bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Title: Assessing Energy Performance Improvement Potential of Traditional Housing in North-Eastern India through Building Energy Simulation
Authors: Thakur Biswajit , Roy Souvanic , Sen Bedshruti , Paul Krishnendu , Pal Rituparna
Published: February 2023

The building sector is a principal consumer of energy globally, and in India, the residential buildings have second highest energy demands after the industrial sector. Improving energy performance of residential houses will considerably curtail the associated carbon emissions. Compared to energy intensive urban buildings, research on energy modeling receives scant attention for small and moderate size non-engineered, traditional and naturally ventilated residential buildings constructed with low embodied energy local materials using semi-skilled construction techniques. As majority of the residential buildings in the towns and rural areas in the North-Eastern states of India are primarily constructed with such materials, the existing literature review calls for a quantitative assessment of their energy consumption patterns along with contributions of various building envelope parameters. The article aims to assess the improvement potential of the Energy Performance Index (EPI) of traditional houses in three locations viz. Agartala, Jorhat and Shillong and examine the roles of various building parameters and material options in influencing the EPI through whole building energy simulation technique followed by sensitivity analysis. The resulting optimum combinations have shown the EPI improvement (reduction) potential of 19.27 %, 21.40 %, 27.42 % over the worst cases, respectively for Agartala, Jorhat and Shillong buildings. The sensitivity analysis identified building geometry parameters such as Volume, Wall Area, Surface Area, Carpet Area and Building Height to critically influence the energy performance.
Efficacy and safety of a self-improved continuous bladder irrigation sensor device in patients after transurethral resection of the prostate: a prospective study
Authors: Tao Rong-zhen , Li Ai , Su Shu , Tang Qing-lai , Mao Juan-juan , Zhou Shuang
Published: February 2023

Objective
To explore the efficacy and safety of a self-improved continuous bladder irrigation (CBI) sensor device after transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).
Patients and Methods
A total of 160 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia who received TURP from June 2021 to May 2022 were selected. According to the envelope randomization method, patients were divided into a control group (80 cases) and study group (80 cases). In the control group, the speed of bladder flushing fluid was adjusted according to the clinical experience of nurses. On the basis of the control group, the self-improved CBI sensor device was used in the study group to observe the postoperative comfort and complication rate in the two groups.
Results
The comfort of patients in the study group was significantly higher than that of patients in the control group (97.50% vs. 88.75%, P =0.023), and the number of postoperative complications in the control group was significantly higher than that in the study group (8.75% vs. 1.25%, P=0.021). Meanwhile, the average amount of irrigation fluid in the study group was obviously lower than that in the control group (26.4 L vs. 27.8 L, P =0.011). In addition, patients in the study group had a significantly shorter hospital stay than the controls (3.3 days vs. 3.6 days, P =0.005).
Conclusions
Implementation of the new self-improved CBI sensor device for patients after TURP can improve their awareness regarding disease-related knowledge, alleviate their fear and anxiety, improve their compliance and comfort with treatment and nursing, and reduce the incidence of complications.
Tracking supercritical geothermal fluid distribution from continuous seismic monitoring
Authors: Andajani Rezkia Dewi , Tsuji Takeshi , Ikeda Tatsunori , Matsumoto Satoshi , Kitamura Keigo , Nishijima Jun
Published: February 2023

Continuous seismic monitoring could play a pivotal role in deep geothermal energy exploration. We monitored seismicity near geothermal production areas of the Kuju volcanic complex with a dense seismic network and automated event detection. Most events were shallow (less than 3 km below sea level) and distributed along a boundary between regions of high and low resistivity and S-wave velocity, interpreted as a lithological boundary or related fracture zone. Deeper events located on top of subvertical conductors may reflect fracturing associated with magmatic fluid intrusion. We attribute a possible correlation between seismicity and heavy rainfall three days prior to increased pore pressure in pre-existing fractures. Our findings support the presence of supercritical geothermal fluids and demonstrate the importance of continuous seismic monitoring in supercritical geothermal energy exploration.
Nutrients, extractable bound phenolic compositions and their antioxidant properties in different varieties of mung beans
Authors: Zhao Jiaying , Wu Xin , Song Xiaoxiao , Lin Haifeng , Yin Junyi , Nie Shaoping , Xie Mingyong
Published: February 2023

Mung beans are traditional medicine and food homologous crops in China, widely planted and welcomed by consumers. In this work, we compared the nutrient compositions (including moisture, ash, protein, dietary fiber, amino acids and fatty acids) of 7 kinds of mung beans, qualitative and quantitative identified phenolic compounds in their methanol extracts by UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS and HPLC-ESI-QQQ-MS/MS, as well as their antioxidant properties. The protein (20–25%) was the main nutritional component and the contents of phenolic compounds in mung beans varied from 1.1 to 2.6 mg/g, which was correlated with antioxidant activity in vitro. A total of 22 compounds were detected from the methanol extracts. The quantitative results of phenolic compounds in mung beans showed that vitexin content was the highest, while naringin content was the lowest. Therefore, mung beans are rich in phytochemicals and excellent source of dietary antioxidant polyphenols. It can help people prevent and control many chronic diseases.
Regioselective Radical Alkylation of Arenes Using Evolved Photoenzymes
Authors: Hyster Todd , Page Claire , Cao Jingzhe , Oblinsky Daniel , MacMillan Samantha , Dahagam Shiva , Lloyd Ruth , Charnock Simon , Scholes Gregory
Published: February 2023

