bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perfluoroalkyl Substances Exposure in Early Pregnancy and Preterm Birth in Singleton Pregnancies: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Huo Xiaona , Zhang Lin , Huang Rong , Feng Liping , Wang Weiye , Zhang Jun
Published: November 2019

Background: Preterm birth (PTB, < 37 completed weeks’ gestation) is one of the global public health concerns. Epidemiologic evidence on the potential impact of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on PTB is still limited and inconsistent. We aimed to investigate the associations between prenatal PFAS exposure and PTB among singleton live births. Methods: We studied 2849 mother-infant pairs in the Shanghai Birth Cohort (SBC) from 2013 to 2016. Ten PFAS in maternal plasma in early pregnancy were measured. Primary outcomes were duration of gestation, PTB, spontaneous PTB and clinically indicated PTB. A linear regression model was used to assess the associations between ln-transformed PFAS and duration of gestation (weeks). A logistic regression model was applied to estimate the risks of these outcomes within a ln-transformed continuous PFAS concentrations and across non-transformed quartiles of PFAS concentrations. A Cox proportional hazards model was also used to examine the associations by treating PFAS as continuous ln-transformed variables. Results: The incidence of overall PTB was 4.8% (95% confidence limit: 4.0% - 5.6%) in this study population. In the linear logistic regression analyses, PFAS were not associated with duration of gestation after controlling for potential confounders. In the multiple logistic model and Cox model analyses, no significant associations were observed between PFAS and overall PTB, spontaneous PTB or indicated PTB. Conclusion: Our prospective cohort study shows that maternal plasma PFAS concentrations in early pregnancy was not associated with gestational length, overall PTB, spontaneous PTB or indicated PTB.
Povidone-iodine-alcohol is superior to chlorhexidine-alcohol in its antimicrobial efficacy on the anaerobic microbial flora in surgical skin preparation of the shoulder region
Authors: Dörfel Dorothea , Daeschlein Georg , Maiwald Matthias , Müller Gerald , Hudek Robert , Assadian Ojan , Kampf Günter , Kohlmann Thomas , Harnoss Julian Camill , Kramer Axel
Published: November 2019

Background: Cutibacterium acnes is part of the anaerobic skin microbiome and resides in deeper skin layers. The organism is an important agent of surgical site infections (SSI), particularly in shoulder surgery, and is difficult to target with skin antisepsis. We hypothesized that prolonged preparation with an agent that penetrates deeper into the skin is more effective in shoulder surgery. Thus, we compared two different classes of antiseptics, each combined with alcohol, and each applied with two different contact times. Methods: Shoulders of 16 healthy volunteers were treated for 2.5 min (standard) or 30 min (prolonged) with alcohol-based chlorhexidine (CHG-ALC; 2% w/v CHG, 55% w/v [70% v/v] 2-propanol) or alcohol-based povidone iodine (PVP-I-ALC; 3.24% w/v PVP-I, 38.9% w/v 2-propanol, 37.3% w/v ethanol). Skin sites were sampled before, immediately after, and 3 h after treatment. Results: Aerobic skin flora was reduced more effectively by PVP-I-ALC than by CHG-ALC after 2.5 min and immediate sampling, but not after prolonged contact times and 3-h sampling. Anaerobic flora was reduced more effectively by PVP-I-ALC than by CHG-ALC after standard and prolonged contact times and immediate sampling, but not after 3-h sampling. None of the volunteers reported negative effects from skin antisepsis. Conclusions: PVP-I-ALC is more efficacious than CHG-ALC for topical skin antisepsis regarding the anaerobic flora on the skin of the shoulder. Standard and prolonged contact times demonstrated superiority for PVP-I-ALC for samples taken immediately, but missed significance 3 h after application. The clinical relevance of these findings should be studied with SSI as an endpoint.
Coffee intake effects on obstructive sleep apnea and type 2 diabetes control, in Tabuk City, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: a case-control study
Authors: Ahmed Mohammed Adam , Saleh Abdulmoneim Ahmed , Kalantan Mowffaq Mohammed , Mirghani Hyder Osman
Published: November 2019

Objectives: The study aimed to assess the effects of coffee intake on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and glycemic control among patients with diabetes mellitus.Results: There were 110 patients with diabetes and 96 healthy control subjects (matched for age and sex) attending a diabetes center in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia during the period from June 2018-October 2019. Stop-Bang questionnaire was used to assess OSA, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale to investigate daytime sleepiness. OSA and daytime sleepiness were higher among patients with diabetes compared to controls (4.34±1.61 vs. 2.86±1.24, and 8.31±4.40 vs. 6.39±3.70 respectively, P-<05), while coffee consumption was not (4.64±3.95 vs. 3.45±3.06, P->0.05). Women with diabetes were younger with short duration since the diagnosis of diabetes and consumed less coffee compared to men, P-<0.5. A negative correlation was found between coffee consumption and the duration of diabetes, while no correlation was found between coffee intake, the glycated hemoglobin, OSA, sex, and daytime sleepiness. Daytime sleepiness and OSA were commoners among patients with diabetes, they were not correlated with coffee consumption which was negatively correlated with the duration since diabetes diagnosis. Further larger multi-center studies investigating coffee intake among patients newly diagnosed with diabetes are recommended.
Extracellular vesicle-mediated amyloid transfer to neural progenitor cells: implications for RAGE and HIV infection
Authors: András Ibolya E. , Garcia-Contreras Marta , Yanick Christopher , Perez Paola , Sewell Brice , Durand Leonardo , Toborek Michal
Published: November 2019

