bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New (Iso)Quinolinyl-Pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide G-Quadruplex Ligands. A Structure-Activity Relationship Study
Authors: Cadoni Enrico , Magalhães Pedro R. , Emídio Rita M. , Mendes Eduarda , Vítor Jorge B. , Carvalho Josué , Cruz Carla , Victor Bruno L. , Paulo Alexandra
Published: June 2021

Quadruplex-interactive small molecules have a wide potential application, not only as drugs but also as sensors of quadruplexes structures. The purpose of this work is the synthesis of analogues of the bis-methylquinolinium-pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide G4 ligand 360A, to identify relevant structure-activity relationships to apply to the design of other G4-interactive small molecules bearing bis-quinoline or bis-isoquinoline moieties. Thermal denaturation experiments revealed that non-methylated derivatives with a relative 1,4 position between the amide linker and the nitrogen of the quinoline ring are moderate G4 stabilizers, with a preference for the hybrid h-Telo G4. Insertion of a positive charge upon methylation of quinoline/isoquinoline nitrogen increases compounds capacity to selectively stabilize G4s compared to duplex DNA, with a preference for parallel structures. Among these, compounds having a relative 1,3-position between the charged methylquinolinium/isoquinolinium nitrogen and the amide linker are the best G4 stabilizers. More interestingly, these ligands showed different capacities to selectively block DNA polymer-ization in a PCR-stop assay and to induce G4 conformation switches of hybrid h-Telo G4. Mo-lecular dynamic simulations with the parallel k-RAS G4 structure showed that the relative spatial orientation of the two methylated quinoline/isoquinoline rings determines the ligands mode and strength of binding to G4s.
Reflexiones sobre la prescripción de la acción penal de conformidad con el Código Nacional de Procedimientos Penales
Authors: García Villegas Jaime Ernesto , Maguregui Alcaráz Lila
Published: June 2021

El Código Nacional de Procedimientos Penales determina, en el artículo 211, que el ejercicio de la acción penal se inicia desde que el Ministerio Público solicita un citatorio para la programación de la audiencia inicial. Técnicamente se debería suspender la prescripción de la acción penal, toda vez que, a partir de ese momento, se debe considerar que existe una facultad ejercida por el órgano persecutor.
Cervical-Thoracic Epidural Hematoma Associated with a T1 Clay-Shoveler Fracture in a Pediatric Patient
Authors: Kavin Michelle , Rhoden Imana , Mehallo Christopher
Published: June 2021

This case study presents a 14-year-old boy with a 5-day history of neck pain, temporary upper extremity paresthesia, and worsening back pain after doing sled drills in football. Diagnostic imaging revealed a T1 clay-shoveler fracture and associated cervical-thoracic epidural hematoma. To the best of our knowledge, there are no previous reports of a clay-shoveler fracture that involve a spinal epidural hematoma which demonstrates an unusual version of the condition that requires surgical consultation.
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PROBLEM BASED LEARNING MODEL WITH STEM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, MATHEMATICS) APPROACH TO TRAIN STUDENTS’ SCIENCE PROCESS SKILLS OF XI GRADERS ON CHEMICAL EQUILIBRIUM TOPIC
Authors: Awalin Nabila Aurelia , Ismono Ismono
Published: June 2021

This study aims to determine the improvement of learning outcomes and students’ science process skills by implementation PBL (Problem Based Learning) model with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) based on chemical equilibrium topic. The method in this research is quantitative descriptive with One-Group Pretest-Postest design. The subjects of this study were students of Mathematics and Natural Sciences XI graders in State Senior High School 1 Pulung,  Ponorogo Regency. Data method is; observation, questionnaires, and tests. Technical data analysis used is; analysis of study results data, analysis of observations of learning implementation, analysis of student activities, analysis of learning outcomes completeness, and analysis of student responses. The results in this study were: (1) the mean percentage of the implementation of PBL model based on STEM  in the chemical equilibrium topic was 89.26%; (2) the category of improvement for all indicators of Science Process Skills observing and conclusion that respectively 0.82 and 0.89 are included in the high category, for the skills to formulate problems, formulate hypotheses, determine variables, and analyze data respectively of 0.64 ; 0.42; 0.67; 0.68 and can be categorized as moderate; (3) the learning outcomes of students in the realm of knowledge have increased classically with n-gain of 0.62 in the moderate category; and the last (4) learning by implementation the STEM-based PBL  model on chemical equilibrium material received a positive response from students based on the results of the questionnaire, the percentage was 83%.
THE EFFECT OF VIRTUAL LABORATORY IMPLEMENTATION ON THE SCIENCE LITERACY ABILITY OF CLASS VIII STUDENTS ON MATERIAL FORCE AND MOVEMENT OF OBJECTS AT MTS NEGERI 1 JEMBER
Authors: Rembulan Cincin Nohan , Susanti Laily Yunita
Published: June 2021

