bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Establishment of the necessary material and technical base lays the groundwork for the use of innovation in the grain industry
Authors: Tleubayev Azat , Kakhaberi Gabelashvili , Rustembayev Bazarkhan , Shulenbayeva Faya , Lošťák Michal , Rakhimov Adil , Kassym Ruslan , Tlenshiyeva Akmaral
Published: August 2022

Here we show for the first time that, solution of pressing problems and further sustainable development of the grain economy is only possible with the necessary material and technical base, allowing the use of modern systems in the agro-industrial complex. The article considers the problems of deficiency of basic plant nutrient elements. On the basis of statistical data, descriptive analysis of the wheat production dynamics has been carried out, state of mineral fertilizers usage in the country is shown. The comparison of mineral fertilizers use in agriculture in Kazakhstan and other countries in the world has been made, from which it is determined that the domestic system of mineral fertilizers application ranks the last positions in the world and lags far behind the foreign countries. The statistical data demonstrate the low wheat yielding ability index, which is directly related to soil depletion. The statistical data coming from official sources and conducted field studies constitute the evidence basis. Purpose – to analyze the current state of mineral fertilizer use in Kazakhstan, justify the need for compulsory fertilizer dressing on all crop lands, elaborate recommendations for solving the existing problems. Methods – general scientific: 1) when analyzing statistical data, the expert evaluation method was used; 2) demonstration plots have been digitized, agrochemical soil analysis has been conducted, optimum rates of phosphorus and nitrogen content have been determined, wheat plantings in plots with different phosphorus and nitrogen content have been performed. Outcomes – problem of soil depletion has been represented, effect of different mineral fertilizers doses on the productivity of wheat has been established. Conclusion – implementation of precision agriculture technology systems is required, thereby the state needs to: 1) introduce a country-wide requirement for compulsory annual submission of agrochemical maps by agricultural producers, for the purpose of croplands status monitoring; 2) construction of new agrochemical laboratories and mineral fertilizer production facilities; 3) initiate the process for relevant personnel training.
Low–Molecular Weight Fucoidan Polysaccharide Inhibits Pulmonary Fibrosis by Regulating M1/M2 Macrophages Polarization
Authors: Zhang Bo , Yuan Yanli , Sun Meiying , Xue Tao , Liu YanJuan , Shao Fengli , Xin Jie , Wang Zhen , Li Xinpeng
Published: August 2022

In this study, sulfated polysaccharides extracted from Laminaria japonica were degraded by free radicals to obtain low–molecular weight fucoidan (LMWF). The effects of LMWF on bleomycin-treated pulmonary fibrosis (PF) mice were evaluated in precious research. In this study, the expression of M2 macrophage polarization biomarker arginase was detected by immunohistochemistry, and the expression of M1/M2 markers was detected by Western blot and qPCR. It was found that the expression of M1/M2 macrophage markers were significantly increased in the lung tissue of pulmonary fibrosis mice, and LMWF could effectively reduce its expression. Subsequently, in order to verify the mechanism of LMWF inhibiting pulmonary fibrosis by regulating macrophage polarization, MH-S cells were induced by LPS combined with IFN-γ and IL-4 to construct the in vitro macrophage polarization models, and the expression of biomarkers were analyzed by Western blot and qPCR. The results showed that LMWF could regulate M1 macrophage polarization through early anti-inflammatory effect and inhibit the development of pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting M2 macrophage polarization in the later stage.
Kidney Function Impacts Plasma Alzheimer’s Biomarkers in a Cognitively Normal Multi- Ethnic Cohort
Authors: Hall James R. , Petersen Melissa , Johnson Leigh A , O’Bryant Sid
Published: August 2022

Background: Plasma biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) can be cost-effective, non-invasive, scalable measures for screening into clinical research and trials. Little research has examined the impact of medical comorbidities on these biomarkers especially among underserved communities. The current study examined the impact of kidney functioning on plasma AD biomarkers among a multi-ethnic cohort. Methods: 1,328 cognitively unimpaired Mexican American (659) and non-Hispanic white (669) were examined. eGFR levels were categorized into eGFR1>=90 (normal kidney function), eGFR2 60-89 (mild kidney function loss) and eGFR3 <60 (moderate to severe kidney function loss). Aβ40, Aβ42, total tau and NfL were assayed using Simoa. Results: Mild and moderate/severe eGFR levels,were associated with all plasma biomarkers. For Mexican Americans, mild kidney and moderate/severe kidney function loss were associated with Aβ40, Aβ42, total tau and NfL. Among non-Hispanic whites, mild kidney function loss was associated with Aβ40 and Aβ42 whereas moderate/severe kidney function loss was associated with all biomarkers.Conclusions: Among cognitively normal adults, even mild kidney loss is associated with alterations in the plasma AD biomarkers. Additional work to determine how to best consider eGFR levels to avoid misdiagnosis and inappropriate referrals for more invasive, and costly, procedures based on plasma biomarker findings is needed.
Design of Smart Autonomous Solar Panel with Cascaded Sepic-Boost Converter for High Voltage Renewable Applications
Authors: Kumari Rubi , Pyakurel Pawan , Rai Bijay , Pandit Moumi , Sherpa Karma Sonam , bhattacharya dibyadeep
Published: August 2022

