bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Spanish and Portuguese Keyboards, the Best Options to Type in all Romance Languages for US-QWERTY Users
Authors: Tébar Martínez Enrique Miguel
Published: February 2021

While adequate for English-speaking users in the United States, as well as many Commonwealth countries and other English-speaking jurisdictions (e.g., Canada, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa among others), typing in Romance Languages (Spanish, French, Portuguese and Italian) by using a standard US-QWERTY Keyboard is not easy since it is not adapted to special characters such as accented vowels, tildes and cedillas or ligatures, used in Romance Languages. With regard to the International Layout, intended to enable access to the most common diacritics used in Western European Languages, the problem comes from the fact that accented vowels are spread throughout the Keyboard layout, and their uppercase versions need chord combinations which can require good manual dexterity. This paper will analyze how the Spanish or Portuguese Keyboards are the best options for these users since they are QWERTY-based and the most compatible ones for the different character sets in Spanish, French, Portuguese and Italian Languages.
Exploration of an Ethical Quagmire: The Doctrine of Double-Effect in Neonatal Palliative Care
Authors: Kain Victoria J , Mendes Joana
Published: February 2021

Neonatal palliative care (NPC) is an integrated and holistic approach that is an integral part of the contemporary neonatal treatment delivery paradigm. It is the highest fulfillment of the notion of beneficence (doing or creating 'good') that has otherwise been neglected/underestimated by the focus of modern medicine on technology and instrumental treatments by its commitment to alleviating patient pain and quality of life. For decades, the Double-Effect Doctrine (DDE) has been used to consider and address a range of ethically questionable circumstances, often at the end of life, including euthanasia, termination of pregnancy to save maternal life, and morally justified warfare. The theory has continued to be mired in controversy as ethicists, legal scholars, theologians, and philosophers discuss the abstract concepts of moral reasoning, purpose, foresight, and other underlying moral theories. In this paper, the moral theory of DDE is discussed in its clinical application to the ethical decision-making process in neonatal palliative and end-of-life treatment, specifically 1) the administration of opioids as required for symptom control and 2) the use of palliative sedation for intractable symptom care.
Current Advances in Therapeutic Peptides: Past and Future Trends
Authors: Chelliah Ramachandran , Daliri Eric Banan-Mwine , Elahi Fazle , Yeon Su-Jung , Tyagi Akanksha , Oh Deog-Hwan
Published: February 2021

The treatment of peptides has played an important role in clinical practice since the discovery of insulin therapy in the 1920s. Over 60 peptide drugs are approved in the United States (US and other regional mar-kets, and peptides continue to undergo drug discovery steadily. Peptide research and development has lev-eraged a wider range of structures known from other plant sources, via pharmacology and medicinal molecular biology, beyond its conventional focus on individual endogenous peptides. We build a comprehensive database of peptides that have met scientific studies with more than 150 constantly evolving peptides. Here we provide a simple overview of the peptide-based drug therapy environment, comprising evolutionary points of view, structural properties, operational thresholds, and explanation of the therapeutic area.
Tannin: A New Insight into a Key Product for the Bioeconomy in Forest Regions
Authors: Pagliaro Mario , Albanese Lorenzo , Scurria Antonino , Zabini Federica , Meneguzzo Francesco , Ciriminna Rosaria
Published: February 2021

Produced in many world’s countries at over 1 million tonne/year rate by extraction of certain woods and barks with boiling water, tannin is a class of high molecular weight biophenols increasingly used in a number of industries. This study offers a new bioeconomy insight into an old natural product that, we argument in this study, will play a crucial role in the development of the bioeconomy of forest regions. After providing an updated picture of key economic and production aspects, we show how flourishing research on tannin’s biological activity and technological applications has revealed many new properties which are likely to drive significant growth in demand in the near and mid-term future. The study concludes with selected recommendations for bioeconomy scholars and for policy-makers based in forest areas.
MPDB 2.0: A Large Scale and Integrated Medicinal Plant Database of Bangladesh
Authors: Hussain Nazmul , Chando Rony , Abir Ruhshan Ahmed , Mou Mohsina Akter , Hasan Md. Kamrul , Ashraf M. Arif
Published: February 2021

Medicinal plants are generally defined as rare herbals with potent medicinal activities that can be used as an alternative treatment for diseases. Recent studies exploring novel medicine developments, originating from folk-medicinal practices challenges this notion and suggests that both the circumference of the term medicinal plant and their potential application covers a substantially extensive verse than previously suggested. While medicinal plants are not limited to the borders of any country, Bangladesh and its south-east Asian neighbors do boast a huge collection of potent medicinal plants with considerable folk-medicine history compared to most other countries of the world. MPDB 2.0 is the continuation of MPDB 1.0, it serves as both a data repertoire for medicinal of Bangladesh and a user-friendly interface for researchers, health practitioners, drug developers, and students who wish to study the various medicinal & nutritive plants scattered around Bangladesh and the underlying phytochemicals contributing to their efficacy in folk medicine. While in developing MPDB 2.0 human diseases have been highly focused upon, the information in this database is not limited in its application for human diseases or diseases only, as many of the plants indexed here can serve in developing biofuel or bioremediation technologies or nutritive diets or cosmetics, etc. MPDB 2.0 comprises a collection of more than five hundred medicinal plants from Bangladesh along with a record of their corresponding scientific, family, and local names together with their utilized parts, information regarding ailments, active compounds, and PubMed ID of related publications.
Attitudes of Teachers in Training Towards People With HIV/AIDS.
Authors: Cejudo-Cortés Aranzazú , Pedrero-García Encarnación , Moreno-Crespo Pilar , Moreno-Fernández Olga
Published: February 2021

