bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Freeze‐Thaw Cycles on Mechanical Response of Levee Pavement
Authors: Guo Shuan , Lu Zheng , Liu Guokun , Zhuang Baoli , Fan Yongfeng , Zheng Zuen
Published: January 2021

The freeze‐thaw cycles cause deterioration in mechanical properties of levee soil and further endanger the pavement structure on the embankment. This study attempts to comprehensively understand the mechanical response of pavement after freeze‐thaw cycles. In this paper, the freeze‐thaw cycles test under an open system was carried out, and then the triaxial compression test was conducted. Based on the test results, the effects of freeze‐thaw cycles, temperature range, initial dry density, and initial moisture content of embankment soil on the mechanical response of road structure after freeze‐thaw were calculated and analyzed. Finally, the stability of the slope of the levee was evaluated. The results show that the number of freeze‐thaw cycles has the most significant impact on the mechanical response of pavement, the stress and strain of the structural layers vary in different ranges, and the pavement deflection increases by 5 times after 7 freeze‐thaw cycles. However, the initial dry density and initial moisture content of the soil have little influence on the pavement structure, and the temperature range will exert an influence when it exceeds a certain threshold.
Local or Neighborhood? Examining the Relationship between Traffic Accidents and Land Use Using a Gradient Boosting Machine Learning Method: The Case of Suzhou Industrial Park, China
Authors: Yang Yueming , Chung Hyungchul , Kim Joon Sik
Published: January 2021

In cities, road traffic accidents are critical endangerment to people’s safety. A vast number of studies which are designed to understand these accidents’ leading causes and mechanisms exist. The widely held view is that emerging analysis methods can be a critical tool for understanding the complex interactions between land use and urban transportation. Using a case study of Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP) in Suzhou, China, this paper examines the relationship between different land use types and traffic accidents using a gradient boosting model (GBM) machine learning method. The results show that the GBM can be used as an effective accident model for a variety of research and analysis methods by (1) ranking the influential factors, (2) testing the degree of interpretation of each variable as the complexity of iterations changes, and (3) obtaining partial dependence plots, among other methods. The findings of this study also suggest that land use types—including facility points—demonstrate differing degrees of influence at two geographical scales: local level and neighborhood level. In the ranking of relative importance at both scales, the variables of education institutions, traffic lights, and service institutions are all ranked high—with a more significant influence on the occurrence of accidents. However, residential land and land use mix variables differed significantly in both scales and showed a significant deviation compared to the other results. When adjusting the complexity of the decision tree, the local level is more suitable for measuring variables such as residential areas and green parks where pedestrians and vehicles have fixed mobility periods and moderate flows. On the contrary, the nearest neighborhood level is more suitable to a small number of variables related to public service facilities at fixed locations, such as traffic lights and bus stops. In the partial dependence plots, all variables, except educational institutions and residences, show a positive correlation for accidents in the fitting process. The results of this study can ideally help inform transportation planners to reconsider transport accident occurrence rates in the context of the proximity to various land use types and public service facilities.
Estimation of Driver Lane Change Intention Based on the LSTM and Dempster–Shafer Evidence Theory
Authors: Liu Zhi-Qiang , Peng Man-Cai , Sun Yue-Chen
Published: January 2021

Rapid and correct estimation of driver lane change intention plays an important role in the advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), which could make the driver improve the reliability of the ADAS system and help to decrease driver workload. In this study, a method based on the long short-term memory network (LSTM) and Dempster–Shafer evidence theory is proposed. The model consists of a preliminary decision-making label and a final decision-making label. Driver visual information, head orientation, and vehicle dynamics are collected by preliminary decision-making label. Then, LSTM is used to calculate the initial probability of the driver lane change (left, right, and lane keeping) maneuver intention. The outputs of LSTM are normalized and assigned a basic probability by the Dempster–Shafer evidence theory. The final decision-making label analyzes the information and outputs the probability of each lane change intention and the decision is to identify the driver's current intention. The experimental results show that the accuracy of the model is 90.7% for the intention of changing left and 89.1% for the intention of changing right. The outcome of this work is an essential component for all levels of road vehicle automation.
Biomarker Discovery in Patients with Immunotherapy-Treated Melanoma with Imaging Mass Cytometry
Authors: Martinez-Morilla Sandra , Villarroel-Espindola Franz , Wong Pok Fai , Toki Maria I. , Aung Thazin Nwe , Pelekanou Vasiliki , Bourke-Martin Brian , Schalper Kurt A. , Kluger Harriet M. , Rimm David L.
Published: January 2021

Purpose:

Imaging mass cytometry (IMC) is among the first tools with the capacity for multiplex analysis of more than 40 targets, which provides a novel approach to biomarker discovery. Here, we used IMC to characterize the tumor microenvironment of patients with metastatic melanoma who received immunotherapy in efforts to find indicative factors of treatment response. In spite of the new power of IMC, the image analysis aspects are still limited by the challenges of cell segmentation.

Experimental Design:

Here, rather than segment, we performed image analysis using a newly designed version of the AQUA software to measure marker intensity in molecularly defined compartments: tumor cells, stroma, T cells, B cells, and macrophages. IMC data were compared with quantitative immunofluorescence (QIF) and digital spatial profiling.

