bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Finding the “switch” in platelet activation Prediction of key mediators involved in platelet hyperreactivity using a novel network biology approach
Authors: Lemmens TP , Coenen DM , Niessen ICL , Swieringa F , Coort SLM , Koenen RR , Kutmon M , Cosemans JMEM
Published: August 2021

The healthy endothelium controls platelet activity through release of prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) and nitric oxide. The loss of this natural brake on platelet activity can cause platelets to become hyperreactive. PGI2 attenuates platelet activation by adenosine diphosphate (ADP) through stimulation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production and subsequent phosphorylation changes by protein kinase A (PKA). We hypothesize that proteins/processes involved in platelet hyperactivity downstream of the cAMP-PKA pathway can serve as a “switch” in platelet activation and inhibition. We designed a network biology approach to explore the entangled platelet signaling pathways downstream of PGI2 and ADP. The STRING database was used to build a protein-protein interaction network from proteins of interest in which we integrate a quantitative platelet proteome dataset with pathway information, relative RNA expression of hematopoietic cells, the likelihood of the proteins being phosphorylated by PKA, and drug-target information from DrugBank in a biological network. We distilled 30 proteins from existing phosphoproteomics datasets (PXD000242 and PXD001189) that putatively can be “turned on” after ADP-mediated platelet activation and subsequently switched “off” after platelet inhibition with iloprost. Enrichment analysis revealed biological processes related to vesicle secretion and cytoskeletal reorganization to be overrepresented coinciding with topological clusters in the network. Our method highlights novel proteins related to vesicle transport, platelet shape change, and small GTPases as potential switch proteins in platelet activation and inhibition. Our novel approach demonstrates the benefit of data integration by combining tools and datasets and visualization to obtain a more complete picture of complex molecular mechanisms.
Dynamic Nexus Among CO2 Emissions, Fossil Energy Usage and Human Development in East Africa: New Insight From Novel DARDL Simulations
Authors: Dumor koffi , Li Yao , Kursah Matthew Biniyam , Ampaw Enock Mintah , Akakpo Koffi , Amouzou Edem Koffi
Published: August 2021

This study investigates the relationship among CO2 emissions, human development index, and fossil energy usage. Essentially, the study was informed by the Sustainable Development Goal 7, which stipulates universal access to renewable and contemporary energy technologies. We employed the novel dynamic autoregressive-distributed lag (DARDL) simulations with a dataset spanning between1980 and 2020 from East Africa Community (EAC). The study revealed that human development, access to electricity, and trade have a strong correlation with carbon emissions in the long term, whereas fossil energy usage and economic growth have a negative connection with carbon emission. On the other hand, in the short run, human development and fossil energy usage have a positive correlation with carbon emission, while economic growth and foreign direct investment have a negative correlation with carbon emission. Thus, policies that are tailored to enhance the political environment in East Africa are crucial to ensuring realistic access to clean and modern electricity.
Distribution Coefficients of Nitrogen Pollutants Between Water-Sediment And Their Environmental Risks In Lingang Hybrid Constructed Wetland Fed By Industrial Tailwater, Tianjin, China
Authors: Man Quanli , Li Hongrui , Ma Xiaodong , Gao Peng , Ren Gengbo , Zhou Bin , Liu Honglei
Published: August 2021

Exploring the fate of nitrogen pollutants in constructed wetlands (CWs) fed by industrial tailwater is significant to strengthen its pollution control and promoting the development of CWs in the field of micro-polluted water treatment. In this study, the distribution coefficients and the environmental risks of nitrogen pollutants between water-sediment of the hybrid CW in Tianjin were systematically investigated. From a spatial perspective, the nitrogen pollutants could be removed in this hybrid CW, and subsurface flow wetland played a key role in nitrogen pollutant removal. From a temporal perspective, the consistence of nitrogen pollutants was largely affected by the dissolved oxygen (DO) and temperature. The distribution coefficient of nitrogen pollutants between water-sediment was further clarified, suggesting that NH4+-N was more likely to be enriched in sediments due to microbial process. The overall level of pollution in hybrid CW was moderate according to the nutritional pollution index (NPI) analysis. The risks assessment indicated that timely dredging control measures should be considered to maintain the performance of hybrid CW.
Morphology and Reproductive Biology of Two Hill Stream Cyprinids; Balitora Brucei and Psilorhynchus Balitora, From the Ranganadi River (India), with a Special Note to Their Conservational Threats
Authors: Kaushik Gitartha , Bordoloi Sabitry
Published: August 2021

The Gray’s stone loach Balitora brucei and balitora minnow Psilorhynchus balitora abound in the torrential water bodies of South East Asia. The current paper redescribes morphology based on the fresh collection. Specific parameters of reproductive biology on both the fishes have been studied for the first time. Both the species were adapted to the same ecological conditions of the river Ranganadi. Fish specimens were collected at fortnightly interval from the river in the Lakhimpur district of Assam, India. The detailed study includes morphological data analysed with Mann Whitney U test and specific reproductive parameters such as condition factor (K), gonado-somatic index (GSI), modified gonado - somatic index (MGSI), and Dobriyal index (DI). Progressive development of the gonads were confirmed with dissection and histological study. Both the species are multiple breeders with prolonged reproductive seasons ranging from four to five months. Both the fishes are found to be migrants from upstream and a good number of individuals were recorded during the monsoon season, reflecting the sampling site as a breeding ground. During winter, the local people use various chemicals, piscicidal plants and electric instruments for fishing resulting in a steep decline in number of individuals for both the species. Moreover, effect of the NEEPCO dam is the evident on the decline of the ichthyofaunal diversity of the river.
Treatability of Biodiesel Wastewaters By Using KMnO4 And KMnO4/O3 Processes And Kinetic Analysis
Authors: TANATTI Pınar N.
Published: August 2021