Students who do not raise questions that are applicable and the ability to identify a problem according to the concept of science, show that the scientific literacy of students is classified as low science in a real context. In general, this study aims to examine the effect of the application of the virtual laboratory on the scientific literacy ability of students on the subject matter of force and motion. This research method uses quantitative research types Quasi Experimental Design. The population in this study were students of class VIII and the sample was selected by purposive sampling. The instrument of scientific literacy is a description test. Prerequisite test results use Kolmogorov Smirnov for normality and use One-Way ANOVA for homogeneity. Then the hypothesis test was performed using the Z test. The results of the study obtained an average value of scientific literacy at a pretest significance value of 0.403> 0.05 so that H0 was accepted and Ha was rejected. While the posttest value has a significance value of 0.001 <0.005 so that H0 is rejected and Ha is accepted. So that it shows a significant influence between the scientific literacy abilities of students in the two classes.
Comprehensive Operational Assessment Eliminates Significant Lost Time on a 3-Year Development Project in Nigeria
Authors: Akinyamoju Benedict , Irving Don , Olofin Abiodun , Browne Christopher , Loo Enrique , Greenwood Jeremy
Published: June 2021

A 3 year, 23 well project drilled by a major operator in Nigeria was challenged to develop methodologies to optimize every aspect of drilling for a development project to reduce total project time and costs.

The team of operator and service company personnel created an approach that systematically examined and challenged the efficiency of all tasks. They then developed and implemented innovative methods to save time by both analyzing repetitive, lengthy, or troublesome operations and challenging many status quo rig activities. The culture of continually challenging the causes of invisible lost time (ILT) that developed resulted in the creation of several critical performance improvement methodologies each of which are explained in detail.

The multiple focus areas where process improvements were made included hole cleaning efficiencies, optimizing the ROP to deliver shortest well time from drilling out the casing shoe to landing the next casing, anti-collision practices to drill out conductors with a separation factor of less than 1.0, BHA design efficiencies for equipment standardization and faster make up and break down times, managing differential sticking risks, improving survey times, and developing best practices to side-track with a point-the-bit Rotary steerable system. Exact times were tracked to establish the required baselines and drilling optimization services were introduced to modify the drilling practices to reach the technical limit.

The technical limit for ROP was achieved and best practices developed in this environment for effective hole cleaning, ease of tripping, and improved tripping speeds of the BHA at the end of every run saved 38.25 days over 15 wells. Average ROP's were improved by 48% in the 17 ½" section and 57% in the 12 ¼" section. The new anti-collision methodology saved 5 hours per well. BHA assembly and tool download efficiencies saved 11.47 days. Wellbore strengthening techniques prevented seepage losses and reduced stuck pipe events. Surveying improvements saved 11.78 days and new sidetracking practices saved 5 hours per sidetrack. Tasks that could be done in parallel to the critical path were identified and tasks on the critical path were performed more efficiently. ILT elimination in drilling processes saved a total of 96 days of rig time over an established performance baseline during this 23 well project. The operator set two records for the fastest drilled and completed conventional offshore wells in Nigerian history.
A Reversible shearing DNA-based tension probe for cellular force measurement
Authors: Li Hongyun , Hu Yuru , Sun Feng , Chen Wei , Liu Zheng
Published: June 2021

Cells can sense and respond to molecular forces ranging from a few pN to tens of pN through mechanosensitive receptors with an astounding diversity of mechanisms. DNA-based molecular tension sensors have been instrumental in studying the importance of mechanical forces in many biological systems. However, the respective shortcomings of these sensors, for instance, the irreversible rupture of tension gauge tether (TGT) under force and relatively limited dynamic range of the hairpin probes, limited our understanding of the molecular details of mechano-chemo-transduction in living cells. Here, we developed a reversible shearing DNA-based tension probe (RSDTP) for probing molecular pN-scale forces between 4-60 pN transmitted by cells. Using RSDTPs to study integrin-mediated mechanotransduction, we could real-time distinguish the differences of force-bearing integrins without perturbing adhesion biology in living cells.
A Pilot Study of Possible Anti-Inflammatory Effects of The Specific Carbohydrate Diet in Children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Authors: Berntson Lillemor
Published: June 2021

Background: To explore possible anti-inflammatory effects of the specific carbohydrate diet in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. This diet has shown anti-inflammatory effect in children with inflammatory bowel disease.Methods: Twenty-two patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (age 6.3–17.3 years), with ≤ 2 inflamed joints and an erythrocyte sedimentation rate < 30 mm/h, were included in this explorative study. Fifteen children completing four weeks on the diet were evaluated. A dietician introduced parents and children to the diet, and two follow-ups were performed during the intervention. Conventional laboratory tests and multiplex analyses of 92 inflammatory proteins were used. Short-chain fatty acids in faecal samples were examined.Results: The diet significantly decreased morning stiffness (p = 0.003) and pain (p = 0.048). Physical function, assessed through the child health assessment questionnaire, improved (p = 0.022). Arthritis improved in five of the seven children with arthritis; in those seven, multiplex analyses showed a significant decrease in nine inflammatory proteins, including TNF-alpha (p = 0.028), after four weeks. Faecal butyrate, analysed in all 15 participants, increased significantly (p = 0.020).Conclusion: The specific carbohydrate diet may have significant positive effects on arthritis in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, but further studies are needed.Clinical Trials Identifier: NCT04205500, 2019/12/17, retrospectively registered. URL:https://register.clinicaltrials.gov.
The Environmental-adjusted Energy Efficiency of China’s Construction Industry: A Three-stage Undesirable SBM-DEA Model
Authors: Chen Yufeng , Ma Lihua , Zhu Zhitao
Published: June 2021

