bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Circ_0009910 sponges miR‐491‐5p to promote acute myeloid leukemia progression through modulating B4GALT5 expression and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway
Authors: Wu Yingwei , Zhao Bo , Chen Xianghua , Geng Xueli , Zhang Zhihua
Published: October 2021

Background

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous group of leukemias with an overall poor prognosis. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been verified to play important regulatory roles in AML progression. However, the role and molecular mechanism of circ_0009910 in AML development have not be completely clarified.

Methods

The expression levels of circ_0009910, microRNA‐491‐5p (miR‐491‐5p), and β‐1, 4‐galactosyltransferase 5 (B4GALT5) were measured by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) or Western blot. Cell proliferation and self‐renewal ability were assessed via Cell Counting Kit‐8 (CCK‐8) and sphere formation assay. Cell cycle distribution and cell apoptosis were evaluated by flow cytometry. Caspase‐3 activity was tested by Caspase‐3 Activity Assay Kit. Western blot was used to examine the protein levels of autophagy‐related markers and PI3K/AKT pathway‐related markers. The interaction between miR‐491‐5p and circ_0009910 or B4GALT5 was confirmed by dual‐luciferase reporter assay, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay, or RNA pull‐down assay.

Results

Circ_0009910 was highly expressed in AML tissues and cells. Silenced circ_0009910 could significantly inhibit the proliferation, sphere formation, and autophagy and promoted the apoptosis of AML cells. Circ_0009910 bound to miR‐491‐5p in AML cells, and circ_0009910 promoted AML progression partly through sponging miR‐491‐5p in vitro. B4GALT5 was a target of miR‐491‐5p, and miR‐491‐5p overexpression‐mediated influences in AML cells were effectually overturned by the addition of B4GALT5 overexpression plasmid. Furthermore, circ_0009910 could regulate the expression of B4GALT5 by downregulating miR‐491‐5p in AML cells. Additionally, circ_0009910 could activate the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway by sponging miR‐491‐5p.

Conclusion

Circ_0009910 could suppress the proliferation, sphere formation, and autophagy and accelerated apoptosis by modulating B4GALT5 expression and activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway via sponging miR‐491‐5p in AML cells, suggesting that circ_0009910 might be a potential biomarker for the treatment of AML.
Incidence and survival variations of upper tract urothelial cancer in Taiwan (2001–2010)
Authors: Lin Ming‐Yen , Niu Sheng‐Wen , Li Wei‐Ming , Lee Huei‐Lan , Chen Li‐Tzong , Wu Wen‐Jeng , Hwang Shang‐Jyh
Published: October 2021

Objectives

To assess temporal patterns and regional differences in the incidence rate, and factors associated with survival of urinary tract urothelial carcinoma.

Methods

The medical records of 8830 patients with new diagnoses of urinary tract urothelial carcinoma in the years 2001–2010 were retrieved from Taiwan National databases. Temporal trends, regional disparity and related survival factors were evaluated using the Cochran–Armitage trend test, local Moran’s I statistic and log‐rank test, respectively.

Results

The annual urinary tract urothelial carcinoma incidence rates (standardized by age) were steady at approximately 3.14–3.41 per 100 000 person‐years. Notably, women had a significantly higher annual urinary tract urothelial carcinoma incidence than men in most of the years studied (range of female‐to‐male annual standardized rate ratio: 2.08–3.25), and diabetes prevalence in urinary tract urothelial carcinoma increased significantly from 12.3% to 23.4% per year over the 10 years. High urinary tract urothelial carcinoma incidence cluster areas other than the latest endemic area of “blackfoot disease” were newly identified by local Moran’s I statistic (P < 0.05). Furthermore, older age, male sex, end‐stage kidney disease and more advanced tumor grade were associated with lower 5‐year overall survival probabilities in the 2001–2015 cohort.

Conclusions

The incidence and survival of urinary tract urothelial carcinoma over the decade 2001–2010 were different according to population and regional features. Various urinary tract urothelial carcinoma screening, prevention, treatment and care plans should be developed depending on age, sex, comorbidity and area of residence.
Power relations in global supply chains and the unequal distribution of costs during crises: Abandoning garment suppliers and workers during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: ANNER Mark
Published: October 2021

In early 2020, apparel brands and retailers cancelled US$40 billion worth of orders, with critical consequences for suppliers and workers. Their actions illustrate the power asymmetries in global supply chains and the unequal distribution of costs during crises. This article explores these dynamics through original survey data, supplier questionnaires, stakeholder interviews, a time‐line analysis and trade data analysis. Findings point to certain limits of buyer power, reflected in the effective collaboration between suppliers and worker rights advocates in the “#PayUp” campaign. Yet buyers retain the power to squeeze suppliers with adverse impacts on workers, thus leading to calls for binding agreements.
Automatización, empleo y relocalización. ¿Disrupción en la industria de la confección?
Authors: BÁRCIA de MATTOS Fernanda , EISENBRAUN Jeff , KUCERA David , ROSSI Arianna
Published: October 2021

En un clima de preocupación por el impacto de la automatización en el empleo, hay consenso en que los puestos que implican tareas repetitivas codificables corren mayor riesgo. La industria de la confección ha sido estratégica para el desarrollo económico por dar acceso a los mercados mundiales y crear empleo. Aunque el trabajo rutinario es típico del sector, la penetración de las tecnologías de automatización sigue siendo limitada. Entrevistas a personal clave de grandes marcas de ropa ofrecen nuevas perspectivas sobre el uso actual y proyectado de tecnología, los bloqueos tecnológicos y las cuestiones de distribución global de la producción y del empleo.
The probiotic potential of Lactobacillus plantarum strain RW1 isolated from canine faeces
Authors: Raheem Abdul , Wang Mingyan , Zhang Jianwei , Liang Lin , Liang Ruiying , Yin Yajie , Zhu Yali , Yang Weifang , Wang Liang , Lv Xueze , Jia Yaxiong , Qin Tong , Zhang Guangzhi
Published: October 2021

Aim

To evaluation the probiotic potential of Lactobacillus plantarum strain RW1 isolated from healthy dogs for its further utilization as a dietary supplement for dogs.

