bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Forced exercise activates the NrF2 pathway in the striatum and ameliorates motor and behavioral manifestations of Parkinson's disease in rotenone-treated rats
Authors: Monir Dina M. , Mahmoud Motamed E. , Ahmed Omyma G. , Rehan Ibrahim F. , Abdelrahman Amany
Published: November 2020

Background

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons leading to dopamine depletion and problems of movement, emotions, and cognition. While the pathogenesis of PD is not clear, damage of dopaminergic neurons by oxygen-derived free radicals is considered an important contributing mechanism. This study aimed to evaluate the role of treadmill exercise in male Wister rats as a single treatment and as an aid-therapy with L-dopa for rotenone-induced PD. To study the role of the Nrf2- ARE pathway as a mechanism involved in exercise-associated improvement in rotenone-induced PD in rats.

Method

Animals were divided into 5 groups, (Control, rotenone, rotenone\exercise, rotenone\L-dopa, and rotenone\exercise\L-dopa (combination)groups). After the PD induction, rats in the rotenone\exercise and combination groups were daily treadmill exercised for 4 weeks.

Results

Treadmill exercise significantly improved behavioral and motor aspects of rotenone-induced PD. When treadmill exercise was introduced as a single intervention, it amended most behavioral aspects of PD, gait fully corrected, short-term memory, and motor coordination. Where L-dopa corrected locomotor activity and motor coordination but failed to improve short-term memory and only partially corrected the gait of rotenone-treated rats. When treadmill exercise was combined with L-dopa, all features of PD were corrected. It was found that exercise upregulated some of its associative genes to Nrf2 pathways such as TFAM, Nrf2 and NQO.1 mRNA expression.

Conclusion

This study suggests that forced exercise improved parkinsonian like features by activating the Nrf2 pathway.
Effects of baby-friendly practices on breastfeeding duration in China: a case-control study
Authors: Zhang Yue , Yang Jinliuxing , Li Wenhao , Wang Nianrong , Ye Ya , Yan Shuangqin , Wang Sumei , Zeng Ting , Huang Zijuan , Zhang Fenghua , Li Yin , Yao Shiyi , Wang Haijun , Rozelle Scott , Xu Tao , Jin Xi
Published: November 2020

Background

The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative is generally considered an effective way to promote breastfeeding. Although China has the largest number of baby-friendly hospitals in the world, research on baby-friendly practices in China is limited, and the rate of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) at 6 months, 20.7%, compared to the 2025 global goal of 50% is low. It is, therefore, important to determine the factors that remain significant barriers to EBF in China. To explore how the key baby-friendly practices affect EBF duration in China, we used a case-control study to compare the effects of baby-friendly-related practices on both EBF and non-breastfeeding (NBF) mothers at 3 months and to investigate the effects of both single and comprehensive baby-friendly practices in promoting EBF duration at 3 months, which is one step toward EBF at 6 months.

Methods

Participants were recruited from four maternal and child health hospitals in western (Chongqing), eastern (Qingdao), southern (Liuzhou), and central China (Maanshan). A total of 421 mothers (245 in the EBF group, 176 in the NBF group) of infants aged 3 months were surveyed through a self-reported questionnaire from April 2018 to March 2019. The experience of baby-friendly practices and breastfeeding during hospitalization were assessed with yes/no questions. Socio-demographic factors that influenced breastfeeding at 3 months were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Results

Of mothers in the EBF group, 65.57% reported engaging in at least seven baby-friendly practices compared to 47.72% of mothers in the NBF group. Significantly more mothers in the EBF group engaged in baby-friendly practices than in the NBF group. These practices included “breastfeeding within one hour after birth” (74.29% vs. 59.09%), “breastfeeding on demand” (86.48% vs. 75.00%), and “never use a pacifier” (46.53% vs. 31.25%). After adjusting for confounding variables, we found that the mothers who engaged in fewer than seven baby-friendly practices were about 1.7 times less likely to breastfeed than were those who engaged in seven or more baby-friendly practices (odds ratio [OR] 1.720, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.106, 2.667). Further, the mothers who did not breastfeed on demand were as likely to not breastfeed up to 3 months (OR 2.263, 95% CI 1.265, 4.049), as were mothers who did not breastfeed during hospitalization (OR 4.379, 95% CI 1.815, 10.563).

Conclusions

These data from hospitals in China suggest that higher compliance with baby-friendly practices may have a positive impact on EBF at 3 months, particularly in terms of promoting the implementation of breastfeeding on demand and breastfeeding during hospitalization in China.
Responses of forest carbon and water coupling to thinning treatments from leaf to stand scales in a young montane pine forest
Authors: Wang Yi , del Campo Antonio D. , Wei Xiaohua , Winkler Rita , Liu Wanyi , Li Qiang
Published: November 2020

Background

Water-use efficiency (WUE) represents the coupling of forest carbon and water. Little is known about the responses of WUE to thinning at multiple spatial scales. The objective of this research was to use field measurements to understand short-term effects of two thinning treatments (T1: 4500 stems ha−1; and T2: 1100 stems ha−1) and the control (NT: 27,000 stems ha−1) on WUE at the three spatial scales (leaf level: the ratio of leaf photosynthesis to leaf transpiration; tree-level: tree growth to tree transpiration; and stand level: net primary production (NPP) to stand transpiration) and intrinsic WUEi (the ratio of leaf photosynthesis to stomatal conductance at leaf-level; and NPP to canopy conductance at stand-level) in a 16-year old natural lodgepole pine forest. Leaf-level measurements were conducted in 2017, while tree- and stand-level measurements were conducted in both 2016 (the normal precipitation year) and 2017 (the drought year).

