bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Revealing 3D atomic packing in liquid-like solids
Authors: Yuan Yakun , Kim Dennis , Zhou Jihan , Chang Dillan , Zhu Fan , Nagaoka Yasutaka , Yang Yao , Pham Minh , Osher Stanley , Chen Ou , Ercius Peter , Schmid Andreas , Miao Jianwei (John)
Published: March 2021

Liquids and solids are two fundamental states of matter. However, due to the lack of direct experimental determination, our understanding of the 3D atomic structure of liquids and amorphous solids remained speculative. Here we advance atomic electron tomography to determine for the first time the 3D atomic positions in monatomic amorphous materials, including a Ta thin film and two Pd nanoparticles. We observe that pentagonal bipyramids are the most abundant atomic motifs in these amorphous materials. Instead of forming icosahedra, the majority of pentagonal bipyramids arrange into a novel medium-range order, named the pentagonal bipyramid network. Molecular dynamic simulations further reveal that pentagonal bipyramid networks are prevalent in monatomic amorphous liquids, which rapidly grow in size and form icosahedra during the quench from the liquid state to glass state. The experimental method and results are expected to advance the study of the amorphous-crystalline phase transition and glass transition at the single-atom level.
Sleep problems and their interaction with physical activity and fatigue in hematological cancer patients during onset of high dose chemotherapy
Authors: CASTELLI LUCIA , Elter Thomas , Wolf Florian , Watson Matthew , Schenk Alexander , Steindorf Karen , Bloch Wilhelm , Hallek Michael , Joisten Niklas , Zimmer Philipp
Published: March 2021

Purpose Sleep problems reported by hematological cancer patients are usually linked to higher levels of cancer-related fatigue. Although the awareness of sleep problems in solid cancer patients is rising, there has been less attention to the issue in hematological cancer patients. The present study assesses the differences in sleep by comparing physical activity and fatigue levels among hematological cancer patients during the onset of chemotherapy. Furthermore, it investigates the relationship between sleep, physical activity, and fatigue through mediation analysis. Methods The recruited sample consists of 58 newly diagnosed hematological cancer patients (47.1 ± 15.4 yrs; 51.7% males). Subjects completed questionnaires assessing sleep (PSQI), physical activity (visual analogue scale), fatigue (MFI-20), anxiety, depression (HADS), and quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30) within two weeks from starting treatment.Results The sample reported more sleep problems in comparison to the German population norm. The classification as good (ca 25%) or bad sleepers (ca 75%) showed less frequent physical activity (p = .04), higher fatigue (p = .032), anxiety (p = .003), depression (p = .011) and pain (p = .011) in bad sleepers. The mediation analysis revealed significant indirect effects of sleep on fatigue through physical activity habits.Conclusions This study highlights the combined action of sleep problems and physical activity on fatigue during the onset of induction chemotherapy. These two parameters could represent meaningful intervention targets to improve a patient’s status during chemotherapy.Trial registration The study was registered on the WHO trial register (DRKS00007824).
Clinical Efficacy and Imaging Analysis for the Surgical Treatment of Thoracolumbar Infections in Elderly Patients
Authors: Zhong Yanlong , Tang Benyu , Lai Qi , Sheng Yonghong , Li Chao , Guo Jia , Luo Shiwei , Yao Haoqun , Wan Zongmiao
Published: March 2021

BackgroundFew reports have been conducted to comparing surgical results and safety evaluations between the different types of infections in geriatric patients. The aim of this study is to investigate the safety and efficacy of surgical treatment for thoracolumbar infections in elderly patients.Methods21 patients with pyogenic spondylodiscitis (PS) and 26 patients with tuberculous spondylodiscitis (TS) were enrolled in the study. All patients were treated using one-stage posterior debridement, decompression, and pedicle screw fixation. Comparison of operative safety parameters between the two groups. Clinical efficacy was evaluated using visual analog scale (VAS) score, the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grade, the short form (SF)-36 survey and Oswestry disability index (ODI) to determine patient quality of life pre- and post-operatively. Results Hospitalisation and intensive care unit duration in the PS group were significantly shorter than in the TS group (P<0.05). The total incidence of post-operative complications for both groups was 44.7%. More complications occurred in the TS group, but the difference was not significant. The VAS and SF-36 scores (physical component) were significantly better in the PS group six months post-operatively, and the SF-36 (mental component) scores were significantly better in the PS group at the one-year follow-up. Neurological status in both groups improved post-operatively, and 83% of the patients were satisfied with the results of their operation. Imaging results showed that bone graft fusion improved in both groups at six months, one year and at the final follow-up. ConclusionSurgical treatment can provide satisfactory clinical and imaging results for thoracolumbar infection in patients over 65 years old. Although the incidence of peri-operative complications in the elderly is high, it is controllable and surgical treatment remains a safe and effective measure.
Hydrogen sulfide and potassium synergistically induce osmotic stress tolerance through regulation of H+-ATPase activity and sugar metabolism in tomato seedlings
Authors: Siddiqui Manzer H. , Mukherjee Soumya , Alamri Saud , Hu Yanbo , Alamri Abdullah , Alsubaie Qasi , Al-Munqedhi Bander , Ali Hayssam
Published: March 2021

