bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In vitro and Pharmacoinformatics-based phytochemical screening for anticancer impacts of pistachio hull essential oil on AGS, PLC/PRF/5, and CACO2 cell lines
Authors: Askari Nahid , Parvizpour Sepideh , Marashi Seyed Mohammad Bagher , Baghery Fatemeh , Falahati-pour Soudeh Khanamani
Published: July 2022

The essential oil of pistacia vera (cv. Ohadi) hull (PHEO) was checked using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis. It was studied the genes of the wnt pathway with a certain concentration of PHEO on Human gastric cancer (AGS), human hepatocellular carcinoma (PLC/PRF/5), and human colon cancer (CACO2) cell lines. After evaluating the survival rate of cancer cells by MTT test and determining IC50, pistachio hull essential oil (PHEO) was used for 24-hours to treat the cells. After RNA extraction, the expression of wnt pathway genes was evaluated by Real-Time PCR. Considering the crucial role of beta-catenin accumulation and its effect on the progression of gastrointestinal cancers, Western blot analysis was also used to determine the effect of PHEO in protein expression of β-catenin inhibition. Also, an in silico analysis was carried out to investigate the effect of PHEO extracted compounds on protein expression of β-catenin and FZD7 inhibition. According to the results, wnt pathway genes were changed in samples treated using PHEO. The results showed the up-regulation of GSK-3β and down-regulation of Wnt-1, LEF-1, TCF1, and CTNNB1 genes compared to the control. We showed inhibition of β-catenin protein in cancer cell lines. Four compounds of PHEO were suggested to have an inhibition effect on β-catenin and FZD7. These compounds can be useful in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers. Altogether, the inhibitory role of β-catenin protein can be very effective and can be considered one of the therapeutic goals in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers.
Comparison of six-minute walk test distance vs. estimated maximum oxygen consumption for predicting postoperative pulmonary complications in patients undergoing upper abdominal surgery: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Yin Xin , Wang Jingwen , Xu Zhibo , Qian Fuyong , Liu Songbin , Cai Yuxi , Jiang Zhaoshun , Zhang Xixue , Gu Weidong
Published: July 2022

Objective
Estimated maximum oxygen consumption (eVO2max) is superior to six-minute walk distance (6MWD) in predicting functional capacity. The hypothesis that eVO2max is a better predictor of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) than 6MWD in patients undergoing major upper abdominal surgery is evaluated.
Method
Patients scheduled for elective major upper abdominal surgery from July 2018 to May 2021 were included. The six-minute walk test was carried out on all patients before surgery. eVO2max was calculated using the Burr equation incorporated with 6MWD, age, gender, weight, and resting heart rate. The patients were divided into the PPC and the non-PPC group according to the occurrence of clinically significant PPCs. The sensitivity, specificity, and optimum cutoff point of 6MWD and eVO2 max were analyzed in the prediction of PPCs. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 6MWD vs. eVO2max was compared by Z test.
Results
A total of 308 patients were included in this study; 71/308 developed clinically significant PPCs. Compared to the non-PPCs group, the value of 6MWD (P < 0.001) and eVO2max (P < 0.001) were significantly lower in the PPC group. The optimum cutoff point for 6MWD in predicting PPCs was 372. 5m with a sensitivity of 63.4% and specificity of 79.3%. The optimum cutoff point for eVO2max was 8.8 MET with a sensitivity of 91.6% and specificity of 79.3%. A significantly increased AUC was observed in eVO2max compared to 6MWD (P < 0.001, Z = 4.713).
Conclusion
eVO2max has a better validity than 6MWD for predicting PPCs in patients undergoing major upper abdominal surgery. The results suggested that eVO2max has the potential to be a valid tool to screen patients with a high risk of PPCs.
Lymphopenia and local antigen presentation combine to induce colitis in a transgenic mouse model of uveitis
Authors: Mölzer Christine , Liu Yi-Hsia , Muckersie Elizabeth , Klaska Izabela P. , Cornall Richard , Wilson Heather M. , Kuffová Lucia , Forrester John V.
Published: July 2022

Undifferentiated uveitis (intraocular inflammation, IOI) is an idiopathic sight-threatening, presumed autoimmune disease, accountable for ~ 10% of all blindness in the developed world. We have investigated the association of uveitis with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) using a mouse model of spontaneous experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU). Mice expressing the transgene (Tg) hen egg lysozyme (HEL) in the retina were crossed with 3A9 mice expressing a transgenic HEL-specific TCR. Double transgenic (dTg TCR/HEL) mice with EAU also spontaneously develop clinical signs of colitis at ~ P30 (post-partum day) with diarrhoea, bowel shortening, oedema and lamina propria (LP) inflammatory cell infiltration. Single (s)Tg TCR (3A9) mice also show histological LP cell infiltration but no clinical signs. dTg TCR/HEL mice are profoundly lymphopenic at weaning. In addition, dTg TCR/HEL mice contain myeloid cells which express MHC Class II-HEL peptide (MHCII-HEL) complexes, not only in the inflamed retina but also in the colon. In this model the lymphopenia and reduction in the absolute Treg numbers in dTg TCR/HEL mice is sufficient to initiate eye disease. We suggest that cell-associated antigen released from the inflamed eye, activates colonic HEL-specific T cells which, in a microbial micro-environment, not only cause colitis but feed-back to amplify IOI.
DNA sequencing sheds light on the evolutionary history of peanut and identifies genes associated with phenotypic diversification
Authors: Zheng Zheng , Sun Ziqi , Qi Feiyan , Fang Yuanjin , Lin Ke , Pavan Stefano , Huang Bingyan , Dong Wenzhao , Du Pei , Tian Mengdi , Shi Lei , Xu Jing , Han Suoyi , Liu Hua , Qin Li , Zhang Zhongxin , Dai Xiaodong , Miao Lijuan , Zhao Ruifang , Wang Juan , Bai Yuling , Visser Richard , Zhang Xinyou
Published: July 2022

Cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is one of the most widely grown oilseed crops worldwide, however the events leading to its origin and diversification are not fully understood. Here, by combining chloroplast and whole genome sequence data from a large germplasm collection, we show that the two A. hypogaea subspecies (hypogaea and fastigiata) likely arose from distinct allopolyploidization and domestication events. Peanut genetic clusters were then differentiated in relation to dissemination routes and breeding efforts. A combination of linkage mapping and genome-wide association studies allowed us to characterize genes and genomic regions related to main peanut morpho-agronomic traits, namely inflorescence architecture, inner integument color, growth habit, pod/seed weight, and oil content. Together, our findings shed light on peanut evolutionary history and provide an important genomic framework resource for the genetic improvement of this crop.
Incidence of organ involvement in Behcet’s disease: a historical cohort study
Authors: Banihashemi Seyed Arash Tehrani , Solaymani-Dodaran Masoud , Faezi Seyedeh Tahereh , Shahram Farhad , Paragomi Pedram , Moradi Kamran , Mohammadi Faezeh , Nejadhosseinian Mohammad , Davatchi Fereydoun
Published: July 2022

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the incidence of BD-related serious organ involvements in a sizeable cohort of patients with Behcet’s disease.Methods: In a retrospective cohort study 1166 patients with Behcet’s disease whose first visit to BD clinic was registered between April 1995 and March 2001 were enrolled and followed up until March 2012 for ocular, vascular, joint, Central Nervous System (CNS), and epididymis involvement. Incidence density and cumulative incidence of different organ lesions from the disease onset were estimated.Results: Age at disease onset was 25.1 ±9.46 (mean ± SD) years and the male to female ratio was 1.34:1. The incidence density (per 100 person-year) of ocular involvement was 7.6 (CI 95%: 7.08 – 8.25), joint involvement was 1.32 (CI 95%: 1.13- 1.54), vascular involvement was 0.66 (CI 95%: 0.53-0.81), epididymitis/orchitis was 0.67 (CI 95%: 0.5-0.88) and CNS involvement was 0.14 (CI 95%:0.09-0.22). The incidence density of blindness was 1.63 per 100 person-year (CI 95%: 1.42-1.87). The cumulative incidence of different organ involvement 10 years after the onset of Behcet’s disease was 53.2% for ocular lesions, 6.4% for vascular lesions, 12.4% for joint lesions, and 6.4% for Epididymitis/Orchitis (in male patients).Conclusions: Ocular involvement occurred in almost half of the patients within the 10 years after disease onset. At a lower rate but not less important, other inflammatory organ involvement like vasculitis, arthritis, epididymitis and CNS involvement may occur in the BD patients.
Genetic mapping of quantitative trait loci associated with drought tolerance in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)
Authors: Yadava Yashwant K. , Chaudhary Pooja , Yadav Sheel , Rizvi Aqeel Hasan , Kumar Tapan , Shrivastava Rachna , Soren KR , Bharadwaj C , Sriniva R , Singh NK , Jain PK
Published: July 2022

Elucidation of the genetic basis of drought tolerance is vital for genomics-assisted breeding of drought tolerant crop varieties. Here, we used genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between a drought tolerant chickpea variety, Pusa 362 and a drought sensitive variety, SBD 377. The GBS identified a total of 35,502 SNPs and subsequent filtering of these resulted in 3,237 high-quality SNPs included in the eight linkage groups. Fifty-one percent of these SNPs were located in the genic regions distributed throughout the genome. The high density linkage map has total map length of 1069 cM with an average marker interval of 0.33 cM. The linkage map was used to identify 15 robust QTLs for four drought related traits viz. membrane stability index, relative water content, seed weight and yield under drought, with percent variance explained within the range of 11.5–26.7% and LOD scores of 5.58 to 6.89, which were located on six of the eight linkage groups. A genomic region on LG 6 harbors quantitative traits loci (QTLs) explaining > 25% phenotypic variance for membrane stability index, yield and > 10% PVE for 100 seed weight. This study also provides the first report of major QTLs for physiological traits such as membrane stability index and relative water content for drought stress in chickpea. A total of 969 putative candidate genes were identified in the 15.6 Mb genomic region spanning these QTLs. In-silico expression profiling based on the available transcriptome data revealed that 617 of these genes were differentially expressed under drought stress. The novel genomic regions and candidate genes identified will be useful in genomics-assisted breeding of superior drought tolerant chickpea cultivars.
B cell class switch recombination is regulated by DYRK1A through MSH6 phosphorylation
Authors: Stoler-Barak Liat , Harris Ethan , Peres Ayelet , Hezroni Hadas , Kuka Mirela , Grenov Amalie , Gurwicz Neta , Kupervaser Meital , Yip Bon Ham , Iannacone Matteo , Yaari Gur , Crispino John , Shulman Ziv
Published: July 2022