Results

The thinning treatments did not significantly affect the tree- and stand-level WUE in the normal year of 2016. However, the thinning significantly affected WUE in the drought year of 2017: T2 exhibited significantly higher tree-level WUE (0.49 mm2 kg−1) than NT (0.08 mm2 kg−1), and compared to NT, the stand-level WUE values in the thinned stands (T1 and T2) were significantly higher, with means of 0.31, 0.56 and 0.70 kg m−3, respectively. However, the leaf-level and stand-level WUEi in the thinned stands in the drought year were significantly lower than those in the unthinned stands. No significant differences in the leaf-level WUE were found among the treatments in 2017. In addition, the thinning did not significantly change the WUE-VPD relationships at any studied spatial scale.

Conclusions

The thinning treatments did not cause significant changes in all studied WUE metrics in a normal year. However, their effects were significantly promoted under the drought conditions probably due to the decrease in soil water availability, demonstrating that thinning can improve WUE and consequently support forests to cope with the drought effects. The inconsistent results on the effects of the thinning on forest carbon and water coupling at the spatial scales and the lack of the consistent WUE metrics constraint across-scale comparison and transferring of WUE.
Efficacy of Tong-Xie-Yao-Fang granule and its impact on whole transcriptome profiling in diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wang Yan , Huang Yong-quan , Zhu Shui-lian , Zhang Chang-rong , Chen Xin-lin , Hou Qiu-ke , Liu Feng-bin
Published: November 2020

Background

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one kind of common functional bowel disease with obscure pathogenesis, and exploration about whole transcriptome profiling in IBS-D is still negligible. Conventional medications have limited effects, which makes focus shifted to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Tong-Xie-Yao-Fang, as a classic herbal formula in TCM, is pretty effective and safe for the treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D), but the underlying therapeutic mechanism remains unknown. We aim to verify the efficacy and safety of TXYF granule (the formula particles mixed together) in IBS-D and elucidate the gene-level mechanism of IBS-D and therapeutic targets of TXYF granule based on whole transcriptome analysis.

Methods/design

This is a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical trial consisting of 2 weeks of run-in period, 12 weeks of treatment period, and 8 weeks of follow-up period. We will enroll 120 participants with IBS-D, who will be randomly assigned to the TXYF granule group and the placebo group, and recruit additional 10 healthy individuals as controls for mechanistic outcome. The two groups respectively take TXYF granule or placebo orally for treatment. The primary outcome is the response rate of IBS-Symptom Severity Score (IBS-SSS). The secondary outcomes include adequate relief (AR), IBS-Quality of Life Questionnaire (IBS-QOL), and long-term efficacy. Mechanistic outcome is the whole transcriptome profiling of the intestinal mucosae from IBS participants before and after the treatment and healthy individuals.

Discussion

This trial will prove the effectiveness and safety of TXYF granule with high-quality evidence and provide a penetrating and comprehensive perspective on the molecular mechanism of IBS-D by whole transcriptome analysis, which makes us pinpoint specific biomarkers of IBS-D and therapeutic targets of TXYF.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial RegistryChiCTR-IOR-1900021785. Registered on 9 March 2019
GBAF, a small BAF sub-complex with big implications: a systematic review
Authors: Innis Sarah M. , Cabot Birgit
Published: November 2020

ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling by histone-modifying enzymes and chromatin remodeling complexes is crucial for maintaining chromatin organization and facilitating gene transcription. In the SWI/SNF family of ATP-dependent chromatin remodelers, distinct complexes such as BAF, PBAF, GBAF, esBAF and npBAF/nBAF are of particular interest regarding their implications in cellular differentiation and development, as well as in various diseases. The recently identified BAF subcomplex GBAF is no exception to this, and information is emerging linking this complex and its components to crucial events in mammalian development. Furthermore, given the essential nature of many of its subunits in maintaining effective chromatin remodeling function, it comes as no surprise that aberrant expression of GBAF complex components is associated with disease development, including neurodevelopmental disorders and numerous malignancies. It becomes clear that building upon our knowledge of GBAF and BAF complex function will be essential for advancements in both mammalian reproductive applications and the development of more effective therapeutic interventions and strategies. Here, we review the roles of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling subcomplex GBAF and its subunits in mammalian development and disease.
Response of alfalfa growth to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria under different phosphorus application levels
Authors: Liu Junying , Liu Xuanshuai , Zhang Qianbing , Li Shengyi , Sun Yanliang , Lu Weihua , Ma Chunhui
Published: November 2020

