bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Statistical analysis of academic performance (by an example from the faculty of economics of Voronezh State University)
Authors: Kanapukhin Pavel A. , Korotkikh Viacheslav V. , Shchekunskikh Svetlana S.
Published: August 2020

Importance. We live in a world in which educational processes are one of the constituent components of the modern society life. It is a well-known fact that higher education processes play an important role in achieving both individual and collective effectiveness. Therefore, they are subject to careful state and public monitoring. Objectives. Identification of statistically significant determinants of students' academic performance and in order to improve the quality of the educational process. Methods. During the research, we used parametric and nonparametric methods of data analysis and machine learning. We formed the research information base using data on educational activities, academic performance, points on the Unified State Exam, as well as generalized address data of students in the bachelor's degree in the areas of "Economics", "Management" 2013-2015 recruitment. Results. In the empirical part of the study, we tested several working hypotheses about the relationship of student academic performance with home region, gender, source of funding for educational activities, and the results of entrance tests. We also tested the hypothesis about the relationship between the completion of the educational activities of students due to academic failure and their low entrance score. We found that school-related stress has little to no impact on academic performance. Female students show better results in both areas of training. Girls who study at the expense of the federal budget demonstrate greater motivation for high academic performance compared to students at their own expense. There were no statistically significant linear relationships between the entrance scores and student performance. It would be unfair not to mention that fact that students completing their educational activities due to academic failure entered mainly with low total USE scores. Therefore it makes sense to significantly strengthen fundamental training, namely the classroom load in the disciplines of the basic part of the curriculum, develop convergent educational areas, and also strengthen interdisciplinary ties and the practice of studying the logic of cognition in order to smooth out the heterogeneity in the formation of competencies among students.
Ketamine Versus Tramadol Effectiveness as Postoperative Oral Analgesics on Pediatric Patients Age 5-10 Years in Elective Surgery at Dr. Soetomo Hospital Surabaya
Authors: Putri Herdiani Sulistyo , Hanindito Elizeus , Sulistyono Herdy
Published: August 2020

Introduction: The use of ketamine and tramadol as postoperative analgesics for pediatric are still relatively rare, especially orally administrated. As an analgesic, ketamine blocks the NMDA receptor, the main excitatory transmitter in CNS; whereas tramadol blocks serotonin and norepinephrine uptake, thus preventing pain transmission on the spinal cord. Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of oral ketamine and oral tramadol as analgesics for postoperative acute pain in children. Method: A double-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted at Dr. Soetomo Hospital. The hospital ethical committee had approved this study. The subject includes thirty children aged 5-10 years old who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. They were divided into either ketamine groups or the tramadol group, in which each group consisting of fifteen patients. The regimen dosage that been given was 2mg/kg tramadol and ketamine as postoperative oral analgesics in the form of simple syrup. The FLACC table was used to evaluate pain score before and after administration of drugs (30-minutes, 1-hour, 2-hours, 3-hours, 4-hours, and at discharge from the recovery room). Result and Discussion: Based on the quantitative parameter of the FLACC (scale 0-10), there was a significant difference (p<0.05) between the first-hour postoperative administration and patient discharge from the recovery room. The patient of ketamine group had far lower FLACC value compared to the tramadol group. Rescue analgesics in the form of intravenous fentanyl were given to one patient (6.7%) in the ketamine group and  four patients (26.7%) in the tramadol group. Conclusion: Ketamine proved to be a better and more effective postoperative oral analgesic compared to tramadol in this study.
DETERMINANTS OF PERINATAL DEPRESSION IN LICIN BANYUWANGI 2019
Authors: Putra Achmad Januar Er , Nurrobi R. M. Yusuf Aji Samudera , Prasetyo Danang Mukarrom , Akbar Muhammad Vildan , Oktaviana Novita , Fatimah Aliya , Hikmahwati Wandya , Fibularis Alma Pustika Kartikananda Retina , Zahro Fatimah Az , Azwan Zahwa Afdhilani , Karimah Azimatul , Dewi Nira Ista
Published: August 2020

Perinatal depression is a mood disorder that occurs in pregnant and postpartum women. To determine the magnitude of the risk of perinatal depression, this study uses the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) screening tool. This study uses primary data in the form of a questionnaire to collect data on screening for depression in pregnant women and postpartum during the last 12 months. This research is an observational descriptive study with cross sectional research design. Sampling was done by cluster random sampling in Segobang Village, Jelun Village, and Banjar Village in Licin District, Banyuwangi Regency. The number of samples obtained was 31 samples. In the EPDS screening results of the pregnant women group, the results showed a very high risk of 18,75%. Whereas in the postpartum maternal group, the results showed a high risk of 6,67%, and a very high risk of 6,67%. Based on the results of the correlation test with Spearman's rho correlation, it can be concluded that there was a significant corellation between maternal age of postpartum with the risk of perinatal depression (α = 0,03).
Study on Health/Lifestyle, Oxidative Stress, and Antioxidant Capacity Among Female Care Workers and Female General Workers
Authors: Kawano Yukiko , Demura Shinichi , Tanaka Yoshiharu , Matsuura Yoshimasa
Published: August 2020