Discriminatory attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS are prevalent. A Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS report (2019) indicated that more than 50% of the people surveyed in one of the studies spanning 26 countries expressed unfavorable attitudes towards HIV-positive people. The objective of this study was to assess the attitudes of senior Education Studies students at a university in Spain towards people with HIV/AIDS so as to propose specific educational interventions. The study employed a quantitative methodological approach; a questionnaire with a 14-item attitude score served as the analytical instrument. The study sample comprised 613 students from the School of Education at the University of Huelva, Spain. The results showed that more than 50% of the School’s senior students had discriminatory attitudes towards HIV-positive people, some of whom were fellow classmates. This study proposes several formative approaches to reducing the stigma suffered by HIV-positive people, while also improving senior students’ skills and capabilities in the field of health promotion.
U-IMD: The first Unified European registry for Inherited Metabolic Diseases
Authors: Opladen Thomas , Gleich Florian , Kozich Viktor , Scarpa Maurizio , Martinelli Diego , Schaefer Franz , Jeltsch Kathrin , Palacios Natalia Julia , Cazorla Angels Garcia , Vici Carlo Dionisi , Kölker Stefan
Published: February 2021

Background: Following the broad application of new analytical methods, more and more pathophysiological processes in previously unknown diseases have been elucidated. The spectrum of clinical presentation of rare inherited metabolic diseases (IMDs) is broad and ranges from single organ involvement to multisystemic diseases. With the aim of overcoming the limited knowledge about the natural course, current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, the project has established the first unified patient registry for IMDs that fully meets the requirements of the European Infrastructure for Rare Diseases (ERDRI).
Results : In collaboration with the European Reference Network for Rare Hereditary Metabolic Disorders (MetabERN), the Unified European registry for Inherited Metabolic Diseases (U-IMD) was established to collect patient data as an observational, non-interventional natural history study. Following the recommendations of the ERDRI the U-IMD registry uses common data elements to define the IMDs, report the clinical phenotype, describe the biochemical markers and to capture the drug treatment. Until today, more than 1100 IMD patients have been registered.
Conclusion: The U-IMD registry is the first observational, non-interventional patient registry that encompasses all known IMDs. Full semantic interoperability for other registries has been achieved, as demonstrated by the use of a minimum common core data set for equivalent description of metabolic patients in U-IMD and in the patient registry of the European Rare Kidney Disease Reference Network (ERKNet). In conclusion, the U-IMD registry will contribute to a better understanding of the long-term course of IMDs and improved patients care by understanding the natural disease course and by enabling an optimization of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Rabbit thyroid extracellular matrix as a 3D bioscaffold for thyroid bioengineering: a preliminary in vitro study
Authors: Weng Jie , Chen Bi , Xie Mengying , Wan Xinlong , Peng Wang , Zhou Xiaoming , Zhou Zhiliang , Mei Jin , Wang Liang , Huang Duping , Wang Zhibin , Wang Zhiyi , Chen Chan
Published: February 2021

Background: Advances in regenerative medicine technologies have been strongly proposed in the management of thyroid diseases. Mechanistically, the adoption of thyroid bioengineering requires a scaffold that shares a similar three dimensional (3D) space structure, biomechanical properties, protein component, and cytokines to the native extracellular matrix (ECM).Methods: 24 male New Zealand white rabbits were used in this experimental study. The rabbit thyroid glands were decellularized by immersion/agitation decellularization protocol. The 3D thyroid decellularization scaffolds were tested with histological and immunostaining analyses, scanning electron microscopy, DNA quantification, mechanical properties test, cytokine assay and cytotoxicity assays. Meanwhile, the decellularization scaffold were seeded with human thyroid follicular cells, cell proliferation and thyroid peroxidase were determined to explore the biocompatibility in vitro.Results: Notably, through the imaging studies, it was distinctly evident that our protocol intervention minimized cellular materials and maintained the 3D spatial structure, biomechanical properties, ECM composition, and biologic cytokine. Consequently, the decellularization scaffold was seeded with human thyroid follicular cells, thus strongly revealing its potential in reinforcing cell adhesion, proliferation, and preserve important protein expression.Conclusions: The adoption of our protocol to generate a decellularized thyroid scaffold can potentially be utilized in transplantation to manage thyroid diseases through thyroid bioengineering.
Origin, behaviour, and genetics of reproductive workers in an invasive ant
Authors: Lenancker Pauline , Feldhaar Heike , Holzinger Anja , Greenfield Melinda , Strain Angela , Yeeles Peter , Hoffmann Benjamin D , Tay Wee Tek , Lach Lori
Published: February 2021