Construction industry is a pillar industry of China's national economy but its problems of high energy consumption, high pollution and low energy efficiency is increasingly prominent. The study on the energy efficiency of construction industry is of great significance for improving development quality and achieving the goal of energy saving and emission reduction. In this paper, a three-stage undesirable SBM-DEA model was employed to measure the energy efficiency in construction industry during 2005 -2016. The CO2 directly emitted by the construction industry and indirectly emitted in the production of building materials were used as the undesirable output and the three-stage framework was employed to analyze and eliminate the influence of external environment. The empirical results showed that low efficiency of management in the construction industry is an important factor leading to the low level of energy efficiency in China’s construction industry. For the energy efficiency value before and after adjustment, the “high-high” provinces has made full use of the superior external environment by their high management level, while the “high-low” provinces needs to fully realize the potential in promoting energy efficiency of its external environment by improving its own management of construction industry. On the contrary, the “low-high” provinces need to improve the external environment to ease its restrictions on the level of management in the construction industry. Environmental factors and management level should be considered simultaneously for different provinces to improve energy efficiency of construction industry.
Different molecular markers to identify the fertility of sugar beet monogerm germplasm resources
Authors: Shi Haoqi , Pi Zhi , Wu Zedong
Published: June 2021

Experiments were conducted to validate different molecular markers associated with sugar beet breeding using available sugar beet monogerm germplasm resources to explore their effectiveness in different sugar beet populations. We used multiple primer pairs to amplify sugar beet monogerm sterile and maintainer lines in order to verify their polymorphism. For the nucleus Rf1 locus genotype enzyme digestion was also required to verify. The results showed that three pairs of primers, TR1, s17 and 11E8M4S, produced polymorphism when amplifying sugar beet sterile and maintainer lines; primers o7 and AB-18, although polymorphic, did not correlate significantly with sugar beet fertility; primer cpSSR-2 did not produce significant band differences when amplifying sterile and maintainer lines, however, the number of single nucleotide sequence repeats of base A needed to be further verified as a basis for differentiating sugar beet fertility. The polymorphism of 15 pairs of primers related to sugar beet fertility identification was verified and TR1, s17 and 11E8M4S could be used to differentiate sugar beet sterile lines from the maintainer lines and used for subsequent Marker-Assisted Selection (MAS).
The Spatial Distribution of Tree Populations and Its Policy Drivers in Medieval Areas of Cities. Case Studies From East-central Europe
Authors: Mizgajski Andrzej , Trzaskowska Ewa , Dubis Lidiya , Zajączkowski Dominik , Borysiak Janina
Published: June 2021

Trees in the densely built-up historical cores of cities play an important role in increasing the aesthetic values of the cityscape as well as lowering the effect of the urban heat island. The research aimed to determine the spatial distribution of tree populations in the medieval parts of cities according to local policy. The investigation included three cities in Central and Eastern Europe: Poznań and Lublin in Poland and Lviv in Ukraine. The oldest parts of these cities share similar origins, the same continental biogeographical region, and comparable climatic conditions.This study considered indicators of occurrence, density, species composition, and spatial distribution; and the number of trees planted since the political transition to democracy has also been considered, taking into account the composition of their species. Local policy documents on greenery management, revitalisation, and adaptation to climate change were analysed.The study identified different types of management concerning trees. In Poznań, trees are actively introduced in public spaces, but private backyards are managed by their owners. In Lublin, although there are relatively few new plantings, there is the largest share of trees in the backyards and self-seeding is common. In Lviv, there are new plantings in private and public spaces. Lviv is distinguished by its large share of native trees, with naturally shaped crowns, and in Poznan and Lublin, new plantings include artificially shaped, small spherical crowns. The local policy documents don't contain operational directives regarding the cultural, environmental, social, and technical conditions for new planting.
ENgage YOung people earlY (ENYOY): A mixed-method study design for a digital transdiagnostic clinical – and peer- moderated treatment platform for youth with beginning mental health complaints in the Netherlands.
Authors: Doorn Marilon van , Popma Arne , Amelsvoort Thérèse van , McEnery Carla , Gleeson John , Öry Ferko , Jaspers Monique , Alvarez-Jiminez Mario , Nieman Dorien
Published: June 2021

