bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adolescent Eco-Activism in Crisis
Authors: Korotkova A.
Published: June 2021

Received 09.12.2020. The article analyzes the activities of the adolescent environmental community “Fridays For Future” in the context of the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The school climate activist movement was initiated in 2018 in Sweden by 15-year-old Greta Thunberg. It has actively been gaining momentum during the two years of its existence. Thanks to the attention of the media and leading international organizations, it has acquired worldwide fame. But in 2020, due to the spread of coronavirus infection, the FFF was forced to pass the first serious test of strength. In the context of quarantine, it has lost two of its most important components. First, the increased interest of the media, which focused on covering a new burning topic, has dried up. Secondly, street demonstrations, which were the main method of the activists’ struggle, were banned. The author of the article explores actions and new ways of activity that the members of the “Fridays For Future” have adapted to their goals. As a source base for this research, the Internet resources of the movement are investigated which have been developed quite well during its existence. In addition to this network of information, the materials of the mass media that continued to monitor the activities of young climate fighters were also reviewed. In addition, the works of other researchers studying the FFF movement are involved, unfortunately, not many, since the topic is relatively new. The article concludes about the ability of such type of associations as the “Fridays For Future” to maintain stability in crisis situations. This is facilitated by the features of their network device, as well as the generational identity of their participants. The main core of the movement is young students, whose representatives have mastered the new information technologies perfectly. Thanks to this fact, they are able to quickly adjust their methods and software settings, while generally maintaining a common commitment to their goals. Acknowledgements. The article was prepared within the project “Post-Crisis World Order: Challenges and Technologies, Competition and Cooperation” supported by the grant from Ministry of science and higher education of The Russian Federation program for research projects in priority areas of scientific and technological development (Agreement № 075-15-2020-783).
U.S.–China: Mechanisms and Dynamics of Arms Race
Authors: Bogdanov K. , Yevtodyeva M.
Published: June 2021

Received 23.12.2020. The U.S.–China confrontation, generating a military technology race, has been gradually developed over a long period of time after the end of the Cold War. The mission of countering U.S. forces in a possible armed conflict in the Southeast Asian region has led China to adopt a “counter-intervention strategy”, better known by the designation “anti-access/area denial” (A2/AD). The U.S. responded by development of sea-based missile defense systems, which has dangerously damaged the military balance. The study shows that both countries independently faced the need to accelerate one of the most destabilizing types of modern weapons – hypersonic weapons – during this race that required specific military-technical solutions. The course of this arms race has led the U.S. to development of the “AirSea Battle” concept and then other more radical operational concepts, such as “distributed lethality”, requiring a complete step-by-step restructuring of the Navy. A study of the behavior of both powers shows that, at the present stage, the “arms race” is increasingly becoming a more complex process of “technological race”, in which it is at times difficult to distinguish the components of the dynamics of the civilian and military sectors of the economy and of advanced researches and developments. The U.S. adoption of the ambitious “Third Offset Strategy” program occurred simultaneously with the deployment of Chinese research in similar directions, including the improvement of command, control and communications systems, development of lethal autonomous weapons systems and military applications of artificial intelligence. One of the main questions in this regard is to what extent the U.S. dispersed model of innovation management can compete with the Chinese centralized model of “military-civil fusion” marked by its high ability to concentrate resources and at the same time – linkages with global markets through the national champion companies. Acknowledgments. The article was prepared within the project “Post-crisis world order: challenges and technologies, competition and cooperation” supported by the grant from Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation program for research projects in priority areas of scientific and technological development (Agreement № 075-15-2020-783).
ACL Reconstruction Delay in Pediatric and Adolescent Patients Is Associated with a Progressive Increased Risk of Medial Meniscal Tears
Authors: Kolin David A. , Dawkins Brody , Park Joshua , Fabricant Peter D. , Gilmore Allison , Seeley Mark , Mistovich R. Justin
Published: June 2021

Background:

We sought to investigate the relationship between the time from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear to the surgical procedure and meniscal tears in the pediatric and adolescent population.

Methods:

Patients who were ≤18 years of age and had undergone an ACL reconstruction from 2006 to 2018 were identified in a retrospective, multicenter cohort. The primary outcomes were arthroscopically confirmed medial meniscal or lateral meniscal tears specifically and, in general, if any meniscal tear was present (medial and/or lateral). A multivariable Poisson regression model was used to determine whether the time from the injury to the surgical procedure was a risk factor for subsequent meniscal injury, after controlling for sex, age, and body mass index (BMI). Multivariable Poisson regression was also used to characterize associations of age, sex, and BMI with meniscal injury.

Results:

In this study, 546 patients with a mean age (and standard deviation) of 15.3 ± 1.6 years were identified. For each week that the surgical procedure was delayed, there was a 2% increased risk of a medial meniscal tear (adjusted relative risk [ARR], 1.02 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01 to 1.03]). The weekly increase in risk of a medial meniscal injury was significant for male patients (ARR, 1.03 [95% CI, 1.01 to 1.05]), but not for female patients (ARR, 1.00 [95% CI, 0.97 to 1.04]), even though the effect modification was not significant (p = 0.24). Obese male patients had a 77.9% increased risk of medial meniscal tear for each 10-week delay (p < 0.001). The use of crutches was associated with a decreased risk of medial meniscal tears (ARR, 0.47 [95% CI, 0.34 to 0.64]).

