bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Oblique Meniscomeniscal Ligament
Authors: Floyd Edward R. , Carlson Gregory B. , LaPrade Robert F.
Published: May 2021

Case:

The authors present a case of a 41-year-old woman who was treated for a chronic type 2 posterior horn tear of the medial meniscal root. During an arthroscopic repair, a broad, thick ligament coursing through the intercondylar notch caused difficulty in visualizing the posterior joint space and necessitated creation of an accessory portal. Given its course and attachments, this structure was an example of a rare variant of anatomy, an oblique meniscomeniscal ligament.

Conclusion:

An oblique meniscomeniscal ligament may complicate surgery in the posterior knee by presenting a visual and physical impediment to the surgeon.
Overgrowth After Pediatric Tibial Spine Repair with Symptomatic Leg Length Discrepancy
Authors: Tomasevich Kelly M. , Quinlan Noah J. , Mortensen Alexander J. , Hobson Taylor E. , Aoki Stephen K.
Published: May 2021

Case:

A 12-year-old girl sustained a right-sided tibial spine fracture while jumping on a trampoline. Postoperative course was complicated initially by arthrofibrosis requiring manipulation under anesthesia and subsequent leg length discrepancy attributed to posttraumatic overgrowth necessitating femoral epiphysiodesis. Ten years after initial injury, she reported her knee to be 63% of normal and an International Knee Documentation Committee score of 63.2. Symptomatic overgrowth requiring epiphysiodesis after tibial spine repair has not been previously reported to our knowledge.

Conclusion:

Tibial spine fixation, although previously associated with growth arrest because of physeal damage, may also result in symptomatic limb overgrowth.
Existential Meditation on Morality: Janne Teller’s Nothing
Authors: Graber Stacy
Published: May 2021

The epigraph for this discussion on Janne Teller’s (2010) Nothing, an artful and iconoclastic work of young adult fiction from Denmark, comes from the notebooks of the Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard. Intended as a critique of academia (British Broadcasting, 2013), the sentiment expressed is offensive and amusing. If we understand “the system” as code for academia (reflective of Kierkegaard’s contempt for the professoriate) (British Broadcasting, 2013; Kaufman, 1975), then Kierkegaard here implies that a bird on a branch is more seriously reflective than a professor at a university, or that a philosopher in a tree comes closer than an academic to the legitimate province of philosophy. To arrive at Kierkegaard’s sense of the mission or responsibility of philosophy, we must draw, again, from the author’s notebooks in which he writes: “What I really lack is to be clear in my mind what I am to do, not what I am to know, except in so far as a certain understanding must precede every action” (1835/2001, p. 15). This remark suggests that, for Kierkegaard, the protocol for moral action is personal, reflective, and perhaps necessarily undertaken at a remove, like the philosopher/bird on a twig. At the same time, as Kaufman has observed (Partially Examined Life, 2011), the statement represents Kierkegaard’s critique on the limits of reason or his objection to the academic premium placed on logic as the ultimate path to understanding. Therefore, the bird on a twig might be viewed as metaphoric of the retreat of the thinker to a place apart from institutionally sanctioned practices and beliefs. This situation is mirrored in another story of a thinker who took to the trees, Janne Teller’s (2010) Batchelder Award-winning novel, Nothing. In Teller’s stylistically austere, existential allegory, a middle school student named Pierre Anthon, who lives in the town of Tæring [“a verb meaning to gradually consume, corrode, or eat through” (p. 229)], announces that “nothing matters . . . [s]o nothing is worth doing” (p. 1). Thereafter, he quits school and takes up residence in a plum tree. From his position above the doings of Tæring society, Pierre Anthon pelts his peers from the seventh-grade class with over-ripe fruit and “truth bombs,” or deconstructive statements that threaten the social and ontological sense of order and coherence that the kids have always accepted without question. From there, the seventh graders work to assemble an object lesson that will disabuse Anthon of his skepticism, but their plan degenerates into chaos. In the end—true to its existential roots—Teller’s Nothing proposes no answers to the questions it raises, nor does it offer an alternative belief system to replace the one the philosopher in the tree debunks. The reader is left only with a menacing admonition from the narrator of the story, Agnes, and must make personal sense of the moral message conveyed by the text.
A Good Book Is Universal
Authors: Lennon Heather
Published: May 2021

In Odd Dog (2012), written and illustrated by Clau-dia Boldt, two dogs live next door to one another (see Figure 1). One jealously guards his apple tree and is just waiting for a delicious apple to ripen. When it finally drops to the ground, it’s on the other side of the fence. The dogs are named Helmut and Igor. The author-illustrator is German, living in Lon-don. (NorthSouth Books bought the book from Ran-dom House UK, where it was originally published.) At NorthSouth, we thought Helmut and Igor were a bit unusual for dog names, so with the author’s permis-sion, we changed the names to the more American Milo and Peanut, which we thought were very cute. Later in the process, we learned that Helmut and Igor were meant to poke fun at a strained relationship between Germany and Russia—two countries histori-cally prone to thinking that the other is always getting the better deal. All this, in a funny little book about dogs in their backyards.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Performance Evaluation of Starch-Based Degradable Temporary Plugging Agent for Environmentally Friendly Drilling Fluid
Authors: Gong Wuzhen , Huang Weian , Liu Jian , Zhang Jiaqi , Yv Ting , Jiang Lin , Wang Zengbao
Published: May 2021