Background: Worker reproduction has an important influence on the social cohesion and efficiency of social insect colonies, but its role in the success of invasive ants has been neglected. We used observations of 233 captive colonies, laboratory experiments, and genetic analyses to investigate the conditions for worker reproduction in the invasive Anoplolepis gracilipes (yellow crazy ant) and its potential cost on interspecific defence. We determined the prevalence of worker production of males and whether it is triggered by queen absence; whether physogastric workers with enlarged abdomens are more likely to be reproductive, how normal workers and physogastric workers compare in their contributions to foraging and defence; and whether worker-produced males and males that could have been queen- or worker-produced differ in their size and heterozygosity.Results: Sixty-six of our 233 captive colonies produced males, and in 25 of these, some males could only have been produced by workers. Colonies with more workers were more likely to produce males, especially for queenless colonies. The average number of days between the first appearance of eggs and adult males in our colonies was 54.1± 10.2 (mean ± SD, n=20). In our laboratory experiment, queen removal triggered an increase in the proportion of physogastric workers. Physogastric workers were more likely to have yolky oocytes (37-54.9%) than normal workers (2-25.6%), which is an indicator of fertile or trophic egg production. Physogastric workers were less aggressive during interspecific aggression tests and foraged less than normal workers. The head width and wing length of worker-produced males were on average 4.0% and 4.3% greater respectively than those of males of undetermined source. Our microsatellite DNA analyses indicate that 5.5% of worker-produced males and 14.3% of males of undetermined source were heterozygous, which suggests the presence of diploid males and/or genetic mosaics in A. gracilipes. Conclusions: Our experimental work provides crucial information on worker reproduction in A. gracilipes and its potential cost to colony defence. The ability of A. gracilipes workers to produce males in the absence of queens may also contribute to its success as an invasive species if intranidal mating can take place between virgin queens and worker-produced males.
Just beautiful green herbs: Use of plants in cultural practices in Bukovina and Roztochya, Western Ukraine
Authors: Stryamets Nataliya , Fontefrancesco Michele F. , Mattalia Giulia , Prakofjewa Julia , Pieroni Andrea , Kalle Raivo , Stryamets Galina , Sõukand Renata
Published: February 2021

Background The use of plants in rituals is a little explored corner of biocultural diversity which has developed through time within a complex socio-ecological system. Indeed, rituals are complex interactions between humans and biodiversity shaped by history, culture and ethnic belonging. Yet, in Western Ukraine, such rituals were forbidden for over 50 years (1939-1991). The current revival of rituals by rural inhabitants is an untapped reservoir of local ecological knowledge. The aim of the present study was to identify the ritual use of wild and cultivated plants in two regions of Western Ukraine, Bukovina and Roztochya, and to compare the findings with historical data. Moreover, we analyzed attitudes toward the ritual use of plants and interactions with the local environment. Methods We conducted 31 in-depth semi-structured interviews among Orthodox Hutsuls of Bukovina and 16 interviews among Greek Catholic rural inhabitants of Roztochya during summer 2018 focusing on the ritual uses of plants. Results We documented 26 plant taxa among Bukovinian Hutsuls and 58 plant taxa among inhabitants in Roztochya that were used in 7 religious festivals (of which two were celebrated differently in the two communities). Plants were mainly used in bouquets, but also for decorating churches and houses or in fruit baskets. In both communities, almost 25% of the interviewees could not name the plants they collected for bouquets, but rather referred to “just beautiful green herbs” one can get in meadows, forests and gardens. Comparison with historical data shows a smaller number of taxa currently used (wild taxa have been lost), yet the persistence of 18 taxa used both now and a century ago. Conclusions Contemporary practices concerning the use of plants in Christian rituals in Bukovina and Roztochya can be contextualized in the broader phenomenon of the revitalization of traditional environmental knowledge and practices that have characterized Europe over the past thirty years and in particular Eastern Europe after socialism. The current religious use of plants is to a certain extent the revitalization of historical rituals supported by various internal (knowledge from older generations) and external (church authorities and fashion in the region) drivers. Further research should address changes in regions with longer and more severe prohibition of religious practices and their revival.
An Improved AODV Routing Security Algorithm Based on Blockchain Technology in Ad Hoc Network
Authors: Ran Conglin , Yan Shuailing , Huang Liang , Zhang Lei
Published: February 2021

Ad Hoc network is a special network with centerless and dynamic topology. Due to the free mobility of the nodes, routing security has been a bottleneck problem that plagues its development. Therefore, a multi-path QoS (Quality of Service) routing security algorithm based on blockchain by improving the traditional AODV (Ad hoc On-Demand Distance Vector) protocol (AODV-MQS) is proposed. Firstly, a chain of nodes is established in the network and the states of all nodes by making the intermediate nodes on the chain are saved. Secondly, the smart contract in the blockchain is set to filter out the nodes that meet the QoS constraints. Finally, two largest unrelated communication paths are found in the blockchain network through smart contract, one of which is the main path and the other is the standby path. Simulation experiments show that the performance of the proposed algorithm is better than other algorithms, especially in an unsafe environment.
FastGWA-GLMM: a generalized linear mixed model association tool for biobank-scale data
Authors: Yang Jian , Jiang Longda , Zheng Zhili
Published: February 2021