The purpose of this study is to investigate the treatability of electrocoagulated biodiesel wastewater (ECBD) by potassium permanganate (KMnO4) and potassium permanganate/ozone (KMnO4/O3) processes. The ECBD removal efficiencies of both combined method and KMnO4 methods were compared and the KMnO4/O3 process gave better results than the KMnO4 process. For the ECBD removal efficiencies, the experimental parameters including pH, potassium permanganate dose, ozone dose and reaction time parameters were optimized by changing the one parameter at a time. As a result of 6 h of KMnO4 oxidation, 91.74% of COD and 95.93% of MeOH removal was achieved under the optimum conditions (pH 2, 5 g/L KMnO4 dose). However, under optimum conditions (pH 13, 2 g/L KMnO4 dose, 3000 mg/L O3 dose, 6 h reaction time), the COD and MeOH removal efficiencies have been obtained for KMnO4/O3 as 97.79% and 98.30%, respectively. The second order kinetic model has been found to be the most suitable model for both processes and the regression coefficients (R2) has been found as 0.999 and 0.999 for KMnO4 and KMnO4/O3, respectively. The reaction rate constants (k) have been also calculated as 6x10-5 L/mg.min and 1.63x10-4 L/mg.min for COD and MeOH in KMnO4 oxidation, respectively. Furthermore, the reaction rate constants (k) have been also calculated as 6x10-5 L/mg.min and 1.6x10-4 L/mg.min for COD and MeOH in KMnO4/O3 oxidation, respectively.
A Comparative Study On Self-Healing Methods of Concretes By Sporosarcina Pasteurii Bacteria
Authors: Mirshahmohammad Mohammad , Rahmani Hamid , Maleki-Kakelar Mahdi , Bahari Abbas
Published: August 2021

Biological methods (adding bacteria to the concrete mixtures) among the most recently investigated procedures increase the durability of concrete and repair concrete cracks. In the present study, different biological methods were used to heal the cracks of concrete and the most suitable method was subsequently introduced. For this purpose, the culture medium and bacterial nutrient inside the concrete mixes and curing solution were separately studied. The effect of air-entrained agent and various sources of calcium salts as the bacterial nutrient on the healing process was also studied. The results showed that the use of bacterial nutrient inside the concrete mixes has an affirmative impact on the mechanical properties and self-healing characteristics of concretes. With the simultaneous use of Sporosarcina pasteurii bacteria and calcium nitrate-urea or calcium chloride-urea as a bacterial nutrient in the concrete mixture, the 28 days compressive strength of concrete increases by 23.4% and 7.5%, respectively, which is due to calcium carbonate precipitation. The use of bacterial cells, nutrients, and culture in the concrete mixture provided the ability to heal wide cracks where the healing time is significantly reduced. On the other hand, separation of the bacterial culture medium slightly reduced the self-healing performance of concrete.
Effects of Glutamate and Aspartate on Prostate Cancer and Breast Cancer: A Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Zhang Lihong , Lin Yindan , Yang Ze , Li Jingjia , Sun Yandi , Zhang Xueyun , Qu Zihao , Luo Yan
Published: August 2021

Background: Respectively, prostate cancer and breast cancer are the second most and most commonly diagnosed cancer in men and woman, and they account for major cancer-related deaths world-wide. Special attention aiming to find potentially effective early detection of, and intervention strategies against, prostate cancer (PCa) and breast cancer need to be paid.Objective: Utilizing Mendelian randomization (MR), we aimed to estimate how genetically predicted glutamate and aspartate levels affected prostate and breast cancers development. Methods: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected as instrumental variables (IVs) to predict the serum levels of glutamate and aspartate from the publicly available genome-wide association studies (GWASs), which were conducted to associate genetic variations with blood metabolite levels using comprehensive metabolite profiling in 1,960 adults and the glutamate and aspartate we chosen were two of 644 metabolites. The summary statistics for the largest and latest GWAS datasets for prostate cancer (61,106 controls and 79,148 cases) were from the Prostate Cancer Association Group to Investigate Cancer Associated Alterations in the Genome (PRACTICAL) consortium and datasets for breast cancer (113,789 controls and 133,384 cases) were from Breast Cancer Association Consortium (BCAC). The analyses were performed through two-sample MR method. Results: Serum level of aspartate was positively associated with prostate cancer (Effect = 1.043; 95% confidence interval, 1.003 to 1.084; P = 0.034) and breast cancer (Effect = 1.033; 95% confidence interval, 1.004 to 1.063; P = 0.028); however, glutamate was neither associated with prostate cancer and breast cancer. The potential causal associations were robust to the sensitivity analysis.Conclusions: Our study found that the level of serum aspartate could serve as a risk factor that contributed to the development of prostate and breast cancers. Efforts detailing the underlying mechanism(s) would be extremely valuable in early assessment/diagnosis and strategizing clinical intervention of both cancers.
Women’s Decision-making Autonomy and Some Demographic Factors Associated With Higher Dietary Diversity in Bangladesh
Authors: Shourove Jahid Hasan , Rahman Md. Mustafizur , Islam G. M. Rabiul
Published: August 2021

