bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abstract P-8:Fe2O3-SiO2-Au Core-Shell Nanoparticles for Theranostics
Authors: Samardak Vadim , Sobirov Mukhamad , Ognev Aleksei , Samardak Alexander , Koo Thomas , Kim Young
Published: October 2021

Background: Core-shell nanoparticles (NPs) Fe3O4-SiO2 covered with Au grains due to their unique magnetic, biological, optical and mechanical properties are promising nanostructured material especially in biomedical field. Magnetic core allows controlling the position of NPs, SiO2 shell makes them biocompatible and decrease magnetostatic interactions between them, and Au NPs on the surface allow creating additional matrix around them and using such systems as controlled nanocontainers in tasks of drug delivery, magnetic resonance imaging and target cancer cell therapy. Methods: Inner magnetic core of the NPs was synthesized using polyol method, a 3-step process which resulting in magnetite NPs with hydrophilic surface. Shell was made by covering Fe3O4 particles in surfactant and growing SiO2 on top of them by sol-gel method. Covering core-shell NPs with 3.5 nm Au seed grains using monosilane and their further growth to control diameter. Structural properties were studied using TEM and Dual Beam SEM. Magnetic properties were investigated using LakeShore VSM 7400 magnetometer. Results: Two samples with different concentration of Au NPs were investigated. SEM observations show that core-shell Fe3O4-SiO2 are spherical with average diameter of 200 nm and Au NPs with diameter of 15 nm are evenly dispersed on their surface. Magnetic measurements showed that different concentration of Au NPs results in different coercive forces of the sample. Decreasing the temperature to 77 K showed up to 6 times increase of coercive force and slight increase in magnetization. Conclusion: Biocompatible magnetic nanoparticles are critical advances in biomedical applications. In this work, we studied the morphology of the samples, demonstrated the change of coercive force of NPs with different Au concentration and investigated their magnetic properties in low temperatures.
Abstract P-9: Excess of Nhp6 over Spt16/Pob3 is Necessary for Efficient Nucleosome Unfolding by yFACT
Authors: Sivkina Anastasiia , Malinina Daria , Feofanov Alexey , Studitsky Vasily
Published: October 2021

Background: DNA accessibility in chromatin is important for proper gene expression and is regulated by multiple factors. One of them is histone chaperone FACT, which conducts large-scale ATP-independent nucleosome unfolding that increases the accessibility of nucleosomal DNA. FACT binding results in dramatic DNA uncoiling from nucleosome, occurs without apparent loss of histones, and proceeds via an ‘all-or-none’ mechanism, but the detailed mechanism of this process is still unknown. FACT-dependent nucleosome unfolding modulates the accessibility of nucleosomal DNA, and it is an important function of FACT in the processes of transcription, DNA replication, and repair in vivo. Methods: Nucleosome-positioning DNA sequences containing fluorescent labels (Cy3 and Cy5) at positions 13/91 or 35/112 from the nucleosome boundary were used. Nucleosomes were assembled by transfer of histone octamers from chicken chromatin to nucleosomal DNA during dialysis from 2M NaCl. After dialysis nucleosomes were gel purified and used at a final concentration of 0.5nM for spFRET measurements or at 10nM for EMSA analysis. For complex formation nucleosomes were incubated in the presence of Spt16/Pob3(0.13μM) and Nhp6(1.3μM) for 10 min at 30°C in buffer containing 17mM HEPES, 2mM Tris-HCl, 0.8mM Na3EDTA, 0.11mM 2-merсaptoethanol, 150mM KCl, 11mM NaCl, 1.1%glycerin, 12% sucrose. In spFRET microscopy analysis, the proximity ratio EPR from each nucleosome was calculated based on the intensity of the signals, corrected to the background and plotted as relative frequency distribution. Each plot was fitted as a sum of two Gaussians to describe two conformational states of nucleosomes. The fractions of nucleosomes in different states were estimated by calculating the surface of areas under the corresponding Gaussian peaks as a fraction of the total area of the plot. Results: Here we report the results of our analysis of nucleosome unfolding by yeast FACT (yFACT) at different ratios of Spt16/Pob3 and Nhp6 using single-particle Förster resonance energy transfer (spFRET) microscopy. Our analysis suggests that the optimal ratio of Spt16/Pob3 to Nhp6 for the most efficient FACT-dependent nucleosome unfolding is 1:10. Importantly, a mere increase in the concentration of FACT results in a decrease of the functional activity, suggesting that the formation of a functional complex having a certain stoichiometry of Spt16/Pob3 to Nhp6 is essential for efficient FACT-dependent nucleosome unfolding. Conclusion: We determined that a certain ratio of Spt16/Pob3 to Nhp6 is essential for efficient FACT-dependent nucleosome unfolding, suggesting the formation of a functional FACT: Nhp6 complex.
O Plano Nacional de Educação: Análise do Processo de Construção de uma Política Pública tipicamente Brasileira
Authors: Secchi Leonardo , Souza de Franceschi Nunes Gissele , De Chaves Thiago José
Published: October 2021