Amyloid beta (Aβ) deposition was demonstrated to be elevated in the brains of HIV-infected patients and associated with neurocognitive decline; however, the mechanisms of these processes are poorly understood. The goal of the current study was to address the hypothesis that Aβ can be transferred via extracellular vesicles (ECVs) from brain endothelial cells to neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and that this process can contribute to abnormal NPC differentiation. Mechanistically, we focused on the role of the receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) and activation of the inflammasome in these events. ECVs loaded with Aβ (Aβ-ECVs) were readily taken up by NPCs and Aβ partly colocalized with the inflammasome markers ASC and NLRP3 in the nuclei of the recipient NPCs. This colocalization was affected by HIV and RAGE inhibition by a high-affinity specific inhibitor FPS-ZM1. Blocking RAGE resulted also in an increase in ECV number produced by brain endothelial cells, decreased Aβ content in ECVs, and diminished Aβ-ECVs transfer to NPC nuclei. Interestingly, both Aβ-ECVs and RAGE inhibition altered NPC differentiation. Overall, these data indicate that RAGE inhibition affects brain endothelial ECV release and Aβ-ECVs transfer to NPCs. These events may modulate ECV-mediated amyloid pathology in the HIV-infected brain and contribute to the development of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders.
Assessment of Oral Health-Related Photographs by Dentists and Professional Non-Dental Caregivers - A Quantitative Comparative Study
Authors: Krausch-Hofmann Stefanie , Tran Trung Dung , Declerck Dominique , Mello Johanna de Almeida , Declercq Anja , Lesaffre Emmanuel , Lepeleire Jan De , Duyck Joke
Published: November 2019

Background Photographs might aid professional non-dental caregivers to detect problems when inspecting the mouth of care-dependent older individuals. This study evaluated whether the assessment of oral health-related conditions presented on photographs systematically differed between dentists and professional non-dental caregivers. Methods Photographs were taken from long-term care facility residents and from patients at the Department of Dentistry of a University Hospital. The following oral health aspects were depicted: denture hygiene, oral hygiene, teeth, gums, tongue and palate/lips/cheeks. Collection continued until a pool of 20-35 photographs was available for each oral health aspect, including a variety of conditions from perfect health and hygiene to severe problems. The total pool consisted of 179 photographs. A segmented Visual Analogue Scale was applied to assess the conditions presented on the photographs. The benchmark was established by three dentists with academic-clinical expertise in gerodontology, special needs dentistry and periodontology. For each photograph they provided a collective score after reaching consensus. Photographs were assessed individually by 32 general dentists and by 164 professional non-dental caregivers. Linear mixed effects models and generalized linear mixed effects models were fitted and mean squared errors were computed to quantify differences between both groups related to the benchmark. Results For the different oral health aspects, absolute distances from the benchmark scores were 1.13 (95%CI:1.03-1.23) to 1.51 (95%CI:1.39-1.65) times higher for the caregivers than for the dentists. The odds to overestimate the condition were higher for the caregivers than the dentists for oral hygiene (OR=0.72, 95%CI=0.62-0.84) and teeth (OR=0.74; 95%CI=0.61-0.88). The odds to underestimate the condition were higher for the caregivers than the dentists for gums (OR=1.39; 95%CI:1.22-1.59) and palate/lips/cheeks (OR=1.22; 95%CI=1.07-1.40). Over all assessments, the variance in caregiver scores was 1.9 (95%CI:1.62-2.23) times higher than that for the dentists. Conclusion Small but significant systematic differences were found between dentists and non-dental caregivers regarding the assessment of oral health-related conditions presented on clinical photographs. When photographs are used to aid non-dental caregivers with the oral health assessment, these visualizations should be complemented with comments to facilitate accurate interpretation.
Can people-centered community-oriented interventions improve skilled birth attendance? Evidence from a quasi-experimental study in rural communities of Cambodia, Kenya, and Zambia
Authors: Edward Anbrasi , Krishnan Aparna , Ettyang Grace , Jung Younghee , Perry Henry B , Ghee Annette E , Chege Jane
Published: November 2019