Background: Consumption of diverse nutrient-rich diets is vital for maintaining a healthy life. A low-quality monotonous diet dominated by starchy staple foods is common in Bangladesh, which leads to the development of diseases associated with micronutrient deficiencies, particularly in women and their offspring. This research aims to validate the association between women’s decision-making autonomy and their attainment of higher dietary diversity (DD), as well as identify the sociodemographic factors that can independently predict higher DD.Methods: This study was conducted using the data selected from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey, 2014. Women (n = 17,842) aged 15–49 years, with their complete dietary details, were selected as the participants. The DDS was obtained from a 24-h recall of dietary intake from nine food groups and was categorized into lower DDS (DD ≤ 4) and higher DDS (DD ≥ 5). The relationship between the decision-making independence of women and DDS was studied using logistic regression.Results: It was observed that almost all women consumed starchy foods, followed by flesh (meat or fish) (83.86%) and fruits (67.30%). The involvement of women in decision-making for household purchases was significantly correlated with higher dietary diversity. The odds were higher among women who participated in household purchases compared to women who did not (OR 2.40; 95% CI: 0.52–9.83; p = 0.022). Women who had higher and secondary education were 2.72 (95% CI: 0.49–15.02; p = 0.025) and 1.31 (95% CI: 0.28–6.18; p = 0.029) times more likely to achieve higher DD compared to those with no education. Women in the richer wealth quintiles were 6.49 (OR 6.49; 95% CI: 1.12–37.5; p = 0.037) times more likely to achieve higher DD compared to women in poorer wealth quintiles.Conclusion: The research findings suggested that the socioeconomic status, empowerment, and higher education of women may contribute to the purchase of nutritious foods and higher dietary diversity.
Oil Flax Straw Processing and Utilization
Authors: Nikolsky Sergey N , Zlenko Dmitry V , Gatin Andrey K , Mikhaleva Mariya G , Politenkova Galina G , Lin Alexey A , Ermolin Igor K , Stovbun Sergey V
Published: August 2021

The flax (Linum usitatissimum) is widely used as a source of linen oil and fiber. As a rule, the flax varieties serve to produce either seeds (oil), or stem fibers, as the "fiber'' varieties bring the low amount of seeds, while the "oil'' varieties have poor fibers that cannot be used in textile. The straw of the oil flax has not been applied in industry and has to be burned or degrade naturally in the field. However, it contains a low degree of polymerization cellulose, which can be used at least for varnish production. The main challenge in the industrial application of the oil flax cellulose is the necessity of separating the cellulose fibers and shive enriched in lignin. On the other hand, the low cost of the final products restricts the set of available tools. Here we describe a machine designed for oil flax straw stripping and several ways of further conversion of the obtained tow into microcrystalline or fluff-like cellulose. The supposed processes run at the temperatures below the water boiling point and at the atmospheric pressure and could be held in the plastic reactors.
Metabolomic And Antioxidant Enzyme Activity Changes In Response To Cadmium Stress Under Boron Application of Wheat (Triticum Aestivum)
Authors: Qin Shiyu , Xu Yafang , Nie Zhaojun , Liu Hongen , Gao Wei , Li Chang , Zhao Peng
Published: August 2021

Boron (B) has previously been shown to inhibit cadmium (Cd) uptake in wheat, while the underlying physiological mechanism behind this phenomenon is unclear. Here, we investigated the alteration with B application in growth, Cd uptake, MDA content, antioxidant enzyme activities and small molecule metabolites under Cd stress. The results showed that the wheat growth were significantly weaker under Cd-treated than that without Cd-treated. B application can improve the wheat growth under Cd stress. In addition, B application decreased Cd concentrations and MDA concentrations of shoot and root. These results suggest that B can inhibit the absorption of Cd and mitigation of Cd toxicity to promote plant growth, especially in the roots. Meanwhile, the key enzyme activities including SOD and POD significant increased under Cd treatments, while decreased under B treatments. Further, root differential metabolites were identified with Liquid Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (LC-MS). A total of 198, 680 and 204 of the differential metabolites were isolated between CK+B and CK treatment, CK+Cd and CK treatment and CK+Cd+B and CK+Cd treatment respectively. The metabolites with up-accumulation in B application (CK+Cd+B) roots were mainly galactaric acid, citric acid, N6-Galacturonyl-L-lysine, D-Glucose, while the metabolites with down-accumulation were mainly threoninyl-tryptophan and C16 sphinganine. The differential metabolic pathways were mainly concentrated in linoleic acid metabolism, galactose metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, propanoate metabolism in diabetic complications between CK+Cd+B treatment and CK+B treatment. The data suggested that B alleviates Cd toxicity in winter wheat by inhibiting Cd uptake, increasing antioxidant enzyme activity and changing metabolites.
Evaluation of Acid Mine Drainage Sludge As Soil Substitute For The Reclamation of Mine Solid Wastes
Authors: Chi Yihan , Lin Qinru , Zhuang Rongchuan , Xiong Mingyu , Ye Zhihong
Published: August 2021