O objetivo deste caso de ensino é possibilitar o debate sobre a estrutura do Plano Nacional de Educação e seu percurso de elaboração, implementação e avaliação, utilizando como pano de fundo o ciclo de política pública e os modelos racionalista e argumentativo de análise prescritiva. Esta é a típica história de uma política pública que mobilizou milhões de pessoas para ser debatida e elaborada, sofreu para nascer mesmo num ambiente político favorável, criou uma série de sonhos, frustrações, relacionamentos e rivalidades. No entanto, mostrou mais uma vez que vale a pena fomentar o diálogo sobre aquilo que se acredita mesmo sabendo que as cartas estão embaralhadas para que tudo dê errado. O caso prático debate a distinção entre política de governo e política de Estado, os limites dos planejamentos de longo prazo em ambientes democráticos, instigando docente e discente no debate propositivo e pedagógico com a ilustração do Plano Nacional de Educação.
PROMISE UNFULFILLED: A Brief History of Educational Wargaming in the Marine Corps
Authors: Bae Sebastian J. , Brown Ian T.
Published: October 2021

This article offers a comprehensive historical overview of educational wargaming in the U.S. Marine Corps and how it can evolve in the future. The tradition of leveraging wargames for educational and training purposes is deeply rooted in the Marine Corps. From humble beginnings at the Naval War College to Service-wide wargaming initiatives like TACWAR, the Marine Corps has always sought to develop the intellectual edge of its Marines through wargames. Yet, in successive decades, the Marine Corps has consistently struggled to maintain its wargaming efforts. This article concludes with recommendations on how to develop, expand, and evolve educational wargaming in the Marine Corps.
DEVELOPING SELF–CONFIDENCE IN MILITARY DECISION MAKIN: An Imperative for Wargaming
Authors: Walters Eric M.
Published: October 2021

In his Commandant’s Planning Guidance, the 38th Commandant charges the Marine Corps with doing more to employ wargaming in education and training. It is not often clear why the Marine Corps needs to use this technique to practice decision making, given other kinds of decisions games, such as tactical decision games (TDGs) and decision forcing cases (DFC). While these other decision-making educational tools have their advantages in honing the communication of estimates, orders, and corresponding rationales, the primary virtue of wargaming lies in the far larger number of decisions players must make in a continuously unfolding situation.
THE CONTENT OF SOME TECHNOLOGICAL QUALITY COMPONENTS AND MYCOTOXINS IN GRAIN OF FOUR CULTIVARS OF SPRING WHEAT DEPENDING ON GRAIN STORAGE TIME AFTER HARVEST
Authors: Kwiatkowski Cezary A.
Published: October 2021

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of three grain storage times and the cultivar factor on some parameters used in commodity analysis of spring wheat grains. A field experiment was conducted in Czeslawice (Poland) using the split-plot method in 3 replicates in 27 m2 plots. This paper presents the effect of storage time (3, 15, 27 months) of grain of four spring wheat cultivars (‘Korynta’, ‘Monsun’, ‘Tybalt’, ‘Zadra’) on some technological quality characteristics. After harvest, the grains were dried to the moisture content 14% and subsequently stockpiled in a warehouse. It was observed that grains can be stored for a period of even two years with no risk if all the grain storage rules are followed. Short- and long-term grain storage (3-27 months) resulted in satisfactory values of the grain quality characteristics like grain moisture, protein content, and grain hardness index. The storage of grain did not affect negatively grain contamination with mycotoxins. No significant differences were observed in the response of the cultivars studied (grain moisture content, protein content, grain hardness index) to grain storage time. Significant differences among the cultivars were observed in the grain hardness index after 3-month storage. It was also noted that the cultivars ‘Korynta’ and ‘Tybalt’ were characterized by lower susceptibility to contamination with mycotoxins than cvs. ‘Zadra’ and ‘Monsun’. The results obtained in this study are a good indicator for cereal producers who store grains for a period of even two years, thus becoming independent of changing price conditions in the cereals market and the changing demand for and supply of animal feed and bread grain across other countries.
FUNCTIONAL INSIGHTS AND MOLECULAR MODEL ANALYSES OF Thermotoga maritima XYLANASES REVEAL THERMOSTABILITY AND COMPLEX EVOLUTIONARY LINEAGE
Authors: Parvaiz Aqsa
Published: October 2021

Thermotoga maritima derived xylanases are important industrial enzymes owing to extensive thermotolerance and stability under broad pH range This study presents in-silico characterization of Thermotoga maritima derived xylanase A and xylanase B through homology modeling and molecular docking approaches. Analyses of primary and secondary structures revealed net negative charges on both xylanase A and xylanase B. Modular structure of xylanase A exhibited five significant domains including two CBM49, one GlycoHydro10 and two DUF1083. Whereas, structure of xylanase B contained one significant domain i.e. Glyco hydro 10. The amino acid residues Leu-54, Arg-85, Leu-66, Phe-68, Asn-81 and Ile-52 of CBM49 have shown interaction with xylan during docking analyses. Within second CBM49 domain, Tyr-96, Trp-47 and Arg-19 have shown interaction with xylan. No residue of GlycoHydro10 was found to interact with xylan. Whereas, Asn-55, Arg-83, Arg-60 and ILe-118 of DUF1083 interacted with xylan. The Phe-170, Trp-156, Glu-15, Ser-157 and Lys-17 of DUF-1083 domain of xylanase A also showed interaction with xylan. The Glu-15 and Phe-170 of xylanase B showed H-bonding while Lys-565 showed electrostatic interaction with xylan. Comparative phylogenetic analysis of xylanases from Thermotoga genus, showed the complex evolutionary lineage of multimeric xylanase A protein. The findings of this study will lead us towards functional insights of xylanases from Thermotoga maritima and will help the researchers in xylanase enzyme engineering through rational design for developing highly efficient industrial enzymes
COPING STRATEGIES OF FARMERS REGARDING THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN RICE-WHEAT ZONE OF THE PUNJAB, PAKISTAN
Authors: Akhtar Muhammad Sohail
Published: October 2021

