bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in Community Composition Following Secondary Succession of a Temperate Oak-hornbeam Forest After Grassland Abandonment and Their Effect on Soil Carbon and Nutrient Pools
Authors: Jelinčić Antun , Papković Dora , Zgorelec Željka , Perčin Aleksandra
Published: November 2021

BackgroundTo date, changes in C and nutrient cycling during succession are somewhat studied, however, results are often contrasting for different nutrients and successional sequences. Generally, due to increment of litter rich in lignocellulosic components during late succession, mineralization of nutrients is expected to decelerate, and large amounts of nutrients become captivated within tree biomass. We investigated the changes in community composition following secondary succession of oak-hornbeam forest after grassland abandonment, along with the differences in soil chemistry between early- and late- successional stages. We aimed to discover whether late succession increases soil organic C and total N and S pool, but decreases the pools of plant available P and K, and that of micronutrients due to their captivation within the tree biomass. ResultsThe successional sequence studied had a following pathway: Helictotrichon pubescens haypastures à Brachypodium pinnatum successional grasslands à Cornus sanguinea scrubs à late-successional Populus tremula forests à late-successional oak-hornbeam (Quercus-Carpinus) forests. Total species number was highest in haypastures and lowest in late-successional P. tremula forest. Species richness of haypastures was higher from that of mid-successional scrub and late-successional forest stages. Species richness did not differ between mid-successional scrub and late-successional forest stages. Occurrences of plant species throughout secondary succession was mostly stage-specific; only Fragaria vesca, Ajuga reptans, Cornus sanguinea, Prunus spinosa, and Viola hirta showed survival ability throughout almost all stages. Late-successional forest stages had a higher soil organic carbon (SOC), soil organic matter (SOM), and KA concentration, along with the higher soil C:N and C:S ratio in A horizon compared to early-successional grassland stages, whereas concentrations of plant available P and total N, S, Mn, Zn, Ni, Cu, and Fe remained unaltered.ConclusionsEven though late-successional forest stages tighten the nutrient cycles through nutrient captivation within the tree biomass, we found that late succession efficiently retained PA and micronutrient pools and even increased KA concentration in the A horizon, despite the fact that great amounts of these nutrients were already excluded from the nutrient cycle. Despite the contradicting C inputs, soil total N and S concentration did not differ between late-successional forest and early-successional grassland stages.
Decreased ZO1 expression causes loss of time-dependent tight junction function in the liver of ob/ob mice
Authors: Tsurudome Yuya , Morita Nao , Horiguchi Michiko , Ushijima Kentaro
Published: November 2021

Diabetes patients are at a high risk of developing complications related to angiopathy and disruption of the signal transduction system. The liver is one of the multiple organs damaged during diabetes. Few studies have evaluated the morphological effects of adhesion factors in diabetic liver. The influence of diurnal variation has been observed in the expression and functioning of adhesion molecules to maintain tissue homeostasis associated with nutrient uptake. The present study demonstrated that the rhythm-influenced functioning of tight junction was impaired in the liver of ob/ob mice. The tight junctions of hepatocytes were loosened during the dark period in normal mice compared to those in ob/ob mice, where the hepatocyte gaps remained open throughout the day. The time-dependent expression of zonula occludens 1 (ZO1) in the liver plays a vital role in the functioning of the tight junction. The time-dependent expression of ZO1 was nullified and its expression was attenuated in the liver of ob/ob mice. ZO1 expression was inhibited at the mRNA and protein levels. The expression rhythm of ZO1 was found to be regulated by heat shock factor (HSF)1/2, the expression of which was reduced in the liver of ob/ob mice. The DNA-binding ability of HSF1/2 was decreased in the liver of ob/ob mice compared to that in normal mice. These findings suggest the involvement of impaired expression and functioning of adhesion factors in diabetic liver complications.
Screening Potential Therapeutic Mechanisms of Houshiheisan Against Ischemic Stroke by LncRNAs and MRNAs Microarray Profiling
Authors: Cheng Hong-Fa , Zhang Ya-Wen , Guo Xiao-Yao , Wang Han-Yu , Wang Xuan , Zhao Hui , Wang Lei , Zou Hai-yan , Zhang Qiu-Xia
Published: November 2021

Background

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are substantial to wide varity of biological processes and pathogenesis processes of ischemic stroke. Houshiheisan (HSHS), a typical prescription of traditional Chinese medicine, has outstanding efficacy in treating stroke, although the comprehensive molecular mechanism of its therapeutic effect has remained obscure up to now.
Methods

In this work, we induced a ischemic stroke rat model by permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). The microarray expression profile of lncRNAs and mRNAs was used to investigate various possible roles and molecular mechanism of HSHS in treating MCAO rats.
Results

HSHS improved the neurological deficit and alleviated the pathological damage after cerebral ischemia. The Clariom D Assay (rat, Affymetrix) showed that 8128 mRNAs and 3022 lncRNAs differentially expressed between sham group and model group, and 868 mRNAs and 836 lncRNAs between HSHS and model groups. Among the three groups, the intersections (666 mRNAs and 288 lncRNAs) were chosen and analyzed. GO and KEGG analysis disclosed that the majority of overlapping mRNAs were enriched in Axon guidance, Autophagy, PI3K-AKT signaling pathway and mTOR signaling pathway. Pathway network, protein-protein network and molecular complex detection analysis identified significant hub genes, e.g., Rock2, Rps6kb1, Wnt4, IL-6 and so on. Furthermore, we explored dynamic interactions between the dysregulated lncRNAs and mRNAs by lncRNA-mRNA network analysis. Finally, qRT-PCR verified expressions of the critical differentially expressed lncRNAs and mRNAs within the three groups.
Conclusion