Results:

Validation of IMC results for immune markers was confirmed by regression with additional multiplexing methods and outcome assessment. Multivariable analyses by each compartment revealed significant associations of 12 markers for progression-free survival and seven markers for overall survival (OS). The most compelling indicative biomarker, beta2-microglobulin (B2M), was confirmed by correlation with OS by QIF in the discovery cohort and validated in an independent published cohort profiled by mRNA expression.

Conclusions:

Using digital image analysis based on pixel colocalization to assess IMC data allowed us to quantitively measure 25 markers simultaneously on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue microarray samples. In addition to showing high concordance with other multiplexing technologies, we identified a series of potentially indicative biomarkers for immunotherapy in metastatic melanoma, including B2M.
Development and Multiple Validation of the Protein Multi-marker Panel for Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Kim Yoseop , Yeo Injoon , Huh Iksoo , Kim Jaenyeon , Han Dohyun , Jang Jin-Young , Kim Youngsoo
Published: January 2021

Purpose:

To develop and validate a protein-based, multi-marker panel that provides superior pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) detection abilities with sufficient diagnostic performance.

Experimental Design:

A total of 959 plasma samples from patients at multiple medical centers were used. To construct an optimal, diagnostic, multi-marker panel, we applied data preprocessing procedure to biomarker candidates. The multi-marker panel was developed using a training set comprised of 261 PDAC cases and 290 controls. Subsequent evaluations were performed in a validation set comprised of 65 PDAC cases and 72 controls. Further validation was performed in an independent set comprised of 75 PDAC cases and 47 controls.

Results:

A multi-marker panel containing 14 proteins was developed. The multi-marker panel achieved AUCs of 0.977 and 0.953 for the training set and validation set, respectively. In an independent validation set, the multi-marker panel yielded an AUC of 0.928. The diagnostic performance of the multi-marker panel showed significant improvements compared with carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 alone (training set AUC = 0.977 vs. 0.872, P < 0.001; validation set AUC = 0.953 vs. 0.832, P < 0.01; independent validation set AUC = 0.928 vs. 0.771, P < 0.001). When the multi-marker panel and CA 19-9 were combined, the diagnostic performance of the combined panel was improved for all sets.

Conclusions:

This multi-marker panel and the combined panel showed statistically significant improvements in diagnostic performance compared with CA 19-9 alone and has the potential to complement CA 19-9 as a diagnostic marker in clinical practice.
Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy Combined with Atezolizumab for Resectable Esophageal Adenocarcinoma: A Single-arm Phase II Feasibility Trial (PERFECT)
Authors: van den Ende Tom , de Clercq Nicolien C. , van Berge Henegouwen Mark I. , Gisbertz Suzanne S. , Geijsen E.D. , Verhoeven R.H.A. , Meijer Sybren L. , Schokker Sandor , Dings M.P.G. , Bergman Jacques J.G.H.M. , Haj Mohammad Nadia , Ruurda Jelle P. , van Hillegersberg Richard , Mook Stella , Nieuwdorp Max , de Gruijl Tanja D. , Soeratram Tanya T.D. , Ylstra Bauke , van Grieken Nicole C.T. , Bijlsma Maarten F. , Hulshof Maarten C.C.M. , van Laarhoven H.W.M.
Published: January 2021

Purpose:

The CROSS trial established neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) for patients with resectable esophageal adenocarcinoma (rEAC). In the PERFECT trial, we investigated the feasibility and efficacy of nCRT combined with programmed-death ligand-1 (PD-L1) inhibition for rEAC.

Patients and Methods:

Patients with rEAC received nCRT according to the CROSS regimen combined with five cycles of atezolizumab (1,200 mg). The primary endpoint was the feasibility of administering five cycles of atezolizumab in ≥75% patients. A propensity score–matched nCRT cohort was used to compare pathologic response, overall survival, and progression-free survival. Exploratory biomarker analysis was performed on repeated tumor biopsies.

Results:

We enrolled 40 patients of whom 85% received all cycles of atezolizumab. Immune-related adverse events of any grade were observed in 6 patients. In total, 83% proceeded to surgery. Reasons for not undergoing surgery were progression (n = 4), patient choice (n = 2), and death (n = 1). The pathologic complete response rate was 25% (10/40). No statistically significant difference in response or survival was found between the PERFECT and the nCRT cohort. Baseline expression of an established IFNγ signature was higher in responders compared with nonresponders (P = 0.043). On-treatment nonresponders showed either a high number of cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTL) with a transcriptional signature consistent with expression of immune checkpoints, or a low number of CTLs.

Conclusions:

Combining nCRT with atezolizumab is feasible in patients with rEAC. On the basis of our exploratory biomarker study, future studies are necessary to elucidate the potential of neoadjuvant immunotherapy in patient subgroups.

