bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analisis Nilai Tambah dan Risiko Pendapatan Usaha Kerupuk Ikan Bandeng (Studi Kasus: UMKM Sumber Jokotole, Kecamatan Socah, Kabupaten Bangkalan)
Authors: Wulandari Indah Tri , Rum Mokh.
Published: May 2022

UMKM Sumber Jokotole bertempat di Desa Kauman Kecamatan Socah Kabupaten Bangkalan menghasilkan produk dengan memanfaatkan kekayaan sumber daya alam berupa bandeng menjadi kerupuk. Penelitian bertujuan agar dapat diketahui nilai tambah dan tingkat risiko pada UMKM Sumber Jokotole. Analisis menggunakan metode hayami buat analisis nilai tambahnya dan penggunaan batas bawah (L) dan koefisien variasi (CV) untuk menentukan tingkat pendapatan risiko. Perhitungan dengan menggunakan metode hayami ini memperlihatkan bahwa besaran nilai tambah dan ratio yang didapat termasuk kedalam kategori tinggi, sedangkan untuk tingkat risiko pendapatannya tergolong rendah. Kegiatan pengolahan kerupuk bandeng payus yang dilakukan oleh UMKM Sumber Jokotole dapat menguntungkan bagi pemilik usaha.
Plan lector en inglés apoyado en revistas digitales utilizando la metodología ESP para cursos disciplinares de un programa de ingeniería civil
Authors: Torres-Sánchez Wilson Enrique , Niño-Molina Mary Elen
Published: May 2022

El presente artículo de investigación describe la importancia del idioma inglés como lengua extranjera en el marco de un proceso de indagación, gamificación, aprendizaje autónomo y lectura digital, en respuesta al objetivo de desarrollar una propuesta digital que potenciara el uso del inglés técnico aplicado al plan lector en unos cursos del programa de Ingeniería Civil; esto mediante un entorno virtual basado en cinco revistas interactivas propias de la disciplina y apoyadas en la metodología de aprendizaje English for Specific Purposes (ESP). La situación de cuarentena obligatoria generada por el Covid-19 hizo que parte del proceso metodológico y el trabajo de campo fueran 100 % virtuales. En el desarrollo de la investigación, la cual fue de tipo correlacional, hicieron parte cerca de cien personas, de las cuales un total de 58 fue la muestra intervenida. Entre los resultados obtenidos se destaca que el plan lector planteado mejoró el nivel de inglés de los estudiantes en los cinco grupos intervenidos, principalmente en dos de ellos. El uso del entorno virtual Moodle y las revistas digitales hizo efectivo el trabajo individual y el manejo del tiempo, haciendo del proceso de aprendizaje de inglés técnico un camino lúdico y con resultados a corto y mediano plazo. Por tanto, el proceso desarrollado demostró que los conceptos disciplinares y la necesidad ocupacional hicieron evidente la motivación del estudiante del programa de Ingeniería Civil al trabajar en otro idioma, en este caso el inglés.
Scale Buildup Detection and Characterization in Production Wells by Deep Learning Methods
Authors: Cheng Jingru , Mao Deming , Salamah Majid , Horne Roland
Published: May 2022

This study developed an analytical tool for the detection and characterization of scale buildup based on well history data using deep learning methods. The developed method allows for a sensitive detection of the initiation of scaling as well as an accurate prediction of the magnitude of the scale buildup. The model is driven by two series of labeled, synthetic data comprising different scenarios generated using well simulation software, each series containing more than 20 sets of well data. Both single- and multioutput, deep neural networks were built with the objective of predicting the presence and the magnitude of scale deposition, with one corresponding to the full-depth scale deposition and the other to partial-depth scale deposition. For the full-depth scale deposition problem, we built a point-wise neural network model combining two blocks, each focusing on either relatively smaller or larger tubing internal diameter (ID) changes, corresponding to more or less scale deposition. Detection of full-depth scale deposition could obtain an accuracy of more than 95% while the metric R2 of more than 90% is assured when predicting the magnitude of full-depth scale deposition. To characterize the segmented scale deposition, which can be transformed to a 3D problem, we simplified this problem to capture both the tubing ID changes and the segment length. Then, we used the multioutput model to predict the tubing ID and volume changes, which combines two deep neural network models with a sharing part. Tubing ID changes were extracted accurately with metric R2 more than 90%, while the length of the scale deposit could be classified into two classes (high scaling or low scaling) with good accuracy. Though existing physical and chemical methods can be used to analyze scale deposition, the methods are often applied after considerable production decrease has already occurred. By using deep learning algorithms, our study came up with a new way to predict the scaling problem in advance with high sensitivity and at low cost.
An efficient analytical scheme for fuzzy conformable fractional‎ differential equations arising in physical sciences
Authors: Eghlimi H‎adi , Asgari Mohammad Sadegh
Published: May 2022