• Background: The onset of mental disorders typically occurs between the ages of 12 and 25, and the burden of mental health problems is the most consequential for this group. Indicated prevention interventions to target individuals with subclinical symptoms to prevent the transition to clinical levels of disorders, even leading to suicide, have shown to be effective. However, the threshold to seek help appears to be high. Digital interventions could offer a solution, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. This implementation study will investigate the digital indicated prevention intervention ENgage YOung people Early (ENYOY), the Dutch version of the original Moderated Online Social Therapy Platform (MOST+) from Australia. In addition, the relationship between stress biomarkers, symptoms and outcome measures of youth using the platform will be investigated in this study.• Methods: The MOST+ platform will be adapted, translated and developed for the situation in the Netherlands in collaboration with a Youth Panel. A prospective cohort of 125 young people (12-25 years) with beginning mental health complaints will be on the platform and followed for a year, of which 10 participants will have an additional smart watch and 10 participants will be asked to provide feedback about the platform. Data will be collected at baseline and after 3, 6 and 12 months. Outcome measures are Psychological Distress assessed with the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS), positive mental health indicators measured by the Positive Health Instrument, stress biomarkers with a smart-watch, website journeys of visitors, and feedback of youth about the platform. It will be a mixed-method study design, containing qualitative and quantitative measures. • Discussion: This trial will specifically address young people with emerging mental health complaints, and offers a new approach for treatment in the Netherlands. Considering the waiting lists in (Child and adolescent)-psychiatry and the increase in suicides among youth, early low-threshold and non-stigmatizing help to support young people with emerging psychiatric symptoms is of crucial importance. Moreover, this project aims to bridge the gap between child and adolescent and adult psychiatry.• Trial registration: Netherlands Trial Register ID NL8966, retrospectively registered.
Dynamic response of multi-degree-of-freedom systems with a Coulomb friction contact under harmonic excitation
Authors: Marino Luca , Cicirello Alice
Published: June 2021

This paper investigates the steady-state response of a multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) system with a Coulomb contact to harmonic excitation. Although discrete MDOF models are commonly used at early design stages to analyse the dynamic performances of engineering structures, the current understanding of the friction damping effects on MDOF behaviour is still limited due to the absence of analytical solutions. In this contribution, closed-form expressions of the continuous time response, the displacement transmissibility and the phase angle of each mass of the system are derived and validated numerically for 2DOF and 5DOF systems. Moreover, the features of the analytical response are investigated, obtaining the following results: (i) the determination of the minimum amounts of friction for which the resonant peaks become finite and (ii) for which stick-slip motion can be observed at high frequencies; (iii) an equation for the evaluation of invariant points for the displacement transmissibilities; (iv) a better understanding of phenomena such as the inversions of the transmissibility curves and the onset of additional resonant peaks due to the permanent sticking of the mass in contact. All these results show that MDOF systems exhibit significantly different dynamic behaviours depending on whether the friction contact and the harmonic excitation are applied to the same or different masses.
Descriptor and scaling relations for ion mobility in crystalline solids
Authors: Sotoudeh Mohsen , Groß Axel
Published: June 2021

Ion mobility is a critical performance parameter in electrochemical energy storage and conversion, but also in other electrochemical devices. Based on first-principles electronic structure calculations, we have derived a descriptor for the ion mobility in battery electrodes and solid electrolytes. This descriptor is entirely composed of observables that are easily accessible: ionic radii, oxidation states and the Pauling electronegativities of the involved species. Within a particular class of materials, the migration barriers are connected to this descriptor through linear scaling relations upon the variation of either the cation chemistry of the charge carriers or the anion chemistry of the host lattice. The validity of these scaling relations indicates that a purely ionic view falls short of capturing all factors influencing ion mobility in solids.The identification of these scaling relations has the potential to significantly accelerate the discovery of materials with desired mobility properties.
Predictive Evaluation of Quantitative Spatial Profiling of the Tumor Microenvironment by Multiplex Immunofluorescence in Recurrent Glioblastoma Treated with PD-1 Inhibitors
Authors: Cieremans David Alexander , Kim Ju Young , Valencia Ariana , Santos Justin , Bordeaux Jennifer , Tran Thai , Vaupel Christine , Dakappagari Naveen , Tangri Shabnam , Iwamoto Fabio
Published: June 2021

Introduction: PD-1 inhibitors have shown limited efficacy in glioblastoma due to microenvironment immunosuppression and low tumor mutational burden. In GBM, PD-L1 expression is not a predictive marker for response to PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitors. Multiplex immunostaining panel technology allows for detailed analyses of tumor microenvironment cells and their interaction. Our study to evaluates the feasibility and predictive value of quantitative spatial profiling in GBM.Methods: Pre-treatment tumor tissue was collected retrospectively from 27 patients at Columbia University Irving Medical Center with primary glioblastoma who were diagnosed within the past three years, had surgery here, and were either treated with SOC therapy (n= 8) or PD-1 inhibitors at recurrence (n= 19). Multiplex immunofluorescence panels included 1) CD11b/IDO1/HLADR/GFAP, 2) PD1/PD-L1/GFAP, and 3) CD4/CD8/CD25/FoxP3/Ki67/GFAP. Results: Multiplex immunofluorescence panels did not show any correlation with outcomes in patients treated with SOC therapy. Among the 19 patients treated with PD-1 inhibitors, those with more HLA-DR positive cells had worse outcomes (p= 0.02). PD-L1 expression on tumor cells was not predictive of outcomes. There was a correlation trend between PD-1/PD-L1 interaction score (p= 0.08) and outcomes. PTEN loss was correlated with higher Ki67 expression in both tumor cells (p= 0.05) and non-tumors cells (p= 0.03); however, this was not found in Ki67 in CD4+ cells, CD8+ cells, or CD4+CD8+ cells combined. Tumor-associated macrophages, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, CD8+ cells, and CD4+ cells were not significant predictive markers for outcome. Conclusion: Quantitative spatial profiling by multiplex immunofluorescence is feasible in FFPE glioblastoma tissue. More refined and extensive quantitative and spatial microenvironment analyses may allow for the development of biomarkers for immunotherapy in GBM.
Survival Impact of Number of Removed Para-Aortic Lymph Nodes in Stage I Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Günakan Emre , Akıllı Hüseyin , Kara Atacan Timuçin , Altundağ Özden , Haberal Asuman Nihan , Meydanlı Mehmet Mutlu , Ayhan Ali
Published: June 2021

