bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Environmental sources along natural cave ripening shape the microbiome and metabolome of artisanal blue-veined cheeses
Authors: Alexa Elena , Cobo-Diaz José F , Renes Erica , O´Callaghan Tom F , Kilcawley Kieran , Mannion David , Skibinska Iwona , Ruiz Lorena , Margolles Abelardo , Fernández-Gómez Paula , Alvarez-Molina Adrián , Crispie Fiona , Puente-Gómez Paula , López Mercedes , Prieto Miguel , Cotter Paul , Alvarez-Ordóñez Avelino
Published: August 2022

Microorganisms colonising processing environments can significantly impact food quality and safety.Here we describe a detailed longitudinal study assessing the impact of cave ripening on the microbial succession and cheese metabolome across different producers of Cabrales blue-veined cheese. Both the producer and cave in which cheeses were ripened significantly influenced the cheese microbiome and metabolome. Lactococcus and the fomer Lactobacillus genus, among other taxa, showed high abundance in cheeses at initial stages of ripening, either coming from the raw material, starter culture used and/or the environment of processing plants. Along cheese ripening in caves, these taxa were displaced by other bacteria, such as Tetragenococcus, Corynebacterium, Brevibacterium, Yaniella and Staphylococcus, predominantly originating from cave environments (mainly food contact surfaces), as demonstrated by source tracking analyses, strain analysis at read level and the characterization of 613 metagenome assembled genomes. Tetragenococcus koreensis and T. halophilus were detected at high abundance in cheese and Tetragenococcus showed a high level of horizontal gene transfer with other members of the cheese microbiome, mainly with Lactococcus and Staphylococcus, involving genes related to carbohydrate metabolism functions, indicating that these transfer events may have mediated the adaptation of Tetragenococcus to the dairy environments. Overall, we demonstrated that processing environments can be a source of non-starter microorganisms of relevance to ripening of artisan fermented foods, we identified novel taxa not previously regarded as being dominant components of the cheese microbiome (Tetragenococcus spp.), providing very valuable information to the authentication of this Protected Designation of Origin artisanal cheese in the future.
Identification and Molecular Characterization of Antibiotics Resistance Staphylococcus species from of the Nasal Cavity of Goats in Adama, Ethiopia
Authors: Guta Leta , Mohammed Seid , Sombo Malaku
Published: August 2022

BackgroundStaphylococcispp. are found everywhere in nature and they occur as a part of the normal microbial flora. These bacterial spp colonizes the skin, and mucous membranes in the nostrils of humans and animals. The aim of this study was to identify and molecular characterization of antibiotic resistancestaphylococcusspecies that isolated from the nasal cavity of goats (NCGs) in Adama city. Results In this study, 34 isolates of PSSIs were obtained from NCGs. All are morphologically cocci. The recent all PSSIs were shown positive results for catalase, gram staining, and urease test. Few isolates were found to be Coagulase positive and were confirmed to beS. aureus.In this study, PSSIs were identified asS. aureus, S. sciuri, S. simulans, andS. xylosususing MALDI-TOF MS analysis. Antibiotic resistance gene such asblaZ,mecA, andnucgene were detected for PSSI-D8 strain using PCR analysis. Based on 16srRNA analysis, PSSI-D8 was confirmed to beStaphylococcus aureuswith 99.47% sequence similarity and designated asStaphylococcus aureusisolate obtained from NCGs (Staphylococcus aureusINCGD8). PSSI-D8 strain found to be (100%) susceptible to chloramphenicol and vancomycin antibiotics. The optimum condition for growth and biomass production forStaphylococcus aureusINCG8 was obtained at pH7, temperature (37oC) and 1.28M of NaCl using glucose as the main carbon source. Conclusion In conclusion, the preliminary, secondary screening, MALDI-TOF MS analysis, and molecular study collectively were driving the PSSI-D8 to strain ofS. aureusfor the first time in Ethiopia from NCGs.
Vacuum infusion as a novel method to determine wood permeability
Authors: Acosta Andrey Pereira , Barbosa Kelvin Techera , Silva Amanda Albertin Xavier da , Gatto Darci Alberto , Delucis Rafael de Avila , Amico Sandro Campos
Published: August 2022

This study aims to propose a novel method, vacuum infusion process, to measure the longitudinal permeability of wood. The vacuum infusion method uses a vacuum bag sealed over the fibrous material, with a vacuum inlet and a vacuum outlet. It can be performed on top of any flat surface, and its process is relatively swift. Six different woods (Pinus elliottii, Araucaria angustifolia, Ochroma pyramidale, Cedrela fissilis, Tectona grandis, and Eucalyptus grandis) and three different fluids (water, soybean oil, and furfuryl alcohol) were selected for the study. After preliminary evaluations of morphology, chemical characteristics, density, porosity, contact angle and capillary pressure, three woods and two fluids were selected for the actual permeability measurements. The highest permeability was obtained for the Ochroma pyramidale wood, being 0.45–7.49×10–11 m2. This wood was 58–88% and 18–62% more permeable than the Pinus elliottii and Eucalyptus grandis woods, respectively. The fluid was found to have some influence on the experiment and therefore must be carefully selected. The difference in permeability of the woods was attributed to morphological characteristics, especially the presence of axial vessels, which are 60% larger for Ochroma pyramidale wood compared to Eucalyptus grandis wood, while Pinus elliottii has no vessels. The amount of voids in all woods, nevertheless, was similar, as well as the evaluated chemical characteristics and structural anatomical elements (tracheids and/or fibers). In all, the determination of apparent permeability using the vacuum infusion process is practical and with good accuracy, yielding results similar to those from other methods in the literature.
Genome-based typing reveals rare events of patient contamination with Pseudomonas aeruginosa from other patients and sink traps in a medical intensive care unit
Authors: Couchoud Charlotte , Bertrand Xavier , Bourgeon Marilou , Piton Gaël , Valot Benoit , Hocquet Didier
Published: August 2022