Background Skilled attendance at delivery is a key marker for reducing maternal mortality. Effective community engagement strategies complemented by community health worker (CHW) services can improve access to maternal health services in areas with limited health infrastructure or workforce. Methods A quasi-experimental study with matched comparison groups was conducted in Cambodia, Kenya and Zambia to determine the effect of integrated community investments on SBA. In each country, communities in two districts/sub-districts received a package of community-oriented interventions comprised of timed CHW household health promotion for maternal, newborn and child health complemented by social accountability mechanisms using community scorecards. Two comparison districts/sub-districts received ongoing routine interventions. Data from the final evaluation were examined to determine the effect of community-oriented interventions including timed CHW services and SBA. Results Over 90% of the 3,037 women in Cambodia, 2,805 women in Kenya and 1,171 women in Zambia reported SBA. Women in intervention sites who received timely CHW health promotion and social accountability mechanisms in Cambodia and Kenya showed significantly higher odds of SBA (Cambodia, aOR=7.48; 95% CI: 3.87, 14.5, Kenya, aOR=0.60; 95% CI: 0.41, 0.85). The findings also indicated that older women (>24 years), in Cambodia, women with primary or secondary education in Cambodia and Kenya, women from higher wealth quintiles in Cambodia, and women with four or more ANC visits in all countries reported significantly higher odds of SBA. Inclusion of family members in pregnancy-related discussions (aOR=1.69; 95% CI: 0.92, 3.13 in Cambodia; aOR=2.12; 95% CI: 1.06, 4.26 in Kenya; aOR=6.78; 95% CI: 1.15, 13.9 in Zambia), follow up visits from the CHW following a referral or health facility visit (aOR=2.44; 95% CI: 1.30, 4.60 in Cambodia; aOR=2.17; 95% CI 1.25, 3.75 in Kenya; aOR=1.89; 95% CI: 1.05, 2.02 in Zambia) also showed significantly greater odds of SBA. Conclusions Enhancing people-centered care through culturally appropriate community-oriented strategies integrating timely CHW health promotion and social accountability mechanisms shows some evidence for improving SBA during delivery and accelerating the sustainable development goals for maternal child and newborn health.
Treatment outcomes of drug-susceptible tuberculosis and its predictors among male prison inmates in Bauchi State, Nigeria, 2014-2018
Authors: Amede Peter Okpeh , Adedire Elizabeth , Usman Aishat , Ameh Celestine A. , Umar Faruk S. , Umeokonkwo Chukwuma David , Balogun Muhammad Shakir
Published: November 2019

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious disease and its transmissibility potential is increased in congregate settings like the prisons. TB incidence rates are five to fifty times higher among prison inmates than the general population which has a direct impact on the outcome of TB treatment. There is paucity of information on TB treatment outcomes and its predictors in Nigerian prisons. We therefore assessed TB treatment outcomes among prison inmates in Bauchi State, Nigeria.
Method: We conducted a retrospective data analysis of inmates with TB in the five main prisons in Bauchi State. We extracted sociodemographic, clinical and treatment outcome characteristics from TB treatment register of inmates treated for TB between January 2014 and December 2018, using a standardized checklist. We estimated the TB treatment success rate (TSR) and explored the relationship between the TSR and sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Related variables were modelled in multivariate logistic regression to identify predictors of TSR at 5% level of significance.
Results: All 216 inmates were male with mean age of 37.6±11.4 years. Seventy-six (35.2%) were cured, 61 (28.2%) completed treatment, 48 (22.2%) were lost to follow-up, 17 (7.9%) were transferred out without evaluation and 14 (6.5%) died. Overall TSR was 72.9%. Odds of successful treatment outcome were age; 20-29 years (AOR=10.5; 95% CI: 3.2-35.1), 30-39 years (AOR=4.2; 95% CI: 1.3-13.1), pretreatment weight; 50-59 kg (AOR= 9.6; 95% CI: 1.4-65.6), ≥60 kg (AOR= 18.6; 95% CI: 2.5-140.1) and being HIV negative (AOR=3.3; 95% CI:1.4-7.8).
Conclusion: The predictors of successful TB treatment outcome were being less than 40 years of age, having a pretreatment body weight of or greater than 50 kg, imprisonment for less than 2 years, and being HIV negative. We recommended that to improve TB TSR among prison inmates; age, duration of imprisonment, weight and TB/HIV coinfection should be the major consideration during drugs adherence, psychological and nutritional counselling and a tracking system be developed by the prisons authority to follow-up inmates transferred-out to other health facilities to ensure they complete the treatment and outcomes evaluated.
Key words: Tuberculosis, Treatment outcomes, Prison inmates, Predictors, Bauchi State, Nigeria
Incidence of subsequent primary cancers and radiation-induced subsequent primary cancers after low dose-rate brachytherapy monotherapy for prostate cancer in long-term follow-up
Authors: Vuolukka Kristiina , Auvinen Päivi , Palmgren Jan-Erik , Aaltomaa Sirpa , Kataja Vesa
Published: November 2019

Background As aging is the most significant risk factor for cancer development, long-term prostate cancer (PCa) survivors have an evident risk of developing subsequent primary cancers (SPCs). Radiotherapy itself is an additional risk factor for cancer development and the SPCs appearing beyond five years after radiotherapy in the original treatment field can be considered as radiation-induced subsequent primary cancers (RISPCs).Material and Methods During the years 1999-2008, 241 patients with localized PCa who underwent LDR-BT with I125 and were followed-up in Kuopio University Hospital, were included in this study. In this study the incidences and types of SPCs and RISPCs with a very long follow-up time after low dose-rate brachytherapy (LDR-BT) were evaluated.Results During the median follow-up time of 11.4 years, a total of 34 (14.1%) patients developed a metachronous SPC. The crude incidence rate of RISPC was 1.7% (n=4). Half of the SPC cases (50%) were diagnosed during the latter half of the follow-up time as the risk to develop an SPC continued throughout the whole follow-up time with the actuarial 10-year SPC rate of 7.0%. The crude death rates due to metachronous out-of-field SPCs and RISPCs were high, 50% and 50%, respectively.Conclusion The crude rate of SPC was significant, but in line with previous data. The incidence of RISPC was very low supporting the role of LDR-BT as a safe treatment option for patients with localized PCa. However, both the SPCs and the RISPCs after LDR-BT were serious diseases with high mortality rates.
Evaluation of radioactive 125I seed implantation for the treatment of refractory malignant tumors based on CT-guided 3D template assisted technique: efficacy and safety
Authors: Zhao Guang Sheng , Liu Song , Yang Liang , Li Chuang , Wang Ruo Yu , Zhou Jun , Zhang Yue Wei
Published: November 2019