Pakistan is one of those countries which are victim of climate change and is already facing many problems like poverty and food insecurity leading to threats to agriculture expansion. Climate change is ahead of all these due to decreasing agriculture production prolonged water scarcity and declined income growth. Agriculture plays a big role in economy of Pakistan and climate change is matter of serious concern. The main objective of the present study was to find out the factors affecting the strategies of farmers regarding the impact of climate change in Punjab, Pakistan. Three districts from rice-wheat cropping zone (Narowal, Sialkot and Gujranwala) were selected randomly. A total sample of four hundred eight respondents was selected by systematic random sample technique. A well-structured interview schedule was used as research instrument for data collection. Collected data were analyzed statistically. In addition, descriptive and inferential statistics were applied for the data analysis. It was found that education level of the farmers was low in the study area. Most farmers had small land holdings and were used to self-cultivation. Mean area of wheat and rice was 7.31±6.06 and 6.25±5.60 acres, respectively. It was observed that long summer and short winter season and high temperature were the main perceptions of climate change in the study area. Industrial smoke, excessive felling of forests and human activities were also perceived as the factors leading to change in environment. A vast majority of the farmers observed that climate change had negative impact on crop production and annual income. It was also found that recommended varieties (2.58±0.72), applying more industrial pesticides (2.50±0.76) and practicing crop diversification (2.36±0.81), increased use of irrigation (2.19±0.89) and integrated farming system (0 2.15±0.91) were the major coping strategies for minimizing the effect of climate changes and these strategies had positive impact on crop productivity. Binary Logistic Model showed that increase in education, income, agricultural experience, contributes in to adoption of strategies to cope climate changes of farmers. It is recommended that farmers should use approved varieties, fertilizers and practice crop diversification. Investment on improved agricultural technology by government and other stakeholders are very necessary for agriculture to be able to cope with climate change
STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE FRUIT MICROBIOME IN HEALTHY AND DISEASED KIWIFRUIT
Authors: Wu Wenneng
Published: October 2021

The fruit surface is an infection court where foodborne pathogens compete with indigenous microbiota for microsites to invade the fruits for nutrients acquisition. However, our current understanding of the structure and functions of fruit microbiome visa-vis postharvest pathogen infection is still nascent. Here, we sequenced the metagenomic DNA to understand the structural and functional attributes of healthy and diseased kiwifruit microbiome. The healthy fruits exhibited higher microbial diversity and distinct microbiome composition compared with diseased fruits. The microbiome of diseased fruit was dominated by fungal pathogens Neofusicoccum parvum and Diplodiaseriata, while the microbiome of healthy fruits were enriched by bacteria from Methylobacteriaceae, Sphingomonadaceae, Nocardioidaceae and fungi in Pleosporaceae. Importantly, the healthy fruit microbiome had a higher relative abundance of genes related to ABC transporter, two-component system, bacterial chemotaxis, bacterial secretion system, but had a lower relative abundance of genes associated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon degradation, amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism, glycine, serine and threonine metabolism compared with diseased fruits. Our results indicate that pathogen infection disrupts the fruit microbiome. The changes in microbiome composition and functions could also increase the possibility of secondary pathogen infection as the reduced microbial diversity may demonstrate less resistance to pathogens infection. Therefore, monitoring the microbiome dynamics and their functions using metagenomic approaches could be useful to build a predictive understanding of accurate postharvest disease diagnosis and management in the future
WILLINGESS TO CONSUME GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD IN CHINESE PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Nawaz Muhammad Asim
Published: October 2021

Almost after investing 25 years in research and development, China has reached to the decisional stage to either continue or discontinue or at least reduce the introductory speed of the genetically modified (GM) food production. The current study integrates the Benefit-Risk Analysis (BRA) framework and trust to study the consumer willingness to consume GM food. A structured survey conducted in nine major cities of China among 345 qualified samples analyzed through structural equational modeling-smart partial least square (SEM-Smart PLS). The statistical results lead to the following conclusions: The proposed psychological-persuasive model highlights the “trust in institutions” holds the least explanatory power while communicating about GM food-related risks in society. In the case of mapping perceived benefits, the trust in technology should be improved; as in the overall view of BRA, the perceived benefits hold less explanatory abilities in contrast to perceived risks. In other words, a secure communication strategy can change the public acceptance trend of GM food in China
Two Different Corneal Incision Designs for Correcting Corneal Astigmatism During Cataract Surgery With Multifocal Intraocular Lens Implantation
Authors: Liu Dan , Fan Cong , Li Chunyan , Jiang Jian
Published: October 2021