Potassium (K) is an essential macronutrient which is known to regulate key metabolic processes, modulate enzyme activity and plays a decisive role in osmotic adjustment in plants. Present work evaluates the role of K in the regulation of endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) signaling in modulating the tolerance of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. Mill.) seedlings to osmotic stress. The findings reveal that exposure of seedlings to 15% (w/v) polyethylene glycol 8000 (PEG) led to a substantial decrease in leaf K content which was associated with reduced H+-ATPase activity. Exogenous application of K to the stressed seedlings significantly improved endogenous K content. Treatment with sodium orthovanadate (SOV, PM H+-ATPase inhibitor) and tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA, K channel blocker) suggests that exogenous K stimulated H+-ATPase activity that further regulated endogenous K content in tomato seedlings subjected to osmotic stress. Moreover, reduction in H+-ATPase activity by hypotaurine (H2S scavenger) substantiates the role of endogenous H2S in the regulation of H+-ATPase activity. Elevation in endogenous K content enhanced the biosynthesis of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) through enhancing the synthesis of cysteine, the H2S precursor. Synergistic action of H2S and K effectively neutralized osmotic stress by regulating sugar metabolism that resulted in osmotic adjustment, as witnessed by reduced water loss and improved hydration level of the stressed seedlings. Cross talk of H2S and K also assisted the seedlings in the activation of antioxidant enzymes that controlled the generation of reactive oxygen species and led to the protection against oxidative stress. The integrative role of H2S and K signaling was validated using hypotaurine (H2S scavenger) and TEA (K channel blocker) which weakened the protection against osmotic stress induced impairments. In conclusion, exogenous K and endogenous H2S regulate H+-ATPase activity which plays a decisive role in the maintenance of endogenous K homeostasis. Thus, present work reveals that K and H2S crosstalk is essential for modulation of osmotic stress tolerance in tomato seedlings.
Dark gap solitons in periodic nonlinear media with competing cubic-quintic nonlinearities
Authors: Chen Junbo , Zeng Jianhua
Published: March 2021

Solitons are nonlinear self-sustained wave excitations and probably among the most interesting and exciting emergent nonlinear phenomenon in the corresponding theoretical settings. Bright solitons with sharp peak and dark solitons with central notch have been well known and observed in various nonlinear systems. The interplay of periodic potentials, like photonic crystals and lattices in optics and optical lattices in ultracold atoms, with the dispersion has brought about gap solitons within the finite band gaps of the underlying linear Bloch-wave spectrum and, particularly, the bright gap solitons have been experimentally observed in these nonlinear periodic systems, while little is known about the underlying physics of dark gap solitons. Here, we theoretically and numerically investigate the existence, property and stability of one-dimensional gap solitons and soliton clusters in periodic nonlinear media with competing cubic-quintic nonlinearity, the higher-order of which is self-defocusing and the lower-order (cubic) one is chosen as self-defocusing or focusing nonlinearities. By means of the conventional linear-stability analysis and direct numerical calculations with initial perturbations, we identify the stability and instability areas of the corresponding dark gap solitons and clusters ones.
Analytical modeling of work hardening of duplex steel alloys in milling process
Authors: mohammadi yousef , Amirabadi Hossein
Published: March 2021

Sever plastic deformation in cutting operations such as milling, might change mechanical properties of the machined surface. This study presents an analytical model to calculate work hardening of the upper layers of the workpiece in the milling process of 2205 duplex stainless steel. In this regards, the stresses in the cutting regions are calculated to find the stress and temperature fields in the workpiece. Then the strain and strain rate values are calculated for each point of the surface and subsurface layers using the determined stress field. Finally, Johnson-Cook material model is used to calculate flow stress and work hardening. Experimental results of the different machining conditions has been used to validating the proposed model, however comparisons of subsurface microhardness obtained by analytical model with experimental tests shown that the model properly predicts the amount of work hardening.
The answer depends on pragmatic norms and epistemic reflection. A linguistic and epistemological analysis of the Danish Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36)
Authors: Petersen Esben Nedenskov , Norgaard Brigitte
Published: March 2021

Purpose The SF-36 is a commonly used tool for measuring health status in a general population. Despite the overall moderate to high validity scores, we believe that certain communicative dynamics of the questionnaire deserve more careful attention. Our aim was to examine how pragmatic dynamics and epistemic reflection may influence answers to the SF-36.Methods We applied a three-step Gricean analysis, which included identification of the items in which pragmatic dynamics are most likely to have a significant effect, examination of how Gricean maxims might affect the answers given to the items identified, and finally, assessment of whether the combined influence of linguistic context-sensitivity and pragmatic norms is benign.Results Items 6, 9a, 10 and 11a–d were included in the analysis. Regarding these items, our analysis showed that the pragmatic dynamics of scalar implicatures are crucial to the interpretation of answer options. In addition, we raised concerns specifically about the answer option ‘Ved ikke’; rather than representing a neutral midpoint, the answer is compatible with both a positive and a negative answer option. Nonetheless, we found that the communicative dynamics of the questionnaire are mostly benign.Conclusion Compared to the significance of scalar implicatures, the potential effects of epistemic reflection that we identified are minor because they concern only items with a ‘Don’t know’ answer option. However, we raised the concern that attention to epistemic error possibilities might prompt respondents to opt for a ‘Don’t know’ answer despite having evidence supporting a different answer. Therefore, although pragmatic norms of communication are far more significant than attention to epistemic error possibilities in shaping answers to the SF-36, we think that both factors belong in a description of how the questionnaire works.
Synthesis, Characterization and Thermal Behavior of HYP2O7·3H2O Electrical Properties of HYP2O7
Authors: Zrelli Rahma Rahzelli , Chehimi-Moumen Fathia , Hassen-Chehimi Dalila Ben , Trabelsi-Ayadi Malika
Published: March 2021