Background: Care workers have been considered to have higher work-related stress than general workers, which can have a considerable effect on their lifestyle. Hence, psychological and physiological stress levels should be examined. While several studies have investigated psychological stress among care workers, none have examined physiological stress. In addition, very few studies have been investigated the relationship between lifestyle and physiological stress.Aims: This study aimed to examine the relationship between health/lifestyle and physiological stress among female care workers and general workers and identify differences therein.Methods: Subjects included 30 workers (average age: 49.8) and 33 general workers (average age: 51.9). No significant difference in their age was noted. The “Diagnostic Inventory of Health and Life Habit” developed by Tokunaga et al. was used to examine lifestyle habits. Physiological stress was examined by measuring diacron-reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) and biological antioxidant potential (BAP) using FRAS4 manufactured by WISMERLL Co., Ltd. during the subjects’ working hours.Results: Care workers were taller, heavier, woke up later, and slept longer than general workers. Both care workers and general workers had average health/lifestyle parameter scores that fell within the “moderate” category, with no differences between both groups. Both care workers and general workers had a poor health rating and were evaluated as “caution required,” which indicated undesirable lifestyle habits. No significant differences in d-ROMs and BAP were observed between both groups, many of whom fell under the “high oxidative stress” category for d-ROMs and “borderline” for BAP. Regarding the relationship between d-ROMs and BAP values and health/lifestyle parameters, our results found some relationship between exercise habits and d-ROMs only among care workers.Conclusion: General workers and care workers included herein had similarly poor health levels and undesirable lifestyle habits. Moreover, both groups were both had high d-ROM and normal BAP levels, with no significant differences in both indexes. Several care workers confirmed to have high d-ROMs tended to not participate in sport activities or exercise and did not to expect to benefit from them.
A Study of ZVS, ZCS and ZVZCS Techniques in Reducing the Energy Loss and Improving the Soft Switching Range
Authors: Ashique Ratil H , Salam Zainal
Published: August 2020

This paper presents a comparative analysis of the ZVZCS soft switching technique with the ZVS and the ZCS counterpart. The generalization of the voltage-current crossover or the energy loss factor obtained from simulation of the prototype converter shows that the ZVZCS significantly reduces the loss and helps to improve the efficiency of the converter as compared to the ZVS or the ZCS. On the other hand, it is also found that the soft switching range of operation of the ZVS and the ZCS are largely affected by the maximum switch voltage and switch current respectively. In contrary, these factors have a negligible effect on the ZVZCS operation which results in an extended range of soft switching operation. Additionally, a detailed LTPICE simulation is performed for selected ZVS, ZCS and ZVSCS topologies from the recent literature and the switching losses in the main switches of the converters are measured. It is observed that the energy losses in the ZVZCS mode are reduced on average by approximately 26 % at turn on and 20 % at the turn off as compared to the ZVS and the ZCS. Besides, the low standard deviation in this mode confirms a stable low loss profile which renders extended soft switching range. An experimental test is also conducted by building the prototype converter to verify the simulation results. It is found that the switching losses are minimum while the converter is operated in the ZVZCS mode. Besides, the efficiency drop remains consistently low as compared to the ZVS and the ZCS in the whole operating range. Resultantly, the simulation and the experimental results are both found to be consistent.
Reinforcement of Cohesionless Soil by Multi-oriented Geosynthetic Inclusions
Authors: Prasanna Shwetha
Published: August 2020

Henry Vidal first introduced the concept of using strips, grids, and sheets for reinforcing soil masses. Since then, a large variety of materials such as steel bars, tire shreds, polypropylene, polyester, glass fibers, coir, jute fibers etc. have been widely added to the soil mass randomly or in a regular, oriented manner. In this investigation, a new concept of multi-oriented plastic reinforcement (hexa-pods), is discussed. A systematic and comprehensive laboratory tests were conducted on unreinforced and reinforced soil samples. Laboratory tests such as direct shear teat and California bearing ratio (CBR) test were analyzed on soil samples consisting of only soil samples, soil sample with random inclusion of hexapods and soil samples with layered inclusion of hexapods. From the results obtained through direct shear test it could be observed that cohesion value of both the soil sample has increased and the angle of internal friction has been decreased after reinforcing it with inclusions in both randomly and layered conditions. CBR test indicates that for same amount of compactive effort, both random and layered inclusions of hexapods show improvement in strength and stiffness. Random inclusions of hexapods give better resistance to penetration as compared to layered inclusions. The hexa-pods also changed the brittle behavior of unreinforced sand samples to ductile ones.
Perception, Motivation and Satisfaction of Tourist Women on Their Visit to the City of Cordoba (Spain)
Authors: Lenis Escobar Alexandra , Rueda López Ramón , Pérez-Priego Manuel , García-Moreno García María de los Baños
Published: August 2020