Background: Multifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs) is very intolerant to residual corneal astigmatism and patients with more than 1.0 D of residual corneal astigmatism are not suitable candidates for implantation of multifocal IOLs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a single clear corneal incision (CCI) or an opposite clear corneal incision (OCCI) made on a steep meridian for correction of low to moderate corneal astigmatism during implantation of multifocal IOLs.Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study. A total of 80 patients with pre-operative total corneal astigmatism, ranging between 0.5 and 2.0 diopters (D), who underwent cataract surgery and received multifocal IOLs were included. Correction of corneal astigmatism was done via single CCIs on steep meridians in patients with 0.5–1.2 D total corneal astigmatisms, and OCCIs in patients with 1.3–2.0 D total corneal astigmatisms. Visual acuity, corneal astigmatism, ocular aberrations, corneal aberrations, and subjective vision quality were evaluated after surgery.Results: At 12-weeks post-surgery, the mean uncorrected distance vision acuity (UDVA) was 0.06±0.09 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) and 0.03±0.09 logMAR, and the mean uncorrected near vision acuity(UNVA) was 0.08±0.11 logMAR and 0.09±0.09 logMAR in the CCI and OCCI groups, respectively. The change in corneal astigmatism was 0.52 ± 0.22D and 1.06 ± 0.23D in the CCI and OCCI groups, respectively (P<0.001). Total corneal higher-order aberrations (HOAs) and trefoil increased in both groups (P<0.05); however, there was no difference in the change in total corneal HOAs between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusions: CCI and OCCI made on a steep axis could be an option for correction of mild-to-moderate astigmatism during cataract surgery with multifocal IOL implantation.
Azolla a Boon for the Growth of Gift Tilapia, Oreochromis Niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Authors: BESLIN LEENA GRACE , RAJAN MONISHA
Published: October 2021

Appreciative dietary desires and fabrication of fish nourishment is vital to the progress, sustainability of aquaculture and for the advanced feed mill rehearsal. Organizing fish feed includes choosing the exact feed, using an acceptable feeding technique, work out the feed charge and ensuring the cost efficiency of fish farm. The purpose of our present study was to feed the fishes with four different feeds and assessment of growth performance by length weight relationships. The growth analysis was executed by measuring FCR and related indices in gift tilapia oreochromis niloticus. Four feed composition was selected without any chemical contamination. In the present study fishes were collected from the golden farm, Neyyattinkara, Thiruvananthapuram district, South India. Fishes were introduced into four different tanks of well oxygenated good quality water. In each experimental tank, 20 fishes were introduced. For each experimental container a specific feed was fixed from 4 different diets. Every day feed was given to the fishes. They were fed two times for the period of 3 months. They were maintained to assess their growth performance. Four types of feeds used for the present study were control diet, diet 1, diet 2 and diet 3. Length and weight were measured on every 15 days interval for growth estimation. Based on the length-weight data, growth analysis was carried out by calculating relative growth (RG), relative growth rate (RGR), specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and the Fulton’s condition factor. The results of mean length in diet3proved the highest length of 6.455±0.46cm and diet one contain lowest length of 5.03±0.68cm. Highest weight of 96.8 ± 0.37g was recorded in diet3 and lowest weight obtained for the control diet (3.645 ± 0.306 g). In growth analysis the relative growth of fish was estimated in diet 3 having high relative growth (11.91). Relative growth rate was elevated in diet 3(1.5597). The upper limit of specific growth rate was 1.9146% noticed in diet 3. The feed conversion ratio was maximum in diet 3 (58.06) and minimum in control diet (36). The highest k value in Fulton's condition factor was noticed in diet 3(88.32).All experimental results proved that live Azolla [D3] was a superior feed for the present trials.
Does Military Expenditure Impact Environmental Sustainability in Developed Mediterranean Countries?
Authors: Erdoğan Seyfettin , Gedikli Ayfer , Çevik Emrah İsmail , Öncü Mehmet Akif
Published: October 2021

This study aims to examine the relationship between military expenditure and environmental sustainability in developed Mediterranean countries: Greece, France, Italy, and Spain. Sustainable economic growth is strictly related to energy consumption which leads to producing a higher level of carbon emissions. Besides, there may be a nexus between military expenditures and environmental pollution. This study focuses on developed Mediterranean countries since carbon emissions and greenhouse gas emissions are relatively high in these countries. Furthermore, France and Italy are the top countries in terms of total military spending. We investigate the relationship between military expenditure and carbon emissions using the Global Vector Autoregression model proposed by Pesaran, Schuermann, and Weiner (2004) and Dees et al. (2007) between 1965 and 2019. The empirical findings indicated that the relationship between carbon emission and military expenditure should be taken into account from a global perspective for environmental sustainability, and an increase in the global military expenditure seems to be very harmful to the global environment. It can be concluded that country-based prevents cannot provide the desired solution in combating environmental pollution.
“Mental health support is like a secret society”: A qualitative study of the impact of peer support on women’s mental health treatment experiences during the perinatal period.
Authors: Rice Chloe , Ingram Emma , O’Mahen Heather
Published: October 2021