Background
We used genome-based typing data with the aim of identifying the routes of acquisition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) by patients hospitalized in a medical intensive care unit (MICU) over a long period in a non-epidemic context.
Methods
This monocentric prospective study took place over 10 months in 2019 in a 15-bed MICU that applies standard precautions of hygiene. Lockable sink traps installed at all water points of use were bleach disinfected twice a week. We sampled all sink traps weekly to collect 404 PA environmental isolates and collected all PA isolates (n = 115) colonizing or infecting patients (n = 65). All isolates had their phenotypic resistance profile determined and their genome sequenced, from which we identified resistance determinants and assessed the population structure of the collection at the nucleotide level to identify events of PA transmission.
Results
All sink traps were positive for PA, each sink trap being colonized for several months by one or more clones. The combination of genomic and spatiotemporal data identified one potential event of PA transmission from a sink trap to a patient (1/65, 1.5%) and six events of patient cross-transmission, leading to the contamination of five patients (5/65, 7.7%). All transmitted isolates were fully susceptible to β-lactams and aminoglycosides.
Conclusions
Genome-based typing revealed the contamination of patients by PA originating from sink traps to be infrequent (1.5%) in a MICU with sink trap-bleaching measures, and that only 7.7% of the patients acquired PA originating from another patient.
Void space and scaffold analysis of packed particles: applications in granular biomaterials
Authors: Riley Lindsay , Cheng Peter , Segura Tatiana
Published: August 2022

We have developed a tool for analyzing packed particles in response to the growing popularity of granular biomaterials. Granular hydrogels, including microporous annealed particle (MAP) scaffolds, are a class of material used for therapeutic applications due to their unique properties, including micro-porosity between particles. The microarchitecture of granular materials is challenging to study, which leads many in the field to report the unreliable metric of void volume fraction and/or 2D-slice approximations to ‘pore size’ as the only characterizations of void space. In response, we have created LOVAMAP, a custom software that combines techniques from computational geometry and graph theory to segment the void space into 3-D pores, which are the natural pockets of open space. LOVAMAP’s 44 scaffold features provide the user with a quantitative profile that describes both the interior and entrances of the scaffold. Our visually-rich outputs address topics like void space size, shape, connectivity, paths, isotropy/anisotropy, ligand availability, and infiltration/migration restrictions. Using LOVAMAP, we have studied 60 different types of granular scaffolds, including real MAP scaffolds with corresponding cell data. We use higher dimensional analysis to show that output data from our software can be used to classify types of 3-D pores, as well as characterize entire scaffolds by generating a numeric ‘fingerprint.’ In conjunction with cell data, LOVAMAP reveals relationships between neurosphere formation and scaffold void space geometry. LOVAMAP is an enabling technology with broad applications for granular biomaterial research and for all fields that study granular material.
A Randomized Clinical Trial Evaluating Three Low-volume Preparations for Colonoscopy in Outpatients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: The Eii-prep Trial.
Authors: García Jose Luis Rueda , Ferrer Cristina Suárez , Martín-Arranz Eduardo , Sánchez-Azofra María , Cordón Joaquín Poza , García-Ramírez Laura , Noci Jesús , Vergés Tamara , Miguel Paula Blanco San , Martín-Arranz María Dolores
Published: August 2022

BACKGROUND: Bowel preparation is crucial for colonoscopies in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). However, data regarding cleansing solutions in this setting are scarce. AIMS: Our aim was to compare efficacy, safety, and tolerability of three different low-volume preparations in patients with IBD.METHODS: Single-center, randomized, prescriber- and colonoscopist-blinded clinical trial. IBD outpatients undergoing colonoscopy were randomized 1:1:1 to receive 1 Liter-polyethylene glycol-ascorbate (1L-PEG), 2 Liters-PEG or sodium picosulfate (SP). Primary endpoint was efficacy in terms of percentage of quality cleansing assessed via the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS >=6 with segments >=2). Secondary endpoints were efficacy in terms of total high quality cleansing (BBPS 8 or 9), high quality segmental BBPS (>=2) and patients’ tolerability, symptoms, and satisfaction, assessed by questionnaires before and after colonoscopy. Safety was monitored by adverse event reporting, laboratory evaluation at colonoscopy and telephonic follow-up.RESULTS: 92 patients were included (33 1L-PEG, 28 2L-PEG and 31 SP). No significant differences between preparations were observed in quality or high-quality total BBPS or high-quality segmental BBPS. Complete intake of the solution was higher for SP (p=0,006) and lower for 1L-PEG (p=0,02). Clinically irrelevant hyponatremia was higher in the SP group (p<0,0001). SP instructions were easier to understand from the patient’s point of view (p=0,01). Willingness to retake was higher with SP (p<0,0001) and less for 1L-PEG (p<0,0001). No serious adverse events were reported.CONCLUSIONS: We observed no differences between PEG-based bowel preparations and SP regarding efficacy in patients with IBD. Complete intake was higher for SP and lower for 1L-PEG. SP and 2L-PEG instructions were better understood and graded, and SP was more likely to be retaken. Willingness to retake was lower for 1L-PEG. No serious adverse events were reported.
Performance Enhancement of Multi channel Multi Beam FSO Communication link with the application of Reed Solomon codes
Authors: Kumar Suresh , Sharma Deepak
Published: August 2022