‎This article describes the fuzzy conformable fractional derivative which is based on generalized Hukuhara differentiability‎. On these topics‎, ‎we prove a number of properties concerning this type of differentiability‎. ‎In addition‎, ‎fuzzy conformable‎ ‎Laplace transforms are used to obtain analytical solutions to the fractional differential equation‎. Through the use of several‎ ‎practical examples‎, ‎such as the fuzzy conformable fractional growth equation‎, ‎the fuzzy conformable fractional one-compartment‎ ‎model‎, ‎and the fuzzy conformable fractional Newton's law of cooling‎, ‎we demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the approaches‎.
The Cardiovascular Health Research Priorities in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Ghader Nariman , Yateem Nabeel Al , Dalibalta Sarah , Razzak Hira Abdul , Rahman Syed Azizur , Matrooshi Fatima Al , Shaya Sara Al , Marzouqi Amina Al
Published: May 2022

Aims
To identify the UAE top five (5) research priorities in CVD mortalities for the upcoming five years.
Methods
We invited UAE hospitals, academic institutions, CVD associations, paramedical organizations, and research institutions to nominate CV experts for participation in a pair of virtual workshops during the COVID-19 lockdown. Using the 4-step Nominal Group Technique, we assisted thirty seven (37) delegates to develop a set of research priorities on CVD mortalities. The process included 10-minute silent idea-generation exercise, a Round-Robin online recording of bulleted ideas, 45-minute individual presentations of ideas, and finally voting instantly via an electronic platform.
Results
Participants generated 138 thoughts during the 2-day workshops. Afterwards, ideas were categorized by priority order into 5 main research themes: the development of evidence-based customized algorithms for CVD prevention and in-hospital emergency interventions; the availability, accessibility, and affordability of CVD treatment and rehabilitation; the identification of relationships between CVD, life style, and mental health; the efficacy and constraints in the management of cardiac emergencies; and finally epidemiological studies that trace CV illnesses in the UAE.
Conclusion
The UAE should develop a research strategy that responds systematically to the government’s vision on CVD mortalities. In this context, it is understood that the country must have its unique research priorities that investigate current gaps in understanding its healthcare system’s strengths and areas of development.
Production of biogas from remnants of olive mill waste following bioethanol production as a circular economy model
Authors: Tayeh Hiba Abu , Hassanin Mahdi , Gerchman Yoram , Azaizeh Hassan
Published: May 2022

Lignocellulose biomass for bioethanol production is one way for solving the environmental problems of the agricultural residues, besides the production of renewable fuel for the transportation sector, however, the bioethanol production is still inefficient due to a large amount of remnant waste left. So the anaerobic digestion (AD) of this remnant could be an effective solution to increase the overall energy output from the biomass. This study aims to explore the overall energy output and sustainability from the olive mill solid waste (OMSW) through bioethanol production and the utilization of the remnant residues for biogas production by exploiting the organic waste-energy nexus as a circular economy model. The used remnant for biogas production was obtained following bioethanol production from OMSW subjected to microwave-assisted maleic acid, formic acid, or distilled water which were used for the pretreatment, and was followed with enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation process. The biochemical methane potential results fitted the modified Gompertz model. No influence of pretreatment was observed on the maximum methane production. A clear difference was observed on the kinetic constant and on the lag phase. The maleic acid pretreatment showed the highest energy conversion efficiency of 71.0% and the energy yield for the combined ethanol production and biomethane production was 12.92 GJ fuel per ton of dry weight of substrate (10.3 MJ/kg from methane and 2.6 MJ/kg from ethanol). This study shows that the synergy between bioethanol production and AD process could exploit the OMSW – energy nexus.
Does Husband’s Job Loss Lead Wife’s Labor Market Entry? Added Worker Effect during the Great Recession
Authors: PAUL TAPAS KUMAR
Published: May 2022