Background

Perinatal mental health problems are prevalent, affecting up to 20% of women However, only 17–25% receive formal support during the perinatal period. In this qualitative study, we sought to examine women’s experiences with peer support for mental health problems during the perinatal period.
Methods

Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with twenty-five mothers from the UK who had utilised peer support for a perinatal mental health problem. Data was analysed using thematic analysis.
Results

Seven major themes were identified in women’s help seeking process and experience of peer support. These included; perinatal specific precipitating factors that contributed to their mental health problems, barriers in the form of unhelpful professional responses, feelings of isolation, acceptance of the problem and need to actively re-seek support, finding support either through luck or peer assistance.
Conclusions

Peer support showed promise as an effective means to reduce perinatal mental health difficulties; either as a form of formal support or as an adjunct to formal support. The results highlight ways to improve perinatal women’s access to mental health support through peer-based mechanisms.
Prognosis of Critically Ill Patients With Acute Respiratory Failure Due To The SARS-CoV-2 501Y.V2 Variant: A Multicenter Retrospective Matched Cohort Study
Authors: Puech Bérénice , Legrand Antoine , Simon Olivier , Combe Chloé , Jaffar-Bandjee Marie-Christine , Caron Margot , Vidal Charles , Mavingui Patrick , Blonde Renaud , Boue Yvonnick , Berguigua Hamza , Allyn Jérôme , Ferdynus Cyril , Allou Nicolas
Published: October 2021

Background

The aim of this study was to compare the prognosis of patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF) due to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant 501Y.V2 to that of patients with ARF due to the original strain.
Methods

This retrospective matched cohort study included all consecutive patients who were hospitalized for ARF due to SARS-CoV-2 in Reunion Island University Hospital between March 2020 and March 2021. Twenty-eight in hospital mortality was evaluated before and after matching.
Results

A total of 218 patients with ARF due to SARS-CoV-2 were enrolled in the study. Of these, 83 (38.1%) were infected with the 501Y.V2 variant. During intensive care unit stay, 104 (47.7%) patients received invasive mechanical ventilation and 20 (9.2%) patients were supported by venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Patients infected with the 501Y.V2 variant were younger (58 [51–68] vs. 67 [56–74] years old, P = 0.003), had less hypertension (54.2% vs 68.1%, P = 0.04), and had less chronic kidney disease (13.3% vs. 31.9%, P = 0.002) than patients infected with the original strain. After controlling for confounding variables (62 matched patients in each group), 28-day mortality was higher in the group of patients infected with the 501Y.V2 variant (30.6%) than in the group of patients infected with the original strain (19.4%, P = 0.04).
Conclusion

In Reunion Island, where SARS-CoV-2 incidence remained low until February 2021 and the health care system was never saturated, mortality was higher in patients with ARF infected with the 501Y.V2 variant than in patients infected with the original strain.
Household Impacts of Interruption To Electric Power And Water Services
Authors: Stock Alexia , Davidson Rachel A. , Kendra James , Martins V. Nuno , Ewing Bradley , Nozick Linda K. , Starbird Kate , Leon-Corwin Maggie
Published: October 2021

Critical infrastructure systems derive their importance from the societal needs they help meet. Yet the relationship between infrastructure system functioning and societal functioning is not well-understood, nor are the impacts of infrastructure system disruptions on consumers. We develop two empirical measures of societal impacts—willingness to pay (WTP) to avoid service interruptions and a constructed scale of unhappiness, compare them to each other and others from the literature, and use them to examine household impacts of service interruptions. Focusing on household-level societal impacts of electric power and water service interruptions, we use survey-based data from Los Angeles County, USA to fit a random effects within-between model of WTP and an ordinal logit with mixed effects to predict unhappiness, both as a function of infrastructure type, outage duration, and household attributes. Results suggest household impact increases nonlinearly with outage duration, and the impact of electric power disruptions are greater than water supply disruptions. Unhappiness is better able to distinguish the effects of shorter-duration outages than WTP is. Some people experience at least some duration of outage without negative impact. Increased household impact was also associated with using electricity for medical devices or water for work or business, perceived likelihood of an emergency, worry about an emergency, past negative experiences with emergencies, lower level of preparation, less connection to the neighborhood, higher income, being married, being younger, having pets, and having someone with a medical condition in the house. Financial, time/effort, health, and stress concerns all substantially influence the stated level of unhappiness.
The Effect of Childhood Trauma on Personality in Unaffected First-Degree Relatives of Major Depressive Disorder
Authors: Wang Chuanyue , Mao Zhen , Li Feng , He Fan , Dong Fang , Ma Xin , Bo Qijing , Wen Yujie , Hou Wenpeng , Li Xianbin , Tang Yilang
Published: October 2021