See related commentary by Catenacci, p. 3269
Home Dialysis: A Majority Chooses It, a Minority Gets It
Authors: El Shamy Osama , Muller Tamara , Tokita Joji , Cummings Yvette , Sharma Shuchita , Uribarri Jaime
Published: January 2021

Introduction: When choosing a modality for outpatient renal replacement therapy, patients and medical providers have 3 options to choose from in-center hemodialysis (HD), home HD (HHD), and peritoneal dialysis (PD). In 2017, just over 10% of incident ESKD patients were on a home dialysis modality. We set out to determine outcomes of dialysis modality education in both pre-dialysis and dialysis patients. Moreover, we examined barriers that preclude patients from choosing home dialysis. Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective study looking at patients who were referred to the CKD educator for dialysis modality education between January 1, 2019, and March 31, 2020. Patient demographics, preferred language of communication, stage of renal disease, and reasons for patients’ refusal to undertake a home dialysis modality were recorded. Patients’ average household income and driving distance to our home dialysis unit were calculated using their home zip code. Results: 167 patients were referred for CKD education. Mean age was 60 years, and 59% male, 42% African American, 22% White, 7% Asian, and 28% were Hispanic or Latino. Only 23% of the total cohort chose in-center HD, while 74% chose a home dialysis modality (59% PD and 15% HHD), and the remaining patients remained undecided. 56% of in-center HD patients chose a home dialysis modality. The most commonly cited barriers to home dialysis were lack of a care partner, lack of home space, and patient preference. Limitations: Over 90% of our patients reside in NY City where home space is limited. We require in our home HD program that patients have a trained care partner present during their treatments. We cannot assume that all CKD stage-4 patients or higher were either referred for CKD education or followed through on the referral. Conclusions: A large discrepancy between informed patients’ choices and the reality of the current dialysis landscape. Absence of a care partner, lack of home space, and patients not deemed appropriate surgical candidates were the main driving forces in their not opting for a home modality.
Surgical Management of Idiopathic Perianal Fistulas: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Cheung Xinyi Cherry , Fahey Tom , Rogers Ailin C. , Pemberton John Hogeland , Kavanagh Dara Oliver
Published: January 2021

Background: Perianal fistula is a common colorectal condition with an incidence of 9 per 100,000. Many surgical treatments exist, all aiming to eliminate symptoms with minimal risk of recurrence and impact upon continence. Despite extensive evaluation of the therapeutic modalities, no clear consensus exists as to what is the gold standard approach. This systematic review aimed to examine all available evidence pertaining to the surgical management of perianal fistulas. Primary outcomes examined were recurrence and incontinence. Summary: This study was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Primary outcomes were analyzed for each group and expressed as pooled odds ratio with confidence intervals of 95%. 687 studies were identified from which 28 relevant studies were included. There was no significant difference in rates of incontinence identified between various surgical approaches. Glues and plugs show higher recurrence rates. Newer treatments continue to emerge with promise but lack supporting evidence of benefit over conventional therapies. Key Messages: While we await more robust randomized data, we will continue to proceed cautiously trying to offset the benefits of fistula healing against the inherent risk of altered continence.
Malignant Struma Ovarii with Concurrent Thyroid Cancer: Outcomes during and after Pregnancy
Authors: Donato Sara , Simões Helder , Leite Valeriano
Published: January 2021

Introduction: Struma ovarii (SO) is a rare ovarian teratoma characterized by the presence of thyroid tissue in more than 50% of the tumor. Malignant transformation is rare and the most common associated malignancy is papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Pregnancy may represent a stimulus to differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) growth in patients with known structural or biochemical evidence of disease, but data about malignant SO evolution during pregnancy are rare. We present the first reported case of a pregnant patient with malignant SO and biochemical evidence of disease. Case Presentation: A previously healthy 35-year-old female diagnosed with a suspicious left pelvic mass on routine ultrasound was submitted to laparoscopic oophorectomy which revealed a malignant SO with areas of PTC. A 15-mm thyroid nodule (Bethesda V in the fine-needle aspiration cytology) was detected by palpation and total thyroidectomy was performed. Histology revealed a 15 mm follicular variant of PTC (T1bNxMx). Subsequently, she received 100 mCi of radioactive iodine therapy (RAIT) with the whole-body scan showing only moderate neck uptake. Her suppressed thyroglobulin (Tg) before RAI was 1.1 ng/mL. She maintained biochemical evidence of disease, with serum Tg levels of 7.6 ng/mL. She got pregnant 14 months after RAIT, and during pregnancy, Tg increased to 21.5 ng/mL. After delivery, Tg decreased to 14 ng/mL but, 6 months later, rose again and reached 31.9 ng/mL on the last follow-up visit. TSH was always suppressed during follow-up. At the time of SO diagnosis, a chest computed tomography scan showed 4 bilateral lung micronodules in the upper lobes which were nonspecific, and 9 months after diagnosis, a pelvic MRI revealed a suspicious cystic nodule located on the oophorectomy bed. These lung and pelvic nodules remained stable during follow-up. Neck ultrasonography, abdominal MRI, and fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography showed no suspicious lesions. Discussion/Conclusion: As for DTC, pregnancy seems to represent a stimulus to malignant SO growth. This can be caused by the high levels of estrogen during pregnancy that may bind to receptors in malignant cells and/or by the high levels of hCG which is known to stimulate TSH receptors.
The Effect of Exercise and Psychological Stress on Anti- and Proinflammatory Cytokines
Authors: Hasanli Sara , Hojjati Sarah , Koushkie Jahromi Maryam
Published: January 2021