Substituted arenes are ubiquitous in molecules with medicinal functions, making their synthesis a critical consideration when designing synthetic routes.1,2 Regioselective C–H functionalization reactions are attractive for preparing alkylated arenes,3-5 however, the selectivity of existing methods is modest and primarily governed by substrate electronic properties.6,7 Here, we demonstrate a biocatalyst-controlled method for the regioselective alkylation of electron-rich and electron-deficient heteroarenes. Starting from an unselective ‘ene’-reductase (ERED) (GluER-T36A), we evolved a variant that selectively alkylates the C4 position of indole, an elusive position using prior technologies. Mechanistic studies across the evolutionary series indicate that changes to the protein active site alter the electronic character of the charge transfer (CT) complex responsible for radical formation. This resulted in a variant with a significant degree of ground state change transfer in the CT complex. Mechanistic studies on a C2 selective ERED suggest that the evolution of GluER-T36A helps disfavor a competing mechanistic pathway. Additional protein engineering campaigns were carried out for a C8 selective quinoline alkylation. This study highlights the opportunity to use enzymes for regioselective reactions where small molecule catalysts struggle to alter selectivity.
A Rare Case of Intraosseous Papillary Hemangioma of the Head and Neck
Authors: Geetha Saroja D , Abdelwahed Mohammed , Edelman Morris C. , Buyuk Arzu , Gordon David , Rishi Arvind
Published: February 2023

Objectives
Papillary hemangioma (PH) is a novel variant of intravascular capillary hemangioma. It is more common in adults and has a male predominance. Most tumors reported so far are solitary and cutaneous. Here we present a rare case of an intraosseous PH involving the frontal bone.
Methods
Brain imaging in a 69-year-old male with a slowly enlarging swelling on the right frontal area following an accidental fall demonstrated a 4.5 cm x 1.7 cm x 4.2 cm mass originating from the right frontal bone, with a tiny defect on the orbital roof. A malignant process was favored, and the mass was removed.
Results
Histopathology revealed a vascular lesion showing intraosseous distribution with foci of extension into the fibrous connective tissue. There were areas of plump endothelial cells with intracytoplasmic hyaline globules arranged in papillary configuration. The lesional cells were immunoreactive with CD34 and vimentin. AE1/AE3, EMA, PR, D2-40, inhibin and S100 stains were negative. Ki-67 was low.
Conclusion
This is the first intraosseous and second non-cutaneous PH. Clinically it differs from other cases by the presence of trauma as a preceding event. Since its prognosis is unknown such patients should be monitored for recurrence or malignant transformation.
WITHDRAWN: A robust method for heart sounds classification based on empirical mode decomposition adaptive reconstruction.
Authors: Chen Yi , Liu Ming , Wang Yu , Fan Hongtao , Sun Yaojie
Published: February 2023

Background: Heart sound signal analysis is an important method for noninvasive diagnosis of cardiovascular disease. In addition, an effective heart sound classification is an important prerequisite for heart sound analysis. Therefore, the classification of heart sound is of significant value.
Methods: In view of ambient noise and pathologic features of heart sounds are the main unavoidable interference in heart sounds classification. This paper presents a new method for heart sounds correction and classification based on empirical mode decomposition (EMD) adaptive reconstruction. Firstly, since the noise reduction effect of EMD depends on the selection of intrinsic mode function (IMF), the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) as an evaluation index of noise reduction effect was taken, and the selection of IMF was optimized based on it. Secondly, in order to reduce the false screening of peak points, the traditional single threshold method was improved by introducing a second threshold. Afterwards, the peak points were screened by the two-step threshold method. Finally, a heart sound correction algorithm for correcting the false components was proposed. Based on this, the heart sound signals were classified by the time domain characteristics.
Results: The experimental results show that the localization has a detection sensitivity (Se) of 97.32%, a correct detection rate (P) of 99.19% and algorithm evaluation score (F1) of 0.982. Moreover, the Se, P and F1 of component classification reach 94.93%, 96.27% and 0.956, respectively.
Conclusion: The test results show that the heart sound correction algorithm can effectively distinguish the difference between heart sounds and murmurs, correct the errors caused by pathologic conditions, and accurately locate and classify heart sounds.
Molecular mechanism of selective adsorption and separation of n-butane/i-butane on MFI zeolite
Authors: Wang Huan , Li Qiang , Zhang Li , Qin Yucai , Xu Jianan , Liu Honghai , Sun Zhaolin , Song Lijuan
Published: February 2023