Purpose: The survival effect of presence or absence of lymphadenectomy in early stage epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) was priorly shown but the effect of number of removed lymph nodes kept in background. We aimed to evaluate the survival impact of number of removed lymph nodes and their localizations in stage I EOC.Methods: Study included 182 patients. Best cut-off levels for number of pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes(PaLN) were 24 and 10, respectively. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were performed for these cut-offs and other prognostic factors. Results: Median age of the patients was 49. Median number of removed pelvic and paraartic lymph nodes were 29 and 9, respectively. Median overall(OS) and Progression-free survival(PFS) were 67 and 50 months, respectively. The OS rate was 89.6%. Recurrence occured in 24 (19.5%) patients. In univariate analyses tumor grade(p:0.005), pelvic LN number(p:0.041) and PaLN number(p:0.004) were the factors that were significantly associated with PFS. Tumor grade and PaLN number were independently and significantly associated with PFS in multivariate analyses (p:0.015 and p:0.017, respectively). In OS analyses, age, tumor grade, presence of LVI, number of pelvic and PaLNs were the significantly associated factors (p<0.05 for all). In multivariate analyses age and PaLN number were independently and significantly associated with OS (p:0.011 and p:0.21, respectively). Conclusions: The number and localizations of removed lymph nodes may have a survival affect in stage I EOC. We also think that this study may constitute a kernel point for larger prospective series on lymph node number and lymphatic regions.
Effects of Optimized Water Management on the Uptake and Translocation of Cadmium and Arsenic in Oryza Sativa L. In Two Contaminated Soils
Authors: Bao Qiongli , Bao Wankui , Ding Yongzhen , Huang Yizong
Published: June 2021

Pot experiments were conducted to identify the most efficient water management strategy for reducing Cd and As accumulations and amino acid (AA) synthesis in rice in two soils with different Cd and As contents. A treatment consisting of five days of flooding followed by three days of drainage (F5D3, repeated every eight days) was identified as the most effective treatment for simultaneously decreasing Cd and As in grains, with reductions of grain Cd and As contents of more than 80.0% and 73.1%, respectively, compared with either a drained treatment or a flooded treatment alone; this is probably related to the high efficiency of the F5D3 treatment in reducing dissolved Cd and As according to its minimum “trade-off value”, due to the variations in grain Cd and As contents were significantly correlated with the variations in soil solution Cd (R2 = 0.98) and As (R2 = 0.92, p = 0.0001) concentrations. Additionally, grain Cd content was also significantly related to the organs Cd contents (especially root Cd content, R2 = 0.99) and the root-to-shoot Cd translocation factors (R2 = 0.99), whereas grain As content was significantly related to soil Eh (R2=-0.82, p = 0.003) and pH (R2 = 0.88, p = 0.0008). The AA contents in organs under the F5D3 treatment were lower than those under the Flooded and Drained treatments. These results indicated that the F5D3 treatment was the most effective water management strategy for simultaneously reducing grain Cd and As contents and AA synthesis in rice, which was probably due to there being no need for rice to synthesize abundant AAs to chelate metal ions.
Wideband MR Echo Planar Imaging: A High Temporal/Spatial Resolution Neuro-architecture Study of Rodent Brain
Authors: Cheng Po-Wei , Chiueh Tzi-Dar , Chen Jyh-Horng
Published: June 2021

Latest simultaneous multi-slice (SMS) methods greatly benefit MR efficiency for recent studies using parallel imaging technique. However, these methods are limited by the requirement of array coils. The proposed Coherent Wideband method, which employs an extended field of view to separate multiple excited slices, can be applied to any existing MRI instrument, even those without array coils. In this study, the Coherent Wideband echo-planar imaging method was implemented on 7T animal MRI to exhibit comprehensive enhancements in neuro-architecture, including diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and functional MR studies (fMRI). Under the same scan time, the time-saving effect can be manipulated to increase the number of averages for DTI SNR improvement, reducing fractional anisotropy difference by 56.9% (from 0.072 to 0.041) and the deviation angle by 64% (from 25.3⁰ to 16.2⁰). In summary, Coherent Wideband EPI will provide faster, higher resolution, thinner slice, or higher SNR imaging for precision neuro-architecture studies.
Post-operative Complications Following Emergency Laparotomy are Common and Associated with Increased Late Mortality – a Retrospective Multi-centre Study.
Authors: sharma shivam , Alderman Joseph , Parekh Dhruv , Thickett David , Patel Jaimin
Published: June 2021

