bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implications of Climate-Driven Fallowing for Ecological Connectivity of Species At Risk
Authors: McComb Sofie HE , Powers Claire , Melton Forrest , Larsen Ashley
Published: June 2021

Context.

Climate change and agricultural intensification are modifying the configuration of natural lands within agricultural landscapes, further impacting species’ ability to move freely between remaining natural areas. These working landscapes have inherently high opportunity costs, making the establishment of additional permanent reserves for species movement unlikely.
Objectives.

Here we explore the potential for opportunistic and dynamic conservation reserves, in the form of temporary fallowed croplands, to increase connectivity in competing land use regions.
Methods.

We evaluate the potential for fallowed lands to facilitate habitat connectivity for at-risk species in the San Joaquin Valley (SJV), an intensive agricultural landscape in California. We perform landscape connectivity analyses to examine how historic drought-induced fallowing from 2011 to 2017 in the SJV region impacted connectivity within Kern County for the endangered, endemic San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica).
Results.

We found that an increase in temporary fallowing from 2011 to 2015/2017 in Kern County likely increased habitat connectivity for the kit fox. This finding was represented by reductions in average Cost-Weighted Distances (CWD), Effective Resistances, and CWD-to-Least Cost Path Ratios between core habitat areas, indicating that cumulative costs incurred by kit foxes travelling between primary habitats decreased.
Conclusions.

Our findings highlight that strategic and cooperative, yet temporary, conservation actions have the potential to reduce the conflict between biodiversity preservation and agricultural production in working landscapes while increasing landscape connectivity. Fallowing-based, agri-environmental schemes could help working areas meet statewide groundwater management policy targets while improving species’ mobility in the face of climate change.
Association of Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations with All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality Among Adult Patients with Existing Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Dai Lei , Liu Man , Chen Liangkai
Published: June 2021

Background:Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency are common in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). We aimed to prospectively examine the associations of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations with all-cause and cause-specific mortality among adult patients with existing CVD.Methods:We included 37,080 patients with CVD from the UK Biobank study, a prospective cohort of half a million participants aged 40–69 years. We defined patients with CVD as those who suffered coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, or stroke. The associations of serum 25(OH)D concentration with all-cause and cause-specific mortality were examined by using multivariable Cox regression models and competing risk analyses.Results:Among 37,080 patients with CVD at baseline, 57.5% were subjected to vitamin D deficiency (i.e., 25[OH]D <50 nmol/L). During a median follow-up of 8.9 years, 3920 total deaths occurred, including 1411 deaths from CVD, 1497 deaths from cancer, 368 deaths from respiratory disease, and 644 other-cause deaths. We observed non-linear inverse associations for all-cause, cancer, respiratory disease, and other-cause mortality (P-nonlinearity <0.001) and approximately linear inverse associations for CVD mortality (P-nonlinearity = 0.069). Among CVD patients with vitamin D deficiency, per 10 nmol/L increment in serum 25(OH)D concentrations was associated with an 11% reduced risk for all-cause mortality and 10% reduced risk for CVD mortality.Conclusion:Among patients with existing CVD, increasing levels in serum 25(OH)D were independently associated with a decreased risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality. These findings suggest that elevated serum 25(OH)D concentration benefits CVD patients with vitamin D deficiency.
Reimbursement Decisions for Medical Services in Austria: An Analysis of Influencing Factors for the Hospital Individual Services Catalogue Between 2008 and 2020
Authors: Goetz Gregor , Panteli Dimitra , Busse Reinhard , Wild Claudia
Published: June 2021

ObjectivesTo (1) describe the (evidence-based) reimbursement process of hospital individual services, (2) evaluate the accordance between evidence-based recommendations and reimbursement decision of individual services and (3) elaborate potential aspects that play a role in the decision-making process in Austria.Method:The reimbursement process is described based on selected relevant sources such as official documents. Evidence-based recommendations and subsequent reimbursement decisions for the annual maintenance of the hospital individual service catalogue in Austria between 2008 and 2020 were analysed using a mixed methods approach, encompassing descriptive statistics and a focus group with Austrian decision makers. Results:118 evidence-based recommendations were analysed. There were 93 (78.8%) negative and 25 (21.2%) positive evidence-based recommendations. In total, 107 out of 118 evidence-based recommendations (90.1%) did not lead to a deviating reimbursement decision. We identified six aspects that may have played a role in the decision-making process for the annual maintenance of the hospital individual service catalogue, with clinical evidence being the most notable. Further aspects included quality assurance/organisational aspects (i.e., structural quality assurance), costs (if comparable to already existing medical services, not: cost-effectiveness), procedural aspects (e.g., if certain criteria for adoption have not been met formally through the proposals), “other countries” (i.e., taking into account how other countries decided) and situational aspects (such as the COVID-19 pandemic).Conclusions:There is good accordance between evidence-based recommendations and reimbursement decisions regarding hospital individual services in Austria. Beyond clinical evidence, organizational aspects seem to be considered often with regard to quality assurance but costs do not appear to play a major role. The Austrian system has mechanisms in place that can restrict widespread adoption of novel hospital individual services with uncertain clinical benefits. Future studies could investigate how well these mechanisms work and how they compare to other health systems in Europe.
Ladle Intelligent Re-scheduling Method in Steelmaking–Refining–Continuous Casting Production Process based on BP Neural Network Working Condition Estimation
Authors: Liu Wei , Pang Xinfu , Li Haibo , Sun Liangliang
Published: June 2021