Objective: To observe the medium-and long-term clinical efficacy and safety of radioactive 125I seed implantation for refractory malignant tumors based on CT-guided 3D template assisted technique. Methods: Twenty-five patients with refractory malignant tumors who received radioactive 125I seed implantation based on CT-guided 3D template assisted technique in our hospital from August 2016 to March 2017 were selected for retrospective analysis. The postoperative adverse reactions were recorded, and the number of puncture needle and particles used in the operation and dosimetric parameters, as well as postoperative physical strength scores and tumor response were statistically analyzed, the overall survival time and survival rate were counted, and the effect and prognosis were explored. Results: All patients were successfully completed 125I seed implantation, and no serious complications occurred. The average number of implanted puncture needles was 17 (19.12±13.00), and the median number of particles was 52 (55.12±32.97). D90 in the postoperative CTV (93.24±15.70) Gy was slightly lower than preoperative CTV (93.92±17.60) Gy (P>0.05). D90 in the postoperative PTV (142.16±22.25) Gy was lower than preoperative PTV (145.32±23.48) Gy (P>0.05). The tumor responses at 6 months postoperatively were: CR: 20% (5/25), PR: 48% (12/25), SD: 24% (6/25), PD: 8% (2/25), CR+PR: 68%, local control rate: 92% (23/25). The 6-, 12-, and 24-month survival rates were 100%, 88%, and 52%, respectively. The KPS physical strength score was gradually recovered, and increased to the highest value at 12 months after seed implantation, and then slightly decreased and the average score was still above 90 points. There were 1 case of pneumothorax during operation, and 2 cases with superficial malignant tumors developed skin ulceration. Multivariate analysis of prognosis showed that tumor sites and types were independent risk factors affecting survival, and the number of needles and particles, and template type were not factors that affected prognosis. Conclusions: 3D template combined with CT-guided radioactive 125I seed implantation improves the rational distribution of radiation dose in tumor target area because of the achievement of accurate radioactive 125I particle implantation, and it has less complications, and can further extend the overall survival and quality of life in patients with refractory malignant tumors.
Loss of FANCD2 and related proteins may predict malignant transformation in oral epithelial dysplasia
Authors: Ho Michael W , Ryan Mark , Gupta Juhi , Triantafyllou Asterios , Risk Janet , Shaw Richard , Wilson James
Published: November 2019

Background: Predicting malignant transformation in oral epithelial dysplasia(OED) is a clinical challenge. The higher rate of malignant transformation in non-smokers supports an endogenous aetiology. Loss of FANCD2 and associated proteins could lead to genomic instability and oncogenesis. Patients & Methods: Longitudinal archival samples from 40 individuals with OED from time of diagnosis to the most recent review in 23 stable OED; or until excision of the SCC in 17 unstable OED undergoing malignant transformation. Histopathological reassessment, immunohistochemistry for FANCD2 and Western blotting for phosphorylation/monubiquitination status of ATR, CHK1, FANCD2 and FANCG were undertaken on each tissue sample. Results:Decreased expression of FANCD2 was observed in the diagnostic biopsy of OED lesions which later underwent malignant transformation. Combining the FANCD2 expression scores with histological grading more accurately predicted malignant transformation (p=0.005) than histology alone and correctly predicted malignant transformation in 10/17 initial biopsies. Significantly reduced expression of total FANCD2, pFANCD2, pATR, pCHK-1 and pFANCG were observed in unstable OED. Discussion: There is good evidence that defects in the DNA damage sensing-signalling-repair cascade are associated with malignant transformation in OED. Loss of post-translational modification in FANCD2 and related proteins, was more predictive of malignant transformation when compared to clinicopathological parameters.
Prevalence and associated factors for Pterygium in Han and Mongolian adults: across-sectional study in inner Mongolian, China
Authors: Wang Yuhan , Shan Guangliang , Gan Linyang , Qian Yonggang , Chen Ting , Wang Hailing , Pan Xiaodan , Wang Wenrui , Pan Li , Zhang Xia , Wang Meng , Ma Jin , Zhong Yong
Published: November 2019