BackgroundThe ﬁrst National Emergency Laparotomy Audit (NELA) highlighted that morbidity and mortality from emergency surgery remains elevated especially in high-risk patients deﬁned as a P-POSSUM mortality ≥ 5% and ASA ≥ 3. The incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) are thought to be high following emergency laparotomy but no recent studies have evaluated the incidence or consequences of PPC following emergency laparotomy in the UK.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted at University Hospital Birmingham and Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham, to investigate the incidence of PPCs following emergency laparotomy. The NELA databases from the two Trusts were used to identify patients. Patients were retrospectively screened for the development of PPCs using the validated Melbourne Group Scale. Data was analysed using Chi-squared test for categorical data and continuous data displayed as medians with statistical analysis from a Mann–Whitney U test. Results A total of 362 correctly coded patients were identified. High-risk patients accounted for 62% (226) of the cohort. These patients were older (p < 0.001) and had higher baseline lactate (p = 0.04) and creatinine levels (p = 0.003). Median P-POSSUM mortality was 10.6% (5.6–31.4%) with 76.4% of patients having an ASA ≥ 3. These patients had an increased length of stay (p < 0.001) and accounted for nearly all the deaths (42 vs. 2; p < 0.001). The incidence of PPCs was 37%, again the incidence was greater in the high-risk group (37% vs. 6% p < 0.001). Development of a PPC was associated with an increased length of stay (17 d vs. 9 d; p < 0.001) as well as a 90, 180 and 360 day mortality.DiscussionThis study demonstrates that the sub-group of patients deemed ‘high-risk’ are at greatest risk of developing a PPC and consequently have an increased length of stay and an increased 90, 180 and 360 day mortality. This allowed us to identify a group of patients at high risk of PPC who we can target with potential novel therapies such as high-ﬂow nasal cannulae oxygen in clinical trials to reduce mortality and morbidity.
An Effective Contour Detection based Image Retrieval using Multi-Fusion Method and Neural Network
Authors: Raja Rohit , Kumar Sandeep , Choudhary Shilpa , Dalmia Hemlata
Published: June 2021

Day by day, rapidly increasing the number of images on digital platforms and digital image databases has increased. Generally, the user requires image retrieval and it is a challenging task to search effectively from the enormous database. Mainly content-based image retrieval (CBIR) algorithm considered the visual image feature such as color, texture, shape, etc. The non-visual features also play a significant role in image retrieval, mainly in the security concern and selection of image features is an essential issue in CBIR. Performance is one of the challenging tasks in image retrieval, according to current CBIR studies. To overcome this gap, the new method used for CBIR using histogram of gradient (HOG), dominant color descriptor (DCD) & hue moment (HM) features. This work uses color features and shapes texture in-depth for CBIR. HOG is used to extract texture features. DCD on RGB and HSV are used to improve efficiency and computation. A neural network (NN) is used to extract the image features, which improves the computation using the Corel dataset. The experimental results evaluated on various standard benchmarks Corel-1k, Corel-5k datasets, and outcomes of the proposed work illustrate that the proposed CBIR is efficient for other state-of-the-art image retrieval methods. Intensive analysis of the proposed work proved that the proposed work has better precision, recall, accuracy
Effects of the Hostile Environment in Postnatal Care (PNC) Practices
Authors: Karim A N M Rezaul
Published: June 2021

Background: Postpartum treatment is an integral part of being a healthy mother and baby. However, neglecting the quality of care during this period can lead to maternal illness or infant death. Complications can be avoided if postpartum care is used properly. The study identified postpartum care practices among mothers of newborns in selected areas of the hilly region of Bangladesh. Method: A cross-sectional study was performed on 556 postpartum mothers. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to gather relevant information through a convenient sampling method for study subject in a hilly region of Bangladesh. Result: A total of 36.2% of mothers received PNC services only. In bivariate analyses, many variables showed strong associations; however, in the multinomial logistic regression study, only a few variables remained significant for post-natal care groups. Mothers with little or little education (1-5 years of schooling) had a significantly lower probability of receiving postnatal care, whereas higher education seems to have a strong and significant connection with the postnatal care practices in the hilly areas of Bangladesh. Women who watched TV had a significantly higher likelihood. Socioeconomic status had a strong relationship with receiving postnatal care services. Cultural beliefs and local perspectives on neonatal care practices predominate there. The study also found that PNC has a significant relationship with ANC. Conclusion: Government and community leaders should work together to strengthen maternal health care and raise health awareness considering their unique way of life and geographical location.
Late Effects in a High-Risk Population of Breast Cancer Survivors
Authors: Sheng Jennifer Y. , Skuli Sarah J. , Thorner Elissa D. , Zafman Nelli , Riley Carol D. , Ruck Jessica M. , Smith Katherine C. , Snyder Claire , Smith Karen L. , Stearns Vered , Wolff Antonio C.
Published: June 2021

