bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
INKLUSI KEUANGAN DAN TEKNOLOGI, P2P LENDING, KEMISKINAN DAN PENGEMBANGAN SUMBER DAYA MANUSIA AGREGAT
Authors: Bawono Suryaning , Wilantari Regina Niken
Published: August 2021

This study aims to find the development of aggregate human resources based on human capital investment in poverty alleviation efforts in Indonesia. The data used is secondary data obtained and processed from the Indonesian Financial Services Authority and the world bank. This study uses a vector error correction model to estimate, simulate, and predict each of the variables studied to provide an overview of the opportunities and threats of technological inclusion and financial inclusion in poverty reduction efforts based on human capital investment in the education-based human capital framework. Inclusion has the potential to be an opportunity to reduce the cost of education so that human capital investment efforts in the framework of education-based human capital work by the poor have a higher chance of success. Financial inclusion support from official P2P lending can also support poor people's capital in investing in human capital, but with low interest and must be close to zero and would be better with zero interest.

Keywords: education, financial inclusion, human resources, P2P lending, poverty alleviation
A kávéfogyasztási szokások vizsgálata
Authors: Oláh Bettina , Mihály-Karnai Laura
Published: August 2021

A kávéfogyasztás napjainkban egy széleskörűen elterjedt tevékenység, mely jellemző a világ minden pontjára. Kijelenthető, hogy igen népszerű ital, melynek számos változata ismert. A koffein számtalan hatását tartjuk számon, az emberi szervezetre vonatkozóan, mely magába foglalja az egészségre kedvező és a káros hatásokat egyaránt. Magyarországon 2018-ban az évi egy főre jutó kávéfogyasztás 3,1 kilogramm volt, mellyel a világ kávéfogyasztási listáján a 24. helyet foglalta el.
Kutatásunk célja a kávéfogyasztási szokások feltárása volt hazai szinten, egy szekunder adatgyűjtésre alapozott kérdőíves felmérés eredményei alapján. Kutatásunk során nagy hangsúlyt fektettünk a kávéfogyasztás jótékony és káros egészségügyi hatásainak vizsgálatára is, ezért további célunk volt feltárni, hogy a hazai fogyasztók tisztában vannak-e a kávéfogyasztás egészségügyi hatásaival. Továbbá megvizsgáltuk a kávéfogyasztás okait és az elfogyasztott mennyiségeket is. A kutatásaink során meghatározott hipotézisünk a következő volt: „Azok az emberek, akik gyakran fogyasztanak kávét, nincsenek tisztában a kávé egészségügyi hatásaival”.
Kutatásunk első lépéseként szekunder adatgyűjtést végeztünk, melyet egy primer információgyűjtés követett. Az utóbbi alapját egy fogyasztói megkérdezés jelentette, melyet online, kérdőív segítségével végeztünk el. Az általunk vizsgált minta nagysága 1664 fő. A mintasokaság statisztikailag nem reprezentálja Magyarország lakosságát, ezért a felmérést nem tekintjük reprezentatívnak, az eredmények csupán feltáró jellegűek. Kutatásunk során megállapítottuk, hogy bár a kávét gyakran fogyasztó emberek többsége tisztában van a kávé jótékony és káros egészségre gyakorolt ​​hatásával, ez nemek szerinti bontásban főként a nőkre igaz, a férfiakra kevésbé. A megkérdezett férfiak többsége csak a káros hatásokat ismeri. Eredményeink alapján, azok, akik tisztában vannak a kávé minden egészséget befolyásoló tulajdonságával, nem tudatosabbak az elfogyasztott kávé mennyiségét tekintve, azokkal szemben, akik csak a jó, a rossz vagy a tulajdonságok egyikét sem ismerik.JEL-kód: A13, P56
Understanding Teacher Authority
Authors: Lv Linqiong , Hu Jiaqiang
Published: August 2021

Despite the fact that teacher authority is an ever-present and fundamental component of everyday school life and classroom experiences, teacher authority remains poorly understood and insufficiently researched. By reviewing the sociological and educational literature on teacher authority, the study outlined the current status of teacher authority research, explicated the institutional and personal sources of legitimate teacher authority, and delineated four perspectives for understanding teacher authority: a) teacher authority is legitimate domination generated and justified by professional and personal sources of legitimacy; b) teacher authority functions through pedagogical discourse which is a both instructional and regulative process of transmitting value-laden knowledge; c) teacher authority is in dynamic teacher-student relationships where teachers cannot automatically possess but have to earn students’ respect; d) teacher authority emits educational influences and essentially serves the moral order of conscience. The study calls for more research into teacher authority especially against the backdrop of declining teacher authority yet ever growing expectations and demands on teachers and teaching outcomes.
THERMODYNAMIC AND ELECTROCHEMICAL STUDY OF VANADIUM SOLUTIONS: TOWARDS VANADIUM RECOVERY FROM A SPENT CATALYST
Authors: Antaño-López René , Hernández-Pérez Fidel , Espejel-Ayala Fabricio
Published: August 2021