This study uses a logit model to examine the response of women's labor supply to husbands’ job loss in the United States using monthly labor force measures from the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP). While previous studies have investigated such “added worker effects,” few of them have looked at recessionary periods. SIPP longitudinal data allow for application of a dynamic model that considers wives’ responses over an extended period. The analysis shows that, during the Great Recession, the odds that a wife enters the labor force are 1.4 times greater if her husband is unemployed in the prior month. This effect is not dependent on the husband’s duration of unemployment. The estimate is robust to a variety of alternative models. In comparing our estimates of the added worker effect with those of other studies, I find our numbers are generally smaller than those in less developed countries but are similar to those in the United States.
Magnetic Field Reversal around an Active Fast Radio Burst
Authors: Li Di , Dai Shi , Feng Yi , Yang Yuan-Pei , Zhang Yongkun , Niu C.H. , Wang P. , Xue Mengyao , Zhang Bing , Burke-Spolaor Sarah , Law Casey , Lynch Ryan , Connor Liam , Anna-Thomas Reshma , Zhang Lei , Duan Ran , Yao Jumei , Tsai Chao-Wei , Zhu Weiwei , Cruces Marilyn , Hobbs George , Miao C.C. , Niu J.R. , Filipovic Miroslav , Zhu Shiqiang
Published: May 2022

The environment of actively repeating fast radio bursts (FRBs) has been shown to be complex and varying (Michilli et al. 2018). The recently localized FRB~20190520B (Niu et al. 2021) is extremely active, has the largest confirmed host dispersion measure, and is only the second FRB source associated with a compact, persistent radio source (PRS). The main tracer of the magneto-ionic environments is the rotation measure (RM), a path-integral of the line-of-sight component of magnetic field strength (B) and electron density, which does not allow a direct probe of the B-field configuration. Here we report direct evidence for a B-field reversal based on the observed sign change and extreme variation of FRB~20190520B's RM, which changed from +10000 rad m^{-2} to -16000 rad m^{-2} between June 2021 and January 2022. Such extreme RM reversal has never been observed before in any FRB nor in any astronomical object. The implied short-term change of the B-field configuration in or around the FRB could be due to the vicinity of massive black holes, or a magnetized companion star in binary systems, or a young supernova remnant along the line of sight.
Effects of dietary substitution of canola meal with yeast fermentative biomass on growth performance, blood metabolites, hematological index and serum minerals in buffalo male calves
Authors: Sharif Muhammad , Hanif Abdul Rehman , Shahid Muhammad Shoaib , Ahmad Sibtain , Bilal Muhammad Qamar , Riaz Muhammad , Khalid Muhammad Farooq
Published: May 2022

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of yeast fermentative biomass as a protein source on blood metabolites, hematological index and serum minerals in buffalo male calves. Four iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric diets containing 2, 4, 6 and 8% yeast fermentative biomass as a protein source were formulated. Twenty buffalo male calves with approximate body weight of 230–240 kg were used. Calves were divided into four groups with five replicates each. The experiment was lasted for 100 days. First 21 days were for adjustment period while remaining time for collection period. These diets were fed to the animals ad libitum twice a day as a total mixed ration with free access to fresh water for the entire duration of the experiment. Blood samples were collected by jugular vein at the start and end of the trial, serum was harvested. Blood metabolites (blood urea nitrogen and blood glucose), hematological index and serum minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium and chloride) were analyzed. Yeast fermentative biomass had non-significant (P > 0.05) effect on the blood glucose, blood urea nitrogen, hematological index and blood serum minerals. However, serum calcium concentration significantly (P < 0.05) increased in the treatment having 8% inclusion level of yeast fermentative biomass at 100th day. It can be concluded that yeast fermentative biomass may be used as alternate protein source without any side effect on the level of blood glucose, blood urea nitrogen, hematological index and serum minerals.
Translation and validation of the Chinese version of the orthorexia nervosa assessment questionnaires among college students
Authors: Li Wanlin , Tan Sixian , Ouyang Ruiqing , Cui Yunfeng , Ma Junrong , Cheng Chen , Mu Yingjun , Zhang Shiwen , Zheng Lu , Xiong Peng , Ni Wanze , Li Luyao , Fan Lina , Luo Yumei , Yu Yinglin , Wang Zimo , Ding Fan , Pan Qiaofei , Jiang Anyi , Huang Jingmin , Cao Wenting , Liu Jun , Ye Yanbin , Zeng Fangfang
Published: May 2022

