bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Novel Animal Model of Primary Blast Lung Injury and Its Pathological Changes in Mice
Authors: Meng Xiangyan , Lu Qianying , Zhang Jianfeng , Li Junfeng , Shi Mingyu , Huang Siyi , Yu Sifan , Zhao Yanmei , Fan Haojun
Published: October 2021

Background Primary blast lung injury (PBLI) is a major cause of death in military conflict and terrorist attacks on civilian populations. However, the mechanisms of PBLI are not well understood, and a standardized animal model is urgently needed. This study aimed to establish an animal model of PBLI for laboratory study and observe the pathophysiological changes in mice lung caused by shock wave.Methods The animal model of PBLI was established using a self-made mini shock tube simulation device. In brief, mice were randomly divided into two groups: the control group and the model group, the model group were suffered 0.5 bar shock pressures. Mice were sacrificed at 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, 12 h and 24 h after injury. Lung tissue gross observation, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and lung pathology scoring were performed to evaluated lung tissue damage. Evans blue dye (EBD) leakage and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) examination were performed to evaluated pulmonary edema. The relative expression levels of inflammation factors were measured by real-time qPCR and Western blotting analysis. The release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) was observed by immunofluorescence stain. Results In the model group, the gross observation and H&E staining assay showed the inflammatory cell infiltration, intra-alveolar hemorrhage, and damaged lung tissue structure. The EBD and BALF examination revealed that the lung tissue permeability and edema was significantly increased after injury. Real-time qPCR and Western blotting assays showed that IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α were up-regulated in the model group. Immunofluorescence assay showed that the level of NETs in the lung tissue increased significantly in the model group. Conclusions The self-made mini shock tube simulation device can be used to establish the animal model of PBLI successfully. Pathological changes of PBLI mice were characterized by mechanical damage and inflammatory response in lung tissue.
Quantifying Biological Processes Producing Nitrous Oxide in Soil Using a Mechanistic Model
Authors: Chang Baoxuan , Yan Zhifeng , Ju Xiaotang , Song Xiaotong , Li Yawei , Wang Hui , Li Siliang , Fu Pingqing , Zhu-Barker Xia
Published: October 2021

Soil nitrous oxide (N2O) is an important source of greenhouse gas contributing to climate change. Many processes produce N2O in soils and the production rate of each process is affected variably by climatic-edaphic factors, making the soil-to-atmosphere N2O flux extremely dynamic. Experimental approaches, including natural and enriched isotopic methods, have been developed to separate and quantify the N2O production from different processes. However, these methods are often costly or difficult to conduct, hampering their widely applications. This study aimed to develop a mechanistic model quantifying the soil N2O production from nitrifier nitrification (NN), nitrifier denitrification (ND), and heterotrophic denitrification (HD), which are considered as the most important biological contributors, and to investigate how climatic-edaphic factors affect individual processes as well as total N2O production rates. The developed model demonstrated its robustness and capability by reliably reproducing N2O productions from the three individual processes of NN, ND, and HD under different moisture contents and oxygen concentrations. The model simulations unraveled how environmental conditions and soil properties controlled the total N2O production rate by regulating individual rates variably. Therefore, the mechanistic model is able to potentially elucidate the large spatiotemporal variances of in-situ soil N2O flux and improve the assessment of soil N2O emission at regional and global scales.
Identification of a Candidate Gene Responsible for the G Locus Determining Chartreuse Bulb Color in Onion (Allium Cepa L.) Using Bulked Segregant RNA-Seq
Authors: Jeon SeongChan , Han JiWon , Kim Cheol-Woo , Kim Ju-Gyeong , Moon Jae-Hak , Kim Sunggil
Published: October 2021

To identify a casual gene for the G locus determining chartreuse bulb color in onion (Allium cepa L.), bulked segregant RNA-Seq (BSR-Seq) was performed using yellow and chartreuse individuals of a segregating population. Through customized single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and differentially expressed gene (DEG) screening processes, 163 and 143 contigs were selected, respectively. One contig encoding a laccase-like protein was commonly identified from SNP and DEG screening. This contig contained four highly conserved copper-binding domains known to be signature sequences of laccases. This gene was designated AcLAC12 since it showed high homology with Arabidopsis AtLAC12. A 4-bp deletion creating a premature stop codon was identified in exon 5 of the chartreuse allele. Another mutant allele in which an intact LTR-retrotransposon was transposed in exon 5 was identified from other chartreuse breeding lines. Genotypes of molecular markers tagging AcLAC12 were perfectly matched with bulb color phenotypes in segregating populations and diverse breeding lines. All chartreuse breeding lines contained inactive alleles of DFR-A gene determining red bulb color, indicating that chartreuse color appeared when both DFR-A and AcLAC12 genes were inactivated. Linkage maps showed that AcLAC12 was positioned at the end of chromosome 7. Transcription levels of structural genes encoding enzymes in anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway were generally reduced in chartreuse bulk compared with yellow bulk. Concentrations of total quercetins were also reduced in chartreuse onion. However, significant amounts of quercetins were detected in chartreuse onion, implying that AcLAC12 might be involved in modification of quercetin derivatives in onion.
Study On The Cutting Mechanism of Randomly Deflected Truncated Cone Shape Single Abrasive Grain
Authors: Zhang Lansheng , Jiang Jing Liang , Wang Dexiang , Sun Shufeng
Published: October 2021