Protection from viral infections depends on immunoglobulin isotype switching, which endows antibodies with effector functions. Here, we found that the protein kinase DYRK1A is essential for B cell-mediated protection from viral infection and effective vaccination through regulation of class switch recombination (CSR). Dyrk1a-deficient B cells were impaired in CSR activity in vivo and in vitro. Phosphoproteomic screens and kinase-activity assays identified MSH6, a DNA mismatch repair protein, as a direct substrate for DYRK1A, and deletion of a single phosphorylation site impaired CSR. After CSR and germinal center seeding, DYRK1A was required for proper clonal expansion of antigen-specific B cells through attenuation of proliferation. These findings reveal DYRK1A-mediated biological mechanisms of B cell immune responses that may be used for manipulation in antibody-mediated autoimmunity.
Dietary Epimedium extract supplementation improves intestinal functions and alters gut microbiota in broilers
Authors: Zhang Jiaqi , Yu Haitao , Zhang Huiyan , Zhao Qingyu , Si Wei , Qin Yuchang , Zhang Junmin
Published: July 2022

Background
Growth-promoting antibiotics have been banned by law in the livestock and poultry breeding industry in many countries. Various alternatives to antibiotics have been investigated for use in livestock. Epimedium (EM) is an herb rich in flavonoids that has many beneficial effects on animals. Therefore, this study was planned to explore the potential of EM as a new alternative antibiotic product in animal feed.
Methods
A total of 720 1-day-old male broilers (Arbor Acres Plus) were randomly divided into six groups and fed basal diet (normal control; NC), basal diet supplemented with antibiotic (75 mg/kg chlortetracycline; CTC), and basal diet supplemented with 100, 200, 400 or 800 mg/kg EM extract for 6 weeks (EM100, EM200, EM400 and EM800 groups). The growth performance at weeks 3 and 6 was measured. Serum, intestinal tissue and feces were collected to assay for antioxidant indexes, intestinal permeability, lactic acid and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) profiles, microbial composition, and expression of intestinal barrier genes.
Results
The average daily feed intake in CTC group at 1–21 days was significantly higher than that in the NC group, and had no statistical difference with EM groups. Compared with NC group, average daily gain in CTC and EM200 groups increased significantly at 1–21 and 1–42 days. Compared with NC group, EM200 and EM400 groups had significantly decreased levels of lipopolysaccharide and D-lactic acid in serum throughout the study. The concentrations of lactic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid and SCFAs in feces of birds fed 200 mg/kg EM diet were significantly higher than those fed chlortetracycline. The dietary supplementation of chlortetracycline and 200 mg/kg EM significantly increased ileal expression of SOD1, Claudin-1 and ZO-1 genes. Dietary supplemented with 200 mg/kg EM increased the relative abundances of g_NK4A214_group and Lactobacillus in the jejunum, while the relative abundances of Microbacterium, Kitasatospora, Bacteroides in the jejunum and Gallibacterium in the ileum decreased.
Conclusions
Supplementation with 200 mg/kg EM extract improved the composition of intestinal flora by regulating the core bacterial genus Lactobacillus, and increased the concentration of beneficial metabolites lactic acid and SCFAs in the flora, thereby improving the antioxidant capacity and intestinal permeability, enhancing the function of tight junction proteins. These beneficial effects improved the growth performance of broilers.
Bearing capacity of shallow rigid strip foundations near slopes based on generalized log-spiral shear mechanism
Authors: Chen Tingjun , Xiao Shiguo
Published: July 2022

In terms of five bilateral failure modes of shallow rigid strip foundations near slopes, kinematically admissible velocity fields are constructed using a generalized log-spiral shear mechanism improving the traditional failure mechanism by introducing a geometric factor. The upper-bound solution of the bearing capacity for the foundations near slopes is accordingly derived. The minimum of the five values is the required solution, and the corresponding failure mode is the accepted one. Some examples show the proposed results are fairly close to those by other theoretical and numerical methods or laboratory model tests, and in most cases the geometric parameter of the generalized mechanism is between 0.7 and 1, which means the failure mechanisms of the systems are considerably optimized. The influence of slope height, foundation depth and width, distance from the foundation to slope crest, and soil properties on the transformation among these failure modes is provided. Analysis results of many examples show that there is not rigorously linear relationship between the bearing capacity of foundations near slopes and cohesion or depth of the footing. Besides, a table of comprehensive factor expressed to reflect the slope effect on the bearing capacity for convenient applications.
Land suitability analysis for Mango using AHP method
Authors: Salunkhe Sanjani , Nandgude Sachin , Bhange Harshal
Published: July 2022

The present study determined the mango land suitability in Ratnagiri district with combine use of MCDM with GIS based AHP. There were five main criteria i.e. climate, topography, soil, erosion and conservation measures and eleven sub-criteria were used in the present study. The all main criteria maps were prepared in ArcGIS according to mango crop requirement. After preparing the various thematic maps, AHP process has been used to calculate the weights through pairwise comparison matrix. In order to accept the weighting results or judgments, a consistency ratio (CR) value was calculated to determine whether the pairwise comparison was consistent. Then the ‘Weighted Overlay’ tool in overlay toolset which is in spatial analyst tools in ArcGIS has been used to perform an overlay analysis. The results showed that 16.86 percent of the area was classified as highly suitable, while 67.93 percent, 10.03 percent, and 5.18 percent of the area were classified as moderately suitable, marginally suitable, and not suitable, respectively. As a result, a GIS-based AHP approach can provide better insights for improving capabilities and producing more realistic output scenarios.
Evaluation of factors related to maternal anxiety during pregnancy among women referred to Tabriz primary care centers
Authors: Mahini Elmira , Hakimi Sevil , Shahrokhi Hassan , Salahi Behnaz , Baniadam Khatereh Olad , Ranjbar Fatemeh
Published: July 2022