Purpose: The main objective of the study was to translate, validate, and compare the Chinese ORTO scales (ORTO-15 and ORTO-R). The secondary objective was to assess factors that may be related with risk of orthorexia nervosa (ON). Methods: Two cross-sectional surveys were conducted on March-to-June 2021 for ORTO-15) and April 2022 (ORTO-R). ORTO questionnaires were translated into Chinese using the forward–backward–forward method. Exploratory factor analysis, discriminant validity and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to examine the construct validity of the assessment questionnaires. The internal consistency was assessed by using the Cronbach alpha coefficient and the test-retest reliability. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to explore potential impact factors related with ON scores. Results: Totally, 1289 and1084 eligible participants were included for the study of ORTO-15 and ORTO-R, with the mean age of 20.9±2.0 years and 21.0±2.3 years. The internal consistency of Chinese ORTO-15 scale and ORTO-R scale were both satisfactory (α=0.79, ICC=0.79; α=0.77, ICC=0.82). A two-factor solution of ORTO-R was characterized by acceptable goodness-of-fit, whereas the three-factor solution of ORTO-15 showed relatively poor fit. Multivariate linear regression indicated that physical activities and mental disorders were positively associated with ON risk assessed by both ORTO-R and ORTO-15. Conclusion: The Chinese ORTO-R scale were a more reliable tool to screen for ON tendencies than the Chinese version of ORTO-15. Mental disorders and physical activities might be associated with the increased ON risk.Level of evidence Level V (descriptive cross-sectional study).
Enhancement of Biogas Production from Cattle Manure in a Combined Microbial Electrolysis Cell and Anaerobic Digestion System At Short Hydraulic Retention Time
Authors: Dalkilic Kenan , Ugurlu Aysenur
Published: May 2022

The aim of study was to enhance the biogas production from cattle manure in a combined microbial electrolysis cell and anaerobic digestion system (MEC + AD). The MEC + AD reactor were operated on semi continuous mode under different voltage applications and different organic loading rates ranging from 6 g VS/L.d to 30 g VS/L.d. The study was carried out in two parts. In the first part, MEC + AD and conventional anaerobic reactors were compared in terms of biogas production. In the second part, MEC + AD reactor was operated under different voltage applications (0.3, 0.6, and 1.0 V) and organic loading rates. MEC + AD system exhibited 28–52% better biogas production performances (2.03 L/L/d; CH4:75.5% vs 1.43 L/L/d; CH4: 70.4%) compared to control reactor in all sets due to voltage application. In the second part, biogas productions of MEC + AD reactor changed between 3.08 L/L/d and 5.13 L/L/d (75–77.8% CH4) depending on the organic loading rates and applied voltages. Higher voltages (0.6 and 1.0 V) showed better methane production performances especially at high OLRs with respect to lower voltages. Consequently, MEC + AD reactor could be operated efficiently at extreme operational conditions (HRT of 2 days and OLR of 30 g VS/L/d) that conventional anaerobic reactors can not be operated.
Geriatric nutritional risk index as a predictor of prognosis in metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with nivolumab
Authors: fujiwara ryo , Yuasa Takeshi , Yamamoto Shinya , Fujiwara Motohiro , Urasaki Tetsuya , Oki Ryosuke , Komai Yoshinobu , Oguchi Tomohiko , Numao Noboru , Yonese Junji
Published: May 2022

Background: We evaluate the role of the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) as a prognostic factor in metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients receiving nivolumab.Methods: Fifty-six consecutive patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma receiving nivolumab after tyrosine kinase inhibitor between September 2013 and August 2020 at our institution were retrospectively analyzed. The survival outcomes and prognostic factors associated with overall survival (OS) were statistically analyzed. Results: Median follow-up period was 28.6 months. Median progression-free survival (PFS) and 1- and 3-year PFS rates were 26.4 months, 59.7%, and 19.5%, respectively. Median OS and 1- and 3-year OS rates were 48.1 months, 88.9%, and 74.5%, respectively. Thirteen and forty-three patients were classified with low (GNRI <92) and high (GNRI ≥92) GNRI. Patients with low GNRI demonstrated significantly shorter OS (p = 0.0002) and PFS (p = 0.045) than those with high GNRI. In multivariate analysis, GNRI at the time of nivolumab (hazard ratio: 4.38, p = 0.013) was extracted as the predictor for OS in addition to duration from diagnosis to treatment (p = 0.0005) and lymphocyte count (p = 0.026). Integration of the GNRI into the International Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer Database Consortium (IMDC) risk classification improved the c-index from 0.761 to 0.833 (combination of GNRI with IMDC risk classification) and to 0.778 (substitution of GNRI with Karnofsky performance status in IMDC risk classification).Conclusions: GNRI was a significant prognostic biomarker in metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients receiving nivolumab. This simple screening tool could be very useful in clinical practice.
Ground-level ozone in Mekong delta region: precursors, meteorological factors, and regional transport
Authors: Bui Long Ta , Nguyen Phong Hoang
Published: May 2022