Based on the random distribution characteristic of abrasive grains for the grinding wheel circumference surface during the manufacturing process, considering the grinding parameters and deflection parameters comprehensively, a randomly deflected truncated cone shape single abrasive grain cutting simulation model was established. Then, studying its cutting mechanism: the trajectory length value by numerical method and formula method were compared, the consequence indicates that the error is extremely small, this demonstrates the accuracy of the numerical method. The calculation and analysis of the workpiece cutting surface topography and the undeformed chip shape were carried out, it shows that the cutting surface topography and the undeformed chip shape are coincident. The influence laws of each grinding process parameter on the material removal volume (MRV) and material removal rate (MRR) were investigated, the results display that the grinding method affects the changing pattern of MRV and MRR, when the grinding method was up-grinding, a high wheel speed or a small wheel diameter are able to enhance the MRR, the MRV and MRR are increments with the increasing workpiece feed speed or abrasive grain cutting depth, and the MRV and MRR decrease with the raising of the absolute value of single abrasive grain deflection angle. The situation is a similar or opposite trend in down grinding. This work can provide a theoretical reference for the selection and optimization of grinding parameters, and further lay a foundation for the research in the grinding mechanism of the grinding wheel.
Construction of ZnO/Keggin Polyoxometalate Nano Heterojunction Catalyst For Efficient Removal of Rhodamine B in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Guo Ruibo , Bai Liming , Dong Guohua , Chai Dongfeng , Lang Kun , Mou Zhonghua , Zhao Ming
Published: October 2021

In this paper, we synthesized two novel heterojunction nanocomposite catalysts ZnO/Ag4SiW12O40 and ZnO/Cs3PW12O40 by a simple dissolution-precipitation method. The structure and morphology of the samples were analyzed by XRD, TEM, FT-IR, Raman, UV diffuse reflection, XPS and N2 adsorption desorption isotherm. Compared with pure ZnO, the composite catalyst formed with Ag4SiW12O40(AgSiW) and Cs3PW12O40(CsPW) can significantly improve the problem of fast recombination rate of photogenerated carriers in ZnO, and broaden the response range of ZnO to visible light. Rhodamine B (RhB) was used as a simulated pollutant to investigate the photocatalytic degradation performance of the composite catalyst. The experimental results show that the photocatalytic degradation activity of the prepared composite catalyst is much higher than that of pure ZnO, and the degradation performance of ZnO/Ag4SiW12O40 is stronger. Finally, the possible photocatalytic mechanism of ZnO/Ag4SiW12O40 and ZnO/Cs3PW12O40 heterojunction nanocomposite catalysts was proposed by UV diffuse reflection, free radical capture experiment and Mott Schottky test.
Enhancing The Optoelectronic Properties of Nebulizer Sprayed In2S3 Thin Films For Photodetector Applications
Authors: Lavanyaa S. , Kumar T. Rajesh , Gunavathy K.V. , Ubaidullah Mohd , Shaikh Shoyebmohamad F. , Kumar Dinesh , Pandit Bidhan
Published: October 2021

In the present work, the versatile Indium sulfide thin films (In2S3) are deposited on glass substrates using nebulizer assisted spray pyrolysis technique at 350 °C for visible light detection application. The effect of the molar concentration of indium and sulfur on the structure, morphology, optical characteristics, and photo-sensing capability of the prepared In2S3 films were systematically studied in the range of 0.01 M to 0.03 M. The structural analysis showed a maximum crystallite size of 36 nm for 0.03 M sample. The morphological image from the scanning electron microscope showed a homogeneous large size grained surface of In2S3 film completely covering the substrate. The indium to the sulfur ratio in the prepared films ranged from 1.02 to 1.16 as the molar concentration was raised from 0.01 to 0.03 M. All the prepared films showed a good absorption in the ultraviolet and visible region of the electromagnetic spectra. The sample prepared at 0.03 M was found to have a minimum band gap of 2.38 eV and a maximum PL intensity at 480 nm. The I-V characteristics show a photocurrent of 1.4 × 10-5 A under visible light for an external bias voltage of ± 5 V. A maximum responsivity of 2.74 A/W, detectivity of 2.65 × 1010 Jones was exhibited by 0.03 M sample with a high EQE of 63.9 %. The prepared In2S3 thin film may find application as a photodetector.
Ultrasound–Guided Percutaneous Laser Ablation: A New Treatment Option for Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Yu Jie , Han Zhi-yu , Cheng Zhigang , An Chao , Dong Li-nan , Feng Wen-zhe , Liang Ping
Published: October 2021

Background and aim:

Most patients with pancreatic cancer (PC) suffer from an unresectable tumor at the time of diagnosis with limited treatment effectiveness. The aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility and safety of percutaneous laser ablation (LA) for locally advanced and metastatic PC.
Methods

Between September 2016 and November 2019, ten patients (mean age, 64.2 ± 6.7 years; range, 62–68 years) with histologically proved PC were prospectively included to undergo ultrasound-guided percutaneous LA. Treatment effect including safety, pain perception and survival were evaluated.
Results