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is an important forage legume in farming and animal husbandry systems. This study assessed the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) on alfalfa growth under different phosphorus application levels. In this experiment, a complete randomized block design was used. The following four bacterial applications were used: inoculation of Funneliformis mosseae (Fm), inoculation of Bacillus megaterium (Bm), inoculation of mixed species (Fm × Bm) and noninoculation treatment (CK). Phosphorus (P) treatment was applied at the following four levels: 0 mg kg−1 (P0), 50 mg kg−1 (P1), 100 mg kg−1 (P2) and 150 mg P kg−1 (P3). The results showed that with the increase in phosphorus application, each index increased first and then decreased. The J2 treatment was significantly greater than the J0 treatment (P < 0.05) under the same bacterial treatment. In each cropping period the difference in each index to alfalfa was extremely significant under J, P treatment and J × P interactive treatment (P < 0.01). The indexes were compared by membership function. The priority order was as follows: J3P2 > J1P2 > J3P1 treatment. Therefore, when phosphorus was applied at 100 mg kg−1, the mixed inoculation of Fm × Bm was optimal, benefitting mycorrhiza growth and the production performance of alfalfa.
Copula geoadditive modelling of anaemia and malaria in young children in Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda
Authors: Roberts Danielle J. , Zewotir Temesgen
Published: November 2020

Background

Anaemia and malaria are the leading causes of sub-Saharan African childhood morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to explore the complex relationship between anaemia and malaria in young children across the districts or counties of four contiguous sub-Saharan African countries, namely Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda, while accounting for the effects of socio-economic, demographic and environmental factors. Geospatial maps were constructed to visualise the relationship between the two responses across the districts of the countries.

Methods

A joint bivariate copula regression model was used, which estimates the correlation between the two responses conditional on the linear, non-linear and spatial effects of the explanatory variables considered. The copula framework allows the dependency structure between the responses to be isolated from their marginal distributions. The association between the two responses was set to vary according to the district of residence across the four countries.

Results

The study revealed a positive association between anaemia and malaria throughout the districts, the strength of which varied across the districts of the four countries. Due to this heterogeneous association between anaemia and malaria, we further considered the joint probability of each combination of outcome of anaemia and malaria to further reveal more about the relationship between the responses. A considerable number of districts had a high joint probability of a child being anaemic but not having malaria. This might suggest the existence of other significant drivers of childhood anaemia in these districts.

Conclusions

This study presents an alternative technique to joint modelling of anaemia and malaria in young children which assists in understanding more about their relationship compared to techniques of multivariate modelling. The approach used in this study can aid in visualising the relationship through mapping of their correlation and joint probabilities. These maps produced can then help policy makers target the correct set of interventions, or prevent the use of incorrect interventions, particularly for childhood anaemia, the causes of which are multiple and complex.
Apprehending the potential of BABY BOOM transcription factors to mitigate cotton regeneration and transformation
Authors: YAVUZ Caner , TILLABOEVA Shakhnozakhan , BAKHSH Allah
Published: November 2020

Since the advent of transgenic technology, the incorporation of gene(s) encoding traits of economic importance in cotton is being practiced worldwide. However, factors like recalcitrant nature of cotton cultivars, in vitro regeneration via tissue culture (especially via somatic embryogenesis), genotype dependency, long and toilsome protocols impede the pace of development of transgenic cotton. Besides that, types and age of explants, media composition, plant growth regulators and other environmental factors affect in vitro cotton regeneration significantly. The studies of genetic control of in vitro regeneration in plants have elucidated the role of certain transcription factor genes that are induced and expressed during somatic embryogenesis. Among these transcription factors, BABY BOOM (BBM) plays a very important role in signal transduction pathway, leading to cell differentiation and somatic embryos formation. The role of BBM has been established in plant cell proliferation, growth and development even without exogenous growth regulators. This review intends to provide an informative summary of regeneration and transformation problems in cotton and the latest developments in utilization of BBM transcription factors in cotton. We believe that the use of BBM will not only ease cotton genetic improvement but will also accelerate cotton breeding programmes.
First Bite Syndrome Relief With Trigeminal Nerve Branch Block and Ablation: A Case Report
Authors: Kesayan Tigran , Brock Charles , Shah Neal A. , Padalia Devang
Published: November 2020

First bite syndrome (FBS) is intense facial pain at the first bite of each meal. Currently, no guidelines exist for treating FBS, although botulinum toxin injection has shown benefit. We describe a case of right-sided FBS and painful trigeminal neuropathy, in which FBS resolved for 2 weeks using maxillary and mandibular nerve block and radiofrequency nerve thermal ablation (RFA). Our treatment may have disrupted somatic sensory input from the parotid carried by the auriculotemporal nerve or lesioned the otic ganglion resulting in decreased parasympathetic hyperactivation. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the use of this procedure for FBS.
Consuming the Mexican Body: Gender, Race, and the Nation inMacho Tips, 1985–1989
Authors: Mezo González Juan Carlos
Published: November 2020