MFI zeolite is one of the most attractive molecular sieve materials for selective adsorption and separation of C4 hydrocarbon isomers. The correlation of channel structure and adsorption thermodynamics and kinetic behavior of butane isomers has been explored using Grand Canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The results of single com-ponent and binary competitive adsorption isotherms of n-butane/i-butane at 273 K, 303 K, 343K, and 373 K substantiated the excellent low pressure loading and adsorption selectivity for n-butane on MFI zeolite. The density distribution maps and the RDFs data revealed that there are different preferential adsorption sites for n-butane and i-butane molecules in MFI zeolite. Due to the van der Waals repulsion occurring, the adsorption energy of i-butane is less than that of n-butane, which makes that i-butane cannot be apt to be adsorbed in the two channels, but preferentially in the cross channel of MFI zeolite. Moreover, the mean square displacement (MSD) and calculated diffusion coefficient proved that the diffusion rate of n-butane is faster than that of i-butane by more than two orders of magnitude. These findings clarify the molecular mechanism of selective adsorption and separation of n-butane/i-butane on the rational designed MFI zeolite-based materials.
A pan-cancer analysis of USP5: its diagnostic, prognostic and immunological roles in human cancers
Authors: Yan Bokang , Guo Jiaxing , Deng Shuang , Chen Dongliang , Huang Meiyuan
Published: February 2023

Background
Posttranslational modifications (PTM) of proteins, such as acetylation, deubiquitination, and phosphorylation play important roles in various kinds of cancer progression. Ubiquitin-specific proteinase 5 (USP5), a unique member of deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) which recognizes unanchored polyubiquitin specifically, could regulate the stability of many tumorigenesis-associated proteins to influence cancer initiation and progression. However, the diverse biological significance of USP5 in pan-cancer has not been systematically and comprehensively studied.
Methods
Here, we explored the role of USP5 in pan-cancer using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) database, and we also acquired and analyzed data via various software and web platforms such as R, GEPIA2.0, HPA, TISIDB, cBioPortal, UALCAN, TIMER 2.0, CancerSEA and BioGRID.
Results
USP5 expression was high in most cancers and differed significantly in different molecular and immune subtypes of cancers. In addition, USP5 had certain diagnostic value in multiple cancers, and high expression of USP5 generally predicted poor prognosis for cancer patients. We also found that the most frequent genetic alterations type of USP5 was mutation, and the DNA methylation level of USP5 decreased in various cancers. Furthermore, USP5 expression correlated with cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), endothelial cells (EC) and genetic markers of immunodulators in cancers. Moreover, the result from single cell sequencing showed that USP5 could regulate several tumor biological behaviors such as apoptosis, DNA damage and metastasis. Gene enrichment analysis indicated “spliceosome” and “RNA splicing” may be the critical mechanism for USP5 to involve in cancer.
Conclusion
Taken together, our study elucidates the biological significance of USP5 in the diagnosis, prognosis and immune in human pan-cancer.
Transanal formation of anastomosis using C-REX device is safe and effective in high anterior resection
Authors: Vilhjalmsson Dadi , Lepsenyi Mattias , Syk Ingvar , Grönberg Anders , Thorlacius Henrik
Published: February 2023

Purpose
C-REX is a novel instrument for creating stapleless colorectal anastomosis by compression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of C-REX in open- and laparoscopic high anterior resections.
Methods
A prospective clinical study on 21 patients reconstructed with C-REX colorectal anastomosis following high anterior resection of the sigmoid colon using intraabdominal (n = 6) or transanal (n = 15) C-REX instruments for placement of the anastomotic rings. Any signs of complication were prospectively monitored by a predefined protocol. Anastomotic Contact Pressure (ACP) was measured via a catheter-based system and time for evacuation of the anastomotic rings by the natural route was noted. Blood samples were collected daily and flexible sigmoidoscopy was performed postoperatively to examine macroscopic appearance of the anastomoses.
Results
One patient operated with the intraabdominal anastomosis technique with an ACP of 50 mBar had to be reoperated because of anastomotic leakage. None of the 15 patients operated with the transanal technique had anastomotic complications and their ACP ranged between 145–300 mBar. C-REX rings were uneventfully expelled by the natural route in all patients after a median of 10 days. Flexible sigmoidoscopy showed well-healed anastomoses without stenosis in 17 patients and a moderate subclinical stricture in one patient.
Conclusion
These results indicate that the novel transanal C-REX device is a safe and effective method for colorectal anastomosis following high anterior resections, irrespective of open or laparoscopic approach. Moreover, C-REX allows measurement of intraoperative ACP and thereby a quantitative evaluation of the anastomotic integrity.
A new self-adaptive iterative method for variational inclusion problems on Hadamard manifolds with applications
Authors: Sahu D. R. , Babu Feeroz , Sharma Shikher
Published: February 2023

The objective of this work is to design a new iterative method based on Armijo's type-modified extragradient method for solving the inclusion problem (A+B)-1 (0), where A is a maximal monotone vector field and B is a continuous monotone vector field. The proposed method requires one projection at each iteration, reducing the cost of computational viewpoint and improving the rate of convergence. A convergence theorem is established for the proposed extragradient method, which significantly improves existing results. We provide concrete examples of Hadamard manifolds and convergency for numerical confirmation. Moreover, we demonstrate convergence results for the variational inequality problems in which the vector field's monotonicity can be removed.
Parent supervision lightweight solution against version number attacks for IoT networks
Authors: Rouissat Mehdi , BELKHEIR Mohammed , Mokaddem Allel
Published: February 2023