Our results indicate that these differentially expressed lncRNAs may affect pathological processes of ischemic stroke by regulating co-expressed mRNAs, providing novel insight in regarding lncRNAs’ involvement in the treatment of ischemic stroke.
A Critical Analysis of the Networking Experiences of Female Entrepreneurs: A Study Based on Small Business Tourism Sector in Sri Lanka
Authors: Kankanamge Nadee Sheresha Surangi Hapugoda Achchi
Published: November 2021

This study goes on to expand on current knowledge through the way it accounts for how female entrepreneurs form and develop their networks in the Sri Lankan context. It adopts social constructionism philosophy and narrative design to explore the female entrepreneurs' networking behaviour. Thematic analysis is used to understand the life stories of fourteen women entrepreneurs in the tourism sector. Findings suggest that female entrepreneurs are likely to rely on more informal recruitment methods and informal training practices. They have strong relationships with local communities, but they focus on customers beyond the locals. Seasonality within tourism has been the emphasis of tourism literature due to its disruptive effect on economic transactions. However, less of the literature has examined the social effects of seasonality, which is where this study can contribute by exploring how gender roles related to social and domestic responsibilities are renegotiated during the low and high seasons when tourism entrepreneurs re-adjust to new time-demand realities. Yet, the narrative research design is not widely used in the Sri Lankan context. Therefore, this article attempts to add to the entrepreneurial networking knowledge by analyzing stories towards female entrepreneurs' experience and social constructionist perspective.
SorCS2 dynamically interacts with TrkB and GluN2B to control neurotransmission and Huntington’s disease progression
Authors: Salasova Alena , Degn Niels Sanderhoff , Paveliev Mikhail , Madsen Niels Kjærsgaard , Benito Saray Lopez , Casarotto Plinio , Ovesen Peter Lund , Vestergaard Benedicte , Udrea Andreea Cornelia , Kisiswa Lilian , Woloszczukova Lucie , Faress Islam , Nabavi Sadegh , Castren Eero , Arevalo Juan Carlos , Holm Mai Marie , Kjølby Mads Fuglsang , Bølcho Ulrik , Nykjaer Anders
Published: November 2021

Background

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive motor dysfunction and loss of medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in dorsal striatum. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) sustains functionality and integrity of MSNs, and thus reduced BDNF signaling is integral to the disease. Mutations in BDNF receptor SorCS2 were recently identified in HD patients. Our study investigates the role of SorCS2 in MSNs biology and in HD progression.
Methods

We derived a double transgenic line by crossbreeding SorCS2 deficient (KO) mice with the HD mouse model R6/1. Subsequently, we characterized the SorCS2 KO; R6/1 line by a set of behavioral and biochemical studies to evaluate phenotypes related to HD. Moreover, in combination with electrophysiology and super resolution microscopy techniques, we addressed the molecular mechanism by which SorCS2 controls synaptic activity in MSNs neurons.
Results

We show that SorCS2 is expressed in MSNs with reduced levels in R6/1 HD model, and that SorCS2 deficiency exacerbates the disease progression in R6/1 mice. Furthermore, we find that SorCS2 binds TrkB and the NMDA receptor subunit GluN2B, which is required to control neurotransmission in corticostriatal synapses. While BDNF stimulates SorCS2-TrkB complex formation to enable TrkB signaling, it disengages SorCS2 from GluN2B, leading to enrichment of the subunit at postsynaptic densities. Consequently, long-term potentiation (LTP) is abolished in SorCS2 deficient mice, despite increased striatal TrkB and unaltered BDNF expression. However, the addition of exogenous BDNF rescues the phenotype. Finally, GluN2B, but not GluN2A, currents are also severely impaired in the SorCS2 KO mice.
Conclusions

We formulate a novel molecular mechanism by which SorCS2 acts as a molecular switch. SorCS2 targets TrkB and GluN2B into postsynaptic densities to enable BDNF signaling and NMDAR dependent neurotransmission in the dorsal striatum. Remarkably, the binding between SorCS2 and TrkB or GluN2B, respectively, is mutually exclusive and controlled by BDNF. This mechanism provides an explanation why deficient SorCS2 signaling severely aggravates HD progression in mice. Moreover, we provide evidence that this finding might represent a general mechanism of SorCS2 signaling found in other brain areas, thus increasing its relevance for other neurological and psychiatric impairments.
Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone Agonist Down Regulation Combined With Hormone Replacement Therapy Improves the Reproductive Outcome in the Frozen-thawed Embryo Transfer Cycle of Elderly Patients With Idiopathic Recurrent Implantation Failure
Authors: Pan Dan , Yang Jie , Zhang Ni , Wang Lei , Li Na , Shi Juanzi , Zhou Hanying
Published: November 2021