Background: Maternal anxiety during pregnancy is sometimes considered a normal mechanism to overcome the mother’s mental preoccupation with having a child. However, stress and anxiety might become a medical condition, becoming so severe as to affect the mother’s mental health. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate factors related to maternal anxiety during pregnancy in women referring to prenatal primary care centers in Tabriz. Methods: The target population in the present cross-sectional study was the pregnant women referring to primary care centers affiliated with Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in 2018-2019 (n=533). Sampling was carried out using the random cluster technique (separately for municipal centers). The data were collected using the study tools, including a questionnaire on demographic data, prenatal anxiety screening scale (PASS), and researcher-made questions on maternal anxiety during pregnancy.Results: In the present study, 37.5% of pregnant women had anxiety. Of all the demographic and background variables, income (P=0.015), a history of preterm delivery (P=0.018), and unintended pregnancy (P=0.022) were significantly related to anxiety. Of the variables of income, a history of preterm delivery, and unintended pregnancy in the regression model, the odds of anxiety were 41% lower in pregnant women with somewhat adequate income than those with inadequate income after correcting for other variables (P=0.011). In addition, the variable of unintended pregnancy increased the odds of anxiety up to 49% after correcting for other variables (P=0.023).Conclusion: The present study showed that income and unintended pregnancy significantly affect maternal anxiety during pregnancy.Trial registration: The protocol of the study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences under the code (IR.TBZMED.REC.1398.161).
The Impact of 4D-Flow MRI Spatial Resolution on Patient-Specific CFD Simulations of the Thoracic Aorta
Authors: Cherry Molly , Khatir Zinedine , Khan Amirul , Bissell Malenka
Published: July 2022

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is considered the gold standard of medical imaging technologies as it allows for accurate imaging of blood vessels. 4-Dimensional Flow Magnetic Resonance Imaging (4D-Flow MRI) is built on conventional MRI, and provides flow data in the three vector directions and a time resolved magnitude data set. As such it can be used to retrospectively calculate haemodynamic parameters of interest, such as Wall Shear Stress (WSS). However, multiple studies have indicated that a significant limitation of the imaging technique is the spatiotemporal resolution that is currently available. Recent advances have proposed and successfully integrated 4D-Flow MRI imaging techniques with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to produce patient-specific simulations that have the potential to aid in treatments,surgical decision making, and risk stratification. However, the consequences of using insufficient 4D-Flow MRI spatial resolutions on any patient-specific CFD simulations is currently unclear, despite being a recognised limitation. The research presented in this study aims to quantify the error in patient-specific 4D-Flow MRI based CFD simulations that can be attributed to insufficient spatial resolutions when acquiring 4D-Flow MRI data. For this research, a patient has undergone four 4D-Flow MRI scans acquired at various isotropic spatial resolutions and patient-specific CFD simulations have subsequently been run using geometry and velocity data produced from each scan. It was found that compared to CFD simulations based on a 1.5mm x 1.5mm x 1.5mm, using a spatial resolution of 4mm x 4mm x 4mm substantially underestimated the maximum velocity magnitude at peak systole by 110.55%. The impacts of 4D-Flow MRI spatial resolution on WSS calculated from CFD simulations have been investigated and it has been shown that WSS is underestimated in CFD simulations that are based on a coarse 4D-Flow MRI spatial resolution. The authors have concluded that a minimum 4D-Flow MRI spatial resolution of 1.5mm x 1.5mm x 1.5mm must be used when acquiring 4D-Flow MRI data to perform patient-specific CFD simulations. A coarser spatial resolution will produce substantial errors within the flow field and geometry.
Effects of ZnO nanoparticles, plasticizer, and emulsifier on PLA films properties and mechanical aging stability
Authors: Tajari Neda , Sadrnia Hassan , Hosseini Fereshte
Published: July 2022

Polylactic acid is an environmentally friendly polymer that has the potential to be an alternative to petroleum-based materials in the food packaging industry. However, issues such as the fragility of the produced films, low thermal stability, etc. are obstacles to the widespread use of this type of film. In this work, films based on polylactic acid were produced with additives, namely zinc oxide nanoparticles (1 wt.% PLA), polyethylene glycol 400 (20 wt.% PLA), and tween 80 (0.25 wt.% solution). The purpose of adding additives was to improve the properties of the sample films. The results showed that the presence of plasticizer and emulsifier increases the hydrophilicity of the film and the water vapor permeability. The highest contact angle (85.33 [[EQUATION]] ±4.00) and the lowest water vapor permeability (0.074±0.002 g.mm/kPa.h.m 2 ) were related to neat PLA film. The effect of the added materials on the thickness of the films was not significant, and all the films had good transparency. The addition of nanoparticles, emulsifiers, and plasticizers increased the percentage of crystallinity. The highest crystallinity percentage was for film PLA/ZnO (7.7%). The effect of plasticizer and emulsifier on tensile strength and elastic modulus was more than nanoparticles. The effect of the type of film produced on the mechanical properties was significant, and the effect of their storage time was only significant on the elongation at break. These results can help to improve the physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of polylactic acid for food packaging on an industrial scale.
Modeling, designing, and controlling a Three-Wheeled Electric Vehicle and implemented in Hardware
Authors: Rout Smitanjali , Samal Sudhansu Kumar
Published: July 2022