Solar energy is most admired alternative to traditional energy sources. Special attention is required to improve solar gathering techniques in mountainous regions like Sikkim, where sun availability is unreliable but irradiance level is high. This paper proposes a hardware model for smart autonomous self-adjusting solar panel whose output is fed to DC-DC Cascaded SEPIC-Boost Converter for high voltage renewable based applications. The developed renewable system is designed to adjust the panel in a position where maximum voltage is extracted. The output of the solar panel is fed to the DC-DC cascaded converter. A detailed circuit analysis is performed to evaluate the system's efficiency and voltage gain. The converter is examined with different duty cycles. The proposed converter generates 40 V DC output with 20 V DC input voltage from solar panel at 50% duty ratio and gives 90% efficiency. The feasibility of the converter is confirmed with results obtained from an experimental prototype.
GP38 as a Vaccine Target for Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus
Authors: Schnell Matthias , Scher Gabrielle , Bente Dennis , Mears Megan , Cajimat Maria
Published: August 2022

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus (CCHFV) is a tick-borne virus that causes severe hemorrhagic disease in humans. There is a great need for effective vaccines and therapeutics against CCHFV for humans, as none are currently internationally approved. Recently, a monoclonal antibody against the GP38 glycoprotein protected mice against lethal CCHFV challenge. To show that GP38 is required and sufficient for protection against CCHFV, we used three inactivated rhabdoviral-based CCHFV-M vaccines, with or without GP38 in the presence or absence of the other CCHFV glycoproteins. All three vaccines elicited strong antibody responses against the respective CCHFV glycoproteins. However, only vaccines containing GP38 showed protection against CCHFV challenge in mice; vaccines without GP38 were not protective. The results of this study establish the need for GP38 in vaccines targeting CCHFV-M and demonstrate the efficacy of a CCHFV vaccine candidate based on an established vector platform.
Frailty and Age Impact Immune Responses to Moderna COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine
Authors: Semelka Charles T. , DeWitt Michael E. , Blevins Maria W. , Holbrook Beth C. , Sanders John W. , Alexander-Miller Martha A.
Published: August 2022

BACKGROUND: Immune responses to COVID-19 mRNA vaccines have not been well characterized in frail older adults. We postulated that frailty is associated with impaired antibody and cellular mRNA vaccine responses.METHODS: We followed older adults in a retirement facility with longitudinal clinical and serological samples from the first Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine dose starting in February 2021 through their 3rd (booster) vaccine dose. Outcomes were antibody titers, antibody avidity, and AIM+ T cell function and phenotype. Statistical analysis used antibody titers in linear mixed-effects linear regression with clinical predictors including, age, sex, prior infection status, and clinical frailty scale (CFS) score. T cell function analysis used clinical predictors and cellular phenotype variables in linear regression models.RESULTS: Participants (n=15) had median age of 90 years and mild, moderate, or severe frailty scores (n=3, 7, or 5 respectively). After 2 vaccine doses, anti-spike antibody titers were higher in 5-fold higher in individuals with mild frailty compared to severe frailty and 9-fold higher in individuals with prior COVID-19 infection compared to uninfected (p=0.02 and p<0.001). Following the booster, titers improved regardless of COVID-19 infection or frailty. Antibody avidity significantly declined following 2 vaccine doses regardless of frailty status, but reached maximal avidity after the booster. Spike-specific CD4+ T cell responses were modulated by frailty and terminally differentiated effector memory TEMRA cells, and spike-specific TFH cell responses were inversely correlated with age. Additionally, an immune-senescent memory T cell phenotype was correlated with frailty and functional decline.CONCLUSIONS: We described the separate influences of frailty and age on adaptive immune responses to the Moderna COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. Though overall antibody responses were robust, higher frailty diminished initial antibody quantity, and all older adults had impaired antibody avidity. Following the booster, antibody responses improved, overcoming the effects of age and frailty. CD4+ T cell responses were independently impacted by age, frailty, and burden of immune-senescence. Frailty was correlated with increased burden of immune-senescence, suggesting an immune-mediated mechanism for physiological decline.
Anatomic study of the innervation of Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus and Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis. Interest in nerve transfers.
Authors: Collado Pablo Martínez , Español Guillermo-José Tarnawski , Espinel Anton Fornieles , Flores Júlia Benítez , Martí MªRosa Morro , Pérez Manuel Llusá
Published: August 2022