Background: To investigate the prevalence of pterygium and associated factors in Han and Mongolian adults at four survey sites in Inner Mongolia, China.Methods: We conducted a population-based, cross-sectional study as part of the China National Health Survey (CNHS). By means of a stratified sampling method, we finally included 2,651 participants of 30 years of age or older from a total of 3,468 eligible residents. Factors associated with pterygium were analysed by a univariate analysis and logistic regression models.Results: The study population included 1,910 Han and 741 Mongolian adults. The mean age±standard deviation of the study cohort was 48.93±11.06 years. The overall prevalence of pterygium was 6.4% (n=169); 1.4% (n=38) of the cases were bilateral and 4.8% (n=128) were unilateral. The most common grade of pterygium was Grade 2. Based on the results of the univariate analysis, eleven factors were included in a multivariate analysis. The results indicated that age (P<0.001), outdoor occupation (P=0.026), and time spent in rural areas (P<0.001) were significantly associated with pterygium. Sex and ethnicity were not identified as risk factors.Conclusions: Our results indicated that outdoor occupation, old age and more time spent in rural areas were risk factors for pterygium in Inner Mongolia. At the same time, town as a survey site (Hohhot and Tsining District) was a protective factor for pterygium. Ethnicity, gender, smoking, diabetes and high blood pressure are not associated with pterygium.Trial registration KEYWORDS: pterygium, prevalence, Han and Mongolian, risk factors, protective factors
Advanced ultrasound Methods in assessment of carotid plaque instability: A prospective multimodal study
Authors: Zamani Mahtab , Skagen Karolina , Scott Helge , Russell David , Skjelland Mona
Published: November 2019

Background: A significant proportion of ischemic strokes are caused by emboli from atherosclerotic, unstable carotid artery plaques. The selection of patients for endarterectomy in current clinical practice is primarily based on the degree of carotid artery stenosis and clinical symptoms. However, the content of the plaque is known to be more important for stroke risk. Intraplaque neovascularization (IPN) has recently emerged as a possible surrogate marker for plaque instability. Neo-microvessels from the adventitial vasa vasorum grow into the full thickness of the vessel wall in an adaptive response to hypoxia, causing subsequent intraplaque haemorrhage and plaque rupture. Conventional ultrasound cannot detect IPN. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound and Superb Microvascular Imaging (SMI), have, however, shown promise in IPN assessment. Recent research using Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) has also reported reduced tissue stiffness in the artery wall (reduced mean Young’s modulus) in unstable compared to stable plaques. The purpose of this study is to identify unstable carotid artery plaques at risk of rupture and future ischemic stroke risk using multimodal assessments. Methods: Thirty symptomatic and 30 asymptomatic patients >18 years, with >50% carotid stenosis referred to Oslo University Hospital ultrasound lab will be included in this on-going project. Patients will undergo contrast enhanced ultrasound, SMI, carotid-MRI and PET-(18F-FDG). Contrast enhanced ultrasound will be analyzed semi-quantitatively (5-levels of visual classification) and quantitatively by plotting time-intensity curve analyses to obtain plaque peak contrast enhancement intensity. Plaques removed at carotid endarterectomy will be assessed histologically and the number of microvessels, areas of inflammation, granulation, calcification, lipid and fibrosis will be measured. Discussion: This multimodality study will primarily provide information on the clinical value of advanced ultrasound methods (SMI, SWE) for the detection of unstable carotid artery plaque in comparison with other methods including contrast-enhanced ultrasound, carotid-MRI and PET-(18F-FDG) using histology as the gold standard. Secondly, findings from the methods mentioned above will be related to cerebrovascular symptoms, blood tests (leukocytes, CRP, ESR, lipoproteins and inflammatory markers) and cardiovascular risk factors at inclusion and at 1-year follow-up. The overall aim is to optimize detection of plaque instability which can lead to better preventive decisions and reduced stroke rate.
Optimization of the Expression of 1,3-1,4-β-glucanase Gene from Rhizomucor miehei in the Komagataella kurtzmanii yeast
Authors: Gubaidullin I.I. , Fedorov A.S. , Kozlov D.G.
Published: November 2019

Key functional elements of the vector (promoter, leader and terminator regions) that provide the expression of a target l,3-l,4-(3-glucanase gene from Rhizomucor miehei in the Komagataella kurtzmanii yeast have been optimized. It was shown that the promoter regions of the gene AOX1 from the Pichia pastoris yeast currently reclassified as Komagataella phaffti and from К. kurtzmanii yeast as parts of a vector provided equal levels of expression of the target gene in the cells of the recipient strain К. kurtzmanii Y727his4, i.e. they were completely interchangeable. This means that genetic constructs that were previously developed for the biosynthesis of recombinant proteins in К. phajfii are able to provide an effective expression in the К kurtzmanii yeast. The leader peptide MF4I (used as a variant of mif4I containing one amino acid substitution) and the leader peptide maxHH (containing the double proregion of the Hspl50 protein from Saccharomyces cerevisiae) confirmed the status of the most powerful elements among the five leader sequences analyzed. Their efficiency was 1.7 times higher than that of the standard leader from the yeast alpha-factor, and by 20% higher than the characteristics of the second group of artificial leaders. At the same time, it was found that, the choice of the terminator region had the strongest influence on the expression of the target gene among all of the vector functional elements. The best terminator elements were variants derived from the transcription termination region of the AOX1 gene, and the difference in the expression level of the target gene using different terminators was approximately 4.5 times. Based on the analysis of the obtained data, the optimal composition of the key functional elements of the expression vector was determined ; it included the promoter and terminator regions of the AOX1 yeast gene and one of the artificial leaders, mif4I or maxHH.