This article examines how the editorial and visual content of the Mexican gay magazine Macho Tips (1985–89) reproduced national discourses of race and gender to challenge the exclusion of gay men from the nation. Drawing on archival sources and oral history interviews, the essay demonstrates how the invocation of mestizaje, masculinity, and respectability shaped the production, reception, and content of the magazine—particularly its sexual imagery. The article argues that while Macho Tips appropriated, eroticized, and commodified national values of race and gender to make a profit, the magazine reconceptualized their meanings to debunk stereotypes that marginalized gay men. Macho Tips detached macho aesthetics from heterosexuality and successfully blurred the line between straight and gay Mexican masculinities. As a result, the magazine nationalized homosexuality and appealed to the desires of gay middle classes who sought to consume the Mexican masculine body.
Deletion of Yy1 in mouse lung epithelium unveils molecular mechanisms governing pleuropulmonary blastoma pathogenesis
Authors: Landry-Truchon Kim , Houde Nicolas , Lhuillier Mickaël , Charron Louis , Hadchouel Alice , Delacourt Christophe , Foulkes William D. , Galmiche-Rolland Louise , Jeannotte Lucie
Published: November 2020

Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is a very rare pediatric lung disease. It can progress from abnormal epithelial cysts to an aggressive sarcoma with poor survival. PPB is difficult to diagnose as it can be confounded with other cystic lung disorders, such as congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM). PPB is associated with mutations in DICER1 that perturb the microRNA (miRNA) profile in lung. How DICER1 and miRNAs act during PPB pathogenesis remains unsolved. Lung epithelial deletion of the Yin Yang1 (Yy1) gene in mice causes a phenotype mimicking the cystic form of PPB and affects the expression of key regulators of lung development. Similar changes in expression were observed in PPB but not in CPAM lung biopsies, revealing a distinctive PPB molecular signature. Deregulation of molecules promoting epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) was detected in PPB specimens, suggesting that EMT might participate in tumor progression. Changes in miRNA expression also occurred in PPB lung biopsies. miR-125a-3p, a candidate to regulate YY1 expression and lung branching, was abnormally highly expressed in PPB samples. Together, these findings support the concept that reduced expression of YY1, due to the abnormal miRNA profile resulting from DICER1 mutations, contributes to PPB development via its impact on the expression of key lung developmental genes.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the joint first authors of the paper.
Overuse Knee Pain in the Pediatric and Adolescent Athlete
Authors: Sweeney Emily , Rodenberg Richard , MacDonald James
Published: November 2020

Overuse knee pain is common in young athletes. There are many potential overuse injuries which present with insidious onset of pain that can challenge sports medicine providers, including Osgood-Schlatter's disease, patellofemoral syndrome, osteochondritis dissecans, and stress fractures. The differential diagnosis of insidious onset knee pain also includes malignancies, infections, and rheumatologic issues. A thorough history and physical examination can guide the treating provider in making a diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan. Although not always necessary, imaging is often helpful in overuse knee pain, and laboratory workup may be necessary. Conservative treatment is often the first recommendation in the management of overuse knee pain in young athletes, and this may include activity modification, ice, anti-inflammatory medications, bracing, and physical therapy. This review summarizes common overuse knee injuries seen in pediatric and adolescent athletes.
Η συμβολή της μελέτης των διαθηκών της παλαιολόγειας περιόδου στην έρευνα των κοσμικών αξιωμάτων και τιμητικών τίτλων
Authors: ΣΟΛΩΜΟΥ Σταυρούλα
Published: November 2020

The present article examines the secular offices, titles and honorific epithets mentioned in testaments. The term testament is used here not only in its strictly legal sense, the disposal of property, but also in the wider one, that of confession, advice, political direction and monastic foundation. The purpose and the demands of the testator dictate the frequency and the kind of offices and titles. Τhey correspond to the government, army and judicial power. Both the highest offices and titles are attested as well as the lowest ones, and they crop up in testaments after the middle of 14th century, when court lists are absent. The reference to the office of basileus is made when the emperor, apart from holding his usual role, is called upon as guardian (trustee) of the testament, restorer or donor of monasteries and receiver of charities. The title despot is the one most commonly mentioned, whereas, the wide use of the honorific epithets doulos, oikeios, pansebastos sebastos is confirmed. Both the social status and the family networking of the testators are obvious
Colour in Byzantine Historiography (13th–15th centuries)
Authors: ΠΑΝΟΥ EIΡΗΝΗ
Published: November 2020

To άρθρο πραγματεύεται τη λειτουργία του χρώματος στα κείμενα της βυζαντινής ιστοριογραφίας μεταξύ του 13ου και του 15ου αιώνα. Μέσα από την ανάλυση της χρήσης των χρωμάτων και των αποχρώσεών τους γίνεται σαφές ότι το χρώμα αποτελεί μέσο με το οποίο οι συγγραφείς μεταφέρουν το πολιτικό και θρησκευτικό κλίμα της εποχής, προσφέροντας στον σημερινό αναγνώστη τη δυνατότητα διαφορετικής πρόσληψης της ιστορικής διήγησης.  Για τον βυζαντινό αναγνώστη, το χρώμα εμπεριείχε ιδεολογικούς χρωματισμούς που προσδιόριζαν τη βυζαντινή ταυτότητα σε σχέση με άλλες πολιτικές και θρησκευτικές οντότητες και έτσι προάσπιζε την αυτοκρατορική ιδεολογία σε μια περίοδο έντονων αλλαγών.
Book Review: George E. DEMACOPOULOS, Colonizing Christianity: Greek and Latin Religious Identity in the Era of the Fourth Crusade, New York: Fordham University Press, 2019
Authors: KINLOCH Matthew
Published: November 2020

George E. DEMACOPOULOS, Colonizing Christianity: Greek and Latin Religious Identity in the Era of the Fourth Crusade, New York: Fordham University Press, 2019, pp. v + 184. ISBN 9780823284429
In vitro inhibitory effects of commercial antiseptics and disinfectants on foodborne and environmental bacterial strains
Authors: Isawumi Abiola , Donkor Jacob K. , Mosi Lydia
Published: November 2020

Background: Antibacterial agents, including disinfectants and antiseptics are commonly used to reduce bacterial loads. As they have a broad-spectrum of activity against bacteria, function either as a bactericidal or bacteriostatic. While bacterial antimicrobial resistance is increasing, disinfectants and antiseptics are still relevant antibacterial agents.  