Three patients were with locally advanced PC (stage III) and seven with metastases (stage IV). All patients underwent LA in one session. The mean largest diameter of tumor was 5.5 ± 0.9 cm (range, 4.2–9.4 cm). Ablation power of all patients was 5 W and the mean ablation energy was 8.1 ± 2.6 KJ (range, 4.4–12KJ). Mean ablation volume was 16.1 ± 3.8 ml (range, 13.0 – 22.1 ml), which reached 89.1 ± 7.4% (range, 80.2 – 98.0 %) of tumor volume. After a median follow-up period of 10.4 months (range, 6.2–18.4 months), the median survival from diagnosis was 11.5 months. Four stage IV patients died during 6.5–12.5 months after LA because of one hepatic encephalopathy and three tumor progression. No major complications occurred. Pain symptom achieved significant remission (P < 0.001) and patients experienced ameliorative physical function after LA.
Conclusions

Percutaneous LA for unresectable PC is generally well tolerated. Preliminary results are encouraging with tumor size reducing and physical function significant improvement. The technique provides a new minimally invasive therapy modality for PC.
Exploration of plant transcriptomes reveals five putative novel poleroviruses and an enamovirus
Authors: Sidharthan V Kavi , Nagendran Krishnan , Baranwal Virendra Kumar
Published: October 2021

Transcriptome datasets available in public domain serve as valuable resource for identification and characterization of novel viral genomes. Poleroviruses are economically important plant-infecting RNA viruses belonging to the family Luteoviridae. In the present study, we explored the plant transcriptomes available in public domain and identified five putative novel poleroviruses tentatively named as Foeniculum vulgare polerovirus (FvPV), Kalanchoe marnieriana polerovirus (KmPV), Paspalum notatum polerovirus (PnPV), Piper methysticum polerovirus (PmPV), Trachyspermum ammi polerovirus (TaPV) and a novel enamovirus named as Celmisia lyallii enamovirus (ClEV) in Foeniculum vulgare, Kalanchoe marnieriana, Paspalum notatum, Piper methysticum, Trachyspermum ammi and Celmisia lyallii, respectively. Coding-complete genomes (5.56−5.74 kb) of CIEV, KmPV, PnPV, PmPV and TaPV were recovered while only the partial genome of FvPV could be recovered. The genome organization of identified viruses except ClEV is 5’−P0−P1−P2−P3a−P3−P4−P5−3’ while that of ClEV is 5’−P0−P1−P2−P3− P5−3’. Phylogenetic analysis and genome organization revealed the relatedness of FvPV, KmPV, PnPV, PmPV and TaPV to other poleroviruses and ClEV to other enamoviruses.
Ischemic preconditioning/Ischemic postconditioning alleviates anoxia/reoxygenation injury via the Notch1/Hes1/VDAC1 axis
Authors: Wang Lijun , Lai Songqing , Zhou Xueliang , Wan Qing , Luo Yong , Zou Huaxi , Wu Qicai , Wan Li , Liu Jichun , Huang Huang
Published: October 2021

Background
It has been demonstrated that ischemic preconditioning (IPC), and ischemic postconditioning (IPost) have a significant protective effect on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury by alleviating oxidative stress and mitochondrial disturbances, although the underlying molecular mechanisms are not clear. To demonstrate that cardioprotection against anoxia/reoxygenation (A/R) injury is transduced via the Notch1/Hes1/VDAC1 signaling pathway.
Methods
Using proteomics techniques, liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) and tandem affinity purification (TAP), to screen for differentially expressed proteins associated with Hes1, followed by standard bioinformatics analysis. The co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assay confirmed an interaction between Hes1 and VDAC1 proteins. H9c2 cells were transfected with Hes1 adenoviral N-terminal TAP vector (AD-NTAP/Hes1) and Hes1-short hairpin RNA adenoviral vector (AD-Hes1-shRNA) to establish A/R injury, ischemic preconditioning (IPC), and ischemic postconditioning (IPost) models, respectively. The expression of Hes1 and VDAC1 proteins were measured by western blotting, while the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), and apoptosis were evaluated by flow cytometry.
Results
AD-NTAP/Hes1 can activate the exogenous protein expression of Hes1, thus decreasing creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and promoting cell viability. The study found that VDAC1 was a potential target protein for Hes1 and the overexpression of Hes1 protein expression downregulated protein expression levels of VDAC1, reduced ROS production, stabilized ΔΨm, and inhibited apoptosis in H9c2 cells. Additionally, downregulation of Hes1 protein expression also upregulated VDAC1 protein expression, increased ROS production, imbalanced ΔΨm, promoted cell apoptosis, and attenuated the cardioprotection afforded by IPC and IPost.
Conclusions
The Notch1/Hes1 signaling pathway activated by IPC/IPost can directly downregulate the protein expression of VDAC1 and consequently relieve A/R injury.
Strong Ground Motions From the 21 May 2021 M6.4 Yangbi Earthquake in Western China Obtained From a Dense Network of Accelerographs and Intensity Meters
Authors: Xie Junju , An Zhao , Fu Lei , Li Kewei , Li Xiaojun , Wen Zengping , Cui Jianwen , Lin Guoliang , Wang Pengfei
Published: October 2021