The ladle re-scheduling of steelmaking and continuous casting production aims at continuously casting many charges with the same cast and avoiding conflicts of adjacent charges on the same machine. It proposes a method of ladle re-scheduling in the production process of steelmaking–refining–continuous casting, including two parts: plan re-scheduling and ladle optimisation scheduling. Firstly, a re-scheduling optimisation model of the steelmaking and continuous casting production is built, which aims at minimising the waiting time of all charges. The re-scheduling strategy of steelmaking and continuous casting production is proposed by interval processing time of charges and scheduling expert experience. The re-scheduling strategy is composed of two parts: re-scheduling charge decision and charge processing machine decision. Then, the first-order rule learning is used to select the optimisation target to establish the ladle optimal scheduling model. The ladle matching rules are extracted by the rule reasoning of the minimum general generalisation. The ladle optimisation scheduling method consisting of the optimal selection of the ladle and the preparation of the optimal path of the ladle is proposed. Ladle selection is based on the production process and adopts rule-based reasoning to select decarburised ladle after choosing dephosphorised ladle. Ladle path preparation, a multi-priority heuristic method, is designed to decide the path of the ladle from the converter to the refining furnace to the continuous casting machine. Finally, it was actually verified based on a large-scale steel company in Shanghai, China. Results showed that the production efficiency of steelmaking-refining-continuous casting was improved.
Isolation And Characterization Of Pectinase Producing Bacteria From Avocado Peel Wastes For Application In Juice Clarification
Authors: Haile Setegn , Masi Chandran , Tafesse Mesfin
Published: June 2021

Background: Pectinase is an enzyme of bacterial origin that has been used to degrade pectin polysaccharide materials in various industries. This study aims to isolate and screen pectinase-producing bacteria from avocado peel wastes and to study the produced pectinase enzyme’s application in fruit juice extraction and clarification. Results: First, four different bacterial strains were isolated from avocado peel waste samples through the primary screening method. These isolates were further screened for pectinase production capability by employing the secondary screening method. Two bacterial isolates (W3 and R5) which had higher pectinase activities were then identified to be Lysinibacillus macrolides (W3) and Serratia marcescens (R5) respectively. The analysis of pectinase synthesis and application in fruit juice clarification was performed using one of the bacterial strains, Serratia marcescens (R5). As a result, the maximum crude pectinase enzyme activity from Serratia marcescens (R5) was found in 72 hours of incubation time, at the optimum temperature of 35oC, pH 8, using 1% pectin substrate as carbon sources. This bacterial strain's pectinase enzyme was partially isolated using ammonium sulfate and dialysis. In comparison to crude pectinase (33.68 U/mg), the partially distilled pectinase had a high basic enzyme activity after dialysis (47.32 U/mg). Finally, the percentage yield and clarity of apple, lemon, and mango fruit juices were investigated using both crude and partially filtered pectinase. As a result, for lemon fruit juice processing, the partially filtered pectinase enzyme had the highest percentage yield and clarity of 86.67% and 96.67% percent, respectively.Conclusions: According to this article, the pectinase enzyme isolated from Serratia marcescens has the potential to clarify fruit juices. Further research should focus on a comprehensive evaluation of this enzyme to ensure and improve the efficiency of the bacteria and pectinase enzyme it produces for possible use in the fruit industry and other applications.
Sodium Glucose Co-Transporter 2 (SGLT2) Inhibitor Dapagliflozinstabilizes Diabetes-Induced Atherosclerotic Plaque Instability
Authors: Chen Yung-Chih , Jandeleit-Dahm Karen , Peter Karlheinz
Published: June 2021

Aims/hypothesis: Diabetes is known to accelerate the progression of atherosclerosis and increase plaque instability. However, there has been a lack of suitable animal models to study the effect of diabetes on plaque instability. We hypothesized that the tandem stenosis (TS) mouse model, which reflects plaque instability and rupture as seen in patients, can be applied to study the effects of diabetes and its respective therapeutic approaches on plaque instability/rupture. Methods: ApoE -/- mice at 7 weeks of age were injected with streptozotocin (STZ) for 5 consecutive days. 5 weeks after STZ injection, mice were surgically subjected to TS in the right carotid artery and fed with a high-fat diet for an additional 7 weeks. To validate this newly developed animal model, administration of the interventional drug dapagliflozin was provided via drinking water (25 mg/kg) 3 days after TS surgery. Results: Diabetic mice showed an increase in the size of unstable atherosclerotic plaques in the TS model. Plaque instability markers such as MCP-1, CD68, and necrotic core (NC) size were significantly increased. Mice treated with the sodium glucose co-transporter 2i (SGLT2i) dapagliflozin demonstrated attenuated glucose levels. Importantly, these mice demonstrated plaque stabilization with enhanced collagen accumulation, increased fibrosis, increased cap-to-lesion ratios, and significant upregulation of plaque NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) expression. Conclusions/interpretation: The TS mouse model in combination with the application of STZ represents a highly suitable and unique mouse model for studying plaque destabilization under diabetic conditions. Furthermore, for the first time, we provide evidence of plaque-stabilizing effects of SGLT2i. Our data also suggest that this newly developed mouse model is an attractive preclinical tool for testing anti-diabetic drugs for their highly sought-after potential to stabilize atherosclerotic plaques.
WNT Signaling Influences Neurological Function and Psychiatric Disorders Through Regulating Glia Phenotypes and Neuron Plasticity
Authors: Wang Haochen , Yan Mengyang , Cheng Zhiqi , Rui Tongyu , Yan Yanan , Chen Jie , Gu Zhiya , Hui Li , Jia Qiufang , Chen Xiping , Tao Luyang
Published: June 2021