Reservoir protection in well drilling and well completion is one of the most significant challenges that have been connected with the quality of the temporary plugging zone and the recovery value of the reservoir permeability when the foreign water invaded into the reservoir copied with the temporary plugging agents. The regular temporary plugging agents are linked with high demand for the matching rate about the pore throat of formation, effect of a single, and poor environmental performance, etc. which markedly impact the operational efficiency. This work reports the synthesis and characteristic of starch-based degradable water-absorbent resin to protect the layer during drilling. Both degradable and excellent SDTA through introducing the nanometre calcium carbonate composites which used as the rigid core were synthesized, characterized, and revalued with standard methods. After purification, there were some groups including the carboxylic acid group, amide group, methyl group, and S=O which reflected the successful synthesis of the monomers. The composites displayed remarkable salt resistance and calcium resistance with 5% and 0.5% as well as thermal stability of 130°C and degradation rate of 50%, respectively. Results also demonstrated that SDTA composites could make the mud cake structure more compact and exhibit self-adaptive to the formation. The SEM images of mud cake treated SDTA revealed that the mechanism could be base on the collaborative action of the structure compact and holes plugging to form an impressive filter cake which could effectively avert the water molecules invasion into the reservoir. Hence, SDTA composites could be a suitable material as a degradable temporary plugging agent for well drilling and completion.
Association of Triglyceride-glucose Index With Intra- and Extra-cranial Arterial Stenosis: a Combined Cross-sectional and Longitudinal Analysis
Authors: Wang Anxin , Tian Xue , Zuo Yingting , Chen Shuohua , Zhang Xiaoli , Guo Jiahuan , Wu Shouling , Zhao Xingquan
Published: May 2021

PurposeThis study aimed to assess the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of the triglyceride glucose (TyG) index, a simple surrogate marker of insulin resistance, with intra- and extra-cranial artery stenosis (ICAS and ECAS) in Chinese adults.MethodsParticipants were recruited from the Asymptomatic Polyvascular Abnormalities Community study, 5,381 participants were enrolled in the cross-sectional analysis, then 3,447 and 1,853 participants in the longitudinal analysis for incident ICAS and ECAS, respectively. The TyG index was calculated as ln [fasting triglyceride (mg/dL) × fasting glucose (mg/dL)/2]. Multivariable logistic analysis was used to calculate odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). ResultsThe results of cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis were basically the same, as the fully adjusted OR comparing participants in the highest tertile versus lowest tertile of the TyG index was 1.34 (95% CI, 1.13-1.59) for prevalence of ECAS and 1.85 (95% CI, 1.26-2.71) for incident ECAS, respectively. The addition of TyG index to a conventional model had an incremental effect on the predictive value for ECAS. However, we did not observed any significant association between the TyG index and ICAS. Conclusions Elevated TyG index was significantly associated with a higher risk of ECAS, but not with ICAS in Chinese adults. This conclusion lends support to the clinical significant for the TyG index for the assessment of artery stenosis, especially for ECAS.
Mathematical modelling of the second wave of COVID-19 infections using deterministic and stochastic SIDR models
Authors: Lobato Fran Sérgio , Libotte Gustavo B , Platt Gustavo M.
Published: May 2021

Recently, various countries from across the globe have been facing the second wave of COVID-19 infections. In order to understand the dynamics of the spread of the disease, much effort has been made in terms of mathematical modeling. In this scenario, compartmental models are widely used to simulate epidemics under various conditions. In general, there are uncertainties associated with the reported data, which must be considered when estimating the parameters of the model. In this work, we propose an effective methodology for estimating parameters of compartmental models in multiple wave scenarios by means of a dynamic data segmentation approach. This robust technique allows the description of the dynamics of the disease without arbitrary choices for the end of the first wave and the start of the second. Furthermore, we adopt a time-dependent function to describe the probability of transmission by contact for each wave. We also assess the uncertainties of the parameters and their influence on the simulations using a stochastic strategy. In order to obtain realistic results in terms of the basic reproduction number, a constraint is incorporated into the problem. We adopt data from Germany and Italy, two of the first countries to experience the second wave of infections. Using the proposed methodology, the end of the first wave (and also the start of the second wave) occurred on 166 and 187 days from the beginning of the epidemic, for Germany and Italy, respectively. The estimated effective reproduction number for the first wave is close to that obtained by other approaches, for both countries. The results demonstrate that the proposed methodology is able to find good estimates for all parameters. In relation to uncertainties, we show that slight variations in the design variables can give rise to significant changes in the value of the effective reproduction number. The results provide information on the characteristics of the epidemic for each country, as well as elements for decision-making in the economic and governmental spheres.
A Historical Record of Trace Metal Deposition In Northeastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau For The Last Two Centuries
Authors: Li Shanying , Sun Weiwei , Chen Rong , Zhang Zhijie , Ning Dongliang , Ni Zhenyu
Published: May 2021