The dense recordings of the 146 accelerometers in the near-source area clearly show the seismic wave propagation and spatial variability of strong ground motions during the 2021 Yangbi earthquake in Western China. The observation demonstrates that the near-source strong ground motions are characterized as short duration (< 15-20 s) but large ground accelerations and short-period spectral values. The dominant period of strong ground motions is generally short (0.1-0.5 s); whereas, in some records, the dominant period reaches 1.5 s while affected by soft and deep sediments. The observed peak ground velocities (PGVs) and long-period spectral accelerations (SAs) over 1.0 s are relatively weak and attenuate rapidly with distance, resulting in a small damage zone of earthquake intensity VIII. We find many anomalies in the distribution of ground motion intensity measures (IMs) caused by local topography and soft sediments. Topographic amplification mainly affects PGAs and short-period SAs below 1.0 s, while the soft sediments show strong amplification effects in the long-period SAs over 1.0 s. The Next-Generation Attenuation (NGA) -West2 models have a good estimation of peak ground accelerations (PGAs) and short-period SAs, but tend to over-predict long-period SAs over 1.0 s for this event. Strong directionality is observed in the near-fault, where observed PGAs, PGVs and SAs in the fault parallel (FP) component are much larger than those in the fault normal (FN) component; which is validated by the clear evidence of different building damage patterns along the FN and FP directions. Response spectra of near-fault ground motions are higher than the code design spectra in China at periods of around 0.1 s, but lower than the code at periods over 0.5 s. This result can explain why the building structures (with fundamental periods of 0.5 s or higher) constructed following the building code show relatively rare damage in the near-fault region.
Vasculogenic Mimicry Correlates to Presenting Symptoms and Mortality in Uveal Melanoma
Authors: Sabazade Shiva , Gill Viktor Torgny , Herrspiegel Christina , Stålhammar Gustav
Published: October 2021

PurposeFluid-conducting extracellular matrix patterns known as vasculogenic mimicry (VM) have been associated with poor prognosis in uveal melanoma and other cancers. We investigate the correlations between VM, presenting symptoms, mortality and the area density of periodic acid-Schiff positive histological patterns (PAS density).MethodsSixty-nine patients that underwent enucleation for uveal melanoma between 2000 and 2007 were included. Clinicopathological parameters, presenting symptoms and outcomes were collected. Histological tumor sections were evaluated for VM and PAS density was quantified with digital image analysis.ResultsThirty-four patients (49 %) presented with blurred vision. 18 (26 %) with a shadow in the visual field, 7 (10 %) with photopsia and/or floaters and 2 (3 %) with metamorphopsia. Nine patients (13 %) had no symptoms at all. Median follow-up was 16.7 years (SD 2.6). A shadow in the visual field, but no other symptom, was positively correlated with the presence of VM (φ 0.70, p<0.001) and greater PAS density (p<0.001). In multivariate regression, retinal detachment (RD), presence of VM and PAS density ≥ median were independent predictors of a shadow, but not tumor distance to the macula, tumor apical thickness, tumor diameter or ciliary body engagement. Presence of VM was associated with significantly shorter cumulative disease-specific survival (Wilcoxon p=0.04), but not PAS density ≥ median, presenting symptoms or RD (p>0.28).ConclusionTumors from uveal melanoma patients that report a visual field shadow are likely to display VM and greater PAS density, likely explaining the previously reported association between this symptom and poor prognosis.
Nitrification mainly driven by ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria in an anammox-inoculated wastewater treatment system
Authors: Lu Jing , Hong Yiguo , Wei Ying , Gu Ji-Dong , Wu Jiapeng , Wang Yu , Ye Fei , Lin Jih-Gaw
Published: October 2021

Anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) process has been acknowledged as an environmentally friendly and time-saving technique capable of achieving efficient nitrogen removal. However, the community of nitrification process in anammox-inoculated wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) has not been elucidated. In this study, ammonia oxidation (AO) and nitrite oxidation (NO) rates were analyzed with the incubation of activated sludge from Xinfeng WWTPs (Taiwan, China), and the community composition of nitrification communities were investigated by high-throughput sequencing. Results in this paper have showed that both AO and NO had strong potential activity in the activated sludge. The average rates of AO and NO in sample A were 6.51 µmol·L -1 ·h -1 and 6.52 µmol·L -1 ·h -1 , respectively, while the rates in sample B were 14.48 µmol·L -1 ·h -1 and 14.59 µmol·L -1 ·h -1 , respectively. The abundance of the nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) Nitrospira was 0.89-4.95×10 11 copies/g in both samples A and B, and the abundance of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) was 1.01- 9.74×10 9 copies/g. In contrast, the abundance of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) was much lower than AOB, only with 1.28-1.53×10 5 copies/g in samples A and B. The AOA community was dominated by Nitrosotenuis , Nitrosocosmicus, and Nitrososphaera, while the AOB community mainly consisted of Nitrosomonas and Nitrosococcus . The dominant species of Nitrospira were Candidatus Nitrospira defluvii, Candidatus Nitrospira Ecomare2 and Nitrospira inopinata . In summary, the strong nitrification activity was mainly catalyzed by AOB and Nitrospira , maintaining high efficiency in nitrogen removal in the anammox-inoculated WWTPs by providing the substrates required for denitrification and anammox processes.
Construction of risk prediction model using m6A RNA methylation regulators in prostate cancer: comprehensive bioinformatic analysis and histological validation
Authors: Quan Yongjun , Zhang Xiaodong , Ping Hao
Published: October 2021

Background

Epigenetic reprogramming reportedly has a crucial role in prostate cancer (PCa) progression. RNA modification is a hot topic in epigenetics, and N6-methyladenosine (m6A) accounts for approximately 60% of RNA chemical modifications. The aim of this study was to construct risk prediction model using m6A RNA regulators in PCa.