Background/Aims: Research evidence regarding immune system responses and adaptations to psychological or physical stresses is controversial. This study aimed to investigate the effect of 8-week psychological stress and exercise activity (chronic adaptation) and the acute response of possibly adapted rats to psychological stress and exercise considering IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-4/IFN-γ. Methods: Thirty-two rats were divided into 4 groups of 8 animals including control, exercise, psychological stress, and combination of exercise with psychological stress. IL-4 and IFN-γ cytokines were measured pre-experiment (preEX), immediately postexercise (IpostEX), and 72-h postexperiment protocol (72hpostEX). Results: There were no significant differences between the study groups regarding IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-4/IFN-γ in preEX (p > 0.05), IpostEX (p > 0.05), and 72hpostEX (p > 0.05). However, IL-4 increased significantly in IpostEX compared with preEX in exercise (p = 0.012) and combination of exercise with psychological stress (p = 0.03) groups. Conclusions: Exercise and combination of exercise and psychological stress induce similar acute response to IL-4 in chronic trained and stressed rats. Also, exercise may induce an acute synergistic effect with psychological stress on IL-4.
Immunological Profile and Autoimmunity in Turner Syndrome
Authors: Kanakatti Shankar Roopa
Published: January 2021

Turner syndrome (TS), characterized by the partial or complete absence of an X-chromosome, provides a unique insight into the role of the X-chromosome and the immune system. While women have a 10-fold higher incidence of autoimmune disease (AD) compared with men, the risk in women with TS is thought to be further doubled. TS is associated with a propensity for a wide variety of ADs that increase in incidence across the life span. Isochromosome Xq as well as isolated Xp deletion karyotypes may predispose to higher rates of AD in TS suggesting the impact of X-chromosome gene dosage. It is likely, however, that epigenetic changes across the genome and the hormonal milieu may also have a profound impact on the immune profile in TS. This review explores the immune phenotype and the spectrum of ADs in TS. Genotype-phenotype correlations are presented with a brief overview of the genetic and hormonal underpinnings.
“To Be, or Not to Be” a Nephrologist: Students’ Dilemma and a Strategy for the Field
Authors: Moura-Neto José A.
Published: January 2021

The attractiveness of a career in nephrology has diminished over the past decades, leading to global concerns about the future of the specialty’s workforce. The reasons physicians choose (and do not choose) a career in the field must be identified in order to boost recruitment of new nephrologists. In this article, a multilevel strategy is proposed to deal with the declining interest in the specialty: (1) increasing contact and providing early exposure to nephrology; (2) promoting mentoring and role models in medical schools; (3) improving the experience of trainees and medical students; (4) incorporating procedural skills and combined fellowship training with critical care in nephrology; (5) facilitating exchanges between trainees and young and senior nephrologists; (6) adopting an active approach to identify reasons for dissatisfaction, reduce burnout, and encourage a suitable work-life balance among nephrologists; (7) increasing remuneration; and (8) incentivizing advances in the field. Finally, a positive perspective for nephrology is presented to the next generation.
Judicialização da saúde: uma análise do fenômeno e suas consequências para a sociedade brasileira
Authors: Silva Ana Carolina de Almeida , Nicoletti Maria Aparecida
Published: January 2021

Embora o Sistema Único de Saúde tenha avançado desde sua criação, ainda há falhas no fornecimento de medicamentos e serviços. Com isso, cidadãos têm utilizado o sistema judiciário para aquisição de bens de saúde, prática conhecida como judicialização da saúde, que teve um crescimento abrupto nos últimos anos. Diante disso, o trabalho tem como objetivo analisar as ações judiciais que requerem bens de saúde ao SUS para proporcionar melhor compreensão dos efeitos da naturalização da judicialização da saúde. Foram realizadas uma revisão bibliográfica e análise de 100 processos judiciais do portal eletrônico do Tribunal de Justiça do Estado de São Paulo. Os resultados indicaram que, em 2010, o gasto do governo federal com a judicialização da saúde foi de R$ 120 milhões. Já em 2016, esse gasto foi de cerca de R$ 1,6 bilhão, com 1.346.931 processos movidos no Brasil. A análise descritiva realizada demonstrou que, no mesmo ano, 22,1% das ações judiciais selecionadas solicitaram medicamentos padronizados pelo SUS e, em relação às demais solicitações, 82,8% possuíam alternativa terapêutica disponível na rede pública. Os valores apresentados demonstram a desestabilização do planejamento orçamentário para a área da saúde gerada pela judicialização. É necessário buscar estratégias de garantia do direito à saúde e ampliar o conhecimento das listas disponibilizadas pela rede pública para médicos e juízes. Dessa forma, a judicialização da saúde permanecerá viável para a garantia dos direitos em casos não contemplados pelo sistema de saúde, sem prejuízo ao planejamento orçamentário e acesso universal ao Sistema Único de Saúde.
Direito, justiça e judicialização em saúde bucal
Authors: Laperriere Adriana Maria Neves , Travassos Denise Vieira , Moura Rosa Núbia Vieira de , Ferreira Efigênia Fereira e
Published: January 2021