The rise in user’s requirement for high speed applications and services has necessitated the requirement of a communication link that can provide the data rate comparable to optical fiber. Free Space Optical (FSO) Communicationis being admired means of communication from past few years. To achieve seamless and error free transmission at high speed for heterogeneous multimedia applicationsat desired bit rates, novel advancements in optical communication technology are being explored along with FSO. However, several constraints such as atmospheric turbulence, uneven terrain, dynamic climatic conditions cause several nonlinearities which limits the connectivity. In this work, a multi channel multi beam FSO communication system by incorporating Reed Solomon (RS) Codes has been proposed at 30Gbps. The Modified Gamma-Gamma model is beingapplied for channel turbulences. The application of forward error correction (FEC) coding in the designed system offers ease of error detection and correction with improved performance at higher data rate for implementation over longer link lengths.The system performance has been evaluated for (i) Number of errors corrected, (ii) Bit Error Rate (BER), (iii)Received power, (iv) Geometric path losses and (v) SNR. At an acceptable BER of 10− 9, the RS (255, 127, 129) encoded four channel four beam FSO communication link to be effectively implemented for a distance of 3500m with − 32.5dBmreceived low optical power and 25 dB SNR.
WITHDRAWN: Preparation of nitrogen-doped nZVI/biochar by chemical modification and its activated peroxymonosulfate to degrade Florfenicol
Authors: Huang Wen , Zhang Xueping , Tang Yaxin , Zheng Shijie , Zhang Jianqiang
Published: August 2022

In this study, corn cobs were modified in low concentration of H2O2, grafted with different concentrations of diethylenetriamine (DETA) and dissolved in FeCl3·6H2O solution to produce iron-nitrogen co-doped corn cob precursors (DETA-OCs), and then the new nitrogen-doped nZVI-biochar (nZVI/N30-CC, nZVI/N10-OC, nZVI/N20-OC and nZVI/N30-OC) were prepared bypyrolysis of the precursors at 850℃ by carbothermal reduction. The results showed that DETA was grafted onto modified corn cob (OC) by Schiff base reaction and contained more iron ions on the precursor by chelation reaction. Compared to the unmodified nZVI/N30-CC, the modified nZVI/N30-OC had a higher specific surface area, porous and defective structure due to the higher Fe and N content, as well as an increased content of active components such as nZVI crystals, Fe-Nx and graphitic nitrogen on the biochar. When nZVI/N30-OC and PMS were present at the same time, FF was completely degraded within 30 min, and it still had good activation properties after 4 reapplications. The radical quenching and electron spin resonance analysis showed that the nZVI/N30-OC/PMS system could effectively produce SO4 − ∙, ·OH, O2-g and 1O2 , with 1O2 playing a dominant role in the degradation of FF. While the results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies showed that oxygen-containing functional groups (C-OH, COOH), graphitic nitrogen, and Fe-Nx on biochar produced 1O2 by activating PMS through the non-radical pathway, while the radical pathway had nZVI as the main active site. AC impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and linear scanning voltammetry (LSV) further confirmed the presence of non-radical pathways in the nZVI/N30-OC/PMS system and identified the electron transfer process. In summary, this study prepared high Fe and N content co-doped biochar through green modification, which provided a new idea for heteroatom/transition metal co-doped carbon materials, as well as a new option for activating PMS to degrade organic waste.
Spontaneous Radiative Cooling to Enhance the Operational Stability of Perovskite Solar Cells via a Black-body-like Full Carbon Electrode
Authors: Yu Bingcheng , Shi Jiangjian , Li Yiming , Tan Shan , Cui Yuqi , Meng Fanqi , Wu Huijue , Luo Yanhong , Li Dongmei , Meng Qingbo
Published: August 2022

Operational stability of perovskite solar cells is remarkably influenced by the device temperature, therefore, decreasing the interior temperature of the device is one of the most effective approaches to prolong the service life. Herein, we introduce the spontaneous radiative cooling effect into the perovskite solar cell and amplify this effect via functional structure design of a full-carbon electrode (F-CE). Firstly, by the aid of interfacial engineering, >19% and >23% power conversion efficiencies of F-CE based inorganic CsPbI3 and hybrid perovskite solar cells have been achieved, respectively, both of which are the highest reported efficiencies based on carbon electrode and are comparative to the results for metal electrodes. Highly efficient thermal radiation of this F-CE can reduce the temperature of the operating cell by about 10°C. Compared with the conventional metal electrode-based control cells, the operational stability of the above two types of cells have been significantly improved due to this cooling effect. Especially, the CsPbI3 PSCs exhibited no efficiency degradation after 2000 hours continuous operational tracking.One-Sentence Summary: Thermal radiative cooling effect of full-carbon electrode enhances operational stability of the perovskite solar cells.
Trimming nano delivery at the cell side by tuning ARF6 GTPases to the GTP-bound form
Authors: Song Siyang , Guo Xiangfu , Zhang Runyu , Yan Zhicheng , Chen Qing , Song Yang , Wu Peiyao , Wang Chunling , Cheng Yuxi , Yuan Lan , Zhang Hua , Dai Wenbing , Wang Xueqing , He Bing , Zhang Qiang
Published: August 2022