β-glucanase, Komagataella kurtzmanii, yeast, secretion, strain producer

The work was financially supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher education of the Russian Federation (Unique Project Identifier RFMEFI60717X0179) using the Unique Scientific Facility of the National Bio-Resource Center «All-Russian Collection of Industrial Microorganisms», NRC «Kurchatov Institute» - GOSNIIGENETIKA
Relationship between the Perception of Organizational Culture and Ethical Climate and the Perception of Workplace Bullying
Authors: Vilas-Boas Madalena
Published: November 2019

Workplace bullying takes place in many organizations and it has serious consequences on individuals, organizations and economy. The main aim of this study is to contribute to the field of workplace bullying by empirically testing the theoretically defined relation between socio-organizational variables (organizational culture and ethical climate) and bullying, using two theoretical models well-grounded in organizational studies. The findings, from a sample of 984 Portuguese workers, suggest that there is a strong relation between organizational culture/ethical climate and bullying: the "benevolent" and "principled" climates are negatively related (or even an obstacle) to bullying, as well as the cultural orientation of "support". The opposite is the result of the climate "self-interest" and the cultural orientations of "rules" and "goals". As organizational culture and ethical climate explain 20% of the variance of the negative behaviours perceived by the members of the organization, what shows that managers can achieve changes to a significant organizational, individual and societal problem just by manipulating those two variables.
Urban flood risk mapping using data-driven geospatial techniques for a flood-prone case area in Iran
Authors: Darabi Hamid , Haghighi Ali Torabi , Mohamadi Mohamad Ayob , Rashidpour Mostafa , Ziegler Alan D. , Hekmatzadeh Ali Akbar , Kløve Bjørn
Published: November 2019

In an effort to improve tools for effective flood risk assessment, we applied machine learning algorithms to predict flood-prone areas in Amol city (Iran), a site with recent floods (2017–2018). An ensemble approach was then implemented to predict hazard probabilities using the best machine learning algorithms (boosted regression tree, multivariate adaptive regression spline, generalized linear model, and generalized additive model) based on a receiver operator characteristic-area under the curve (ROC-AUC) assessment. The algorithms were all trained and tested on 92 randomly selected points, information from a flood inundation survey, and geospatial predictor variables (precipitation, land use, elevation, slope percent, curve number, distance to river, distance to channel, and depth to groundwater). The ensemble model had 0.925 and 0.892 accuracy for training and testing data, respectively. We then created a vulnerability map from data on building density, building age, population density, and socio-economic conditions and assessed risk as a product of hazard and vulnerability. The results indicated that distance to channel, land use, and runoff generation were the most important factors associated with flood hazard, while population density and building density were the most important factors determining vulnerability. Areas of highest and lowest flood risks were identified, leading to recommendations on where to implement flood risk reduction measures to guide flood governance in Amol city.
WASH conditions in a small town in Uganda: how safe are on-site facilities?
Authors: Nayebare J. G. , Owor M. M. , Kulabako R. , Campos L. C. , Fottrell E. , Taylor R. G.
Published: November 2019

Inadequate hygiene coupled with the conjunctive use of the shallow subsurface as both a source of water and repository of faecal matter pose substantial risks to human health in low-income countries undergoing rapid urbanisation. To evaluate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) conditions in a small, rapidly growing town in central Uganda (Lukaya) served primarily by on-site water supply and sanitation facilities, water-point mapping, focus group discussions, sanitary-risk inspections and 386 household surveys were conducted. Household surveys indicate high awareness (82%) of domestic hygiene (e.g. handwashing, boiling water) but limited evidence of practice. WHO Sanitary Risk Surveys and Rapid Participatory Sanitation System Risk Assessments reveal further that community hygiene around water points and sanitation facilities including their maintenance is commonly inadequate. Spot sampling of groundwater quality shows widespread faecal contamination indicated by enumerated thermo-tolerant coliforms (TTCs) (Escherichia coli) ranging from 0 to 104 cfc/100 mL and nitrate concentrations that occasionally exceed 250 mg/L. As defined by the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring programme, there are no safely managed water sources in Lukaya; ∼55% of improved water sources comprising primarily shallow hand-dug wells show gross faecal contamination by E. coli; and 51% of on-site sanitation facilities are unimproved. Despite the critical importance of on-site water supply and sanitation facilities in low-income countries to the realisation of UN Sustainable Goal 6 (access to safe water and sanitation for all by 2030), the analysis highlights the fragility and vulnerability of these systems where current monitoring and maintenance of communal facilities are commonly inadequate.
Antibiotics in livestock wastewater treatment by using biomass-derived activated carbon supported ZnS nanomaterials
Authors: Luo Qi , Li Hua
Published: November 2019