O direito à saúde é um direito social respaldado em nossa Constituição, imprescindível ao bem-estar e à dignidade do ser humano. O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar as solicitações de tratamentos odontológicos no Sistema Único de Saúde do Estado de Minas Gerais levadas ao Poder Judiciário, para conhecer suas características e as argumentações jurídicas, de princípios e biológicas, utilizadas pelos desembargadores na elaboração dos votos. Foram pesquisados no site do Tribunal de Justiça de Minas Gerais os acórdãos proferidos no período de 2006 a 2016, resultando 27 acórdãos adequados ao estudo. Os resultados denotam que as ações foram postuladas individualmente, com 93% de êxito em favor dos usuários, sendo que foram apresentados laudos ou requisições em 88% das ações. As principais queixas que originaram as solicitações por tratamento odontológico foram agrupadas em cinco grupos. O tratamento odontológico mais solicitado foi cirurgia para colocação de implantes (sete acórdãos), seguido por aparelho ortodôntico (cinco acórdãos). A fundamentação jurídica foi embasada na Constituição, sendo que o artigo 196 foi o mais citado, constando em 25 dos 27 acórdãos. Na fundamentação baseada na argumentação de princípio, o direito à saúde foi o mais utilizado (20 acórdãos), fortalecendo esse direito social, seguido do princípio da dignidade da pessoa humana (12 acórdãos), do princípio da reserva do possível (10 acórdãos) e do direito à vida (oito acórdãos). A Justiça tem sido procurada como alternativa de acesso aos serviços de saúde, devendo os reflexos desse fato serem analisados além do indivíduo beneficiado, pois envolvem toda a sociedade.
O direito e a saúde mental: estudo de caso de ação judicial
Authors: Figueiredo Iara Veloso Oliveira , Veloso Vanja Maria
Published: January 2021

Este estudo teve o objetivo de promover interseção entre direito e saúde e refletir sobre o papel do operador do direito perante as políticas de saúde. Foram realizados um estudo de caso com base em análise documental da petição inicial de uma Ação de Improbidade Administrativa sobre Saúde Mental e pesquisa bibliográfica sobre as políticas de saúde mental, o bloco carnavalesco Os Conspirados e conceitos de saúde relacionados. A ação judicial desconsiderou o bloco de carnaval dos usuários da saúde mental como ação de saúde, reprovando a destinação de verbas do Fundo Municipal de Saúde de Ouro Preto (MG) para sua manutenção. Observou-se, a partir desse caso, uma necessidade de maior aproximação entre as áreas e os atores do direito e da saúde para melhorar a técnica, o diálogo e a racionalização da judicialização da saúde.
First record of Touit melanonotus (Wied, 1820) (Aves: Psittaciformes: Psittacidae) in Cantareira State Park, Brazil: new colonization or simply unnoticed?
Authors: Melo Marcos Antônio , De Almeida Braga David
Published: January 2021

Although the avifauna of Cantareira State Park (CSP), Brazil has been studied for 120 years, the Brown-backed Parrotlet Touit melanonotus had not been recorded.  Here, we present the first record and diet items (fruits of Ocotea sp.) in CSP, discussing the potential for this psittacid going unnoticed in this area for a long period.
Diversity and distribution of odonates in Rani Reserve Forest, Assam, India
Authors: Thakuria Dipti , Kalita Jatin
Published: January 2021

Odonata are the bioindicators of freshwater ecosystem health and is recognised as an excellent ‘flagship’ group among insects.  Baseline knowledge on the diversity and distribution of odonates over spatiotemporal scale is the key to biodiversity conservation. Rani Reserve Forest of Assam is a mosaic of all the habitat types suitable for odonates.  The present work aims at studying the diversity and distribution of Odonates in Rani Reserve Forest.  The study was carried out from December 2014 to November 2017 by categorising the study area into three major habitat types: 1. lentic system, 2. lotic system and 3. terrestrial woodland.  A total of 67 species belonging to 44 genera, representing 11 families were recorded.  First published records of three species, Onychothemis testacea (Libellulidae), Philoganga montana (Philogangidae) and Indocnemis orang (Platycnemididae) from the state are also provided herewith.  Species richness was the highest in lentic system whereas recorded the lowest in running waters of larger forested streams.  Shannon diversity index also indicated that the lentic system is relatively diverse (2.95) and smaller streams of the lotic system showed the highest species evenness (0.87).  Libellulidae (43%) was found to be the most dominant family belonging to suborder Anisoptera followed by Coenagrionidae (22%) of suborder Zygoptera.  Philogangidae (1%) recorded the lowest number of species.  Taxonomically related species showed distinct ecological segregation within these different habitat types occupying different microhabitats therein.
The discovery of a melanistic Leopard Panthera pardus delacouri (Linnaeus, 1758) (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) at Bukit Kudung in Jeli, Kelantan, Peninsular Malaysia: conservation and ecotourism
Authors: Hambali Kamarul , Muhamad Fazli Nor Fakhira , Amir Aainaa , Fauzi Norashikin , Hassin Nor Hizami , Abas Muhamad Azahar , Abdul Karim Muhammad Firdaus , Sow Ai Yin
Published: January 2021

Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.  During a study near an ecotourism site, we recorded a melanistic Leopard Panthera pardus delacouri on top of Bukit Kudung in Jeli District.  This finding is considered important because the Indochinese Leopard P.p. delacouri is classified as Critically Endangered in the Red List of Threatened Species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).  We hope that this record will foster conservation efforts in the area.
On a new species of Macrobrachium Spence Bate (Decapoda: Palaemonidae) from Ayeyarwady River, Myanmnar
Authors: Myo H.H.S. , Jayachandran K.V. , Khin K.L.
Published: January 2021