Compared to linear mixed model-based genome-wide association (GWA) methods, generalized linear mixed model (GLMM)-based methods have better statistical properties when applied to binary traits but are computationally much slower. Here, leveraging efficient sparse matrix-based algorithms, we developed a GLMM-based GWA tool (called fastGWA-GLMM) that is orders of magnitude faster than the state-of-the-art tool (e.g., ~37 times faster when n=400,000) with more scalable memory usage. We show by simulation that the fastGWA-GLMM test-statistics of both common and rare variants are well-calibrated under the null, even for traits with an extreme case-control ratio (e.g., 0.1%). We applied fastGWA-GLMM to the UK Biobank data of 456,348 individuals, 11,842,647 variants and 2,989 binary traits (full summary statistics available at http://fastgwa.info/ukbimpbin) and identified 259 rare variants associated with 75 traits, demonstrating the use of imputed genotype data in a large cohort to discover rare variants for binary complex traits.
Malaria in migrant agricultural workers in western Ethiopia: entomological assessment of malaria transmission risk
Authors: Lemma Sisay Dugassa , Murphy Mathew , Chibsa Sheleme , Tadesse Yehualashet , Yohannes Gedeon , Lorenz Lena M , Solomon Hiwot , Yewhalaw Delenasaw , Irish Seth R.
Published: February 2021

Background Ethiopia has made great strides in malaria control over the last two decades. However, this progress has not been uniform and one concern has been reported high rates of malaria transmission in large agricultural development areas in western Ethiopia. Improved vector control is one way this transmission might be addressed, but little is known about malaria vectors in this part of the country. Methods To better understand the vector species involved in malaria transmission and their behaviour, human landing collections were conducted in Dangur woreda, Benishangul-Gumuz, between July and December 2017. This period encompasses the months with the highest rain and the peak mosquito population. Mosquitoes were identified to species and tested for the presence of Plasmodium sporozoites. Results The predominant species of the Anopheles collected was Anopheles arabiensis (1,733; i.e. 61.3% of the entire Anopheles), which was also the only species identified with sporozoites (Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax). Anopheles arabiensis was collected as early in the evening as 18:00h-19:00h, and host-seeking continued until 5:00h-6:00h. Nearly equal numbers were collected indoors and outdoors. The calculated entomological inoculation rate for An. arabiensis for the study period was 1.41 infectious bites per month. More An. arabiensis were collected inside and outside worker’s shelters than in fields where workers were working at night. Conclusions Anopheles arabiensis is likely to be the primary vector of malaria in the agricultural development areas studied. High rates of human biting took place inside and outdoor near workers’ residential housing. Improved and targeted vector control in this area might considerably reduce malaria transmission.
Endoscopic Vacuum Therapy in Patients with Transmural Defects of the Upper Gastrointestinal Tract: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis
Authors: Jung Da Hyun , Yun Hae-Ryong , Lee Se Joon , Kim Na Won , Huh Cheal Wung
Published: February 2021

A transmural defect of the upper gastrointestinal (UGI) tract is a life-threatening condition associated with high morbidity and mortality. Recently, endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) has shown rather excellent efficacy in managing UGI defects. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to synthesise the available evidence on the efficacy of EVT in patients with transmural defects of the UGI tract. We searched the PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases for publications on the effect of EVT on successful closure, mortality, complications, and post-EVT stricture. Methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale. This meta-analysis included 29 studies involving 498 participants. The pooled estimate rate of EVT for successful closure was 0.85 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.81–0.88). The pooled estimate rate for mortality, complications, and post-EVT stricture was 0.11, 0.10, and 0.14, respectively. According to the aetiology of the transmural defect (perforation vs. leak and fistula), no significant difference was found in successful closure (odds ratio [OR]: 1.45, 95% CI: 0.45–4.67), mortality (OR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.24–2.46), complications (OR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.17–5.15), and post-EVT stricture (OR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.12–4.24). The successful closure rate was significantly higher with EVT than with self-expanding metal stent (SEMS) placement (OR: 3.52, 95% CI: 1.79–6.91). In conclusion, EVT is an effective and safe treatment for treating leaks and fistulae as well as perforations in UGI defects. Moreover, EVT seems to be a better treatment option than SEMS placement in healing UGI defects.
Objective and Subjective Evaluation of Trifocal Diffractive Intraocular Lens after Cataract Extraction with Phacoemulsification: A Prospective Clinical Study
Authors: El-Dein Ahmed A. Zein , Elmassry Ahmed , Hennawi Hazem M. El , Mossallam Ehab F.
Published: February 2021

Background: This study aimed to assess visual outcomes, quality of vision and patients’ satisfaction of a trifocal diffractive intraocular lens after cataract surgery with phacoemulsification.Results: The study included 36 eyes that underwent implantation of trifocal diffractive intraocular lens (IOL). The residual mean postoperative spherical equivalent was –0.40 ± 0.29 diopters. Mean Uncorrected distance visual acuity was 0.80 ± 0.16 decimal (snellen equivalent 25 feet) while mean Uncorrected intermediate visual acuity was 0.82 ± 0.31 decimal (snellen equivalent 25 feet) and mean Uncorrected near visual acuity (UCNVA)was 0.87 ± 0.20 decimal (snellen equivalent 23 feet). In defocus curve, there was infinitesimal gradual change between the three foci. Contrast sensitivity was just below the inferior limit of normal. Conclusion: Trifocal diffractive IOL created a true intermediate focus proved by VA and defocus curve and better quality of vision assessed by contrast sensitivity and high order aberration. Moreover, it was safe and effective for correcting distance and near vision in these patients. Most of the patients were very satisfied and achieved spectacle independence.
Prioritizing Sponge City Sites in Rapidly Urbanizing Watersheds Using Multi-Criteria Decision Model
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyue , Chen Lei , Zhang Meng , Shen Zhenyao
Published: February 2021