The Mekong Delta region (MDR), also known as Vietnam's rice bowl, produced a bountiful harvest of about 23.8 million tons in 2020, accounting for 55.7% of the country's total production, providing food security for 20% of the world population. With the rapid pace of industrialisation and urbanisation, concentration of ozone in the lower atmosphere has risen to a level that reduces crop yields, especially rice, and is, therefore, the subject of research. This study has a goals to simulate the spatio–temporal distribution of ground-level ozone in the area, also to evaluate the impact of precursor emissions and meteorological factors on spatio–temporal distributions of concentration. The study area was divided into six agro-ecological zones to clarify the role of emissions in each zone. The simulation results showed that the ground-level O3 in the MDR ranged from 40.39 µg/m3 to 52.13 µg/m3. In six agro-ecological zones, the average annual ground-level O3 concentration was relatively high, and was the highest in areas six (CZ) and seven (CPZ), with 46.11 µg/m3 and 46.41 µg/m3, respectively. In each zone, the annual average O3 concentration tended to gradually increase from the inner delta to coastal areas. Two types of precursors, NOx and NMVOCs, are the main contributors to O3 pollution, with the largest contribution coming from zone 1 (FAZ) with 91.5 thousand tons of NOx/year and 455.2 thousand tons of NMVOCs/year. Among the meteorological factors considered, relative humidity (RH) and surface pressure (P) were the two main factors that contributed to the increase in ground-level ozone. The spatio–temporal distribution of ground-level O3 in the MDR was influenced by emission precursors from different zones as well as meteorological factors. The present results can help policymakers formulate plans for agro-industrial development in the entire region.
Silica nanoparticles induce neurotoxicity in striatum region by activating oxidative stress and apoptosis-related gene expression in adult male rats: Possible involvement of Nrf2/HO-1 and apoptotic pathways
Authors: Boukholda Khadija , Aouey Bakhta , Gargouri Brahim , Guerrero-Hue Melania , García-Caballero Cristina , Vallejo-Mudarra Mercedes , Najimi Mohamed , Bouchard Michèle , Moreno Juan Antonio , Fetoui Hamadi
Published: May 2022

Extensive use of silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) in biomedical and industrial fields has increased the risk of exposure, resulting in concerns about their safety. However, information regarding their neurotoxic effects through different pathways particularly by perturbing the oxidative/nitrosative balance and causing striatum damage is scarce. The objective of this study was to further assess mechanisms involved in SiNPs-induced neurotoxicity in the striatum using a rat model. Results showed a significant increase in lipid peroxide levels (LPO), reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitrite (NO) and protein carbonyl contents in the striatum, whereas there was a significant decrease in antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT and GPx) and glutathione (GSH) levels in rats following a subacute intraperitoneal injection of SiNPs (at 25 and 100 mg/kg bw/day for 28 days) compared to controls. Furthermore, a decrease in cholinergic (AChE and BChE) and membrane-bound ATPase (Na+ K+ ATPase, Mg2+ ATPase and Ca2+ ATPase) enzyme activities in the striatum was also observed. Immunohistochemical analyses of the striatum revealed a significant increase in protein expression of antioxidant markers, in particular nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) and Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Quantitative real-time PCR also showed that SiNPs induced an up-regulation of pro-apoptotic gene expression (Bax, p53, Caspase-9/3) and down-regulation of anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 in this brain region, with a concomitant upregulation of the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Histopathological analysis confirmed that SiNPs induced extensive neuronal damage and degeneration of surrounding cells in striatum tissue. Our findings suggest that oxidative/nitrosative stress-mediated apoptosis is involved in the striatum neurotoxicity induced by SiNPs by activating Nrf2/HO-1 and apoptotic signaling pathways.
A novel program of infiltrative control in astrocytomas: ADAM23 depletion promotes cell invasion by activating γ-Secretase and NOTCH1 signaling pathway
Authors: Jandrey Elisa Helena Farias , Barnabé Gabriela Filoso , Asprino Paula Fontes , Santos Natália Cristina , Inoue Lilian Tiemi , Rozanski Andrei , Maldaun Marcos , Galante Pedro Alexandre Favoretto , Marie Suely Kazue N , Oba-Shinjo Sueli Mieko , Santos Tiago Góss , Chammas Roger , Lancellotti Carmen Lucia Penteado , Furnari Frank B. , Camargo Anamaria Aranha , Costa Érico Tosoni
Published: May 2022