Background: As an important signaling pathway during embryonic development, WNT/β-catenin signaling regulates cell proliferation and differentiation. However, the role of WNT pathway on central nervous system (CNS) injury is not clear. Methods: In this study, based on traumatic brain injury (TBI, in vivo) and acute neuroinflammation (in vivo and in vitro) models, WNT signaling regulating glia cell phenotypes and the fate of neurons was investigated, and the effect on neurological function and anxiety behavior were also studied. The intercellular interaction was verified by transwell experiments. Results: The result showed that WNT signaling was inhibited at acute stage of brain injury and TBI, and the expression of WNT/β-catenin decreased in primary cultured neurons and astrocytes after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment. WNT agonists (LiCl and Wnt3a) treatment significantly relieved psychiatric symptoms post-TBI compared to vehicle-treated group. WNT agonist treatment accelerated the polarization of astrocytes and generated A2 astrocytes, and activation of WNT signaling in astrocytes could promote neuron axon formation and maintain neuronal stability. Conclusions: Our findings revealed that WNT signaling could influence neuron plasticity through regulating the phenotypes of microglia and astrocytes, and thereby affect neurological function and anxiety state. This study provides an evidence that WNT signaling may be therapeutic target against psychiatric disorder after TBI
Group Decision-making Method Based on Grey Relational Analysis and Evidence Theory for XAI
Authors: Sun Decai , Luo Dang
Published: June 2021

For the uncertainty and complexity ingroup decision making and the differences of decision makers’ reliabilities, a group decision making method based on grey relational analysis and evidence theory is proposed. Combining grey relational analysis with evidence theory, a novel decision-making method extracting the degree of ignorance for individual decision makers’ information and constructing the Mass function is presented based on the comprehensive grey relational analysis (CGRA) method. We should also address how AI systems make their black box decisions, which calls for research into Explainable AI (XAI) by pursuing reverse engineering and self-explainability in AI. Considering the differences of decision makers’ reliabilities, the Mass function is modified by the evidence weight, and the group decision information is fused by the Dempster’s combination rule. On this basis, the Mass function is further transformed into the probability by the Pignistic probability transformation, which issued for ranking analysis of group decision making. Finally, the proposed method is applied to the green supplier selection, and the comparative analysis is further performed to verify the rationality and effectiveness of the proposed method.
A Novel Method of Ranking Intuitionistic Fuzzy Numbers using Value and θ Multiple of Ambiguity at Flexibility Parameters
Authors: Chutia Rituparna
Published: June 2021

In this paper a novel method of ordering intuitionistic fuzzy numbers, based on the notions of ‘value’ and θ-multiple of ‘ambiguity’ of an intuitionistic fuzzy number, is developed. Further, the flexibility parameters, of decision-making at (α, β)-levels, are used in the method. These parameters allow the decision-maker to take decisions at various (α, β)-levels of decision-making.
Many a times, all the reasonable properties of ranking intuitionistic fuzzy numbers were never checked in the existing studies. However, in this study an utmost attempt is being made to
study the reasonable properties thoroughly. Further, the existing methods are mostly based on intuition and the geometry of the intuitionistic fuzzy numbers. However, the proposed method
completely complies with the reasonable properties of ranking intuitionistic fuzzy numbers as well as the coherent intuition and the geometry of the intuitionistic fuzzy numbers. Further, newer properties are also being developed in this study. These prove the novelty of the proposed method. Further, a few numerical examples are discussed that demonstrates the proposed method.
Characterization of a Bacteriophage Isolated from a River water against a Local Field Strain Multi-Drug Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
Authors: Rai Akanksha , Khairnar Krishna
Published: June 2021