The purpose of this paper is to model and design an experimental electric vehicle, prototype, and the effective concept of a lithium-ion battery management system (BMS). Which is having three-wheel and tested according to the Indian rural road with different loading conditions. The methodology for vehicle modeling, selection of motor, controller designing, DC-DC converter designing, and sizing of the lithium-ion battery pack with battery management system are described. A real-time driver circuit with a programmable controller circuit board has been designed for the proper power flow according to the Indian road and successfully tested on the road as described in the paper. A similar model has been designed and simulated in MATLAB/SIMULINK in order to verify the efficiency of the proposed experimental prototype EV control system technology.
Risk evaluation of splenic hilar lymph node metastasis and survival analysis of advanced gastric cancer patients
Authors: Niu Guangcai , Lin Hao
Published: July 2022

Background: There is no consensus in the influence of NO.10 lymph node(LN) dissection for advanced gastric cancer(AGC) patients. We aimed to evaluate whether AGC patients could benefit from NO.10 LN dissection and the clinicalpathological indicators of NO.10 LN metastasis.Methods: We analyzed data on 218 patients with AGC patients who had underwent standard D2 lymphadenectomy(n=108) or modified D2 lymphadenectomy(n=110) from January 2017 to January 2021. Additionally, we also examined the influencing factors of NO.10 lymph node metastasis in the SD2 group.Results: The differentiation, tumor size and NO.4 positive LN were significantly correlated with the NO.10 LN metastasis(P<0.05). The Borrmann’s classification, differentiation, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis (N), and tumor size were found to correlate with survival on univariate analyses. The age, gender, extent of gastrectomy, tumor location and lymphadenectomy extent were not related to survival(P>0.05). The median survival time was 72.23 months and 68.56 months for the SD2 and MD2 groups, respectively(P=0.635). Postoperative major morbidity and mortality rates were 37.96% and 3.70% in the SD2 group, and 23.64% and 1.82% in the MD2 group, respectively.Conclusions: The prophylactic NO.10 lymphadenectomy may be recommended in AGC patients with positive NO.4 LN, poor differentiation and tumor located on the greater curvature.
Comparative Kinetic and Isotherm Studies of Methyl Orange Dye adsorption using ZnO/PANi composite materials
Authors: Alardhi Saja M. , Abdalsalm Alyaa H. , Ati Ali A. , Abdulkareem Makarim H. , Ramadhan Ahmed A. , Taki Malaa M. , Abbas Zeena Yassen
Published: July 2022

Polyaniline PANi/zinc oxide ZnO nanocomposite has been chemically synthesized by using formic acid. ZnO/PANi nanocomposites containing different weight content of ZnO nanoparticles (10, 20, and 30 wt%). ZnO nanoparticles were prepared by co-precipitation method. Characteristics such as structural, morphological and absorption of the prepared nanocomposites were studied by XRD, FTIR, SEM and UV–vis spectra. X-ray diffraction of zinc oxide nanoparticles confirmed formation of hexagonal wurtzite crystalline structure, also the substituted zinc oxide nanoparticles in different percentage to semi-crystalline polyaniline indicating nearly the same crystalline structure of ZnO/PANi nanocomposites. The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectra (FT-IR) of ZnO nanoparticles, PANi and their composites have been analyzed in the frequency range between 400–4000 cm− 1. The characteristic FT-IR peaks of ZnO nanoparticles show shifts to lower wave numbers in all composites. These observed effects may be due to conjugation and some chemical interactions between ZnO nanoparticles and PANI molecular chain. The results confirmed that the PANI successfully grown on surface of ZnO nanoparticles. The ZnO nanoparticles, PANI and ZnO/PANi nanocomposites were further applied to remove methylene orange dye, the effect of pH, initial dye concertation and ZnO nanoparticles dose were investigated via a batch experimental. According to the results, that the hybrid composite of ZnO/PANi increased the photo degradation of methylene orange dye molecules in aqueous solution compared with parent materials. Maximum removal efficiencies at optimum conditions were higher than 97% at pH 11, concentration of dye:10 mg/l, time equal 40 min and dose 0.1 g of PANi/ZnO.
Land cover classification and its effects on the uncertainty of aboveground carbon estimates in Amazon degraded forests
Authors: Pinagé Ekena Rangel , Keller Michael , Peck Christopher , Longo Marcos , Duffy Paul , Csillik Ovidiu
Published: July 2022