Purpose: This study pretends to describe the innervation pattern of Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus (ECRL) and Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis (ECRB) to use ECRL branches as a first choice in nerve transfers to restore flexion and extension of wrist and fingers due to its easier identification and its redundant innervation.Methods: 9 cryopreserved and anonymous specimens were dissected to identify the radial nerve and describe the number of branches, distance between its origin and a line connecting both epicondyles, length of each branch and type of innervation of ECRL and ECRB according to Taylor’s classification.Results: 6 out of 9 specimens presented two branches from the radial nerve to innervate the ECRL (Taylor type 3). 3 out of 9 specimens only had one branch to innervate the ECRL, originating from the radial nerve (two of them classified as a Taylor type 1 and the other as a Taylor type 2). All the specimens had only one branch to innervate the ECRB (eight showing a Taylor type 1 pattern, and one classified as Taylor Type 2); in 7 out of 9 this branch emerges from the deep branch of the radial nerve, emerging in the other 3 specimens from the superficial branch of the radial nerve.Conclusion: The use of the ECRL branches could be considered as the first choice in nerve transfers to restore the flexion and extension of elbow, wrist and fingers in nerve injuries, because of its constant origin after the brachioradialis branch and in most of the cases its redundant innervation.
Modulation of backflow variability on the coherent changes in the Eurasian and North American winter temperatures and weakness in the CMIP6 Models
Authors: Sun Chenghu , Shi Xiaohui , Lu Qifeng , Li Weijing
Published: August 2022

The synchronization of winter temperature anomalies between Eurasia and North America was observed over northern Eurasia and North America at an inter-annual time scale. We found that this was associated with variations in the second leading mode of the winter atmospheric background flow (i.e., the 300 hPa meridional wind; V300-EOF2) over the North Atlantic-Arctic Oceans, and the surface air temperature (SAT) anomalies exhibited coherent changes over Eurasia and North America. The results suggested that this mode modulates the large-scale Rossby wave propagating across the mid-high latitude of the Eurasian and North American continents, and this also interferes with the climatological quasi-stationary wavenumber-2 to affect the stratosphere. In the positive phase of the V300-EOF2, the coordinated variation in the tropospheric and low stratospheric circulation facilitated the southward intrusion of cold air into Eurasia and North America simultaneously. We also evaluated the performance of the high top (HT) and low top (LT) of the CMIP6 models to capture the variation associated with this mode. The multi-model ensemble mean (MME) of the HT and LT models generally captured the spatial structures of the mode and reproduced coherent changes in the SATs over mid-latitude Eurasia and North America. The MME of the HT models showed a better performance than the LT models for simulating temperature variations over Eurasia, while they demonstrated poor performance over North America. There was a large spread in the simulation performance among the individual models, indicating great uncertainty in simulating SATs over the two regions. This result was primarily attributed to the different abilities to reproduce the tropospheric and stratospheric variations that affect the SATs. We also identified that the HT models did not substantively improve the simulation ability to represent the observed linear interference between the anomalous wave-2 and the climatological stationary wave-2 than that of the LT models, although a full stratosphere was included. These results have implications for further evaluation of the predictability of the backflow variability and concomitant Eurasian-North American cooling in the S2S project.
Prevalence of dysmenorrhea, associated factors, pain intensity, and its effect on daily academic activities among female undergraduate students of Hawassa University College of medicine and health sciences, Hawassa, Ethiopia
Authors: belayneh Wondu , Kassaye Zerai , Arusi Temesgen Tantu , Abera Netsanet , Hantalo Admassu , Melkamu Biruk , Gutulo Muluken
Published: August 2022

Background: Painful menstruation, known as dysmenorrhea, is a common gynecologic incident that affects mainly reproductive-age females with significant social, academic, and psychological negative impacts. Young females are one of the productive age who become future leaders and hope for the country as well as the community. Any problem which affects this age group will have a tremendous economic and psychological burden on the country and community. This study aims to assess the prevalence, associated risk factors of dysmenorrhea, pain intensity, and its effects on academic activities among Hawassa university students from April 1–30/2021Methods: A cross-sectional study was employed among Hawassa University students. Standardized self-administered questionnaires were used to get 348 individuals selected by systematic random sampling technique. A verbal multidimensional scoring system and Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) tools were used to the assessment of dysmenorrhea and the extent of pain severity. Data entered into Epi info version 7 and exported to SPSS version 21 for analysis. Pearson chi-square test was used to check the presence of an association between independent and outcome variables. Bivariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used for further assessment of the strength. The significance level was obtained using an odds ratio of 95%and CI a with p-value < 0. 05.Results: The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 80% (277). Of these,39.7 % (110) have reported that daily activity was affected; analgesics were required and gave sufficient relief, and 12.6% (35) reported that analgesia has no effect and their daily activities are inhibited. It hurt academic activities such as loss of class concentration, study time, sleep disturbances, personal relationships, and absenteeism. Factors associated are being sexually active, family history of dysmenorrhea, and presence of depression Conclusion: Dysmenorrhea is prevalent in this study and has a significant impact on academic activities. Family history of dysmenorrhea, being sexually active, and presence of depression are associated factors.
Mediating effect of anxiety and depression between family function and hope in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Wang Xuefen , Xia Fuhai , Wang Guoqing
Published: August 2022