It is becoming increasingly difficult in combating Multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria. MDR Staphylococcus aureus particularly methicillin-resistant S. aureus is one such notorious pathogen in clinical settings and the food industry. With increasing incidences of drug resistance and slow progress in developing new antibiotics, bacteriophages against pathogenic S. aureus are promising as antibacterial. We isolated Four local field MDR S. aureus from wastewater samples. We got a bacteriophage against an MDR S. aureus from a river-water sample. The bacteriophage was lytic and was stable at various temperatures ranging from − 20°C to 37°C. the bacteriophage was stable at a highly alkaline PH and had a narrow host range. Through genomic analysis, the bacteriophage DNA encodes 52 genes, and all predicted genes are on one strand, it also encodes a phage RNA polymerase; although it does not show similarity to any known staphylococcal bacteriophage, it shows similarity (91%) to Enterobacteriaceae phages. When surveying the research articles about Staphylococcal phages, we could find about the unclassified and Singleton-Staphylococcal phages.
Is Salvage Surgery for Large Vestibular Schwannomas After Failed Gamma-knife Radiosurgery More Challenging?
Authors: Troude Lucas , Boucekine Mohamed , Balossier Anne , Baucher Guillaume , Lavieille Jean-Pierre , Régis Jean , Roche Pierre-Hugues
Published: June 2021

Objectives: In order to verify whether a previous Gamma-Knife surgery (GKS) treatment could influence the oncological and functional outcome in large vestibular schwannoma (VS) surgery, we have compared group of patients operated on for large VS after failed-GKS to a group of genuine VS that underwent the same functional nerve-sparing resection technique regimen in the same period.Methods: Single center retrospective cohort study of 23 consecutive GKS-failure and 170 genuine VS patients operated on between April 2003 and March 2019. After resection, patients were allocated to a Wait-&-rescan or an upfront GKS policy.Results: At last follow-up examination, the facial nerve function was good (House-Brackmann Grades I or II) in 95% of the GKS-failure and 84% of the genuine VS patients (p=.25). The median volume of tumor residue was .56cc in the GKS-failure group, and .62cc in the genuine VS group (p=.70). Tumor control was achieved in 91% and 83% of cases with a mean follow-up of 74 and 63 months in the GKS-failure and the genuine VS populations, respectively. The 1-, 5- and 7-year progression free survival were 100%, 95% & 85% respectively in the GKS-failure group, and 97%, 80% & 81% in the genuine VS group (p=.27).Conclusion: Despite significant modifications of the microsurgical environment associated to salvage surgery after GKS-failure, a functional nerve-sparing resection is an effective strategy to optimize the results on facial nerve function, with similar long-term tumor control to those observed in the genuine VS population.
Structural, Optical and Microwave Dielectric Properties of Ba(Ti1-xSnx)4O9, 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.7 Ceramics
Authors: Ali Asad , Uddin Sarir , Lal Madan , Zaman Abid , Iqbal Zafar , Althubeiti Khaled
Published: June 2021

Sn-doped BaTi4O9 (BT4) microwave ceramics were prepared by a mixed oxide route. Preliminary X-ray diffraction (XRD) structural study shows that the samples have orthorhombic symmetry with space group (Pnmm). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM ) shows that the grain size of the samples decreases with increasing Sn4+ contents. The presence of the metal oxide efficient group was revealed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The Photoluminescence spectra of the samples reported red color ~ 603, 604, 606.5 and 605 nm with excitation energy ~ 2.06, 2.05, 2.04 and 2.05 eV for Sn content at x = 0.0, 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7, respectively. The microwave dielectric properties of all the samples were investigated by an impedance analyzer. The excellent microwave dielectric properties i.e. high relative permittivity (εr = 57.29), high-quality factor (Qf = 11,852), and low-dielectric loss (3.007) has been observed.
Development and Validation of Nomograms to Predict Long-term Oncological Outcomes in Serous Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Yuan-yuan Liu , Ren-feng Zhao , Chao Liu , Jie Zhou , Liu Yang , Li Li
Published: June 2021

Background: Nomograms are statistics-based predictive tools that integrate predictive factors. We developed and validated a nomogram to predict overall survival (OS) in serous ovarian cancer (SOC).Methods: In total, 6957 patients from the SEER database were included in the training group; the external validation group included 1244 SOC patients from two Chinese hospitals. The nomogram was structured on Cox regression analyses and was evaluated in both the training and validation groups using consistency index, area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC), calibration plots, and risk subgroup classification. Kaplan–Meier curves were plotted to compare survival outcomes between subgroups. A decision-curve analysis was used to test the clinical value of the nomogram.Results: The independent factors identified by multivariate analysis in the training cohort and selected for the nomogram included age, tumor grade, and FIGO stage. The consistency indexes for OS were 0.689 (95% confidence interval: 0.677–0.701) in the training cohort and 0.639 (95% confidence interval: 0.601–0.670) in the validation cohort; the AUCs were 0.675 and 0.661 in the validation cohorts, respectively. Calibration curves showed good consistency between predicted and actual 3- and 5-year OS. Significant differences were observed in the survival curves of different risk subgroups. The decision-curve analysis indicated our nomogram was superior to the AJCC staging system.Conclusion: We constructed a nomogram to predict long-term OS in SOC and externally verified it in an Asian population. This nomogram showed more accurate survival predictions, which will help provide personalized treatments and follow-up strategies.
Recruitment of a Long-term-memory Supporting System During Repeated Maintenance of an Abstract Visual Image in Working Memory: An EEG Study
Authors: Heinen Klaartje T.H. , Kenemans J. Leon , Stigchel Stefan Van der
Published: June 2021