Materials and methods

Analyses were based on levels of 25 m6A regulators in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Differential expression gene (DEG) and survival analyses were performed according to TCGA-PRAD clinicopathologic and follow-up information. To detect the influence of m6A regulators and their DEGs, consensus clustering analysis was performed, and tumor mutational burden (TMB) estimation and tumor microenvironment (TME) cell infiltration were assessed. mRNA levels of representative genes were verified using clinical PCa data.

Results

Diverse expression patterns of m6A regulators between tumor and normal (TN) were detected regarding Gleason score (GS), pathological T stage (pT), TP53 mutation, and survival comparisons, with HNRNPA2B1 and IGFBP3 being intersecting genes. HNRNPA2B1 was upregulated in advanced stages (GS > 7, pT3, HR >1, and TP53 mutation), as verified using clinical PCa tissue. Three distinct m6A modification patterns were identified through consensus clustering analysis but no significant difference was found among these groups in recurrence -free survival (RFS) analysis. Six DEGs of m6A clusters were screened through univariate Cox regression analysis. MMAB and PAIAP2 were intersecting genes for the five clinical factors. MMAB, which was upregulated in PCa compared with TN, was verified using clinical PCa samples. Three distinct subgroups were established according to the 6 DEGs. Cluster A involved the most advanced stages and had the poorest RFS. The m6A score (m6Ascore) was calculated based on the 6 genes, and the low m6Ascore group showed poor RFS with a negative association with infiltration of 16 of 23 immune-related cells.

Conclusion

We screened DEGs of m6A clusters and identified 6 genes (BAIAP2, TEX264, MMAB, JAGN1, TIMM8AP1, and IMP3), with which constructed a high predictive model with prognostic value by dividing TCGA-PRAD into three distinct subgroups and performing m6A core analysis. This study helps in elucidating the integral effects of m6A signaling on PCa progression.
Cellular coverage probability is independent of base station density under stochastic geometric model
Authors: Nassar Hamed , Taher Gehad , El-Hady El-Sayed
Published: October 2021

Stochastic geometry (SG) has been extensively used to model cellular communications, under the assumption that the base stations (BS) are deployed as a Poisson point process in the Euclidean plane. This use has spawned a huge number of articles over the past years for different scenarios, culminating in an equally huge number of expressions for the coverage probability in both the uplink (UL) and downink (DL) cellular directions. The problem is that those expressions include the BS density, l, which we prove irrelevant in this article. We start by developing a SG model for a baseline cellular scenario, then prove that its coverage probability is independent of l, contrary to popular belief.
Augmented Perpetual Manifolds and Perpetual Mechanical Systems-Part II: Theorem for Dissipative Mechanical Systems Behaving as Perpetual Machines
Authors: GEORGIADES FOTIOS
Published: October 2021

Perpetual points in mathematics defined recently, and their significance in nonlinear dynamics and their application in mechanical systems is currently ongoing research. The perpetual points significance relevant to mechanics so far is that they form the perpetual manifolds of rigid body motions of mechanical systems. The concept of perpetual manifolds extended to the definition of augmented perpetual manifolds that an externally excited multi-degree of freedom mechanical system is moving as a rigid body. As a continuation of this work, herein the internal force’s and their associated energies, for a motion of multi-degree of freedom dissipative flexible mechanical system with solutions in the exact augmented perpetual manifolds, leads to the proof of a theorem that based on a specific decomposition with respect to their state variables dependence, all the internal forcing vectors are equal to zero. Therefore there is no energy storage as potential energy, and the process is internally isentropic. This theorem provides the conditions that a mechanical system behaves as a perpetual machine of a 2nd and a 3rd kind. The developed theory leads to a discussion for the conditions of the violation of the 2nd law of thermodynamics for mechanical systems that their motion is described in the exact augmented perpetual manifolds. Moreover, the necessity of a reversible process to violate the 2nd thermodynamics law, which is not valid, is shown. The findings of the theorem analytically and numerically are verified. The energies of a perpetual mechanical system in the exact augmented perpetual manifolds for two types of external forces have been determined. Then, in two examples of mechanical systems, all the analytical findings with numerical simulations, certified with excellent agreement. This work is essential in physics since the 2nd law of thermodynamics is not admitting internally isentropic processes in the dynamics of dissipative mechanical systems. Also, the operation of a machine in the exact augmented perpetual manifolds is of extremely high significance to avoid internal damage, and degradation of any internal part of the machine, without energy loss. This article is dedicated to my educators, in all levels of my studies from school to post-doctoral researcher, including summer schools in Greece about Nonlinear dynamics and Chaos, naming few of them that cannot be easily found: Mr. Dimitris Aliapoulios, Prof. Michael Fridakis, Prof. Ajay Kapoor. (in chronological order)
Extended Characterisation of Five Archival Tick-borne Viruses Provides Insights for Virus Discovery in Australian Ticks
Authors: O’Brien Caitlin A. , Huang Bixing , Warrilow David , Hazlewood Jessamine E. , Bielefeldt-Ohmann Helle , Hall-Mendelin Sonja , Pegg Cassandra L. , Harrison Jessica J. , Paramitha Devina , Newton Natalee D. , Schulz Benjamin L. , Suhrbier Andreas , Hobson-Peters Jody , Hall Roy Alexander
Published: October 2021