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the mediating effect of anxiety and depression on family function and hope in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD), and to increase the knowledge about hope.Methods: The family APGAR index, hospital anxiety and depression scale, and Herth hope index were recorded using the self-reported questionnaires completed by 227 MHD patients.Results: The family function can directly predict hope, positively predict hope through depression (β = 0.052, p = 0.001), and positively predict hope through the chain mediating of anxiety and depression (β = 0.087, p = 0.001), according to chain mediation analysis. The total effect size was 28.31%. The total indirect effect value was 0.139, and the total effect value was 0.491.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that family function has a direct impact on MHD patients' hope, and that lowering anxiety and depression can help to feel more hopeful.
Restrictively Self-sampled and Compressed Local Differential Privacy in Federated Learning
Authors: Zhao Jianzhe , Li Yuchen , Zhang Ronglin , Song Wuganjing , Dong Rongrong , Matwin Stan
Published: August 2022

As a popular machine learning framework, federated learning (FL) enables clients to conduct cooperative training without sharing data, thus having higher security than conventional machine learning. However, by sharing parameters in the federated learning process, the attacker can still obtain private information from the sensitive data of participants by reverse parsing. Recently, local differential privacy (LDP) has worked well in preserving privacy for federated learning. However, it faces the inherent problem of balancing privacy, model performance, and algorithm efficiency. In this paper, we propose a novel local differential privacy method in federated learning (SLDP-FL), which achieves the privacy amplification effect by the client self-sampling and provides compressed and private parameters in each iteration by a compressed LDP mechanism. Thereby, it improves the model performance as well as efficiency observably.Moreover, we theoretically analyze the relationship between the model accuracy and client self-sampling probability. A restrictive client self-sampling technology is proposed, which eliminates the randomness of self-sampling probability settings in existing studies and improves the utilization of the federated system. Comprehensive experiments on MNIST and Fashion-MNIST datasets show that the SLDP-FL optimizes the existing federated learning framework through compression mechanism and self-sampling technique with restrictive probability since it is superior to the current algorithms' accuracy and convergence and communication efficiency.
Predicting Future Diabetes Using Machine Learning Models in a High-Risk Pediatric Cohort
Authors: Sinha Madhumita , Arreola Elsa Vazquez
Published: August 2022

The acute rise in childhood obesity has been associated with an increased risk of metabolic dysfunction and early-onset diabetes. Metabolic syndrome (MetS), a cluster of risk factors predicting future cardiometabolic disease, is not well established in children. This study leverages data from a longitudinal observational study of diabetes (1965–2007) that enrolled pediatric and adult participants, to create machine learning-based models (ML) to predict future incident diabetes. Anthropometric, clinical, and laboratory data from baseline examinations of 2,049 nondiabetic children were obtained, and 17-metabolic risk predictor variables were included. Multiple classification schemes were explored, and an ensemble model was created by combining the 5-best algorithms with the highest predictive accuracy. The area under the receiver-operating-characteristic curve (AUROC) of the ensemble model was significantly higher than the logistic regression model in predicting future diabetes [0.88 (95% CI: 0.85–0.9) and 0.63 (95% CI: 0.57–0.69), (p < 0.001) ]. The predictor variable importance of the best performing Random Forest model identified additional risk predictors outside of the pediatric MetS components as recommended by the International Diabetes Federation. This study used consistent and well-structured clinical data to create ML-based models that predicted future incident diabetes in a pediatric cohort with a high degree of accuracy.
Quantum Ensemble for Classification
Authors: Macaluso Antonio , Clissa Luca , Lodi Stefano , Sartori Claudio
Published: August 2022

A powerful way to improve performance in machine learning is to construct an ensemble that combines the predictions of multiple models. Ensemble methods are often much more accurate and have a lower variance than the individual classifiers that make them up, but have high requirements in terms of memory and computational time. In fact, a large number of alternative algorithms is usually adopted, each requiring to query all available data. We propose a new quantum algorithm that exploits quantum superposition, entanglement and interference to build an ensemble of classification models. Thanks to the generation of the several quantum trajectories in superposition, we obtain B transformations of the quantum state which encodes the training set in only log ( B ) operations. This implies an exponential growth of the ensemble size while increasing linearly the depth of the correspondent circuit. Furthermore, when considering the overall cost of the algorithm, we show that the training of a single weak classifier impacts additively to the overall time complexity rather than multiplicatively, as it usually happens in classical ensemble methods. We also present small-scale experiments on real-world datasets, defining a quantum version of the cosine classifier and using the IBM qiskit environment to show how the algorithms work.
Development and validation of a serum multi-omics based diagnostic model for systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Wang Wei , Wang Yingzhuo , Guo Feng , Yu Qian , He Qiongzi , Wei Peng , Wang Xiaoxiao , Liu Shijia
Published: August 2022