A new type of composite photocatalyst material was successfully prepared through the ultrasound-assisted coprecipitation method precipitate of zinc sulfide (ZnS) nanomaterials on peach wood activated carbon (PAC). The optimization of ZnS@PAC demonstrates excellent photocatalytic performance by using the response surface method (RSM), which is essential for improving photocatalytic performance. In this model it was found that the photocatalytic degradation of enrofloxacin (ENR) increased with microwave heating power and ZnS concentration, whereas it decreased with increasing activation time. The RSM model predicts that under certain conditions (microwave heating power 800 W, activation time 3 h, ZnS 0.5 mol·L−1), the maximum degradation rate of ENR in livestock and poultry wastewater is 97.81%. By empirical testing under the optimum conditions with 97.35% degradation the accuracy of the designed model was proven using RSM and the mechanism of the photocatalytic process was studied.
Decision making for modeling of oil and gas fields by using case based reasoning
Authors: Glukhikh Igor N. , Nikiforov Dmitry V.
Published: November 2019

This article describes a case-based reasoning (CBR) method as a decision-making tool in modeling oil and gas fields, its existing and potential application in the industry. The main direction for the application of the CBR method is the search for analogous objects for the design of oil and gas field development. The current engineering practice involves a vaguely formalized method of analogies, which does not allow defining the object as much as possible authentically the analogue that does not cause errors. The analogue object serves not only as a source of ready-made near optimal design solutions, but also as additional information about the object of development and key decisions in modeling hydrocarbon fields.

This paper considers the CBR method as the main tool for finding analogue objects, the main methods of extracting precedents from the database, and gives an idea of the object of development as a precedent. Proceeding from the peculiarities of presenting the object of development as a precedent and the peculiarities of applying the methods of extracting precedents, the authors have developed the concept of searching for analogue objects. In its implementation, it will allow for a different degree of information content of precedents stored in the database and will accelerate the procedure of extracting precedents from the database. The principal novelty is that the presented conceptual scheme allows using the methods of extracting precedents in the conditions of insufficient input data, which is important for the design of oil and gas fields.
A new algorithm for finding CRM-model coefficients
Authors: Bekman Alexander D. , Stepanov Sergey V. , Ruchkin Alexander A. , Zelenin Dmitry V.
Published: November 2019

The quantitative evaluation of producer and injector well interference based on well operation data (profiles of flow rates/injectivities and bottomhole/reservoir pressures) with the help of CRM (Capacitance-Resistive Models) is an optimization problem with large set of variables and constraints. The analytical solution cannot be found because of the complex form of the objective function for this problem. Attempts to find the solution with stochastic algorithms take unacceptable time and the result may be far from the optimal solution. Besides, the use of universal (commercial) optimizers hides the details of step by step solution from the user, for example — the ambiguity of the solution as the result of data inaccuracy.

The present article concerns two variants of CRM problem. The authors present a new algorithm of solving the problems with the help of “General Quadratic Programming Algorithm”. The main advantage of the new algorithm is the greater performance in comparison with the other known algorithms. Its other advantage is the possibility of an ambiguity analysis. This article studies the conditions which guarantee that the first variant of problem has a unique solution, which can be found with the presented algorithm. Another algorithm for finding the approximate solution for the second variant of the problem is also considered. The method of visualization of approximate solutions set is presented. The results of experiments comparing the new algorithm with some previously known are given.
Energy efficient biomorphic pulse information coding in electronic neurons for the entrance unit of the neuroprocessor
Authors: Pisarev Alexander D.
Published: November 2019

This article studies the implementation of some well-known principles of information work of biological systems in the input unit of the neuroprocessor, including spike coding of information used in models of neural networks of the latest generation.

The development of modern neural network IT gives rise to a number of urgent tasks at the junction of several scientific disciplines. One of them is to create a hardware platform — a neuroprocessor for energy-efficient operation of neural networks. Recently, the development of nanotechnology of the main units of the neuroprocessor relies on combined memristor super-large logical and storage matrices. The matrix topology is built on the principle of maximum integration of programmable links between nodes. This article describes a method for implementing biomorphic neural functionality based on programmable links of a highly integrated 3D logic matrix.

This paper focuses on the problem of achieving energy efficiency of the hardware used to model neural networks. The main part analyzes the known facts of the principles of information transfer and processing in biological systems from the point of view of their implementation in the input unit of the neuroprocessor. The author deals with the scheme of an electronic neuron implemented based on elements of a 3D logical matrix. A pulsed method of encoding input information is presented, which most realistically reflects the principle of operation of a sensory biological neural system. The model of an electronic neuron for selecting ranges of technological parameters in a real 3D logic matrix scheme is analyzed. The implementation of disjunctively normal forms is shown, using the logic function in the input unit of a neuroprocessor as an example. The results of modeling fragments of electric circuits with memristors of a 3D logical matrix in programming mode are presented.

The author concludes that biomorphic pulse coding of standard digital signals allows achieving a high degree of energy efficiency of the logic elements of the neuroprocessor by reducing the number of valve operations. Energy efficiency makes it possible to overcome the thermal limitation of the scalable technology of three-dimensional layout of elements in memristor crossbars.
The problem of the flow of fluid to an imperfect drill hole
Authors: Filippov Aleksandr I. , Akhmetova Oksana V. , Kovalsky Aleksei A. , Gubaydullin Marat R.
Published: November 2019

This article studies seepage flows arising from the selection of hydrocarbons from imperfect drill-holes. The authors observe the problem of pressure field in a homogeneous isolated isotropic homogeneous reservoir perforated in the range, completely contained in the layer of a common width.

