation of the PERK and IRE1 pathways in suspension-cultured BHK-21 cells, and the glycoprotein B played a crucial role in ER stress.
Detection of Mycobacterium bovis DNA in oronasal swabs from infected African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer).
Authors: Clarke Charlene , Cooper David V , Miller Michele Ann , Goosen Wynand Johan
Published: December 2021

Mycobacterium bovis, a member of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC), is the causative agent of bovine TB (bTB) in animals. Spread occurs through inhalation or ingestion of bacilli transmitted from infected individuals. Early and accurate detection of infected African buffaloes shedding M. bovis is essential for interrupting transmission. In this study, we determined if M. bovis shedding could be detected in buffalo oronasal secretions using a molecular transport media (PrimeStore MTM) with oronasal swabs and a rapid qPCR assay (Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra). Bovine TB test-positive buffaloes were culled, then tissue samples and oronasal swabs collected post-mortem for mycobacterial culture and Ultra testing, respectively. The Ultra detected MTBC DNA in 5/12 swabs from M. bovis culture-confirmed buffaloes. Oronasal swabs from M. bovis negative buffaloes (n = 20) were negative on Ultra, indicating the high specificity of this test. This study showed that MTM can successfully preserve MTBC DNA in oronasal swabs. The proportion of MTBC positive oronasal swabs was higher than expected and suggests that the Ultra may be a sensitive method for identifying infected buffaloes. Further studies are needed to confirm the utility of the Ultra assay with oronasal swabs as a promising assay to evaluate MTBC shedding in buffaloes.
Prostate Artery Embolization for Megaprostate Causing Urinary Retention, DVT and Macroscopic Haematuria Post Thrombolysis and Catheterisation: A Case Report
Authors: Copping Ross , Nassour Anthony-Joe , Bhoopathy Sankara Varun , Myint Michael , Mancuso Pascal , Catt Jules , Schlaphoff Glen
Published: December 2021

Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia is the most common urological condition affecting quality of life in men. Its incidence increases proportionally with age and typically manifests with mixed lower urinary tract symptoms. Giant prostatic hyperplasia, the most extreme form of BPH, can present with more serious clinical consequences and presents a challenge to surgical management. Case presentation: We present the first reported case of provoked deep vein thrombosis and near fatal pulmonary embolus from a symptomatic megaprostate exerting pelvic mass effect on the external iliac vein, further complicated by haematuria post catheter-directed thrombolysis. Conclusion: This case highlights the success of prostate artery embolization and catheter-directed thrombolysis to treat potential sequelae of giant prostate hyperplasia.
Material Basis For Combining Euphrobia Kansui And Licorice Based On Rat Liver Microsomal
Authors: Wang Tingting , Li Haoyue , Shi Cheng , Hao Lei , Liu Yanrui , Wang Rui , Yang Weili , Wang Xi
Published: December 2021

Background: The herbal-pair, Kansui and Licorice, belongs to the "eighteen incompatible medicaments" category of traditional Chinese medicine. Kansuiphorin C (KC) is the main toxic component of Kansui. The main component of licorice is glycyrrhizic acid, which is hydrolyzed to glycyrrhetinic acid. Currently, the synergistic mechanism between Kansui and Licorice is unclear. Methods: Rat liver microsomes were used in this experiment, HPLC was used to detect the contents of KC, glycyrrhizic acid, and glycyrrhetinic acid to determine whether these compounds are metabolic substrates of CYP450. A control group with isozyme inhibitors was also employed to reveal the isozyme subtypes involved in compound metabolism. To further explain the induction or inhibitory effect of the above compounds on liver microsomal enzymes, enzyme activity was indirectly revealed based on changes in the contents of known metabolites of CYP2E1, CYP2C9, and CYP3A4. Results: KC and glycyrrhetinic acid were metabolic substrates of CYP450. CYP2E1 and CYP2C9 are mainly involved in the partial metabolism of glycyrrhizic acid in the liver. CYP2E1 and CYP3A4 are mainly involved in the partial metabolism of glycyrrhetinic acid in the liver. CYP2E1, CYP2C9, and CYP3A4 did not play a major role in the metabolism of KC. KC had little effect on the metabolism of glycyrrhizic acid and glycyrrhetinic acid. Glycyrrhizic acid, glycyrrhetinic acid, and KC induced CYP3A4 and inhibit CYP2E1. Both glycyrrhizic acid and glycyrrhetinic acid could inhibit the induction of CYP3A4 after combination with KC. KC with glycyrrhizic acid could synergistically inhibit the activity of CYP2E1, while KC with glycyrrhetinic acid could synergistically induce the activity of CYP2E1 Conclusion: KC and glycyrrhetinic acid were metabolic substrates of CYP450. KC, glycyrrhizic acid and glycyrrhetinic acid have different inducing and inhibiting effects on CYP450 enzyme.
Commercial Complementary Food in Germany: A Market Survey
Authors: Alexy Ute , Dilger June Joann , Koch Stefanie
Published: December 2021