With the rapid involvment of IoT networks in almost all aspects of our daily life, the security concern is being more challenging to protect the enormous amount of the data exchanged over theses networks. Statisitcs reveal that threats against IoT networks are more and more growing , while DoS attacks are taking the lead. However, mitigation solutions against attacks targetting IoT networks must be developped while taking into consideration the network scalability, but also they should fit with the limited resources of IoT devices in terms of processing, storage, energy efficiency, and connectivity-loss. For thi aim, the present work proposes a lightweight detection and mitigation solution against the version number attack "VNA" which is considered as one among the haitful DoS attacks against IoT networks. The proposed decentralized algorithm targets the edge part of the netowrk. Upon an illigitimate incremented version number the sink node is informed via an alert DAO message by the malicious node parent, and it disseminates this information through the overall network to advertise the malicois originator. Beside its efficiency, the proposed algorithm does not involve any encryption algorithm, it does not generale any heavyweight computation, nor a specific extra node is needed for monitoring the network. Simulations were carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of the solution in terms of control overhead, energy efficiency, latency, and memory footrpint.
Global real-life analysis of survival and usage of therapies in multiple myeloma
Authors: Lopez-Muñoz Nieves , Hernández Gema , Alonso Rafael , Pina Jose Maria Sánchez , Ayala Rosa , Calbacho Maria , Cuellar Clara , Cedena Maria Teresa , Jimenez Ana , Iñiguez Rodrigo , Pedrera Miguel , Rojo Jaime Cruz , Meloni Laura , Pérez-Rey David , Serrano Pablo , Cruz Javier De la , Martinez-Lopez Joaquín
Published: February 2023

Background: Survival in multiple myeloma has improved significantly in recent years, especially in young patients. This is due to the introduction of new drugs with new mechanisms of action. We reviewed the evolution of the survival of patients with MM between 1999 and 2020 at our 12 de Octubre Hospitalinstitution. Then, to confirm our results, we used data from TriNetx, a global health research platform that includes patients from Europe and US.
Methods: Using the H120 cohort, with 703 patients, we compared survival time since MM diagnosis in three groups based on age at MM diagnosis over three time periods. Comparator cohorts included 62,572 patients from US Collaborative Network and 6,377 patients from EMEA Collaborative Network. Finally, we analysed differences in the patterns of treatment between networks across the world. Kaplan‒Meier analysis was used to estimate survival probabilities,and between-group differences were tested using the log-rank test and hazard ratio.
Results: For patients from H12O, the median OS was 35.61 (28.38-42.84, 95% CI), 55.59 (40.20-70.98, 95%) and 68.67 (54.92-82.42, 95%) months for the 1999-2009, 2010-2014 and 2015-2020 cohorts, respectively (p=0.0001). Among all patients included in the EMEA network, the median OS was 20.32 months vs. 34.75 months from 1999-2009 vs. 2010-2014. The median OS from the 2010-2014 vs. 2015-2020 time cohorts was 34.75 months vs. 54.43 months, respectively. In relation to the US cohort, the median OS from before 2010 vs. 2010-2014 wasnot reached in either time cohort and neither when comparing the 2010-2014 vs. 2015-2019 time cohorts. Bortezomib is the most commonly used drug in the EMEA cohort, while lenalidomide is the most commonly used drug in the US cohort.
Conclusions: This large-scale study based on real-world data confirms the previous finding that MM patients have increased their survival in the last two decades.
Multivariate models for the prediction of febrile seizure risk and recurrence: a prospective case-control study
Authors: Papež Jan , Labounek René , Jabandžiev Petr , Česká Katarína , Slabá Kateřina , Ošlejšková Hana , Aulická Štefania , Nestrasil Igor
Published: February 2023

Our goal was to identify highly accurate empirical models for the prediction of the risk of febrile seizure (FS) and FS recurrence. In a prospective, three-arm, case-control study, we enrolled 162 children (age 25.8±17.1 months old, 71 females). Participants formed one case group (patients with FS) and two control groups (febrile patients without seizures and healthy controls). The impact of blood iron status, peak body temperature, and participants’ demographics on FS risk and recurrence was investigated with univariate and multivariate statistics. Serum iron concentration, iron saturation, and unsaturated iron-binding capacity differed between the three investigated groups (pFWE<0.05). These serum analytes were key variables in the design of novel multivariate linear mixture models. The models classified FS risk with higher accuracy than univariate approaches. The designed bi-linear classifier achieved a sensitivity/specificity of 83%/89% and was closest to the gold-standard classifier. A multivariate model assessing FS recurrence provided a difference (pFWE<0.05) with a separating sensitivity/specificity of 79%/69%. Iron deficiency, height percentile, and age were significant FS risk factors. In addition, height percentile and hemoglobin concentration were linked to FS recurrence. Novel multivariate models utilizing blood iron status and demographic variables predicted FS risk and recurrence among infants and young children with fever.
Respiration kinetics and allometric scaling in the demosponge Halichondria panicea
Authors: Kumala Lars , Thomsen Malte , Canfield Donald Eugene
Published: February 2023