Background
Diffuse infiltration is a life-threatening growth pattern in malignant astrocytomas and a significant cause of therapy resistance. This pattern is determined by the balance between proliferative and invasive genetic programs and is mainly recapitulated by glioma stem cells (GSCs) during astrocytoma progression. Infiltration results in the GSCs spreading deeply into the surrounding brain tissue, fostering tumor recurrence and making complete surgical resection impossible. We need to thoroughly understand the mechanisms underlying diffuse infiltration to develop effective therapies.
Results
We found that ADAM23 is downregulated in astrocytoma compared with the normal brain. Based on the clinical data and preclinical models, ADAM23 downregulation is associated with a favorable prognosis in lower-grade astrocytoma patients and correlated with the emergence of a pro-invasive tumor phenotype. The expression of ADAM23 in astrocytoma cells is inversely correlated with increased γ-secretase complex activity, consequently contributing to NOTCH1 pathway activation in GSCs and amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition in the mouse brain. Finally, epigenetic inhibition or administration of γ-secretase inhibitors (GSIs) induced a significant inhibitory effect on the invasive programs, specifically in ADAM23low astrocytoma cells.
Conclusions
Overall, our findings reveal ADAM23 expression levels as a new prognostic biomarker and a predictive factor of GSI efficacy for diffuse infiltration in ADAM23 low-expressing astrocytomas.
Bacillus predominates in the Ophiocordyceps pseudolloydii-infected ant cadavers
Authors: Kuo Hao-Yu , Chiu Ming-Chung , Chou Jui-Yu
Published: May 2022

Purpose: The bacterial communities that colonize the cadaver environment of insects infected and killed by parasitoid fungi can be selected by the sympatric fungi and provide novel impacts. Bacillus cereus/thuringiensis has previously been found to predominate the bacterial community in the Ophiocordyceps unilateralis sensu lato-infected ant cadavers in Taiwan. Methods: The bacterial communities were captured by a culture-dependent method from infected ant. We evaluate the biological properties and the possible impact of the predominant bacterial species on ant infection and examine bacterial growth in relation to the production of naphthoquinone derivatives. We further investigate the impact on ant infection by examining the bacterial species for biological properties related to host-killing, resource exploitation, and defense against possible invaders of the host cadaver.Result: We found a similar phenomenon in Dolichoderus thoracicus ants colonized by O. pseudolloydii. The predominant bacteria in these two ant cadavers were similar in the 16S rDNA barcoding sequences, and most of the strains were hemolytic and able to produce hydrolytic enzymes for digesting the ant tissue. Similar to that found in the O. unilateralis s. l.-infected ants, a relatively more intense lethal effect on the co-cultured nematode was displayed by a hemolytic strain. However, the naphthoquinone tolerance found in bacteria from O. unilateralis s. l.-infected ant cadavers was not detected in the bacteria of the ant infected by O. pseudolloydii. Moreover, the antagonistic effect against entomopathogenic fungi detected in the bacteria sympatric with O. pseudolloydii was not obvious against Aspergillus nomius, an ant pathogenic fungus infecting D. thoracicus. These two differences in the properties of the bacteria might be explained by the production of naphthoquinone, which has only been reported in O. unilateralis but not the other closely related fungi, and the bacteria from O. pseudolloydii-infected ants could be more adaptive to D. thoracicus ant cadavers.Conclusion: Through behavioral manipulation of the Ophiocordyceps fungi–ant parasitic associations, the bacterial diversity revealed in this study is a step forward in understanding the impact of microbial communities in parasitic life cycles.
Relationship of Depression, Impulsivity, Distress Intolerance and Coping Styles with Maladaptive Eating Patterns in Bariatric Candidates
Authors: Aki Şahinde Özlem Erden , AYTULUN Aslı , KARAKAYA Jale , IŞIKLI Sedat
Published: May 2022