Methods and Results

This study aimed to evaluate the probiotic potential of L. plantarum strain RW1 isolated from canine faeces. After confirming by conventional and then by 16S rRNA sequencing, the identified strain RW1 was in vitro screened for its survivability in simulated gastrointestinal conditions, low pH, bile salts and adhesion to gut epithelial tissues, growth inhibitory effects on common pathogens and anti-inflammatory potential by measuring the mRNA expression level of IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β in Salmonella-infected MODE-K cells. Furthermore, the effects on epithelial barrier function and host defensin peptide (beta-defensin 3) was studied by measuring the mRNA expression level of tight junction protein (occludin) and beta-defensin 3 in MODE-K cells. The strain RW1 showed a considerable potential to survive in simulated gastrointestinal environmental conditions, low pH and high bile salt concentrations along with good adhesion to MODE-K cell line. Pathogenic bacterial growth and their adhesion to MODE-K cell line were significantly inhibited by the strain RW1. Real-time PCR analyses demonstrated that the strain RW1 inhibited Salmonella-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8 and IL-1β) production and reinforced the expression of tight junction protein (occludin). The strain RW1 did not induce mRNA expression of beta-defensin 3.

Conclusion

Based on in vitro results, the strain RW1 has the potential to be used as a probiotic supplement in dogs. However, further study involving in vivo health effects is needed.

Significance and Impact of the Study

Antibiotics have many side effects and nowadays the probiotics are considered as a potential alternative to antibiotics. This study evaluates the probiotic potential of dog isolated L. plantarum strain RW1 to use it as a dietary supplement in dogs feeding to control infectious diseases.
Regulation of the innate immune cells during pregnancy: An immune checkpoint perspective
Authors: Li Wen‐Xuan , Xu Xiang‐Hong , Jin Li‐Ping
Published: October 2021

The foetus can be regarded as a half‐allograft implanted into the maternal body. In a successful pregnancy, the mother does not reject the foetus because of the immune tolerance mechanism at the maternal‐foetal interface. The innate immune cells are a large part of the decidual leukocytes contributing significantly to a successful pregnancy. Although the contributions have been recognized, their role in human pregnancy has not been completely elucidated. Additionally, the accumulated evidence demonstrates that the immune checkpoint molecules expressed on the immune cells are co‐inhibitory receptors regulating their activation and biological function. Therefore, it is critical to understand the immune microenvironment and explore the function of the innate immune cells during pregnancy. This review summarizes the classic immune checkpoints such as PD‐1, CTLA‐4 and some novel molecules recently identified, including TIM‐3, CD200, TIGIT and the Siglecs family on the decidual and peripheral innate immune cells during pregnancy. Furthermore, it emphasizes the role of the immune checkpoint molecules in pregnancy‐associated complications and reproductive immunotherapy.
Virulence and type III effector diversities of Xanthomonas citri pv. fuscans and X. phaseoli pv. phaseoli in Brazil
Authors: de Paiva Bruna Alicia Rafael , Wendland Adriane , Rossato Maurício , Velloso Ferreira Marisa A. da S.
Published: October 2021

Common bacterial blight (CBB) is caused by four genetic lineages belonging to two species of Xanthomonas, namely Xanthomonas citri pv. fuscans (includes fuscans, NF2 and NF3 lineages) and X. phaseoli pv. phaseoli (lineage NF1). A collection of 117 strains of Xanthomonas isolated from common bean plants grown in several producing regions of Brazil, between 2007 and 2016 was established. For species and lineage identification, the following tests were performed: multiplex PCR with a set of four specific primer pairs, pathogenicity tests on susceptible cultivar BRS Artico and phylogenetic analysis based on housekeeping gene sequences. The presence of the two species were confirmed among the 117 strains, being 62 non‐fuscans strains (NF1, NF2 and NF3) and 55 fuscans strains of X. citri pv. fuscans. To select a set of representative strains for the virulence assay, a PCR‐based analysis of effector diversity was performed with 42 strains belonging to the two species. PCR with primers for xopL, avrBsT, xopE2 and xopE1 genes were positive for all strains, while for the other six effectors there was variation. Six distinct effector profiles were detected, and one strain representing each type was inoculated in 15 common bean cultivars with varying levels of resistance to CBB. The fuscans strains showed uniformity in their effector profiles and were the most virulent. The phylogenetic analyses of our strain collection revealed that all genetic variants of CBB pathogens (NF1, NF2, NF3 and fuscans) are present in Brazil, with significant variability in virulence to common bean cultivars.
The use of plant extracts to control tilapia reproduction: Current status and future perspectives
Authors: Abaho Ivan , Masembe Charles , Akoll Peter , Jones Clifford L. W.
Published: October 2021