Macrobrachium myanmarum sp. nov. was found from near Min Kun (local name Min Gon) at Mandalay, Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River (22.043N & 96.043E), Myanmar.  It is a small-sized prawn showing close relation with Arachnochium kulsiense (Jayachandran et al. 2007) and A. mirabile (Kemp 1917).  This species can at once be identified from both the species by the characters: medium-sized and highly-elevated and arched rostrum, extending as far as distal segment of antennular peduncle or behind, upper margin with 11–15 teeth of which three (rarely 4) teeth post-orbital; ventral margin without teeth (rarely one); second chelate legs unequal, right leg larger (sometimes left); major leg in which carpus with proximal part narrow and distal end broadened, subequal to merus, palm and fingers; propodus slightly more than the combined length of merus and carpus; fingers very slender, almost equal to palm, fixed finger a bit shorter than movable finger, cutting edges with 2–6 weak denticles at proximal cutting edges, distal denticle situated at about 1/3rd distance from base; ischium, merus, carpus, propodus, palm and dactylus in the ratio 9.62 : 19.25 : 24.06: 47.06 : 23.53 : 23.53, respectively (related to the total length of pereopod); minor leg with minute tubercles in larger specimens; ischium, merus, carpus, propodus, palm and fingers in the ratio 13.1 : 23.68 : 22.37 : 40.8 : 15.8 : 25.0, respectively (related to total length of pereopod); palm slightly swollen and shorter than fingers, fingers slender and curved with a wide gap when closed.  Maximum size recorded for the species is 56mm male and 44mm female.
Diversity and distribution of snakes in Trashigang Territorial Forest Division, eastern Bhutan
Authors: Koirala Bal Krishna , Jamtsho Karma , Wangdi Phuntsho , Tshering Dawa , Wangdi Rinchen , Norbu Lam , Phuntsho Sonam , Lhendup Sonam , Nidup Tshering
Published: January 2021

This paper presents the results of a study conducted on the species composition of serpent fauna in Trashigang Territorial Forest Division (TTFD), Bhutan.  The survey was conducted from August 2019 to September 2020.  The study aimed to assess the diversity, conservation threats, and distribution of both venomous and non-venomous snakes in different habitat types using time constrained visual encounter survey technique.  A total of 34 species of snakes belonging to five families and 23 genera were recorded.  Of the total observed species, nine were identified as venomous species.  These include four species of Elapidae, four species of Viperidae, and one Colubridae.  Geographically, snakes occurred throughout the landscapes, although species composition and their geographical distribution differed notably amongst various localities.  We documented survival threats to local snakes where deliberate killing and road mortality were found to be the most common cause of death.  The increasing trend of diversity, species richness, and relative abundance of serpent fauna was noticed as the radial distance increased from urban residential areas towards less disturbed landscapes such as rural agricultural land and natural forests indicating that the habitat mosaic plays an important role in the structure and composition of the snake community.  Considering the limited information currently available on diversity and geographical distribution of the serpent fauna of the region, the present study can be considered very significant.
Distinct Neural Correlates of Linguistic and Non-Linguistic
Demand
Authors: Quillen Ian A. , Yen Melodie , Wilson Stephen M.
Published: January 2021

In this study, we investigated how the brain responds to task difficulty in linguistic and non-linguistic contexts. This is important for the interpretation of functional imaging studies of neuroplasticity in post-stroke aphasia, because of the inherent difficulty of matching or controlling task difficulty in studies with neurological populations. Twenty neurologically normal individuals were scanned with fMRI as they performed a linguistic task and a non-linguistic task, each of which had two levels of difficulty. Critically, the tasks were matched across domains (linguistic, non-linguistic) for accuracy and reaction time, such that the differences between the easy and difficult conditions were equivalent across domains. We found that non-linguistic demand modulated the same set of multiple demand (MD) regions that have been identified in many prior studies. In contrast, linguistic demand modulated MD regions to a much lesser extent, especially nodes belonging to the dorsal attention network. Linguistic demand modulated a subset of language regions, with the left inferior frontal gyrus most strongly modulated. The right hemisphere region homotopic to Broca’s area was also modulated by linguistic but not non-linguistic demand. When linguistic demand was mapped relative to non-linguistic demand, we also observed domain by difficulty interactions in temporal language regions as well as a widespread bilateral semantic network. In sum, linguistic and non-linguistic demand have strikingly different neural correlates. These findings can be used to better interpret studies of patients recovering from aphasia. Some reported activations in these studies may reflect task performance differences, while others can be more confidently attributed to neuroplasticity.
Welfare Washing: Disseminating Disinformation in Meat Marketing
Authors: Bjørkdahl Kristian , Syse Karen Victoria Lykke
Published: January 2021

In this article, our starting point is that people who are plagued by the so-called meat paradox must find ways of making meat consumption safe from the realities of meat production. They do this by way of various mechanisms of denial, which obfuscate contemporary industrial meat production. We focus on how advertisements become one notable vehicle of such denial, and select three examples for close reading. Focusing on the rhetorical techniques employed in three Norwegian ads for meat and how they mediate meat production to consumers, we argue that these ads all present an image of meat producers as progressive and caring proponents of animal welfare. This leads us to suggest that they exemplify a variant of greenwashing that we dub “welfare washing”—the main message of which is to keep calm and carry on consuming meat.
Marine Shell Working at Harlaa, Ethiopia, and the Implications for Red Sea Trade
Authors: Insoll Timothy
Published: January 2021