Background:The aquiferous system in sponges represents one of the simplest circulatory systems used by animals for the internal uptake and distribution of oxygen and metabolic substrates. Its modular organization enables sponges to metabolically scale with size differently than animals with an internal circulatory system. In this case, metabolic rate is typically limited by surface to volume constraints to maintain an efficient supply of oxygen and food. Here, we consider the linkeage between oxygen concentration, the respiration rates of sponges and sponge size.Results:We explored respiration kinetics for individuals of the demospongeHalichondria paniceawith varying numbers of aquiferous modules (nmodule= 1-102). From this work we establish relationships between the sponge size, module number, maximum respiration rate (Rmax) and the half-saturation constant,Km, which is the oxygen concentration producing half of the maximum respiration rate,Rmax. We found that thenmoduleinH. paniceascales consistently with sponge volume (Vsp) and thatRmaxincreased with sponge size with a proportionality > 1. Conversly, we found a lack of correlation betweenKmand sponge body size suggesting that oxygen concentration does not control the size of sponges.Conclusions:The present study reveals that the addition of aquiferous modules (with a mean volume of 1.59 ± 0.22 mL) enablesH. paniceain particular, and likely demosponges in general, to grow far beyond constraints limiting the size of their component modules and independent of ambient oxygen levels.
Can protected areas and habitats preserve the vulnerable Predatory bush cricket Saga pedo?
Authors: Ancillotto Leonardo , Labadessa Rocco
Published: February 2023

Inconspicuous species challenge conservationists when it comes to delineate long-term conservation planning or assess their status, particularly when their actual distribution is poorly known. Invertebrates in particular feature among the less represented taxa in conservation assessments. Here we follow a multidisciplinary approach for assessing the conservation coverage and address future management of the threatened orthopteran Saga pedo across Europe, shedding light on its ecological preferences and associations with protected habitats at continental and regional scales. By developing species distribution models and assessing coverage by Natura2000 and Nationally Protected Areas networks, we found that only 31% of suitable areas is currently protected across Europe, a proportion significantly higher when using occurrences instead of potential range. At regional scale, we disclose that different legally-protected dry grassland habitats increase more the species’ suitability than non-protected grasslands, yet differently-listed habitats do not equally contribute to such increase i.e., not all habitats represent an effective tool for the species’ conservation. Taken together, our results provide an effective framework for addressing knowledge gaps and evaluate the conservation coverage not only of our target species, but more in general of poorly investigated species, at the same time pointing at the urgent need of transnational, coordinated, and increased efforts in monitoring and conserving insects, particularly in the case of threatened species.
Development of a one-step sample to answer multiplex Hyper-branched Rolling Cycle Amplification (pR@FRET- MB@mHSRCA) with tunable hybrid signaling (pR@FRET-MB) for simultaneous pathogen detection in food
Authors: V. D. Carole Nanfack , Yang Jia , Yuan Xiao , Sun Jiadi , Sun Xiulan , Ji Jian
Published: February 2023

Salmonella and Staphylococcus foodborne diseases are the majors causes of human diseases and food losses impacting negatively society's well-being and economy. It is primordial to establish a simple and efficient method for specific detection and identification of bacteria. Hence the necessity of the isothermal amplification method. We designed a triple-probe multiplex rolling circle amplification procedure for the simultaneous detection of Salmonella and Staphylococcus. The long padlock probes were designed to target InvA and GlnA of respectively salmonella and staphylococcus and tagged with fluorophores. A pH-based detection method was then established for the visual detection of the targeted pathogens while the Fluorescence signal was used to efficiently identify the pathogen. After optimization of the detection procedure conditions, the one-step mHSRCA could be conducted at room temperature (30°C) for 3 hours. It shows specificity for both staphylococcus and salmonella with a detection limit of 0.039 µM/µl when the fluorescence signal is concern and 0.078µM/µl for the colorimetric signal when the synthetic bacteria gene target is used after 30minutes of test. The simulative test of the present method for effective detection of both bacteria spiked in milk show after 3 hours of amplification a detection limit of 10 CFU/ml and 5CFU/ml for respectively Staphylococcus and Salmonella when the fluorescent signal is concerned. The colorimetric signal the detection limit was 10x101 CFU/ml and 5x101 CFU/ml. In summary, the triple-probe-multiplex rolling circle amplification method could be effectively used for screening food against foodborne pathogens within hours with good specificity, high sensitivity, and easy result reading.
The role of LRP5-LRP6 gene-gene and gene-environment interactions on the risk of ABM in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Li Jun , Liu Zebing , Ren Yanxia , Shao Han , Li Siyuan
Published: February 2023

Background: A previous work has discovered that LRP5 and LRP6 locus are linked to the risk of ABM in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study aimed to investigate the role of LRP5-LRP6 SNP and gene-gene and gene-environment interactions in the development of ABM in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus .
Methods:A total of 272 postmenopausal women, comprising 166 patients with abnormal bone mass (ABM) and 106 controls with normal bone mass, were recruited based on BMD results. BMD of the lumbar spine 1-4 (L1-4) and femoral neck (FN) was measured by dual-energy X-ray (DEXA), and polymorphisms and gene frequency distributions of LRP5 rs2306862, rs41494349, and LRP6 rs10743980, rs2302685 were determined by time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS).
Results:1) Logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of ABM was higher for the CT and CT/TT genotypes than for the CC genotype at the rs2306862 locus of the LRP5 gene (OR=2.353, 95%CI=1.039-6.186; OR=2.434, 95%CI=1.071, 5.531; P<0.05). TC genotype at the rs2302685 locus of the LRP6 gene has a higher risk of ABM than TT genotype (OR=2.951, 95%CI=1.030-8.457, P<0.05). 2) Polymorphisms at the rs2306862&rs10743980, rs41494349&rs2302685&rs10743980 SNPs were synergistic with the development of ABM and were risk factors for the development of ABM (P<0.05). Polymorphisms at rs2306862, rs2302685, rs41494349&rs2302685& rs10743980 SNPs were synergistic with the occurrence of ABM and were risk factors for the occurrence of ABM (P<0.05). There was an interaction between gene polymorphism & age at each locus at menopause and the occurrence of ABM (P>0.05).
Conclusion:These findings indicate that LRP5-rs2306862 and LRP6-rs2302685 polymorphisms, gene-gene, and gene-age interactions are associated with an increased risk of ABM in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Examination of the extension amounts of a medial collateral ligament pie-crusting model by a finite element method
Authors: Matsuda Shogo , Hirakawa Masashi , Nagashima Yuu , Akase Hiroya , Kaku Nobuhiro , Tsumura Hiroshi
Published: February 2023