Background: Tropical forests are critical for the global carbon budget, yet they have been threatened by deforestation and forest degradation by fire, selective logging, and fragmentation. Existing uncertainties on land cover classification and in biomass estimates hinder accurate attribution of carbon emissions to specific land covers. In this study, we used textural metrics derived from PlanetScope images to implement a probabilistic classification framework to identify intact, logged and burned forests in three Amazonian sites. We also estimated biomass for these forest classes using airborne lidar and compared biomass uncertainties using the lidar-derived estimates only to biomass uncertainties considering the land cover classification as well. Results: Our classification approach reached overall accuracy of 0.86, with accuracy at individual sites varying from 0.69 to 0.93. Logged forests showed variable biomass changes, while burned forests showed an average carbon loss of 35%. We found that including uncertainty in forest degradation classification significantly increased uncertainty and decreased estimates of mean carbon density in two of the three test sites. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that the attribution of biomass changes to forest degradation types needs to account for the uncertainty in land cover classification. By combining very high-resolution images with lidar data, we could attribute carbon stock changes to specific pathways of forest degradation. This approach also allows quantifying uncertainties of carbon emissions associated with forest degradation through logging and fire. Both the attribution and uncertainty quantification provide critical information for national greenhouse gas inventories.
The association of ubiquitin-associated protein 2-like and Ras-GTP-activating protein SH3 domain binding protein 1 mediated by small nucleolar RNA is essential for stress granule formation
Authors: Asano-Inami Eri , Yokoi Akira , Sugiyama Mai , Hyodo Toshinori , Hamaguchi Tomonari , Kajiyama Hiroaki
Published: July 2022

Stress granules (SGs) are dynamic, non-membranous structures composed of non-translating mRNAs and various proteins and play critical roles in cell survival under stressed conditions. Extensive proteomics analyses have been performed to identify proteins in SGs; however, the molecular functions of these components in SG formation remain unclear. In this report, we show that ubiquitin-associated protein 2-like (UBAP2L) is a novel component of SGs. UBAP2L localized to SGs in response to various stresses, and its depletion significantly suppressed SG organization. Proteomics and RNA sequencing analyses found that UBAP2L formed a protein-RNA complex with Ras-GTP-activating protein SH3 domain binding protein 1 (G3BP1) and small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs). In vitro binding analysis demonstrated that snoRNAs were required for UBAP2L association with G3BP1. In addition, decreased expression of snoRNAs reduced the interaction between UBAP2L and G3BP1 and suppressed SG formation. Our results reveal a critical role of a novel SG component, the UBAP2L/snoRNA/G3BP1 protein-RNA complex, and provide new insights into the regulation of SG assembly.
Repeatability and reliability of semi-automated anterior segment-optical coherence tomography imaging compared to manual analysis in normal and keratoconus eyes
Authors: Lin Anna , Mohammed Isa S. K. , Munir Wuqaas M. , Munir Saleha Z. , Maripudi Snehaa , Wei Libby , Alexander Janet L.
Published: July 2022

Purpose: To assess the repeatability and reliability of semi-automated EyeMark Python program measurements compared to manual ImageJ image processing of anterior segment-optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) structures in healthy and keratoconus eyes. Methods: Heidelberg AS-OCT was used to image 25 eyes from 14 healthy subjects and 25 eyes from 15 subjects with keratoconus between the ages of 20 and 80 years, collected prospectively, in this observational case-control study. Visual axis scan containing vertical fixation light beam was selected from the 15-line AS-OCT scan raster. Central corneal thickness (CCT), anterior corneal radius of curvature (ACRC), posterior corneal radius of curvature (PCRC), and truncated anterior vault (TAV) were measured using ImageJ software and the EyeMark Python program. MedCalc and R were used to calculate the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and generate Bland-Altman plots (BAP). Results: When comparing the measurements of CCT, ACRC, PCRC, and TAV between manual ImageJ analysis and the EyeMark Python program, ICC values were consistently greater than 0.9, indicating excellent agreement. BAPs comparing the ImageJ and Python measurements of anterior segment structures show no systematic proportional bias and the average differences were near zero and within 95% of the limits of agreement. Conclusions: Semi-automated tools may provide the necessary efficiency for point-of-care quantitative corneal analysis of raw AS-OCT images. The semi-automated EyeMark Python program offers a repeatable and reliable tool compared to manual ImageJ analysis for measuring anterior segment structures from AS-OCT images among individuals with keratoconus.
Is entropy an indicator of port traffic predictability? The evidence from Chinese ports
Authors: Li Chuchu , Lin Qin , Huang Dong , Grofill Manel , Yang Dong , Feng Hongxiang
Published: July 2022

Historical time-series data of container traffic in ports are characterised by strong randomness that causes the time-series prediction performance to vary significantly. In this sense, the prediction accuracy differs as a function of exogenous variables related to port characteristics and the maritime shipping context. Thus, the measuring problem of a priori container traffic predictability (i.e., the ability of methods to predict port traffic variables) arises. Academia suggests that this predictability may be related to entropy as a measure of the information provided. This paper analyses the Sample Entropy (SampEn), as an indicator of the complexity represented by the container traffic time-series data, comparing it with the error metrics provided by a statistical prediction and an artificial intelligent method. The Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) and Back Propagation (BP) Neural Network are used to obtain the prediction performance of container port traffic in a data set composed of 20 Chinese ports and 5 selected international ports. Unexpectedly, the results indicate that the correlation between the SampEn and the prediction performance of the time series is weak. The complex ecosystem of the container shipping sector and the different port characteristics are suggested as the cause of this poor correspondence. Our findings help to understand the relationship between entropy and the predictability of time-series data in a sector (i.e. port traffic), which has not been explored before.
Features of the perception of spatial and temporal characteristics in athletes
Authors: Natalia Savinova , Nina Stelmah , Mariya Berehova , Karskanova Svitlana , Borulko Dmytro
Published: July 2022