The cultural and historical heritage of a city is a major resource to attract tourists. Therefore, reaching out to perceive and identify the characteristics of persons visiting a locality attracted by their property is relevant for the purpose of better meeting their expectations and needs. This research focuses on knowing the perceptions, motivations and satisfaction of women visiting Cordoba (Spain). Thus, on the basis of the questionnaire carried out on women visiting Cordoba during the months of June and November 2019, a statistical analysis has been made. Using various multivalent case-grouping techniques, tourist segments with similar perceptions of cultural heritage have been detected. Moreover, non-parametric statistical techniques have showed up significant differences between the valuations obtained in the various segments. This analysis has exposed a segment of women who, known as absorbent tourists, are characterized by the high cultural motivation to visit the city of Cordoba linked to the heritage they have visited. The conclusions obtained should be useful in adjusting the city's tourist supply to the specific demand of a population sector such as women visiting the city.
The Frequency of G614 SARS-CoV-2 Variant in India
Authors: Bassa Babu , Uppu Rao
Published: August 2020

As reported by us and others previously (1, 2), the D614G mutation appeared in the spike glycoprotein (SPG) of the SARS-CoV-2 (the pathogen behind COVID-19) at the early stages of the pandemic and then G614 containing variant of SARS-CoV-2 became the predominant strain in most human populations across the world. However, one of the most recent reports from India (3) stated the incidence of G614 to be only 26% in the Indian population. This report is contradictory to the information available through the GenBank (4) SARS-CoV-2 sequence deposits made by various laboratories from India. The above stated report currently circulating in the Indian media is likely to create a public perception that the Indian strain is less contagious and such a notion could be harmful to people’s welfare. In view of this concern we have re-evaluated, updated and recalculated the incidence of the G614 variant in the Indian population by analyzing 395 Indian SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequences available in the GenBank as of June 26, 2020. In our analysis we have categorized the samples by the month in which the samples were collected. We have used an alignment-free software tool named Compare (5, 6), and the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) (7) in the present analysis. We finally inspected each of the 395 sequences physically for the presence of aspartic acid (D) or glycine (G) at the 614th position of the spike glycoprotein. We analyzed an Australian cohort in parallel for comparison. We have found that the prevalence of G614 variant in the Indian samples for the month of June 2020 is 90.6%. The trends are similar with the Australian samples.
Practical Approach to Assessment of Effectiveness and Efficiency of Management Systems for Occupational Safety
Authors: Nikulin Andrei , Klimova Irina , Mrackova Eva
Published: August 2020

This paper is focused on the analysis of methods used to assess effectiveness and efficiency of the occupational safety and health management system (OSHMS) in a company. It reviews current Russian and international occupational safety and health standards. The paper details the method outlined in International Standard GOST 12.0.230.3-2016 “Occupational safety standards system. Management systems for occupational safety. Evaluation of effectiveness and efficiency” based on the data collected during the external audit of OSHMS function efficiency in a Russian mining company. Effectiveness and efficiency indicators were determined, and a generalized desirability coefficient was calculated. Weaknesses of the method proposed in GOST 12.0.230.3-2016 were identified and mathematical and linguistic solutions were proposed to improve it. Harrington function was used to determine a numerical and linguistic score. The performed calculation demonstrated that the company needed strategic management decisions to improve the current situation. Practical approaches were offered to enhance the company's systems-based occupational safety and health performance..
An Anti-Noise Fault Diagnosis Method of Bearing based on Multi-Scale 1DCNN
Authors: Cao Jie , He Zhidong , Wang Jinhua , Yu Ping
Published: August 2020

In recent years, intelligent fault diagnosis algorithms using deep learning method have achieved much success. However, the signals collected by sensors contain a lot of noise, which will have a great impact on the accuracy of the diagnostic model. To address this problem, we propose a one-dimensional convolutional neural network with multi-scale kernels (MSK-1DCNN) and apply this method to bearing fault diagnosis. We use a multi-scale convolution structure to extract different fault features in the original signal, and use the ELU activation function instead of the ReLU function in the multi-scale convolution structure to improve the anti-noise ability of MSK-1DCNN; then we use the training set with pepper noise to train the network to suppress overfitting. We use the Western Reserve University bearing data to verify the effectiveness of the algorithm and compare it with other fault diagnosis algorithms. Experimental results show that the improvements we proposed have effectively improved the diagnosis performers of MSK-1DCNN under strong noise and the diagnosis accuracy is higher than other comparison algorithms.
Accelerated Gradient Descent Using Instance Eliminating Back Propagation
Authors: Hosseinali Farzad
Published: August 2020

Artificial Intelligence is dominated by Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs). Currently, the Batch Gradient Descent (BGD) is the only solution to train ANN weights when dealing with large datasets. In this article, a modification to the BGD is proposed which significantly reduces the training time and improves the convergence. The modification, called Instance Eliminating Back Propagation (IEBP), eliminates correctly-predicted-instances from the Back Propagation. The speedup is due to the elimination of unnecessary matrix multiplication operations from the Back Propagation. The proposed modification does not add any training hyperparameter to the existing ones and reduces the memory consumption during the training.
KECEMASAN STATISTIK DITINJAU DARI JENIS KELAMIN
Authors: Suminta Rini Risnawita , Sayekti Fatma Puri
Published: August 2020