Conclusions:

In pediatric and adolescent patients, the risk of meniscal injury is substantial after an ACL tear. A delay from the injury to the surgical procedure was associated with a 3% weekly increased risk of medial meniscal injury for male patients, but not for female patients. The increased risk of medial meniscal injury with delays to the surgical procedure was particularly high for obese male patients.

Level of Evidence:

Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Proteomic characterisation of serum proteins from Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) from an outbreak with Cardiomyopathy Syndrome
Authors: Costa Janina , Pozo Jorge del , Thompson Kim , McLean Kevin , Inglis Neil , Sourd Philippe , Bordeianu Andrei
Published: June 2021

Cardiomyopathy syndrome (CMS), caused by piscine myocarditis virus (PMCV), is a serious challenge to Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) aquaculture. Regrettably, husbandry techniques are the only tool to manage CMS outbreaks, and no prophylactic measures are available at present. Early diagnosis of CMS is therefore desirable, preferably with non-lethal diagnostic methods, such as serum biomarkers. To identify candidate biomarkers for CMS, the protein content of pools of sera (4 fish/pool) from salmon a CMS outbreak (3 pools) and from clinically healthy salmon (3 pools) were compared using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). Overall, seven proteins were uniquely identified in the sera of clinically healthy fish, while twenty seven proteins were unique to the sera of CMS fish. Of the latter, 24 have been associated with cardiac disease in humans. These were grouped as leakage enzymes (creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, glycogen phosphorylase and carbonic anhydrase); host reaction proteins (acute phase response proteins - haptoglobin, fibrinogen, α2-macroglobulin, ceruloplasmin; and complement-related proteins); and regeneration/remodelling proteins (fibronectin, lumican and retinol). Clinical evaluation of the suitability of these proteins as biomarkers of CMS, either individually or as part of a panel, is a logical next step for the development of early diagnostic tools for CMS.
Flood inundations and risk mapping in a tidal river: a case study for the Kelani River basin, Sri Lanka
Authors: Samarasinghe Jayanaga Thanuka , Perera Eranda , Teo Fang Yenn , Chan Andy , Ghosh Surajit
Published: June 2021

The downstream low-lying regions of the Kelani River, including some areas in the Districts of Colombo and Gampaha, Sri Lanka, frequently face severe inundations due to extreme rainfalls in the upper basin. In the present study, 1-D and 2-D hydrodynamic models in HEC-RAS have been used to examine the flood inundations in the tidal influenced Kelani River with ground observations and remote sensing. The HEC-RAS model has been used to produce a flood hazard map for hazard assessment in the lower Kelani River basin under different return periods. Furthermore, expected discharges for different return periods have been estimated using the hydrological model HEC–HMS with the updated intensity depth frequency curves for the Kelani River basin. Sentinel 1 imagery and field survey results are used to validate the simulated flood inundation extent; hydrodynamic model results validated against observed stage measurements; hydrological model validated against discharge measurements. Further, the validated hydrodynamic model showed the high capability to capture flow processes (Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient = 0.90 and Pearson coefficient of correlation = 0.95) along with inundation extent (Success Index = 0.90) of selected historical extreme events. Then the hydrological model is used to predict the flows of the Kelani River basin with a good agreement (Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient = 0.91 and the Pearson coefficient of correlation = 0.93). Finally, flood risk zoning for different return periods are developed based on the present model which would be a useful benchmark to design and implement flood control and mitigation measures for the river basin.
Future Trends of Arctic Surface Wind Speeds and their Relationship with Sea Ice in CMIP5 Climate Model Simulations
Authors: Vavrus Stephen , Alkama Ramdane
Published: June 2021

Recent climate change in the Arctic has been rapid and dramatic, leading to numerous physical and societal consequences. Many studies have investigated these ongoing and projected future changes across a range of climatic variables, but surprisingly little attention has been paid to wind speed, despite its known importance for sea ice motion, ocean wave heights, and coastal erosion. Here we analyzed future trends in Arctic surface wind speed and its relationship with sea ice cover among CMIP5 global climate models. There is a strong anticorrelation between climatological sea ice concentration and wind speed in the early 21 st -century reference climate, and the vast majority of models simulate widespread future strengthening of surface winds over the Arctic Ocean (annual multi-model mean trend of up to 0.8 m s -1 or 13%). Nearly all models produce an inverse relationship between projected changes in sea ice cover and wind speed, such that grid cells with virtually total ice loss almost always experience stronger winds. Consistent with the largest regional ice losses during autumn and winter, the greatest increases in future wind speeds are expected during these two seasons, with localized strengthening up to 23%. As in other studies, stronger surface winds cannot be attributed to tighter pressure gradients but rather to some combination of weakened atmospheric stability and reduced surface roughness as the surface warms and melts. The intermodel spread of wind speed changes, as expressed by the two most contrasting model results, appears to stem from differences in the treatment of surface roughness.
Precipitation mediate the distribution of phytoplankton communities in a tributary of Three Gorges Reservoir
Authors: Peng Chengrong , Bi Yonghong , Hu Zhengyu
Published: June 2021