Due to the low abundance of vanadium in nature (about 135 g/t), the feasibility to recover it from industrial wastes has highly attracted scientific and technological attention. The main recovery routes reported are associated with chemical or thermochemical processes. However, the electrochemical recovery of vanadium from industrial wastes has been poorly investigated. In this work, a thermodynamic and electrochemical study for the possible vanadium recovery from a spent catalyst generated in the petrochemical industry was conducted. The study was divided into two stages using low vanadium concentrations. In the first stage, the recovery of vanadium was possible in its V4+ state at low reduction potentials, whereas for the second stage, cyclic voltammetry was used to calculate the diffusion coefficient and the heterogeneous velocity coefficient of the V5+/V4+ redox pair. The obtained values are similar to those reported in the literature for aqueous solutions at high vanadium concentrations and would allow the design of the system at large scale. This report aims to set the conditions for the possible vanadium recovery from a spent catalyst by means of electrochemical processes, although the optimization of such conditions must be further explored.
RT-qPCR Diagnostics: The “Drosten” Sars-Cov-2 Assay Paradigm
Authors: Bustin Stephen , Kirvell Sara , Huggett Jim F , Nolan Tania
Published: August 2021

The reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is an established tool for the diagnosis of RNA pathogens. Its potential for automation has caused it to be used as a presence/absence diagnostic tool even when RNA quantification is not required. This technology has been pushed to the forefront of public awareness by the COVID-19 pandemic, as its global application has enabled rapid and analytically sensitive mass testing, with the first test targeting three viral genes published within days of the publication of the SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequence. One of those, targeting the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene, has been heavily criticised for supposed scientific flaws at the molecular and methodological level and this criticism has been extrapolated to doubts about the validity of RT-qPCR for COVID-19 testing in general. We have analysed this assay in detail and our findings reveal some limitations, but also highlight the robustness of the RT-qPCR methodology for SARS-CoV-2 detection. Whilst our data show that some errors can be tolerated, it is always prudent to confirm that primer and probe sequences complement their intended target, since when errors do occur, they may result in a reduction in the analytical sensitivity. However, in this case it is unlikely that a mismatch will result in poor specificity or significant number of false positive SARS-CoV-2 diagnoses, especially as this is routinely checked by diagnostic laboratories as part of their quality assurance.
Utilizing Hybrid Feature Extraction, Tree-Based Learning and Data-Lightweight Model Re-Training for Accurate Short-Term and Day-Ahead Residential Load Forecasting
Authors: Bezas Napoleon , Timplalexis Christos , Salamanis Athanasios I. , Karapatsias Vasileios , Ioannidis Dimosthenis , Kehagias Dionysios , Ioakimidis Christos S , Tzovaras Dimitrios
Published: August 2021

Residential load forecasting is one of the most important tasks of the overall supply management process in electrical grids, since it enables smart grid services such as demand response (DR). Hence, several approaches for accurate residential load forecasting have been proposed in the relevant literature. However, most of the existing methods focus on the forecasting performance and neglect other aspects of the problem like training time and model size (i.e. memory usage). In this paper, we introduce a new model for both short-term and day-ahead residential load forecasting. The model synthesizes an heterogeneous feature set, which is constituted by both automatically-selected lagged values from the load time series and manually-extracted temporal features. Then, the tree-based algorithm light gradient boosting machine (LGBM) is fed with the constructed feature set and used as a regression model. Finally, a data-lightweight strategy is used for retraining the proposed model, which leads to both high forecasting accuracy and low training times. The proposed model has been extensively evaluated on a large real-world residential load dataset. The experimental results indicate that the proposed model achieves both higher forecasting performance and lower training times and model sizes compared to state-of-the-art solutions.
Modified SPWM Control for the Single-Stage Differential Boost Inverter Applying in Battery Energy Storage System
Authors: Lee Yu-Lin , Chen Kun-Feng , Pai Kai-Jun , Lin Chang-Hua , Cheng Yuan-Hong
Published: August 2021

This study aims to implement a SSDBI (single-stage differential boost inverter, SSDBI) applying in a single-stage BESS (battery energy storage system, BESS) topology, which can supply power from lower voltage battery module to AC load. Compared with the common two-stage topology, which has a two-stage converter and higher voltage battery module array, the single-stage topology can reduce the number of cells and components, and improve the power density. In addition, a modified SPWM control was proposed to reduce the control complexity of the SSDBI while improving the THD of the inverter. The modified SPWM control can reduce the duty ratio of the SSDBI and the stress on the components to improve the AC voltage output waveform and reduce the THD value about 2.654%.
Nightmares in Children with FASD, ASD and Their Typically Developing Peers
Authors: Mughal Rabya , Wong Siu Sing , Dimitriou Dagmara , Halstead Elizabeth
Published: August 2021

Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) experience significantly higher rates of sleep disturbances than their typically developing peers. Pre-sleep anxiety and waking emotional content is known to affect the content and frequency of nightmares, which can be distressing to children and caregivers. This is the first study to analyse nightmare frequency and content in FASD, and to assess its association with psychometric outcomes. We assessed reports from 277 caregivers of children with ASD (n=61), FASD (n=112), and TD children (n=104) using the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), the Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale (SCAS) and the Behavior Rating Inventory for Executive Functioning (BRIEF). Within the ASD group, 40.3% of caregivers reported their children had nightmares. Within the FASD group, 73.62% of caregivers reported their children had nightmares and within the TD group, 21.36% of caregivers reported their children had nightmares. Correlation analysis revealed significant associations between anxiety and nightmares, maladaptive behaviour and nightmares, and executive functioning and nightmares in the TD and FASD groups, but not ASD group. This paper adds to the emerging body of work supporting the need for sleep interventions as part of clinical practice with regard to children with ASD and FASD. As a relatively niche but important area of study this warrants much needed further research.
Projects for Intelligent and Smart Cities: Technology and Innovation Transforming City Ecosystems
Authors: Komninos Nicos , Tsampoulatidis Ioannis , Kakderi Christina , Nikolopoulos Spiros , Kompatsiaris Ioannis
Published: August 2021

Intelligent cities or smart cities evolve bottom-up along with the digitisation and the creation of digital entities linked to human activities, physical space, and institutional settings of cities; but also, they progress top-down through smart city strategies and projects designed and implemented by public authorities. Yet, thirty-five years since the first use of the term “smart city” or “intelligent city” in the second half of the 1980s, and more than ten years of intense publications in this field, since 2009, there is still a great deal of fuzziness about the projects that make cities intelligent or smart. There is low awareness about the big differences between large, complex urban projects, such as ‘Zero Energy Districts’ or “Mobility-as-a-Service” and projects for automation of city infrastructures, such as smart city lighting, smart metering or finding a parking place. There is a widespread misconception that city intelligence or smartness, the core attribute of smart cities, can be achieved through automation of the city infrastructure. This paper focuses on projects that make cities intelligent or smart. Our intention is to show the complexity and effort needed to achieve this objective. It is an inquiry on projects and data from a large number of smart cities around the world. We analyse core properties of smart city projects, such as (a) interventions on the physical, social, and digital space of cities, (b) the relation to city sectors and ecosystems, (c) engagement of users and stakeholders in decision-making, and (c) impact through optimisation and innovation of city processes and routines. We discuss also projects we have designed and implemented in the framework of URENIO Research and ITI-CERTH. Our conclusions are two-fold. First, we propose a typology of smart city projects along 3 axes and 9 properties. Second, we argue that success and failure to achieve city smartness are mainly institutional. Most barriers to implementation are organisational, legal, and institutional. This can be explained by the social and institutional inertia of the urban system against new solutions, especially when innovation and radical change of existing routines take place. Change management should be a permanent companion of smart city projects implementation, and the modification of routines should be clearly defined and considered already at the design phase of projects.
A New Mathematical Approach to Calculate the Area of a Trapezoid
Authors: Dey Sunandan
Published: August 2021

This mathematical observation deals with the development of a completely new expression [(S/4D) × √ {(S12-D2)(D2-D12)}] to calculate the area of a trapezoid system. Because of the difficulties of the previous methods to find out the area of a trapezoid (AOT), the proposed formula has thus indicated the best way to determine the AOT more precisely and easily beyond limitation, successfully. It is obvious that the derived formula is helpful to determine AOT more easily and precisely rather than existing method. And this developed theorem for the trapezoid system is observed for the first time.
An organic solvent-based protocol for depletion of abundant proteins in plasma of Leprosy patients
Authors: Barik Sushanta Kumar , Kirti  , Maurya Kratika , Chauhan Namrata Kumari , Nitu  , Varshney Deepika , Mohanty Keshar Kunja
Published: August 2021

In present study protein was purified from human plasma with the method involving organic solvents. Organic solvents like chloroform, methanol and isopropanol remove the lipoproteins and glycoproteins whereas TCA and Acetone are known to deplete the abundant proteins like albumins and globulins from the plasma of the blood. Purified protein was subjected to the estimation by Bradford Assay (96 well plate method). In this process a dye called Brilliant Blue forms complex with the purified protein of plasma because of which the maximum absorption of dye shifts to 595nm. So, the absorbance was observed at wavelength of 595nm. Purified protein along with unpurfled plasma was imposed on SDS-PAGE. SDS (sodium dodecyl sulphate) is an anionic detergent which first denatures the protein and then provides all the protein fragments a negative charge. After which polyacrylamide gel the separates the protein fragments on the basis of their molecular mass. Results of SDS-PAGE concluded that the protein was purified when its bands were compared to that of unpurfled plasma, which means the treatment with organic solvents is useful in purifying protein from plasma of leprosy patient.
Source Apportionment of Urban Road Dust Using Four Multivariate Receptor Models
Authors: Jose Jithin , B SRIMURUGANANDAM
Published: August 2021