The statistics course has always been one of the subjects of anxiety stressors for students who take the social sciences. Most students choose this subject of social sciences in order to avoid statistics or numeracy courses. Nevertheless students who take the social sciences must face a statistical course. This study aims to determine the differences of statistical anxiety in terms of gender. Respondents in this study are 66 students of Islamic Psychology course, Department of Ushuluddin, Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam Negeri (STAIN) Kediri. The data collection techniques used in this study is a questionnaire in the form of scale. Statistics anxiety is the fear that occurs when a student working on a statistics course includes the collection, processing and interpretation of data. The results showed that there was a statistical anxiety difference between STAIN Kediri male and female students.
ANALISIS PELAKSANAAN MANAJEMEN PEMBELAJARAN MATA PELAJARAN PENDIDIKAN AGAMA ISLAM DI SMP 4 KUDUS TAHUN PELAJARAN 2015/2016
Authors: Akhsanulkhaq Moh
Published: August 2020

This study aimed to describe the implementation of Islamic education learning management; problematics of Islamic education and learning solutions; the output from the learning management implementation of Islamic Education in SMP 4 Kudus. This research subject is the principal, deputy head of affairs curriculum, school committee, teachers and learners. Data collection techniques using the method of observation, interviews, documentation and triangulation. The results showed that: (1) the implementation of Islamic education learning management done well enough that include planning, implementation and evaluation/assessment. (2) Some of the problems that occur in the learning of Islamic education can be overcome quite well with the solutions that have been diajalankan; (3) Output implementation of Islamic education learning management looks pretty good views of the learning achievement of Islamic Religious Education, satisfactory.
ADAPTIVE MUTUAL CURRICULUM: A BREAKTHROUGH IN CHARACTER EDUCATION
Authors: Rohadi Tedi
Published: August 2020

Character education is perceived differently and has been implemented partially. In addition, its execution in classroom context seems to simply be on the concept level which later on leads to the ineffectiveness of the program. Therefore, a reference or guidance in the form of applicable curriculum is necessitated. The study seeks to create a model of an adaptive mutual curriculum that can provide a clear cut practical guidance for teachers in implementing character education and validates it. The mutual adaptive curriculum as the product of the study in its implementation is adjusted to contextual needs, real and existing condition, and adopted developmental requirements. The design and content of curriculum is designed and determined by the external contexts of teaching and learning. The adaptation is carried out in pre and whilst the process of the implementation. The design of mutual adaptive curriculum is actualized in the forms of objectives, content or materials, learning experiences, and evaluations which are realized in the form of curriculum manual and instructional materials and activities for students. Despite the weaknesses and the problems that the mutual adaptive curriculum has, it has in certain extent proven to be a validated model of curriculum in character education
Superior Pole Sleeve Fracture of the Patella in an Adolescent
Authors: Siddiqui Rabail , Singh Amardeep , Cullinan Claude
Published: August 2020

Case:

We describe a case of a superior pole sleeve fracture of the patella in a healthy 12-year-old boy and provide a review of the literature. Patella pole sleeve fractures occur primarily in the paediatric population, with inferior pole fractures more commonly seen. Superior pole fractures are rare, which may make adequate diagnosis and treatment difficult.

Conclusion:

This case report aims to inform surgeons to be diligent of superior patella pole sleeve fractures and demonstrate the effective use of ultrasound imaging (as opposed to magnetic resonance imaging) in the diagnosis of the injury. Furthermore, this case report provides insight on diagnosis, treatments, and outcomes.
Competitiveness of Solar and Wind Power Plants in the Countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States
Authors: Marchenko O. V. , Solomin S. V.
Published: August 2020

Techno-economic indicators of renewable (solar and wind) and non-renewable energy sources are systematized, taking into account the interval of their uncertainty for the conditions of the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The main attention was paid to Russia and the countries of Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan), where there are the most favorable conditions for the development of solar and wind energy. A comparison of renewable and non-renewable energy sources by the criterion of the cost of generated electricity has been made. It is shown that the payment for greenhouse gas emissions increases the competitiveness of solar and wind power plants in the energy markets. Under favorable conditions for renewable energy, solar and wind installations in some areas can produce cheap electricity at a cost of 3–5 cents/(kW×h). With such values, they can be competitive without additional measures to stimulate their implementation. Using the mathematical model REM-2 (Renewable Energy Model), energy sources of different types were compared taking into account system effects. The power supply system consists of photovoltaic converters, wind turbines that enable the possibility of short-term accumulation of electricity and power consumption from a backup power source. Modeling of photoelectric converters and wind turbines operating modes was performed by time (hours) for different values of solar radiation arrival and wind speed. The optimal ratios between electricity production by photovoltaic converters and wind turbines, as well as the optimal level of electricity consumption from the network under different climatic and economic conditions, were determined. The economic efficiency of joint use of solar and wind energy in the CIS countries, primarily in Russia (with the exception of the northern regions) and the countries of Central Asia, is shown.
Aerobic exercise and octopamine protects against deep-frying oil-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis through modulation of caspase and pro-caspase 3
Authors: kianmehr Pantea , Azarbayjani Mohammad Ali , Peeri Maghsoud , Farzanegi Parvin
Published: August 2020