Intracellular delivery crossing the endomembrane barrier is the “last mile to target” for nano delivery systems carrying biomacromolecules, including genetic medicines. Nevertheless, a mass of nanomedicines is currently restricted by their equivocal safety and delivery efficiency. Here, we trimmed nano delivery at the cell perspective and established a general strategy independent of nanomaterials. Such a policy broadly facilitates the intracellular delivery of all kinds of tested nanomedicines, subtly by inducing ARF6 GTPases to their overactivated GTP-bound state. We discovered that ARF6, one member of ARF subfamily in small GTPases, regulated intracellular vesicle transport and lipid metabolism through GTP/GDP conversion. More importantly, we demonstrated that ARF6 biased to GTP-bound form induced GTPase overactivation, promoting endocytosis and reducing exocytosis of cargoes, including transferrin proteins and eleven types of nanogranules. This universal effect was mechanistically derived from forming a particular category of hybrid endosomes triggered by overactivated ARF6 via regulating cholesterol-associated vesicles and lipid raft/caveolae pathways. Cargoes were steadily and slowly delivered to the cytoplasm due to the mild microenvironment in hybrid endosomes. Based on these findings, we identified that QS11, a safe small molecule inhibitor of ARF GTPase-activating proteins, enhanced the antitumor efficacy of siEGFR-loaded nanoparticles by inducing ARF6 overactivation. In sum, it demonstrates that the tactics of tuning ARF6 GTPases to GTP-bound form will widely benefit cellular nano delivery.
Gender Consequences of Covid-19 with Equal Bequest Laws
Authors: Tan Na , Farmer Amy , Horowitz ANdrew
Published: August 2022

The Covid-19 pandemic has had profound distributional consequences in many dimensions. One important dimension that has received relatively little attention is the impact on intergenerational transfers (inter-vivos and bequests). We explore the gender distribution consequences of a mortality probability shock in the context of equal-inheritance division laws – which affect bequest distribution for most of the global population. We first develop a theoretical model of likely responses to the mortality shock and then simulate the model to explore magnitudes and obtain predictions for some complex interactions that are not tractable theoretically. We find that in the context of equal-division laws and son-bias, increased death probability due to Covid-19 will shift resources to inter-vivos transfers to sons, at the expense of daughters. The simulations reveal an unexpected non-monotonicity in the ratio of total sons to daughters total transfers as death probabilities increase.JEL Codes: D1, D13, D15, D31, D64, I1, I19, J14, J16, K1, K36, K38
Regional brain glucose metabolism is differentially affected by ketogenic diet: A human semiquantitative positron emission tomography
Authors: Horowitz tatiana , Doche Emilie , Phlip Mary , Cammilleri Serge , Suissa Laurent , GUEDJ Eric
Published: August 2022

Purpose
Ketogenic diet (KD) is recommended to avoid intense [18F]FDG myocardial physiologic uptake in PET imaging. Neuroprotective and anti-seizure effects of KD have been suggested, but their mechanisms remain to be elucidated. This [18F]FDG PET study aims to evaluate the effect of KD on glucose brain metabolism.
Method
Subjects who underwent KD prior to whole-body and brain [18F]FDG PET in our department for suspected endocarditis were retrospectively included. Myocardial glucose suppression (MGS) on whole-body PET was analysed. The main exclusion criteria were brain abnormalities. Thirty-four subjects with MGS were considered the KD population, and 14 subjects without MGS were considered a KD failure. Brain SUVmax of these groups was compared. Second, the KD population (n = 34, mean age: 61.8 ± 17.2 years) was compared to a control group of 27 healthy subjects fasting for at least 6 h (mean age of 62.4 ± 10.9 years). A semiquantitative voxel-based intergroup statistical analysis was conducted using SPM.
Results
A 20% lower brain SUVmax was found in subjects under KD with MGS in comparison to those without MGS, p = 0.02. Whole-brain voxel-based intergroup analysis revealed that patients under KD had relative hypermetabolism of limbic regions including medial temporal cortices and cerebellum lobes and relative hypometabolism of bilateral posterior regions (occipito-parietal).
Conclusion
KD globally reduces brain glucose metabolism but with regional differences. These results have a clinical implication, since the realization of a KD could lead to misinterpretation of these regions, and a pathophysiological perspective as it could help understand underlying neurological effects of KD through possible decrease of oxidative stress in posterior regions, and functional compensation in the limbic regions.
Differential gene expression analysis unravels key genes associated with breast cancer proliferation
Authors: Ibrahim Asmaa , Saleem Mansour Al , Toss Michael , Miligy Islam , Green Andrew R , Rakha Emad
Published: August 2022