BackgroundTo determine whether Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist down regulation combined with hormone replacement treatment (HRT) can improve the reproductive outcomes in the frozen thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycle of elderly patients with idiopathic recurrent implantation failure (RIF). MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort study analyzing 594 elderly patients (aged 36~43 years old) undergoing third cleavage embryo or blastocyst transfer over nearly 5-year period (January 2015–November 2020) at Northwest Women’s and Children’s Hospital after IVF-ICSI cycles. Patients with known endometriosis or adenomyosis were excluded from the study.According to different endometrial preparation protocols, patients were divided into three groups: natural cycle group (NC, n=62), hormone replacement treatment cycle group (HRT, n=194) and GnRH agonist down regulation combined with HRT cycle group (GnRHa-HRT, n=290).Live birth rate was primary outcome while clinical pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate, on going pregnancy rate were secondary outcomes. ResultsLive birth rate in the GnRHa-HRT group (31.90%) was significantly higher than that in the HRT (21.65%) or NC (16.13%) groups (P<0.0001). Logistic regression model adjusting for the potential confounders showed that patients in the GnRHa-HRT group have significantly higher live birth rate compared with those in the HRT group (OR, 2.708; 95%CI,1.251-5.864, P=0.011). However, live birth rate was not significantly different between GnRHa-HRT and NC groups (OR, 1.509; 95% CI,0.657-3.463, P=0.332), which could be due to the small sample size in the NC group.Conclusions﻿GnRHa-HRT protocol improves live birth rate in FET cycles of elderly patients with RIF. We hypothesize that GnRHa-HRT protocol enhances implantation related factors and promotes optimal endometrium receptivity, leading to the improved live birth rate. These findings are also useful for further investigating the underlying mechanism of GnRHa-HRT protocol in improving the reproductive outcomes of elderly patients with RIF.Trial registration:The research protocol was approved by the hospital institutional ethics committee (2021002).
Problem based learning approach increases the academic satisfaction of health science students in Ethiopian Universities: a comparative cross sectional study
Authors: Tadesse Selamawit Girma , Tadesse Dereje Girma , Dagnaw Eyaya Habtie
Published: November 2021

Background

Problem based learning is being highly implemented in many medical schools worldwide due to its perceived advantages including improvement of problem-solving abilities, development of communication skills, creation and development of critical thinking skill, and making of individuals to be lifelong learners & responsible for their own learning process.
Objective

The study aimed to compare academic satisfaction of Problem and Lecture based learning of regular undergraduate health science students in Ethiopian Universities, 2021.
Method

Institution based comparative cross sectional study was conducted from February 1-30, 2021. Data were collected using a pretested structured and self-administered questionnaire among 850 eligible students from two Universities. Data were entered into EPI info version 6.04 and analyzed using SPSS version 23. Binary Logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with academic satisfaction considering the association to be significant p- value <0.05.
Result

The study result revealed that the magnitude of academic satisfaction among problem based and lecture based learning students were 50.9% and 49.9% respectively. Similarly, problem based learning students were more likely to be academically satisfied than lecture based learning students in their type of curriculum with (AOR= 1.50, 95% CI= 1.02, 2.21). Experience of classroom distress (AOR=1.93, 95% CI= 1.22, 3.06), quality of teaching (AOR= 0.54, 95% CI= 0.34, 0.86), relationship with classmates (AOR= 0.33, 95% CI= 0.13, 0.80), course content (AOR=0.56, 95% CI= 0.33, 0.93) and accessibility of technology in the campus (AOR= 0.62, 95% CI= 0.40, 0.96) were the significant factors of academic satisfaction of problem based learning students. Year of study (AOR= 0.29, 95% CI= 0.17, 0.48), quality of teaching (AOR= 0.51, 95% CI= 0.31, 0.85), course content (AOR= 0.59, 95% CI= 0.35, 0.97) and energy & effort (AOR= 0.55, 95% CI= 0.35, 0.88) were significantly associated with academic satisfaction among lecture based learning students.
Conclusion

The study revealed that the academic satisfaction among problem based learning students was higher than lecture based learning students. Incorporating problem based learning as a formal instructional method in across the universities curriculum is recommended.
Localized Electroconvection at Ion-Exchange Membranes with Heterogeneous Surface Charge
Authors: Stockmeier Felix , Felder Daniel , Eser Steffen , Habermann Malte , Peric Petar , Musholt Stephan , Albert Katharina , Linkhorst John , Wessling Matthias
Published: November 2021

Operating electrochemical membrane processes beyond the limiting current density bears the potential to decrease the investment cost of desalination plants significantly. However, while there are strategies for successfully reducing energy demand by shortening the plateau region, their influence on the formation of electroconvection is still unknown.