Humans can flexibly transfer information between different memory systems. Information in visual working memory (VWM) can for instance be stored in long-term memory (LTM) when a scene is repeatedly memorized. Conversely, information can be retrieved from LTM and temporarily held in WM when needed. It has previously been suggested that a neural transition from parietal- to midfrontal activity reflects transfer of information from WM to LTM during repeated visual search for the same single item. However, whether these observed neural changes truly represent consolidation and are also observed when memorizing and (explicitly) recollecting a rich visual scene (rather than a single target), remains unclear. The current EEG study investigates whether such a gradual shift in memory-correlates is also observed when an abstract colour-array is repeatedly memorized and explicitly recollected in a WM paradigm. Importantly, we tested the functional significance of a neural shift for longer-term consolidation in a subsequent recognition task. Our results provide supporting evidence for recruitment of an LTM-supporting storage system during WM, which facilitates visual WM maintenance and is indexed by (sustained) modulation of a midfrontal component. Enhanced explicit memory recollection during WM is associated with- and possibly facilitated by an emerging late contralateral parietal activity.
Surface Functionalization of Cotton Fabric with Ag3PO4 via Citric Acid Cross-linking Using An Industrialized Padding Process and Its Self-Cleaning Performance
Authors: Yan Yingwen , Dong Yongchun , Bian Liran
Published: June 2021

Cotton fabric was first modified with citric acid to introduce surface carboxyl groups, which then coordinated with Ag+ ions to prepare the Ag3PO4 finished cotton fabric through further reacting with PO43- ions using an industrialized pad-dry-cure process. Increasing surface carboxyl groups could significantly enhanced the loaded content of Ag3PO4. The padding process could more strongly fix Ag3PO4 on fabric than the conventional dipping method. The Ag3PO4 finished cotton fabric showed higher photocatalytic capacity than pure Ag3PO4 particles owing to the synergetic effect of the Ag complex with the carboxyl groups on the fabric. Moreover, the treatment of KBr and fixing agent further improved the the stability and anti-photocorrosion performance of the samples. Importantly, the finished fabric also exhibited better self-cleaning performance for Reactive Red 195 as a model stain under varied irradiation. The dye was found to be decomposed and mineralized on the finished fabric under artificial or solar irradiation.
3D Models of Alzheimer’s Disease Patient Microglia Recapitulate Disease Phenotype and Show Differential Drug Responses Compared to 2D
Authors: Cuni-Lopez Carla , Quek Hazel , Oikari Lotta , Stewart Romal , Nguyen Tam Hong , Sun Yifan , Guo Christine , Lupton Michelle , White Anthony Robert
Published: June 2021

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an increasingly prevalent disorder with no cure due to unsuccessful therapeutic targets. An attractive alternative target is neuroinflammation, which mediates neurodegeneration, and is primarily driven by microglia, the brain’s immune cells. To evaluate if targeting microglia could improve drug success rates in AD, we need in vitro model systems that faithfully recapitulate patient-specific microglial characteristics. Methods: We developed novel 3D models of monocyte-derived microglia-like cells (MDMi) from AD patients.Results: MDMi in 3D exhibited mature microglial features, including a highly branched morphology and enhanced bonafide microglial marker expression compared to 2D. AD MDMi in 3D co-cultures with neuro-glial cells showed alterations in cell-to-cell interactions, growth factor and cytokine secretion and responses to amyloid-β. Drug screening in 3D AD MDMi revealed different cytokine responses compared to 2D.Conclusion: 3D MDMi models show disease- and drug-specific responses that are not apparent in 2D and provide platforms for more effective and personalised drug testing.
What Are the Effective Health Literacy Skills in Adopting Walking Behavior to Prevent Osteoporosis?
Authors: Panahi Rahman , Amjadian Mohiadin , siboni Fatemeh Samiei , Shafaei Mahya , kazemi Seyedeh somayeh , Dehghankar Leila
Published: June 2021

Background:Considering the effect of exercise and health literacy in preventing osteoporosis, the effect of health literacy in adopting preventive behaviors, and the role of health volunteers in transferring the health messages to the community, this study aimed to determine the relationship between health literacy skills and adopting walking behavior to prevent osteoporosis in health volunteers. Methods:In a descriptive cross-sectional study, 290 health volunteers referring to Qazvin health centers in 1399 were selected through Multi-stage random sampling. Data were collected using a health literacy questionnaire (HELIA) and a questionnaire for the adoption of walking behaviors for the prevention of osteoporosis, and they were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression in SPSS software version 23. Results: The mean and standard deviation of the adoption of walking behaviors were 10.57 ± 1.43which was moderate. Age (P = 0.025, 1/098), decision-making skills and application of health information (P <0.001), perception (P = 0.037, 054/1 = OR) and evaluation (P = 0.029, 049 = OR) were factors affecting the adoption of this behavior, so that by increasing one score to these variables, the chance of adopting the behavior increased 135/1, 1.054 and 049/1 respectively. Also, the level of education was another effective factor in adopting this behavior, so that having a favorable level of adoption of this behavior in health volunteers with diploma degree (P = 0.017, OR = 0.736) and below diploma (011/0 = P, 960 = OR), were 0.736 and 0.960 times of those with university degrees respectively.Conclusion:To improve the adoption of walking behaviors to prevent osteoporosis, we should pay special attention to effective health literacy skills in the health volunteers.
Association of Mesothelioma Deaths With Cumulated Neighborhood Exposures Due to a Large-Scale Asbestos Cement Plant in Amagasaki City, Japan: A Nested Case-control Study
Authors: Kitamura Yuri , Zha Ling , Liu Rong , Shima Masayuki , Nakaya Tomoki , Kurumatani Norio , Kumagai Shinji , Goji Junko , Sobue Tomotaka
Published: June 2021