Methods:  This study investigated the in vitro inhibitory effects of commonly used antiseptics and disinfectants. Using standard disc diffusion methods, selected common household antibacterial agents were tested on resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from hospital environment and foodborne Escherichia coli and Bacillus species.

Results: The study showed that the selected antibacterial agents were effective against the antibiotic resistant bacteria with appreciable zone of inhibition relative to the standard controls used.

Conclusions: Though bacteria are consistently developing resistance to available antibiotics, disinfectants still inhibit bacterial growth and survival with considerable public health importance.
Gaps in secondary prevention among stroke survivors in rural Gadchiroli, India: a community-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Kalkonde Yogeshwar , Jadhao Sunil , Deshmukh Mahesh , Sen Gupta Shoummo , Bang Abhay
Published: November 2020

Background: With epidemiological transition, stroke has emerged as a public health priority in rural India. However, population-level information on secondary prevention of stroke from rural areas of India and other low- and middle-income countries remains exceedingly rare.

Methods: In a cross-sectional community-based survey, trained surveyors screened a well-defined population of 74,095 individuals living in 64 villages in Gadchiroli district of India for symptoms of stroke. A trained physician evaluated screen positive patients, diagnosed stroke, measured blood pressure and collected information on prior diagnosis of risk factors and current use of medications using a structured questionnaire.

Results: A total of 265 stroke survivors were identified. Prior diagnosis of hypertension was made in 57.4%, diabetes in 9.8%, hyperlipidaemia in 0.4%, ischaemic heart disease in 1.5%. and atrial fibrillation in 1.1%. Blood pressure was uncontrolled (>140/90) in 46% of stroke survivors. Among men 71.2% used tobacco and 30% used alcohol, while among women 38.2% used tobacco and none used alcohol. Only 40.8% of stroke survivors were receiving antihypertensive medications, while 10.6% were on antiplatelet agents and 4.9% were on statins. In a multivariate analysis, age <50 years (OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.1-0.5), male sex (OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.2-0.8) and lower economic status (no assets vs four assets; OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1-0.9) were associated with lower odds of receiving medications for secondary prevention of stroke.

Conclusions: There were significant gaps in secondary prevention of stroke in rural Gadchiroli. Healthcare programmes for secondary prevention of stroke in rural areas will have to ensure that blood pressure is adequately controlled, alcohol and tobacco cessation is promoted and special attention is paid to those who are younger, men and economically weaker.
Integer Programming for Learning Directed Acyclic Graphs from Continuous Data
Authors: Manzour Hasan , Küçükyavuz Simge , Wu Hao-Hsiang , Shojaie Ali
Published: November 2020

Learning directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) from data is a challenging task both in theory and in practice, because the number of possible DAGs scales superexponentially with the number of nodes. In this paper, we study the problem of learning an optimal DAG from continuous observational data. We cast this problem in the form of a mathematical programming model that can naturally incorporate a superstructure to reduce the set of possible candidate DAGs. We use a negative log-likelihood score function with both [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] penalties and propose a new mixed-integer quadratic program, referred to as a layered network (LN) formulation. The LN formulation is a compact model that enjoys as tight an optimal continuous relaxation value as the stronger but larger formulations under a mild condition. Computational results indicate that the proposed formulation outperforms existing mathematical formulations and scales better than available algorithms that can solve the same problem with only [Formula: see text] regularization. In particular, the LN formulation clearly outperforms existing methods in terms of computational time needed to find an optimal DAG in the presence of a sparse superstructure.
Determination of Retinol and Tocopherols in Human Serum using Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Photodiode Array
Authors: Asor Misolas Augosto
Published: November 2020

Method that can simultaneously determine retinol, γ-tocopherol and a-tocopherol in human serum was developed utilizing ultra-performance liquid chromatography. Retinyl and tocopheryl acetates were employed as internal standards. The reverse-phased method utilizes isocratic elution with a mobile phase consisting of 20% acetonitrile and 80% methanol at a flow rate of 0.800 mL/minute. Separation was attained using an ethylene bridged hybrid (BEH) C18 column. Retinols and tocopherols were detected by photodiode array at wavelengths 325 nm and 295 nm, respectively. The retention times for retinol and retinyl acetate were 0.42 and 0.49 minutes respectively. γ-Tocopherol, α-tocopherol and tocopheryl acetate eluted at 0.86, 0.94 and 1.1 min, respectively. The limits of quantification were determined and found to be 0.025 μg/mL, 0.50 μg/mL and 1.0 μg/mL for retinol, γ-tocopherol and α-tocopherol, respectively. The method has been found to be suitable for the determination of retinol and tocopherols in human serum.
Hydroxytriazene Derived from Sulphanilamide: Spectrophotometric and Biological Applications
Authors: Kunwar Chauhan Laxmi , Nimodia Kshipra , Singh Ranawat Pradhyuman , Kumar Goswami Ajay , Kumar Baroliya Prabhat
Published: November 2020