Spatial planning is crucial for Sponge City (SC) construction; however, prioritizing SC sites at the watershed scale has not been fully explored. In this study, a multi-criteria decision model, considering demand and suitability of SC construction, was established by monitoring, model simulation and index calculation. This new model was then tested in a rapidly urbanizing watershed, Beijing, China and the priority of SC construction at both grid scale (1km 1km) and subwatershed scale was ranked. The results showed that the highest priority was found in emerging regions where urbanization is ongoing, and followed by urban core areas. In addition, six indexes were identified by clustering heatmaps as key factors affecting the priority of SC planning, including topographic index, water pollution index, pollution rate based on the state standard of surface water environment quality, urbanization planning, urban levels, and vegetation index, which could guide SC planning in data-lacking regions. The approach and findings in this study can not only provide helpful references for watershed managers and urban planners but also can be easily used in other regions.
Multivariate statistical approaches to benthic macroinvertebrates and water quality for farming impact assessment in Selangor River, Malaysia
Authors: Hettige Nadeesha Dilani , Hashim Rohasliney Binti , Ash’aari Zulfa Hanan , Kutty Ahmad Abas , Jamil Nor Rohaizah
Published: February 2021

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Chlorella Vulgaris and Spirulina Platensis Mitigate Lead Acetate-induced Testicular Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis with Regard to Androgen Receptor Expression in Rats
Authors: Ibrahim Ibrahim , Shalaby Abeir , Elaziz Raghda Abd , bahr hoda
Published: February 2021

The current research was constructed to throw the light on the protective possibility of Chlorella vulgaris (C. vulgaris) and Spirulina platensis (S. platensis) versus lead acetate- prompted testicular dysfunction in male rats. Forty rats were classified into four groups; i) control, ii) rats received Lead acetate (30 mg/kg bw), iii) rats were concomitantly received Lead acetate and C. vulgaris (300 mg/Kg bw), vi) rats were simultaneously treated with Lead acetate and S. platensis (300 mg/Kg bw) via oral gavage for 8 weeks. Lead acetate promoted testicular injury as expressed with fall in reproductive organ weights, and gonadosomatic index (GSI). Spermatogenesis disruption is indicated by Sperm cell count reduction, and increased sperm malformation percentage. Steroidogenesis deterioration is evoked by minimized serum testosterone along with maximized follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) levels. Testicular oxidative, inflammatory, and apoptotic cascades are revealed by elevated Acid phosphatase (ACP) and Sorbitol Dehydrogenase (SDH) serum leakage, declined testicular total antioxidative capacity (TAC) with elevated total oxidative capacity (TOC), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), Caspase-3 levels, lessened androgen receptor (AR) expression, and histopathological lesions versus control. Our research highlights that C. vulgaris or S. platensis therapy can modulate lead acetate-promoted testicular dysfunction via antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-apoptotic potentials promoted testicular histoarchitecture, and androgen receptor restoration with better impacts to S. platensis comparing to C. vulgaris.
Assessment of Right Ventricular Reserve Utilizing Exercise Provocation in Systemic Sclerosis
Authors: Mukherjee Monica , Mercurio Valentina , Hsu Steven , Mayer Susan A. , Mathai Stephen C , Hummers Laura K , Kass David A. , Hassoun Paul M. , Wigley Fredrick M , Tedford Ryan J , Shah Ami A
Published: February 2021

PurposeRight ventricular (RV) capacity to adapt to increased afterload is the main determinant of outcome in pulmonary hypertension (PH), a common morbidity seen in systemic sclerosis (SSc). We hypothesized that supine bicycle echocardiography (SBE), coupled with RV longitudinal systolic strain (RVLSS), improves detection of limitations in RV reserve in SSc.Methods56 SSc patients were prospectively studied during SBE with RV functional parameters compared at rest and peak stress. We further dichotomized patients based on resting RV systolic pressure (RVSP) to determine the effects of load on contractile response.ResultsOur pooled cohort analysis revealed reduced global RVLSS at rest (-16.2 ± 3.9%) with normal basal contractility (-25.6 ± 7.7%) and relative hypokinesis of the midventricular (-14.1 ± 6.0%) and apical (-8.9 ± 5.1%) segments. With exercise, global RVLSS increased significantly (p=0.0005), however despite normal basal contractility at rest, there was no further augmentation with exercise. Mid and apical RVLSS increased with exercise suggestive of RV contractile reserve. In patients with resting RVSP < 35 mmHg, global and segmental RVLSS increased with exercise. In patients with resting RVSP ≥ 35 mmHg, global and segmental RVLSS did not increase with exercise and there was evidence of exertional RV dilation.ConclusionExercise provocation in conjunction with RVLSS identified differential regional contractile response to exercise in SSc patients. We further demonstrate the effect of increased loading conditions on RV contractile response exercise. These findings suggest subclinical impairments in RV reserve in SSc that may be missed by resting noninvasive 2DE-based assessments alone.
Advanced Information Technology for Development of Electric Power Market
Authors: Afanasyev Valentin , Chernyshenko Vsevolod , Kuzmin Vitaly , Voronin Viacheslav , Mkrttchian Vardan
Published: February 2021