Objectives: This study is aimed to examine the potential association between childhood trauma (CT) and personality traits among unaffected first-degree relatives (FDR, children or siblings of patients) of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods: The study consists of three groups: total 85 patients with MDD, 35 FDRs and 89 healthy control individuals (HC). The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) was used to assess childhood trauma and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire used to assess personality traits. Results: By comparison made in personality traits, MDD patients exhibits some significant disparities to FDR and HC (p<0.05 for extraversion, neuroticism and psychoticism). Nevertheless, no significant difference was found between HC and FDR. In FDR group, patients with CT scored noticeably higher for neuroticism (N) compared with those without CT (F=3.246, p=0.046). CT was associated with N, psychoticism (P) and Lie (L), and it was associated with N more closely (r=0.290-0.452, p<0.05 for all). Significantly positive correlations were found between N and sexual abuse (SA), emotional neglect (EN), physical neglect (PN), and CTQ total (r=0.344-0.452, p<0.05); P and CTQ (r=0.336, p<0.05); and significant negative correlations between L and EN, CTQ (r=-0.446-0.375, p<0.05). EN contributed to a probability of N, P (R2=0.155-0.214, F=6.066-9.010, p=0.005-0.019) as well as a probability of L (R2=0.199, F=8.211, p=0.007). Conclusion: CT was associated with N, P and L, with a closer relation to N in unaffected FDR. Besides, the type of CT, the most relevant to N, was discovered to be EN. Thus, FDR of MDD who experienced CT should be prioritized. Key words: childhood trauma; personality; major depressive disorder; first-degree relatives
Fate of Residual Tumor After Subtotal-resected, Previously-irradiated Vestibular Schwannoma: Long-term Follow-up of a Single Institutional Series
Authors: Byun Joonho , Song Sang Woo , Kim Young-Hoon , Hong Chang Ki , Kim Jeong Hoon
Published: October 2021

Background: The fate of residual tumor after salvage surgery for recurrent vestibular schwannoma (VS) after radiosurgery has not been elucidated. We reviewed our surgical series of salvage surgery for recurrent VS and the natural history of the residual tumor after salvage surgery.Methods: This study enrolled 14 patients who were received salvage surgical resection in our institute and were followed-up for >12 months.Results: There were 3 male and 11 female patients with a median age of 55 years (range: 16-70). The pre-SRS tumor volume was a median 6591 mm3. All patients were treated by GKS. The median duration from GKS to surgery was 52 months (range: 10-116). Solid tumor growth was observed in 6 (42.9%) patients and cyst formation was observed in 8 patients (57.1%). Subtotal resection was performed in 13 (92.9%) patients and gross total resection was only achieved in one (7.1%) patient. Postoperative facial paresis occurred in 5 (35.7%) patients. Postoperative surgical complications occurred in 2 (14.3%) patients. After salvage resection for irradiated VS, no patient showed tumor progression or recurrence during the follow-up period (13 subtotal resection and 1 total resection). In addition, 2 patients in the subtotal resection group showed residual tumor shrinkage after salvage surgery during the follow-up periodConclusion: The behavior of residual tumors after salvage surgery for irradiated VS was stable. Adjuvant treatment for these residual tumors may not be necessary.
Multifocal EBV-Associated and CMV-Correlated Post-Transplant Smooth Muscle Tumor: A Case After Liver Transplantation
Authors: Anbardar Mohammad Hossein , Soleimani Neda , Safavi Dornaz , Eshraghian Ahad , Ayoub Abbas
Published: October 2021

IntroductionImmunodeficient patients, including the recipients of solid organs, exhibit an increase in the incidence of neoplasms. Post-transplant smooth muscle tumor (PTSMT) is a distinct and infrequent entity of these groups of neoplasms. Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is considered to be involved in the etiology of this neoplasm.Case reportA 28-year-old man who underwent liver transplantation presented with abdominal pain and diarrhea for several months. He had a history of resistant systemic cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection after transplantation. On physical examination, he had mild abdominal tenderness. Spiral chest and abdominopelvic CT scan with contrast showed a liver lesion with ring enhancement; furthermore, it showed a solid lesion in the spleen and multiple small lesions in lower lobes of both lungs. Colonoscopy revealed multiple small raised polypoid lesions throughout the rectum and colon. Microscopic evaluation of colon mucosa biopsy using IHC study was in favor of spindle cell neoplasm with high proliferative index. He underwent a right hemicolectomy. A microscopic study showed spindle cell proliferation with mild atypia and a mild increase in mitotic rate without any necrosis, with features of smooth muscle tumor. Trucut biopsy of liver mass was also in favor of smooth muscle tumor. According to transplantation history and considering the possibility of EBV-associated smooth muscle tumor, EBV encoded RNA (EBER) chromogenic in-situ hybridization (CISH) study on paraffin block of colon lesions was requested, which demonstrated EBV RNA in tumor cell nuclei and immunoblasts of the adjacent lymph node, suggesting EBV-associated smooth muscle tumor. In addition, PCR for CMV was requested on paraffin block of the colon lesions, which also showed a positive result. PCR for EBV and CMV viremia were negative. The dosage of immunosuppressive agents was reduced, and currently, he is being followed, with slow expansion in the size of the lesions.Conclusion Although the incidence of post-transplant smooth muscle tumors (PTSMTs) is low, it should be remained in the differential diagnosis in post-transplantation patients, especially dealing with multifocal tumors. As strong stimulant for smooth muscle tumors, close follow-up and screening for EBV and CMV infection and early treatment at the time of diagnosis are recommended to avoid these virus-induced tumors.
Effect of Fiber Stripes of COVID-19 Healthy Personal Materials On Durability, And Physicomechanical Characteristic of Concrete For Decorative Landscape Pavements And Artificial Rocks
Authors: aal Ahmed Abd El
Published: October 2021