Owing to rapid socio-economic development in China, trace metal emissions have increased and lakes even in remote areas have experienced marked changes in the last century. However, there are limited studies revealing long-term trends, anthropogenic fluxes and spatial characteristics of trace metals in lakes. In this study, we present a geochemical record from Lake Qinghai in the northeastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and reconstruct trace metal pollution history during the last two centuries. The lacustrine sediment core was dated by 137Cs and 210Pb, and sediments deposited prior to the 1850s were selected as the pre-industrial background. Factor analysis and enrichment factor indicated Cr, Cu and Ni generally originated from natural sources, while Cd, Pb and Zn have been influenced by human contamination since the mid-1980s. The anthropogenic Cd mainly derived from non-ferrous metal smelting in Gansu Province, and fluxes to Lake Qinghai sharply increased after the mid-1980s. The timing is similar to other lake sediment records from China and corresponds well with rapid economic development in China. The spatial pattern of anthropogenic Cd fluxes to lakes is primarily attributed to regional industrial emission, phosphate fertilizers and manure applied in agriculture.
The Preventive and Treatment of the Neuro-Inflammasome in Sorokdo National Hospital
Authors: Lee Jong-hoon , Lee Chul Joong , Park Jungwuk , Lee So Jeong , Choi Su-Hee , Oh Sang-Suk
Published: May 2021

Aim/Background: This study investigated leprosy patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) treated with 4,4’-diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DDS) as a neuroinflammasome competitor. Method: We searched all medical records of the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) in Korea and the Sorokdo National Hospital from the time when the Korean government computerized the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9 code and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). The Seoul study analyzed statistically AD, and anti-AD drugs (AADs) in the Sorokdo National Hospital's EDI database archived from January 2005 to June 2020 through the ICD-9 and -10 codes with National Health Insurance System. Result: The relation between DDS and AD each year was analysed using the chi-square test. P value was significant from 2007 to 2020 when P-value < 0.05 was considered significant. The AD (+/-) Group was rearranged based on the DDS (+/-) Group. DDS’s effect as a neuro-inflammasome competitor was statistically proved with T-Test Calculator by comparing the prevalence of AD in patients who had been prescribed DDS and those who had not. Conclusion: Our study is the first to prove the association between dapsone and AD through observational studies. This study suggests the use of neuroinflammasome therapy as a preventive and therapeutic method for AD.
­­Differences in Somatic TP53 Mutation Type in Breast Tumors by Race and Receptor Status
Authors: Pollock Nijole C , Ramroop Johnny , Hampel Heather , Troester Melissa A. , Conway Kathleen , Hu Jennifer J , Freudenheim Jo L. , Olopade Olufunmilayo I , Huo Dezheng , Ziv Elad , Neuhausen Susan L , Stevens Patrick , McElroy Joseph , Toland Amanda Ewart
Published: May 2021

Purpose: Somatic driver mutations in TP53 are associated with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and poorer outcomes. Breast cancers in women of African ancestry (AA) are more likely to be TNBC and have somatic TP53 mutations than cancers in non-Hispanic White (NHW) women. Missense driver mutations in TP53 have varied functional impact including loss-of-function (LOF) or gain-of-function (GOF) activity, and dominant negative (DNE) effects. We aimed to determine if there were differences in somatic TP53 mutation types by patient ancestry or TNBC status. Methods: We identified breast cancer datasets with somatic TP53 mutation data, ancestry, age, and hormone receptor status. Mutations were classified for functional impact using published data and type of mutation. We assessed differences using Fisher’s exact test. Results: From 96 breast cancer studies, we identified 2964 women with somatic TP53 mutations: 715 (24.1%) Asian, 258 (8.7%) AA, 1931 (65.2%) NHW, and 60 (2%) Latina. The distribution of TP53 mutation type was similar by ancestry. However, 35.8% of tumors from NHW individuals had GOF mutations compared to 29% from AA individuals (p=0.04). Mutations with DNE activity were positively associated with TNBC (OR=1.37, p=0.03) and estrogen receptor (ER) negative status (OR=1.38; p=0.005).Conclusions: Somatic TP53 mutation types did not differ by ancestry overall, but GOF mutations were more common in NHW women than AA women. ER negative and TNBC tumors are less likely to have DNE+ TP53 mutations which could reflect biological processes. Larger cohorts and functional studies are needed to further elucidate these findings.
Influence of Strong Spatially Varying Near Fault Ground Motion on Steel Box Arch Bridge
Authors: Liu Zhen , Zhang Shibo
Published: May 2021