The reclamation of mine waste deposits is imperative but often hindered by the scarcity of natural topsoil. Studies have used various materials to reconstruct topsoil but mainly in coal mines, with scant information for metalliferous mines. Acid mine drainage sludge (AMDS), as a mass-produced waste in metalliferous mines, is a potential topsoil substitute because of its capacity to buffer acidification and support plant growth. In this study, a pot experiment with three plant species was conducted to evaluate the environmental safety and sustainable fertility of AMDS with the amelioration of fertilizers. Results showed that all the plants could survive in the AMDS even without fertilizers. The contents of heavy metal(loid)s were high but remained stable over the experimental period. Improving the AMDS with fertilizers enhanced its nutrient supply by increasing macronutrient contents and activities of soil enzymes, leading to significant increases in plant biomass. The AMDS also sustained its nutrient status throughout the experiment. Nevertheless, the extremely low NH4+-N and bioavailable phosphorus contents made these nutrients hardly accessible to plants, owing to the composting of the organic manure and the low richness and diversity of the bacterial community in the AMDS. Present results suggest that AMDS can be used as a viable and safe substitute for natural soil in reclaiming mine solid wastes but also needs proper improvement, especially for enhancing the microbial richness and diversity.
Amelioration of Cadmium-induced Oxidative Damage in Wistar Rats by Vitamin C, Zinc and N-Acetylcysteine
Authors: Poli Venkataramanaiah , Madduru Renuka , Motireddy Srinivasulu Reddy
Published: August 2021

The present study was performed to determine the protective effects of Vitamin C, Zinc and N-Acetylcysteine individually or in combinations with Cd, to monitor amelioration capability against Cd-induced oxidative damage in Wistar rats. Nine groups of rats were studied as experimental group. The present experiment was conducted for 45 days. Liver and kidneys were excised for biochemical determinations through assaying of antioxidant enzymes and lipid oxidation products to assess the impact of Cd-toxicity and its amelioration by co-administration of Vitamin C, Zinc and NAC along with Cd. Basal Metabolic rates, Tissue Respiration rates of liver and kidney were found to be significantly decreased (p < 0.05) during Cd toxicity. Serum biochemical parameters were also found to be significantly altered to cope up with Cd toxicity. All the antioxidant enzymes and products were significantly inhibited (p < 0.05) or elevated in rat liver and kidney tissues during Cd-induced toxicity. Whereas with co-administration of Vitamin C, Zinc and NAC, into rats clearly demonstrates the amelioration of oxidative damage induced by Cd-toxicity. From the results obtained in the present study all the agents tested had protective effects against Cd-induced oxidative damage.
2,4-D induction of somaclonal variations in in vitro grown date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L. cv Barhee)
Authors: Baklouti Emna , Beulé Thierry , Nasri Amèni , Romdhane Amal Ben , Drira Riadh , Doulbeau Sylvie , Rival Alain , Drira Noureddine , Fki Lotfi
Published: August 2021

The present study is a part of a program designed at improving the date palm, Phoenix dactylifera L. cv. Barhee, through induced somaclonal variation. In this work, caulogenic cultures were subcultured on MS media supplemented with 0, 1, 5, 10, 20 and 40 mg L− 1 2,4-D in order to induce genetic and epigenetic variations. The highest doses of 2,4-D were found to induce severe negative effects on in vitro cultures, although some tissues were able to survive and to produce calli with high morphogenetic capacities. Our analysis showed some significant effect of 2,4-D on several physiological parameters. Indeed, chlorophyll and growth rates were found to drastically decrease while proline content increased from 535 nmol g− 1 to 2973 nmol g− 1 FW when 40 mg L− 1 2,4-D were used. In vitro cultures showed several signs of oxidative stress, such as high levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA); likewise, the specific activity of several antioxidant enzyme was found to increase. Plant regeneration from in vitro cultures treated with 2,4-D was obtained after subculturing explants onto PGR-free media. The ISSR analysis of 2,4-D-treated material showed that this plant growth regulator (PGR) induced measurable genetic variations. The global DNA methylation rates (GMR) as estimated through the HPLC analysis of nucleosides also confirmed the presence of epigenetic changes caused by 2,4-D as GMRs increased from 13.8–18.93%.
Magnetic anomaly interpretation for a 2D fault-like geologic structures utilizing the global particle swarm method
Authors: ESSA Khalid S. , Géraud Yves , Reid Alan B.
Published: August 2021

We establish a method to elucidate the magnetic anomaly due to 2D fault structures, with an evaluation of first moving average residual anomalies utilizing filters of increasing window lengths. After that, the buried fault parameters are estimated using the global particle swarm method. The goodness of fit among the observed and the calculated models is expressed as the root mean squared (RMS) error. The importance of studying and delineating the fault parameters, which include the amplitude factor, the depth to the upper edge, the depth to the lower edge, the fault dip angle, and the position of the origin of the fault, is: (i) solving many problem-related engineering and environmental applications, (ii) describing the accompanying mineralized zones with faults, (iii) describing geological deformation events, (iv) monitoring the subsurface shear zones, (v) defining the environmental effects of the faults before organizing any investments, and (vi) imaging subsurface faults for different scientific studies. Finally, we show the method applied to two theoretical models including the influence of the regional background and the multi-fault effect and to real field examples from Australia and Turkey. Available geologic and geophysical information corroborates our interpretations.
Comprehensive Study on Shape Shifting Behaviors of Thermally Activated Hinges in FDM-based 4D Printing
Authors: Nezhad Iman Salimi , Golzar Mohammad , Behravesh Amirhossein , Zare Shahabaddin
Published: August 2021