BackgroundA subset of Australians who have been bitten by ticks experience a complex of chronic and debilitating symptoms which cannot be attributed to the known pathogenic species of bacteria present in Australia. As a result, there has been a renewed effort to identify and characterise viruses in Australian terrestrial ticks. Recent transcriptome sequencing of Ixodes and Amblyomma ticks have revealed the presence of multiple virus sequences. However, without virus isolates our ability to understand the host-range and pathogenesis of newly identified viruses is limited. We have established a successful method for high-throughput virus discovery and isolation in mosquitoes using antibodies to double-stranded RNA. In this study we sought to characterise five archival tick-borne viruses in order to adapt our virus discovery protocol for Australian ticks.MethodsWe performed virus characterisation using a combination of bioinformatic sequence analysis and in vitro techniques including replication kinetics, antigenic profiling, virus purification and mass spectrometry. ResultsOur sequence analysis of three archival viruses revealed marked genetic stability in isolates collected from the same location approximately 30 years apart. We demonstrate that the Ixodes scapularis-derived ISE6 cell line supports replication of Australian members of the Flaviviridae, Nairoviridae, Phenuiviridae and Reoviridae families, including a virus isolated from the soft tick Ornithodoros capensis. While antibodies against double-stranded RNA could be used to detect replication of a tick-borne reovirus and mosquito-borne flavivirus, the tick-borne flaviviruses Gadgets Gully virus and Saumarez Reef virus could not be detected using this method. Finally, four novel virus-like sequences were identified in transcriptome sequencing of the Australian native tick Ixodes holocyclus.Conclusions﻿Genetic and antigenic characterisation of archival viruses in this study confirm that three viruses described in 2002 represent contemporary isolates of virus species first identified 30 years prior. Our findings with antibodies to double-stranded RNA highlight an unusual characteristic shared by two Australian tick-borne flaviviruses. Overall, this work provides a valuable resource for isolation of Australian tick-borne viruses using existing cell lines.
Monitoring the Distribution of Banana Bunchy Top Virus in South Africa: A Country-Wide Survey
Authors: Ximba Sinethemba Patience Fanelwe , Gubba Augustine , Tshabalala Jeffrey , Jooste Anna Elizabeth Catharina
Published: October 2021

Banana bunchy top disease (BBTD) is the most devastating viral disease of bananas worldwide and is caused by the banana bunchy top virus (BBTV). The disease is spread by the banana aphid Pentalonia nigronervosa Coquerel (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and through infected propagation material. In 2015, the virus was detected in an isolated area in the South Coast region of the KwaZulu-Natal Province (KZN), South Africa. The aim of this study was to conduct surveys across three banana-producing regions in South Africa, viz. KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces. Over 1700 plant and aphid samples were collected from commercial farms and rural households in the three provinces and more intense sampling was done in the affected KZN region. A BBTV-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR), targeting the putative replicase gene, was performed to detect virus-infected samples. The amplicons that yielded an expected band size of 349 bp, were sequenced. Comparative phylogenetic analyses showed that the South African BBTV isolates clustered within the Pacific Indian Ocean genomic group that included isolates from India and other regions in Africa with a bootstrap value of 94% . To date, the virus has been identified only in the South Coast region of the KwaZulu-Natal province. Intense management strategies, including scouting, removal of infected plants and control of aphids, have been implemented in areas where positive samples were identified to minimize the spread of the virus. Findings from this study emphasize the need to continue monitoring and containing the spread in the KZN South Coast region.
Pediatric Traumatic Cataract in Southwest China: Epidemiological Profile
Authors: Wang Pingping , Yin Hongbo , Wang Lin , Liu Longqian
Published: October 2021

Background: Pediatric traumatic cataract is an important but preventable cause of acquired monocular blindness. Knowing the epidemiology of pediatric traumatic cataract is the prerequisite for prevention. This study aimed to characterize the epidemiology in the southwest of China. Methods: The medical record of children with lens damage following open-globe injury managed in the West China Hospital (aged 1–14 years) from January 2011 to December 2020 were reviewed, and the demographic data, cause of injury, and post-traumatic complications were recorded and analyzed.Results: A total of 716 eyes of 716 patients were enrolled in this study, including 488 (68.2%) male and 228 female patients in a ratio of 2.14:1; 117 patients were from a minority nationality region. The pediatric traumatic cataract was more likely to occur in winter (40.2%). Sharp metal object–related (scissors/knife/needle/sheet metal/dart) eye injuries accounted for the highest proportion, followed by botanic sticks (wooden /bamboo /bamboo skewers), and stationery (pencil/pen/ruler/paper). A majority (68.7%) of patients were 2–8 years old, with a higher frequency in the age group of 4–6 years. Penetrating trauma accounted for 64.9% of patients, and the remaining were accounted for blunt trauma (35.1%). 131 cases (18.3%) developed into post-traumatic endophthalmitis. The eye injuries caused by needles(P=0.007), wooden sticks(P=0.016), and bamboo skewers(P=0.002) have greater risk for developing into endophthalmitis. The most common organism identified was Streptococcus, which accounted for 42% (21/50) of all culture-positive specimens and was sensitive to vancomycin. Conclusion: The epidemiology of pediatric traumatic cataract in the southwest of China, especially the causative agent, was different from that in other regions, therefore the emphasized educative measures such as informing guardian and children about the causative factors should also be different.
Long-term Outcomes of Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Skull Base Tumors Involving the Cavernous Sinus
Authors: Umekawa Motoyuki , SHINYA YUKI , Hasegawa Hirotaka , Shin Masahiro , Kawashima Mariko , Katano Atsuto , Saito Nobuhito
Published: October 2021

PurposeStereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is an effective and less invasive therapeutic option for cavernous sinus (CS) tumors. However, its long-term effectiveness and neurological outcomes have yet to be fully elucidated. We aimed to examine the long-term outcomes of SRS for CS tumors.MethodsOverall, 127 patients with benign CS tumors, including 91 with meningioma, 14 with trigeminal schwannoma (TS), 14 with non-functioning pituitary adenoma (PA), and eight with cavernous hemangioma (CH), treated with SRS at our institution from 1990 to 2018, were included. Tumor control and functional preservation/recovery were evaluated in detail.ResultsThe mean post-SRS follow-up period was 102 months. The progression-free survivals (PFSs) were 97% at 5 years, 90% at 10 years, and 88% at 15 years for the entire cohort; 96% at 5 years and 87% at 10 years for meningiomas; and 100% at 10 years for the other tumors. No significant difference was observed among the tumor types (log-rank test; meningioma vs. TS, p = 0.232, meningioma vs. PA, p = 0.297, meningioma vs. CH, p = 0.277). Improvement in cranial nerve (CN) function was observed in 35 (27%) patients. TSs tended to show CN improvements more often than meningiomas did (total improvements, 62% vs. 23%; p = 0.004, eye movement function, 100% vs. 20%; p = 0.002). Deterioration, or development of new CN deficits, was observed in 11 (9%) patients.ConclusionSRS provides durable tumor control and contributes to sufficient preservation of CN function.
Engineered PAM-flexible FnCas9 variants for robust and specific genome editing and diagnostics
Authors: Acharya Sundaram , Ansari Asgar , Hirano Seiichi , Paul Deepanjan , Rauthan Riya , Kumar Manoj , Phutela Rhythm , Sarkar Sajal , Gulati Sneha , Mahato Sudipta , Maddileti Savitri , Pulimamidi Vinay , Mariappan Indumathi , Nishimasu Hiroshi , Nureki Osamu , Maiti Souvik , Chakraborty Debojyoti
Published: October 2021

The clinical success of CRISPR therapies is dependent on the safety and efficacy of Cas proteins. The Cas9 from Francisella novicida (FnCas9) has negligible affinity for mismatched substrates enabling it to discriminate off-targets in DNA with very high precision even at the level of binding. However, its cellular targeting efficiency is low, limiting its use in therapeutic applications. Here, we rationally engineer the protein to develop enhanced (enFnCas9) variants and expand its cellular editing activity to genomic loci previously inaccessible. Notably, some of the variants release the protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) constraint from NGG to NGR/NRG making them rank just below SpCas9-RY and SpCas9-NG in their accessibility across human genomic sites. The enFnCas9 proteins, similar to Cas12a and Cas12f, harbor high intrinsic specificity and can diagnose single nucleotide variants accurately. Importantly, they provide superior outcomes in terms of editing efficiency, knock-in rates, and off-target specificity over other engineered high-fidelity versions of SpCas9 (SpCas9-HF1 and eSpCas9). Broad targeting range coupled with remarkable specificity of DNA interrogation underscores the utility of these variants for safe and efficient therapeutic gene correction across multiple cell lines and target loci.
The Representation of Dry-Season Low-Level Clouds Over Western Equatorial Africa in Reanalyses and Historical CMIP6 Simulations
Authors: Camberlin Pierre , Togbedji Christian F , Pergaud Julien , Berger Alexandre , Aellig Raffael , Fink Andreas H , Knippertz Peter , Moron Vincent , Philippon Nathalie
Published: October 2021

Western Equatorial Africa (WEA) has a record low sunshine duration during the June–September dry season due to the persistence of low clouds. This study examines the ability of two reanalysis products (ERA5 and MERRA-2) and 8 CMIP6 models (both coupled and atmosphere-only historical simulations) to reproduce the climatology of these low clouds, by comparing it with ground observations and a satellite product. All datasets show a reasonable representation of the regional distribution of low clouds over the Tropical Atlantic and the neighbouring African continent. However, CMIP6 models tend to underestimate the low cloud fraction, especially over WEA in the coupled simulations. This underestimation is partly due to an insufficient seasonal sea-surface temperature (SST) cooling over the Eastern Equatorial Atlantic from April to July in most models, which contributes to reducing the lower-tropospheric stability (LTS). ERA5 data, whose dry season WEA low-cloud fraction is close to observations, indicate that LTS strongly controls the interannual variability of WEA low clouds. Interestingly, the ability to reproduce the mean low cloud fraction does not necessarily scale with the SST biases of the CMIP6 models. The strong dependence of low clouds on interannual SST variations in ERA5 is captured by less than half of the CMIP6 models. Additional key drivers of interannual variations identified in this study, such as Bight of Bonny surface winds and mid-tropospheric temperatures, actually show up inconsistently in CMIP6. Further analyses are needed to disentangle the roles played by SST and independent atmospheric forcings on WEA low cloud formation.
Genomics stratification and differential natural selection signatures among the human Norovirus genogroup-II isolates
Authors: Kakakhel Sehrish , Khan Hizbullah , Nigar Kiran , Khan Asifullah
Published: October 2021