Precipitation is a driver of changes in spatiotemporal distribution of phytoplankton communities. The ecological consequences of precipitation is importance but the underlying processes are not clear. Here we conducted an immediate prior- and after-event short-interval investigation in the Three Gorges Reservoir region, to test whether the short-term changes in the phytoplankton communities and functional groups could be predicted based on the precipitation level. We found that precipitation of moderate and high levels immediately changed the phytoplankton distribution and altered functional groups. According to structural equation model, the vertical velocity (λ = -0.81), Zeu/Zmix (λ = 0.47) and RWCS (λ = 0.38) were important parameters for phytoplankton distribution during the precipitation event. Water quality was not directly affected phytoplankton distribution (λ = -0.11) and effects of precipitation on the water quality only lasted 1–2 days. Phytoplankton community was redistributed with some tolerance functional groups appearance, such as group F, Lo, M and groups M, MP, TB, W1 appeared during- and after- precipitation event, respectively. We also found that the mixing rather than flushing was the driving force for the decrease of phytoplankton biomass. Our study provided valuable data for reservoir regulation and evidence for predictions of phytoplankton during the precipitation events under different climate change scenarios.
A paradigm system for strong correlation and charge transfer competition
Authors: Furness James , Zhang Ruiqi , Sun Jianwei
Published: June 2021

In chemistry and condensed matter physics the solution of simple paradigm systems, such as the hydrogen atom and the uniform electron gas, plays a critical role in understanding electron behaviors and developing electronic structure methods. The H2 molecule is a paradigm system for strong correlation with a spin-singlet ground state that localizes the two electrons onto opposite protons at dissociation. We extend H2 to a new paradigm system by using fractional nuclear charges to break the left-right nuclear symmetry, thereby enabling the competition between strong correlation and charge transfer that drives the exotic properties of many materials. This modification lays a foundation for improving practical electronic structure theories and provides an extendable playground for analyzing how the competition appears and evolves.
Northward ITCZ shift drives reduced ENSO activity in the Mid-Pliocene Warm Period
Authors: Pontes Gabriel , Taschetto Andrea , Gupta Alex Sen , Santoso Agus , Wainer Ilana , Haywood Alan , Chan Wing-Le , Abe-Ouchi Ayako , Stepanek Christian , Lohmann Gerrit , Hunter Stephen , Tindall Julia , Chandler Mark , Sohl Linda , Peltier Dick , Chandan Deepak , Kamae Youichi , Nisancioglu Kerim , Zhang Zhongshi , Contoux Camille , Tan Ning , Zhang Qiong , Otto-Bliesner Bette , Brady Esther , Feng Ran , Heydt Anna von der , Baatsen Michiel , Oldemann Arthur
Published: June 2021

The El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is the strongest pattern of year-to-year climate variability found in the equatorial Pacific Ocean with global impacts. However, it is not fully understood how ENSO responds to different warming scenarios. In the warmer climate (~2-3K) of the mid-Pliocene Warm Period (~3 Ma BP), models consistently suggest a weakening of ENSO variability, with a mean reduction of 25% (±16%). We show that a near unanimous weakening of ENSO across models cannot be fully explained simply by mean state changes in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. Instead, robust off-equatorial mean state changes in the mid-Pliocene are not favourable for ENSO activity. A northward displacement of the Pacific Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is found to be significantly linked to the ENSO weakening across models. This is accompanied by increased south-easterly trade winds in the western Pacific and an intensified South Pacific Subtropical High, which are consistent with suppressed activity of processes that initiate ENSO. Our results provide a constraint to past and future changes to ENSO associated with the climatological ITCZ position.
Impact of collaborative innovation on green total factor productivity in Yangtze River Economic Belt: Analysis based on endogenous spatial-temporal weight matrix
Authors: Wu lei , Jia Xiaoyan , Lv Jie , Gao Li
Published: June 2021

Technological innovation can promote high-quality economic growth. This paper discusses the promotion of green total factor productivity from the perspective of collaborative innovation in the Yangtze River Economic Belt. Firstly, the evaluation index system of collaborative innovation level is constructed from two aspects of collaborative innovation elements and collaborative innovation environment. Then the entropy method is used to measure its development level. The results show that the collaborative innovation level of provinces in the Yangtze River Economic Belt presents an increasing trend year by year. Meanwhile, there are regional differences, which is characterized by 'high in the middle reaches, middle in the downstream and low in the upstream' Secondly, the SDM model based on endogenous spatio-temporal weight matrix is constructed to analyze the influencing factors of green total factor productivity. The results show that collaborative innovation in the Yangtze River Economic Belt has significant negative impact on green total factor productivity in terms of spatial interaction and fiscal expenditure also has a negative impact. The spatial interaction between environmental protection and opening up has a significant positive impact on green total factor productivity. However, the spatial interaction between industrial structure and human capital on green total factor productivity is not obvious. Finally, this paper puts forward some policy suggestions to improve green total factor productivity.
Effect of Dissolve Organic Matter Nn Cd Contaminated Cotton (Gossypium Hirsutum L.) Growth and Cd Uptake
Authors: Min Tao , Luo Tong , Chen Lili , Wang Yan , Cheng Liyang , Sibo Ru , Li Junhua , Lu Weidan
Published: June 2021