In this investigation, we report synthesis, spectrophotometric application and antimicrobial activities of 3-hydroxy-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(4- sulphonamido)phenyltriazene(HCNT) and its Fe(III) complex [Fe(HCNT)2(H2O)2]. The complex has been synthesized by traditional as well as mechanochemical routes. These compounds have been characterized and screened for antimicrobial activity against bacterial strains i.e. E. coli, S. aureus, S. pyogenes, P. aeruginosa and fungal strains i.e. A.clavatus, A. niger, C. albicans using brothmicrodilution method. The results indicate that the compounds may serve as better bactericides compared to fungicides and the molar composition of iron(III) complex was found 1:2 (Fe:HCNT) by spectrophotometric study.
Isotherm, Kinetics and Thermodynamic Studies of Hexavalent Chromium Adsorption by Using Dead Biomass of Eichhornia crassipes
Authors: Kumar Sunil , Dhankhar Rajesh
Published: November 2020

This study examined the utilization of Raw Eichhornia crassipes (REC) biomass to exclude the hexavalent chromium heavy metal from synthetic liquid for determination of sorption isotherm, kinetics and thermodynamic parameters of adsorption during the batch experiment process. The effect of adsorbent doses, agitation time and temperature on sorption capacity was studied. The plot qt versus t1/2 determined the intra-particle diffusion effect, which was not passing from the origin of plot indicated that apart from intra-particle diffusion some other mechanism also involved in this study. Freundlich isotherm better fitted as compared to Langmuir isotherm in the present study. The kinetics study show that pseudo-second-order better followed by REC adsorbent. At 293 K temperature, Δ Go negative value suggested that process favoured the sorption and spontaneous in nature, but at higher temperatures, positive values Δ Go confirmed the non-spontaneous nature of adsorption. It is concluded that Eichhornia crassipes dead biomass has the potential to treat wastewaters as an adsorbent.
Synthesis of 3-Ferrocenyl Isocoumarins
Authors: Sinha Neeta
Published: November 2020

The derivatives of 3-ferrocenyl isocoumarin were synthesized by the condensation of substituted homothphalic anhydride with ferrocene using phosphoric acid or anhydrous aluminium chloride as cyclising agent. Substituted homophthalic acid did not condense with ferrocene so homophthalic acids were converted into their anhydride and then allowed to react with ferrocene in the presence of polyphosphoric acid or in the presence of anhydrous aluminium chloride using dichloromethane as the solvent to give 3-ferrocenyl isocoumarins. 7-Methoxy, 6-methyl, 5,7-dihydroxy, 6,7-dimethoxy and 5,7-dimethoxy derivatives of 3-ferrocenyl isocoumarin were synthesized. All the compounds were characterised by melting point determination, elemental and spectral analysis.
Tourism development at World Heritage Site: The case of Loire Valley in France
Authors: Morice Jean-René , Liu Yi-De , Lin Chi-Fan
Published: November 2020

In 2000, UNESCO included a linear cultural landscape along a 200 kilometre stretch in the middle reaches of the Loire Valley, between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes-sur-Loire. The management of this extensive cultural landscape is exemplary, innovative but also complicated. The aim of this article is to explore the challenges faced and strategies adopted by the Loire Valley as a World Heritage Site in the development of tourism. Quantitative and qualitative data were both used to enhance the depth and breadth of analysis. The work presented refers to three sources of data. The findings reveal that tourism development in the Loire Valley has some challengers, such as short stays of tourists, slow growth in tourist numbers, uneven visitor numbers between castles, and the blurred role of World Heritage status in destination image. However, three different aspects of strategies have been applied by the authorities to enhance tourism development, including governance and marketing, attraction development and activation, as well as synergies of local communities.
Imperfect Solidarities
Authors: Lahiri Madhumita
Published: November 2020

A century ago, activists confronting racism and colonialism—in India, South Africa, and Black America—used print media to connect with one another. Then, as now, the most effective medium for their undertakings was the English language. Imperfect Solidarities: Tagore, Gandhi, Du Bois, and the Global Anglophone tells the story of this interconnected Anglophone world. Through Rabindranath Tagore’s writings on China, Mahatma Gandhi’s recollections of South Africa, and W. E. B. Du Bois’s invocations of India, Madhumita Lahiri theorizes print internationalism. This methodology requires new terms within the worldwide hegemony of the English language (“the global Anglophone”) in order to encourage alternate geographies (such as the Global South) and new collectivities (such as people of color). The women of print internationalism feature prominently in this account. Sonja Schlesin, born in Moscow, worked with Indians in South Africa. Sister Nivedita, an Irish woman in India, collaborated with a Japanese historian. Jessie Redmon Fauset, an African American, brought the world home to young readers through her work as an author and editor. Reading across races and regions, genres and genders, Imperfect Solidarities demonstrates the utility of the neologism for postcolonial literary studies.
Method for absolute measurement of flat surface
Authors: Yan Lisong , Li Fazhi , Wang Xiaokun , Zhang Haidong , Zhang Lei , Ma Donglin
Published: November 2020