Objective.
The study aimed to identify potential biomarkers (metabonomics and proteomics) of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and develop serum multi-omics based diagnostic models for SLE.
Methods.
Serum samples were collected from 111 SLE patients and 38 healthy controls (HCs). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and Tandem Mass Tag (TMT) quantitative detection technology were respectively used to evaluate the subjects' serum metabolic spectrum and protein. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression and stepwise logistic regression were used to select clinical characteristics, metabonomics and proteomics parameters associated with SLE and the severity of SLE. Three diagnosis models were developed and validated to diagnosis SLE and the severity of SLE. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were utilized to evaluated three diagnostic models. Three nomogram were plotted to visualize the three models.
Results.
12 variables of all variables (2 demographic characteristics, 9 laboratory indexes, 8 proteomic indexes and 339 metabolomic indexes) were selected, which can be used for the diagnosis of patients with different severity of SLE. Area under ROC (AUC) of three models were 0.932, 0.840 and 0.867, respectively. Meanwhile, the sensitivity and specificity of three models were high (Mode l: 0.956 and0.857, Model 2: 0.700 and 0.900, Model 3: 1.000 and 0.667).
Conclusion.
The changes of serum metabolites and proteins in patients with SLE were studied by multi-omics analysis, and three multi-omics based diagnosis models and nomograms for were developed and validated to diagnosis SLE and the severity of SLE.
Negative Effects of Cx43 during Denervated Skeletal Muscle Atrophy can be Attenuated by Blueberry Extracts via Regulating Akt Pathway
Authors: Huang Xinying , Zhang Junpeng , You Zongqi , Xiang Yaoxian , Dai Junxi , Xu Lei , Jiang Junjian , Liu Jibo , Xu Jianguang
Published: August 2022

Background: Lack of effective treatment for alleviating the irreversible skeletal muscle atrophy caused by peripheral nerve disfunction has long been a clinical problem. For seeking therapeutic targets, several signaling pathways in muscle cells that activated by denervation have been explored. Important roles of Cx43 in other types of pathologic processes such as have been reported. Methods: Denervation mice model was created. Hematoxylin–Eosin (HE) and immunofluorescence staining were applied and analyzed. Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) were used. All statistical testing was performed by t test.Results: Our study investigated the negative role of Cx43 during muscle cells degeneration after denervation. Blueberry extracts was applied orally and its protective effect for denervated skeletal muscle atrophy was found in our study, and we demonstrated that Cx43/Akt pathway in denervated muscle cells was modulated by blueberry extracts. Conclusion: Negative effects of Cx43 during denervated skeletal muscle atrophy can be attenuated by blueberry extracts via regulating Akt pathway.
Are public good ecosystem services generated by on farm conservation of crop diversity valued by the general public?
Authors: Drucker Adam G. , Pradel Willy Willy , Scott Craig , Elmes Sarah , Valero Kleny G. Arpazi , Zander Kerstin K.
Published: August 2022

Agrobiodiversity is associated with a range of important but poorly quantified public good ecosystem services, the conservation of which requires public support. With a view to determining the general public’s willingness to pay (WTP) for such conservation, 491 adult Peruvian residents were interviewed using a stated preference choice experiment (CE) to elicit the value they place on crop genetic resources conservation, using quinoa as a case study. Strong support for the conservation of quinoa diversity was revealed, in particular when conservation was framed in terms of conserving the national cultural identity or food security. Respondents were willing to donate most for quinoa conservation to minimise production losses and to maintain the crop’s existence. Findings demonstrate the significant and frequently ignored social welfare benefits associated with non-market agrobiodiversity-related public good ecosystem services, in this case equivalent to a third of market production values. Given the relatively modest costs of securing such ecosystem services, we calculated a conservative benefit-cost ratio of 1.7.
Capital Accumulation in the Informal Sector: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Rajput Dinesh , Sreera Binilkumar Amarayil
Published: August 2022

The role of capital accumulation in economic growth is widely discussed. The role of the informal sector in the economic growth of many emerging and least developed economies is also widely discussed. This paper explores the role of capital accumulation in the informal sector. The informal sector enterprises face problems in accessing capital and funding their day-to-day operations. Hence it becomes important to understand how these firms expand their capacity. This paper evaluates the existing literature on capital accumulation in the informal sector with the help of bibliometric analysis. A bibliometric analysis is a quantitative analysis of bibliometric data that helps in understanding the trends in any research topic. The bibliometric tools have helped us analyse the theoretical framework, research collaboration, country-wise contribution, thematic evolution of research themes, and emerging areas for research in capital accumulation in the informal sector. In the conclusion, we reconfirm the growing popularity of capital accumulation and the informal sector and the role of capital accumulation in the growth of informal enterprises. The study suggests future research areas such as the role of social capital, intellectual capital, and human capital in capital accumulation and its impact on the growth of the informal sector. Plain English Summary Entrepreneurs and small informal firms crave social, intellectual, and human capital. This is a bibliometric study of research papers published in capital accumulation in the informal sector domain in the last 30 years. The study focuses on the theoretical evolution of capital accumulation and informal sector concepts. It has used bibliometric data of well scrutinized 284 documents for statistical analysis to find out the most relevant publications, authors, sources, and annual productivity in the said domain. The study has also looked at the thematic evolution of research topics in this area over the last three decades. The findings of the study suggest that though capital accumulation has been an important element in the growth of firms its role in the informal sector is yet to be established. However, social capital, knowledge, and human capital are emerging topics that need to be explored further. The study has explored the probable research topics and emerging research areas in capital accumulation in the informal sector domain.
Assessment of air quality before and during the COVID-19 and its potential health impacts in an arid oasis city: Urumqi, China
Authors: Sun Yaxin , Aishan Tayierjiang , Halik Ümüt , Betz Florian , Rezhake Remila
Published: August 2022