4D printing of shape shifting structures, aka “hinges”, has raised a new standard in many fields. By using these hinges in certain parts of a 3D printed structures, a pre designed complex 3D shape with potential multifunctional application can be achieved from flat structure. This paper proposes a comprehensive semi-empirical model to predict the final shape shifting behavior and magnitude of the hinges printed by FDM process. First, all FDM main parameters are selected and reduced by design of experiment to printing speed, lamina thickness, nozzle temperature as well as printing pattern. In order to develop the model, a time-dependent constitutive model with these four process parameters were extracted for strain of an SMP homogeneous single layer structure using a fractional Zener model accompanied with Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) technique. Thereafter, the mathematical relations for shape shifting behavior of bilayer 4D printed structures were developed for beam bending and twisting by modifying Timoshenko’s constitutive equations. A comprehensive shape-shifting model was established including 3D printing parameters, angles, thickness ratios, activation time and temperature which was compared to the experimental data and results predicted both shape shifting behavior and magnitude of the hinges with good agreement. In addition, a novel flowchart was suggested to design and achieve the desired shape shifting behaviors. The proposed model and flowchart are novel tools to design 4D structures through desired shape-shifting of the hinges.
Genetic/Genomic Testing: Defining The Parameters For Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI)
Authors: Ascencio-Carbajal Tania , Saruwatari-Zavala Garbiñe , Navarro-Garcia Fernando , Frixione Eugenio
Published: August 2021

Background
Genetic/genomic testing (GGT) are useful tools for improving health and preventing diseases. Still, since GGT deals with sensitive personal information that could significantly impact a patient life or family, it becomes imperative to consider Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI). Thus, ELSI studies aim to identify and address concerns raised by genomic research that could affect individuals, their family, and society. However, there are quantitative and qualitative discrepancies in the literature to describe the elements that provide content to the ELSI studies and such problems may result in patient misinformation and making wrong life choices.
Methods
Here, we analyzed the major international bioethics literature to specify the parameters that define ELSI and the recognized criteria for GGT, which may prove useful for researchers, health professionals and policymakers. First, we defined the parameters of the ethical, legal and social fields in GGT to avoid ambiguities when using the acronym ELSI. Then, we selected nine documents from 44 relevant publications by international organizations related to genomic medicine.
Results
A thorough analysis of these documents allowed us to group and extract criteria by thematic affinity. We identified 29 ELSI sub-criteria concerning to GGT, which were organized and grouped within 10 minimum criteria: two from the ethical field, four from the legal field and four from the social field. An additional analysis of the number of appearances of these 29 sub-criteria in the analyzed documents allow us to order them and to determine 7 priority criteria for starting to evaluate and propose national regulations for GGT.
Conclusions
We propose that the ELSI criteria identified herein could serve as a starting point to formulate national regulation on personalized genomic medicine, ensuring consistency with international bioethical requirements.
Influence of NIR Laser and Alternating Magnetic Field on Core-Shell Nanoparticles for Cell Lines Treatment
Authors: mohammed rusul , Al-Haddad raad
Published: August 2021

ore-shell nanoparticles (CSNPs) have attracted attention in biomedical applications as they have highly useful materials with modified characteristics, such as high stability, dispersibility, higher permeability to certain target cells and reduction in consumption of precious materials. Synthesis of core-multishell nanoparticles with suitable sizes, structural characteristics and absorption using simple methods continues to be a challenge. In this study, Fe3O-4­Au @SiO2, CSNPs were synthesized in three stages to control their size and the potential for tuning their properties. FESEM images confirmed that CSNPs has a small particle size of about 22.5 nm; average crystalline size in XRD was 22.8 nm; stability was about -49.1 mV; and synthesis with magnetic and optical properties improved their biocompatibility. Treatment of CAL-51 and HBL-100 cell lines by Fe3O-4­Au @SiO2, CSNPs under NIR laser and alternating magnetic field (AMF) generated enough heat to increase cell death.
Removing Ammonium From Contaminated Water Using Purolite C100E: Batch, Column, and Household Filter Studies
Authors: Truong Dai Quyet , Loganathan Paripurnanda , Tran Le Minh , Vu Duc Loi , Nguyen Tien Vinh , Vigneswaran Saravanamuthu , Naidu Gayathri
Published: August 2021

Ammonium removal from drinking water to protect human and environmental health is one of the major global concerns. This study evaluates the performance of Purolite C100E, a commercial cation exchange resin, on eliminating ammonium in synthetic and real contaminated groundwater. The results demonstrate that the pH operation range of the resin for better ammonium removal is 3 to 8, while the optimum contact time was about 30 min. The kinetics of the ammonium removal process followed both the Pseudo-first order and Pseudo-second order models. Equilibrium data of ammonium removal fitted both the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models with the maximum Langmuir ion exchange capacities for initial ammonium concentrations of 10-200 mg/L and 50-2000 mg/L reaching 18.37 mg/g and 40.16 mg/g, respectively. The presence of co-ions in the water reduced the ammonium removal efficiencies in the order Mg2+> Ca2+> K+. The maximum exchange capacity in the fluidised bed studies of the original Purolite C100E (bed height 27 cm, resin weight 75 g, initial ammonium concentration 17.4 mg/L, filtration velocity 0.5 m/h) was 10.48 mg/g. It progressively reduced slightly after three regeneration cycles to 8.79 mg/g. The column breakthrough data satisfactorily fitted the Thomas model. A household filter cartridge packed with 4 kg Purolite C100E (80 cm height) and operated at a filtration velocity of 1.9 m/h in Vietnam successfully reduced the initial 6 mg NH4+/L in groundwater (after sand filter pre-treatment) to well below the Vietnam drinking water standard (3 mg/L) continuously for one week.
Π-Shape Silicon Window for Controlling OFF-Current in Junctionless SOI MOSFET
Authors: Mehrad Mahsa , Zareiee Meysam
Published: August 2021