In this study, we investigated the effects of originating from cotton straw dissolved organic matter (CM) and farmyard manure dissolved organic matter (FM) on the physiological growth and Cd uptake and transport of cotton under two exogenous Cd addition gradients (5 mg·kg− 1 and 10 mg·kg− 1; 0 mg·kg− 1 as control) by pot experiments, and characterized the structures of CM and FM by UV-Visible spectroscopy. The results showed that CM had more low aromatic and low molecular weight hydrophibic fulvic acid fractions than FM. Cd stress reduced the total biomass (especially the lints), leaf photosynthetic intensity and SPAD value, increased the Cd content and transport coefficient in all parts of cotton, and stimulated the oxidative stress response in leaves. At low Cd levels (no exogenous Cd addition), application of DOM promoted cotton growth and increased leaf photosynthetic intensity and SPAD values; at medium to high Cd levels (5 mg·kg− 1 and 10 mg·kg− 1 exgenous Cd addition), application of DOM exhibited inhibitory effects on cotton growth (as shown by reduced leaf photosynthetic capacity, altered membrane antioxidant regulation) and changed Cd content in various parts of cotton. In addition, the inhibitory effect of CM on cotton growth and the ability to change Cd content in all parts was greater than that of FM. The redundancy analysis showed that the effect of DOM addition on cotton growth changed from promotion to inhibition when the level of exogenous Cd contamination reached 5 mg·kg− 1. Therefore, both straw return and farmyard manure application (especially straw return) in agricultural fields with high Cd contamination levels (≥ 5 mg·kg− 1) can be harmful to cotton physiological growth and pose a threat to cotton production.
A description of self-medication with cannabis among adults with legal access to cannabis
Authors: Asselin Antoine , Lamarre Olivier Beauparlant , Chamberland Richard , Neil Sarah-Jeanne Mc , Demers Éric , Zongo Arsene
Published: June 2021

Objective

Little is known about self-medication with cannabis post-recreational cannabis legalization in Canada. We aimed to establish a detailed portrait of self-medication with cannabis among adults in Quebec.
Methods

We conducted an online survey from November 2020 to January 2021 among individuals aged ≥ 21 years, who endorsed using cannabis bought in legal recreational cannabis stores to self-medicate a health condition. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and stratified according to sex, age and the type of cannabis use (exclusively medical versus medical and recreational use).
Results

489 participants were included. Median age was 34 years, and 48% were women. About 25% reported an exclusive medical use of cannabis. Treated conditions included anxiety (70%), insomnia (56%), pain (53%), depression (37%), and many other. Reasons for not consulting in cannabis clinics included lack of information (52%), complexity of the process (39%), accessibility of cannabis clinics (23%) and other.
Comparing Chemoradiation, 125I Seed Implantation Combined with Chemotherapy, and Chemotherapy Alone Efficacy in Treating Unresectable Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Zheng Yanfen , Huang Rui , Zou Wenxue , Liu Chao , Jiang Shumei , Niu Hongxin , Yue Jinbo
Published: June 2021

Background: The prognosis of unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) remains dismal, and the optimal modality is unclear. This study compared four common treatments for LAPC, including concurrent chemotherapy combined with high-dose radiation (DT>50Gy) (CCHRT), concurrent chemotherapy combined with low-dose radiation (DT50 Gy) (CCLRT), 125I seed implantation combined with chemotherapy, and chemotherapy alone (CA).Materials/Methods: 89 patients with unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer were enrolled in this retrospective study. Overall survival was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression. All four groups were first compared simultaneously and then in every two.Results: In the parallel comparison of all four groups, CCHRT-receiving patients demonstrated better OS benefits than their CCLRT-, 125I seed implantation combined with chemotherapy-, or CA-receiving counterparts (P=0.030). Comparisons in pairs revealed that patients given CCHRT showed significantly better OS benefits than those receiving CCLRT (13 vs. 7 months, P=0.006). CCHRT-receiving patients also had significantly better OS than their 125I seed implantation combined with chemotherapy-receiving counterparts (13 vs. 10 months, P=0.003). However, there was no statistical difference in OS between CCHRT- and CA-receiving patients, CCLRT- and 125I seed implantation combined with chemotherapy-receiving patients, CCLRT- and CA-receiving patients, 125I seed implantation combined with chemotherapy- and CA-receiving patients.Conclusions: CCHRT-receiving patients with unresectable LAPC demonstrated better OS than those on CCLRT, 125I seed implantation combined with chemotherapy, or CA. Further randomized clinical trials are warranted.
Exploring the Nitrogen Reservoir of Biodegradable Household Garbage and its Potential in Replacing Chemical Fertilizers in China
Authors: Wang Lan , Qin Tianyu , Zhao Jianshe , Zhang Yicheng , Wu Zhiyuan , Cui Xiaohui , Zhou Gaifang , Li Caihong , Guo Liyue , Jiang Gaoming
Published: June 2021