Twelve species of marine shell were transported in significant quantities from the Red Sea to the trade centre of Harlaa in eastern Ethiopia between the eleventh and early fifteenth centuries AD. Initially, it was thought that species such as the cowries were imported from the Indian Ocean. Subsequent research has found that all were available from the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, c. 120 km east of Harlaa. This suggests that a hitherto largely unrecognised source of marine shells was available, and the Red Sea might have supplied not only the Horn of Africa, but other markets, potentially including Egypt, and from there, elsewhere in North Africa and ultimately West Africa via trans-Saharan routes, as well as Nubia and further south on the Nile in the Sudan, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Arabian/Persian Gulf. This is explored with reference to the shell assemblage from Harlaa, and selected shell assemblages from elsewhere in the Horn of Africa, and trading centres on the Red Sea.
Shape-Tailored TiO2 Photocatalysts Obtained in the Presence of Different Types of Carbon Materials
Authors: Vajda Krisztina , Hernádi Klára , Coteţ Cosmin , Kovács Gábor , Pap Zsolt
Published: January 2021

Titania and carbon materials are intensively studied in composite materials including photocatalytic applications. Both positive and negative effects were described in the literature, including charge separation, adsorption enhancement and short-circuiting of the photoelectrons as well.
In the present study a more sparsely investigated properties of carbon materials will be highlighted, namely their role as crystallization promoters for titania, during hydrothermal synthesis of the composites. Therefore, carbon nanotubes, carbon coils, activated carbon, graphite and carbon
aerogel was used to identify the importance of carbon during the time dependent crystallization of titanium dioxide. The crystal phase composition, morphology, optical properties and photocatalytic activity was followed, and it was found that the anatase and rutile crystallization depended
on the used carbon material. The morphology of the particles varied from single anatase sheet-like crystals to hierarchical microball-like structures, while in some cases no specific morphology was observed. Furthermore, it was found that despite the low carbon content (2 wt.%) and microcrystalline
structure of TiO2 the composites were proven to be efficient in the degradation of Rhodamine B under UV light irradiation.
Different Pathways for Synthesis of WO3 and Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotube-Based Nanostructures
Authors: Szabó Anna , Kovács Gábor , Kovács Anita , Hernadi Klara
Published: January 2021

The synthesis and investigation of vertically aligned carbon nanotube (VACNT) based materials are gaining more-and-more interest among scientists due to their specific properties (e.g., electrical, optical, mechanical). Therefore, our interest for the present research has focused on
synthesis of WO3/VACNT based nanostructures (using carbon nanotube forests obtained by catalytic chemical vapor deposition—CCVD method on aluminum substrate) using different synthesis pathways and WO3 precursors. The obtained composites were investigated by scanning
electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, while the obtained crystal structures were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Results have shown that depending on the synthesis method, and using as template the carbonaceous structure, we can successfully obtain non-stochiometric tungsten
oxide (W18O49) or WO3 composites.
Controlling the Structure of Carbon Deposit by Nitrogen Doping Catalytic Chemical Vapor Deposition Synthesis
Authors: Németh K. , Szekeres G. P. , Fejes D. , Reti B. , Seo J. W. , Forró L. , Hernadi K.
Published: January 2021

Nitrogen doped multi-walled carbon nanotubes and other carbon nanoparticles were synthesized by catalytic chemical vapor deposition of tripropylamine and acetylene on CaCO3-supported cobalt catalyst (5 wt%), prepared by impregnation, and various precursors. Each synthesis
was performed by using either the pure nitrogenous organic compound or its mixture with acetone. Transmission electron microscopy studies revealed a significant difference both in the yield and the diversity of the carbon deposits. Every synthesis resulted in bamboo-like nanotubes, and nearly
all of them also in onion-like structures. Electron energy loss spectroscopy studies of the samples indicated the presence of nitrogen and calcium (caused by the catalyst support). High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction measurements were also performed to characterize
the samples.
Distribution of Triclocarban in Natural Aqueous Systems Amended with Carbon Nanomaterials
Authors: Ion I. , Ivan G. R. , Ion A. C.
Published: January 2021

In this work, the sorption of TCC in natural aqueous solutions with different chemical compositions, on amended sediments with carbon nanomaterials such as MWCNTs and C60, pristine and weathered is presented. The variation of the temperature, the composition of the natural water, the
compositions of the sediment were studied, the results were correlated for a better understanding of the possible effects of the carbon nanomaterials in the environment.
Azathioprine Electrochemical Adsorption onto the Reduced Graphene Oxide Sheets in Absence and in the Presence of Polyaniline
Authors: Udrescu A. , Toulbe N. , Matei E. , Baibarac M.
Published: January 2021