Air pollution has become one of the major environmental concerns to academia and urban residents. As a key megacity city of the "Silk Road Economic Belt", Urumqi has been listed as one of the ten most polluted cities in the world, posing a serious threat to the urban environment and residents' health. Therefore, the assessment of air pollution and its health impact on urban residents is urgently required for promoting the sustainable development of the city. This study analyzed the temporal and spatial changes in the concentration of major air pollutants in Urumqi and its response to epidemic prevention and control measures based on the data of PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, CO, and O3_8h from 10 air quality monitoring stations in Urumqi from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2021, mainly focusing on the temporal and spatial variation characteristics of PM2.5 and O3_8h concentrations, changes in pollution levels and their potential risks on human health. The results showed that the concentrations of air pollutants PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, CO, and O3_8h at various air quality monitoring sites from 2017 to 2021 showed a cyclical trend, and the implementation of the government's strict COVID-19 prevention and control measures had a significant effect on the reduction of air pollutant concentrations. The mean value of ρ(PM2.5) decreased from 2017 to 2021, while ρ(O3_8h) showed a waveform change trend (increased in 2017–2018, decreased in 2018–2020, and increased after 2020 ). In terms of the distribution area, the variation of ρ(PM2.5) and ρ(O3_8h) were greater in industrial areas than in commercial and residential areas. Continuous wavelet coherence exists between AQI and PM2.5 and O3_8h at each site during the period from January 2018 to December 2020, and AQI and PM2.5 were positively correlated. The high pollution levels (grades IV and V) of air pollutants PM2.5 and O3_8h in Urumqi decreased year by year, indicating that the number of days with potential threats to residents' health is gradually decreasing. Therefore, more attention should be paid to the control and governance of air pollution in Urumqi.
Use of trans-complementation method to determine the effects of various ftsI mutations on β-lactamase negative ampicillin resistant (BLNAR) Haemophilus influenzae strains
Authors: YALÇIN Melis , TRISTRAM Stephen , BOZDOĞAN Bülent
Published: August 2022

Haemophilus influenzae is causative agent of serious infections especially among children. β-lactam antibiotics are commonly used for treatment of these infections. Among H. influenzae isolates, β-lactam resistance can be due to the presence of either a β-lactamase, or in β-lactamase negative ampicillin resistant strains (BLNAR), to mutations in the ftsI gene that generate altered PBP3 with reduced affinity for β-lactams. The role of specific amino acid substitutions in PBP3 in producing a BLNAR phenotype has been thus far demonstrated by ftsI sequencing and deduced PBP3 amino acid substitutions of large numbers of strains with a BLNAR phenotype, by transforming susceptible recipient strains with ftsI genes from BLNAR strains, and by using site directed mutagenesis of the ftsI gene to generate desired substitutions. However, reversal of resistance in BLNAR strains by trans-complementation with wild-type ftsI has never been demonstrated and might be a useful tool in the investigation of β-lactam resistance in H. influenzae.The aim of this study was to determine the effect of trans-complementation with wild-type ftsI on the β-lactam susceptibility of H. influenzae with various β-lactam susceptibility phenotypes and genotypes. For this purpose, wild type ftsI gene encoding for PBP3 was amplified in whole from β-lactam susceptible H. influenzae Rd and cloned in pLS88 plasmid to obtain pADUTAS17, which was then used to transform known BLNAR strains, susceptible strains, and a strain (CF55) with wild type ftsI but unexplained reduced β-lactam susceptibility. Ampicillin and cefotaxime MICs were determined after transformation with pLS88 and pADUTAS17 plasmids. The results showed that antibiotic susceptibilities were not affected by trans-complementation for isolates carrying wild type ftsI gene, including strain CF55. However, trans-complementation for all BLNAR strains showed decreases between -0.957 and 0.5-fold for ampicillin and cefotaxime, confirming the role of the PBP3 substitutions in the BLNAR phenotype of these isolates. These results show that trans-complementation might be a useful tool in the investigation of decreased β-lactam susceptibility in H. influenzae.
Ligand free, copper catalyzed coupling reaction of aryl aluminum reagents with aryl thiosuccinimides
Authors: Xiao Hongliu , Zhang Zhihao , Jia Xiaoying , Pu Jiaxia , Wu Chuan , Li Qinghan
Published: August 2022

Highly efficient and simple cross-coupling reactions of aryl aluminum reagents with aryl thiosuccinimides for the synthesis of diarylsulide derivatives using a CuCl (20 mol%) as catalyst are reported. The method avoids the use of expensive transition metals like Pd, Ir or Rh, phosphorus ligand. 33–68% isolated yields of diarylsulides were obtained for a wide range of substrates at 60oC for 1.5h in THF.
ARF6-AMAP1 pathway induces pancreatic cancer cells to express immunosuppressive chemokines
Authors: Hashimoto Ari , Handa Haruka , Hata Soichiro , Okuzaki Daisuke , Fumoto Yoshizuki , Kuroda Kanon , Tsutaho Akio , Nishikawa Yoshihiro , Kodama Yuzo , Hirano Satoshi , Hashimoto Shigeru , Sabe Hisataka
Published: August 2022