The synthesis of the diphosphate HYP2O7·3H2O was made via soft chemistry route from evaporation of aqueous solution at room temperature. The obtained compound, was characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and infrared spectroscopy (IR). The results showed a high purity phase. IR spectrum of this diphosphate revealed usual signals related to P2O7 diphosphate group and water molecules. The thermal decomposition of the synthesized product by DTA / TG proceeded through four stages leading to the formation of the Y2P4O13 as a final product. On the other hand, its decomposition by CRTA took place in three stages leading to the formation of the anhydrous diphosphate HYP2O7 as a final product. X-ray powder diffraction and infrared spectroscopy were used to identify these materials. Furthermore the electrical properties of the HYP2O7 were investigated through impedance complex analysis. Modest conductivity has been observed in this material at relatively medium temperature range. Activation energy of 0.67 and 1.44 eV, was deduced from the corresponding Arrhenius plot.The optical band gap of the title compound is calculated and found to be 2.71 eV.
In-Situ Electro Plastic Treatment for Thermomechanical Processing of CP Titanium
Authors: Khalik Mohammed Abdul , Zahiri Saden H , Masood Syed H , Palanisamy Suresh , Gulizia Stefan
Published: March 2021

Titanium and its alloys have been used in a broad range of products such as biomedical implants due to their high specific strength, corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. Improvement in microstructure and mechanical properties of CP titanium is usually performed by cold rolling and controlled atmosphere heat treatment that is energy-intensive and costly. This study aims to investigate the effect of an in-situ electro-plastic treatment (ISEPT) on the microstructure evolution of commercially pure (CP) titanium. The deformation load and electric current in this treatment were applied in the same direction (in-situ) to maximise the electro-plastic effect. Simultaneous electric current and strain application created a condition for dynamic recrystallization to occur at low temperature and under atmospheric conditions, thus reducing the cost and energy for manufacturing. The rapid heating and cooling prevented the oxidation of titanium to a large degree, eliminating the costly inert gas or vacuum requirement. Results in relation to the effect of applied current, strain rate, cold working and geometry on the processed CP Ti were discussed.
Quantifying the local Li-ion diffusion over the grain boundaries of a protective coating, revealing the impact on the macroscopic Li-ion transport in an all-solid-state battery
Authors: Liu Ming , Wang Chao , Zhao Chenglong , Maas Eveline van der , Lin Kui , Arszelewska Violetta A. , Li Baohua , Ganapathy Swapna , Wagemaker Marnix
Published: March 2021

The key challenge for solid-state-batteries is to design electrode-electrolyte interfaces that combine (electro)chemical and mechanical stability with facile Li-ion transport. Typically, this presents conflicting demands, the solid electrolyte-electrode interface-area should be maximized to facilitate high currents, while it should be minimized to reduce the parasitic interface reactions and enhance stability. Addressing these issues would greatly benefit from establishing the impact of interface coatings on local Li-ion transport over the grain boundaries. Here, the three-phase Li-ion transport, between solid electrolyte, coating and electrode is revealed using exchange-NMR, disentangling the detailed quantitative impact of the coating on the Li-ion transport in solid state batteries. A Li2S cathode is coated by LiI, providing a ductile and conductive interface with the argyrodite-sulfur electrolyte, where the exchange-NMR demonstrates that this enhances the interface transport to such an extent that the commonly applied nanosizing of the cathodic mixture can be abandoned. This leads to facile sulfur activation, preventing solid-electrolyte decomposition, in micron-sized cathodic mixtures, that can be related to the role of coatings on the Li-ion transport, providing perspectives for sulfur based solid-state-batteries.
Human papillomavirus type 68 prevalence and genetic variability based on E6/E7 genes in Sichuan
Authors: He Jiaoyu , Li Qiufu , Chen Yuning , Peng Jianying , Ma Shiyu , Song Zhilin , Liu Yiran , Cui Yanru , Deng Junhang , Wei Xia , Ding Xianping
Published: March 2021