Background: Improved understanding of breast cancer (BC) complex molecular pathways is required to predict prognosis and develop new therapeutic strategies. The purpose of this study is to apply an integrated approach that combine both clinical and bioinformatic data to reveal novel regulators of proliferation.Methods and Results: Whole slide images generated from haematoxylin and eosin-stained sections of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) BC database alongside their transcriptomic and clinical data, were used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEG) associated with cell division determined using mitotic scores. DEGs enriched in the cell cycle pathway were utilised to predict protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Ten hub genes (ORC6, SMC1B, CDKN2A, CDC25B, E2F1, E2F2, SKP2, ORC1, PTTG1, CDC25A) were identified using CytoHubba, a plugin of Cytoscape. The results were validated using the Molecular Taxonomy of Breast Cancer International Consortium (METABRIC) database. High expression of the ten hub genes was significantly correlated with worse survival. ORC 6, SKP2, and CDC25B were predictors of survival independent of mitotic score or Ki67. ORC6 and SKP2 protein expression level in tumor tissue were significantly higher than in normal breast tissue.Conclusions: ORC6, SKP2 and CDC25B play important role in BC proliferation and surpassed both Ki67 and mitotic score in multivariate analysis, thus can serve as potential prognostic markers and therapeutic targets.
Speech-in-noise perception in school-age cochlear implants users compared to their peers with normal hearing: evidence of a critical condition
Authors: Oryadi-Zanjani Mohammad Majid
Published: August 2022

Background: Although cochlear implants (CIs) is the state-of-the-art therapy for individuals with hearing impairment to process the acoustic-phonetic cues of speech during the sensitive period of spoken language development and to access optimal auditory performance, previous research findings demonstrated that the users have essential challenges with speech recognition in the presence of background noise. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine speech-in-noise (SiN) perception in Persian school-age CIs/hearing aids (HAs) users compared to their peers with normal hearing (NH). Methods: The research was administered as a cross-sectional study. Speech-in-noise performance in thirty-three school-age children with hearing loss (19 unilateral CIs users and 14 bilateral HAs users) was compared to twenty school-age children with normal hearing by using the Persian Lexical Neighborhood Tests (PLNTs) include: Persian Monosyllabic Lexical Neighborhood Test (PMLNT)-easy, PMLNT-hard, Persian Disyllabic Lexical Neighborhood Test (PDLNT)-easy, and PDLNT -hard. To make sure that floor or ceiling effects would not effect on the children’s performance, the PLNTs were performed by sound field at different levels of signal to noise ratio (SNR). Results: The SiN performance on all four the subscales of the PLNTs was significantly poorer in Persian school-age CIs/HAs users than their peers with NH for all stepwise increases in the SNR (P < 0.001).Conclusions: The Persian school-age CIs users experience a critical condition related to listening spectrally degraded speech in noisy environments such as home, school, and classroom due to SiN perception insufficiency. Accordingly, it can be concluded that they are potentially at-risk of literacy difficulties. Therefore, it is suggested that SiN perception in school-age CIs users be systematically assessed and monitored through valid tests in order to managing their listening problems in the situations with background noise.
The Association between prostate specific antigen (PSA) assay and serum nutrients, metabolites and metallic elements profile in adult males (NHANES 2001–2006)
Authors: Wang Shu-chao , Yang Jie , Xu Jie , Zhao Min , Liu Wen-jian , Peng Lei
Published: August 2022

Objectives: Seeing as PSA is a specific indicator to assist in the diagnosis of prostate cancer, the prevention of prostate cancer can be explored from the etiological mechanism of PSA elevation. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to find out the serological risk markers that lead to PSA elevation or prostate cancer. Methods: Our data came from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2001–2006), and we performed multivariate regressions to examine the association between prostate specific antigen (PSA) assay and serum nutrients, metabolites and metallic elements profile in adult males. Results: A total of 4,022 participants were included in this study, and we confirmed suspected prostate cancer significantly positively correlated with lead and homocysteine. Specifically, blood lead (OR = 1.084; 95%CI: 1.043–1.126) and homocysteine (OR = 1.037; 95%CI: 1.017–1.058) are the significant independent risk factors for the increase of serum PSA. The results of random forest model of suspected prostate cancer group and normal prostate group showed that the predictive potentials of serum lead assay and serum homocysteine assay were 79.2% (75.2–83.2%) and 78.0% (74.0–82.1%), respectively. Conclusions: Elevated blood lead and homocysteine levels may be the key risk factors for serum PSA elevation, that is, they may cause prostate cancer. Therefore, reducing blood lead exposure and concentration of metabolite homocysteine may be effective methods to prevent prostate cancer.
Assessment of major Health Problem and constraints of Crocodile Skin Production at Arba Minch Crocodile Ranch
Authors: Arega Tamirat , Ayano Alemu Aylate , Tintaku Tarekegn
Published: August 2022

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Arba Minch crocodile ranch (AMCR) with the objective to identify major health problems and constraints of crocodile skin production. For this purpose, data were obtained from 105 purposively selected respondents using structured questionnaire and by filed observation and secondary data from record files. During the study period major infectious and noninfectious diseases, main source of health problem, health problem intervening habit, background of intervening individuals, frequency of skin production and average price of single skin were assessed. According to data obtained from the respondents bacterial infections were found with higher prevalence (34.3%) among the infectious diseases whereas trauma (40%) and poisoning (37.1%) were most frequently occurred noninfectious diseases. Contaminated feed and water and lack of enough sanitation were reported as the main source of health problems. Most frequently practiced intervening habits in the ranch were combination of prophylaxis, treatment and management. According to the data obtained from the respondents back ground of intervening individuals in disease intervention process in AMCR was dominated by layman (34.3%) rather than veterinarian and veterinary technician. Based on the respondents reply, fungal disease is the most frequently occurred skin disease in the ranch. Based on the findings recommendations were forwarded to amend clear policy on crocodile management and apply the code of practices on crocodile management and further expansion of the industry.
Behavioural and physiological assessment of juveniles of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) experimentally challenged with paraffin oil
Authors: Ojelade Oluwaseun Christianah , Iyasere Oluwaseun , Durosaro Samuel , Ikililu ABULRAHEEM , Akinde Abiodun , Ibukun ISHOLA
Published: August 2022