Road dust is one of the biggest contributors to airborne particulate matter (PM) in many urban regions. Due to the inherent heterogeneity of road dust, it is important that its sources are identified and mitigated. Multivariate receptor models are used for source apportionment of PM in many cities. In recent years, these receptor models are finding more applications outside the scope of PM source apportionment. In this study, four multivariate receptor models (Unmix, Positive Matrix Factorization, Principal Component Analysis and Multiple Curve Regression) are used for source apportionment of road dust at Vellore City, India. The elemental composition of road dust samples from 18 locations and for three seasons (summer, winter, and monsoon) are measured using acid digestion followed by Inductively Coupled Plasma - Optical Emission Spectroscopy. Irrespective of models, results showed that crustal material (100% - 68%) and resuspended road dust (82% - 15%) are the biggest contributor to road dust in the study region. Brake wear, tire wear, biomass combustion, vehicular emission and industrial sources are some of the other sources identified by the receptor models. Receptor modeling performance of MCR and PCA models are unsatisfactory. PMF and Unmix models gave acceptable results. From comparing the performance characteristics, Unmix is found to be the ideal receptor model for this dataset. This research clarifies the constraints of different receptor models and the source apportionment information obtained is critical for development of future policy and regulation.
Outcomes After Receipt of Neuraxial or Regional Anesthesia Instead of General Anesthesia for Lower Limb Revascularization Surgery: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Roberts Derek J. , Dreksler Hannah , Nagpal Sudhir K. , Li Allen , Leigh Jeanna Parsons , Brandys Timothy , Jetty Prasad , Dubois Luc , Stelfox Henry T. , McIsaac Daniel I.
Published: August 2021

Background: Patients undergoing lower limb revascularization surgery have a high-risk of perioperative morbidity and mortality and often have long hospital stays. Use of neuraxial or regional anesthesia instead of general anesthesia may represent one approach to improving outcomes and reducing resource use among these patients. We propose to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine whether receipt of neuraxial or regional anesthesia instead of general anesthesia in adults undergoing lower limb revascularization surgery results in improved health outcomes and costs and a shorter length of hospitalization. Methods: We will search electronic bibliographic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the seven databases in Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews), review articles identified during the search, and included article bibliographies. We will include randomized and non-randomized studies comparing use of neuraxial or regional anesthesia instead of general anesthesia in adults undergoing lower limb revascularization surgery. Two investigators will independently evaluate risk of bias. The primary outcome will be short-term mortality (in-hospital or 30-day). Secondary outcomes will include longer-term mortality; major adverse cardiovascular, pulmonary, and renal events; delirium; deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism; major adverse limb events; neuraxial or regional anesthesia-related complications; graft-related outcomes; length of operation and hospital stay; costs; and patient-reported or functional outcomes. We will calculate summary odds ratios and standardized mean differences using random-effects models. Heterogeneity will be explored using stratified meta-analyses and meta-regression. We will assess for publication bias using Begg’s and Egger’s tests and use the trim-and-fill method to estimate the potential influence of this bias on summary estimates. Finally, we will use Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology to make an overall rating of the quality of evidence in our effect estimates.Discussion: This study will synthesize existing evidence regarding whether receipt of neuraxial or regional anesthesia instead of general anesthesia in adults undergoing lower limb revascularization surgery results in improved health outcomes, graft patency, and costs, and a shorter length of hospital stay. Study results will be used to inform practice and future research, including creation of a pilot and then multicenter randomized controlled trial. Systematic Review Registration: Submitted to PROSPERO February 12, 2020.
Assessing climate and human activity effects on lake characteristics using spatio-temporal satellite data and an emotional neural network
Authors: Mojtahedi Alireza , Dadashzadeh Mehran , Azizkhani Mostafa , Mohammadian Abdolmajid , Almasi Ramin
Published: August 2021

Different sensing methods provide valuable information for comprehensive monitoring strategies, which are crucial for the ecological management of lakes and watersheds. Subsequently, the resulting spatio-temporal information can be considered the fundamental knowledge for the water resources management of watersheds. Lake Urmia is deemed one of the most important aquatic habitats in Iran. It has been experiencing significant changes during recent years due to climate change, anthropogenic activities, and a lack of coherent management approaches. Hence, awareness of the hydro-ecological factors during the last few decades is critical for identifying the problems. In this research, the impacts of changes in key parameters such as precipitation, evapotranspiration, water surface temperatures, suspended sediment concentration, saline features, and vegetation are explored using satellite imagery. The primary purpose of this study is to evaluate the Lake Urmia crisis concerning human-involved and climate factors such as the agriculture sector and construction of the causeway. In this regard, a limbic based Emotional Artificial Neural Network (EANN) is developed as a non-linear universal mapping and implemented for the first time to demonstrate the interactions between the considered hydro-ecological factors and the sensitivity of the two indicators the lake health. Providing a comprehensive spatio-temporal analysis is another objective of this study in order to detect the onset of deterioration in the parameters. The values of the efficiency criteria were measured to evaluate the sensitivity of the EANN models to the related inputs. The quantitative results confirm that the combination of both climate and anthropogenic factors, including the agricultural sector's overdraft, leads to the most efficient EANN model and, consequently, is considered the leading cause of the crisis.
The Complete Chloroplast Genome of Onobrychis Gaubae (Fabaceae- Papilionoideae): Comparative Analysis with Related IR-lacking Clade Species
Authors: Moghaddam Mahtab , Ohta Atsushi , Shimizu Motoki , Terauchi Ryohei , Kazempour-Osaloo Shahrokh
Published: August 2021