Background:Cervical cancer is one of the malignant tumors threatening women's health worldwide, only second to breast cancer. 99.7% cervical cancer was found to be associated with high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) persistent infections. HPV68 is a common HR-HPV, closely related to cervical cancer.Methods:Cell samples were collected by cervical scraped for HPV detecting and typing, and HPV 68 positive samples were selected out. Important E6, E7 genes of HPV 68 were sequenced and analyzed for the study of HPV 68 genetic polymorphisms. Phylogenetic tree of E6-E7 was constructed by Maximum likelihood method of MEGA v7.0 software. The selection pressure sites of HPV68 E6, E7 were predicted by codeml in the PAML 4.8. The secondary structure and three-dimensional structure of HPV68 E6, E7 were analyzed by PSIPRED server and SWISS-MODEL respectively. T-cell and B-cell antigen epitopes of HPV68 E6, E7 were predicted by immune epitope Database Analysis (IEDB) resource and ABCpred server respectivelyResults:a total of 10650 cell samples were collected for detecting and typing, and 2939 (27.60%, 2939/10650) positive samples were detected, 174 (5.92%, 174/2939) were HPV68; 150 HPV68 E6-E7 were successful amplified and analyzed, 32 nucleotide mutations were observed in this study, 50% (16/32) were non-synonymous mutations; among them, 4 non-synonymous mutations were detected in E6 gene (one in the Coil and three in the Strand), 12 were in E7 gene (four in the alpha helix, two in the Coil and six in the Strand). Phylogenetic analysis of HPV68 E6-E7 suggested that C was the most frequent HPV68 lineage in Sichuan China. 82-90SESVYATTL, 85-93VYATTLETI, 13-21KLPDLCRTL and 67-81-SCIKFYAKIRELRYY, 68-82CIKFYAKIRELRYYS, 66-80QSCIKFYAKIRELRY were the most potential HPV68 E6 HLA-Ⅰ, HLA-Ⅱepitopes respectively; and B-cell epitopes were 138-153CRHCWTSKREDRRRTR, 82-97SESVYATTLETITNTK. 92-101LLFMDSLNFV, 45-53AVNHHQHQL and 20-35EIEPVDLVCHEQLGDS were the most potential HPV68 E7 HLA-Ⅰand B-cell epitopes. 3 HPV68 E6 positive selection sites and 5 HPV68 E7 were detected, and they all had a certain influence on the proteins structure and epitopes affinity.Conclusion:Non-synonymous mutations of HPV 68 located in positive selection sites resulted in differences in protein structure and epitopes affinity, that may affect the pathogenicity and adaptability of HPV68 to the environment. HPV68 data enrichment is of great significance for understanding the inherent geographical and biological differences of HPV68 in china; and targeting potential epitopes for therapeutic vaccines may improve the effective of vaccines design for specific populations.
Synthesis and Catalytic Evaluation of Silver@nickel Oxide and Alginate Biopolymer Nanocomposite Hydrogel Beads
Authors: Khalil Ashi , Ali Nauman , Asiri Abdullah M. , Kamal Tahseen
Published: March 2021

In this study, silver-nickel oxide/ calcium alginate (Ag@NiO/Alg) hydrogel beads were synthesized. The preparation of Ag@NiO was carried out in two steps: 1) synthesizing the nickel oxide nanoparticle through precipitation method, and 2) adhering of the Ag+ ion from silver nitrate solution and reduction with sodium borohydride. The nanomaterial was mixed with alginate biopolymer aqueous solution and extruded through syringe in a dropwise manner into a CaCl2 aqueous solution for inotropic crosslinking. Through this method, Ag@NiO/Alg beads were formed which were characterized by different instrumental techniques. The catalytic efficiency of Ag@NiO/Alg was evaluated for the reduction of rhodamine B (RhB) and methyl orange (MO), in the presence of sodium borohydride reducing agent. The uncatalyzed RhB and MO reduction reactions did not show a significant decrease in the absorbance value at λmax within the given experimental time. It was due to the large kinetic barrier. A small decrease in the absorbance value for uncatalyzed reaction in the presence of very high concentration of reducing agent was observed, indicating that the reactions are thermodynamically feasible. After applying various kinetic order equations to the experimental data, the reactions were found to follow pseudo-first order kinetics using the Ag@NiO/Alg catalyst. The apparent rate constants (kapp) were determined as 0.33358 min-1 and 0.20882 min-1 for catalytic reduction of RhB and MO, respectively. Furthermore, reduction reactions were studied at varying dye concentration and catalyst dosages. The recovered catalyst was reused up to five cycles without significant drop in the activity.
Analysis and Prediction of Long-term Settlement of Metro Shield Tunnel in Saturated Sand
Authors: Liu Jianzheng , Yixin Yang , Chunjie Yang
Published: March 2021

based on the existing monitoring data, this paper uses the matured data method to analyze and predict the long-term settlement of the subway shield tunnel, and comprehensively analyzes the long-term settlement of the subway shield tunnel in the saturated sand layer of Zhengzhou. Logical curve model is used. Etc. separately predict the long-term settlement of the Zhengzhou metro shield tunnel, and combine the prediction results to summarize the characteristics of the prediction model to obtain a prediction model suitable for the long-term settlement of the subway shield tunnel in the sandy soil area represented by Zhengzhou, which can be used for the operation of the Zhengzhou subway tunnel. Management and similar engineering projects provide a certain reference basis.
Relationship between changes in serum myostatin and adiponectin in patients with obesity undergoing a weight loss program
Authors: Takao Nana , Kurose Satoshi , Miyauchi Takumi , Onishi Katsuko , Tamanoi Atsuko , Tsuyuguchi Ryota , Fujii Aya , Yoshiuchi Sawako , Takahashi Kazuhisa , Tsutsumi Hiromi , Kimura Yutaka
Published: March 2021