in this paper a modified junctionless transistor is proposed. The aim of the novel structure is controlling off-current using π-shape silicon window in the buried oxide under the source and the channel regions. The π-shape window changes the potential profile in the channel region in which the conduction band energy get away from the body Fermi energy and rebuild an electrostatic potential. Beside the significant reduced off-current, on current has acceptable value in the novel Silicon Region Junctionless MOSFET (SR-JMOSFET) than Conventional Junctionless MOSFET (C-JMOSFET). Moreover, replacing silicon material instead of silicon dioxide in the buried oxide causes reduced maximum temperature in the channel region. In this situation the heat could transfer to the π-shape silicon window and the temperature reduces in the active region, significantly.The simulation with the two-dimensional ATLAS simulator shows that short channel effects such as subthreshold and DIBL are controlled effectively in the SR-JMOSFET. Also, the optimum values of length and thickness of the π-shape window are defined to obtain the best behavior of the device.
Households' Willingness To Pay And Associated Factors For The Nutrition Services Provided To Pregnant Women At Maternity Waiting Homes In East Wollega, Western Ethiopia
Authors: Desisa Adisu Ewunetu , Lemma Teferi Daba , chali Gebeyehu Jeldu
Published: August 2021

Background: Maternity waiting home is a housing facility located near qualified medical facilities where a pregnant woman can wait to give birth and provided a nutrition service. In Ethiopia, most (86%) of the maternity waiting homes had no budget allocated from government funds and thus have to rely on communities’ contribution. Yet, very few studies have been conducted so far to evaluate the household’s willingness to pay for the nutrition service. Objective: The study aimed to estimate households’ maximum willingness to pay and its associated factors for the nutrition service provided to a pregnant woman at a maternity waiting homes in East Wollega Zone of Oromia National regional state, Ethiopia, September 2018. Methodology: A community based cross sectional study using double bounded dichotomous choice contingent valuation method was used. Sample size was determined by using single population proportion formula. Data entry and analysis were made using Epi-Data version 3.1 and SPSS for Windows version 20 software respectively. Descriptive statistics of frequency, binary and multivariable logistic regression analysis were performed. The associations between explanatory variables and outcome variable were presented by an Adjusted Odd Ratio and confidence interval. Results: We gathered data from 845 participants (98% response rate). The annual median maximum willingness to pay was 15ETB (US$0.55) per household. Marital status (AOR=3.533, 95% CI=1.007-12.39) and average monthly income (AOR=3.287, 95%CI=1.194-9.049). Moreover, distance from the health facility (AOR = 3.64, 95%CI = 1.256-10.55) and availability of food (AOR=3.714, 95%CI=1.331-10.364), enough beddings (AOR=5.353, 95%CI=2.207-13.010) and cooking utensils (AOR=4.044, 95%CI=1.353-12.088) at a housing facility were found to be predictors. Conclusion and Recommendation: Marital status, monthly income, and distance, availability of food, beddings and cooking utensils at housing facilities were found to be factors influencing maximum willingness to pay. Therefore, health facility managers should avail supplies and equipment at a housing facility.
Synaptic Loss in a Mouse Model of Euthyroid Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: Possible Involvement of the Microglia
Authors: Wang Fen , Cai Yao-Jun , Ma Xiao , Wang Nan , Wu Zhang-Bi , Sun Yan , Xu Yong-xia , Yang Hao , Liu Tian-tian , Xia Qin , Yu Zhen , Zhu De-Fa
Published: August 2021

Background: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is an autoimmune illness that renders individuals vulnerable to neuropsychopathology even in the euthyroid state, the mechanisms involved remain unclear. We hypothesized that activated microglia might disrupt synapses, resulting in cognitive disturbance in the context of euthyroid HT, and designed the present study to test this hypothesis. Methods: Experimental HT model was induced by immunizing NOD mice with thyroglobulin and adjuvant twice. Morris Water Maze was measured to determine mice spatial learning and memory. The synaptic parameters such as the synaptic density, synaptic ultrastructure and synaptic-markers (SYN and PSD95) as well as the interactions of microglia with synapses were also determined. Results: HT mice had poorer performance in Morris Water Maze than controls. Concurrently, HT resulted in a significant reduction in synapse density and ultrastructure damage, along with decreased synaptic puncta visualized by immunostaining with synaptophysin and PSD-95. In parallel, frontal activated microglia in euthyroid HT mice showed increased engulfment of PSD95 and EM revealed that the synaptic structures were visible within the microglia. These functional alterations in microglia corresponded to structural increases in their attachment to neuronal perikarya and a reduction in presynaptic terminals covering the neurons.Conclusion: Our results provide initial evidence that HT can induce synaptic loss in the euthyroid state with deficits might be attributable to activated microglia, which may underlie the deleterious effects of HT on spatial learning and memory.
Classification of Asbestosis in CT Imaging Data Using Convolutional LSTM
Authors: Kim Doohyung , Myong Jun-Pyo , Han Sung Won
Published: August 2021