Purpose: To better understand the impact of cancer and treatment on outcomes and guide program development, we evaluated breast cancer survivors at risk for long-term medical and psychosocial issues who participated in survivorship care visits (SVs) at Johns Hopkins Hospital.Methods: We conducted a prospective survey study of women with stage I-III breast cancer who participated in SVs from 2010-2016. The same 56-item questionnaire administered at SV and follow-up included an assessment of symptoms, social factors, demographics, anxiety, depression, and comorbidities. We added the Godin Exercise questionnaire to the follow-up. Results: In 2018, 74 participants were identified as disease-free and mailed a follow up survey; 52 (70.3%) completed the survey. At a median follow-up time of 3.1 years after diagnosis, participants were less likely to be employed (54% vs. 67%) than at the SV. About two thirds were sedentary, and this was associated with high body mass index (p=0.02). Sufficiently active participants (≥150 minutes per week of moderate intensity activity) were less likely to report pain (p=0.02) or fatigue (p=0.001). Although 20% had moderate/severe anxiety or depression at follow up, participants who reported employment satisfaction were less likely to be depressed (p=0.02). Conclusions: Awareness of issues faced by survivors is critical for enhancing care and developing models to identify patients who might benefit most from targeted long term interventions.Implications for Cancer Survivors: Interventions to address physical activity, persistent symptoms and mental health are critical for breast cancer survivors.
Simulation Of Underground Liqufied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Storage In A Depleted Field
Authors: Kuiekem Donald , Matateyou Josephine , Boroh William , Ngounouno Ismaila
Published: June 2021

Underground storage in porous media offers enormous prospects as it is possible to rehabilitate abandoned petroleum formation into storage of natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, carbon dioxide and methane for safety purposes or as strategic reserves. This simulation using CMG software aims to highlight the main mechanisms of gas flow and conservation in an exhausted reservoir and to determine the general conditions for optimal storage by identifying and limiting gas losses.
Moss Biomonitoring of Transboundary Pollutants in Japan’s Mountains
Authors: Oishi Yoshitaka
Published: June 2021

Long-range transported atmospheric pollutants (or transboundary pollutants) include trace metals with isotope ratios and compositions that vary from those of domestic pollutants, which threaten mountain ecosystems. These differences can be applied as indices (trace metal indices) to evaluate the influence of transboundary pollutants on mountain ecosystems. Mosses play important ecological functions in mountains and are sensitive to atmospheric deposition. Therefore, using these indices for moss biomonitoring can provide a more accurate indication of ecosystem health. However, few studies have examined which indices are appropriate for moss biomonitoring. In this study, the effectiveness of moss biomonitoring using trace metal indices was examined for evaluating transboundary pollutants in mountainous areas in Japan. Transboundary pollutants in these areas originate from mainland Asia and are characterized by high lead isotope ratios, lead to zinc (Pb/Zn) ratios, and arsenic to vanadium (As/V) ratios. Given that the abundance of transboundary pollutants decreases with distance from mainland Asia, moss isotope indices are also expected to vary with distance. Based on observations, Pb isotope ratios were found to decrease with distance from mainland Asia; in contrast, Pb/Zn and As/V ratios did not display any notable relationship with distance. These results are likely attributed to biological and environmental factors that affect trace metal contents in moss. Thus, moss Pb isotope ratios are useful indicators of transboundary pollutants in Japan’s mountains, offering an important tool for comparable moss biomonitoring studies in East Asia.
Seasonal effects of Land cover changes on ecological of migratory birds in Al-Hammar Marsh, southern Iraq
Authors: Ali Ali K. Mohammed , Ramahi Fouad K. Al
Published: June 2021

Al-Hammar Marsh in Iraq stands out for hosting the largest concentrations of coastal migratory birds along the migration path between the Arabian Gulf and the Mediterranean Sea. Despite this importance, there is no complete review of the dynamics of these birds. In this study, we collected and analyzed the results of six species of migratory birds (Mallard duck, Graylag goose, White pelican, Barn swallow, Common gull, White stork) in the Region, in addition to the results of the land cover in October of 2000 to 2020, The results show the presence across the past two decades of a change in the population makeup of migratory birds. Complete numbers of migratory birds indicated a decline in the residual types between 2000 and 2020. The disproportion among numbers was also too large for trends to be observed. The region also showed a decrease in the areas of vegetation cover during the study period was equal to 5.0%, 3.5%, and 15.6%, And an increase in the areas of water bodies during the study period was equal to 7.8%, 21.0%, and 62.6%, respectively, Finally, A multivariate analysis suggests a general decline in types that depend on the Wetland for feeding and breeding an in the sublittoral and the offshore zones. Use satellite data can be used for monitoring several variables such as water bodies, vegetation cover, Climate factors that influence the activity of Migratory birds.
Data mining, dashboards and statistics: a powerful framework for the chemical design of molecular nanomagnets
Authors: Duan Yan , Coutinho Joana , Rosaleny Lorena , Cardona Salvador , Baldoví José J. , Gaita-Ariño Alejandro
Published: June 2021

Three decades of intensive research in molecular nanomagnets have brought the magnetic memory in molecules from liquid helium to liquid nitrogen temperature. The enhancement of this operational temperature relies on a wise choice of the magnetic ion and the coordination environment. However, serendipity, oversimplified theories and chemical intuition have played the main role. In order to establish a powerful framework for statistically driven chemical design, we collected chemical and physical data for lanthanide-based nanomagnets to create a catalogue of over 1400 published experiments, developed an interactive dashboard (SIMDAVIS) to visualise the dataset, and applied inferential statistical analysis to it. We found that the effective energy barrier derived from the Arrhenius equation displays an excellent correlation with the magnetic memory, and that among all chemical families studied, only terbium bis-phthalocyaninato sandwiches and dysprosium metallocenes consistently present magnetic memory up to high temperature, but that there are some promising strategies for improvement.
Significance of Tumor Mutation Burden Related Immune Gene in the Progression and Prognosis of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Yang Zhirong , Yun Duo , Dai Longmei , Wang Qinqin , Guo Xiangli , JinYong Wang , Su Yang , Yun Yaofeng , Che Zhifei
Published: June 2021