Biodegradable household garbage contains a large amount of nitrogen which could be used as organic fertilizers to produce organic foods, thus mitigating environmental pollution at the root. However, due to the complex composition of household garbage and its uneven distributions from urban to rural areas, it is not clear how large the biomass nitrogen reservoir is in a certain country or region. Here we took China as a case, systematically analyzed the amount of biodegradable household garbage resources and their nitrogen reservoirs. It was noted that the biodegradable household garbage mainly included food waste, waste paper and wood chips, with the amounts being 31.56, 29.55, and 6.45 million t·a− 1, respectively. Accordingly, the nitrogen reservoirs were 65.31×104, 6.80×104, and 3.81×104 t·a− 1 in China. Regardless of provinces or provincial capital cities, there were significant positive linear correlations between the gross domestic product and the amounts of foods wasted, indicating that China’s fast economic development was at the cost of huge food waste. However, if the food waste were used as organic fertilizers, chemical nitrogen fertilizers would have been greatly reduced. We found that food waste nitrogen reservoir accounted for 86% of the total, with its nitrogen reservoir being equivalent to 11% of the amount of actual absorption for synthetic nitrogen fertilizers (6.20 million t·a− 1) by agriculture plants in the country. Our findings provided a scientific basis for the classification and utilization of biodegradable household garbage, ensuring food security, and eliminating environmental pollution.
Characteristics and Potential Ecological Risks of Heavy Metal Pollution in Surface Soil Around Coal-fired Power Plant
Authors: hu yunhu , you mu , Liu Guijian , dong zhongbing
Published: June 2021

The concentrations of heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Pb and Zn) in surface soils in the area surrounding a coal-fired power plant in China were measured, the distribution characteristics of heavy metals in different wind directions were analyzed, and the pollution degree of heavy metal in soil was evaluated. The soil around the power plant is generally polluted by heavy metals, and the degree of pollution is heavy pollution and moderate pollution. The potential ecological hazard of heavy metals in soil is moderate or slight. The values of Nemerow index and potential ecological risk index are different among different directions and different distances from the power plant. Cd, Hg and As are the mainly contributors for the potential ecological risk. The results revealed that wind direction is important for the distribution of heavy metal around coal-fired power plant. The study can provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and management of soil heavy metal pollution around coal-fired power plant.
Sec23a Inhibits The Self-Renewal of Melanoma Cancer Stem Cells via Inactivation of ER-Phagy
Authors: Xing H.Rosie , Sun Zhiwei , Liu Doudou , Zeng Bin , Zhao Qiting , Li Xiaoshuang , Chen Hao , Wang Jianyu
Published: June 2021

Background

The genesis and developments of solid tumors, analogous to the renewal of healthy tissues, are driven by a subpopulation of dedicated stem cells, known as cancer stem cells (CSCs), that exhibit long-tern clonal repopulation and self-renewal capacity. CSCs may regulate tumor initiation, growth, dormancy, metastasis, recurrence and chemoresistance. While autophagy has been proposed as a regulator of the stemness of CSCs, the underlying mechanisms requires further elucidation.
Methods

The subpopulation of CSCs in human melanoma cell line M14 was established by repetitive enrichments for cells that consistently display anchorage-independent spheroid growth. The stemness properties of the CSCs were confirmed in vitro by the expressions of stemness marker genes, the single-cell cloning assay and the serial spheroid formation assay. Subcutaneous tumor transplantation assay in BALB/c nude mice was performed to test the stemness properties of the CSCs in vivo. The autophagic activity in cells was confirmed by the protein level of LC3 and P62, mRFP-LC3B punta and cytoplasmic accumulation of autolysosomes. The morphology of ER was detected with transmission electron microscopy.
Results

In the present study, by employing a stable CSC cell line derived from human melanoma cell line M14, we show for the first time that Sec23a inhibits the self-renewal of melanoma CSCs via inactivation of ER-phagy. Mechanistically, inhibition of Sec23a reduces ER stress and consequently FAM134B-induced ER-phagy. Furthermore, TCGA data mining and analysis show that Sec23a is a favorable diagnostic and prognostic marker for human skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM).
Conclusion

Herein, this study has elucidated a new mechanism underlying the regulation of autophagy on stemness, i.e. CSCs can exploit the SEC23A/ER-stress/FAM134B/ER-phagy axis for the self-renewal. The results provide new ideas for comprehensive exploration of the regulatory network of CSC self-renewal and new potential targets for CSCs-based therapy strategies for malignant tumors.
Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility and Carcass Characteristics of Pigs Fed Diets Containing Amarula (Sclerocarya Birrea A. Rich) Nut Cake as Replacement To Soybean Meal
Authors: Mabena Maggy Palesa , Ratsaka Moses , Nkukwana Thobela , Malebana Ingrid , Nkosi Douglas
Published: June 2021

This experiment evaluated varying levels of Amarula (Sclerocarya birrea A. Rich) nut cake (ANC) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and carcass characteristics in pigs. Thirty Large White × Landrace (LW × LR) pigs were stratified by weight (average live weight of 20 ± 5 kg) and randomly allocated to the five experimental diets that contained 0 (control), 50, 100, 150 and 200 g ANC/kg DM. Each pig served as a replicate unit, housed individually. Bodyweight, feed intake, average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were recorded weekly throughout the trial period. On completion of the growth trial, following a 3-day adaptation, a nutrient digestibility study was conducted over 5 days. Thereafter, pigs were fasted for twelve hours, weighed, slaughtered, and carcass samples were collected for analysis. Feed intake was not affected by dietary treatment, but ADGs were reduced at ANC levels > 15%, resulting in poor FCR. Protein digestibility was reduced at ANC levels > 15%, while ether extract and fibre levels increased. Warm and cold carcass weights were lower at ANC levels > 15, with improved meat redness and lightness. It was concluded that ANC could replace SBM in the diet of growing pigs at less than 15% inclusion level.
Antioxidant System Alterations and Biological Health Status of Earthworms Following Long-term Exposure to Antibiotics Contaminated Poultry Litter
Authors: Junior Sidney Fernandes Sales , Silva Evelyn Oliveira da , Araujo Gabriel de Farias , Soares Lorena Oliveira Souza , Parente Cláudio Ernesto Taveira , Malm Olaf , Saggioro Enrico Mendes , Correia Fábio Veríssimo
Published: June 2021