Features of the electric power market functioning, in comparison with common proper- ties of modern markets, are considered. It is shown that continuous reforms, which take place in many countries, are far from reaching effective solution. Sectoral peculiarities, connected with both technological complexity of the field and economic specificity of the market participants, form very special model of the market. The main way to increase effectivity of the market, to make it more competitive and, in the same time, socially responsible, is to use widely and deeply the modern information technologies, including technologies of artificial intelligence. A scheme of using the modern technologies has been proposed in the article. The first set of technologies merges methods of collection, storage, processing and presentation of information. The collection of market data can be realized. Particularly, by so-called “intellectual avatars”, which operate in the market as virtual agents. A reliable distributed storage of data, based on blockchain technology, is chosen. The big data technologies of data structuring, storage and processing are involved. Datamining methods include effective presentation of results in forms of graphs and diagrams. The second set of technologies includes core mathematical mod- els and “digital twins”. They are aimed for data interpolation and extrapolation; in particular, for prediction of further system dynamics. The used neural networks have option of self-learning and self-development. At last, the third set is a set of user interfaces, which provides market actors by complete and adopted information and is organized in accordance with ideas of ergonomics.
Prevalence of Occult Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Beta-Thalassemia Major Patients in Ahvaz, Iran
Authors: Nasimzadeh sepideh , azaran azarakhsh , Jalilian shahram , Makvandi Manoochehr , Seyedian Seyed Saeid , keikhaei Bijan , mehr fateme Jahangiri
Published: February 2021

Background: Occult hepatitis C virus infection (OCI) is defined by the presence of HCV RNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and liver tissue cells despite the absence of HCV RNA in plasma. Currently, OCI is classified into two types: seropositive OCI (anti-HCV positive and serum HCV-RNA negative) and seronegative OCI (anti-HCV and serum HCV-RNA negative). Beta-Thalassemia is described as a blood disorder, which decreases the synthesis of hemoglobin. Repeated blood transfusion is the standard treatment for patients with beta-thalassemia major (BTM) that increases the risk of exposure to infectious agents. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of OCI among BTM patients.Materials and Methods: plasma and PBMCs were collected from 90 BTM patients and screened for HCV antibody using the ELISA kit commercially as the first step. Then nested-RT PCR was performed on extractions of plasma and PBMC. Positive samples of HCV RNA from PBMCs were sequenced and aligned to construct the HCV phylogenetic tree to assess the homology of sequences compared to the reference sequences retrieved from GenBank.Results: Seventy-nine out of 90 cases (87.8%) indicated negative results for HCV Ab (seronegative), while 11 patients (12.2%) were seropositive. HCV RNA was found in PBMCs samples of four patients (66.66%) with negative HCV Ab (seronegative) and two patients (33.3%) with positive HCV Ab (seropositive). HCV RNA was not detected in plasma samples of these six patients. Overall six out of 90 patients (6.7%) had OCI. HCV genotyping revealed that all six patients infected with HCV subtype 3a.Conclusion: We indicated the high frequency of OCI in BTM patients. Nevertheless, more attention is warranted, considering the importance of this infection. Also, further studies are necessary to determine the actual prevalence of OCI among BTM patients in Iran.
Deep Factor Analysis for Weather Varied Sense-through-foliage Target Detection
Authors: Xue Wenling , Jiang Ting , Sun Xuebin , Zheng Xiaokun , Ding Xue
Published: February 2021

In this paper, the influence of seasonal variation on target detection accuracy and the effectiveness of deep factor analysis(DFA) in signal denoising are studied. To extensively verify the universality of the DFA_based approach, a variety of target objects, including no target, human, wood board and iron cabinet targets, are measured in foliage environment under four different weather conditions. Then, after removing background noise from the collected data, deep factor analysis is carried out to reduce the impact of noise. The experimental results show that the influence of weather variation on target detection can be effectively eliminated by DFA_based algorithm, which can improve the average classification accuracy in all seasons. Finally, by means of cross validation, the effectiveness of DFA_based algorithm on signal denoising and the influence on target detection accuracy are further studied. The method is stable and universal in any weather conditions, even in foggy and snowy days, which can be stable at about 93%.
Single domain antibody-antigen adducts that target Class II MHC induce antigen-specific tolerance
Authors: Pishesha Novalia , Harmand Thibault , Smeding Liyan , Ma Weiyi , Ludwig Leif , Janssen Robine , Islam Ashraful , Xie Yushu , Fang Tao , McCaul Nicholas , Pinney William , Sugito Harun , Ploegh Hidde
Published: February 2021