This research presents a new method for determining the impact of healthy personal protection materials HPPM stripes, such as surgical masks, protective suits, overhead and safety foot shoes, on the durability, physicomechanical characteristics of concrete for use in architectural forms. As a result of the current global epidemic caused by Coronavirus, the use of (HPPM) such as surgical masks, protective suits, overhead and safety foot shoes has increased considerably (COVID-19). COVID-19's second and third waves are currently affecting various countries, necessitating the use of face masks (FM). As a result, millions of single FS have been discharged into the wild, washing up on beaches, floating beneath the seas, and winding up in hazardous locations. The effect of stripes fibers on physicomechanical aspects of concrete, such as workability, UCS, FS, IMs, spalling, and AbR; sorptivity, Sw; n; water penetration, permeability, and economic and eco-friendly aspects, was also discussed. With a focus on HPPM especially single-use face masks, this research investigates an innovative way for incorporating pandemic waste into concrete structures. SEM and XRD were also employed to analyze microstructures and the interfacial transition zone, as well as to identify the elements. HPPM was found to have a pore-blocking effect, which reduced permeability and capillary porosity. It was also discovered that the best concentrations of HPPM, particularly masks, were applied by volume at 0 %, 0.1, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 %. The usage of single-use face masks increased the strength qualities and overall performance of the concrete samples. The tendency of growing strength began to disappear around 2%. The results of this investigation show that stripe content has no effect on compressive strength. The stripe, on the other hand, is critical in determining the flexural strength of concrete. A SEM was used to analyze the microstructure of concrete. HPPM fibers are discovered to act as bridges across cracks, enhancing the matrixes transfer capability. From a technological and environmental standpoint, the study found that using healthy personal protection materials fiber in the production of concrete is viable.
Diabetes in the News: Readability Analysis of Malaysian Diabetes Corpus
Authors: Hamat Afendi , Jaludin Azhar , Mohd-Dom Tuti Ningseh , Rani Haslina , Jamil Nor Aini , Abdul-Aziz Aznida Firzah
Published: October 2021

Background: This paper describes a study to evaluate the readability scores of Malaysian newspaper articles meant to create awareness of diabetes among the public. In contrast to patient-specific sources of information, mass media may potentially reach healthy people and help them avoid becoming part of the diabetes statistics. The study selected relevant samples from the Malaysian Diabetes Corpus and used an online tool to score and display their readability using Flesch Kinkaid Reading Ease (FKRE) as the main indicator. Result: The average readability for the materials is low at 49.6 FKRE, which may impede the uptake of information contained in the articles. Trend analysis reveals that there is not much variability in the years covered by the corpus with the articles from 2016 scoring better than other years. Feature analysis of articles with the best and worst readability indicates that medical practitioners may not be the best spokesperson to reach the public. It also indicates that simple sentence structures could help improve readability. Conclusion: There is still much room for improvements in attaining good public health literacy through mass media communication. Public health and media practitioners should be vigilant of the language aspects of their writing when reaching out to the public.
Functional recovery after cesarean delivery: a prospective cohort study in rural Rwanda
Authors: Niyigena Anne , Gato Saidath , Alayande Barnabas , Miranda Elizabeth , Hedt-Gauthier Bethany , Goodman Andrea S. , Nkurunziza Theoneste , Mazimpaka Christian , Hakizimana Sadoscar , Ngamije Patient , Kateera Fredrick , Riviello Robert , Boatin Adeline A.
Published: October 2021

Background
Women who deliver via cesarean section (c-section) experience short- and long-term complications that may affect their physical health and their ability to function normally. While physical health outcomes are routinely assessed and monitored, postpartum functional outcomes are not well understood from a patient’s perspective or characterized by clinicians. In Rwanda, 11% of rural women deliver via c-section. This study explores the functional recovery of rural Rwandan women after c-section and assesses factors that predict poor functionality at postoperative day (POD) 30.
Methods
Data were collected prospectively on POD 3, 11, and 30 from women delivering at Kirehe District Hospital between October 2019 and March 2020. Functionality was measured by self-reported overall health, energy level, mobility, self-care ability, and ability to perform usual activities. We computed composite mean scores with a maximum score of 4.0 and scores ≤ 2.0 reflected poor functionality. We assessed functionality with descriptive statistics and logistic regression.
Results
Of 617 patients, 54.0%, 25.9%, and 26.8% reported poor functional status at POD3, POD11, and POD30, respectively. At POD30, the most self-reported poor functionality dimensions were poor or very poor overall health (48.1%), and inability to perform usual activities (15.6%). In the adjusted model, women whose surgery lasted 30–45 minutes had higher odds of poor functionality (aOR = 1.85, p = 0.01), as did women who experienced intraoperative complications (aOR = 4.12, p = 0.037). High income patients had incrementally lower significant odds of poor functionality (aOR = 0.62 for every US$100 increase in monthly income, p = 0.04).
Conclusion
We found a high proportion of poor functionality 30 days post-c-section and while surgery lasting > 30 minutes and experiencing intra-operative complications was associated with poor functionality, a reported higher income status was associated with lower odds of poor functionality. Functional status assessments, monitoring and support should be included in post-partum care for women who delivered via c-section. Effective risk mitigating intervention should be implemented to recover functionality after c-section, particularly among low-income women and those undergoing longer surgical procedures or those with intraoperative complications.
IgM regulates airway hyperresponsiveness via modulation of actin associated genes.
Authors: HADEBE SABELO , Savulescu Anca Flavia , Khumalo Jermaine , Jones Katelyn , Mangali Sandisiwe , Mthembu Nontobeko , Ngomti Amkele , Scibiorek Martyna , Okendo Javan , Brombacher Frank
Published: October 2021