BackgroundAlthough a causal relationship between mesothelioma and asbestos exposure is well known, few studies have shown a relationship to non-occupational exposure, including neighborhood exposure, most likely because of the large effect size of occupational exposure. The aim of this study was to quantify the risk of malignant mesothelioma death associated with neighborhood asbestos exposure due to a large-scale asbestos-cement (AC) plant in Amagasaki, Japan, by properly adjusting for occupational exposure. MethodsThis was a nested case-control study in which a fixed population of 143,929 residents who had been living in Amagasaki City between 1975 and 2002 were followed from 2002 to 2015. All 133 cases and 403 matched controls were interviewed about their occupational, domestic, household, and neighborhood asbestos exposures. Odds ratios (ORs) for mesothelioma death associated with neighborhood exposure were estimated by a conditional logistic-regression model that adjusted for other asbestos exposures. We adopted cumulative indices that considered residence-specific asbestos (crocidolite) concentrations and durations during the potential exposure period of 1957-1975 to evaluate individual neighborhood exposures.ResultsThere was an increasing, dose-dependent risk of mesothelioma death associated with neighborhood exposure, demonstrated by ORs in the highest quintile category that were 21.4 (95%CI: 5.8 to 79.2) for all, 23.7 (95% CI: 3.8-147.2) for males and 26.0 (95% CI: 2.8-237.5) for females, compared to the lowest quintile, respectively. These results clearly demonstrated no substantial differences between males and females in relation to the magnitude of risk from neighborhood exposure.Our findings suggest that the risk of mesothelioma death associated with neighborhood exposure persists and will not be diminished for many years, even though it has been decades since the AC plant closed. ConclusionsBy adjusting for occupational and other asbestos exposures, a dose-dependent relationship was demonstrated between mesothelioma death and neighborhood asbestos exposure from a large-scale AC plant.
Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-independent synthesis of PtdIns(3,4)P2 by a phosphotransferase
Authors: Walpole Glenn , Pacheco Jonathan , Chauhan Neha , Abbas Yazan , Montaño-Rendón Fernando , Liu Zetao , Zhu Hongxian , Brumell John , Deiters Alexander , Hammond Gerald (R.V.) , Grinstein Sergio , Fairn Gregory
Published: June 2021

Despite their comparatively low abundance, phosphoinositides play a central role in membrane traffic and signalling. PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 and PtdIns(3,4)P2 are uniquely important, as they promote cell growth, survival, and migration. Pathogenic organisms have developed means to subvert phosphoinositide metabolism to promote successful infection and their survival within host organisms. We demonstrate that PtdIns(3,4)P2 is generated in host cells by effectors of the enteropathogenic bacteria Salmonella and Shigella. Pharmacological, gene silencing and heterologous expression experiments revealed that, remarkably, the biosynthesis of PtdIns(3,4)P2 occurs independently of phosphoinositide 3-kinases. Instead, we found that the Salmonella effector SopB, heretofore believed to be a phosphatase, generates PtdIns(3,4)P2 de novo via a phosphotransferase/phosphoisomerase mechanism. Recombinant SopB is capable of generating PtdIns(3,4)P2 from PtdIns(4,5)P2 in a cell-free system. Through a remarkable instance of convergent evolution, bacterial effectors acquired the ability to synthesize 3-phosphorylated phosphoinositides by an ATP- and kinase-independent mechanism, thereby subverting host signaling to gain entry and even provoke oncogenic transformation.
New measurement method corrected a failure in
special relativity
Authors: Schatz Viktor
Published: June 2021

A logical reasoning problem in the Special Relativity interpretation of the Lorentz transformation was discovered and corrected by introducing an alternative interpretation of Lorentz transformations with a relativistic measuring process based on both, stretched time and length units, whereby the measurements as a consequence measure a shortened distance and time lines as variables due to used units. The space shuttles are getting longer instead of shorter and a barn-pole paradox does not occur. The spatial locations remain in their locations and space is not contracted and not changed. The failure is that by contracting both units and distance the Lorentz factor is eliminated and relativity was vanished. The elementary particles have their own measuring devices for time and length in the form of wavelengths and frequencies and they read distances and durations of different lengths from space using their own relativistically different units. The new interpretation is covered by the two postulates of Einstein. This is a sensational result too in view of all dramatic and romantic history as there is really a failure discovered. The Lorentz transformations remain being in use with another method. The new theory and the discovered problems of logical failures are explained vividly in the same manner as Special Relativity was using easy be thought samples. Reader do not need a high level of mathematics to be fit for as it is a more qualitatively thematic for every one who is interested in relativity matters.
Soil macrofauna abundance, biomass and selected soil properties in the home garden and coffee-based agroforestry systems at Wondo Genet, Ethiopia
Authors: Asfaw Asaye , Zewudie Solomon
Published: June 2021