Background : Deep-frying is a common cooking method in which cooking is accompanied by carcinogenic byproducts such as acrolein. Acrolein is a toxic byproduct of lipid peroxidation, which has been implicated in pulmonary, cardiac, and neurodegenerative diseases. This study aimed to explore the effect of aerobic exercise and octopamine on caspase 3 and pro-caspase 3 expression levels in the heart tissue of rat exposed deep-frying oil. Methods : 30 male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups (n=6 in each) including 1) control (CO), 2) deep-frying oil (DFO), 3) deep-frying oil+exercise (DFO+EXE), 4) deep-frying oil+octopamine (DFO+OCT), and 5) deep-frying oil+exercise+octopamine (DFO+EXE+OCT). The apoptotic effects of DFO in heart tissue were examined by TUNEL assay. Masson's trichrome stain used to study cardiomyocytes’ fibers. Moreover, caspase 3 and pro-caspase 3 genes and proteins expression in all groups were evaluated using quantitative real-time PCR and western blotting method, respectively. Results : Data showed a significant increase in apoptotic cells in the DFO-treated group ( P <0.05). Masson's trichrome stain analysis demonstrated that the number of cardiomyocytes' fibers are decreased, and collagen deposition is increased in the DFO group. In comparison, the collagen percentage was significantly reduced in exercise, OCT, and exercise+OCT groups. Also, the expression level of caspase 3 and pro-caspase 3 was significantly decreased in deep-frying oil+exercise+OCT group ( P <0.05). Conclusions : The results of our study show that DFO lead to programmed cell death via the activation of caspase in heart tissue. However, it seems that aerobic exercise with octopamine supplementation improves heart tissue by significantly decrease the expression of caspase 3 and pro-caspase 3 that inhibit apoptosis.
Gender-based Inequalities in Health literacy among an Iranian Kurd Population: Results of a Community Survey
Authors: Mahmoodi Hassan , Moradzadeh Rahmatollah , Iranpour Abedin , Shahi Fatemeh , Azimi Somayeh , Saqqezi Pershang Sharifi , Keshavarzian Khadijeh , Shirzadi Shayesteh , Hosking Sarah , Nadrian Haidar
Published: August 2020

Background : Health literacy, as a social determinant of health, has a decisive role in providing different populations with healthcare services in an equal manner. Our aim in this study was to investigate the contribution of socio-demographic factors to functional health literacy (FHL) in a population of Iranian adults and identify differences in the contribution of these factors across genders. Methods : This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 2015 to 2016 in Sanandaj, Iran. Multistage cluster sampling was employed to recruit 1000 people older than 18 (response rate = 89.2%) from 35 urban and 10 rural health care centers. Test of functional health literacy in adults (TOFHLA) was used to assess FHL. In order to measure inequality in FHL, concentration index decomposition was used. Results: In total, 869 respondents (response rate: 86.9%) with a mean age (standard deviation; SD) of 33.68 (13.0) completed TOFHLA questionnaire. More than half of participants were women (57.5%). Participants demonstrated an average TOFHLA score of 51.9. Women demonstrated slightly higher TOFHLA scores (52.2 [SD: 0.46]) compared to men (50.7 [SD: 0.4]). However, the concentration index for gender was 10.9% suggesting gender contributed only moderately to TOFHLA scores. Comparatively, 54.3% of TOFHLA differences were attributed to geographic location. Among women, place of residence, monthly income, age, education level and being head of household contributed to 43%, 32%, 13%, 11.5% and 11% of FHL inequality, respectively. Among men, however, place of residence (45.2%), size of household (15.1%) and monthly income (13.5%) contributed most to inequality in FHL. Conclusions: Although gender was not the strongest contributing factor for FHL inequalities, poor FHL was mostly concentrated among men. Different factors were attributed to FHL inequality by gender, as discussed inside. Understanding these differences may assist in identifying and targeting interventions towards men and women with low levels of FHL. Our findings shed light the critical role of social determinants of health (SDH) in promoting the health literacy of populations, particularly in developing countries like Iran.
A Ring Model for Understanding How Interfacial Interaction Dictates the Structures of Protection Motifs and Gold Cores in Thiolate-Protected Gold Nanoclusters
Authors: Xu Wen , Zheng Mengke , Han Wenhua , Liu Pengye , Zeng Xiao Cheng
Published: August 2020