Background: Medial collateral ligament (MCL) pie-crusting is implemented to balance the soft tissue when performing total knee arthroplasty. Although studies have been conducted on pie-crusting, a virtual MCL pie-crusting model has not been created so far, and pie-crusting has not been examined using the finite element method (FEM). This study investigates and validates MCL pie-crusting models using FEM.
Methods: We developed three MCL pie-crusting models (model A to C) for finite element analysis. In model A, the MCL was single elastic body (Young’s modulus of 350 MPa ) with both ends attached to the bone (Young’s modulus of 17.7 GPa). In model B, the MCL bundled 19 elastic body and attached to both ends of the bone. In model C, the MCL bundled 19 elastic bodies, and an adhesive part (Young's modulus of 175 kPa) was set in the gap and attached to both ends of the bone. Model A-1 was not cut, and the left end of the bone was fixed and rightward forces of 80 N and 120 N were applied.
An additional model A-2 was created with nine 1 mm × 0.1 mm cuts in the center of the elastic body. Model A-3 was developed considering nine and ten staggered cuts (19 total cuts) at two different locations, with a gap of 20 mm. Models A-4 to 8 had 28, 38, 47, 76, and 95 cuts performed similarly. Model B-2 was created with nine cuts in the center of the elastic body. Models C-2 to C-8, with the same cuts as model A, were also created and force applied in the same manner. The amount of extension for each model was measured.
Results: Model A was extended by 0.0068and 0.010 mm, for approximately 10 punctures. Model B-2 was extended 1.34 mm and 2.01 mm, approximately twice as much as model B-1. Model C was extended by 0.34 and 0.50 mm for every 10 punctures added.
Conclusions: Our results suggest model C is better suited for the mechanical analysis of pie-crusting.
Preserving Wetlands in Maine
Authors: Flynn Sean , Flynn Sean Patrick
Published: February 2023

Wetlands can be found throughout the United States and, more specifically, within the State of Maine, and the wetlands within the area need to be protected. Using many geographic information systems and analysis measures, there are many potential wetland areas that can support endangered and threatened species. The final results show over 10 locations for wetland habitats in the county that is near the Moosehead Region. With the forestry business cutting down trees, the preservation of the identified areas is crucial for endangered and threatened species populations.
Vaccine hesitancy and factors related to vaccine hesitancy in COVID vaccination among a tribal community of Meghalaya: A mixed methods study
Authors: Sundaram Shanthosh Priyan , Ningombam Joenna Devi , Lyngdoh Markordor , Medhi Gajendra Kumar , Lynrah Wallambok
Published: February 2023

Background

Vaccine hesitancy should be dealt as an important issue as it carries both individual and community level risks; however, it lacks proper assessment in particular among the indigenous tribal population.

Methods

A community based sequential explanatory mixed methods study was conducted among 238 eligible individuals in Ri-Bhoi district, Meghalaya. The quantitative part involved a cross-sectional study to determine the proportion of vaccine hesitancy and the qualitative part comprised of in-depth interviews among the eligible residents and key informant interview among the health workers providing the vaccination services, to explore the facilitators and barriers of vaccine uptake.

Results

A total of 113 [47.5% (95% CI: 41.0%-54.0%)] participants were found to be hesitant to vaccination, among which 16.8% (95% CI: 12.4%-22.3%) were initially hesitant and 30.7% (95% CI: 24.9%-37.0%) had vaccine refusal. The themes generated through qualitative interviews were individual related, disease related, vaccine related, healthcare system and provider related and socio-cultural and religious. The main barriers for likelihood of action were perceived susceptibility and perceived severity under the individual perception along with ambiguity aversion, scepticism about the efficacy, mistrust, concerns on side effects, rumours and socio-cultural and religious misbeliefs.