BackgroundIn Ethiopia, the majority of farmers have limited access to inorganic fertilizers, but agricultural development is largely limited by economic constraints. Agroforestry practices (AFPs) are the typical solutions for such kind of agricultural systems. AFPs play critical roles in the improvement of abundance and biomass of soil invertebrates, which are necessary for long-term improvement of soil properties. The overall objective of the present study was to investigate the spatial and temporal dynamics in macro fauna abundance and biomass in home garden and coffee- based agroforestry systems and to relate it with the dynamics in a range of soil physico-chemical parameters.Result The two AF systems did differ in plant species richness and diversity of life forms. For both sampling seasons, higher number of macrofauna was collected from home garden AF than Coffee-based AF plot. Total macrofaunal biomass between the wet and dry season was significant (p <0.05) for samples from home garden AF plot. Depth-wise pattern in macrofauna abundance and biomass showed distinct seasonal variation in the two-agroforestry systems. For both AF plots, marked and significant (p<0.001) seasonal differences were observed in relation to soil moisture, temperature, and pH. On the other hand, dry season samples from home garden AF plot had significantly (p<0.001) higher moisture content and soil pH than coffee-based AF plot.Conclusion The abundance and biomass of soil macrofauna including soil properties were improved by AFs. Thus, the results of this study encourage farmers and policy makers about land administration to implement AFs to ensure sustainability of soil fertility for sustainable production and productivity.
Urodynamic changes in women subjected to gynecological surgeries
Authors: de Melo Luiz Henrique Simões
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Disorders inherent to aging are increasingly present, with voiding dysfunctions and greater submission to surgeries among them. Objective: To analyze the influence of gynecological surgeries (Hysterectomy-HT and Colpoperineoplasty-CPP) on urodynamic bladder function parameters of adult women. Methods: A comparative study of urodynamic data from 706 patients was performed at the Urology Service of HC/UFPE. Previously, patients with any known clinical factor which could affect bladder function were excluded. These patients were analyzed in groups according to their history of gynecological surgery and age group (Non-elderly/elderly). The control group was composed by women without any gynecological surgery history. Results: All urodynamic parameters were worse in the elderly subgroup. The fundamental difference between the groups consisted of senility and past gynecological surgeries (higher in the elderly group). In the general female population, a history of gynecological surgeries was related to several alterations in urodynamic parameters. All urodynamic micturition phase parameters were significantly worse in patients with colpoplasty history. Hysterectomy history was also associated to a deterioration in some micturition parameters. However, no relationship between gynecological surgeries and urodynamic changes was found in the elderly women subgroup. Conclusion: Gynecological surgeries (HT/CPP) do not alter the prevalence and/or intensity of voiding dysfunctions already expected in the older age group of women from the aging process itself. Functional changes in the lower urinary tract resulting from aging are imposed in elderly women, regardless of their gynecological surgery history.
«New dispersion formula and results of its application»
Authors: Chernov Andrey
Published: June 2021

The aim of the study was to obtain a new physical formula for determining the refractive indices of light as a function of wavelength, which can be applied to a wide range of transparent substances. In the process of research on the basis of Einstein's relativistic formula, such a dispersion formula was obtained. Comparison of the obtained indicators with laboratory indicators showed the high accuracy of the new dispersion formula, which was ±10 -7-10 -5 in the calculated wavelength ranges of more than 100 nm. The new dispersion formula is obtained on the basis of the mathematical dependence of the speed of propagation of photons in a transparent substance on the energy density of electron clouds of atoms of the substance. Energy is a universal category, therefore, it is possible to apply the basic version of the new formula (where instead of the wavelength there is the energy density of electron clouds) when conducting research in all areas of light generation, manipulation and detection. And, finally, the very fact of applying the adapted relativistic Einstein's formula to physical processes occurring at the atomic level allows us to look at the nature of the interaction of light and matter from a new angle.
The non-canonical mechanism of ER stress-mediated progression of prostate cancer
Authors: Pachikov Artem N , Gough Ryan R , Christy Caroline , Morris Mary , Casey Carol , LaGrange Chad , Bhat Ganapati , Kubyshkin Anatoly , Fomochkina Irina , Zyablitskaya Evgeniya , Makalish Tatiana , Golubinskaya Elena , Eremenko Sergey , Riethoven Jean-Jack , Maroli Amith , Payne Thomas , Powers Robert , Lushnikov Alexander , Macke Amanda , Petrosyan Armen
Published: June 2021