Asbestosis is a disease with a high rate of mismatch between the readers. In this study, we use a deep learning framework to develop a model that can check the presence and lesion of asbestosis using medical CT data. The data was collected from 469 patients who had been tested for asbestosis. Out of the 469 patients, 284 were tested negative for asbestosis, while 185 were asbestosis positive. A CT image of a supine positioned lung setting was used. This study sought to solve the problem of image classification of CT data through Convolutional LSTM. Long-term Recurrent Convolution Networks (LRCN), a model that uses video format data as input, has been applied in this study. The model showed 83.3% Accuracy, 81.578% true positive and 86% true negative. In addition, a model that can verify validity by assisting a specialist with a Grad-CAM that can visualize the judgment was also developed. We hope that the model of this study will be able to work with specialists by acting as a judgment assistant.
Atypical Skeletal Involvement in Patients with Erdheim-Chester Disease: CT Imaging Findings
Authors: Zhang Zaizhu , Yu Wei , Guan Wenmin , Lin Qiang , Guermazi Ali
Published: August 2021

ObjectivesTo review retrospectively atypical bone findings from computed tomographic (CT) imaging in patients with Erdheim-Chester disease.MethodsAll 28 patients with Erdheim-Chester disease (13 men and 15 women; mean age, 45 years; range, 7–63 years) underwent chest-abdomen-pelvis CT. CT images were reviewed and analyzed for the various features of atypical bone lesions by two radiologists in consensus. ResultsTwenty-one patients had atypical bone involvement. Radiologically, these atypical osseous lesions were categorized into three types: diffuse, nodular and patchy. Eleven (52%) of the 21 patients had spinal lesions, of which four (36%) had the diffuse type, eight (73%) had the nodular pattern, and six (55%) had the patchy pattern. Sixteen (76%) of the 21 patients had pelvic involvement, of which two (13%) were diffuse, nine (56%) were nodular and 11 were (69%) patchy. Ribs were involved in seven (33%) of the 21 patients, with the nodular pattern in one (14%) patient and the patchy type in six (86%) patients. Clavicle involvement was seen in nine (43%) of the 21 patients, of which the diffuse type was found in only one (11%) patient, the nodular type in six (67%) patients, the solitary patchy type in four (44%) patients. Sternum involvement was seen in 10 (48%) of the 21 patients and all were nodular.ConclusionsThis series provides a detailed description of atypical bone involvement in Erdheim-Chester disease which on CT displays three major patterns. Understanding these patterns may help increase the accuracy of diagnosis of this disease.
Miscibility effect of biodegradable aliphatic poly(butylene succinate)/aromatic polycarbonate blends
Authors: Gumede Thandi Patricia , Shingange Katekani , Mbule Pontsho , Motloung Bennie
Published: August 2021

Biodegradable polymers are gaining attention for applications in drug delivery, tissue engineering, and wound management. Methods for enhancing their potential in these applications include blending non-biodegradable polymers with biodegradable polymers to form blends with unique properties. Herein we report on the effect of non-biodegradable PC on the physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of biodegradable PBS. The PBS/PC blends contained 3, 13, and 27 wt.% PC and were prepared by melt extrusion. The FTIR results revealed apparent compatibility between the two polymers. Even though the blends are compatible, the extent of miscibility depends on how well PC is dispersed in the PBS matrix. According to the SEM micrographs, adding 3 wt.% PC resulted in a miscible polymer blend. However, above this content, agglomeration was observed suggesting possible phase segregation. XRD results revealed peak shifts to higher angles and new peaks forming between
Clinical and paraclinical predictive factors for in-hospital mortality in adult patients with COVID-19
Authors: Mousavi Seyed Alireza , Mousavi-Roknabadi Reyhaneh Sadat , Nemati Fateme , Pourteimoori Somaye , Ghorbani Arefeh , Pourgholamali Hesan , Ansari Kazem , Mousavi-Roknabadi Razieh Sadat , Yakhdani Abdolrahim Sadeghi
Published: August 2021

Background

Since December 2019, a type of coronavirus has emerged in Wuhan, China, which has become the focus of global attention due to an epidemic of pneumonia of unknown cause, called COVID-19. This study aimed to investigate the factors affecting in-hospital mortality of patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in one of the main hospital in central Iran.
Methods

This retrospective cross-sectional study (February 2019-May 2020) was conducted on patients with confirmed diagnosis COVID-19, who were admitted in Yazd Shahid Sadoughi Hospital, in middle of Iran. The patients with uncompleted or missed medical files were excluded from the study. Data were extracted from the patients' medical files and then analyzed. The patients were categorized as survivors and non-survivors groups, and they were compared.
Results

Totally, 573 patients were enrolled, that 356 (62.2%) were male. The mean ± SD of age was 56.29 ± 17.53 years, and 93 (16.23%) were died. All the complications were more in non-survivors. Intensive care unit (ICU) admission was in 20.5% of the patients which was more in non-survivors (P < 0.001). The results of multivariate logistic regression test showed that plural effusion in lung computed tomography (CT) scan (OR = 0.055, P = 0.009), white blood cell (WBC) (OR = 1.417, P = 0.022), serum albumin (OR = 0.009, P < 0.001), non-invasive mechanical ventilation (OR = 34.315, P < 0.001), and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (OR = 66.039, P = 0.001) were achieved as the predictive factors for in-hospital mortality were the predictive factors for in-hospital mortality.
Conclusion