In violent earthquakes, ground motion is considered to change dramatically in the process of spatial propagation. Strong spatially varying exists in ground motion near fault area, and it can cause the large-span and large stiffness structure to be damaged. In this paper, a typical long-span steel box arch bridge is selected as an engineering case. In order to simulate the spatially varying of near fault ground motion accurately, the records that sampled in former earthquake are used as ground motion input. The shaking table experiment and finite element analysis are used as analysis means. Through the analysis of the internal force and displacement response of the key position of the arch rib, it is found that the spatially varying in the near fault ground motion can bring severe seismic response .If the spatially varying is ignored, the damage of the bridge will be seriously underestimated.
Mechanism of Ferritin Heavy Chain in the Proliferation and Migration of Prostate Cancer Cells
Authors: Lu Cuixiu , Zhao Huijun , Zhang Man
Published: May 2021

Ferritin is an important molecule in the regulation of cell proliferation, growth inhibition escape, cell death inhibition and angiogenesis. More and more studies have given evidence of abnormal iron metabolism in tumors. Whether ferritin can be a new type of marker for early diagnosis of tumorous diseases remains to be explored. In this study, we verified the expression level of ferritin heavy chain (FTH) in benign prostatic hyperplasia epithelial cell (BPH-1) and three kinds of PCa cells by Western blotting. Lentivirus was used to construct FTH gene overexpression vector, then construct FTH overexpression PCa cell lines. Meanwhile, LNCaP cells and DU145 cells FTH silent expression prostate cancer cell lines were constructed using Crispr Cas9 technology. Next, clone proliferation experiments, transwell experiments, and scratch experiments were used to verify the cell proliferation, invasion, and migration capabilities of each group of cells with different FTH expression levels. The FTH knockout PC-3 cell (LV-shFTH PC3) has been established in our laboratory. Make full use of the existing results from Isobaric Tag for Relative and Absolute Quantitation (iTRAQ) mass spectrometry technology to analyze differentially expressed protein analysis between LV-shFTH PC3 cells and control cells. Combine GO analysis to select the target protein for subsequent cell protein expression level verification. Our results show that FTH overexpression can promote the proliferation, migration and invasion of prostate cancer cell lines, while FTH knockout causes the opposite result. Combined with mass spectrometry (MS) detection, it is speculated that FTH may trigger changes in cell behavior by regulating the expression of the following proteins: S100A4, CRABP1, S100A2, S100P, GDF15, FAM84B, KRT75, LYRM7, OCLN, LCP1, F2RL1. (The study is not a clinical trial, no registration number and registration date are required)
On the Jump Conditions for Shock Waves in Condensed Materials
Authors: Anand R K
Published: May 2021

In this article, we have proposed Rankine–Hugoniot (RH) boundary conditions at the normal shock-front which is passing through the condensed material. These RH conditions are quite general, and their convenient forms for the particle velocity, mass density, pressure and temperature have been presented in terms of the upstream Mach number, and the material parameters for the weak and the strong shocks, respectively. Finally, the effects on the mechanical quantities of the shock compressed materials e.g. titanium Ti6Al4V, stainless steel 304, aluminum 6061-T6, etc. have been discussed.
Internet-based Cognitive-behavioral Therapy for Premenstrual Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Borji-Navan Sanam , Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi Sakineh , Esmaeilpour Khalil , Mirghafourvand Mojgan , Ahmadian-Khooinarood Ali
Published: May 2021

Background: Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a common problem among women of reproductive age, affecting various aspects of their lives. There are very limited studies investigating the effect of Internet-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (ICBT) on PMS. We aimed to investigate the effect of ICBT on symptom severity of women suffering from PMS and their quality of life in the perimenstrual and late follicular periods. Methods: Ninety-two university students aged 18-35 years with moderate to severe PMS were allocated into two groups of 46 using block randomization. The intervention group underwent ICBT for two menstrual cycles, while the control group received no intervention. All participants filled the Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP) for two menstrual cycles and the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire - Short Form (Q-LES-Q-SF) on days 1-2 and 11-13 of the menstrual cycle pre- and post-intervention. Data were analyzed using univariate general linear models. Results: Four students in the intervention group were lost to follow-up. Post-interventionally, the mean score of total PMS symptoms was significantly lower in the intervention group than the control group (10.4 vs. 20.2, adjusted difference: -9.9 [95% CI: -13.3 to -6.6]) and perimenstrual quality of life was significantly higher (64.2 vs. 50.3, 14.1 [8.5 to 19.8]). However, there was no significant intergroup difference in the late follicular quality of life (68.3 vs. 67.3, 1.9 [-4.4 to 8.1]). Conclusions: Internet-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy could effectively reduce PMS symptom severity and improve perimenstrual quality of life, with no significant effect on the late follicular quality of life. Trial registration: The Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials, Identifier: IRCT20100414003706N34, Registered 19 June 2019, https://www.irct.ir/trial/38394
Modulating Inherent Lewis Acidity at the Intergrowth Interface of Mortise-Tenon Zeolite Catalyst
Authors: Wang Huiqiu , Shen Boyuan , Chen Xiao , Xiong Hao , Wang Hongmei , Song Wenlong , Cui Chaojie , Wei Fei , Qian Wei-Zhong
Published: May 2021