The authors consider the issues of the perception of time and space based on the results of the individual minute and individual decimeter tests among the Thai boxers, basketball players and non-athletes. We propose to use the individual minute test among athletes for self-monitoring of adaptive capabilities and response to training in year-round training. The authors proposed the levels of functional systems of adaptation for athletes with different types of training impact. Each level of the functional system corresponds to a certain structure (quantitative and qualitative composition) of indicators of the perception of time and space and their rhythmic organization. The structure of indicators of perception of time and space and the peculiarities of the rhythmic organization of these indicators in athletes are determined primarily by the nature of sports activity and gender differences. The levels of functional systems of adaptation for athletes with different types of training impact are proposed. Each level of the functional system corresponds to a certain structure (quantitative and qualitative composition) of indicators of the perception of time and space and their rhythmic organization. This study allows us to expand our understanding of the individual characteristics of the perception of time and space in people with different levels of physical activity, reaction speed and situational interaction.
Improvements to the Empirical Solar Wind Forescast (ESWF)
Authors: Milošić Daniel , Temmer Manuela , Heinemann Stephan , Podladchikova Tatiana , Veronig Astrid , Vršnak Bojan
Published: July 2022

The empirical solar wind forecast (ESWF) model in its current version 2.0 runs as a space safety service in the frame of ESA’s Heliospheric Weather Expert Service Centre. The ESWF model forecasts the solar wind speed at Earth with a leadtime of 4 days. The algorithm uses an empirical relation found between the area of solar coronal holes (CHs), as observed in EUV within a 15° meridional slice, and the in-situ measured solar wind speed at 1 AU. This relation however, forecasts Gaussian type speed profiles, as the CH rotates in and out of the meridional slice, causing some discrepancy in the timing between forecasted and observed solar wind speed. With adaptations to the ESWF 2.0 algorithm we improve the precision and accuracy of the ESWF speed profiles. For that we implement compression and rarefaction effects occurring between solar wind streams of different velocities in interplanetary space. By considering the propagation times for plasma parcels between the Sun and Earth and their interactions, we achieve the asymmetrical shape of the speed profile that is characteristic of highspeed streams (HSS). By further implementing CH segmentation, co-latitude information and dynamic thresholding, we find that the newly developed ESWF 3.2 performs significantly better than ESWF 2.0. For a sample of 294 different HSSs, we derive a relative increase in hits of the timing and peak velocity by 13.9%. The Pearson correlation coefficient increases by 14.3% from cc = 0.35 to cc = 0.40.
The CASPer Preparation Program Innovation: Increasing Self-Perceived Competence and Confidence of Underrepresented Applicants on the Novel CASPer Snapshot and CanMEDS Roles
Authors: Mahmood Farhan , Oguntala Julianah , Henoud Claudine , Pierre-Louis Libny Lahelle , Fuad Asli , Okafor Ike
Published: July 2022

Background: Underrepresented Minorities in Medicine (URMMs) may face financial and social limitations when matriculating into medical schools. Performance on situational judgment tests such as Computer-based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics (CASPer) can be enhanced by coaching and mentorship. The CASPer Preparation Program (CPP) coaches URMMs to prepare for the CASPer test. During the coronavirus 2019 pandemic (COVID-19), CPP implemented novel curricula on the CASPer Snapshot and CanMEDS roles.Methods: Pre and post-program questionnaires were completed by the students, which assessed their: 1) confidence in understanding the CanMEDS roles, and 2) perceived confidence in performing well and their familiarity and preparedness with the CASPer Snapshot.Results: Participants reported a significant increase in the URMMs’ knowledge, self-perceived competency to complete the CASPer Snapshot, and their anxiety significantly decreased. The level of confidence in understanding CanMEDS roles for a career in healthcare increased as well. The majority (91%) agreed that the feedback received from tutors was adequate and the virtual component of the program was beneficial during COVID-19.Conclusion: Pathway coaching programs have the potential to increase confidence and familiarity amongst URMMs for the CASPer tests and CanMEDS roles. Similar programs should be developed with the aim to increase the chances of URMMs matriculating into medical schools.
Barriers and Facilitators for Attending In-Person Classes as Identified by Public Health Undergraduate Students Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Gersten Zachary P. , Anderson Olivia S.
Published: July 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has altered students’ expectations for in-person learning, including their perceptions about the value of attending classes as course materials are more readily accessible through online modalities. We aimed to explore the barriers and facilitators of public health undergraduates for attending residential in-person courses during a semester two years into the pandemic through a qualitative approach. A survey distributed at the end of the Winter 2022 semester included close- and open-ended items regarding their estimated attendance of classes within the semester and reasons why they did or did not attend in-person classes, and suggested facilitators to get them to attend class, respectively. The most reported reasons for attending their in-person classes included helping students focus on course material and managing their schedule. The most reported barriers for attending class included inconvenient commutes and costs outweighing the benefits. The most described facilitator to get students to attend in-person class was mandatory or graded attendance. Anxiety over COVID-19 exposure was overwhelmingly not a reason for missing in-person classes. As the COVID-19 pandemic ensues and we integrate back to in-person learning, instructors must be aware of the potential factors that affect student attendance. If instructors are aware of these factors, they can then address the barriers or emphasize the facilitators for attending class to fully support student learning.
Ancient metalworking at Yodhawewa site, Sri Lanka: tracing the archaeological and geochemical relationship by analyzing soil and slags
Authors: Wijepala W.M.T.B. , Young Sansfica M. , Ishiga H.
Published: July 2022