Allergic asthma is a disease driven by T helper 2 (Th2) cells, eosinophilia, airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and IgE-secreting B cells. Asthma is largely controlled by corticosteroids and β2 adregenic receptor agonists that target and relax airway smooth muscle (ASM). Immunoglobulin M (IgM) isotype secreted by naïve B cells is important for class switching but may have other undefined functions. We investigated the role of IgM in a house dust mite (HDM)-induced Th2 allergic asthma model by sensitising wild type (WT) and IgM-deficient (IgM-/-) mice with HDM. We validated our findings using CRISPR and single cell force cytometry in human ASM. We found IgM to be essential in AHR but not Th2 airway inflammation or eosinophilia. RNA sequencing of lung tissue suggested that IgM regulated AHR through modulating brain-specific angiogenesis inhibitor 1-associated protein 2-like protein 1 (Baiap2l1) and erythroid differentiation regulator 1 (Erdr1). Deletion of BAIAP2L1 and ERDR1 reduced human ASM contraction when stimulated with TNF-α. These are unprecedented findings and have implications in future treatment of asthma beyond current therapies.
Evaluating The Sensitivity and Applicability of Precipitation-Based and Precipitation-Evapotranspiration-Based Drought Indices To Different Record Periods
Authors: Li Liang , He Hong , Wang Qiaojuan , Wang Xiaoyun , Cao Yuxin , Cai Huanjie
Published: October 2021

As drought indices are generally calculated based on multi-year historical data spanning periods of at least 30 years, different drought index values at certain times are therefore calculated due to different record lengths, making it difficult to accurately define dry or wet periods in a studied region or station. This investigation assessed the sensitivity and applicability of precipitation-based and precipitation-evapotranspiration-based drought indices, such as the Generalized extreme value drought index (GEVI), Homogeneity index of precipitation and temperature (HI), the K index (K), Precipitation anomaly percentage (Pa), Standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI), Standardized precipitation index (SPI), and the China Z index (CZI), to different record lengths on monthly, seasonal and annual time scales. By using monthly, seasonal and annual precipitation and evapotranspiration data from a research station over the period 1961–2017, data over periods of 55, 50, 45, 40, 35 and 30 years were extracted. Analysis of correlation coefficient of all indices, match and non-match, and actual drought and no-drought recognition rate of the indices indicated that K, Pa and SPEI indices recorded better time stability compared to other indices at all time scales across different climatic zones in the study region; the GEVI index recorded the lowest time stability compared to other indices. Results also indicated that the majority of optimal lengths for all stations having the lowest non-match were 41–45 years, with some indices at different time scales being 36–40 years and 46–50 years. In addition, the HI index had the highest actual drought and no-drought recognition rate at almost all climate zones, followed by Pa and SPEI indices. Results from this study indicate that more priority should be given to precipitation-evapotranspiration-based indices when studying a large region; indices with concrete results should be selected when analyzing relatively small regions.
Modeling of a Mobile Spatial Cable Robot With Flexible Cables and Investigating the Effect of Its Nonlinear Vibrations on the System Dynamics
Authors: Goodarzi R , Korayem M. H. , Tourajizadeh H , Nourizadeh M
Published: October 2021

In this paper the modeling of a novel moving cable robot is conducted considering the vibration of the cables in its nonlinear format. The robot has 6 DOFs while the controlling input number is 12. Considering the fact that the elasticity of the cables is coupled with the dynamic model of the system, their vibration effects on the robot performance and accuracy. The target of this paper is to model the robot considering the cables’ elasticity and study its effect on the robot performance. This study can be considered in designing the controller of tower cranes and decrease the swing of the cables and increasing their stability. In order to cover the mentioned aim, the continuous vibration of the cables are modeled as a nonlinear system and it is added to the moving platform dynamics. Moreover the differences between the nonlinear modeling of the cables’ vibration and estimating them as a linear system is studied and their related results are compared and analyzed. The correctness of modeling is shown by comparing the results with previous research and the superiority of modeling the cables’ vibration in its nonlinear format is verified by the aid of a series of simulation scenarios in MATLAB. Moreover, by conducting some experimental test on the manufactured moving cable robot of IUST, it is illustrated that, modeling the cables in these robots as a nonlinear system results in more accurate results. It is shown that not only considering the cables’ vibration is significant in analyzing the robot dynamic, but also it is shown that promoting the mentioned model into nonlinear one increase the accuracy of the robot modeling which sequentially can provide a stronger controller for stabilizing and controlling the end-effector within a predefined trajectory.