The tunability of local structures determines various catalytic performances of zeolite catalysts. The acid sites in zeolite catalysts are important local structures to control the products in methanol conversion. However, it remained still a great challenge to precisely design the acid sites, since there is a lack of controllable methods to generate and identify the acid sites with a high resolution. Here, we use the lattice mismatch of zeolite intergrowth to enrich the inherent Lewis acid sites (LASs) at the interface of a mortise-tenon ZSM-5 catalyst (ZSM-5-MT) showing a 90° intergrowth structure. ZSM-5-MT is formed by two perpendicular blocks that can be atomically resolved by the integrated differential phase contrast scanning transmission electron microscope (iDPC-STEM). It can be revealed by various methods that more framework-associated Al (AlFR) LASs are generated in ZSM-5-MT than single-crystal ZSM-5 catalyst. Combining with the iDPC-STEM results, we demonstrate that the partial missing of O atoms at interfaces results in the formation of inherent LASs in ZSM-5-MT. According to the catalytic performances, LAS-enriched ZSM-5-MT shows a higher selectivity of light olefins than the single-crystal ZSM-5 catalyst in methanol conversion. These results provide an efficient strategy to design the Lewis acidity in zeolites for tailored catalytic functions via interface engineering.
Augmenting an online self-directed intervention for gambling disorder with a single motivational interview: Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Brazeau Brad W. , Hodgins David C. , Cunningham John A. , Bennett Kylie , Bennett Anthony
Published: May 2021

Background: Despite the success of gold standard cognitive-behavioural therapy for problem and disordered gambling, the majority of individuals with gambling problems do not seek or receive professional treatment. Thus, the development of less intrusive self-directed interventions has been encouraged. Bibliotherapy for problem gambling has shown promise, both alone and in combination with motivational interviews, but there is still a lack of online self-directed intervention research. The current randomised controlled trial proposes to assess the efficacy of an online self-directed treatment program for problem gambling and gambling disorder, both alone and in combination with a single motivational interview delivered digitally. Methods: A two-arm randomised controlled trial will be conducted, wherein eligible participants (N=270) will be recruited across Canada via internet advertisements posted to several platforms. All participants will receive access to an online self-directed gambling intervention program. Participants will be randomly assigned to either complete the online program alone or receive a digital motivational interview, conducted through an online audioconferencing platform (i.e., Microsoft Teams) to supplement the online program. Gambling severity, frequency, and expenditures will be tracked along with other mental health outcome data over a 24-month period. It is expected that participants in both groups will experience a reduction in symptoms across the board, but more substantial improvements will be observed in the group that receives a supplemental motivational interview.Discussion: The results of this trial will expand upon prior gambling intervention research by informing best practices for the provision of online self-help for problem gambling. Trial registration: ISRCTN, ISRCTN13009468. Registered on 7 July 2020 at https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN13009468.
Excess Noise Factor in Avalanche Photodiodes with Dead Space Effect
Authors: Angadi Vignesh Reddy
Published: May 2021

This project aims to develop a graphical user interface (GUI) for MATLAB programs written by J. S. Marsland as part of his research on the excess noise factor in avalanche photodiodes (APDs). The GUI will be developed using the GUIDE package supplied with MATLAB. The GUI will then be used to compare this research with other works—for example, the Monte Carlo calculations performed by the research group at the French Aerospace Laboratory (ONERA). A comparison with other works will require the digitisation of graphs, some of which have been published in academic journals.
Traceability of Volatile Organic Compounds by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and Its Reduction in Rubber Composites of Tire Inner Liner
Authors: Chen Xin , Zhang Boyu , Wang Danling , Chen Li , Du Zhenxia , Wu Youping
Published: May 2021

Many parts of the vehicle cabin generate volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and they are hazardous to humans. In this study, VOCs in the inner liner of automobile spare tire, and separately the significant materials used in it, like raw rubber and resins, were detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) coupled with extracting method of static headspace sampling (SHS). By comparison, the sources of VOCs can be traced back to raw rubbers and resins. And the results indicated that alkylphenol resins are the most volatile raw materials, which would release 2,4,4-trimethyl-1-pentene, and 2,2,4,6,6-pentamethyl-3-heptene. Secondly, chlorobutyl rubber (CIIR) contained 3-methyl-pentane and methyl-cyclopentane. At the same time, through replacements of raw materials in initial formulation, such as alkylphenol resins and natural rubber (NR) with low VOCs, the total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) discharged in inner liner could be reduced. We expected that the information gained from this work could provide references and positive significance for the manufacture of environmental-friendly tire products.
Olfactory and Gustatory Dysfunction in Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19)
Authors: Firouzabadi Mohammad Dehghani , Roomiani Maryam , Firouzabadi Fatemeh Dehghani , Moosaie Fatemeh , Yoosefi Niyoosha , Rafiee Saeedeh , Rajabi Shima , Ramezanpour Sara , Babaniamansour Sepideh , Jahandideh Hesam , Rezaei Nima
Published: May 2021