Control of prolific reproduction is vital for a profitable tilapia aquaculture enterprise. All‐male tilapia culture is a popular method used to control prolific breeding, because the male individuals grow faster than female and mixed‐sex populations. Presently, most farmers use 17α‐methyl testosterone (MT) to produce all‐male tilapia individuals, although synthetic hormones are linked to human health and environmental risks. Recently, considerable attention has focused on plant‐based products as alternatives to MT, because they are affordable, safe, and eco‐friendly. Despite the growing interest in using plant extracts to prevent frequent spawning in tilapia production, the available information is not collated to standardize application guidelines. Accordingly, this review article consolidates existing knowledge on the use of plant extracts to control prolific breeding in tilapia culture systems. In addition, limitations to commercial application of the extracts are identified. To date, seed, root, and leaf extracts of 20 plant species, most notably, Tribulus terrestris, Mucuna pruriens, and Carica papaya, exhibit potential for controlling unwanted breeding in tilapia production systems. The extracts are mainly administered orally, incorporated in fish feeds. Saponins and flavanoids are the main bioactive compounds in the phytoextracts, which induce sex inversion and fertility impairment in tilapia. The commercialization of plant extracts is, however, hampered by lack of standardized information on extract preparation, optimal dosages, and mechanism of action. Thus, future studies should address these technical limitations and highlight economic incentives for commercial use of plant extracts in tilapia aquaculture.
CHOS gas/fluid‐induced reduction in ureilites
Authors: Langendam Andrew D. , Tomkins Andrew G. , Evans Katy A. , Wilson Nicholas C. , MacRae Colin M. , Stephen Natasha R. , Torpy Aaron
Published: October 2021

Ureilite meteorites contain regions of localized olivine reduction to Fe metal widely accepted to have formed by redox reactions involving oxidation of graphite, a process known as secondary smelting. However, the possibility that other reductants might be responsible for this process has largely been ignored. Here, 17 ureilite samples are investigated to assess whether, instead of smelting involving only solid reactants, a CHOS gas/fluid could have caused much of the smelting. Features consistent with gas‐ or supercritical fluid‐driven reduction were found to be abundant in all ureilites, such as fracture‐focused smelting, plume‐like reaction fronts, and addition of sulfur. Many of these are developed away from graphite. In some ureilites, it is clear that the redox process coincided with annealing, and we suggest that this was caused by enhanced diffusion facilitated by a higher density gas or fluid, rather than slow cooling, which requires elevated pressure. The C‐CO and CH4‐C‐H2O buffers were modeled to examine their relative potential to drive reduction. This modeling showed that a CH4‐rich fluid is able to produce the observed mineral compositions at elevated pressures. This result, coupled with the observed textures, is used to develop a likely series of reactions. We suggest that at higher pressures, a H2‐CH4‐H2S‐S2‐bearing fluid‐like phase, and at lower pressures, an equivalent gas, were able to infiltrate grain boundaries and fine fractures. Sulfidation to form troilite may have acted to maintain highly reduced gas/fluid conditions. The presence of hydrocarbons in ureilites supports a role for reduction driven by CHOS gas/fluid.
Correlation of Acetabular Anteversion and Thoracic Kyphosis Postoperatively with Proximal Junctional Failure in Adult Spinal Deformity Fused to Pelvis
Authors: Zhang Zi‐fang , Qi Deng‐bin , Wang Tian‐hao , Wang Zheng , Zheng Guo‐quan , Wang Yan
Published: October 2021

Objectives

To investigate whether the immediate thoracic kyphosis (TK) and acetabular anteversion (AA) postoperatively are correlated with proximal junctional failure (PJF) in adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients underwent surgical treatment.

Methods

This is a retrospective study. Following institutional ethics approval, a total of 57 patients (49 Female, eight Male) with ASD underwent surgery fused to sacroiliac bone (S1, S2, or ilium) from March 2014 to January 2019 were included. All of those patients were followed up for at least 2 years. Demographic, radiographic and surgical data were recorded. The maximum range of flexion motion (F‐ROM) and extension motion (E‐ROM) actively of hip joints was measured and recorded at pre‐ and postoperation. The sum of F‐ROM and E‐ROM was defined as the range of hip motion (H‐ROM). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to obtain the cut off value of parameters for PJF. A Kaplan–Meier curve and log‐rank test were used to analyze the differences in PJF‐free survival.

Results

In all, 14 patients developed PJF during follow‐up. Comparisons between patients with and without PJF showed significant differences in immediate TK (P < 0.001) and AA (P = 0.027) postoperatively. ROC curve analysis determined an optimal threshold of 13° for immediate AA postoperatively (sensitivity = 74.3%, specificity = 85.7%, area under the ROC curve [AUC] = 0.806, 95% CI [0.686–0.926]). Nineteen patients with post‐AA ≤13° were assigned into the observational group, and 38 patients with post‐AA >13° were being as the control group. Patients in the observational group had smaller H‐ROM (P = 0.016) and F‐ROM (P < 0.001), but much larger E‐ROM (P < 0.001). There were 10 patients showing PJF in the observational group and four in the control group (10/9 vs 4/34, P < 0.001). PJF‐free survival time significantly decreased in the observational group (P = 0.001, log‐rank test). Furthermore, patients in the observational group had much larger TK (post‐TK, P = 0.015). The optimal threshold for post‐TK (sensitivity = 85.7%, specificity = 76.7%; AUC = 0.823, 95% CI [0.672–0.974]) was 28.1° after the ROC curve was analyzed. In the observational group, those patients with post‐TK ≥28.1° had significantly higher incidence of PJF (9/2 vs 1/7, P < 0.001) than those with post‐TK < 28.1°. Moreover, PJF‐free survival time in those patients significantly decreased (P = 0.001, log‐rank test).