Background: Previously, we observed that adiponectin—an adipose tissue-derived hormone—was negatively correlated with muscle strength while myostatin—a myokine protein secreted by skeletal muscle—was positively correlated with appendicular lean mass. Albeit interesting, the relevance of these relationships is unclear. Thus, we aimed to examine the relationship between myostatin, adiponectin, and body composition in patients with obesity undergoing a weight loss program.Methods: We studied 66 patients with obesity (age: 46.8 ± 14.0 years, body mass index: 34.3 [31.0, 38.4] kg/m2) attending a hospital for a weight loss program. Participants were divided into those with weight reduction less than 5% (the L group) and greater than 5% (the M group) from the baseline. All patients underwent blood tests and were assessed for body composition, insulin resistance, adipocytokines, myokines, exercise tolerance, and muscle strength at baseline and after the program. Results: Serum myostatin and adiponectin levels increased after the program in both groups. Body weight and %fat decreased, and the rate of lean body mass (%LBM) increased in both groups. Exercise capacity and muscle strength improved in the M group only. Change in (⊿) myostatin correlated with ⊿%fat, ⊿%LBM, and ⊿adiponectin. ⊿adiponectin (β = -0.262, p = 0.035) as an independent predictor of ⊿myostatin. Conclusions: Myostatin and adiponectin might crosstalk and regulate changes in skeletal muscle and fat mass. These findings might predict the effects of weight loss and prevent skeletal muscle mass loss by evaluating serum myostatin and adiponectin in clinical practice.
Awareness of Dysphagia in Hospitalized Patients and Its Impact
Authors: Aumpan Natsuda , Patcharatrakul Tanisa , Lakananurak Narisorn , Gonlachanvit Sutep
Published: March 2021

Background and aims: Acute illness might affect the swallowing function. However, there have been limited studies regarding dysphagia awareness in hospitalized patients, factors associated with dysphagia, and its outcomes. Methods: Consecutive patients in an internal medicine ward whom primary physicians prescribed oral diet were prospectively evaluated their swallowing problems by using a water swallow test (WST) and swallowing disturbance questionnaire (SDQ) within 48 hours after admission. Patients characteristics, nutritional status, readmission, and mortality rates were evaluated and compared between patients with and without impaired swallowing. Results: Among 131 enrolled patients (61 males, mean age 58±21 years), 20 patients (15.3%) had abnormal SDQ and 38 patients (29%) had abnormal WST. 19/20 patients with abnormal SDQ had abnormal WST while 19/38 patients with abnormal WST (50.0%) had abnormal SDQ. Patients with swallowing problems by either abnormal SDQ or WST were significantly older than those without (p<0.05). After adjusting for age, underlying neurological disorders (OR 2.96, 95%CI 1.03-8.47; p=0.04), admission diagnosis of pneumonia (OR 5.29, 95%CI 1.47-19.0, p=0.01), and moderate-to-severe malnutrition (OR 4.14, 95%CI 1.67-10.3, p=0.002) were significantly associated with abnormal WST, while malnutrition (OR 9.88, 95%CI 2.36-41.4; p=0.002) was independently associated with abnormal SDQ. For the follow-up period of 14 months, five patients (26.3%) who had abnormal SDQ/WST had aspiration pneumonia and 2 of them died while one patient with normal SDQ and WST (0.9%) had aspiration pneumonia (p<0.001). Conclusion: Dysphagia is an underrecognized problem in hospitalized patients. This problem was associated with underlying neurological diseases, malnutrition, the current diagnosis, and readmission due to pneumonia. Screening for dysphagia is recommended in hospitalized patients, particularly in patients at risk.
Nasal high-frequency oscillatory ventilation versus nasal continuous positive airway pressure as primary respiratory support strategies for respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Jie Li , Long Chen , Shi Yuan
Published: March 2021

Nasal high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (NHFOV) has been described to be an advanced version of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP). However, its beneficial effects among different studies were inconsistent. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects between NHFOV and NCPAP as the primary respiratory supporting strategies on the intubation rate in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome(RDS). Medline, the Cochrane library, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, EMBASE, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang data Information Site were searched from inception to Jan 1, 2021(Prospero2019 CRD42019129316, date of registration:Apr-23,2019). Pooled data from clinically randomized controlled trials(RCTs) comparing NHFOV with NCPAP as the primary respiratory supporting strategies in preterm infants with RDS were performed using the fixed-effects models whenever no heterogeneity was shown. The primary outcome was intubation rate. Four randomized controlled trials involving 570 participants were included. Comparing with NCPAP, NHFOV resulted in less intubation rate(relative risk(RR):0.47; 95% confidence interval(CI):0.31–0.70, P = 0.0002), and heterogeneity was not found among the trials in the fixed effects model (P = 0.69, I2 = 0%). Similar result also appeared in sensitivity analysis after excluding one study with significant difference(RR:0.49; 95% CI:0.29–0.81, P = 0.006) (P = 0.52, I2 = 0%). Conclusion NHFOV is superior to NCPAP in decreasing the risk of intubation as a primary respiratory supporting strategies in preterm infants suffering from RDS.
Using Uniform Design Methodology of Turning Parameters Study of Nickel Alloy
Authors: Chen Shao Hsien , Hsu Chih-Hung
Published: March 2021