Objective: To evaluate the recovery rate and duration of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction of patients over a period of two months in the Iranian population.Methods: In this study, 305 patients with COVID-19 were enrolled and followed over a duration of 2 months. Binary logistic regression was employed to assess the association between olfactory and gustatory dysfunction with clinical manifestations and past medical history of patients.Results: Olfactory-gustatory dysfunction was reported in 103 (33.7%) patients. Of them, approximately 54.5% and 56.9% of patients did not recover from olfactory and gustatory dysfunction before 10 days, respectively. In addition, almost 21.8% and 20.1% of the patients did not recover from olfactory and gustatory dysfunction after two-month follow-up, respectively. Severe form of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction was reported in 93% and 74.7% of patients, respectively.Conclusion: We found that the majority of patients had olfactory and gustatory dysfunction for more than 10 days and about one fifth of patients did not recover after 60 days. Also, longer recovery time from olfactory and gustatory dysfunction was seen in patients who experienced the symptoms of weakness and dyspnea during the time of their disease.
SARS-CoV-2-induced Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in a Young Adult
Authors: bulut haldun , Herbers Alexandra H.E. , Hageman Ilse M.G. , Netten Paetrick M. , de Jonge Hendrik J.M. , Joustra Robert , de Veerdonk Frank L. van , de Jager Cornelis P.C.
Published: May 2021

We describe a case of a previous healthy 20-year-old male athlete who presented with an atypical clinical profile with multiorgan involvement five weeks after confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, suggestive for multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS). MIS is a rare, potentially life-threatening complication associated with SARS-CoV-2 and shares several similar clinical features with overlapping hyperinflammatory syndromes that may create a great challenge to distinguish between them. MIS should promptly be considered and treated, as uncontrolled MIS has a high mortality. In MIS cardiac involvement, heart failure may present as an additional problem, especially because volume loading is advised in accordance with proposed therapy. Carefully monitoring of the respiratory and cardiac status in response of resuscitation is therefore warranted.
Development of a New Empirical Relation to Assess P-wave Velocity Anisotropy of Rocks
Authors: Moomivand Hassan , Moomivand Hussamuddin , Nikrouz Rain , Azad Rashid
Published: May 2021

Wave velocity as a simple nondestructive method is used for various applications in geotechnical engineering. Several physical parameters and anisotropy related to rock textural arrangements, schistosity and weakness planes such as cracks and joints affect the P-wave velocity (VP). First, VP anisotropy of quartz-mica schist as a common type of widespread metamorphic rock was compared with VP anisotropy of jointed homogeneous limestone specimens to clarify effect of these two different types of anisotropies. The results showed that the VP anisotropy of quartz-mica schist texture is stronger than the VP anisotropy of jointed limestone, because all body of quartz-mica schist specimens have VP anisotropy behavior. Many rocks are anisotropic and degree of anisotropy varies from one rock to another. Several investigations have been carried out on VP anisotropy but there is not a unique comprehensive relation to represent the influence of different degrees of anisotropy on the VP for different rocks. The relation between VP and angle (θ) between the axis of symmetry (perpendicular to weakness planes) with the wave propagation direction was analyzed for a wide range of anisotropy degree using the results of nine different types of rocks including: Angouran quartz-mica schist, Golgohar mica schist, amphibole schist, mica-quart schist, Marcellus shale, Withby shale WUK47B, WUK70 and WUK2, and Veroia-Polymylos gneiss. A new simple empirical relation fitted to all groups of results was obtained to assess VP for different degrees of anisotropies with a good correlation of determination (R2 = 0.937), low RMSE (RMSE = 320 m/s) and low CV (CV = 7.0%). P wave velocity anisotropy can simply be predicted by the developed relation using only two parameters of VP0 and VP90. A VP anisotropy classification diagram was also developed based on the different values of ε.
Engineering the Optical Response of the Novel Plasmonic Binary Nanohole Array
Authors: Javidnasab Mahdi , Azadi Saeid Khesali , Legha Majid Ahmadpouri , Naghshara Hamid
Published: May 2021

The phenomenon of extraordinary optical transmission (EOT) due to its advantages has been considered by researchers in various applications and in recent years many efforts have been made to engineer these structures to get the best possible response for desired applications. In this work, the optical properties of novel binary gold nano-hole arrays are investigated theoretically. We engineered the optical response of the system by adjusting the ratio of contribution of surface plasmon polariton (SPP) to localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) through the manipulation of the geometrical properties. The changes in the topology of this nano-hole array affected the intensity and the wavelength of transmission peaks. The sensitivity of the optical response to the refractive index was also investigated. The designed structure is a good candidate for use as a polarization-independent optical label-free sensor.
Effect of a Novel Thermostatic Device on Meibomian Gland Dysfunction: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Chinese Patients
Authors: Li Siyuan , Yang Ke , Wang Jingyi , Li Shang , Zhu Lei , Feng Jun , Tian Lei , Jie Ying
Published: May 2021