Conclusion and recommendations

Vaccine hesitancy is found to be considerably higher and it depends on complacency towards the vaccine, confidence on its safety, perceived susceptibility to the disease and perceived severity to the disease coupled with modifying factors for cues for action. Healthcare workers should better communicate to improve the uptake of vaccine by reducing the barriers on the vaccine acceptance.
Microwave absorption of film explained accurately by wave cancellation theory
Authors: Liu Ying , Yin Xiangbin , Drew M. G. B. , Liu Yue
Published: February 2023

It has been proved theoretically that in the field of microwave absorption, film and material are confused, and that the impedance matching theory (IM) which is usually applied to metal-backed film is inadequate. IM is defined by the difference between the absolute values of the input impedance of the film Zin and the characteristic impedance of open space Z0. Before the scientific community accepts any new theories, it is necessary to validate them with a variety of experimental data such as those obtained from films of different materials. By analysis of experimental data, it is shown here that the problems with IM cannot be solved even if different criteria such as the value of |Zin - Z0| or the phase difference between Zin and Z0 are used and therefore it needs to be replaced by wave cancellation theory. The analysis of published data in this work supports the following conclusions. The value of reflection loss RL is determined by energy conservation, specific to film since it is related to the amplitude of the resultant of the two beams reflected from the two interfaces in the film and the angular effect from the phase difference between the two beams is vital for understanding microwave absorption from film.
P53 genotype-independent anticancer effects of 11-keto-beta-boswellic acid on human colorectal cancer cells
Authors: Bae Yeongju , An Jeongtae , Jeong Wooyoung
Published: February 2023

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer, and CRC-related mortality is increasing annually. A key regulator of the cell cycle and cell death, the p53 gene, is frequently found in patients with CRC as mutants. Since tumors with abnormal p53 sometimes show resistance to anticancer drugs, it is important to develop anticancer drugs according to genetic characteristics. Although evidence shows that boswellic acids (BAs) might be potential anticancer agents, the anti-cancer effects and mechanisms involved in their activities in CRC are unclear.
Methods and Results: Here, we investigated whether olibanum (Boswellia serrata) extract and 11-keto-beta-boswellic acid exerted cytotoxic effects against p53 wildtype, p53 mutated-, and p53-deleted human CRC cell lines. Results shows that 11-keto-beta-boswellic acid considerably reduced cell viability and induced cell cycle arrest in HCT116, HT29, and SW1417 cells. And increase of apoptotic cell population and morphological changes in apoptotic cells induced by 11-keto-beta-boswellic acid were observed. The 11-keto-beta-boswellic acid mediated cell cycle arrest and apoptosis were accompanied by changes in the expression of factors linked to apoptosis, regardless of p53 genotype. In addition, 11-keto-beta-boswellic acid-treated cells dissociated from their spheroidal structure and appeared in an irregular form.
Conclusions: Although further investigations are required to fully understand the underlying mechanisms, these results may provide insight into the potential of using olibanum extract and 11-keto-beta-boswellic acid as therapeutic agents, with no difference in sensitivity depending on the p53 genotype.
Field Production Methods for Season Extension of Peony ‘Coral Charm’
Authors: Lewis Maegen , Stock Melanie , Black Brent , Drost Daniel , Dai Xin
Published: February 2023

Paeonia lactiflora is a high-value crop with a temperature-dependent growth response that requires worldwide production to satisfy year-round demand. The objective of this study was to evaluate production and timing of ‘Coral Charm’ peony as a cool-season crop in the US Intermountain West. High-tunnel and field production were trialed in North Logan, UT, USA (lat. 41.77°N, long. 111.81°W; elevation, 1382 m) with the addition of low tunnels and soil heating methods to advance growth in 2019–21. Soil and air temperatures, as well as the date and quality of harvested stems, were measured. High tunnels yielded 15.7 ± 3.3 to 19.4 ± 2.1 stems/m2 [± standard error (SE)] and the high tunnel alone advanced initial harvest 21 to 34 days earlier than natural field conditions. The field yielded 16.1 ± 1.9 to 20.8 ± 1.6 stems/m2 and staggered production, resulting in a harvest duration up to 38 days across the high tunnel and field. The use of a low tunnel with soil heating advanced the initial harvest date compared with natural (i.e., unmanipulated) high-tunnel and field conditions by 3 and 7 days in 2019, 6 days in 2020, and 16 and 6 days in 2021 in the high tunnel and field, respectively. However, the quality decreased significantly under low tunnels with soil heating within high tunnels, compared with unheated plants, as a result of superoptimal temperatures and humidity that damaged buds and led to an increase in disease and insect pressure. Overall, increasing soil temperature advanced early stages of production when the meristem was below or near the soil surface, whereas increased air temperatures accelerated stem elongation and advanced time to flowering.
Tree Architecture and Powdery Mildew Resistance of Yellow-flowering Magnolias in Tennessee, USA
Authors: Parajuli Madhav , Liyanapathiranage Prabha , Neupane Krishna , Shreckhise Jacob , Fare Donna , Moore Benjamin , Baysal-Gurel Fulya
Published: February 2023