Background The development of persistent endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is one of the cornerstones of prostate carcinogenesis; however, the mechanism is missing. Also, alcohol is a physiological ER stress inducer, and the link between alcoholism and progression of prostate cancer (PCa) is well documented but not well characterized. According to the canonical model, the mediator of ER stress, ATF6, is cleaved sequentially in the Golgi by S1P and S2P proteases; thereafter, the genes responsible for unfolded protein response (UPR) undergo transactivation. Methods Cell lines used were non-malignant prostate epithelial RWPE-1 cells, androgen-responsive LNCaP and 22RV1 cells, as wells as androgen-refractory PC-3 cells. We also utilized PCa tissue sections from patients with different Gleason scores and alcohol consumption backgrounds from different. Several sophisticated approaches were employed, including Structured illumination superresolution microscopy, Proximity ligation assay, Atomic force microscopy, and Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Results Herein, we identified the trans-Golgi matrix dimeric protein GCC185 as a Golgi retention partner for both S1P and S2P, and in cells lacking GCC185, these enzymes lose intra-Golgi situation. Progression of prostate cancer (PCa) is associated with overproduction of S1P and S2P but monomerization of GCC185 and its downregulation. Utilizing different ER stress models, including ethanol administration, we found that PCa cells employ an elegant mechanism that auto-activates ER stress by fragmentation of Golgi, translocation of S1P and S2P from Golgi to ER, followed by intra-ER cleavage of ATF6, accelerated UPR, and cell proliferation. The segregation of S1P and S2P from Golgi and activation of ATF6 are positively correlated with androgen receptor signaling, different disease stages, and alcohol consumption. Finally, depletion of ATF6 significantly retarded the growth of xenograft prostate tumors and blocks production of pro-metastatic metabolites. Conclusions We found that progression of PCa associates with translocation of S1P and S2P proteases to the ER and subsequent ATF6 cleavage. This obviates the need for ATF6 transport to the Golgi and enhances UPR and cell proliferation. Thus, we provide the novel mechanistic model of ATF6 activation and ER stress implication in the progression of PCa, suggesting ATF6 is a novel promising target for prostate cancer therapy.
Situational Analysis of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on digital health research initiatives in South Asia
Authors: Prabhune Akash Gajanan , Mallawaram Aishwarya , Bhat Sachin , Shagufta Ayesha Mehar
Published: June 2021

The objective of this paper was to evaluate and compare the quantity, and sustainability of digital health initiatives in the South Asia region pre-pandemic and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study used a two-step methodology of a) Descriptive analysis of digital health research articles published from 2016-21 from South Asia in terms of stratification of research articles based on diseases and conditions they were developed, geography, tasks wherein the initiative was applied. b) A simple and replicable tool was developed by authors to assess the sustainability of digital health initiatives using Experimental or Observational study designs. The results from descriptive analysis highlight; a) 40% increase in the number of studies report in 2020 when compared to 2019, b) The three most common diseases and conditions wherein substantive digital health research has been focused are Health Systems Strengthening, Ophthalmic Disorders, and COVID-19, c) Remote Consultation, Health Information delivery and Clinical Decision support systems are the top three commonly developed tools. We developed and estimated the inter-rater operability of the sustainability assessment tool was ascertained with a Kappa value of 0.806 (± 0.088). We conclude that the COVID-19 pandemic had a positive impact on digital health research with improvement in the number of digital health initiatives and improvement in sustainability score of studies published during COVID-19.
Estimating Social Contacts in Mass Gatherings Through Agent-Based Simulation Modeling: Case of Hajj Pilgrimage
Authors: Tofighi Mohammadali , Asgary Ali , Tofighi Ghassem , Najafabadi Mahdi , Arino Julian , Amiche Amine , Rahman Ashrafur , McCarthy Zachary , Bragazzi Nicola , Thommes Edward , Coudeville Laurent , Ghassemi Abbas , Bourouiba Lydia , Wu Jianhong
Published: June 2021

Most mass gathering events have been suspended due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. However, with vaccination rollout, whether and how to organize some of these mass gathering events arises as part of the pandemic recovery discussions, and this calls for decision support tools. Hajj, one of the world's largest religious gatherings, was substantively scaled down in 2020 and it is still unclear if it will take place in 2021 and subsequent years. Considering the disease trends and vaccination conditions in the pilgrims’ country of origin, and the operational and logistical aspects of implementing public health measures, Hajj reopening conditions could be very complex. Simulating disease transmission dynamics during the Hajj season under different conditions can provide some insights for better decision-making. Since most dis-ease risk assessment models require data on the number and nature of possible close contacts between individuals, we seek to use integrated agent-based modeling and discrete events simulation techniques to capture risky contacts among the pilgrims in one of the Hajj major sites, namely Masjid-Al-Haram. In particular, we assessed different scenarios concerning the total number of pilgrims and enforced physical distancing measures. Our simulation results show that a plethora of risky contacts may occur during the rituals. Also, as the total number of pilgrims increases at each site, the number of risky contacts increases, and physical distancing measures may be challenging to maintain beyond a certain number of pilgrims in the site.
Meteorological Pursuit in University of Gujrat, Pakistan (Part 2)
Authors: Maalik Umeed
Published: June 2021

Meteorological observation activity continued for 3 months in University of Gujrat small scale observatory. The cell phone message send to headquarter is uploaded there to the official website of Meteorological Department. This internet updating of weather is also a part of our discussion to check how important working of our station, other Regional stations and the World over. It is importance in various fields of Science, Technology, Hydrology, Aviation, Agriculture, and Defense for saving, wellbeing, and development of mankind and life on the Planet Earth. Chapter three and four are included in this part 2 of this Meteorological pursuit.