This study demonstrates control over the electroconvective vortices' rotational direction and position using a surface patterning method. We compare the development of electroconvection at two membranes modified with patterns of different surface charges. We analyze the electroconvective vortex field's build-up, the vortices' rotational direction, and structural stability in the steady-state. Finally, we showcase the control possibilities by enforcing a specific structure along an asymmetric letter pattern. Such tailor-made patterns have the potential to diminish the plateau region's energy loss completely. Furthermore, the scale-up of these membranes to industrial processes will allow the economic operation in the overlimiting regime, significantly increasing their space-time yield.
Frequent Hospital Users with Limited English are Vulnerable to COVID-19 Misinformation: Results from A Cross-sectional Survey
Authors: Jessup RL , Bramston C , Putrik P , Haywood C , Tacey M , Copnell B , Cvetanovska N , Cao Y , Gust A , Campbell D , Oldenburg B , Mehdi H , Kirk M , Zucchi E , Semciw AI , Beauchamp A
Published: November 2021

BackgroundSuccessful public health responses to pandemics rely on individuals being able to access, clearly understand and easily interpret relevant information about symptoms, prevention, testing and containment strategies. Accessing and interpreting information during the pandemic has been difficult for many populations, particularly those experiencing social or economic disadvantage. The aim of this study was to understand how a population of frequent hospital users originating, from a disadvantaged population, have accessed and interpreted information during the COVID pandemic in Melbourne.MethodsCross sectional telephone survey of 200 frequent hospital users (115 with limited English proficiency) informed by the World Health Organisation’s “Rapid, simple, flexible behavioural insights on COVID-19”. Primary outcome measures included knowledge of symptoms, preventive strategies, government restrictions aimed at containment, and belief in misleading information. Secondary outcome measure was perceived trustworthiness of information which was measured using content analysis of open-ended questions. ResultsOverall, the survey participants had poor understanding of misleading information (69%). 41.2% were unable to accurately identify symptoms, while 35.8% were unable to identify preventative strategies. Just under 1/3 (30.2%) were unable to describe government restrictions. English-speaking participants were almost three times (OR 2.69, 95%CI 1.47;4.91) more likely tohave adequate knowledge about symptoms, were twice as likely to understand local restrictions (OR 2.10 95%CI 1.06; 4.19) and were 11 times more likely to recognise information that was misleading or incorrect (OR 11.52 95%CI 5.39; 24.60) than those with limited English. 50% of those surveyed stated that theytrusted all information that they read or heard, with on 20% stating that they were uncertain or untrusting of some information.ConclusionLimited English proficiency was strongly associated with inadequate knowledge of COVID-19 and much greater likelihood of believing widely circulating misinformation. In order to reduce transmission, morbidity and mortality associated with COVID-19, health authorities must tailor health messaging to disadvantaged populations to ensure they have adequate access, and understanding, of the information.
Predictors of Hearing Functional Outcome following Surgery for Cerebellopontine Angle Meningioma.
Authors: Lekovic Gregory P. , Fatima Nida , Maxwell Anne K. , Mehta Gautam U. , Barnard Zachary R. , Wilkinson Eric P. , Brackmann Derald E. , Slattery William H.
Published: November 2021

OBJECTIVE

Cerebellopontine angle (CPA) meningioma can affect hearing function and require expeditious treatment to prevent permanent hearing loss. The authors sought to determine the factors associated with hearing functional outcome in CPA meningioma patients treated with surgery and/or radiation therapy either stereotactic radiosurgery or stereotactic radiation therapy.
METHODS

Consecutive patients with CPA meningioma who had presented at our hospital from 2008 to 2018 were identified through retrospective chart review. Hearing function-pure tone audiogram (PTA) and speech discrimination score (SDS)-was assessed before and after surgery for CPA meningioma. Hearing function with PTA>50 dB and SDS<69% were defined as poor hearing functional outcome. Multivariable Cox Proportional Hazards Regression model was used to assess the associations between pre-operative hearing functional assessment and post-operative hearing functional outcomes.
RESULTS

The study cohort included 31 patients (80.6% females, with a mean age of 61.3±15.2 years) with a median clinical follow-up of 5 months (range, 1 week-98 months). The mean pre-operative PTA and SDS were 23.8±11.2 dB and 64.4±22.2% respectively. At the last visit, there was a significant hearing recovery, with an improvement of 29.7±18.0 dB (p<0.001) and 87.6±17.8% (p<0.001) in PTA and SDS respectively. Multivariable cox proportional hazards regression model was conducted after adjusting for age, gender, tumor volume, location, and classification of the tumor, which revealed that patients undergoing surgery through retro sigmoid approach [Hazards Ratio (HR): 32.1, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 2.11-491.0, p=0.01] and gross total resection (GTR) (HR: 2.99, 95%CI: 1.09-9.32, p=0.05) had significantly higher risk of poor hearing functional outcome. Moreover, patients with poor preoperative hearing had 85% higher chances of poor hearing functional outcome post operatively (HR: 0.15, 95%CI: 0.03-0.59, p=0.007).
CONCLUSION

Postoperative improvement in hearing is a reasonable expectation following surgery for CPA meningioma. Preoperative hearing, surgical approach and extent of surgical resection are predictive of postoperative hearing function outcome and can identify patients at higher risk of hearing loss.
Graph-Based Feature Reduction for Three-Dimensional Gabor Filter in PolSAR Image Classification
Authors: mohsen
Published: November 2021