Conclusions

ASD patients with acetabular anteversion of ≤13° at early postoperation may suffer significantly restricted hip motion and much higher incidence of PJF during follow‐up, moreover, in those patients, postoperative TK ≥28.1° would be a significant risk factor for PJF developing.
Changes in psychosocial factors among community‐dwelling older adults before and after Japan's declaration of a state of emergency over coronavirus disease 2019
Authors: Kubo Yuta , Noguchi Taiji , Hayashi Takahiro , Tomiyama Naoki , Ochi Akira , Hayashi Hiroyuki
Published: October 2021

Background

Social distancing measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 may cause changes in psychosocial factors. This study aimed to clarify changes in psychosocial factors among older adults before and after Japan's declaration of a state of emergency over coronavirus disease 2019.

Methods

This was a longitudinal cohort questionnaire study. A baseline survey was conducted in March 2020, and a follow‐up survey was conducted in August 2020. The subjects were 1103 community‐dwelling older adults not certified as having long‐term care needs who responded to both the baseline and follow‐up surveys. Changes in psychosocial factors before and after the state of emergency declaration were analysed by gender using the McNemar–Bowker test.

Results

Data for 397 men (mean age ± standard deviation: 80.6 ± 4.7 years) and 486 women (80.3 ± 4.3 years) were analysed in this study. The frequency of meeting friends increased over the study period for men (P = 0.04). An increasing number of women lived alone (P = 0.01). However, many people's financial status improved (P < 0.01), and the number of friends met in the previous month increased (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

None of the examined psychosocial factors worsened, except for the increase in the number of women living alone. However, many of the study subjects refrained from engaging in certain activities. If the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic persists, changes in psychosocial factors may occur. Therefore, a long‐term investigation of the secondary psychosocial effects of coronavirus disease 2019 is necessary.
Has the information and communication technology sector become the engine of China’s economic growth?
Authors: Huang Yongming , Khan Jamal
Published: October 2021

This study examines the key drivers of the information and communication technology (ICT) sector's growth and the dynamics of its sectoral relationships in the Chinese economy, about which little is known, by using four updated and harmonized input–output tables for the period 2002–2017. The decomposition analysis shows that the ICT sector's growth was mainly driven by the expansion of export and domestic demand in the 2002–2007 period and by domestic demand expansion in the 2007–2012 and 2012–2017 periods. Furthermore, causative matrix analysis demonstrates that the ICT sector was consistently externalized throughout the study period, regardless of whether it received limited feedback from non‐ICT sectors' final demand in the 2002–2007 and 2012–2017 periods or substantial feedback in the 2007–2012 period. Finally, linkage analysis reveals that the ICT sector has had profound intersectoral linkages with both supply‐ and demand‐side effects in the economy. We conclude that the ICT sector has been the engine of economic growth in China and that stimulating its growth is a key tool for economic development.
Using Maximum Simulated Likelihood Methods to Overcome Left Censoring: Dynamic Event History Models of Heart Attack Risk in New Zealand
Authors: Lee Sanghyeok , Gørgens Tue
Published: October 2021

This paper describes how the risk of experiencing heart attacks varies across gender and ethnicity in New Zealand. We estimate dynamic hazard models using administrative data. We deal with left-censored data using recently developed maximum simulated likelihood methods. The models allow risk to vary with age, previous heart attack history and unobserved individual heterogeneity. We find that the risk of subsequent events is far higher than the risk of the first event, particularly high within 1 year after an event, and that unobserved heterogeneity is important. Generally, male Maoris have the highest risk, followed by female Maoris, then ethnically European males, while ethnically European females have the lowest risk.
Feeling gutted in chronic kidney disease (CKD): Gastrointestinal disorders and therapies to improve gastrointestinal health in individuals CKD, including those undergoing dialysis
Authors: Biruete Annabel , Shin Andrea , Kistler Brandon M. , Moe Sharon M.
Published: October 2021

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects 9.1% of the population worldwide. CKD may lead to structural and functional gastrointestinal alterations, including impairment in the intestinal barrier, digestion and absorption of nutrients, motility, and changes to the gut microbiome. These changes can lead to increased gastrointestinal symptoms in people with CKD, even in early grades of kidney dysfunction. Gastrointestinal symptoms have been associated with lower quality of life and reduced nutritional status. Therefore, there has been considerable interest in improving gastrointestinal health in this clinical population. Gastrointestinal health can be influenced by lifestyle and medications, particularly in advanced grades of kidney dysfunction. Therapies focused on gastrointestinal health have been studied, including the use of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics, yielding limited and conflicting results. This review summarizes the alterations in the gastrointestinal tract structure and function and provides an overview of potential nutritional interventions that kidney disease professionals can provide to improve gastrointestinal health in individuals with CKD.
Childhood Origins, Migration, and First Modern Contraceptive Use in Turkey
Authors: Erman Jeylan , Behrman Julia A.
Published: October 2021