To construct an analytical asymptotic solution, the single-layer initial problem is replaced by an equivalent three-layer symmetric, including the piezoconductivity equations for the perforated, covering, and underlying non-perforated layers, the initial and boundary conditions; on the conditional boundary of the perforated and non-perforated layers, the conditions of pressure and flow equality are specified (conjugation conditions). The solution of the problem is assumed to be regular — the value of the desired function, and, if necessary, its derivative at infinity is zero.

The problem is formulated in dimensionless quantities for the functions of the pressure deviation from its unperturbed distribution, normalized to the amplitude value of the depression. To solve the problem, the authors have developed an asymptotic method of a formal parameter. The solution of the problems for the zero and first coefficients of the asymptotic expansion is found in the space of the Laplace — Carson images in the variable t.

Based on the formulas obtained and the Darcy law, the authors construct graphical depen­dencies for the vertical and horizontal components of the fluid velocity filtered from the periphery to the well.

The computational experiment illustrates that there are no vertical flows at the exit to the well in the perforated part of the reservoir, and when removed from the well, these flows are different from zero, which indicates the presence of interlayer flows even in homogeneous imperfect drill holes. In the center of the perforated layer, such flows are absent, since the transverse velocity component vanishes. At the same time, the inflow in an imperfect drill hole is uneven, and the maximum modulus of the horizontal velocity component on all curves is reached at the boundary of the perforation interval.
Centre-of-Mass Based Gait Recognition for Person Identification
Authors: Ghosh Rajib
Published: November 2019

Background:

Gait recognition focuses on the identification of persons from their walking
activity. This type of system plays an important role in visual surveillance applications. The
walking pattern of every person is unique and difficult to replicate by others.

Objective:

The present article focuses on to develop a person identification system based on gait
recognition.

Methods:

In this article, a novel gait recognition approach is proposed to show how human body
Centre-of-mass-based walking characteristics can be used to recognize unauthorized and suspicious
persons when they enter in a surveillance area. Walking pattern varies from person to person mainly
due to the differences in the footsteps and body movement. Initially, the background is modelled
from the input video captured through static cameras deployed for security purpose. Foreground
moving object in the individual frames is then segmented using the background subtraction algorithm.
Centre-of-mass based discriminative features of various walking patterns are then studied using
Support Vector Machine(SVM) classifier to identify each unique walking pattern.

Results:

The proposed system has been evaluated using a self-generated dataset containing a side
view of various walking video clips. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed system
achieves an encouraging person identification rate.

Conclusion:

This work can be further extended to provide a general approach in developing an automatic
person identification system in an unconstrained environment.
THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE OF GREATER CHINESE STUDENTS IN FRENCH UNIVERSITIES: A CROSS-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Lee Hsin-I , Badiane Kemo , Xu Yiru
Published: November 2019

Today, more and more Greater Chinese students are motivated to study in Western universities more specifically French universities. This makes France one of the fourth most popular destination for international students. Using pragmatics and social-cultural constructivist perspectives, this article aims at improving the adaptation of the Greater Chinese students benefiting from a French-Greater Chinese university exchange. The method employed in this study was descriptive qualitative research based on interviews and online surveys with Greater Chinese students for two academic years before they went to France and while staying there. The results at the end of which we made some suggestions for academic purposes took place prior to these exchanges. Furthermore, we focus on what seems the most important to us, meaning adaptation to French university pedagogical methods. Thus, the article proposed a presentation of the characteristics, the main obstacles faced and the appropriate advice for the elaboration of the syllabus. To summarize, the paper proposes reflections in the sense of designing FFL preparatory syllabi specific to study programs. By listing the real encountered problems and suggesting means to overcome them, we think this can be helpful to FFL teachers and students involved. Implications for teachers, researchers and learners are highlighted. Keywords: FFL, academic competences, university pedagogical methods, lectures, FSP (French for Specific Purposes)
LECTURERS’ POLITENESS STRATEGIES IN EFL CLASSROOM WITH MULTICULTURAL BACKGROUND
Authors: Heriyawati Dwi Fita , Siba Stifania Yuliana , Sulistyo Teguh
Published: November 2019

The choice of words used by the lecturer such as politeness strategies in the classroom interaction is very important, not only for controlling the classroom but also for the process of acquiring the language itself. This study aimed to investigate lecturer’s politeness strategies in criticizing teaching performance of students with multicultural backgrounds in a microteaching class. This qualitative study was conducted with the students from multicultural backgrounds. The subject of this study was a lecturer who taught Microteaching. The findings of this study showed that there were four most frequent criticism strategies used by the lecturer: demand for change, indicating standard, advice about change and other hint. In addition, the highest proportion of politeness strategies applied by the lecturer was occupied by positive politeness, off-record strategy, bald on record, and negative politeness. It implied that the lecturer mostly applied positive politeness in criticizing the students, in order to save the students’ face, get closer and give more positive feedback to help students develop their teaching performance. The facts also proved that students’ multicultural background did not affect too much lecturer’s decision in applying politeness strategies, yet it needed to be very careful in delivering them. Keywords: politeness strategies, criticism, multicultural backgrounds