Aim: The tumor microenvironment (TME) of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is highly immune suppressive with modest T-cell infiltration, and only rarely responds to immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) therapy. Our aim was to clarify the molecular basis underlying the immune suppressive properties of PDAC.Background: Mutations in both KRAS and TP53 genes are characteristic of PDAC. A major target of KRAS/TP53 double mutations is the ARF6-AMAP1 pathway, which promotes the fibrosis, acidosis, invasion, and immune evasion of cancer cells. KPC cells are a genetically well-defined mouse cell model of human PDAC bearing Kras/Trp53 mutations, and express Arf6 and Amap1 at high levels.Findings: Intact KPC cells predominantly expressed immune suppressive chemokines, such as Cxcl12 and Cxcl5, but when Amap1 was silenced, immune surveillance chemokines, such as Cxcl10 and Ccl5 became predominant. A similar, albeit fragmented, chemokine switching was observed in human PDAC cells, and this mechanism appeared to be used in the normal pancreas of humans and mice. The silencing of Amap1 in KPC cells significantly changed the types and numbers of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes to be less favorable for immune evasion.Conclusions: Many PDAC cells appear to have a hitherto unidentified mechanism of malignancy, by which they can change the types of chemokines that they produce to be favorable for immune evasion. The ARF6-AMAP1 pathway is integral to this chemokine switching. Hence, this malignancy appears to be the result of KRAS/TP53 double mutations, which are not common in other types of cancer unless they are in the advanced stages. Our results are consistent with our previous findings that blockade of the ARF6- AMAP1 pathway significantly improves the efficacy of ICI therapy.
“It’s too hard” – the management of latent TB in under-served populations in the UK: a qualitative study
Authors: Gray Adam Thorburn , Surey Julian , Esmail Hanif , Story Alistair , Harris Magdalena
Published: August 2022

Backgr﻿oundUK national guidance recommends systematic screening for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in under-served populations, including people experiencing homelessness and people who use drugs. This is not routinely implemented in the UK, and the reasons for this policy-practice mismatch remain underexplored.MethodsSemi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 19 healthcare professionals from across the UK. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling and snowballing, identifying individuals with excellent knowledge of their regions practice and policy of LTBI management. The interviews were conducted online, and were audio recorded, with transcripts thematically analysed using a two-stage inductive coding process to explore perceived barriers and enablers to LTBI screening.ResultsMost participants had previous experience managing LTBI in under-served populations, but none were conducting systematic screening as per national guidance. We identified service provision challenges and low prioritisation of LTBI as the key explanatory themes driving this policy-practice mismatch. Lack of resource, and the complexity of clinical decision making were two key service level barriers. System and service inertia, and lack of cost effectiveness evidence led to LTBI being deprioritised. Service integration and promotion of WHO targets for TB elimination were highlighted as potential solutions.ConclusionIntegrating LTBI testing and treatment with existing health services for under-served populations could improve feasibility and efficacy. Promotion of UK TB elimination goals and generation of regional evidence to support commissioning for LTBI care is vital. Without such a multi-pronged approach inertia is likely to persist and the zeitgeist will remain: “it’s too hard”.
Effects of Tourism Concessions in Protected Areas around the world
Authors: Gomes Carolina Ribeiro , Junior Wanderley Jorge da Silveira , de Souza Cleber Rodrigo , Salvio Geraldo Majela Moraes , de Moura Aloysio Souza , Silva André Luiz Ferreira da , Rodrigues Carolina Costa , Machado Felipe Santana , Lana Gabriela Furbino Brêttas , Costa Lauana Silva da , Alves Lívia Laiane Barbosa , Fontes Marco Aurélio Leite
Published: August 2022

This study aimed to investigate tourist concessions around the world and their main effects. To do so, we explored the descriptive information according to specific variables and the existing balance between positive and negative effects. We found that the concessions fulfill their economic role through the development of tourist activity, but they have deficiencies in social, environmental and procedural parameters. The most significant positive effect especially concerns the economy and tourism. On the other hand, the negative social effect showed a higher percentage and is related to the lack of partnership with the community. Most concession types are strictly linked to tourism by large companies. The local population is not fully included in the processes or considered partners, and they only participate in the provision of services. We also found an imbalance between positive and negative effects, with evidence of inconsistency in the processes. The processes considered inconsistent compromise local sustainability, the management objectives of the areas, and generate unequal opportunities. This scenario reveals that tourism concessions are still fragile and can compromise sustainable tourism development and nature conservation in PA. Furthermore, processes based on economic policies when implemented in conservation efforts only guarantee the maximization of economic benefits, disfavoring social and environmental objectives. We defend the control and continuous monitoring of concessions in order to maintain more consistent and effective processes.
Hydrogen-oxygen therapy improves postoperative pulmonary functions and accelerates recovery through attenuating inflammatory reactions and oxidative stress in patients undergoing lung surgery
Authors: Yang Wan-chao , Zhang Yu-Rong , Yu Jia-Xing , Yang Yi , Liu Xiang-Nan , Zhang Xin , Zhai Jia-Yuan , Lai Pei-Chen , Wang Qiu-Shi
Published: August 2022