Polarimetric Synthetic Aperture Radar (PolSAR) image classification is one of the most important applications in remote sensing. In this paper, the goal is PolSAR image classification and also introduce a method to obtain the best result for PolSAR image classification and recognition. In this article, we present the 3D-Gabor filters as a way in order to feature extraction of PolSAR images and get the best result with high accuracy for PolSAR image classification. Also, we prove that the 3D-Gabor filter approach can get higher accuracy than traditional methods for PolSAR images classification, but one of the most important challenges of 3D-Gabor filters is the number of features that are extracted from them. Therefore, by using 3D-Gabor filter we can't reach the optimal result because of the curse of dimensionality. So, to achieve the best results we propose a method to reduce the features that are extracted from 3D-Gabor filters. By using our proposed method, the features will be mapped to a new space with smaller dimensions. In the end, the experimental results indicate the superiority of the proposed method.
Improvement of 1,3-Propanediol Production From Crude Glycerol by Co-cultivation of Anaerobic and Facultative Microbes Under Non-strictly Anaerobic Conditions
Authors: Sun Yaqin , Liang Lingyun , Zheng Yafeng , Han Jindong , Xiu Zhilong
Published: November 2021

Background: Natural microbial consortia could efficiently produce 1,3-propanediol, the most promising bulk biochemical derived from glycerol that can be used as a monomer in the synthesis of polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT). While natural microbial communities are made up of a diverse range of microbes with frequently unknown functions, the construction of synthetic microbial consortia allows for creating more defined systems with lower complexity.Results: In this study, the synthetic microbial consortia were constructed by combing facultative microbes of Klebsiella pneumoniae DUT2 (KP) and/or Escherichia coli DUT3 (EC) cultures with the strict anaerobic microbe of Clostridium butyricum DUT1 (CB) cultures under micro-aerobic conditions. The function of EC and KP during the fermentation process was to deplete oxygen and provide an anaerobic environment for CB. Furthermore, KP competes with CB to consume crude glycerol and produce 1,3-PDO. The interaction of commensalism and competition resulted in synthetic microbial consortia that could efficiently convert crude glycerol to 1,3-PDO even under micro-aerobic conditions. In a batch fermentation, the synthetic CB:KP co-culture at an initial abundance ratio of 92.5:7.5 yielded a maximum 1,3-PDO concentration of 52.08 g/L, with a yield of 0.49 g/g and a productivity of 1.80 g/(L.h), which increased by 10%, 9%, and 12%, respectively, when compared to the CB mono-culture under strictly anaerobic conditions. Compared to the KP mono-culture, the final 1,3-PDO concentration, yield, and productivity by the synthetic CB:KP consortia increased by 16%, 19%, and 84%, respectively. The synthetic CB:KP:EC co-culture achieved the highest 1,3-PDO flux of 49.17% at an initial abundance ratio of 85:7.5:7.5, while 7.43%, 5.77%, 3.15% 4.24%, and 2.13% of flux was distributed to butyric acid, acetic acid, lactic acid, ethanol, and succinic acid pathways. In a fed-batch fermentation, synthetic CB:KP:EC co-culture demonstrated a maximum 1,3-PDO concentration of 77.68 g/L with a yield of 0.51 g/g which is 30% and 13% higher than the production by the CB mono-culture at 0.02 vvm N2 supply. The initial abundance of CB guaranteed to be at least 85% facilitates 1,3-PDO production from crude glycerol efficiently by the development of synthetic microbial consortia. Conclusion: Under micro-aerobic conditions, the synthetic microbial consortia demonstrated excellent performance on 1,3-propanediol production via the interaction of commensalism and competition. The experimental results demonstrated the potential benefit of using the synthetic microbial consortia to produce 1,3-propanediol from crude glycerol.
Insights into fucose metabolism: SLC35C1-independent fucosylation discriminates against mannose-derived GDP-fucose
Authors: Skurska Edyta , Szulc Bożena , Maszczak-Seneczko Dorota , Wiktor Maciej , Wiertelak Wojciech , Olczak Mariusz
Published: November 2021

Mutations in the SLC35C1 gene, encoding the Golgi GDP-fucose transporter, cause leukocyte adhesion deficiency II (LADII). Fucosylation improvement in LADII patients treated with fucose suggests the existence of an SLC35C1-independent route of GDP-fucose transport, which still remains a mystery. Here, we developed and characterized a human cell-based model deficient in the SLC35C1 activity. The knockout cells displayed low but detectable levels of fucosylation. Strikingly, the fucosylation defect was almost completely reversed upon treatment with millimolar concentrations of fucose. Even if fucose was supplemented at nanomolar concentrations, it was still incorporated into glycans by the knockout cells. We also found that the SLC35C1-independent transport preferred the salvage pathway over the de novo pathway as a source of GDP-fucose. Our results imply that the Golgi systems of GDP-fucose transport discriminate between the substrate pools obtained from different metabolic pathways, which suggests a functional connection between nucleotide sugar transporters and nucleotide sugar synthetases.
Theoretical and Experimental Research on a Novel Method of Cluster Magnetorheological Finishing Based on Array Circular Holes Polishing Disk
Authors: Luo Bin , Yan Qiusheng , Chai Jingfu , Song Wenqing , Pan Jisheng
Published: November 2021