The azathioprine (AZA) electrochemical adsorption onto the screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCE) modified with the reduced graphene oxide (RGO) sheets in the absence and in the presence of polyaniline–emeraldine salt (PANI-ES) is reported in this work. Using cyclic voltammetry
(CV), in the case of the SPCE modified with the RGO sheets non-functionalized and functionalized with PANI-ES, respectively, an irreversible process at the electrode/electrolyte interface is highlighted to take place. In the case of the SPCE modified with the non-functionalized RGO sheets
(SPCERGO), the oxidation-reduction processes induce an up-shift of the AZA Raman lines from 856 and 1011 cm-1 to 863 and 1020 cm-1, respectively. These variations indicate an AZA adsorption onto the surface of the SPCE modified with the RGO sheets that takes place throught
the imidazole and pyrimidine cycles of mercaptopurine, when the generation of the π–π* bonds between the mercaptopurine structure and hexagonal carbon cycles of RGO occurs. The electrochemical functionalization of the RGO sheets with PANI-ES is proved by
the appearance of the Raman lines at 1165, 1332-1371, 1496 and 1585 and 1616 cm-1. The oxidation-reduction processes induced at the interface of the SPCE modified with PANI-ES functionalized RGO sheets and the electrolyte consisting into a phosphate buffer (PB) and AZA lead to the
generation of new positive charges onto the PANI macromolecular chain and the adsorption of the drug on the working electrode surface that takes place via the π–π* bonds established between the benzene/quinoide rings of PANI and the imidazole/ purine cycles
of AZA. These results indicate that the SPCE modified with the PANI-ES functionalized RGO sheets shows potential applications in the field of sensors for AZA detection.
Vibrational and Photoluminescence Properties of Composites Based on Double-Walled Carbon Nanotubes, Poly(o-phenylenediamine) and Poly(ethylene oxide)
Authors: Daescu M. , Oprica M. , Smaranda I. , Matei E. , Nastac D. , Cramariuc O. , Cramariuc B. , Baibarac M.
Published: January 2021

Chemical polymerization of o-phenylenediamine (OPD) in the presence of poly(ethylene oxide), double-wall carbon nanotubes (DWNTs) and ferric chloride is carried out in order to obtain composites based on the poly(o-phenylenediamine)-poly(ethylene oxide) (POPD-PEO) fibres covered and
interconnected with DWNTs. Vibrational and photoluminescence properties of these composite materials as well as their morphologies are shown by infrared (IR) spectroscopy, Raman scattering, photoluminescence (PL) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). An adsorption of DWNTs onto the POPD
rods surface in the absence and in the presence of PEO is highlighted by SEM. The vibrational changes reported by Raman scattering and IR spectroscopy prove a covalent functionalization of DWNTs with the macromolecular compound POPD which is doped with FeCl−4 ions.
New hydrogen bonds are generated between POPD covalently functionalized DWNTs and hydroxyl groups of PEO according to IR spectroscopic studies. The two macromolecular compounds, POPD and POPD-PEO, show a complex emission band with maxima at 572 and 566 nm, having a shoulder at 667 nm. A significant
change in the profile of the PL bands of POPD and POPD-PEO is induced in the DWNTs presence. We show that DWNTs induce (i) a diminution in the POPD PL band intensity peaked between 525–600 nm simultaneous with the increase in the intensity of the PL band situated in the 600–800
nm spectral range and (ii) an enhancement process of the emission band localized in the 475–800 nm spectral range in the case of POPD-PEO.
Characterization of Flexible Low-k Dielectric SiCOH Films Prepared by Plasma-Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition of Tetrakis(trimethylsilyloxy)Silane Precursor
Authors: Lee Yeji , Ban Wonjin , Jang Seonhee , Jung Donggen
Published: January 2021

SiCOH thin films were deposited on rigid silicon (Si) wafers and flexible ITO/PEN substrates via plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition at room temperature using a tetrakis(trimethylsilyloxy)silane (TTMSS) precursor. Different chemical compositions of hydrocarbon and Si–O bondings
were obtained depending on substrate types and deposition conditions. The main chemical compositions of the as-deposited films were observed as C–Hx (x = 2, 3) stretching, Si–CH3 bending, Si–O–Si stretching, and H–Si–O
bending/Si–CH3 stretching modes. With regard to the as-deposited films, the dielectric constant increased from 1.83 to 3.45 when the plasma power increased from 20 to 80 W and the lowest leakage current of 1.76×10-4 A/cm2 was obtained at the plasma
power of 80 W. After bending tests with 1000, 5000, and 10000 bending cycles, the dielectric constants of the SiCOH films increased and leakage currents decreased. The structures of the SiCOH films after the bending tests were highly complicated with a variety of chemical bonding combinations.
Higher peak intensity and peak area of main chemical bonding were obtained with the increased bending cycles, resulting in the increase in dielectric constants. It should be noted that the film with small changes in peak area fractions of the bending and stretching modes showed good electrical
and mechanical stabilities after bending tests.
Carbon Nanodots Derived from Kitchen Waste Biomass as a Growth Accelerator for Fenugreek Plant
Authors: Waghmare Ravindra D. , Gunjal Datta B. , Naik Vaibhav M. , Gore Anil H. , Nimbalkar Mansingraj S. , Anbhule Prashant V. , Bhosale Sheshanath V. , Sohn Daewon , Kolekar Govind B.
Published: January 2021

Herein, we report the utilization of kitchen waste biomass as a source of carbonaceous material for carbon nanodots synthesis and its application as a plant growth regulator in agricultural crops. The water soluble carbon dots (CDs) were synthesized by pyrolysis of kitchen derived waste
tea residue (WTR) and used in the field of agriculture nanotechnology. Herein, we have explored the effect of different concentrations of WTR-CDs (10, 30 and 50 mg/L) on growth of FG with respect to various plant growth parameters. It was observed that the WTR-CDs has positive effect on all
plant growth parameters investigated and also assist for micronutrient uptake which is confirmed by AAS and zeta potential measurement. UV light, Fluorescence spectroscopy, and confocal fluorescence microscopy examination were employed for the understanding of uptake and transport route of
WTR-CDs in FG plant through absorption of WTR-CDs by root as well as seed coat along with water. Therefore, the growth of FG was a significant increase in quality of the plant which appears to be effective and no serious side effects were seen during the study.