Purpose: To investigate whether hydrogen-oxygen (67%–33%) therapy could improve the postoperative pulmonary function, recovery, complications, inflammatory reactions, and oxidative stress in patients undergoing lung surgery.Methods: We performed a prospective, randomized, single-blind, controlled clinical trial between December 2020 and December 2021. Eligible patients received either a lobectomy or sublobar resection. Postoperatively, they had 2-hour hydrogen-oxygen therapy (group H) or oxygen therapy (group C) daily, for three consecutive days. The pulmonary functions, recovery, pain intensity, oxygen saturation, inflammatory cytokines, and anti-oxidative markers were documented.Results: A total of 66 patients were analyzed, with 33 patients in each group. Both groups had decreased postoperative pulmonary functions, but group H had significantly better postoperative pulmonary functions than group C (forced vital capacities were 1.4±0.5 and 1.0±0.4 L and forced expiratory volumes in the first second were 1.1±0.3 and 0.9±0.3 L in group H and C, respectively (both P<0.01)). Compared to group C, group H had significantly decreased drainage volume, reduced catheter indwelling duration, shortened length of hospital stay, and lower pain intensity. Group H had statistically significantly decreased postoperative serum cytokine TNF-α and IL-6 levels and increased anti-oxidative markers compared to group C. The incidences of postoperative complications were comparable between the two groups. Conclusion: Hydrogen-oxygen therapy could improve postoperative pulmonary functions, decrease pain intensity, accelerate recovery, and shorten the length of the hospital stay in patients who have undergone lung resection, which may be related to its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects. Trial registration: The Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (registration number ChiCTR2100042101)，the date of registration was January,13,2021.
Long-term bifurcation and stochastic optimal control of a triple-delayed Ebola illness model with vaccination and quarantine strategies
Authors: Din Anwarud , Sabbar Yassine
Published: August 2022

Discovered in 1976, Ebola illness (EI) has long been neglected despite its high mortality rate, which can be as high as 90%. For more than 40 years, this illness has been responsible for epidemics throughout Central Africa. But only recently, during the 2014-2015 epidemic in West Africa, which is the deadliest to date, has the entire world considered this disease as one of the major public health issues. This paper aims to explore the effect of external fluctuations on the prevalence of EI. We begin by proposing a sophisticated biological system that takes into account vaccination and quarantine strategies as well as the effect of time lags. Due to some external perturbations, we extend our model to the probabilistic formulation with white noises. The perturbed model takes the form of a system of stochastic differential equations. Based on some non-standard analytical techniques, we demonstrate two main approach properties: intensity and elimination of EI. In order to better understand the impact of applied strategies, we deal with the stochastic control optimization approach by using some advanced theories. All this theoretical arsenal has been numerically confirmed by employing some real statistical data of EI. Finally, we mention that this work could be a rich basis for further investigations aimed at understanding the complexity of EI propagation at a pathophysiological and mathematics levels.
Single use of cytokine-adsorption-membrane Oxiris® in the treatment of severe malaria with acute kidney injury: a case-report
Authors: Zuchen Flavia , Serafim Rodrigo , Oliveira Joan , Carvalho Paula Lacorte , Andrade Regis Mariano , Rocha Eduardo , Maccariello Elizabeth
Published: August 2022

Background
Malaria´s treatment improved throughout the last decades mainly focused on eradicating the plasmodium. Nevertheless, its severe form is still a threat to over half the world’s population leaving opportunities to evaluate new approaches in managing the cytokine storm often associated with these cases.
Case Presentation
A previously healthy 60 years-old male was hospitalized due to a prolonged high fever after a recent visit to the Equatorial Guinea. The Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria diagnosis was made and soon after hospital admission his clinical condition rapidly deteriorated with hemodynamic instability, need of mechanical ventilation and acute kidney injury. Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) was initiated using the Oxiris® filter, an endotoxin and cytokines adsorption membrane currently used in our center in septic shock especially when due to gran negative bacteria. In the present case, the rational for its prescription was based on the similarity of sepsis and malaria cytokine storm in severe cases. A remarkable clinical improvement started within 24 hours after CRRT, followed by a clear decreasing in blood inflammatory mediators after 72 hours of its initiation (lactate: from 71 to 20 mg/dL; procalcitonin: from 73.9 to 33ng/L, interleukin-6: from 590 to 106 pg/mL). Seven days after admission, the patient acquired a ventilator-ssociated pneumonia, and targeted antimicrobial treatment was started. Because of multiple complications related to long in-hospital stay, patient remained hospitalized for five months before being discharged. He recovered renal function and no longer needed renal replacement therapy after discharge.
Conclusions
There are no previous or ongoing trials regarding the use of endotoxins and cytokines adsorbing membranes in the setting of severe malaria. The prompt clinical and laboratory improvement after the initiation of blood purification suggests cytokine adsorptive filters may have a beneficial impact in those cases.