with the high performance of microelectronic and optoelectronic devices, the new generation of optoelectronic wafers is developing in the direction of large size and ultra-thinning, which requires ultra-smooth surfaces with sub-nanometer surface roughness. It puts forward new requirements and challenges for the efficient and ultra-smooth planarization processing of optoelectronic wafers. This paper proposes a novel method of cluster magnetorheological finishing based on array circular holes polishing disk, which can effectively improve the polishing shear force and polishing efficiency. The appropriate polishing shear force and material removal rate are the keys to achieve low roughness and low damage processing of optoelectronic wafers. Therefore, the shear force model of solid particles in magnetorheological finishing fluid is established based on the tribological principle. The material removal rate model is established by combining the polishing shear force model with the velocity model. The correctness of the above model is verified by the rotary dynamometer and repeated single-factor experiments. The errors between theoretical and experimental values of polishing shear force and material removal rate are 8.8% and 10.8%, respectively. The new magnetorheological finishing method can realize the efficient and ultra-smooth planarization of optoelectronic wafers. The established model can theoretically guide the optimization of the surface structure and polishing process of polishing disks.
Space-Time Model to Predict The Evolution of the Regional Subsidence in The Lacustrine Zone of Mexico City
Authors: Madrigal-Madrigal Maria Clara , Botero-Jaramillo Eduardo , Díaz-Ávalos Carlos
Published: November 2021

In several scientific and engineering disciplines, models have been used to understand the behavior of dynamic processes that evolve in space and in time by providing a probabilistic framework to analyzing the available information. The geostatistical tools used to analyze space-time data are based on established statistical methods, where time is considered as an additional dimension. These models have become very useful in fields such as meteorology, hydrology, ecology, geosciences, and environmental sciences, among others. Subsidence generated by the intense extraction of groundwater in a region is a dynamic phenomenon that manifests itself through the sinking of the ground surface, leading to significant settling in buildings and public utilities as well as cracks in roads. Since the regional subsidence of Mexico City is one of the most representative cases of this type in the world, in this work a model with a full grid space-time layout (STF) is used to analyze and predict the evolution of this phenomenon in the city, taking into account a monitoring system composed of 1931 surface benchmarks. Results show that the separable variogram model was the one that best represented the spatial and temporal correlation of the phenomenon in the area of study. In addition, the differences between the registered ground elevation made in 2016 and those estimated by the space-time model for the same year, were less than 1.00 m. This implies that in general accurate ground elevation values and subsidence rates can be obtained from the proposed space-time model during the time period 2010-2030 for the lacustrine zone of Mexico City.
Impulse Controllability Problem for the Equation of a String with an External Load on a Rectangle QT = [0 ≤ x ≤ π] × [0 ≤ t ≤ T].
Authors: Yevhenii Donchyk
Published: November 2021

In this paper necessary and sufficient conditions for impulse null-controllability and approximate null-controllability are obtained for the controllability problem for the equation of the string on a rectangle. This article discusses control that is carried out using an external load. Controls solving these problems are found explicitly.
Zimbabwe’s Indigenous SME policy Framework, a tool for black empowerment
Authors: Musabayana Godfrey Tambudzayi , Mutambara Emmanuel
Published: November 2021

Zimbabwe embarked on the policy to empower its local people through enacting into law a policy that targeted the empowerment of its citizens. The ‘Indigenisation and Empowerment Act’ (IEP) of Zimbabwe was made into law when the state President, Robert Mugabe signed the Act on March 7, 2008. It is stated in the (IEP) that the foreign-owned companies should offer at least 51 percent of their shares to indigenous Zimbabweans, and also provide for the creation of an empowerment fund to finance the acquisition of working capital, shares, and other forms of finance for indigenous people. The indigenisation process mainly focus on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as the key drivers of the new economic dispensation hence their performance is of great significance to this cause. This development was viewed by the citizens as the best strategy to implement in order to empower the nation to participate in the economic development of the country. Methodologically, the study critically analysed the literature of indigenization policies that were applied by some regions of the world and how they impacted on the disadvantaged groups. The researcher went on to analyse the Zimbabwean indigenous policies and how they impacted the SMEs and drew insights from the findings of other researchers.
Development of an Evidence-Based Exercise Program for Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: An Ki-Yong , Yu Mi-Seong , Cho Wonhee , Choi Meeok , Courneya Kerry , Cheong June-Won , Jeon Justin
Published: November 2021

PURPOSE

Although the efficacy of different exercise programs on different outcomes of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients have been examined, the details of process of exercise program development has not been described previously. In this study, we described the systematic development process of an evidence-based exercise program for HSCT patients.
METHODS

We developed the exercise program for HSCT patients using eight steps: (1) a literature review, (2) understanding patient characteristics, (3) first expert group discussion, (4) development of the first draft of the exercise program, (5) a pre-test, (6) second expert group discussion, (7) a pilot study, and (8) a focus group interview.
RESULTS

Through six systematic steps, tailored exercise program was developed based on patients’ physical and hospital room conditions, which varies in intensity (three different intensities) and exercise positions (supine, sitting, and standing). Then, a pilot randomized trial was conducted on 21 patients with HSCT patients. The adherence rate to exercise program was 44.7% and significantly better timed up and go and symptom scale were seen in the exercise group compared than those of control group. Through the last step, three barriers and four facilitators of exercise during HSCT were identified.
CONCLUSION