The nickel alloy has good mechanical strength and corrosion resistance at high temperature, it is extensively used in aerospace, biomedical and energy industries, as well as alloy designs of different chemical compositions to achieve different mechanical properties. However, for high mechanical strength, low thermal conductivity and surface hardening property, the nickel alloy has worse cutting tool life and machining efficiency than general materials. Therefore, how to select the optimum machining parameters will influence the workpiece quality, cost and machining time. For the selection of nickel alloy turning parameters, this paper uses uniform design method to design cutting test to reduce the number of experiments. Three independent variable parameters are set up, including cutting speed, feed motion and cutting depth, and four dependent variable parameters are set up, including cutting tool wear, surface roughness, machining time and cutting force. A nickel alloy turning parameter model is built by using regression analysis to further predict the I/O relationship among various combinations of variables. The errors between actual values and prediction values are validated. When the cutting tool wear (VB) is 2.72~6.18%, the surface roughness (Ra) is 4.10~7.72%, the machining time (T) is 3.75~8.82%, and the cutting force (N) is 1.54~7.42%, the errors of various dependent variables are approximately less than 10%, so a high precision estimation model is obtained through a few experiments of uniform design method.
Modification at A-Ring and Cytotoxic Activity of Betulonic Acid and its N-Methylpyperazinyl Amide
Authors: Giniyatullina Gulnara , Petrova Anastasiya , Mustafin Akhat , Zileeva Zulfia , Kuzmina Ulyana , Vakhitova Yulia , Kazakova Oxana
Published: March 2021

Since cancer remains one of the most prevalent diseases today, there is an urgent need for the development of new agents. Triterpenoids may act in multiple pathways displaying antiproliferative, antiangiogenic, anti-inflammatory, and pro-apoptotic activities that place them as promising multifunctional agents in treating cancer. In this paper a series of betulonic acid and its N-methylpyperazinyl amide derivatives, especially holding C2-nicotinoylidene/furfurylidene/fluorobenzylidene fragments, have been synthesized and evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against the NCI-60 cancer cell line panel. N-Methylpiperazinyl amides of betulinic acid 11 and 4-pyridinoylidene-betulinic acid 9 as well as betulonic acid C2-4-pyridinoylidene- 14 or furfurylidene 16 derivatives were found to be the leading compounds with GI50 values of 0.49 μM for leukemia CCRF-CEM, 1.60 μM and 1.36 μM for colon cancer HCT-116 and 1.66 μM for melanoma LOX IMVI cell lines, respectively. The activity displayed for these compounds was higher than for the standard drug doxorubicin against colon cancer HCT-15 and ovarian cancer NCI/ADR-RES cell lines. Cell cycle analysis indicates that compound 11 promotes cytotoxic activity through the apoptosis induction both in conditionally normal (HEK293) and in cancer (A549, MCF-7) cells, whereas compound 14 exhibits both cytostatic and cytotoxic activity, dependently on cell line evaluated. In particular, in HEK293 cells the compound 14 induces mainly apoptotic cell death, while in A549 and MCF-7 cells cytostatic effect is dependent on cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase.Our results suggest that betulinic acid N-methylpyperazinyl amide 11 is the promising compound for the future drug development antitumor studies.
Research on Single-Machine Scheduling With Past-Sequence-Dependent Setup Times and Effects of Deterioration and Learning
Authors: Yu Gan-hua
Published: March 2021

Some result in a recent paper (Wang et al., Int J Adv Manuf Technol, 41:1221–1226, 2009) are incorrect. In this note, we show by a counterexample that the published results are incorrect.
A stochastic predictive model for Class II rocks post peak modulus
Authors: Akinbinu Victor Abioye
Published: March 2021

The post peak modulus of hard brittle Class II rocks are the least studied geo-mechanical properties of rocks. This is because of the difficulty associated with its determination. The Brazilian tensile strength, pre-failure mechanical properties, ultra-sonic pulse velocity and the mineralogical properties of the rocks were determined. The post peak moduli were determined under brittle uniaxial compression process. Predictive equations were developed for the estimation of the post peak modulus using backward multivariate and stochastic analysis of the determined rocks properties. The result of analysis show that the post peak modulus depends on the Poisson’s ratio and the quartz content of rocks. As the values of duo increases the magnitude of the post peak modulus decreases. Therefore, maximum possible magnitude of post peak modulus will be for mafic rocks with zero quartz content and low value of Poisson’s ratio. While low magnitude of post peak modulus will be for felsic rocks of high proportion of quartz content and high Poisson’s ratio. The backward multivariate analysis has a coefficient of correlation of 0.903 while the correlation coefficient was improved to 0.999 by stochastically modelling the relationship using normal distribution probability function for Poisson’s ratio and exponential distribution function for quartz content. The Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) was used as performance indicator to assess the predictive performance of the models. The stochastic model shows excellent performance with MAPE of 0.5% while the backward multivariate statistics model has MAPE of 0.9%. Both the backward multivariate and stochastic models are excellent prediction models.
Simulating a High-speed Abrasive Particle Impacting on a Tensile Block Using SPH-FEM
Authors: Liu Yanjie , Zhao Yue , Yoshigoe Kenji , Zhang Shijin , Chen Ming
Published: March 2021