The Yodhawewa archaeometallurgical site was the latest discovery in Sri Lanka in 2018. This study aimed to trace the archaeological and geochemical relationship by analyzing the soil and slags of the site dating back to the c. 1st to 8th centuries AD. The analysis was mainly based on the X-ray fluorescence (XRF) method. The soil chemistry resulted in some clues to special metal processing zones in the excavation-1 area. The cultural layers of that area (profiles 1 and 2) showed relatively high copper composition (max. 470ppm), and crucible fragments containing copper particles were also detected in the same layers. The vertical distribution of soil elements and their correlations with TiO2 suggested that long-term metal activity may have affected changes in environmental soil chemistry. Relatively high phosphorus was indicated in the soil-related furnace wall, suggesting the artificial addition of organic matter to the clay body during the furnace wall construction to withstand the high temperatures. High iron slag (HIS) varies from 12.96 to 49.63 wt% of Fe2O3 and shows high MnO, P2O5, and V. Lightweight amorphous/glassy slags (LIS) associated with secondary refining have low iron content and a high CaO and Sr composition.
Measure the Performance by Analysis of Different Boosting algorithms on Various Patterns of Phishing datasets
Authors: Pandey Mithilesh Kumar , Singh Munindra Kumar , Pal Saurabh , Tiwari B. B.
Published: July 2022

The internet has become an important component of our daily lives. The most common internet service is web surfing. Many individuals use their browser to do things like online shopping, bill payment, cell phone recharge, and banking transactions. Customers confront different security dangers, such as cyber crime, as a result of the widespread usage of this service. Cyber phishing is a type of web threat that entices users to connect with a false website. The main goal of this research paper is to prevent the user's sensitive information. The proposed model is developed in three steps in step1 we choose a dataset to train on, and then test classifiers on the dataset. In step2 we have applied the three classifiers finding phishing detection accuracy and finally step3 after completing all of the predictions, we discovered that XGBoost outperformed AdaBoost and Gradient boosting machine learning algorithms.
Immunomodulatory Response in an Experimental Model of Brain Death
Authors: Santana Alexandre Chagas , Andraus Wellington , Oberman Dan Zimelewicz , Rabelo Nícollas Nunes , Silva Filipe Miranda Oliveira , Dellê Humberto , Pepineli Rafael , Moraes Edvaldo Leal , Solla Davi Jorge Fontoura , Ruiz Liliane Moreira , Oliveira-Braga Karina Andrighetti , Nepomuceno Natalia Aparecida , Pêgo-Fernandes Paulo Manuel , Tullius Stefan Gunther , Figueiredo Eberval Gadelha , Sergio Brasil , Sabrina Degaspari , Lima Larissa de Sá , Scavone Cristoforo
Published: July 2022

Liver transplantation has come a long way and is now regarded as the gold standard treatment for end-stage liver failure. The great majority of livers utilized in transplantation come from brain-dead donors. A broad inflammatory response characterizes BD, resulting in multiorgan damage. This process is primarily mediated by cytokines, which increase the immunogenicity of the graft. In male Lewis rats, we evaluated the immune response in a BD liver donor and compared it to that of a control group. We studied two groups: Control and BD (rats subjected to BD by increasing intracranial pressure). After the induction of BD, there was an intense rise in blood pressure followed by a fall. There were no significant differences observed between the groups. Blood tissue and hepatic tissue analyzes showed an increase in plasma concentrations of liver enzymes (AST, ALT, LDH and ALP), in addition to pro-inflammatory cytokines and macrophages in liver tissue in animals submitted to BD. The current study found that BD is a multifaceted process that elicits both a systemic immune response and a local inflammatory response in liver tissue. Our findings strongly suggested that the immunogenicity of plasma and liver increased with time following BD.
Two- and three-photon processes in photoinitiators for 3D laser printing
Authors: Mauri Anna , Kiefer Pascal , Neidinger Philipp , Messer Tobias , Bojanowski N. Maximilian , Yang Liang , Walden Sarah , Unterreiner Andreas-Neil , Barner-Kowollik Christopher , Wegener Martin , Wenzel Wolfgang , Kozlowska Mariana
Published: July 2022

The performance of a photoinitiator is key to control efficiency and resolution in 3D laser nanoprinting. Upon light absorption, a cascade of competing excited states and photoreactions leads to the radical formation that initiates free radical polymerization. Here we investigate 7-diethylamino-3-thenoylcoumarin (DETC), one of the most efficient photoinitiators for two-photon polymerization (TPP). Depending on the presence of a co-initiator, DETC causes radical generation either with two-photon or with a unique three-photon excitation, but the mechanism for these processes is not well understood. Here we show that the unique three-photon based radical formation of DETC in the absence of a co-initiator results from the excitation of special highly excited triplet states followed by multiple bond scission possibilities generating radicals. In contrast, photoinitiation in the presence of a co-initiator proceeds via intermolecular electron transfer or hydrogen atom transfer after the photosensitization of the photoinitiator to the lowest triplet excited state. Our quantum mechanical calculations explain the different pathways for the multiphoton activation mechanism of DETC and its radical formation, which enables the rational design of efficient photoinitiators to increase the speed and sensitivity of 3D laser nanoprinting.