Background: Plastome (Plastid genome) sequences provide valuable markers for surveying the evolutionary relationships and population genetics of plant species. Papilionoideae (papilionoids) has different nucleotide and structural variations in plastomes, which makes it an ideal model for genome evolution studies. Therefore, by sequencing the complete chloroplast genome of Onobrychis gaubae in this study, the characteristics and evolutionary patterns of plastome variations in IR-loss clade were compared. Results: In the present study, the complete plastid genome of O. gaubae, endemic to Iran, was sequenced using Illumina paired-end sequencing and was compared with previously known genomes of the IRLC species of legumes. The O. gaubae plastid genome was 122,873 bp in length and included a large single-copy (LSC) region of 81,486 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 13,805 bp and one copy of the inverted repeat (IRb) of 29,100 bp. The genome encoded 110 genes, including 76 protein-coding genes, 30 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes and four ribosome RNA (rRNA) genes and possessed 83 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and 50 repeated structures with the highest proportion in the LSC. Comparative analysis of the chloroplast genomes across IRLC revealed three hotspot genes (ycf1, ycf2, clpP) which could be used as DNA barcode regions. Moreover, seven hypervariable regions (trnL(UAA)-trnT(UGU), trnT(GGU)-trnE(UUC), ycf1, ycf2, ycf4, accD and clpP) were identified between Onobrychis species, which could be used to distinguish the Onobrychis species. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that O. gaubae is closely related to Hedysarum. The complete O. gaubae genome is a valuable resource for investigating evolution of Onobrychis species and can be used to identify related species. Conclusions: Our results reveal that the plastomes of the IRLC are dynamic molecules and show multiple gene losses and inversions. The identified hypervariable regions could be used as molecular markers for resolving phylogenetic relationships and species identification and also provide new insights into plastome evolution across IRLC.
Overview of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for difficult airway management in adults: a systematic review
Authors: Ciapponi Agustín , Perelli Lucas , Cohen-Arazi Hernán , Solioz GErmán , Bardach Ariel
Published: August 2021

Background : The aim of the clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) in the management of difficult airway is to provide optimal responses to a potentially life-threatening clinical problem.Objective : to summarize and compare relevant recommendations and algorithms from evidence-based CPGs (EB-CPGs).Methods : We conducted a systematic review (overview) of CPGs, following Cochrane methods. We summarized recommendations, its supporting evidence and strength of recommendations according to the GRADE methodology. In July 2018, we searched CPGs that were published in the last 10 years, without language restrictions, in electronic databases, and searched specific CPG sources, reference lists and consulted experts. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, LILACS, Tripdatabase and additional sources. Pairs of independent reviewers selected EB-CPGs and rated their methodological quality using the AGREE-II instrument. We included those EB-CPGs reporting standard methods for identification, data collection, study risk of bias assessment and recommendations’ level of evidence. Discrepancies were solved by consensus.Results: We included 11 EB-CPGs out of 2505 references identified in literature searches within the last ten years. Only three of them used the GRADE system. The domains with better performance in the AGREE-II assessment, were ‘adequate description of scoping’ and ‘objectives’ while those with worst performance were ‘‘Guidelines’ applicability’ and ‘monitoring’. As a result, only three EB-CPGs were classified as ‘Highly recommended, two as ‘Recommended’ and six as ‘Not recommended. We summarized 22 diagnostic recommendations, 22% of which were supported by high/moderate quality of evidence (41% of them were considered by developers as strong recommendations), and 16 therapeutic/preventive recommendations, 59% of which were supported by high/moderate quality of evidence (76% strong). Only half of the EB-CPGs were updated in the past five years.Conclusions : The main EB-CPGs in the management of difficult airway in anesthesia presented significant heterogeneity in terms of their quality and system of grading the evidence and strength of recommendation used, and most used their own systems. We present many strong recommendations that are ready to be considered for implementation, and we reveal opportunities to improve guidelines’ quality.
BiVO4 Photoanode Synergistic with Persulfate to Degrade Antibiotics: Degradation Mechanism and Pathway
Authors: Chen Yun , Wan Jinquan , Ma Yongwen , Wang Yan , Yan Zhicheng , Qiu Shuying , Yang Shou
Published: August 2021