Understanding the role of interfacial interactions between the protection motifs SR[Au(SR)]x (x = 0, 1, 2, 3, ...) and gold cores on the stabilities of the thiolate-protected gold nanoclusters is still a challenging task. Although several theoretical models, including the superatom complex, super valence bond, and superatom network, have provided insights into the stabilities of either the overall structures or the gold cores, a model that can illuminate how the interfacial interaction dictates the unique structures of the protection motifs and gold cores is still lacking. Herein, we present a ring model, on the basis of comprehensive analyses of all 95 previous experimentally crystallized and theoretically predicted thiolate-protected gold nanoclusters, to offer a deeper insight into the structure-interaction relationship for this class of clusters. In the ring model, all the thiolate-protected gold nanoclusters can be generically viewed as fusion or interlocking of several [Aum(SR)n] (m = 4 - 8, 10, 12, and 0 ≤ n ≤ m) rings. The aurophilic interactions among these rings are expected to play a key role in the stabilization of the thiolate-protected gold nanoclusters. Guided by the ring model and the grand unified model (for understanding the structures of gold cores), a new Au42(SR)26 isomer is predicted, whose total energy is even lower than those of two previously crystallized isomers, thereby giving credence to the predictability of the ring model. The ring model provides not only a mechanistic understanding of the interactions between the protection ligands and gold cores in the thiolate-protected gold nanoclusters, but also a practical guidance on predicting new thiolate-protected gold nanoclusters for experimental synthesis and confirmation.
Seroprevalences of Classical Swine Fever Virus and Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus in Pigs in Hunan Province, China
Authors: Yu Haoyang , Zhang Luhua , Cai Yunfeng , Peng Tao , Liu Lei , Wang Naidong , Wang Guiping , Deng Zhibang , Zhan Yang
Published: August 2020

Background: Several infectious diseases including classical swine fever (CSF) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) are responsible for major economic losses and represent a threat to the swine industry worldwide. Hunan is a province in south-central China, serological statistics will have certain effect on local breeding industry.The present study investigated the seroprevalences of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) in pigs from eight cities of Hunan province from 2017 to 2019. The samples were divided into two groups based on whether the hosts were immunized or not, and analysed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results: The seropositivity of CSFV and PRRSV between different parts of Hunan province in China was statistically significant. In unvaccinated group, our findings showed CSFV antibody in piglets' sera decreases gradually with increase of piglets' age whereas PRRSV-specific antibodies may appear in various growth stages. In immunized group, the average seropositive rate of CSFV antibody was 82.2%, while the rate of PRRSV antibody was relatively higher (84.4%).Conclusions: Results from this study suggested that a serological investigation on these two major infectious diseases (CSF and PRRS) among various growth stages of pigs will provide a basis for further development of more effective preventions and control measures.
Blood levels of matrix metalloproteinase generated C-reactive protein metabolite (CRPM) are a sensitive measure of chronic inflammation in OA
Authors: Bay-Jensen Anne-Christine , Bihlet Asger , Byrjalsen Inger , Andersen Jeppe R , Riis Bente J , Christiansen Claus , Michealis Martin , Guehring Hans , Ladel Christoph , Karsdal Morten A
Published: August 2020

BackgroundThe heterogeneous nature of osteoarthritis (OA) and the need to subtype patients is widely accepted. The biomarker CRPM, a metabolite of C-reactive protein (CRP), is released to the circulation during inflammation. Blood CRPM levels have shown to be associated with disease activity and response to treatment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We hypothesized that circulating levels of CRPMs could be used to identify OA patients with an inflammatory phenotype. We investigated the level and the prognostic effect of CRPM using combined data from two phase III OA and two RA studies (N = 1591). The association between serum CRPM levels and radiographic progression was investigated in knees of OA patients without radiographic OA in contra-lateral knee at baseline by dividing the patients into cases (knees with two-year radiographic progression) and controls (knees without radiographic progression). ResultsThe mean CRPM levels were significantly lower in OA (8.5 [95% CI 8.3-8.8] ng/mL) compared to the RA patients (15.6 [9.5-21.6] ng/mL); however, a significant subset of OA patients (31%) had CRPM levels ≥ 9ng/mL, as 75% of patients with early RA. Furthermore, OA patients with CRPM levels ≥ 9ng/mL were more likely to progress on X-ray over a two-year follow-up period; CRPM was prognostic for contralateral incidence knee OA with an odds ratio of 2.2 [1.0 - 4.7]. ConclusionA subset of OA patients, approximately 30%, appear to have tissue inflammation comparable to that of RA patients, reflected by the level of CRPM. Furthermore, high CRPM levels were prognostic of incident knee OA. These data suggest that CRPM is a blood-based biochemical marker for early identification OA patients with an inflammatory phenotype.
Systems-wide effects of short-term feed deprivation in obese mice
Authors: Andersen Daniel , Roager Henrik Munch , Zhang Li , Moll Janne Marie , Frandsen Henrik Lauritz , Danneskiold-Samsøe Niels Banhos , Hansen Axel Kornerup , Kristiansen Karsten , Licht Tine Rask , Brix Susanne
Published: August 2020