Magnolias (Magnolia sp.) are economically important woody ornamental plants; however, plant damage associated with frost and powdery mildew (Microsphaera alni and Phyllactinia corylea) disease is a major production challenge. To understand the tree architecture and powdery mildew resistance, 26 yellow-flowering magnolias (Magnolia sp.) were evaluated in McMinnville, TN, USA (USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6b). One-year-old containerized trees were planted in a field plot during Mar 2006, with 4.6-m plant-to-plant and 3.7-m row-to-row spacing. The experiment was a completely randomized block design with three single-plant replications. Plant height and canopy diameter were measured on Dec 2016 and Feb 2018, and the apical dominance ratio (i.e., indicating tree architecture) was calculated by dividing the height by the canopy diameter. Plants were evaluated for powdery mildew severity and defoliation using a scale of 0% to 100% of the total plant canopy affected or defoliated, respectively, from Aug to Oct of 2016 and 2017. The area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) was calculated for the evaluation period of each year. The plant apical dominance ratio ranged from 1 to 3, with ‘Gold Cup’ and ‘Sun Spire’ having the highest value, and ‘Lois’, ‘Gold Star’, ‘Golden Gala’, ‘Solar Flair’, ‘Stellar Acclaim’, ‘Sun Ray’, ‘Sunburst’, and ‘Sundance’ having the lowest value (i.e., relatively round shape). Of the 26 cultivars, Sundance, Sun Spire, Sun Ray, and Gold Cup had the lowest powdery mildew severity (10% to 33% in 2016 and 40% to 60% in 2017), AUDPC, and defoliation. Cultivars Anilou, Gold Star, Golden Pond, Golden Rain, Golden Sun, Green Bee, Honey Liz, Judy Zuk, Koban Dori, Lois, Solar Flair, Stellar Acclaim, and Yellow Bird were highly susceptible to powdery mildew (>80% disease severity) and had the highest AUDPC values. Results of this research may aid breeders, nursery producers, and landscapers when selecting yellow-flowering magnolia cultivars with desirable tree architecture and resistance to powdery mildew.
SEM and FIB-TEM analyses on nanoparticulate arsenian pyrite: Implications for Au enrichment in the Carlin-type giant Lannigou gold deposit, SW China
Authors: Yan Jun , Hu Ruizhong , Cline Jean S. , Fu Shanling , Liu Shirong
Published: February 2023

Gold in Carlin-type gold ores is commonly hosted in the arsenian pyrite rim, but the formation of arsenian pyrite and its contribution to Au adsorption are poorly understood. Based on our previous NanoSIMS Au mapping, we conducted SEM and HR-TEM analyses to examine the Au deportment and nanoscale texture of individual auriferous arsenian pyrite grains from the giant Carlin-type Lannigou gold deposit, SW China. The results indicate that the arsenian pyrite rim is composed of numerous nanoparticulate pyrite grains (rather than a single crystal), and gold nanoparticles (Au0) occur mainly in sub-rim with the highest Au content, which are porous and have lower degrees of order. We propose that nanoparticulate arsenian pyrite attachment and aggregation is the main mechanism for the arsenian pyrite rim growth, and such mechanism is crucial for the Au efficient enrichment for this giant gold deposit.
Estimation of irrigation water requirement and irrigation scheduling for major crops using the CROPWAT model and climatic data
Authors: Soomro Shumaila , Solangi Ghulam Shabir , Siyal Altaf Ali , Golo Asad , Bhatti Nabi Bux , Soomro Abdul Ghani , Memon Aneela Hameem , Panhwar Sallahuddin , Keerio Hareef Ahmed
Published: February 2023

The world is facing an acute water shortage. The present irrigation techniques used in the Hyderabad district, Pakistan, are not demand-driven. The present study was carried out to determine the crop water requirement (CWR), irrigation water requirement (IWR), and irrigation scheduling for major crops grown in the Hyderabad district using the CROPWAT model based on climatic, soil, and crop data. The analysis revealed that the total CWR for the entire growing season for sugarcane, banana, cotton, and wheat were 3,127.0; 2,012.3; 1,073.5; and 418.9 mm, respectively. However, the IWR for sugarcane, banana, cotton, and wheat for the entire growing season was found to be 2,964.0; 1,966.7; 1,052.7; and 407.6 mm, respectively. However, the contribution of rainfall was 163.0, 45.6, 20.8, and 11.3 mm during sugarcane, banana, cotton, and wheat, respectively. The CWR and IWR were higher during the dry season due to high temperatures and low relative humidity. However, the IWR of each crop was low in the initial stage which increased with the growing stage until the peak at the full growth stage. The study recommends the use of CROPWAT to investigate the irrigation water requirements with accuracy.
Prediction of the probabilistic water leak location in underground pipelines using Monte Carlo simulation
Authors: Proença Matheus , Paschoalini Amarildo T. , Obata Daniel H. S.
Published: February 2023

The water loss rates in Brazil are still very concerning and cause huge financial, social, and environmental damages. Although great advances have been made in acoustic leak detection methods, some of them are intrusive or at least demand convenient access points to the pipe's surface. Furthermore, some methods are expensive and require a highly experienced and qualified operator. Thus, the goal of this paper is to establish a benchmark using a simplistic analytical model for the ground surface analysis for leaks location, simplifying the search process carried out in water networks, and requiring minimal system interference. For leak location prediction, the proposed method considered two seismic wave paths – the compressional body waves and the Rayleigh superficial waves. The traveltime curves of the compressional waves are calculated as a function of the surface wave's experimental information. Monte Carlo Simulations were carried out to test each model's precision considering uncertainties related to the input parameters of the problem. At last, through a parametric study, the two seismic events were combined to obtain better accuracy in predicting the leakage epicenter location. In the results, the maximum absolute error found was 15 cm, and the minimum improvement obtained with the parametric study was 27.4%.