The incidence of oil spills that finds their way into the aquatic environment constitutes a serious threat to the welfare of fish species and other aquatic biotas. However, the behavioural and stress response of C. gariepinus to paraffin oil (PO) has not been investigated under laboratory conditions to understand the welfare implication of this pollutant on fish species in petroleum polluted aquatic environments. Ninety-six juveniles of C. gariepinus were randomly allocated to 8fish/tank and subjected to four sub-lethal concentrations T1-0.4ml/L, T2-0.8ml/L, T3-1.6ml/L and T4-0.00 ml/L (control) of paraffin oil in triplicates. The fish were observed every 12-hours using the focal sampling technique for seven days. Behavioural traits observed were swimming (Non-active (NA), erratic (ER), Very-active (VA)), feeding (feed intake (FI), duration of feeding (DF)), aggressive (agonistic (AGO), number of bruises and scars (BS)) and respiratory (air gulping, (AG) mucus secretion (MS), Opercula rate (OR)) pattern. Glucose in blood samples were assessed for physiological changes. Data were subjected to Kruskal-Wallis tests. The result showed that concentrations of PO affected (P<0.05) the duration of NA, ER and VA behaviour in the fish species; there was no significant (P<0.05) difference between NA, ER and VA behaviour displayed by the C. gariepinus in T2 and T3. Feed responses during the experimental period were affected (P<0.05) by the different concentrations of PO, but FI and DF were similar (P>0.05) between T1 and T2. The concentration of PO increased AGO and the number of BS with the highest AGO and BS in T3. C. gariepinus in T2 and T3 displayed a similar (P>0.05) pattern of AG, MS and OR. The least frequency of AG and MS during the experiment was found in T1. The OR was affected (P<0.05) by PO exposure, and the highest OR was recorded in T3. Physiologically, exposure to PO increased (P<0.05) glucose level in blood samples of the fish species with a higher glucose value in T3. The study concluded that higher and continuous exposure to concentrations of paraffin oil could alter behavioural and physiological responses, which might impair the welfare of C. gariepinus in their habitat. It is imperative to be cautious about the quantity of PO products that get into our aquatic environments.
Prevalence and risk factors for cerebral microbleeds in elderly Chinese people with arteriosclerotic cardiovascular diseases
Authors: Chen Yuhui , Liu Fang , Chen Juan , Wu Dongdong , He Jing , Chen Min , Liu Yinhong
Published: August 2022

Background: People with arteriosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD) frequently use antithrombotic agents and statins. The objective of the study was to explore the prevalence and risk factors of cerebral microbleeds (CMB) in elderly Chinese people with ASCVD.Methods: We prospectively and continuously enrolled 755 participants (≥ 65 years old) in Beijing hospital’s health checkup center from February 1, 2019 to June 30, 2021. MRI protocol and imaging analysis were implemented to identify the CMB, the multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was computed the risk factors of CMB.Results: The average age was 74.95 ± 9.54 years, and the prevalence of CMB was 37.9%. Of those with CMB, 65.0% had strictly lobar CMB, 15.7% had strictly deep CMB, and 19.2% had mixed CMB. Age (odds ratio (OR) 1.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.18–1.73, p < 0.0001), statin use (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.07–2.32, p = 0.02), and lacunes (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.09–2.71, p = 0.021) were associated with any CMB. Age (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.10–1.63, p < 0.0001), statin use (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.15–2.57, p = 0.008), and white matter hyperintensities (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.15–2.46, p = 0.008) were associated with lobar CMB. Only lacunes were associated with deep CMB (OR 3.29, 95% CI 1.85–5.87, p < 0.001). Antithrombotic drug use was not associated with CMB (OR 1.16, 95% CI 0.79–1.71, p = 0.457), lobar CMB (OR 1.02, 95% CI 0.68–1.53, p = 0.908), or deep CMB (OR 1.39, 95% CI 0.79–2.44, p = 0.254).Conclusion: Statin use was correlated with lobar CMB but not deep CMB in elderly people with risk factors of ASCVD. In contrast, antithrombotic drug use was not correlated with CMB.
EasySPR: a web simulador for agile modeling surface plasmon resonance based sensors
Authors: Gomes Julio C. M. , Oliveira Leiva C.
Published: August 2022