This paper integrates contraception into the extant migrant‐fertility framework using the case of internal migration within Turkey. Drawing from the 2013 Turkish Demographic and Health Survey data, we show that migration is positively associated with age of first modern contraceptive use. As women's migration is quickly followed by family formation, women also take up modern contraception after first childbirth, likely due to new encounters with medical professionals, differing contraceptive access and other social exposures. We also find that women whose childhoods were spent in urban areas have a higher risk of first modern contraception relative to women from rural areas, thus suggesting the enduring importance of socialization. These results show how selection processes, life‐cycle factors, and sociocultural norms jointly shape modern contraceptive behavior in Turkey. Our results also demonstrate a need for increased reproductive care in rural areas and suggest continued fertility decline with urban migration.
Constructing Expertise: Surmounting Performance Plateaus by Tasks, by Tools, and by Techniques
Authors: Gray Wayne D. , Banerjee Sounak
Published: October 2021

Acquiring expertise in a task is often thought of as an automatic process that follows inevitably with practice according to the log‐log law (aka: power law) of learning. However, as Ericsson, Chase, and Faloon (1980) showed, this is not true for digit‐span experts and, as we show, it is certainly not true for Tetris players at any level of expertise. Although some people may simply “twitch” faster than others, the limit to Tetris expertise is not raw keypress time but the techniques acquired by players that allow them to use the tools provided by the hardware and software to compensate for the game's relentlessly increasing drop speed. Unfortunately, these increases in drop speed between Tetris levels make performance plateaus very short and quickly followed by game death. Hence, a player's success at discovering, exploring, and practicing new techniques for the tasks of board preparation, board maintenance, optimal placement discovery, zoid rotation, lateral movement of zoids, and other tasks important to expertise in Tetris is limited. In this paper, we analyze data collected from 492 Tetris players to reveal the challenges they confronted while constructing expertise via the discovery of new techniques for gameplay at increasingly difficult levels of Tetris.
EXPLORATORY SPATIAL DATA ANALYSIS (ESDA) ON COVID-19 CASES IN MALAYSIA
Authors: Zakaria Syerrina , Zaini Nur Edayu , Abdul Malik Siti Madhihah , Wan Alwi Wan Saliha
Published: October 2021

The Malaysian government implemented The Movement Control Order (MCO) on 18 March 2020 to control the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak. However, the third wave that started in September 2020 during the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) phase saw a continuous increase in the number of cases. In this study, the exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA) was used to analyse the existence of COVID-19 spatial clusters. Moran's index was used to map the spatial autocorrelation (cluster) to showcase the spreading patterns of the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia. The study results indicated significant changes in the COVID-19 hotspots over time. At the beginning of 2020, the state of Selangor and Sarawak were the first locality to become a significant COVID-19 hotspot. Furthermore, this research showed all affected areas during the study period. Overall, a non-random distribution of COVID-19 occurrences was detected, thus suggesting a positive spatial autocorrelation. Many parties are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, especially those involved in healthcare provision, financial assistance allocation, and law enforcement. Other sectors such as the economy, education, and religion are also affected. Therefore, the findings from this study will provide useful information to all the related governmental and private agencies, as well as policymakers and researchers.
VOLTAGE REGULATION CONTROL USING BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM IN DISTRIBUTION NETWORK WITH HIGH PV PENETRATION STRENGTH
Authors: Ramli Nur Muhammad Alif , Hussin Siti Maherah , Mat Said Dalila , Rosmin Norzanah , Nawabjan Amirjan
Published: October 2021

In recent years, the increasing integration of PV generations into distribution network systems is becoming a huge concern as it introduces various complications such as voltage rise problems, especially during high PV penetration levels. Conventional mitigation methods using voltage regulating devices are not designed to mitigate this particular problem while emerging methods requires sacrifices in term of cost and profit to be made by PV system owners. Thus, mitigation using a battery energy storage system (BESS) is proposed in this paper, where it is specifically designed to solve the voltage rise problem in the distribution system during high PV penetration. This is achieved by controlling the charging and discharging of the BESS accordingly. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed BESS, a simulation using MATLAB/Simulink software of 25 distributed PV generations with respective loads connected to a distribution network power system is done. The penetration level is set from 0% to 100% and the voltage level is measured at the point of common coupling for each increment. The findings show that the BESS can regulate the voltage rise that occurred during high PV penetration of 80% and 100% from 1.11 p.u. and 1.13 p.u. to an acceptable voltage of 1.01 pu.
LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT ANALYZING WITH GABI SOFTWARE FOR FOOD WASTE MANAGEMENT USING WINDROW AND HYBRID COMPOSTING TECHNOLOGIES
Authors: Abu Rozieana , Ab Aziz Muhammad Arif , Che Hassan Che Hafizan , Noor Zainura Zainon , Abd Jalil Rohaya
Published: October 2021