Antibiotics pose a great threat to ecological environment and human health, which should remove with an efficient innovative treatment method. Here in, a photoelectrocatalytic strategy for persulfate activation by BiVO4 photoanode had been systematically researched in this work. In the presence of PS, the degradation efficiency of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) reached to 97.3% within 100 min, whereas the kinetic rate constant was 0.0388 min− 1, which was about 7.05 times higher than no addition of PS (0.0055 min− 1). Open circuit potential (OCP), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) were measured, suggesting that PS played a photoelectron acceptor for improving the separation of photogenerated holes and electrons and accelerating charge transfer. The radical quenching experiments and EPR tests indicated that holes and superoxide were dominant reactive oxidation species by directly oxidation pollutants. Indirect transfer pathway of S2O82− for producing hydroxyl radicals played a minor role, while only a small amount of sulfate radical was produced. Mixed pollutants with three antibiotics (ciprofloxacin (CIP), tetracycline (TC) and SMX) had been further degraded. Results showed that the degradation of SMX was inhibited in a content compared to a single pollutant, but both TC and CIP showed satisfactory removal effects, especially in natural water. Liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (LC-MS) was used to determine the intermediates of SMX (with 7 intermediates), CIP (with 11 intermediates) and TC (with 19 intermediates) in the PEC system. This work provides an eco-friendly and efficient method for antibiotic removal, which has good application prospect in the degradation of mixed pollutants.
Prognostic and Immunological Characterization of NSD3 Evaluated Through an Integrative Pan-Cancer Analysis
Authors: Li Sha , Liu Yaqiong , Yao Chaoling , Xu Anji , Zeng Xiaoling , Ge Yuxin , Sheng Xiaowu , Zhang Hailin , Zhou Xiao , Long Ying
Published: August 2021

Background: Nuclear receptor binding SET domain protein-3 (NSD3) has been reported to be a crucial regulator of carcinogenesis as a histone lysine methyltransferase in multiple cancer types. However, the underlying mechanisms have not been clearly delineated. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the expression pattern, prognostic value, and potential function of NSD3 in 33 types of human cancer. Methods: The potential roles of NSD3 were explored using datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) pan-cancer dataset and an array of bioinformatics methods, including analyses of the relationship between NSD3 expression and prognosis, tumor mutational burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), DNA amplification, and immune cell inﬁltration across 33 cancer types. Results: Many types of cancers are characterized according to the dysregulation of NSD3, which is associated with the pathological stage of cancer. Patients in our study with higher NDS3 levels, which were attributed to NSD3 copy number amplification, always experienced shorter survival periods. Additionally, NSD3 expression was associated with TMB and MSI in 10 different cancer types. The top five cancers whose NSD3 expression correlated with immune scores were further analyzed. The levels of immune-cell infiltration differed significantly between high and low NSD3-expressing samples in each of the five cancer types. Functional enrichment of the NSD3 co-expressed genes indicated a role for NSD3 in the regulation of immune responses and tumorigenesis. Conclusions: Our study revealed that NSD3 can function as a prognostic marker in various cancers due to its role in tumorigenesis and tumor immunity.
Remote Sensing Based Study of Surge Characterization of Klutlan and Fisher Glaciers, St. Elias Mountains, North America
Authors: Shahi Arjun Pratap , Rai Praveen Kumar , Singh Prafull , Mishra Varun Narayan
Published: August 2021

The detailed study of glacier surges in St. Elias Mountains is very scarce.Robust and repeat observation of surface displacement, elevation changes and surge reoccurrence intervalsare limited to few surge-type glaciers (e.g., Variegated, Bearing, Lowell and Donjek). Therefore, this study presents the first detailed surge dynamics of Klutlan (1990-2019) and Fisher (1984-2019) glaciers in the St. Elias Mountains, North America. Surface displacement estimation using optical imagery (Landsat TM, ETM+, OLI and Sentinel 2) and surface elevation changes derived from ASTER DEMs were used to understand the surge dynamics. Klutlan Glacier lackspre-surge acceleration and had six years longactive phase (2013-2019). The surge of Klutlan Glacier showed two surface flow maxima(6.2 ± 0.2 m d-1and ~5 ± 0.2 m d-1),in summer of 2016 and2018 respectively.During 2019-2020, in the reservoir zone, maximum surface lowering of -65± 33m was observed whereas, in the receiving zone, maximum ice thickness increased by +31 ± 40 m. The dynamic balance line (DBL)on Klutlan Glaciermoved ~16 km down-glacier during 2019 (788masl.) in comparison with 2004 (1998 masl.). The Fisher Glacier exhibitssix years (2007-2013) long pre-surge acceleration, three years (2013-2016) long active phase and surge terminated gradually. The peak surge displacement ~7 ± 0.4 m d-1was observed in summer of 2015. The reservoir zone experienced a maximum lowering of -60 ± 22 mfrom 2019 to 2003 while lower receiving zone maximum thickened by +80± 22 m. The DBL shifted ~3 km down-glacier during 2019 (959 masl.) as compared to 2016 (1006 masl.). This study assumes that the surge of Fisher Glacier is partially matched with a thermally controlled surge. However, the surge characteristics of Klutlan Glacier doesnot corroborate with globally recognised hydrological or thermally controlled surge mechanism.
Removal And Regeneration of As(V) In Aqueous Solutions By Adsorption On Calcined Fluorapatite: Kinetics And Thermodynamic Parameters.
Authors: Billah Rachid EL Kaim , Kaya Savaş , Şimşek Selçuk , Halim El Mahdi , Agunaou Mahfoud , Soufiane Abdessadik
Published: August 2021