Poultry litter is widely applied as a fertilizer even though it is one of the main antibiotic sources for agricultural soils. Long-term sublethal effects (56 days) on the antioxidant system of Eisenia andrei earthworms following exposure to fluoroquinolone-contaminated poultry litter (enrofloxacin + ciprofloxacin) at 5.0, 10 and 20 g kg-1 were evaluated. The following biomarkers were assessed: superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione-S-trasferase (GST), reduced glutathione (GSH) and a lipid peroxidation (LPO) proxy. Significant CAT and SOD increases and a moderate positive correlation (ρ = 0.67, p < 0.05) between these enzymes was observed. Glutathione-S-trasferase levels increased significantly at 10 g kg-1, while GSH exhibited a dose-dependent response at 5.0 mg kg-1 (4 - 106%), 10 mg kg-1 (28 - 330 %) and 20 mg kg-1 (45 - 472%). LPO levels exhibited a decreasing trend with increasing poultry litter concentrations of 8 - 170% (5.0 g kg-1), 7 - 104% (10 mg kg-1) and 3 - 6% (20 mg kg-1). A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) highlighted increased SOD and CAT activities, possibly due to increases in reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentrations. Biological Health Status assessments based on the Biomarker Response Index indicate major alterations in the first month of exposure, changing to moderate in the second month. These findings indicate an antioxidant system attenuation trend. It is possible, however, that successive poultry litter applications may reduce the long-term recovery capacity of the evaluated biomarkers.
Stable Isotopic Variability of Daily Precipitation from Yungui Plateau of Southwest China: Insights from Moisture Source and Rainout Effect
Authors: Wu huawu , Fu Congsheng , Zhang Cicheng , Wei Zhongwang , Zhang Xinping
Published: June 2021

Long-term continuous monitoring of precipitation isotopes has great potential to advance our understanding of mechanisms that determine stable isotope variability in hydrological processes of monsoon regions. This study presents a 4-year daily data set of precipitation isotopes from Yungui Plateau of southwest China, influenced by southwest monsoon and East Asian monsoon. The local meteoric water line [LMWL, δ2H=8.12 (±0.04) δ18O+11.2(±0.4)] was established at the Tengchong (TC) site, which was similar to the global meteoric water line (GMWL, δ2H=8 δ18O+10) indicating little secondary sub-cloud evaporation in the falling rain. Precipitation δ18O exhibited significant inverse relationships with precipitation amount (r = -0.42) and air temperature (r = -0.43) throughout the entire period, which indicated that precipitation isotopic variability largely depended on the local meteorological conditions. Precipitation δ18O values are characterized by remarkably seasonal variability: In the summer monsoon period, moisture sources primarily originated from BoB source towards TC site experiencing local moisture recycling over land. The air masses were derived from the northern region of Africa and East Asia with the longest transporting distance and cyclonic activity over the source region in the Fall-winter period characterized with the depleted δ18O values. Precipitation δ18O at the TC site was estimated by a Rayleigh fractionation model considering rainout over BoB and land (Myanmar) during the vapor advection, and local recycling processes consistent with the observed precipitation δ18O values. These findings enhance our understanding of hydrological cycle in the Southwest monsoon regions and will potentially facilitate the interpretation of numerous isotopic proxy records from this region.
Teleconsultation for pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus during the COVID-19 pandemic: experience of a university hospital in Brazil
Authors: Santana Yasmin Eugênia , Luciano Thais Milioni , Teodózio Ana Carolina Maia , Santana Amanda Maria Barradas Monteiro , Ramos Letícia Rodrigues , Alves Marília Oliveira Barbosa , Bastos Luiza Siqueira Rabelo , Cardoso Brena de Sá , Stecchini Mônica Freire , Custódio Rodrigo José , Junior Raphael Del Roio Liberatore Liberatore
Published: June 2021

Introduction: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic expanded rapidly around the world in 2020 and health services needed to be reconfigured to meet the new demand and ensure the care of patients with chronic diseases. For patients with diabetes mellitus, the teleconsultation stood out as a tool for clinical management in this period. Objective: Evaluate the impact of teleconsultation on glycemic control and prevention of acute complications related to diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents treated in a reference hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Method: Descriptive study of data from pediatric diabetic patients who received teleconsultation between April and September 2020. Results: During this period, 143 diabetic patients were evaluated, with a median of 3.4 teleconsultations per patient in the studied period; requiring adjustment of insulin doses in 84.6% of cases. The hospital admission rate was 8,4% due to diabetic decompensation. The metabolic control (HbA1c) became worsen in 46% of the sample and improved in 37%. Conclusion: The teleconsultation promoted health care for patients with diabetes mellitus during the COVID-19 pandemic, but was not able to guarantee adequate glycemic control.
PSMA-Ligand Uptake Can Serve as a Novel Biomarker in Primary Prostate Cancer to Predict Outcome After Radical Prostatectomy
Authors: Wang Hui , Amiel Thomas , Würnschimmel Christoph , Langbein Thomas , Steiger Katja , Rauscher Isabel , Horn Thomas , Maurer Tobias , Weber Wolfgang , Wester Hans-Juergen , Knorr Karina , Eiber Matthias
Published: June 2021