The Norovirus (NoV) from the family Caliciviridae is the most common cause of gastroenteritis diseases in human. There are ten NoV genogroups are reported so far. Among these, the genogroup II (GII) is commonly prevalent and causes serious infection worldwide. The complete genome sequences of NoV GII isolates from different continental origin were retrieved from the public database. The model-based clustering approach implemented in the STRUCTURE resource was employed for assessment of genetic composition. The Mega-X and IQ tree were tools used for phylogenetic analyses. Genome-wide natural selection analyses were pursued via the maximum likelihood based methods. The demography features of NoV GII genome sequences were assessed using the BEAST package. All the NoV GII sequences initially clustered into two main subpopulations at significant K=2. The genotype GII.4 samples clearly split from the rest of all the genotypes. This indicate marked genetic distinction between norovirus GII.4 and non-GII.4 samples. The phylogenetic analyses depicted five distinct sub-clades for genotype GII.2 and seven sub-clades for GII.4 samples, speculate about the emergence of new lineages from these genotypes. Several isolates with admixed ancestry were identified, that constituted distinct sub-clusters. No continental-specific genetic distinction was observed among the NoV GII isolates. Significant genomic signatures of both positive and negative natural selection were identified across the NoV GII genes. Differential pattern of positive selection signal inferred between the GII.4 and non-GII.4 genotypes. The demographic analyses unveiled a rise in effective population size of NoV GII during 2009-2010, followed by a rapid fall in 2015.
Electrocardiographic Changes and Serum Troponin Levels in Patients with Acute Stroke, A prospective cohort study from Sudan
Authors: Ibrahim Etedal Ahmed A , Taha Salma Mohmed , Ahmed Khabab Abbasher Hussien Mohamed , Omer Mohammed Eltahier Abdalla
Published: October 2021

Background:Electrocardiographic changes and elevated serum troponin are frequent findings in acute stroke . They may reflect what is known as the neuro-genic myocardial injury . However, as stroke and cardiac disease share the same risk factors. Coexistence of the two is highly susceptible.Objectives:To determine the electrocardiographic changes and serum troponin level in acute stroke patients and to correlate these changes to the anatomical location and pathological type of the stroke.Methods:A Prospective cohort study conducted at the national center of neurological Science, from January to December 2019 Study was done at the neurological center in Sudan , The National Center of Neurological sciences. All cases presented with acute stroke during the study period were included. Non probability sample, with total coverage during study period. 50 patients were included in the study. Data were analyzed by using (SPSS) version 2512 standard ECG were performed in the first hours of admission. 2 samples from each patient were obtained for serum troponin with at least 8 hours apart.Results:All patients had wide variants of ECG changes.But tachycardia was the most frequent one identified in 54% of patients(27/50). Half of them were found to have an anterior circulation stroke. 14% of patients (7/50) have positive troponin, ECGchanges identified in all of patients who represent positive troponin100 %( 7patients).Moreover, anterior circulation stroke was recognized in all patients with positive troponin I marker.Conclusion:This study suggest that ECG abnormalities in patients with acute stroke are very common, especially tachycardia.The site of lesion appear to play major factor as a cause of genesis of arrhythmia.Concomitant cardiac diseases may present. Serum troponin elevation may play a role in diagnosing neuro-cardiogenic injury but, ECG appears to be more sensitive and familial.
Response of Irrigated Acala and Pima Cotton to Nitrogen Fertilization
Authors: Fritschi Felix B. , Roberts Bruce A. , Travis Robert L. , Rains D. William , Hutmacher Robert B.
Published: October 2021

Acala (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and Pima (G. barbadense L.) cotton growth, lint yield, and fiber quality responses to N in the San Joaquin Valley, CA were evaluated. Numerous reasons, including adaptation of N fertilization guidelines to modern production practices, recent increases in energy costs, and growing concerns about NO−3 contamination of ground water, led to the initiation of this study. Acala was grown for 3 yr on a Panoche clay loam [fine‐loamy, mixed (calcareous), thermic Typic Torriorthents] and a Wasco sandy loam (coarse‐loamy, mixed, nonacid, thermic Typic Torriorthents). Pima was grown for 2 yr on the Panoche clay loam. Four N treatments were established in a randomized complete block design: 56, 112, 168, and 224 kg N ha−1. Three‐year average aboveground dry matter production of Acala was 7800 and 12 600 kg ha−1 on the Panoche clay loam and 8500 and 11 900 kg ha−1 on the Wasco sandy loam for the 56 and 168 kg N ha−1 treatments, respectively. The equivalent 2‐yr averages for Pima were 7600 (56 kg N ha−1) and 10 800 kg ha−1 (168 kg N ha−1). Linear increases in lint yield with increased N fertility level occurred for Acala on Panoche clay loam in every year. Maximum lint yield averaged over 3 yr was 1842 kg ha−1 in the 224 kg N ha−1 treatment. The response of Acala lint yield to N management on the Wasco sandy loam was smaller than on Panoche clay loam, with a maximum lint yield of 1666 kg ha−1 (224 kg N ha−1, 3‐yr average). Pima lint yield responded to N management in a quadratic fashion with maximum yields in the 168 kg N ha−1 treatment in both years (1638 kg ha−1, 2‐yr average). Acala gin turnouts were greater at the Panoche than at the Wasco site. Decreases in gin turnout with increasing N were significant on the Panoche clay loam (Acala and Pima) but not on the Wasco sandy loam (Acala). There was a generally positive relationship between increasing N fertilization and yield; however, efficient N management should include an assessment of available soil residual N, soil type, and yearly climatic conditions.