A safe and feasible tailored unsupervised exercise program for patients during HSCT was developed and tested. In the future, the efficacy of the exercise program should be tested with RCT with implementation strategies to reduce exercise barriers and maximize facilitators of exercise identified in the current study.
Sijunzi Tang Enhances The Sensitivity of Lung Cancer Cells To Gefitinib Based On Glutamine Metabolism
Authors: Wang Zhihong , Wang Shiyuan , Liu Xia , Cao Bo , Zhang Mingyu , Li Chunyu , Li Guohui
Published: November 2021

Background: Acquired resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) has been the major bottleneck that limits the long-term clinical efficacy. Therefore, the exploration of novel strategies for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is urgent. Sijunzi Tang (SJZ) has been usually used as a complementary therapy for cancer patients that can prolong their overall life. Nevertheless, its underlying mechanism when combined with EGFR-TKIs is not clear. Methods: Here, the anti-tumor activity was evaluated by determining cell viability by using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8). A high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method was established to simultaneously quantify nine metabolites in the glutamine metabolic pathway, such as glutamine, glutamate, αketoglutaric acid, fumarate, succinate, citrate, cis-aconitate, alanine, and malate in PC-9/GR cells. Results: The results showed that SJZ could enhance the sensitivity of lung cancer cells to gefitinib. The content of glutamine and glutamate in the SJZ/gefitinib group was significantly lower than that in the gefitinib group, while the concentration of other metabolites did not change significantly. Conclusion: In summary, SJZ can reverse gefitinib resistance by modulating glutamine metabolism. Our results suggested that SJZ might be a potential resistance reversal herbal medicine and combined with gefitinib might be a promising strategy for the therapy of lung cancer. Also, the research will provide novel insights for the study of the mechanisms on Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescriptions-reversed resistance of EGFR-TKIs, and scientific basis for the combined treatment of lung cancer with TCM and EGFR-TKIs.
Management of Pancreatic Trauma In Urban India: A Multicenter Study
Authors: Bavishi Devi , Khajanchi Monty , Prajapati Ramlal , Gadgil Anita , Sarang Bhakti , Soni Kapil Dev , Banker Amay , Moghe Dhanashree , Wärnberg Martin Gerdin
Published: November 2021

Background: Pancreatic trauma occurs in 0.2-2% of patients with blunt trauma and 1–12% of patients with penetrating trauma. The mortality and morbidity rates range from 9-34% and 30-60% respectively. We aimed to review the management of pancreatic trauma in a multicenter database from India.Methods: We analyzed all patients who suffered a pancreatic injury and who were included in the multicenter prospective observational study ‘Towards Improved Trauma Care Outcomes (TITCO)’.Results: Of the 16047 trauma cases, 1134 (7.1%) patients suffered abdominal trauma. Of all those with abdominal trauma 55 patients (4.9%) had injury to the pancreas. 28 patients (50.9%) with pancreatic trauma were managed conservatively. 27 patients (49.1%) underwent surgical exploration in the form of laparotomies. 11 procedures were undertaken for pancreas. A total of 45 (82%) patients had associated injuries along with pancreatic injury. Thorax (19) (including injuries to lung, pleura and ribs), liver (17), bowel (14) and spleen (13) were the most common associated injuries.Conclusion: Conservative management was as common as operative management in patients with pancreatic injuries. Most (80%) grade III/IV underwent operative treatment. Many patients (82%) had associated injuries. Level of evidence: III
Nitrogen-metabolising Microorganism Analysis in Rapid Sand Filters From Drinking Water Treatment Plant by Culturing and Metagenomics
Authors: Gu Qihui , Ma Jun , Zhang Jumei , Guo Weipeng , Wu Huiqing , Sun Ming , Wang Juan , Wei Xianhu , Zhang Youxiong , Chen Montong , Xue Liang , Ding Yu , Wu Qingping
Published: November 2021

Sand filter (SFs) are common treatment processes for nitrogen pollutants removal in drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs). However, the mechanisms on the nitrogen-cycling role of SFs are still unclear. In this study, 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was used to characterise the diversity and composition of the bacterial community in SFs from DWTPs. Additionally, metagenomics approach was used to determine the functional microorganisms involved in nitrogen cycle in SFs. Our results showed that Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Nitrospirae, and Chloroflexi dominated in SFs. Subsequently, 85 high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) were retrieved from metagenome datasets of selected SFs involving nitrification, assimilatory nitrogen reduction, and denitrification processes. Read mapping to reference genomes of Nitrospira and the phylogenetic tree of the ammonia monooxygenase subunit A gene, amoA, suggested that Nitrospira is abundantly found in SFs. Furthermore, according to their genetic content, a nitrogen metabolic model in SFs was proposed using representative MAGs and pure culture isolates. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) showed that ammonia-oxidising bacteria (AOB) and archaea (AOA), and complete ammonia oxidisers (comammox) were ubiquitous in the SFs, with the abundance of comammox being higher than that of AOA and AOB. Moreover, we identified a bacterial strain with a high NO3-N removal rate as Pseudomonas sp., which could be applied in the bioremediation of micro-polluted drinking water sources. Our study provides insights into functional nitrogen-metabolising microbes in SFs of DWTPs.
Artificial event horizons in Weyl semimetal heterostructures and their non-equilibrium signatures
Authors: De Beule Christophe , Groenendijk Solofo , Meng Tobias , Schmidt Thomas
Published: November 2021