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor is a technology for analysis of biomolecular interaction, largely applied in biology and pharmaceutical research. The simulation of the surface plasmon optical excitation is an important steps of the development process for sensors based on this phenomenon. The structure, design and configuration of the desired SPR sensor benefits from previously simulated, analyzing the responses generated and check the feasibility of the materials selected for the optical coupling. Here a online web-based SPR sensor's simulator is presented. With visual-oriented interface, enable drag \& drop actions to easily and quickly modeling a variety of sensors arrangement. The embedded materials database for metals, glasses, polymers and custom substance enable flexible configuration for sensors operating in angular and spectral modes. The light propagation through the multilayer of materials is presented in terms of Fresnel coefficients, which are graphically displayed. The so-called SPR morphology parameters can be visualized. Sensor dynamic behavior could be wispy knowledge by the Sensorgram simulation. Simulation scenario's in various configurations, designs and excitation were performed and compare with other simulator. The proposed simulator guarantee comparable results with an agile and intuitive flow of execution.
Adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes of preimplantation genetic testing with trophectoderm biopsy: A retrospective cohort study of 3373 intracytoplasmic sperm injection single frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer cycles
Authors: Sun Ning , Fang Xing-Yu , Jiao Yun-Yun , Wang Yuan , Wan Ying , Wu Zhao-Ting , Jin Hai-Xia , Shi Hao , Song Wen-Yan
Published: August 2022

Trophectoderm biopsy is the most widely used biopsy method at present, its effectiveness and safety have always been a concern. Notably, various factors associated with the assisted reproductive technology (ART) process may be related to adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. After taking potential factors into account, this study was designed to investigate whether trophectoderm biopsy increases the risk of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. This respective cohort study enrolled 3373 ICSI (Intracytoplasmic sperm injection) single frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer cycles with and without trophectoderm biopsy in the Reproductive Medical Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University in China from January 2015 to June 2020. Statistical methods including univariate logistic regression analysis, multivariate logistic regression analysis and stratified analysis were performed to analyze pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. We found that PGT (Preimplantation genetic testing) with trophectoderm biopsy does not increase the risk of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes in ICSI single frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer cycles, and PGT can reduce the rate of birth defects. In addition, whether trophectoderm biopsy is performed or not, endometrial preparation by natural cycle and transplantation of Day 5 blastocysts and high-quality blastocysts may be conducive to better pregnancy outcomes, including higher rates of clinical pregnancy and live birth, as well as lower abortion rate.
Surgically Adjust Tibial Tunnel in Anatomical Anterior Cruciate Ligament Single-Bundle Reconstruction: A Time-Zero Biomechanical Study In Vitro
Authors: Wang Hong , Teng Yuanjun , Peng Bo , Jia Gengxin , Yi Zhi , Han Hua , Xia Yayi
Published: August 2022

Background
The anatomical positioning of the graft during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is of great significance for restoring normal knee kinematics and preventing early joint degeneration.The first attempt to place a guide wire in the center of the tibial footprint may be mispositioned. Therefore, its adjustment is important to achieve the anatomical positioning of the graft in the tibial footprints. Our research aims to test the time-zero biomechanical properties in adjusting inaccurate guide pins to the center of the tibial footprint in anatomical anterior cruciate ligament single-bundle reconstruction.
Methods
Porcine tibias and bovine extensor tendons were used to simulate a transtibial ACL reconstruction in vitro. Load-to failure testing was carried out in 4 groups: the Control group (n = 8): the guide pin was drilled at the center of the ACL footprint. Group I (n = 8): the guide pin was drilled 1 mm away from the center of the ACL footprint. Group II (n = 8): the guide pin was drilled 2 mm away from the center of the ACL footprint. Group III (n = 8): the guide pin was drilled 3 mm away. In the experiment groups, a small tunnel with a 4.5-mm reamer is made and the guide pin is shifted to the center of the footprint. All the reamed tibias were scanned by CT to measure the area of the tunnel in the footprint, and the load-elongation curve, tensile stiffness (in newtons per millimeter), ultimate load (in newtons), yield load (in newtons), energy absorbed to failure (in joules), and failure mode were recorded after the grafts were fixed by interference screws.
Results
All graft-tibia complexes failed because the grafts slipped past the interference screws. Regarding the tensile stiffness, ultimate load, yield load, energy absorbed to failure, twisting force, and tunnel exit area, ANOVA showed no significant differences among the groups (P > 0.05). No significant differences in biomechanical properties were found between groups (P > 0.05).
Conclusions
Surgical adjustment of the guide pin to the center of the tibial footprint may has no influence in time-zero biomechanical properties in anatomical anterior cruciate ligament single-bundle reconstruction.
Effect of NaCl stress on tillering of rice (Oryza sativa L.) and mitigation regulation of prohexadione-calcium
Authors: Zhang Rongjun , Zheng Dianfeng , Feng Naijie , Zhou Hang , Liu Meiling , Li Yao , Meng Fengyan , Huang Xixin , Huang Anqi , Li Yixiang
Published: August 2022

Salt stress inhibits crop quality and yields, and growth regulators are used to enhance salt tolerance of crops. Here, we report the effect of prohexadione-calcium (Pro-Ca) on rice tillering under salt stress. The results showed the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and electrolyte leakage in leaves were increased as well as the expression of the antioxidant enzymes was induced under salt stress. Foliar application of Pro-Ca reduced seedling height, increased the stem base width, improved the lodging resistance of rice, decreased MDA content and electrolyte leakage, and alleviated the membrane damage of rice under salt stress. Exogenous Pro-Ca also increased the net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and the stomatal conductance (Gs) of rice, decreased the intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), and increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) of rice at the tillering stage under salt stress. In conclusion, Pro-Ca improved the salt tolerance of rice at the tillering stage by enhancing the lodging resistance of rice, alleviating cell membrane damage of leaves caused by NaCl stress, and enhancing photosynthesis and antioxidant capacity. Effect of Pro-Ca on rice at the tillering stage under 0.3% NaCl stress was discussed, which provided a theoretical basis for revealing physiological changes at the rice tillering stage.
Exogenous 24-epibrassinolide ameliorates tolerance to high-temperature by adjusting the biosynthesis of pigments, enzymatic, non-enzymatic antioxidants, and diosgenin content in fenugreek.
Authors: Sheikhi Shahla , Ebrahimi Amin , Heidari Parviz , Amerian Mohamad Reza , Monfared Sajad Rashidi , Alipour Hadi
Published: August 2022