Interferometry is a relative measurement method for optical surface testing, and thus its testing accuracy depends on the accuracy of the reference surface. Absolute measurement is one of the most effective methods to improve the testing accuracy in interferometry. We present an efficient absolute measurement method based on Zernike polynomial fitting algorithms. With our proposed method, the profiles of both the test surface and the reference surface can be calculated simultaneously. We further carried out simulation analysis to scientifically evaluate the test accuracy of the proposed method. Finally, we conducted actual experiments to demonstrate the feasibility and practicability of our method.
Simple and compact diode laser system stabilized to Doppler-broadened iodine lines at 633  nm
Authors: Krause F. , Benkler E. , Nölleke C. , Leisching P. , Sterr U.
Published: November 2020

We present a compact iodine-stabilized laser system at 633 nm, based on a distributed-feedback laser diode. Within a footprint of

, the system provides 5 mW of frequency-stabilized light from a single-mode fiber. Its performance was evaluated in comparison to Cs clocks representing primary frequency standards, realizing the SI unit Hz via an optical frequency comb. With the best suited absorption line, the laser reaches a fractional frequency instability below

for averaging times above 10 s. The performance was investigated at several iodine lines, and a model was developed to describe the observed stability on the different lines.
Object detection neural network improves Fourier ptychography reconstruction
Authors: Ströhl Florian , Jadhav Suyog , Ahluwalia Balpreet S. , Agarwal Krishna , Prasad Dilip K.
Published: November 2020

High resolution microscopy is heavily dependent on superb optical elements and superresolution microscopy even more so. Correcting unavoidable optical aberrations during post-processing is an elegant method to reduce the optical system’s complexity. A prime method that promises superresolution, aberration correction, and quantitative phase imaging is Fourier ptychography. This microscopy technique combines many images of the sample, recorded at differing illumination angles akin to computed tomography and uses error minimisation between the recorded images with those generated by a forward model. The more precise knowledge of those illumination angles is available for the image formation forward model, the better the result. Therefore, illumination estimation from the raw data is an important step and supports correct phase recovery and aberration correction. Here, we derive how illumination estimation can be cast as an object detection problem that permits the use of a fast convolutional neural network (CNN) for this task. We find that faster-RCNN delivers highly robust results and outperforms classical approaches by far with an up to 3-fold reduction in estimation errors. Intriguingly, we find that conventionally beneficial smoothing and filtering of raw data is counterproductive in this type of application. We present a detailed analysis of the network’s performance and provide all our developed software openly.
Colourful imaging and self-reconstruction properties of modified single-focus fractal zone plates
Authors: Xia Tian , Cheng Shubo , Tao Shaohua , Yu Weixing
Published: November 2020

A modified single-focus fractal zone plate (MSFFZP) is proposed to generate a single main focus with many subsidiary foci or two equal-intensity main foci with many subsidiary foci. Widths of high-transmission zones, which have influence on the number of the high-order diffraction foci, such as the second-order focus and the fourth-order focus, can adjust first-order fractal focal intensities, but have no influence on first-order focal positions. Moreover, the MSFFZPs have the first-order foci or the first and second order foci only along the optic axis. It is proved numerically and experimentally that the MSFFZP can generate one or two colourful images with the low chromatic aberrations at the focal planes, and the MSFFZP beam has the self-reconstruction property. In addition, the MSFFZP produces a series of foci at the different focal planes along the optic axis in the simulations and experiments. The method of constructing the MSFFZP is illustrated. The proposed zone plate can be used to produce the multiple clear images, trap particles at the multiple planes simultaneously, and generate the images with the low chromatic aberration.
Ballistic metamaterials
Authors: Li Kun , Simmons Evan , Briggs Andrew F. , Bank Seth R. , Wasserman Daniel , Podolskiy Viktor A. , Narimanov Evgenii E.
Published: November 2020

We report the theoretical prediction and experimental realization of the optical phenomenon of “ballistic resonance.” This resonance, resulting from the interplay between free charge motion in confining geometries and periodic driving electromagnetic fields, can be utilized to achieve negative permittivity at frequencies well above the bulk plasma frequency. As a proof of principle, we demonstrate all-semiconductor hyperbolic metamaterials operating at frequencies 60% above the plasma frequency of the constituent doped semiconductor “metallic” layer. Ballistic resonance will therefore enable the realization and deployment of various applications that rely on local field enhancement and emission modulation, typically associated with plasmonic materials, in new materials platforms.
Aberration-corrected three-dimensional positioning with a single-shot metalens array
Authors: Liu Wenwei , Ma Dina , Li Zhancheng , Cheng Hua , Choi Duk-Yong , Tian Jianguo , Chen Shuqi
Published: November 2020