The association of autoimmune diseases with particular allelic variants of Class II MHC (MHCII) products implicates presentation of the offending self-antigen(s) to T cells. Antigen presenting cells are tolerogenic when they encounter antigen under non-inflammatory conditions. Manipulation of antigen presentation would therefore be a possible intervention to induce antigen-specific tolerance. We show that, under non-inflammatory conditions, systemic administration of a single dose of a nanobody that recognizes MHCII (VHH MHCII) conjugated to the relevant self-antigen affords long-lasting protection against induction of experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE), type 1 diabetes (T1D), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Co-administration of the VHH MHCII-antigen adduct together with dexamethasone, conjugated to VHH MHCII via a cleavable linker, not only halted progression of established EAE in symptomatic mice but even reverted the severity of EAE, establishing this approach as a potential means of treating autoimmune conditions.
A Turbulent Heliosheath Driven by Rayleigh Taylor Instability
Authors: Opher Merav , Drake James , Zank Gary , Toth Gabor , Powell Erick , Shelley Warren , Kornbleuth Marc , Florinski Vladimir , Izmodenov Vladislav , Giacalone Joe , Fuselier Stephen , Dialynas Konstantinos , Loeb Abraham , Richardson John
Published: February 2021

The heliosphere is the bubble formed by the solar wind as it interacts with the interstellar medium (ISM). Studies show that the solar magnetic field funnels the heliosheath solar wind (the shocked solar wind at the edge of the heliosphere) into two jet-like structures1-2. Magnetohydrodynamic simulations show that these heliospheric jets become unstable as they move down the heliotail1,3 and drive large-scale turbulence. However, the mechanism that produces of this turbulence had not been identified. Here we show that the driver of the turbulence is the Rayleigh-Taylor (RT) instability caused by the interaction of neutral H atoms streaming from the ISM with the ionized matter in the heliosheath (HS). The drag between the neutral and ionized matter acts as an effective gravity which causes a RT instability to develop along the axis of the HS magnetic field. A density gradient exists perpendicular to this axis due to the confinement of the solar wind by the solar magnetic field. The characteristic time scale of the instability depends on the neutral H density in the ISM and for typical values the growth rate is ~ 3 years. The instability destroys the coherence of the heliospheric jets and magnetic reconnection ensues, allowing ISM material to penetrate the heliospheric tail. Signatures of this instability should be observable in Energetic Neutral Atom (ENA) maps from future missions such as IMAP4. The turbulence driven by the instability is macroscopic and potentially has important implications for particle acceleration.
J’accuse: difference between the two Covid-19 episodes in Italy, what is the cause?
Authors: Cornelli Umberto , Belcaro Giovanni , Rosaria Cesarone Maria , Martino Recchia , Roberto Cotellese
Published: February 2021

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic appears to have struck Italy in two waves.Objective: To analyse the differences between the first (W1) and the second wave (W2).Methods: Our analysis was based on weekly data retrieved from the Official Bulletin of the Italian Civil Protection Department from 1 March 2020 to 21 January 2021.Results: W1 lasted about 23 weeks, from March to 15 August 2020. W2 started on 16 August and was still underway on 21 January 2021.W2 is much more severe than W1 in terms of positive cases and deaths, and its decay is much slower.We have identified at least six different causes of these differences: the colder season, the impact of seasonalinfluenza, viral mutation, the lack of a plan to tackle viral resurgence, poor care of elderly people, and lack of oralhygiene as an important preventive measure. Moreover, in an attempt to give the best possible informationthrough the media, the experts have instead caused feelings of uncertainty and fear.Conclusions: There are several reasons for the differences between W1 and W2: the start of the colder seasonduring W2, poor care of elderly people, the delay in providing seasonal influenza vaccination, the lack of anational plan against COVID-19 resurgence, confusion over the lockdown measures, lack of information aboutoral hygiene, and confusing information given through the media.
Prevalence and Factors Associated with Ocular Morbidity among Prisoners of Luzira Prison (Uganda): Across-Sectional Based Study.
Authors: zalwango charity , Ayebare Pauline , Mwanja Pius , Erima Denis , Kasadhakawo Moses , Mugerwa Micheal , Ampaire Anne
Published: February 2021

Background: Globally, ocular morbidity has emerged as a major public concern with over 284 million people visually impaired. Prisoners(inmates) tend to have limited access to health care especially eye health and as a result some conditions may go undiagnosed or mismanaged. With the increasing prison population in Uganda and in the face of limited facilities, little is known about the prevalence and factors associated with ocular morbidity amongst prisoners(inmates) of Luzira prison.Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted on inmates of Luzira prison. The study included both male (334) and female (33) prisoners(inmates) using the Proportionate Stratified Random Sampling. Data on social demographic characteristics, medical, imprisonment factors and ocular assessment was collected using a questionnaire. All complete data was entered using an Epidata version 3.1 entry template. Logistic regression was used to determine associated factors. Results: Overall, a total of 367 inmates were examined consisting of 334 (91%) males and 33(8.9%) females. The male to female ratio was 10:1. The ages ranged from 18-76 years with mean age of 39 years (SD + 13.4). The overall ocular morbidity was found to be 49 percent. The most common ocular morbidity included; Presbyopia (27.4%), Allergic conjunctivitis (19.6%), Cataracts (11.4%). Other disorders included Refractive errors, Pterygia, Optic atrophy and Vitamin A deficiency. There was a statistically significant relationship between ocular morbidity and Age (OR 11.96, P-value=0.001), Trauma (OR 5.21, P-value 0.009), Non prison food (OR 0.45, P-value=0.006).Conclusion: The prevalence of ocular morbidity among inmates was found to be high. Ocular morbidity was significantly associated with age, trauma and having meals besides prison food. A fully functional eye unit established within the prison with essential drugs and timely referral of complicated cases would help in offering quality eye services to the inmates.
Research on Cutting Performance in High-speed Milling of TC11 Titanium Alloy Using Self-propelled Rotary Milling Cutters
Authors: Lu Yujiang , Chen Tao
Published: February 2021