BackgroundThe prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a relevant target in prostate cancer and immunohistochemistry studies showed associations with outcome. PSMA-ligand positron emission tomography (PET) is increasingly used for primary prostate cancer staging and the molecular imaging TNM classification (miTNM) standardizes its reporting. We aimed to investigate the potential of PET-imaging to serve as a noninvasive imaging biomarker to predict disease outcome in primary prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy (RP).MethodsIn this retrospective analysis, 186 primary prostate cancer patients treated with RP who had undergone a 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET up to three months prior to the surgery were included. Maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), SUVmean, tumor volume (TV) and total lesion (TL) were collected from PET-imaging. Moreover, clinicopathological information, including age, serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, and pathological characteristics were assessed for disease outcome prediction. A stage group system for PET-imaging findings based on the miTNM framework was developed. ResultsAt a median follow-up after RP of 38 months (interquartile range (IQR): 22-53), biochemical recurrence (BCR) was observed in 58 patients during the follow-up period. A significant association between a positive surgical margin and miN status (miN1 vs. miN0, odds ratio (OR): 5.428, p=0.004) was detected. miT status (miT≥3a vs. miT<3, OR: 2.696, p=0.003) was identified as an independent predictor for Gleason score (GS)≥8. Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that PSA level (hazard ratio (HR): 1.024, p=0.014), advanced GS (GS≥8 vs. GS<8, HR: 3.253, p<0.001) and miT status (miT≥3a vs. miT<3, HR: 1.941, p=0.035) were independent predictors for BCR. For stage I disease as determined by PET-imaging a shorter BCR-free survival was observed in the patients with higher SUVmax (IA vs. IB stage, log-rank, p=0.022).ConclusionPreoperative miTNM classification from 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET correlates with postoperative GS, surgical margin status and time to BCR. The association between miTNM staging and outcome proposes 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET as a novel non-invasive imaging biomarker and potentially serves for ancillary pre-treatment stratification. Prospective studies with larger cohort are necessary to fully determine its use including primary prostate cancer patients with different treatments and risk categories and late-stage patients.
RETRACTED: Tight Cultures Breed Dehumanization: An Interdisciplinary Approach
Authors: Wang Xijing , Chen Zhansheng , Shi Bill , Chen Hao
Published: June 2021

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Type Synthesis of 3-Translational Redundant Actuated Parallel Mechanisms With Closed-Loop Branch Chains Based On Graphical Approach
Authors: Li Yongquan , Jiang Hong-Sheng , Zheng Tian-Yu , Xi Ke-Long , Jing Han , Zhang Li-Jie
Published: June 2021

The 3-translational parallel mechanism is widely used in industrial, medical, and military fields, among others. With the development of the national logistics industry, a pressing need for a kind of 3-translational parallel mechanism emerged. Such mechanisms have high stiffness and high bearing capacity and are used for cargo handling and sorting. A novel method based on the graphical approach was proposed for the synthesis of 3-translational redundancy actuated parallel mechanism with closed-loop branch chains. The new mechanism has four symmetrically arranged branch chains, which eases subsequent kinematics and dynamics analyses while providing good mechanical properties. Based on the graphical approach theory, according to the constraint number contained in the branch chain, two types of redundant driven branch chains with closed-loop structures were constructed. The first type includes rotation constraint in one direction, while the second type includes the rotation constraint in two directions. Based on various combinations of two branch chain types, their allocation schemes can be divided into two types. Moreover, said these two allocation schemes can be integrated into at least 500 and 400 types of 3-translational redundant actuated parallel mechanisms with closed-loop branch chains. Then, the degree of freedom properties of representative mechanisms were tested using the screw theory. A large number of novel mechanisms were integrated assessed using this method, and branch chains such mechanisms were symmetrically distributed. They have a strong bearing capacity, simple calculation, and control, and can be applied to the handling and sorting of goods, large-scale precision machine tools, and large construction machinery vibration isolation systems, among others.
Clinical Profile of Bloodstream Infections in Covid-19 Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Palanisamy Naveenraj , Vihari Nakka , Meena Durga Shankar , Kumar Deepak , Midha Naresh , Tak Vibhor , Sharma Ankur , Bohra Gopal Krishana , Kothari Nikhil , Dutt Naveen , Bhatia Pradeep Kumar , Garg Mahendra Kumar , Misra Sanjeev
Published: June 2021