In recent years, more and more researches have been carried out on the erosion mechanism of abrasive particles on target materials in the abrasive waterjet cutting process. However, the effect of material property factors on the target erosion damage is rarely studied systematically. In this work, a 3D smoothed particle hydrodynamics-finite elements model is established for the simulation. The controlled variable method is used to study how each material property factor affects the erosion process of single abrasive particle and to find out the key material property factors of Al6061-T6 and Ti-6Al-4V. The influence of the interaction of the key material property factors on the target erosion damage is further evaluated using the orthogonal test method.
Cullin-associated and neddylation-dissociated 1 protein (CAND1) governs cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure partially through regulating calcineurin degradation
Authors: Pan Zhenwei , Li Xingda , Zhang Yang , Zhao Yue , Zhou Yang , Han Qilong , Yang Ying , Zhang Lingmin , Shi Ling , Jin Xuexin , Zhang Ruixin , Gao Haiyu , Ma Jiudong , Li Zheng , Xue Gen-Long , Li Desheng , Zhang Zhiren , Lu Yanjie , Yang Baofeng
Published: March 2021

Pathological cardiac hypertrophy is a process characterized by significant disturbance of protein turnover. Cullin-associated and Neddylation-dissociated 1 (CAND1) acts as a coordinator to modulate substrate protein degradation by promoting the formation of specific cullin-based ubiquitin ligase 3 complex in response to the accumulation of specific proteins, which thereby maintains the normal protein homeostasis. However, whether CAND1 titrates the degradation of hypertrophic related proteins and manipulates cardiac hypertrophy remains unknown. In this study, we found that the protein level of CAND1 was increased in the heart tissues from heart failure (HF) patients and TAC mice. CAND1-KO+/- aggravated TAC-induced cardiac hypertrophic phenotypes; in contrast, CAND1-Tg attenuated the maladaptive cardiac remodeling. At the protein level, CAND1 overexpression downregulated, whereas CAND1-KO+/- or knockdown upregulated the expression of calcineurin, a critical pro-hypertrophic protein at both in vivo and in vitro conditions. Mechanistically, CAND1 overexpression favored, whilst CAND1 knockdown blocked the assembly of Cul1/atrogin1/calcineurin complex, an E3 that renders the ubiquitination and degradation of calcineurin. It turned out that calcineurin ubiquitination was suppressed by CAND1 knockdown, but enhanced by CAND1 overexpression. In addition, overexpression of truncated calcineurin that cannot be recognized by atrogin1 abrogated the antihypertrophic effects of CAND1. Notably, CAND1 deficiency-induced hypertrophic phenotypes were partially rescued by knockdown of calcineurin, and application of exogenous CAND1 prevented TAC-induced cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. In conclusion, CAND1 exerts a protective effect against cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure partially by inducing the degradation of calcineurin. CAND1 represents a novel, promising therapeutic target for cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure.
Keywords: CAND1; heart failure; calcineurin; ubiquitination; cullin1
The Deceleration of Radio/Light Transmission; A Collision Mechanism Dependent Radio Signal Emission, Transmission, and Reception
Authors: Zhang Jing
Published: March 2021

The fast and slow fading of radio signal transmissions or laser beam itself and its spare light confirm the presence of two kinds of collisions --- electron-photon and photon-photon collision. Photon transmissions of radio signals are either in consecutive dense photon groups in slow fading process or widespread group pattern in fast fading form. The photon transmission shapes are irregular and dynamical changes. The radio frequency shift and the wavelength reduction by the calculation demonstrate decelerations of radio/light transmission speeds due to the gradual reduced distance between two consecutive photon groups along the transmission pathway. The simultaneous presence of two radio/light transmission patterns overturns the principle of Special Relativity by Einstein. Photons from radio signals are able to affect electron movements in radio signal receiving process and electrons able to kick photons into space during radio signal emission. The radio signal and light emission and reception are due to the collision between photons and electrons. The local electromagnetic changes between atoms of antenna play the central role. Collision Mechanism explains electron-photon frequency relation of light/radio emission mechanism. Collisions between high- and low-speed photons reduce the speed of high ones. The mathematical equation for the relationship between light/radio transmission speeds before and after photons collisions is established. The equation is confirmed by the calculations of well-known difference of light transmission speeds in different media. The gravities from Earth and Sun play little role during light/radio transmission.
Synthesis, structural and biomedical characterization of hydroxyapatite/borosilicate bioactive glass nanocomposites
Authors: Abulyazied Dalia , Alturki Asma , Youness Rasha , Abomostafa H.
Published: March 2021

In this work, a borosilicate glass sample (5SiO2-45B2O3-20Na2O-25CaO-5Ag2O) was added to nano-sized carbonated hydroxyapatite (CHA) powders with different contents up to 20 wt.% to improve the bioactivity, antibacterial effect, physical and mechanical properties of the resulting nanocomposites. Then, these samples were mixed, milled with a high-energy ball mill, sintered at 700°C and subjected to X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to examine their structure, chemical composition and microstructure, respectively. Furthermore, the physical and mechanical properties of the sintered nanocomposites were also measured. Moreover, the in vitro bioactivity of the prepared nanocomposites was examined with XRD and SEM. Additionally, the antibacterial behavior of these samples was tested against E. coli and S. aureus by the disc-diffusion method. The results obtained pointed out that the sample with the highest content of BG possessed the best bioactivity, antibacterial effect, physical and mechanical properties.
miR-29a-5p Alleviates Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)-Induced Permeability Disruption Via Regulating NLRP3 Pathway
Authors: Zhang Aijun , Lu Youming , Yuan Lei , Zhang Pengqi , Zou Dongdong , Wei Fance , Chen Xin
Published: March 2021

Blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction is presented during traumatic brain injury (TBI) and is dependent upon the activation of the NLRP3/Caspase-1 inflammasome pathway. MicroRNA (miRNA) was proved to inhibit signaling pathway activation by targeting gene expression and we predicated in the database that miR-29a targets to NLRP3. Herein, this study aims to define the regulating role of miR-29a in NLRP3 expression and NLRP3/Caspase-1 inflammasome activation in TBI-induced BBB dysfunction. Our results indicated that miR-29a-5p alleviates TBI-induced the increased permeability of endothelial cell and BBB via suppressing NLRP3 expression and NLRP3/Caspase-1 inflammasome activation, providing a promising strategy for relieving TBI via inhibiting NLRP3/Caspase-1 inflammasome activation.
LncRNA-URHC Functions as a ceRNA to Regulate Danjb9 Expression by Competitively Binding to miR-5007-3p in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: niu kunwei , Qu Shibin , Zhang Xuan , Dai Jimin , Wang Jianlin , Nie Ye , Zhang Hong , Tao Kaishan , Song Wenjie
Published: March 2021

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is often diagnosed at a late stage, when the prognosis is poor. The regulation of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) plays a crucial role in HCC. However, the precise regulatory mechanisms of lncRNA signaling in HCC remain largely unknown. We study aim to investigate the underlying mechanisms of lncRNA (upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma) URHC in HCC. Methods: RT-qPCR, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) staining, EdU, colony formation, and tumor xenografts experiments were used to identify localized and biological effects of URHC on HCC cells in vitro and in vivo. The bioinformatics analysis, Dual-luciferase reporter assay, and rescue experiments revealed the potential mechanism of URHC.Results: URHC silencing may inhibit the HCC cells proliferation in vitro and in vivo. We found that URHC was mainly localized in the cytoplasm. The expression of miR-5007-3p was negatively regulated by URHC. And miR-5007-3p could reverse the effect of URHC in HCC cells. The expression of DNAJB9 was negatively regulated by miR-5007-3p but positively regulated by URHC. These suggesting of lncRNA-URHC positively regulated the level of DNAJB9 by sponging miR-5007-3p.Conclusion: Together, our study elucidated the role of URHC as a miRNA sponge in HCC, and shed new light on lncRNA-directed diagnostics and therapeutics in HCC.
Preparation and Performance Characterization of a new dust suppressant with a cross-linked network structure for use in open-pit coal mines
Authors: Jin Hu , Zhang Yansong , Li Nan , Yang Junjie , Xi Ya , Cai Li , Pan Zhichao
Published: March 2021

In an effort to control dust pollution in open-air environments such as pit coal mines and coal transportation systems, a new dust suppressant with a cross-linked network structure was prepared. Graft copolymerization of soy protein isolate (SPI) and methacrylic acid (MAA), using potassium persulfate (KPS) as the initiator and hexametaphosphoric acid (SHMP) as the cross-linking agent, formed the network structure. The optimal MAA/SPI mass ratio for the dust suppressant was determined through a single factor experiment to be 3:4, with 0.8 and 0.2 g of SHMP and KPS, respectively. The grafting reaction required 30 min at 60 ℃. Scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry were used to characterize the structure and application performance of the dust suppressant. The experimental results showed that the graft copolymerization reaction successfully formed the desired cross-linked network, and that when the cross-linked network material was sprayed on coal dust it formed a dense, solidified shell, which effectively resisted wind erosion and served as a dust suppressant. The average reduction of the total suspended particulate matter of an open-air coal pile reached 79.95%, demonstrating effective dust suppression.
Role of heparanase 2 (Hpa2) in gastric cancer
Authors: Liu JingJing , Knani Ibrahim , Gross-Cohen Miriam , Jiaxi Hu , Sumin Wang , Li Tang , Ilan Neta , Yang Shiming , Vlodavsky Israel
Published: March 2021

BackgroundHeparanase is highly implicated in tumor metastasis due to its capacity to cleave heparan sulfate (HS) and, consequently, remodel the extracellular matrix (ECM) underlying epithelial and endothelial cells. In striking contrast, only little attention was given to its close homolog, heparanase 2 (Hpa2), possibly because it lacks HS-degrading activity typical of heparanase. MethodsWe combined clinical, in vivo and in vitro studies to reveal the role of Hpa2 in gastric cancer. ResultsHere, we report that gastric cancer patients exhibiting high levels of Hpa2 survive longer. Similarly, mice administrated with gastric carcinoma cells engineered to over-express Hpa2 produced smaller tumors and survived longer than mice administrated with control cells. This was associated with increased phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a kinase that is situated at the center of a tumor suppressor network known to attenuate the growth of various types of cancer including gastric cancer. We also found that MG132, an inhibitor of the proteasome that results in proteotoxic stress, prominently enhances Hpa2 expression. Notably, Hpa2 induction by MG132 appeared to be mediated by AMPK, and AMPK was found to induce the expression of Hpa2, thus establishing a loop that feeds itself where Hpa2 enhances AMPK phosphorylation that, in turn, induces Hpa2 expression, leading to attenuation of gastric tumorigenesis. ConclusionsThese results indicate that high levels of Hpa2 in some tumors but not in others are due to stress conditions that tumors often experience due to their high rates of cell proliferating, high metabolic demands, and changes in the tumor microenvironment. This increase in Hpa2 levels by the stressed tumors appears critically important for the patient's outcome.