The use of composting technologies to treat food waste (FW) now represents an environmentally friendly form of waste treatment, in which organic matter can decompose biologically. However, the damaging emissions of composting technologies for FW treatment vary, thus a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach is often used to certify the quality of the decision-making process. This study quantifies and compares the environmental impact of two scenarios in Malaysia: windrow and hybrid composting (windrow integrated with a landfill) technologies.  The scenario modeling was performed via GaBi v6.0 software using 1 ton of pre-treated FW as a functional unit, with the analysis based on the ReCiPe (H) v1.07 characterization method. The midpoint results revealed that windrow composting technology has a lower environmental impact and is an environmentally friendly option compared to hybrid technology. Treating FW in a windrow scenario has relatively low power requirements for operation with the added advantageous properties of compost production, and a substantial reduction in the distances transferred by the road. The hybrid scenario had the largest negative environmental impact in all categories, such as climate change (1.45E+03 kg CO2 eq), and ozone depletion (4.39E-09kg CFC-11 eq) because of the energy-intensive waste collection and treatment activities it needs, and with no landfill gas filtration. Finally, based on the single score synthesis, windrow is considered as an appropriate treatment with the avoidance of Resource Depletion (6.61E+02 Pt).
An Image-Driven Uncertainty Inverse Method for Sheet Metal Forming Problems
Authors: Li Yu , Wang Hu , Li Biyu , Wang Jiaquan , Li Enying
Published: October 2021

The purpose of this study is to obtain a margin of safety for material and process parameters in sheet metal forming. Commonly applied forming criteria are difficult to comprehensively evaluate the forming quality directly. Therefore, an image-driven criterion is suggested for uncertainty parameter identification of sheet metal forming. In this way, more useful characteristics, material flow, and distributions of safe and crack regions, can be considered. Moreover, to improve the efficiency for obtaining sufficient statistics of Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC), a manifold learning-assisted ABC uncertainty inverse framework is proposed. Based on the framework, the design parameters of two sheet metal forming problems, an air conditioning cover and an engine inner hood, are identified.
Development of an ultrasonic nonlinear frequency compounding method with applications in tissue thermometry
Authors: Hornsby Tyler , Shaswary Elyas , Tavakkoli Jahangir (Jahan)
Published: October 2021

Frequency compounding is an ultrasound imaging technique used to improve signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). In this work, a nonlinear frequency compounding (NLFC) method was introduced, and its application in noninvasive tissue thermometry investigated. The NLFC method was used to produce two-dimensional maps of the temperature sensitive change in backscattered energy of acoustic harmonics (hCBE), during heating of ex vivo porcine tissue with a low intensity focused ultrasound transducer. A hCBE-to-temperature calibration was performed, and temperature maps produced and compared with a theoretical COMSOL based model. Last, a comparative study of the NLFC and previously used nonlinear single frequency (NLSF) methods was completed to quantify the improvement in SNR of the produced hCBE maps. When using the NLFC method, a SNR of 6.06 ± 1.28 was found. SNR values of 3.70 ± 0.53 and 4.38 ± 0.84 were found while using central frequencies of 4.31 and 5.43 MHz, respectively, with the NLSF method. This translates to an improvement of (64.13 ± 4.16)% over the 4.31 MHz NLSF, and (38.72 ± 2.97)% over the 5.43 MHz NLSF methods overall. It was concluded that the NLFC method can produce hCBE and temperature maps with superior image SNR over the NLSF method.
Effects of land dispossession and forced migration on Indigenous peoples in North America
Authors: Farrell Justin , Burow Paul Berne , McConnell Kathryn , Bayham Jude , Whyte Kyle , Koss Gal
Published: October 2021

Long-term impacts of land dispossession

To date, we lack precise estimates of the extent to which Indigenous peoples in parts of North America were dispossessed of their lands and forced to migrate by colonial settlers, as well as how the lands that they were moved into compare to their original lands. Farrell
et al
. constructed a new dataset within the boundaries of the current-day United States and found that Indigenous land density and spread in has been reduced by nearly 99% (see the Perspective by Fixico). The lands to which they were forcibly migrated are more vulnerable to climate change and contain fewer resources. Research and policy implications of these findings are discussed. —TSR
Discovery of segmented Fermi surface induced by Cooper pair momentum
Authors: Zhu Zhen , Papaj Michał , Nie Xiao-Ang , Xu Hao-Ke , Gu Yi-Sheng , Yang Xu , Guan Dandan , Wang Shiyong , Li Yaoyi , Liu Canhua , Luo Jianlin , Xu Zhu-An , Zheng Hao , Fu Liang , Jia Jin-Feng
Published: October 2021

Imaging a peculiar Fermi surface

Running a current through a superconductor can cause the superconducting gap to close on a section of the Fermi surface. However, observing this segmented Fermi surface directly is tricky. To do so, Zhu
et al
. worked with a thin film of the topological insulator bismuth telluride placed on top of superconducting niobium diselenide. A small applied magnetic field caused a screening current, which in turn led to a segmented Fermi surface in the topological insulator layer. Using a scanning tunneling microscope, the researchers were able to map out this Fermi surface. —JS
Processing of NODULE INCEPTION controls the transition to nitrogen fixation in root nodules
Authors: Feng Jian , Lee Tak , Schiessl Katharina , Oldroyd Giles E. D.
Published: October 2021

Nodulation regulation

Legumes convert atmospheric nitrogen into biologically useful ammonium with the help of symbiotic bacteria housed in root nodules. Much of nodule development is controlled by the transcription factor NODULE INCEPTION (NIN). Feng
et al
. show that NIN is proteolytically processed to release a fragment that regulates the later stages of nodulation when the nodules acquire nitrogen-fixing capability. In related work, Jiang
et al
. identified members of the NIN-like protein (NLP) transcription factor family as being regulators of leghemoglobin expression acting through an unusual promotor motif shared across legumes. —PJH
The interconnected causes and consequences of sleep in the brain
Authors: Lewis Laura D.
Published: October 2021