In this work, Fluorapatite has been prepared and successfully applied for the removal of As (VI). The materials prepared have been characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared transform transform spectroscopy. Fourier (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and zero load point pH (pHPZC) were also considered as part of these characterizations. In this work, several parameters affecting the adsorption process were studied, such as: the mass effect, time, pH, and the initial concentration effect. The value of the regression coefficient showed that the data The experimental results corresponded best to the pseudo-second order (PSO) model, while the Langmuir adsorption isotherms best described the equilibrium adsorption data with the highest qm of 43.10 mg / g. Finally, FapC has been successfully reused for more than 5 cycles without significant loss of its sorption capacity.
Virulence-Associated Genes and Genetic Diversity of Avian Pathogenic (APEC) and Fecal (AFEC) E. Coli Isolates From Chickens
Authors: Zhu Zhen , Cao Mingze , Wang Weiwei , Zhu Qiqi , Wang Chengye , Zhang Yongying , Shi Yuxiang , Zhou Xuzheng , Cui Guangbin , Zhang Jiyu
Published: August 2021

Background

Avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) is the etiologic agent of serious colibacillosis and causes extensive economic losses. To examine the genetic background of APEC, we characterized the serotypes, virulence genes, phylogenetic classification and MLST of 392 APEC and 586 AFEC strains isolated from infected chickens.
Results

The results showed that the most predominant serotypes were O78 (13.47%), O2 (9.16%), O18 (5.39%), O20 (4.42%) and O25 (4.09%). The major serotypes O78 (13.47%) and O2 (9.16%) were significantly higher in the APEC isolates than in the AFEC isolates. Among the 16 analyzed virulence-associated genes (VAGs), iroN (100%), ompT (100%), fimC (92.46%), iss (77.91%) and irp2 (71.98%) were the most frequently identified. Over half (54.85%) of the strains possessed > 8–13 VAGs, and 85.23% of the strains carried iroN-ompT-fimC-iss/irp2 VAG patterns. According to the phylogenetic analysis, phylogroups A (32.11%) and B2 (31.36%) proved to be the most prevalent phylogenetic groups in the AFEC and APEC isolates, respectively. The strains that belonged to phylogroup B2 were associated with more VAGs. Based on MLST, 46 STs belonging to 15 different clonal complexes were identified, and 4 were novel. ST88 (10.67%) was found to be the most dominant ST, and it possessed at least 9 VAGs and belonged to phylogroups B2 or D. Furthermore, the isolates belonging to B2-O78/O2-ST88 were the most likely APEC isolates to be associated with epidemics, and they carried more VAGs than the other strains.
Conclusions

Our findings have enriched our knowledge of the molecular characteristics of APEC isolates from chickens, which will be important for the prevention and control of avian colibacillosis.
Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes Attenuate Blood-Spinal Cord Barrier Disruption via the TIMP2/MMP Pathway after Acute Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Xin Wang , Qiang Shi , Jianing Ding , Jiaming Liang , Fangqi Lin , Bin Cai , Yuanyuan Chen , Guowang Zhang , Jianguang Xu , Xiaofeng Lian
Published: August 2021

After spinal cord injury (SCI), destruction of the blood spinal cord barrier (BSCB) results in infiltration of blood cells, such as neutrophils and macrophages, leading to permanent neurological dysfunction. Previous studies have shown that human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC)-derived exosomes have a beneficial neuroprotective effect in SCI models. However, whether BMSC-Exos contribute to the integrity of the BSCB has not been clarified. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism of BMSC-Exo-induced changes in the permeability of the BSCB after SCI. Here, we showed that BMSC-Exos can inhibit BSCB permeability damage and improve spontaneous repair in a SCI model. Importantly, tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases 2 (TIMP2) were shown to play an important role in the functions of BMSCS-Exos by inhibiting the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) pathway, thereby mitigating the reduction in cell junction proteins. Moreover, the ability of BMSC-Exos was significantly attenuated when TIMP2 was inhibited by siRNA. This proof-of-principle study demonstrates that BMSC-Exos can preserve the integrity of the BSCB and improve functional recovery after SCI through the TIMP2/MMP signaling pathway.
Salvia Miltiorrhiza Polysaccharides Alleviates Florfenicol-Induced Kidney Injury Via Modulation of Nuclear Factor Kappa-B (NF-κB) Signaling Pathway In Broilers
Authors: Lu Chunyu , Zhang Lu , Li Shuying , Cui Yuqing , Shi Wanyu , Bao Yongzhan
Published: August 2021