In-hospital mortality in patients with COVID-19 was about 16%. Plural effusion in lung CT scan, WBC, albumin, non-invasive mechanical ventilation, and ARDS were obtained as the predictive factors for in-hospital mortality.
The Molecular Basis of Outer Hair Cell Electromotility is Defined by Prestin’s Conformational Cycle
Authors: Perozo Eduardo , Bavi Navid , Clark Michael , Contreras Gustavo , Shen Rong , Reddy Bharat , Milewski Wieslawa
Published: August 2021

The voltage-dependent motor protein Prestin (SLC26A5) is responsible for the electromotive behavior of outer hair cells (OHCs) and underlies the cochlear amplifier 1. Knock out or impairment of Prestin causes severe hearing loss 2-5. Despite Prestin’s key physiological role in hearing, the mechanism by which mammalian Prestin senses voltage and transduces it into cellular-scale movements (electromotility) is poorly understood. Here, we determined the structure of dolphin Prestin in six distinct states using single particle cryo-electron microscopy. Our structural and functional data suggest that Prestin adopts a unique and complex set of states, tunable by the identity of bound anions (Cl- or SO4=). Salicylate, a drug that can cause reversible hearing loss, competes for the anion-binding site of Prestin, inhibits its function by immobilizing locking in a novel conformation. This suggests that the anion together with its coordinating fixed charges act as a dynamic voltage sensor. Analysis of all anion-dependent conformations reveals how structural rearrangements in the voltage sensor are coupled to conformational transitions at the protein-membrane interface, suggesting a novel mechanism of area expansion. Visualization of Prestin’s electromotility cycle distinguishes Prestin from closely related SLC26 anion transporters, highlighting the basis for evolutionary specialization of the mammalian cochlear amplifier at high resolution.
Anatomical Characteristics of African Cherry (Prunus Africana) Medicinal Plant for its Accurate Taxonomic Identification
Authors: Komakech Richard , Yang Sungyu , Song Jun Ho , Goya Choi , Yong-Goo Kim , Omujal Francis , Kyeyune Grace Nambatya ,   Gilbert Motlalepula Matsabisa4, Kang Youngmin
Published: August 2021

Background: The genus Prunus (Family Rosaceae) comprises over 400 plant species and exhibits vast biodiversity worldwide. Due to its wide distribution, its taxonomic classification is important. Anatomical characters are conserved and stable and thus can be used as an important tool in plant taxonomic characterization. Thus, this study aimed at examining and documenting P. africana leaf, stem, and seed anatomy using micrographs and photographs for possible use in identification, quality control, and phylogenetic studies of the species.Methods: P. africana leaves, stems, and seeds were fixed, dehydrated in ascending ethanol series (50–100 %), embedded in Technovit resin, and sectioned using a microtome for mounting histological slides for anatomical observation under a microscope and subsequent description.Results: The anatomical sections of a young stem revealed a cortex consisting of isodiametric parenchyma cells, druse crystals, primary vascular bundles, and pith. The mature stem bark consisted majorly of rhytidome with periderm densely arranged in multiple layers, a cluster of stone cells, and sclerenchyma. The sections of the leaf were hypostomatic with stomata size ranging between 18.90– (22.34)–26.90 × 15.41– (18.40)–21.22 μm. The leaf sections showed the presence of characteristic druse crystals, vascular bundles, and mesophyll layers. The pericarp showed the presence of epicarp, mesocarp, and endocarp with a thickness of approximately 350–400, 300–350, and 30–50 μm, respectively and a seed testa with a thickness of approximately 50–60 μm. Conclusion: The characteristic morphological and anatomical features observed in P. africana leaves, stems, and seeds in this study could provide useful data in taxonomical identification of this species.
Role of Low-Frequency Wind Variability in Inducing WWBs during the onset of super El Niños
Authors: Wu Yi-Kai , Hong Chi-Cherng , Li Tim , Huang An-Yi
Published: August 2021

In this study, the effect of multiple timescale wind fields on the westerly wind bursts (WWBs) was investigated during the onset of super (1982, 1997, and 2015) and moderate El Niño events. The results revealed that extreme WWBs during the onset of the super El Niño group were attributed to low-frequency westerly (≥90 days, LFW), medium-frequency westerly (20–90 days, MFW, or intraseasonal) and high-frequency westerly (≤10 days, HFW) components, accounting for approximately 51%, 33% and 16%, respectively. Thus, the extreme WWBs during the onset of super El Niños were primarily contributed by LFWs and MFWs. By contrast, the WWBs during the onset of moderate El Niños were determined primarily by MFWs (38%) and HFWs (35%), whereas the LFW contribution is relatively small (27%). A further analysis indicated that LFWs during the onset of the super El Niños were primarily a response to a positive SST anomaly in the tropical to eastern North Pacific resembling the Pacific Meridional Mode (PMM), which had persisted during the preceding 9–12 months in the extratropical eastern North Pacific. A significant lagged correlation between the tropical and extratropical North Pacific SST was identified, and their correlation has become stronger since the late 1980s. MFWs during the onset of the super El Niños were primarily associated with the Madden-Julian Oscillation.