Sleep is essential for brain function in a surprisingly diverse set of ways. In the short term, lack of sleep leads to impaired memory and attention; in the longer term, it produces neurological dysfunction or even death. I discuss recent advances in understanding how sleep maintains the physiological health of the brain through interconnected systems of neuronal activity and fluid flow. The neural dynamics that appear during sleep are intrinsically coupled to its consequences for blood flow, cerebrospinal fluid dynamics, and waste clearance. Recognizing these linked causes and consequences of sleep has shed new light on why sleep is important for such disparate aspects of brain function.
Exceptional increases in fluvial sediment fluxes in a warmer and wetter High Mountain Asia
Authors: Li Dongfeng , Lu Xixi , Overeem Irina , Walling Desmond E. , Syvitski Jaia , Kettner Albert J. , Bookhagen Bodo , Zhou Yinjun , Zhang Ting
Published: October 2021

Muddied waters

The climate of High Mountain Asia is becoming warmer and wetter. Li
et al
. present data showing that rivers originating in this region have experienced large increases in runoff and sediment fluxes over the past six decades, most dramatically since the mid-1990s. The authors project that sediment flux from those rivers could more than double by 2050 in the case of extreme climate change, with potentially serious impacts on the region’s hydropower capacity, food security, and environment. —HJS
Memories off the top of your head
Authors: Shin Jiyun N. , Doron Guy , Larkum Matthew E.
Published: October 2021

Cortical layer 1 has a special role in long-term memory
Hybrid Genome Assemblies of Marine Bacteria Isolated from the Sponge Sycon capricorn
Authors: Mead Oliver L. , Hahn Erin E. , Adamska Maja A.
Published: October 2021

Sponges have complex relationships with bacteria, the roles of which include food, important components of the holobiont, pathogens, and accidentally accumulated elements of the environment. Consequently, sponges are reservoirs of microbial genomes and novel compounds. Therefore, we isolated and sequenced the whole genomes of bacterial species from the calcareous sponge
Sycon capricorn
.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Cellulomonas
sp. PS-H5, Isolated from Sekinchan Beach in Selangor, Malaysia
Authors: Radzlin Nurfatini , Low Kheng Oon , Liew Kok Jun , Goh Kian Mau , Zakaria Iffah Izzati , Kahar Ummirul Mukminin
Published: October 2021

Cellulomonas
sp. strain PS-H5 was isolated from Sekinchan Beach in Selangor, Malaysia, using an
ex situ
cultivation method. The present work reports a high-quality draft annotated genome sequence of this strain and suggests its potential glycoside hydrolase enzymes for cellulose, hemicellulose, and starch degradations.
Adult-onset Still’s disease after environmental exposure while working in Africa
Authors: Gilbert Emily L , Wang Benjamin
Published: October 2021

Adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD) is characterised by a constellation of systemic inflammatory symptoms and typical laboratory findings like hyperferritinaemia. A high index of suspicion is needed to identify patients as diagnosis is primarily clinical and significant morbidity can result from delayed diagnosis. While AOSD may be self-limited, some patients experience flares over years and require more aggressive treatment approaches. Aetiology is unknown but can be triggered by viral infections and other environmental factors in a susceptible genetic host. We present a case of AOSD triggered after exposure to a sap-like liquid while working in Africa. This inciting event occurred as part of a hostile act towards the patient and involved medicinal practices traditional to the area. Our case highlights the more chronic course of AOSD, which requires escalating biological treatment to avoid long-term corticosteroids, as well as the juncture between traditional and modern medical practices.
Management of refractory immune thrombocytopaenia in pregnancy
Authors: Heenan Jessica M
Published: October 2021

A 25-year-old woman with a history of immune thrombocytopaenia (ITP) in childhood was referred to haematology clinic for review with a platelet count of 50 μ/L at 9 weeks gestation, gravida 2, para 0. She developed progressive severe thrombocytopaenia as the pregnancy progressed, with associated bleeding complications. The thrombocytopaenia was refractory to standard therapies. This led to a need for a planned delivery, which was performed via caesarean section under general anaesthetic with platelet transfusion support, Intravenous Immune Globulin (IVIG), high-dose corticosteroid and the thrombopoietin (TPO) mimetic romiplostim. Both the mother and the neonate survived; however, the neonate required treatment for severe prolonged neonatal thrombocytopaenia. The patient subsequently re-presented 15 months later with recurrent ITP complicating another pregnancy, refractory to rituximab but responsive to romiplostim. She had a successful elective caesarean section under epidural anaesthesia, but the neonate once again suffered severe thrombocytopaenia, which was responsive to IVIG.
Ribbing disease of tibia: a rare entity
Authors: Panigrahi Sibasish , Patro Bishnu Prasad , Mohapatra Ayesha , Patra Saroj Kumar
Published: October 2021