Background: While prolonged fasting induces significant metabolic changes in humans and mice, less is known about systems-wide metabolic changes in response to short-term feed deprivation, which traditionally has been used in experimental animal studies prior to metabolic challenge tests. Methods: We here performed a systems biology-based investigation of connections between gut bacterial composition and function, inflammatory and metabolic parameters in the intestine, liver, visceral adipose tissue, blood and urine in obese mice that were feed deprived for varying durations up to 12 hours. Results: Our analysis revealed that increased duration of feed deprivation linked to enhanced intestinal butyric acid production and expression of the gene encoding the pro-thermogenic uncoupling protein UCP1 in visceral adipose tissue of obese mice. Ucp1 expression was also positively associated with Il33 expression in ileum, colon and adipose tissue as well as with the abundance of colonic Porphyromonadaceae, the latter also correlating to cecal butyric acid levels. Conclusions: The data highlighted presence of a three-tiered system of inter-tissue communication involving intestinal, immune and metabolic functions which is affected by the duration of feed deprivation in obese mice.
Increased MAGEC2 Expression Renders Resistance to Apoptotic Death Through Sustained Activation of STAT3 in Suspension Cultured Tumor Cells
Authors: Park Doyeon , Han Sora , Joo Hyun Jeong , Ka Hye In , Soh Su Jung , Park Ji Young , Yang Young
Published: August 2020

Background Melanoma-associated antigen C2 (MAGEC2) is an oncogene associated with various cancer types. However, the biological function of MAGEC2 in circulating tumor cells is unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of MAGEC2 using adapted suspension cells (ASCs), which were previously developed to study circulating tumor cells (CTCs).Methods Differential gene expression between adherent cells (ADs) and ASCs was examined using RNA-seq analysis. MAGEC2 expression was assessed using RT-qPCR, immunoblotting, and ChIP-seq analysis. Depletion of MAGEC2 expression was carried out using siRNA. MAGEC2-depleted ADs and ASCs were used to investigate the change in proliferation rate and cell cycle. Then, the protein levels of STAT3, phosphorylated STAT3, and downstream of STAT3 were measured using control and MAGEC2-depleted ADs and ASCs. The direct effect of active STAT3 inhibition with Stattic in ASCs was also assessed in terms of proliferation and apoptosis. Finally, an Annexin V/7-AAD assay was performed to determine the percentage of apoptotic cells in Stattic-treated cells. Results MAGEC2 was highly expressed in ASCs compared to ADs. Depletion of MAGEC2 reduced the proliferation rate and viability of ASCs. To elucidate the underlying mechanism, the level of STAT3 was examined because of its oncogenic properties. Tyrosine-phosphorylated active STAT3 was highly expressed in ASCs and decreased in MAGEC2-depleted ASCs. In addition, when ASCs were treated with Stattic, an active STAT3 inhibitor, they were more sensitive to intrinsic pathway-mediated apoptosis.Conclusions High expression of MAGEC2 may play an important role in the survival of ASCs by maintaining the expression of activated STAT3 to prevent apoptotic cell death.
Circulating Tumour Cells (CTCs) as Potential Biomarkers of Clinicopathological and Prognostic Significance in Gastric Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Li Yiding , Wu Guiling , Yang Wanli , Wang Xiaoqian , Duan Lili , Niu Liaoran , Zhang Yujie , Zhou Wei , Hong Liu , Fan Daiming
Published: August 2020

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is a common highly recurrent malignant tumor that is associated with poor prognosis. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have drawn much attention because of their diagnostic value in diverse cancers, including GC. This study aimed to assess the relevance of CTCs in predicting the clinicopathological parameters and prognostic significance of GC. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Medline and Web of Science for relevant studies. Each database was searched from its date of inception through January 22, 2020. The odds ratios (ORs), hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated as effect values using the random-effects model. Results: In total, 52 articles that reported 68 studies comprising 4158 GC patients were included. The pooled results on TNM stage indicated that the III/IV group had a notably higher CTCs positivity rate than the I/II group (OR=2.73, 95% CI (1.95,3.82), I2=65%). The poorly differentiated group had a significantly higher CTCs positivity rate than the well/moderately differentiated group (overall: OR=1.91, 95% CI (0.77,4.71)), as well as the Lauren classification diffuse/hybrid type group and the intestinal group (overall: OR=1.77, 95% CI (0.70,4.44)). The bulk of analysis revealed that CTC positivity detected in GC patients was correlated with worse overall survival (OS) (HR =1.94, 95% CI (1.64,2.30), P≤0.001), progression-free survival (PFS) (HR =2.45, 95% CI (1.65,3.64), P≤0.001), and disease-free survival (DFS) (HR =2.78, 95% CI (1.89,4.10), P≤0.001). Then, we extracted data and analyzed the DCR of chemotherapy in patients with GC, and the pooled analysis demonstrated that the DCR of the CTC positivity was lower than that of the CTC negativity (RR =0.63, 95% CI (0.44,0.91))Conclusions: In conclusion, our study demonstrated that the CTCs positivity was correlated with the poor OS, PFS and DFS in GC patients and provided a scientific foundation for gastric cancer staging.
Stand Feature Associating With Climate Seasonality Determinate Root-Shoot Ratios of Forest Ecosystems in China
Authors: Kang Feng-Feng , Yu Ai-Hua , Guo Mingchun , Wang Qi , Jiang Ze-Ping , Xiao Wen-Fa , Liu Jian-Feng
Published: August 2020