Titanium alloy materials, with excellent chemical and physical properties, are widely applied to the manufacture of key components in the aerospace industry. Nevertheless, its hard-to-machine characteristic causes various problems in the machining process, such as severe tool wear, difficulty to ensure good surface quality, etc. To achieve high efficiency and quality of machining titanium alloy materials, this paper conducted an experimental research on the high-speed milling of TC11 titanium alloy with self-propelled rotary milling cutters. In the work, the wear mechanism of self-propelled rotary milling cutters was explored, the influence of milling velocity was analyzed on the cutting process, and the variation laws were obtained of milling forces, chip morphology and machined surface quality with the milling length. The results showed that in the early and middle stages of milling, the insert coating peeled off evenly under the joint action of abrasive and adhesive wear mechanisms. As the milling length increased, the dense notches occurred on the cutting edge of the cutter, the wear mechanism converted gradually into fatigue wear, and furthermore coating started peeling off the cutting edge with the occurrence of thermal fatigue cracks on the insert. As the milling length was further extended, the milling forces tended to intensify, the chip deformation worsened, and the obvious cracks occurred at the bottom of chips. Moreover, the rise in milling velocity reduced the tool wear resistance, increased obviously the milling forces and the surface roughness.
Metagenomic profiling of gut microbiota in urban and rural rats: A comparative study
Authors: GURBANOV Rafig , KABAOĞLU Uygar , YAĞCI Tuba
Published: February 2021

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
A Human 3D neural assembloid model for SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Gleeson Joseph , Wang Lu , Sievert David , Clark Alex , Federman Hannah , Gastfriend Benjamin , Shusta Eric V , Palecek Sean P , Carlin Aaron
Published: February 2021

Clinical evidence suggests the central nervous system (CNS) is frequently impacted by SARS-CoV-2 infection, either directly or indirectly, although mechanisms remain unclear. Pericytes are perivascular cells within the brain that are proposed as SARS-CoV-2 infection points1. Here we show that pericyte-like cells (PLCs), when integrated into a cortical organoid, are capable of infection with authentic SARS-CoV-2. Prior to infection, PLCs elicited astrocytic maturation and production of basement membrane components, features attributed to pericyte functions in vivo. While traditional cortical organoids showed little evidence of infection, PLCs within cortical organoids served as viral ‘replication hubs’, with virus spreading to astrocytes and mediating inflammatory type I interferon transcriptional responses. Therefore, PLC-containing cortical organoids (PCCOs) represent a new ‘assembloid’ model2 that supports SARS-CoV-2 entry and replication in neural tissue, and PCCOs serve as an experimental model for neural infection.
Multidrug-resistant bacteria isolated from surgical site of dogs, surgeon's hands and operating room in a veterinary teaching hospital in Brazil
Authors: de Menezes Mareliza Possa , Borzi Mariana , Ruaro Mayara , Cardozo Marita , Ávila Fernando , Rabelo Rodrigo , Moraes Paola
Published: February 2021

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profile of Gram-positive cocci and Gram-negative bacilli isolated from the surgical environment. All samples were collected during the intraoperative period of clean/clean-contaminated (G1) and contaminated (G2) surgery. A total of 150 samples were collected from the surgical wound in the beginning (n = 30) and end (n = 30) of the procedure, surgeon’s hands before (n = 30) and after (n = 30) antisepsis and the surgical environment (n = 30). Forty-three isolates with morphological and biochemical characteristics of Staphylococcus spp. and 13 of Gram-negative bacilli were obtained. Coagulase-negative staphylococci (85.71% [18/21]), coagulase-positive staphylococci (9.52% [2/21]) and Pseudomonas spp. (47.52% [1/21]) in G1, and coagulase-negative staphylococci (40% [14/35]), coagulase-positive staphylococci (20% [7/35]), Proteus spp. (17.14% [6/35]), E. coli (8.57% [3/35]), Pseudomonas spp. (2.86% [1/35]) and Salmonella spp. (2.86 [1/35]) in G2 were more frequently isolated, and a high incidence of multidrug resistance was observed in coagulase-negative staphylococci (87.5% [28/32]), coagulase-positive staphylococci (100% [11/11]) and Gram-negative bacilli (76.92% [10/13]). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus spp. accounted for 83.72% (36/43) of the Staphylococcus strains. Gram-negative bacilli cefotaxime-resistance constituted 81.82% (9/11) and imipenem resistance constituted 53.85% (7/13). The high rate of resistance of commensal bacteria found in our study is worrying. Coagulase-negative staphylococci are community pathogens related to nosocomial infections in human and veterinary hospitals, their presence in healthy patients and in veterinary professionals represent an important source of infection in the one health context. Continuous surveillance and application of antimicrobial stewardship programs are essential in the fight against this threat.