Establishing the cause of unilateral leg pain is difficult in the settings of tibial diaphyseal sclerosis. This patient, a 36-year-old woman presented with unilateral pretibial leg pain for past 7 months without history of trauma, infections, systemic or metabolic disease. Besides local deep tenderness, other clinical findings and blood investigations were normal. Radiograph and CT scan showed both periosteal and endosteal cortical thickening with obliteration of medulla of the tibial midshaft. MRI scan detected marrow oedema and bone scan revealed increased tracer uptake at the affected site of tibia. She was treated by saucerisation and re-establishment of the medullary canal. Biopsy of the harvested tissue had trabecular bone without any sign of inflammation. Patient was pain free after 3 months of operation and was able to perform her activity of daily living without any difficulties. Ribbing disease is a disease of exclusion and need high degree of suspicion for its diagnosis.
Single dose of rituximab causing organising pneumonia in a patient with B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder
Authors: Ban Andrea Yu-Lin , Ng Boon Hau , Faisal Mohamed , Rajah Rathika
Published: October 2021

Rituximab (RTX) is a monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody used to treat non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. RTX-organising pneumonia (RTX-OP) is a rare complication following treatment with RTX. We report a 49‐year‐old woman, with CD5-negative B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder who developed high-grade fever, dyspnoea and dry cough 3 days after the first dose of RTX. She responded poorly to antibiotics and antifungal therapy. High-resolution CT (HRCT) of the chest revealed bilateral patchy ground-glass opacities with arcade-like signs suggestive of OP. She was pulsed with intravenous methylprednisolone and RTX was discontinued. She was able to be weaned off the non-invasive ventilation (NIV) support and was discharged with maintenance prednisolone 1 mg/kg and tapered over 6 weeks. A repeated HRCT of the chest at 6 weeks showed a total resolution of OP. This highlights the early occurrence at day 3 of RTX-OP following the first dose of RTX and the complete resolution with steroid therapy.
Usefulness of the QuantiFERON test for the diagnosis of tubercular uveitis and the predictions of response to antituberculosis treatment
Authors: Danjou William , Pradat Pierre , Jamilloux Yvan , Gerfaud-Valentin Mathieu , Kodjikian Laurent , Trad Salim , Seve Pascal
Published: October 2021

Aims

Few studies have evaluated the contribution of QuantiFERON test for the diagnosis of tubercular uveitis in non-endemic countries for tuberculosis (TB). The objective of the present study was to evaluate the value of the QuantiFERON test in a large cohort of patients with uveitis for both the diagnosis of tubercular uveitis and antituberculosis treatment (ATT) response prediction.

Methods

A single-centre retrospective study including consecutive adult patients with uveitis who were prescribed a QuantiFERON test between January 2003 and December 2019 was performed. Adjusted ORs (aORs) were calculated between patients with uveitis responding and not responding to ATT according to the Collaborative Ocular Tuberculosis Study (COTS) group diagnostic criteria. Sensitivity (SE), specificity (Sp), and positive and negative predictive values of the QuantiFERON test were calculated.

Results

A total of 1075 patients were included in the study; 178 (16.5%) were found positive using the QuantiFERON test. Among the 178 positive patients, 62 (35%) had a diagnosis of tubercular uveitis according to the updated COTS classification; all received ATT for 6 months; and 44/62 (71%) responded to ATT. A QuantiFERON test value of >2 IU/mL was associated with a greater chance of responding to ATT (aOR=36.7, 95% CI 7.2 to 185.9, p<0.001). The optimal threshold to maximise both Sp and SE for diagnosis of TB uveitis was 4 IU/mL.

Conclusion

One-sixth of the patients diagnosed with uveitis had a positive QuantiFERON test. The QuantiFERON threshold with the optimal SE and Sp for the diagnosis of tubercular uveitis was 4 IU/mL.

Trial registration number

NCT03863782.
‘Staying alive’ with antiretroviral therapy: a grounded theory study of people living with HIV in Peru
Authors: Leyva-Moral Juan Manuel , Palmieri Patrick Albert , Loayza-Enriquez Blanca Katiuzca , Vander Linden Kara Lynette , Elias-Bravo Ursula Elisa , Guevara-Vasquez Genesis Masiel , Davila-Olano Lucy Yonmey , Aguayo-Gonzalez Mariela Patricia
Published: October 2021

Background

To achieve an optimal quality of life through chronic disease management, people living with HIV (PLHIV) must adhere to antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART has been available throughout Peru since 2004 without cost in all regions; yet only 60% (43 200) of PLHIV receive ART and 32% are virally suppressed. Despite the low adherence, little is known about the experience of PLHIV with ART adherence in the context of Latin America.

Methods

A constructivist grounded theory design was used to understand the ART adherence experiences of PLHIV in Northern Peru. Unstructured interviews were conducted with 18 participants resulting in theoretical saturation. All interviews were recorded, immediately transcribed and analysed concurrently with data collection using constant comparative analysis with Atlas.ti (V.8) software. Rigour was maintained through openness, reflexivity, audit trail, memo writing, debriefings, member checks and positionality.

Results

The core category ‘staying alive’ emerged through the interaction of four categories, including: (1) overcoming barriers; (2) working with the healthcare team; (3) tailoring self-care strategies; and (4) appreciating antiretrovirals. Adherence is not a spontaneous outcome, instead, the surprise of HIV diagnosis transitions to living with HIV as a chronic disease. The healthcare team helps PLHIV realise ART is their life source by enhancing, supporting and facilitating self-care and overcoming barriers.

Conclusion

Adherence emerges from experiential learning as PLHIV recognised ART as their life source in balance with their desire to continue living a normal life. Social support and healthcare team interventions help PLHIV implement tailored self-care strategies to overcome personal, social, and structural barriers to adherence. Healthcare professionals need to recognise the challenges confronted by PLHIV as they learn how to continue living while trying to stay alive.