BackgroundAs a chronic disease, meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) which causes excessive evaporation of tears by changing the tear film composition, is considered a leading cause of dry eye. Although a variety of physical therapy equipment, there is currently no economical and effective treatment for MGD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the MiBoFlo Thermoflo® (Mibo Medical, Dallas, TX, USA), a new thermostatic device, on both objective symptoms and subjective signs in Chinese MGD patients.MethodsThis was a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial. 108 eyes of 54 MGD patients in Beijing Tongren Hospital were recruited and randomized 1:1 to MiBoFlo (n = 54 eyes) or LipiFlow® (TearScience, Morrisville, NC, USA) (n = 54 eyes) treatment group. In the MiBoFlo group, treatment for each eye took 10 minutes and proceeded every two weeks for a total of three times. Patients in the LipiFlow group received a single 12-minute treatment. Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcomes include changes in Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) score, Meibomian Glands Yielding Liquid Secretion (MGYLS) score and Meibomian Glands Secretion (MGS) score from baseline to 2 months. The secondary outcomes include Tear Meniscus Height (TMH), Non-invasive Keratograph Break-up Time (NIKBUT), Corneal Fluorescein Staining (CFS) and Meibomian Glands (MG) loss from baseline to 2 months. Safety outcomes include visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure (IOP), anterior segment and facial skin.ResultsThe OSDI score, MGYLS score and MGS score all improved from baseline to 1 month in both MiBoFlo and LipiFlow group, and these improvements were maintained at 2 months. CFS score, NIKBUT and MG loss had no significant change in both groups. CFS score improvement in MiBoFlo group were significantly more obvious than in LipiFlow group in the follow-up visit (p<0.01).ConclusionAs a portable and comfortable device, MiBoFlo treatment can offer an advancement for the treatment of MGD and a course of treatment results in at least two months of sustained improvement in both symptoms and meibomain gland function.
Effect of Degree of Hydrolysis on Biochemical Properties and Biological Activities (Antioxidant and Antihypertensive) of Protein Hydrolysates From Pacific Thread Herring (Ophistonema Libertate) Stickwater.
Authors: Martínez-Montaño Emmanuel , Sarmiento-Machado Rosa María , Benítez-García Israel , Pacheco-Aguilar Ramón , Navarro-Peraza Rosa Stephanie , Sánchez María Elena Lugo , Valdez-Ortiz Angel , Báez Lourdes Janeth Germán , Bañuelos-Vargas Isaura , Rodríguez-Tirado Víctor Alfonso , Leyva Jesús Aarón Salazar
Published: May 2021

Purpose
High amounts of rich-protein liquid wastes are produced during seafood processing. The effluent called stickwater resulting from the processing of Pacific thread herring (Ophistonema libertate) into fishmeal, was evaluated as protein source to produce bioactive protein hydrolysates by using Alcalase as enzyme source.
Methods
The effect of degree of hydrolysis on biochemical properties (proximate analysis, molecular weight, amino acid composition) and antioxidant and antihypertensive activities of stickwater protein hydrolysates obtained with Alcalase was determined.
Results
Degree of hydrolysis (DH) of samples (5, 10 15 and 20%) influences its biochemical and bioactive properties. The maximum ABTS and FRAP activity values (P < 0.05) were exhibited by hydrolysates at 15% DH (EC50 = 2.8mg/mL and TEAC = 1.16 ± 0.03 mM TE/mg, respectively). Whereas the highest DPPH scavenging activity (P < 0.05) was found for hydrolysates at 5 and 10% of DH (EC50 = 34.7 and 37 mg/mL respectively). Furthermore, enzymatic hydrolysis enhanced angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory activity, being those at 5 and 10% of DH, which exhibited lower IC50 values (P < 0.05) compared to non-hydrolyzed stickwater. Peptide distribution of protein hydrolysates at < 1.35 kDa was in a range of 47 to 62% of total peptides and the presence of amino acids related to antioxidant activity such as His, Lys, Met, Tau, Tyr and Trp was detected in stickwater and protein hydrolysates.
Conclusion
The production of protein hydrolysates from Pacific thread herring stickwater, represents an alternative to obtain added-value products with potential antioxidant and antihypertensive activity.
Interhemispheric asymmetry of climate change projections of boreal winter surface winds in CanESM5 large ensemble simulations
Authors: Yu Bin , Zhang Xuebin , Li Guilong , Yu Wei
Published: May 2021

A recent study of future changes in global wind power using an ensemble of ten CMIP5 climate simulations indicated an interhemispheric asymmetry of wind power changes over the 21st century, featured by power decreases across the Northern Hemisphere mid-latitudes and increases across the tropics and subtropics of the Southern Hemisphere. Here we analyze future global projections of surface mean and extreme winds by means of a single-model initial-condition 50-member ensemble of climate simulations generated with CanESM5, the Canadian model participated in CMIP6. We analyze the ensemble mean and spread of boreal winter mean and extreme wind trends over the next half-century (2021-2070) and explore the contribution of internal climate variability to these trends. Surface wind speed is projected to mostly decrease in northern mid-low latitudes and southern mid-latitudes and increase in northern high latitudes and southern tropical and subtropical regions, with considerable regional variations. Large ensemble spreads are apparent, especially with remarkable differences over northern parts of South America and northern Russia. The interhemispheric asymmetry of wind projections is found in most ensemble members, and can be related to large-scale changes in surface temperature and atmospheric circulation. The extreme wind has similar structure of future projections, whereas its reductions tend to be more consistent over northern mid-latitudes. The projected mean and extreme wind changes are attributed to changes in both externally anthropogenic forced and internal climate variability generated components. The spread in wind projections is partially due to large-scale atmospheric circulation variability.
Demonstration of targeted crossovers in hybrid maize using CRISPR technology
Authors: Kouranov Andrei , Armstrong Charles , Shrawat Ashok , Sidorov Vladimir , Huesgen Scott , Lemke Bryce , Boyle Timothy , Gasper Michelle , Lawrence Richard , Yang Samuel
Published: May 2021