Background: Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are emerging cause of significant morbidity and mortality in severe Corona virus disease (Covid-19). We aimed to assess the prevalence, clinical profile and outcome of BSIs in critically ill Covid-19 disease. Material and Methods: This was a single-centre retrospective study conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Western India. All the patients (age >18 years) with reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) confirmed Covid-19 pneumonia admitted in Covid intensive care unit (ICU) between September 2020 to February 2021 were included. Hospital electronic records were searched for demographic data, time of bloodstream infection since admission, clinical profile, antimicrobial resistance pattern and clinical outcome of all patients who developed BSIs.Results: Out of 750 patients admitted in Covid ICU, 8.5% developed secondary BSIs. All severe Covid-19 pneumonia patients developed BSIs succumbed to illness. The major proportion of BSIs were gram-negative pathogens (53/64, 82.8%). Acinetobacter baumannii was the commonest isolate followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (32.8% and 21.9% respectively). Multidrug-resistance microorganisms (MDRO) were found in 57.8% of the cases. The majority of MDRO belonged to K. pneumoniae and Enterococcus groups. The proportion of gram-negative bacteria resistant to carbapenems was 47.2% (25/53). Conclusion: BSIs in severe Covid-19 patients carries a substantial mortality, which is a cause for concern. Timely initiation of empirical antibiotics and prompt de-escalation are vital to improve the outcome. At the same time, strict compliance of infection control practices should be accomplished to reduce the occurrence of MDRO.
The Therapeutic and Prognostic Value of Chemokine Receptors (CXCRs) in Skin Cutaneous Melanoma (SKCM) Progression
Authors: Huang Sumei , Wang Guangwen , Kou Mengying , Huang Yisheng , Yanhong He , Yunpeng Bai , Yingbang Li , Huang Wendong
Published: June 2021

Introduction:Skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) is an aggressive cancer and associates with CXC chemokine receptors (CXCRs). CXCRs is a group of membrane protein involved in tumor initiation, progression, and outcome. However, the therapeutic and prognostic value of CXCRs in SKCM remained elusive. Methods: we used multiple, publicly available datasets for the analysis of CXCRs in SKCM. These datasets included GEPIA, UALCAN, TISIDB, DAVID 6.8, Metascape, GSCALite, and TIMER. Results: CXCR3 and CXCR4 were elevated in tumor samples in comparison to healthy ones. CXCR3, CXCR4, CXCR5, CXCR6, and CXCR7 were transcriptionally upregulated in the metastasis SKCM tissues compared to the primary tissues. The CXCR3, CXCR4, CXCR5, and CXCR6 were positively correlated to more prolonged overall survival (OS) at the transcriptional level. Meanwhile, CXCR3, CXCR4, and CXCR6 had an association with the stage in SKCM patients. The drug sensitivity analysis showed CXCR4 as a potential target of drug screening. The function of CXCRs and the neighboring genes mainly enriched in T cell activation, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, and leukocyte migration. Cancer pathway analysis showed that all the CXCRs positively affect apoptosis and EMT pathway and negative effect on the cell cycle, DNA damage response, and hormone AR pathway. Furthermore, CXCR3, CXCR4, CXCR5, and CXCR6 were positively correlated with the infiltration of lymphocytes and expression of PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4. Conclusions: we found that CXCR3, CXCR4, CXCR5, and CXCR6 may provide essential clues about credible prognostic biomarkers, especially CXCR4 may be a potential target and prognostic biomarkers in the progression of SKCM.
Detection of Deletion/Insertion Polymorphism Profiles from Single Human Hair Shafts
Authors: Tie Jian , Uchigasaki Seisaku , Isobe Eiji , Iwakami Etsuko , Okuda Takahisa
Published: June 2021

Background: Hair is a frequently encountered biological evidence in personal identification. The amount of nuclear DNA that can be extracted from a single strand of rootless hair is most limited, making the detection of short tandem repeat (STR) polymorphisms difficult. To overcome these limitations, deletion/insertion polymorphisms (DIP) as a new type of genetic marker have shown their benefits in detecting low-copy-number DNA. The Investigator DIPplex kit contains 30 biallelic autosomal DIP and amelogenin. The analysis of DIPs combines the advantages of both STR and single nucleotide polymorphism analyses. Thus, this study aimed to detect the DIP distribution of individual hair shafts from individuals.Methods and Results: DNA was extracted from the shaft of fresh, aged, and shed hair. After DNA was evaluated, the DIP profiles were detected by capillary electrophoresis. The results indicated that the amount of DNA extracted from hair roots was much higher than that from the hair shafts in the same individual for all samples. The degradation index values of DNA from the aged hair shafts were highest. It is classified to be “mildly degraded.” Compared with their hair roots, the full DIP profiles were detected for fresh hair, 70% for aged hair, and 92% for shed hair. Contrarily, except for fresh hair shafts, only three STR loci of the aged and shed strands of hair could be amplified using AmpFlSTR MiniFiler PCR Amplification Kit.Conclusions: These results indicate that the detection of DIP profile is an effective tool for personal identification from hair shafts, including aged hair.
3D Printed Brachytherapy Jig for Reference Air Kerma Rate Calibration
Authors: Simpson-Page Emily , Hamlett Lynsey , Lew Dominika , Stephens Holly , Wilks Rachael , Kairn Tanya , Crowe Scott B
Published: June 2021

3D printing in modern radiotherapy provides creative autonomy which can be a valuable tool for use in brachytherapy source calibration. Radiotherapy centres may verify their brachytherapy source strength with a calibrated Farmer chamber. For this purpose, a jig was designed, 3D printed and commissioned for in-air source strength calibration. Measurements on four afterloaders with varied equipment and environments were completed. A full uncertainty budget was developed and measurements with the in-air jig were consistently within 3% of the certificate source strength. By creating a jig that is able to be customised to multiple catheter sizes and cylindrical chamber designs, centres can be provided with the option of independently checking their source strength with ease and for little cost.