Background: Forest ecosystems play a crucial role in global carbon cycle. Identifying bio- or abio- drivers on forest biomass allocation pattern could improve our understanding in forest carbon sink, stock and cycle across various spatio-temporal scales. Through compiling a dataset (n=1931) of the root-shoot ratio from previous studies, here we implemented the Random Forest algorithm (RF) to elucidate main driven factors on the root-shoot ratio across China forest ecosystems. Results: (1) Forest age and forest density were both contributed mostly to root-shoot ratio variations regardless of forest origins (natural or planted forests). The relative important values (% increase in MSE) for forest density and forest age on the root-shoot ratio were 54.42% and 51.05% in the natural forests, and 74.61% and 117.27% in the planted forests, respectively; (2) Compared to soil variables (soil texture and nutrient status), climatic variables (temperature and precipitation) showed stronger effects on the root-shoot ratio; (3) Partial dependent analysis further demonstrated that root-shoot ratio initially decreased with forest age, but afterwards increased to a relative stable level (the turning point, e.g., ca. 150 yr for natural forests and ca.30 yr for planted forests); (4)The root-shoot ratio increased nonlinearly with an increase of forest density in both forest types. Forest density and precipitation seasonality exerted positively direct effects, while forest age together with temperature seasonality, mean temperature of wettest quarter and precipitation of warmest quarter had negatively effects on the root-shoot ratio of two forest types. Conclusions: The forest age, forest density and climate seasonality contributed mostly to variations of root-shoot ratios in China forest ecosystems. These results would improve our understanding of environmental drivers on forest biomass allocation over a large spatial scale, and to some extent provide a generally practical significance in forest management (e.g., time for timber harvest), although species-specific root-shoot ratio associated with ontogeny should be further investigated in the future.
Association of γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor-associated protein with prognosis in patients after radical pancreatic cancer treatment
Authors: Zhang Chao , Tang Wenhao , Tu Yanyuan , Yuan Zurong , Wang Wei , Wu Zhaokun , Xiao Li , Gu Yan , Wang Weiyi
Published: August 2020

Purpose: To discuss the value and possible causes of γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor-associated protein (GABARAP) expression and multiple clinicopathological factors in the prognosis of patients after radical pancreatic cancer treatment.Methods: The pancreatic tissues of 76 pancreatic cancer patients after R0 resection were screened according to the criteria, and the expression levels of GABARAP were determined by using immunohistochemistry (MaxVision) to label the pancreatic cancer tissues and normal pancreatic tissues at the peri-cancer level in these two types of specimens, and the relationship between GABARAP and other factors and the disease-free and overall survival of patients after radical pancreatic cancer treatment was evaluated by single factor survival analysis and Cox regression analysis.Results：The expression ratio of GABARAP in pancreatic cancer tissue was 55.26% (42/76), which was drastically higher than that in normal pancreatic tissue adjacent to cancer (21.42% (12/76). In 76 patients, the middle relapse-free survival time after radical operation for pancreatic cancer was 12.8 months, and the middle overall survival time was 17.8 months. Forty-one patients found relapse on CT, and the recurrence site: local recurrence accounted for 17.1% (7/41) Distant metastasis accounted for 78.0% (32/41), and local recurrence with distant metastasis accounted for 4.9% (2/41). Among the three recurrence methods, there was no drastical difference in survival time from relapse to death (P> 0.05). Cox regression model evaluation showed that GABARAP (P = 0.044) and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy (P = 0.038) were the overall survival of patients after radical pancreatic cancer Period independent prognostic indicators and both are protective factors for the prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients. Further data analysis found that postoperative chemotherapy had no drastical effect on the relapse-free survival and overall survival of 42 GABARAP-positive patients with cancer tissue, while in 34 GABARAP-negative patients, postoperative chemotherapy drastically increased the total patient Survival period (P = 0.041) but had no drastical effect on the patient's relapse-free survival periodConclusion: The expression of GABARAP in pancreatic cancer tissues was drastically up-regulated, and patients with high expression of GABARAP in pancreatic cancer tissues had better prognosis, but had no drastical effect on the relapse-free survival of patients after radical operation of pancreatic cancer. The expression of GABARAP in pancreatic cancer tissues and Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy is an independent indicator of patients' prognosis after radical pancreatic cancer resection. Both are protective factors. The high expression of GABARAP in pancreatic cancer may indicate that the adjuvant chemotherapy is low benefit.