The current study highlights the influence of 24-epibrassinosteroid on enhancing tolerance to high-temperature and altering the diosgenin content in fenugreek. The EBR application under high-temperature stress, resulted in decreased malondialdehyde content and electrolyte leakage percentage compared to plants treated with high-temperature stress. The antioxidant activities rose under high-temperature stress and applying EBR compared to control. Exogenous EBR application possibly contributes in activating the NO, H2O2 and ABA-dependent pathway, enhancing the biosynthesis of abscisic acid and auxin, and regulating the signal transduction pathways, which raises fenugreek tolerance to high-temperature. The SQS (8-fold), SEP (2.8-fold), CAS (11-fold), SMT (17-fold) and SQS (6-fold) expression, considerably increased following EBR application (8 μM) compared to control. Compared to control, when the short-term (6 h) high-temperature stress was accompanied by EBR (8 μM), a 6-fold increase in diosgenin content was achieved. Our findings highlight the potential role of exogenous 24-epibrassinolide in mitigating the high-temperature stress in fenugreek by stimulating the biosynthesis processes of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, chlorophylls and diosgenin. In conclusion, the current results could be of utmost importance in breeding or biotechnology-based programs of fenugreek and also in the researches related to the engineering of the biosynthesis pathway of diosgenin in this valuable plant.
Application of the various soft computing techniques for Landslide susceptibility mapping (Case study: A part of Haraz Watershed)
Authors: Sepahvand Alireza , Sihag Parveen , Moradi Saba
Published: August 2022

The objective of this research was to determination the effective parameter on landslide occurrence and compare the landslide susceptibility zoning methods including Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Gaussian Process (GP) regression based on two kernels (Pearson VII and radial basis) and Random Forest (RF) in the part of Haraz watershed, Iran. In present research, nine factors like slope, aspect, elevation, geology, land use, distance of fault, distance of road, distance of river and precipitation were used as key parameters for assessment of landslide susceptibility. Three statistical comparison criteria including Nash–Sutcliffe model efficiency (NSE), Coefficient of Correlation (C.C) and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) were used to determine the best performing model. The obtained results shown that the Rf model (with C.C = 0.9753, RMSE = 0.1434 and NSE = 0.9176) is more accurate to assess the landslide susceptibility as compare to the other models. Sensitivity analysis suggeste that the factor, aspect, plays the most substantial role in the evaluation of landslide susceptibility. Comparison of results displays that there is no important diversity between observed and predicted values of landslide occurrence and landslide non-occurrence using GP_PUK, GP_RBF, SVM_PUK, SVM_RBF and Random Forest approaches.
Transmittion and slow-light analysis based on tunable plasmon-induced transparency in patterned monolayer graphene metamaterial and its sensing application
Authors: Fan Chunzhen , Jiang Wenya
Published: August 2022

A novel design of monolayer graphene metamaterial is proposed and numerically investigated to achieve tunable plasmon-induced transparency (PIT) and switcher in THz region. The designed top graphene layer includes the resonators of strips and annulus and deposit on the indium antimonide. A distinct PIT transparency window originating from the bright-bright mode coupling is examined based on the analysis of electric field distribution. Highly tunable optical response can be realized not only by the Fermi energy, but also the incident polarization angle and the external thermal stimuli. What’s worth noting is that the resonant width and strength of PIT transparency window can be flexibly tuned at a fixed frequency. In addition, the accompanied slow light effect around the transparency window and a single or dual frequency switchable on-to-off modulator are also realized by setting the Fermi energy. Finally, the sensing application is demonstrated through the thermal stimuli and the sensitivity is about 9.5 GHz/K. Therefore, our results provide guidance for the design of highly flexible and tunable terahertz photonic devices.
Machine Learning Modeling of Predictive External Corrosion Rates of Spent Nuclear Fuel Canister in Soil
Authors: Nguyen Thuy Chung , So Yoon-Sik , Yoo Jin-Soek , Kim Jung-Gu
Published: August 2022

Soil corrosion is always a critical concern to corrosion engineering because of the economic influence of soil infrastructures as has been and has recently been the focus of spent nuclear fuel canister. Besides corrosion protection, the prediction of the corrosion rate canister is also important. Advanced knowledge of the corrosion rate of spent nuclear fuel canister material in a particular environment can be extremely helpful in choosing the best protection method. Applying machine learning (ML) to corrosion rate prediction solves all the challenges because of the number of variables affecting soil corrosion. In this study, three algorithms of ML, including artificial neural network (ANN), chi-squared automatic interaction detection (CHAID) tree decision, and linear regression (LR) with an ensemble learning (EL) method, were applied to find the optimal model and parameters for predicting soil corrosion rate with the dataset of this study.