Three-dimensional (3D) positioning with the correction of imaging aberrations in the photonic platform remains challenging. Here, we combine techniques from nanophotonics and machine vision to significantly improve the imaging and positioning performance. We use a titanium dioxide metalens array operating in the visible region to realize multipole imaging and introduce a cross-correlation-based gradient descent algorithm to analyze the intensity distribution in the image plane. This corrects the monochromatic aberrations to improve the imaging quality. Analysis of the two-dimensional aberration-corrected information in the image plane enables the 3D coordinates of the object to be determined with a measured relative accuracy of 0.60%–1.31%. We also demonstrate the effectiveness of the metalens array for arbitrary incident polarization states. Our approach is single-shot, compact, aberration-corrected, polarization-insensitive, and paves the way for future integrated photonic robotic vision systems and intelligent sensing platforms that are feasible on the submillimeter scale, such as face recognition, autonomous vehicles, microrobots, and wearable intelligent devices.
The noncoding small RNA SsrA is released by Vibrio fischeri and modulates critical host responses
Authors: Moriano-Gutierrez Silvia , Bongrand Clotilde , Essock-Burns Tara , Wu Leo , McFall-Ngai Margaret J. , Ruby Edward G.
Published: November 2020

The regulatory noncoding small RNAs (sRNAs) of bacteria are key elements influencing gene expression; however, there has been little evidence that beneficial bacteria use these molecules to communicate with their animal hosts. We report here that the bacterial sRNA SsrA plays an essential role in the light-organ symbiosis betweenVibrio fischeriand the squidEuprymna scolopes. The symbionts load SsrA into outer membrane vesicles, which are transported specifically into the epithelial cells surrounding the symbiont population in the light organ. Although an SsrA-deletion mutant (ΔssrA) colonized the host to a normal level after 24 h, it produced only 2/10 the luminescence per bacterium, and its persistence began to decline by 48 h. The host’s response to colonization by the ΔssrAstrain was also abnormal: the epithelial cells underwent premature swelling, and host robustness was reduced. Most notably, when colonized by the ΔssrAstrain, the light organ differentially up-regulated 10 genes, including several encoding heightened immune-function or antimicrobial activities. This study reveals the potential for a bacterial symbiont’s sRNAs not only to control its own activities but also to trigger critical responses promoting homeostasis in its host. In the absence of this communication, there are dramatic fitness consequences for both partners.
Prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal disorders of the hand and associated conducted therapy approaches among dentists and dental assistants in Germany
Authors: Haas Yvonne , Naser Antonia , Haenel Jasmin , Fraeulin Laura , Holzgreve Fabian , Erbe Christina , Betz Werner , Wanke Eileen M. , Brueggmann Doerthe , Nienhaus Albert , Groneberg David A. , Ohlendorf Daniela
Published: November 2020

Background

Dental professionals are subjected to higher risks for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) than other professional groups, especially the hand region. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of hand complaints among dentists (Ds) and dental assistants (DAs) and examines applied therapies.

Methods

For this purpose, an online questionnaire analysed 389 Ds (240female/149male) and 406 DAs (401female/5male) working in Germany. The self-reported data of the two occupational groups were compared with regard to the topics examined. The questionnaire was based on the Nordic Questionnaire (self-reported lifetime, 12-month and 7-day MSDs prevalence of the hand, the conducted therapy and its success), additional occupational and sociodemographic questions as well as questions about specific medical conditions.

Results

30.8% of Ds affirmed MSDs in the hand at any time in their lives, 20.3% in the last twelve months and 9.5% in the last seven days. Among DAs, 42.6% reported a prevalence of MSDs in the hand at any time in their lives, 31.8% in the last 12 months and 15.3% in the last seven days. 37.5% of the Ds and 28.3% of the DAs stated that they had certain treatments. For both, Ds and DAs, physiotherapy was the most frequently chosen form of therapy. 89.7% of Ds and 63.3% of DAs who received therapy reported an improvement of MSDs.

Conclusion

Although the prevalence of MSDs on the hand is higher among DAs than among Ds, the use of therapeutic options and the success of therapy is lower for DAs compared to Ds.
Evaluation of classification and forecasting methods on time series gene expression data
Authors: Tripto Nafis Irtiza , Kabir Mohimenul , Bayzid Md. Shamsuzzoha , Rahman Atif
Published: November 2020

Time series gene expression data is widely used to study different dynamic biological processes. Although gene expression datasets share many of the characteristics of time series data from other domains, most of the analyses in this field do not fully leverage the time-ordered nature of the data and focus on clustering the genes based on their expression values. Other domains, such as financial stock and weather prediction, utilize time series data for forecasting purposes. Moreover, many studies have been conducted to classify generic time series data based on trend, seasonality, and other patterns. Therefore, an assessment of these approaches on gene expression data would be of great interest to evaluate their adequacy in this domain. Here, we perform a comprehensive evaluation of different traditional unsupervised and supervised machine learning approaches as well as deep learning based techniques for time series gene expression classification and forecasting on five real datasets. In addition, we propose deep learning based methods for both classification and forecasting, and compare their performances with the state-of-the-art methods. We find that deep learning based methods generally outperform traditional approaches for time series classification. Experiments also suggest that supervised classification on gene expression is more effective than clustering when labels are available. In time series gene expression forecasting, we observe that an autoregressive statistical approach has the best performance for short term forecasting, whereas deep learning based methods are better suited for long term forecasting.