Naturally occurring chromosomal crossovers (CO) during meiosis are a key driver of genetic diversity. The ability to target CO at specific allelic loci in hybrid plants would provide a significant advantage to the plant breeding process by facilitating trait introgression, and potentially increasing the rate of genetic gain. We present the first demonstration of targeted CO in hybrid maize utilizing the CRISPR Cas12a system. Our experiments showed that stable and heritable targeted CO can be produced in F1 somatic cells using Cas12a at a significantly higher rate than the natural CO in the same interval. These results are a step towards the use of RNA guided nuclease technology to simplify the creation of targeted genome combinations in progeny and accelerate breeding.
A higher serum anion gap is associated with the risk of progressing to impaired fasting glucose and diabetes
Authors: Zhang Yingchao , Xiong Fengran , Zhao Ruxuan , Shi Tingting , Lu Jing , Jinkui Yang
Published: May 2021

Impaired fasting glucose (IFG) is a reversible interim hyperglycemic period in which there is an increasing risk of developing diabetes and related complications. Our study aimed to identify that serum anion gap is related to the risk of IFG and diabetes development. We performed a prospective, population-based study among 1191 Chinese individuals aged 22–87 years who underwent health examinations annually between 2006 and 2012 including determining clinical biochemistry and plasma metabolite parameters. All the participants had no history of diabetes or related chronic complications. We performed logistic regression analysis to examine the association between clinical and metabolomic factors and the risk of developing IFG or diabetes. Among them, 58 subjects whose fasting glucose level was between 6.1 and 7 mmol/L were diagnosed with IFG or diabetes. After adjusting for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), potassium and albumin(ALB) levels at baseline, the participants in the upper tertiles of serum anion gap (SAG) were more likely to develop IFG or diabetes than those in the lower tertiles. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to predict the incidence of IFG or diabetes. We found the optimal cutoff level for the anion gap was 13.76 mmol/L and the AUC (area under ROC curve) was 0.623. Our data demonstrates that a higher SAG is associated with the risk of developing IFG or diabetes.
A Method of Improving Physical Adsorption of Cellulase On Mesoporous Zr-Based MOF Surface: Enhanced Stability, Recyclability, And Catalytic Efficiency
Authors: Wang Yi , Han Juan , Wu Jia Cong , Wang Lei , Li Chun Mei , Zhou Yang , Wang Yun
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we aimed at developing immobilized cellulase biocatalyst by enhancing the anchor of cellulase on support surface. A mesoporous Zr-based MOF was first synthesized by biomineralization method using dextran as template. The resultant PVP-cellulase@CD-UIO-66-Zr exhibited a high loading capacity of 265 mg g− 1 support. The physical adsorption of cellulase on CD-UIO-66-Zr could be further enhanced by the capping of cellulase with PVP. About 83% of the activity of PVP-cellulase@CD-UIO-66-Zr could be retained after six cycles, and its equilibrium leakage ratio was 36% during thirty days’ leaching test. It was noting that about 80% of activity of immobilized PVP-cellulase@CD-UIO-66-Zr could be retained after incubation at 80°C for 1 hour. The immobilized cellulase exhibited higher pH stability, thermostability, storage stability and catalytic efficiency than free one.
Improve the Hole Size-dependent Refractive Index Sensitivity of Au-Ag Nanocages by Tuning the Alloy Composition
Authors: LI Jianjun , Qin Qiu-Xiang , Weng Guo-Jun , Zhu Jian , Zhao Jun-Wu
Published: May 2021

In this study, the nanoboxes is converted into Au-Ag alloy nanocages by increasing the hole size. Discrete dipole approximation (DDA) is used to study the extinction spectrum and the refractive index sensing characteristics of Au-Ag alloy nanocages with different geometric parameters. With the increase of Au component, the local surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) peak shows approximately linear redshift and the sensitivity factor shows approximately linear decrease. The refractive index sensitivity can be effectively controlled by the Au-Ag ratio at large hole size because the hole and cavity surfaces distribute more environmental dielectric components. Therefore, increasing the hole size and decreasing the Au-Ag ratio can improve the refractive index sensitivity. To explain the effect of alloy composition on the LSPR characteristics and the refractive index sensitivity, the local electric field distributions with different geometric parameters are plotted. We find that the electric field direction on the hole and cavity surfaces are controlled by the Au-Ag ratio and environmental dielectric constant. Moreover, the field vector on the hole and cavity surfaces are formed by the superposition of the incident field, the electric field generated by the oscillating electrons on the outer surface, and the polarized field in the environmental dielectric constant.