Background: As consumption of commercial complementary food (CCF) during infancy and toddlerhood is common, the aim of the present study was to describe the current (2020) German market of CCF products with a special focus on ingredients, macronutrients, and the practice of nutrient fortification.Methods: Information on age declarations, ingredients, energy and nutrient contents, and nutrient fortification of 1057 CCF products was obtained by contacting the producers and searching manufacturers' websites. Each product was assigned to one of thirteen product categories (menus, milk-cereal-meal, fruit-cereal-meal, oil, vegetables, meat, fish, fruits, cereals, snack foods, pouches, desserts, beverages) and stratified into infants’ CCF (< 12 months, n=829) and toddlers’ CCF (> 12 months, n=228). Descriptive statistics were used in order to give an overview of the available products.Results: Highest protein content (% of energy content, %E) was found in meat products. More than 50 %E of total sugar was found in pouches, beverages, cereal fruit meals, and fruits. Highest median salt content was found in toddlers’ menus and desserts. Around one third of infants’ CCF products and one quarter of toddlers’ products were fortified with nutrients. Vitamin B1 (thiamin) was the most frequently fortified nutrient, followed by vitamin C, iron, calcium, and vitamin D. Apple was the type of fruit listed most often in products with fruits, whereas carrot was the most frequent vegetable among CCF with vegetables. Conclusion: The available product categories as well as the high sugar content of most CCFs currently available on the German market may promote unhealthy dietary habits. Parents need to be educated about the optimal selection of products.
Comparison of Staphylococcus Aureus Endocarditis Risk Factors With Bacteremia
Authors: Ghale Majid Khani , Kamali Monireh , Khosravani-Nezhad Yasamin , Zangeneh Mehrangiz
Published: December 2021

Introduction: Infective endocarditis (IE) is endothelial damage of the endocardium, which is caused by infection. The etiologic agents' highest mortality and morbidity rates are associated with staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Accordingly, the knowledge of different risk factors for IE caused by the S. aureus is necessary.Material and methods: This study is an observational-analytical retrospective cohort study on 139 patients with staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB), who referred to a cardiac center during 2011-2019. This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors in 48 patients with staphylococcus aureus endocarditis, who were selected from139 patients with S. aureus bacteremia. Results: The mean age (±SD) of the patients is 56.61 (±16.58), and85 (61.2%) persons are male. Forty-eight patients (34.5%) are diagnosed with staphylococcus aureus endocarditis regarding Duke criteria. In this study, the following risk factors were significantly associated with S. aureus endocarditis: age (p=0.003), long-term bacteremia (p=0.041), prosthetic heart valve (p=0.016), pre-existing IE (p=0.048), and embolic events (p=0.039).Conclusion: According to the findings, a significant number of patients with staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) have IE with different risk factors. Future studies with a larger sample size are recommended to detect IE risk factors.
Viewpoint-Invariant Exercise Repetition Counting
Authors: Hsu Yu Cheng , Efstratios Tsougenis , Tsui Kwok-Leung , Zhang Qingpeng
Published: December 2021

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
The Photograph Registration of Petri Dishes in High Quality and Image Editing of Microbiological Testing
Authors: Rodrigues Cleverson , David Grace Queiroz , Reis André Rodrigues dos
Published: December 2021

Science is based on evidence that can be measured or observed through methodical techniques which are expressed in several ways, either quantitatively or qualitatively. The technical photograph becomes one of the most important key tools to the result’s disclosure. In the microbiological research, several pieces of evidence can be indicated with variables that are deeply related to the means of culture; pH and color variation, halo formation, overlay of structures, culture shape, among others. The employment of technical photographs, as a strategy of the experimental observation and reliable representation, is indispensable. The protocol presented here suggests the production of the photographic support in microbiological tests runs on Petri dishes, taken by a smartphone to obtain high-quality images, besides showing tools to edit images through PowerPoint. The support is composed of a paper tube with a transparent border, whose reduced light penetration avoids problems, such as the luminous reflection over the Petri dishes or the environment itself. The edition consists of the photograph variation, and in clipping and pasting on uniform backgrounds to provide further detailing. The protocol allowed a standardized photograph collection in high quality, which is ideal for a comparative portrait of microbiological behaviors. The image editing enabled a framework and greater visibility of physical and biological structures in the exhibition of photographs inside the manuscript, such as the removal of noises, background alterations, deformities or irregularities. This protocol is a tool that helps the researcher on the knowledge-obtaining process, and it is applied to different experiments or adapted into the most variable research subjects.