Kidney, as an important excretory organ in the body, is easily affected by various pathogenic factors. This research aimed to explore the mechanism of mitigative role of salvia miltiorrhiza polysaccharides（SMPs）on Florfenicol-caused renal injury in chickens. Kidney histological study and uric acid（UA）、creatinine (Cr)、urea nitrogen (BUN) contents in serum was performed to assess the effects of FFC and SMPs on kidneys. The expression of key factors in NF-κB pathway were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. We also used ELISA to detect the expression of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in the kidney. The results showed that SMPs could reduce the levels of UA, Cr, BUN and renal pathology of FFC-induced kidney injury, and reduce the expressions of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in the kidney of broilers (P<0.05). 5.00 g/L SMPs inhibited the expression of NF-κBp65 and IκKβ in renal tissue, and the expression of IκBα was increased (P<0.05). Conclusion: SMPs treatment can protect kidney injury of broilers by inhibiting NF-κB signaling pathway.
Is Achieved Economic Development Environment Friendly? A New Insight From Central and Eastern Europe
Authors: Zhang Qianxiao , Shah Syed Ale Raza , Naqvi Syed Asif Ali
Published: August 2021

Over the last few years, the linkage between economic development and environmental degradation has become a provocative question. Although this nexus has been studied vastly, some of the critical variables of economic development and their impacts on the environment need more focus. The present study explores the association between economic development, outward foreign direct investment, financial development, renewable energy consumption, natural resource rents, trade openness, and ecological footprint in Central and Eastern European economies. The panel data estimators such as augmented mean group and common correlated effect mean group are employed from 1990 to 2017. Empirical findings document that outward foreign direct investment, financial development, trade openness, natural resource rents, and renewable energy consumption increase economic development, implying that they positively affect economic development. Findings validate the inverted U-shaped EKC for concerned economies in case of the ecological footprint. The results show that the interaction term of GDPC with NR, outward foreign direct investment, and RE are eco-friendly indicators. The study results develop imperative policy implications for the selected region to attain sustainable development goals.
Efficacy of Combined Hand Exercise Intervention in Patients With Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy: a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Ikio Yuta , Sagari Akira , Nakashima Akira , Matsuda Daiki , Sawai Terumitsu , Higashi Toshio
Published: August 2021

Purpose Previous evidence regarding the impact of exercise interventions on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy often focuses on lower limb functions, such as muscle strength and balance ability, while the effect on upper extremities remains unknown. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of combined hand exercise intervention on upper extremity function, symptoms, and quality-of-life in patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Methods After screening 341 patients, 42 were randomly assigned to either the intervention (n=21) or control (n=21) groups. Participants were evaluated at baseline (T0), after one chemotherapy cycle (T1), and after two chemotherapy cycles (T2). The primary outcome was upper extremity function measured using the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire at T2. The intention-to-treat and as-treated populations were compared using a mixed-effect model.Results In the intention-to-treat analysis, the decline in activities of daily living was significantly suppressed in the intervention group than in the control group at T2 (difference: 7.23; 95% confidence interval: 0.35, 14.10; P=0.0397). Similarly, in the as-treated analysis, the decline in activities of daily living was significantly suppressed in the intervention group than in the control group at T2 (difference: 13.09; 95% confidence interval: 5.68, 20.49; P=0.0008); and pain was also significantly improved in the intervention group than in the control group at T2 (difference: 13.21; 95% confidence interval: -22.91, -3.51; P=0.0083).Conclusion Performing a combined hand exercise intervention may prevent worsening in the activities of daily living using upper extremities in patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.Trail registration number: UMIN000029389.Date of registration: 2017/10/02
Zidovudine Inhibits Telomere Elongation, Increases the Transposable Element LINE-1 Copy Number and Compromises Mouse Embryo Development.
Authors: Navarro Paula Andrea , Wang Fang , Pimentel Ricardo , Robinson Leroy George , Berteli Thalita , Keefe David Lawrence
Published: August 2021

Purpose
Millions of pregnant, HIV-infected women take reverse transcriptase inhibitors, such as zidovudine (AZT), during pregnancy. Reverse transcription plays important roles in early development, including regulation of telomere length (TL) and activity of transposable elements (TE). So we evaluated the effects of AZT on embryo development, TL, and copy number of an active TE, Long Interspersed Nuclear Element 1 (LINE-1), during early development in a murine model.
Design:
Experimental study
Methods
In vivo fertilized mouse zygotes from B6C3F1/B6D2F1 mice were cultured for 48h in KSOM with no AZT (n = 45), AZT 1 µM (n = 46) or AZT 10 µM (n = 48). TL was measured by single-cell quantitative PCR (SC-pqPCR) and LINE-1 copy number by qPCR. The percentage of morulas at 48 hrs, TL and LINE-1 copy number were compared among groups.
Results
Exposure to AZT 1µM or 10µM significantly impairs early embryo development. TL elongates from oocyte to control embryos. TL in AZT 1µM embryos is shorter than in control embryos. LINE-1 copy number is significantly lower in oocytes than control embryos. AZT 1µM increases LINE-1 copy number compared to oocytes controls, and AZT 10 µM embryos.
Conclusion
AZT at concentrations approaching those used to prevent perinatal HIV transmission compromises mouse embryo development, prevents telomere elongation and increases LINE-1 copy number after 48 hours treatment. The impact of these effects on the trajectory of aging of children exposed to AZT early during development deserves further investigation.