Background: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is a common renal malignant disease with a poor prognosis. There were limited studies focus on the relationship between Tumor mutation burden (TMB) and ccRCC.Methods: Based on TCGA-ccRCC cohort, we summarized the status of gene mutations in ccRCC. Then, we analyzed the relationship between TMB and clinical characteristic. Meanwhile, we identified some TMB-related immune genes through the intersection of TMB-Related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and immune related genes. Finally, we selected the highest correction and novel genes for the future analysis.Results: The most common mutation of Variant Classification, Variant Type, SNV Class were missense mutations, SNP, C>T, respectively. Higher TMB related to shorter overall survival (OS), lower age and grade. Finally, we identified PAEP gene, a novel TMB-related immune gene in ccRCC, which was significantly overexpression in ccRCC tissues and cells with progression and poor survival in ccRCC patients. Furthermore, PAEP promoted the invasion, migration, and proliferation of ccRCC cells. Mechanistically, PAEP suppressed the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway.Conclusion: Our study suggests that PAEP might represents a potential target of antibody immunotherapy for ccRCC patients.
Impact of BNT162b First Vaccination on the Immune Transcriptome of Elderly Patients Infected with the B.1.351 SARS-CoV-2 Variant
Authors: Knabl Ludwig , Lee Hye Kyung , Wieser Manuel , Mur Anna , Zabernigg August , Knabl Ludwig , Rauch Simon , Bock Matthias , Schumacher Jana , Kaiser Norbert , Furth Priscilla , Hennighausen Lothar
Published: June 2021

Fast-spreading variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) energize the COVID-19 pandemic. The B.1.351 variant carrying the escape mutation E484K in the receptor binding domain is of particular concern due to reduced immunological protection following vaccination. Protection can manifest as early as 10 days following immunization with full protection two weeks following the second dose, but the course is not well-characterized for variants. Here, we investigated the immune transcriptome of six elderly individuals (average age 82 yr.) from an old people’s home, who contracted B.1.351, with four having received the first dose of BNT162b eight to 11 days prior to the onset of COVID-19 symptoms. The patients were hospitalized and received dexamethasone treatment. Immune transcriptomes were established from PBMCs approximately 10 and 35 days after the onset of COVID-19 symptomology. RNA-seq revealed a more intensive immune response in vaccinated patients as compared to unvaccinated ones. Specifically, transcription factors linked to the JAK/STAT pathway, interferon stimulated genes, and genes associated with innate antiviral immunity and COVID-19-SARS-CoV-2 infection were highly enriched in vaccinated patients. This rendered the transcriptomes of the older vaccinated group significantly different than older unvaccinated individuals infected at the same institution and more similar to the immune response of younger unvaccinated individuals (ages 48-62) following B.1.351 infection. All individuals in this study whether vaccinated or not were hospitalized due to B.1.351 infection and one vaccinated patient died illustrating that although an enhanced immune response was documented infection it was insufficient to protect from disease. This highlights the need for maintaining physical distancing and prevention measures throughout the time course of vaccination in older adults.
HNF1A deficiency causes reduced calcium levels, accumulation of abnormal insulin granules and uncoupled insulin to C-peptide secretion in a stem cell model of MODY3
Authors: Gonzalez Bryan , Zhao Haoquan , Niu Jacqueline , Williams Damian , Lee Jaeyop , Goulbourne Christopher , Xing Yuan , Wang Yong , Oberholzer Jose , Chen Xiajuan , LeDuc Charles , Chung Wendy K , Colecraft Henry , Gromada Jesper , Shen Yufeng , Goland Robin , Leibel Rudolph , Egli Dieter
Published: June 2021

Mutations in HNF1A cause Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young type 3 (MODY3), the most prevalent form of monogenic diabetes. Using stem cell-derived pancreatic endocrine cells from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) with induced hypomorphic mutations in HNF1A, we show that HNF1A orchestrates a transcriptional program required for calcium-dependent insulin secretion. HNF1A-deficient β-cells display a reduction in CACNA1A and intracellular calcium levels, as well as impaired insulin granule exocytosis in association with SYT13 down-regulation. Knockout of CACNA1A and SYT13 reproduce the relevant phenotypes. Retention of insulin is associated with accumulation of enlarged secretory granules, and altered stoichiometry of secreted insulin to C-peptide. Glibenclamide, a sulfonylurea drug used in the treatment of MODY3 patients, increases intracellular calcium, and thereby restores C-peptide and insulin secretion to a normal ratio. While insulin secretion defects are constitutive in cells with complete HNF1A loss of function, β-cells from patients with heterozygous hypomorphic HNF1A mutations are initially normal, but lose the ability to secrete insulin and acquire abnormal stoichiometric secretion ratios, while gene corrected cells remain normal. Our studies provide the molecular basis for the treatment of MODY3 with sulfonylureas, and demonstrate promise for the use of cell therapies for MODY3.