We investigate transport in type-I/type-II Weyl semimetal
heterostructures that realize effective black- or white-hole event
horizons. We provide an exact solution to the scattering problem at
normal incidence and low energies, both for a sharp and a slowly-varying
Weyl cone tilt profile. In the latter case, we find two channels with
transmission amplitudes analog to those of Hawking radiation. Whereas
the Hawking-like signatures of these two channels cancel in equilibrium,
we demonstrate that one can favor the contribution of either channel
using a non-equilibrium state, either by irradiating the type-II region
or by coupling it to a magnetic lead. This in turn gives rise to a peak
in the two-terminal differential conductance which can serve as an
experimental indicator of the artificial event horizon.
Treatment with Corticosteroids may Link to Higher Risk of COVID-19 Disease?
Authors: Pirzada Quratulain , Gul Somia , Baig Faizan
Published: November 2021

Corticosteroids are one of the important natural hormones released in the body that play a vital role in metabolism due to their intense anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and immune suppressive activity. These are most prescribed medications available in various dosage forms like topical formulations, inhalers and injectables. The current outbreak of corona virus disease COVID-19 became a global threat and primary concern worldwide. In respiratory patients, the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids exacerbate the disease symptoms of COVID-19 patients, as they are often regarded as immunosuppressive drugs. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are considered as first line treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COVID-19 disease led the upper respiratory tract illness. ICS are used in the treatment of early symptoms of COVID-19 disease in low doses. Asthmatic patients or patients with chronic obstructive lung disease, who are on regular use of ICS were found to have a low risk of early symptoms of severely ill COVID-19 disease. Although there appeared to be some evidence that corticosteroid therapy may be beneficial in treatment of corona virus disease, but it is also reported to be applicable only at the early acute phase. The literature records revealed that injectable formulations of corticosteroids are known to suppress the immunity in patients infected with SARS-CoV2. The present review is to study the different formulations of corticosteroids and their possible use in COVID-19 progression.
Experience in implementing the International Standards for Assessing Newborn Growth INTERGROWTH-21st
Authors: Ryumina I. I. , Markelova M. M. , Narogan M. V. , Orlovskaya I. V. , Perepelkina A. E. , Ryndin A. Yu. , Gatina E. A. , Molkova E. A. , Kosolapova Yu. A. , Artamkina E. I. , Sokolova E. V. , Titova E. V. , Kirillova E. A. , Derevyagina O. S. , Zubkov V. V. , Baibarina E. N.
Published: November 2021

The physical development of newborns and infants is the most important parameter in assessing their health. However, the standards of anthropometric parameters, and most importantly their growth in premature babies, especially those born with low and extremely low body weight, are still controversial.

Objective: to apply the methodology for measuring and assessing the main anthropometric indicators of newborns using the international standards of postnatal growth of premature babies INTERGROWTH-21st to resolve the issue of the feasibility of its adaptation and widespread introduction into neonatological and pediatric practice in the Russian Federation. 4876 children were born at Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology (participant of the international project for the implementation of INTERGROWTH-21st standards in neonatological and pediatric practice) from 15.05.2018 to 26.11.2018. 439 (9%) of them were born premature, of which 376 children (89,3%) with gestational age confirmed by ultrasound were included in the study. There was a detailed file for each child to assess the environment and health of the mother, the course of pregnancy, childbirth, the state of health of the child from birth to discharge from the hospital. 2.1% of children classified by INTERGROWTH-21st as children with intrauterine growth retardation, according to Fenton charts, had normal intrauterine growth. When comparing the postnatal growth at discharge from hospital on the Fenton scale, more children were classified as children with impaired postnatal growth; the discrepancy between INTERGROWTH-21st and Fenton diagrams was 8%. At discharge, 52% of premature babies were exclusively breastfed, 28.8% of premature babies were at mixed feeding.

Conclusion.On the one hand, the use of INTERGROWTH-21st scales helps to correct nutrition in case of delay in physical development, and, on the other hand, it reduces the risk of metabolic disorders associated with an aggressive desire to achieve rapid growth of a premature baby.
Application of Z-numbers to teleconnection modeling between monthly precipitation and large scale sea surface temperature
Authors: Najafi Hessam , Nourani Vahid , Sharghi Elnaz , Roushangar Kiyoumars , Dąbrowska Dominika
Published: November 2021

The teleconnection modeling of hydro-climatic events is a complex problem with highly uncertain circumstances. In contrast to the classic fuzzy logic methods, by using the Z-number in addition to the constraint of information, and by evaluating the data reliability, it is possible to characterize the degree of ambiguity of data. In this regard, this study investigates the performance of the Z-number-based model (ZBM) in prediction of classified monthly precipitation (MP) events of two synoptic stations in Iran (up to five months in advance). To this end, the sea surface temperature (SST) of adjacent seas was used as a predictor. The suggested model, by using Z-number directly and applying fuzzy Hausdorff distance to determine weights of if-then rules, predicted MP events of both the stations with over 70% confidence. Analysis of the results in the test step showed that the ZBM compared to the traditional fuzzy approach improved the results by 69% for Kermanshah and 112% for Tabriz. Overall, the Z-number concept by assessing events reliability can be used in various sectors of water resources management such as decision-making and drought monitoring.