Purpose
The study aimed to investigate the problematic eating patterns, and understand their relationship to some psychological constructs including stress intolerance, coping mechanisms and impulsivity; and psychiatric symptoms among a group of bariatric surgery candidates.
Methods
The bariatric candidates were evaluated by psychiatric interview and standard scales assessing maladaptive eating behaviors (Eating Attitudes Test (EAT), Bulimia Investigatory Test-Edinburgh (BITE), Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire(DEBQ)), depression (Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)), psychiatric symptoms (Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI)), and psychological constructs (Distress Intolerance Index (DSI), Coping Styles Scale (CSS), UPPS Impulsive Behavior Scale(UPPS)).
Results
More than half (57.8%) of the sample had maladaptive eating behaviors, and 23.6% had binge eating behavior. Depression and anxiety were found to predict EAT, BITE and DEBQ emotional and external eating sub-scale scores; and distress intolerance, helpless coping style and impulsivity were also found to predict maladaptive eating behaviors in bariatric candidates.
Conclusion
Maladaptive eating patterns play an important role in failure to lose weight and regaining weight, and are found to be predicted by depression, anxiety and psychological constructs in this study. Evaluation of pathological trait characteristics besides discrete psychiatric syndromes should be recommended in the pre-operation process to plan relevant interventions in the long-term management of weight.
Role of hippocampal circKcnk9 in visceral hypersensitivity and anxiety comorbidity of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Authors: Liu yuan , Chen Zhong , Lin Wei , Zhou Yifei , Liu Zihan , Zhao Ruixia , Chen Yu , Wu Bin , Chen Aiqin , Lin Chun
Published: May 2022

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent functional disease. However, its molecular and pathological mechanisms are poorly understood. In this study, neonatal colorectal distension induced visceral hypersensitivity and anxiety comorbidity. The expression of hippocampal circKcnk9, a novel circRNA we termed, was increased significantly in IBS-like rats. Interesting, CA1 shcircKcnk9 treatment inhibited LTP and alleviated visceral hypersensitivity and anxiety in IBS-like rats while overexpression of CA1 circKcnk9 induced LTP, visceral hypersensitivity and anxiety in controls. Then, several experiments indicated that increased CA1 circKcnk9 acts as miR-124-3p sponge, which results in the inhibiting effect of miR-124-3p on gene silencing. There was a negative correlation between circKcnk9 and miR-124-3p. As expected, CA1 administration of agomiR-124-3p decreased CA1 LTP, visceral hypersensitivity and anxiety in IBS-like rats. In contrast, CA1 treatment with antagomiR-124-3p induced LTP, visceral hypersensitivity and anxiety in controls. Furthermore, bioinformatics analysis and experimental data showed EZH2 is a target gene of circKcnk9/miR-124-3p and increased EZH2 expression is involved in visceral hypersensitivity and anxiety of IBS-like rats by enhancing hippocampal synaptic plasticity. In conclusion, early life stress induces increased expression of circKcnk9 in the CA1 of IBS-like rats. Increased circKcnk9 ensuing regulates the synaptic transmission and enhances LTP, leading to visceral hypersensitivity and anxiety comorbidity in IBS-like rats. The underlying signaling pathway of circKcnk9 is miR124-3p/EZH2. Increased circKcnk9 reinforces its sponge for miR124-3p, strongly suppresses miR124-3p activity, resulting in increased expression level of target gene EZH2. The study provides a new epigenetic mechanism of visceral hypersensitivity and anxiety comorbidity in IBS-like rats.
Effect of the CAPN1 316 and 4751, CAST 282 and 2959, and LEP E2FB and E2JW markers upon the carcass and meat characteristics in Brahman livestock
Authors: Rojas Luis Erensto López , Herrera Albeiro López , Zuluaga José Julian Echeverri
Published: May 2022

Livestock meat production in Colombia is mostly based upon brahman breed specimens. Nonetheless, their meat has deficient-quality organoleptic characteristics since the alleles of the SNPs CAPN316, CAPN4751, CAST282, CAST2959, E2FB, and E2JW that favors them are found in very low amounts. In contrast, the most frequent alleles might contribute to their rusticity and adaptability to the lower tropic. This study assessed the effect of these markers upon the productive and meat quality characteristics in regards to the live weight, the sacrifice age, the weight and yielding of the hot carcass, the leg perimeter, the loin eye area, the ICTA carcass classification, the intramuscular fat, protein and moisture during the slaughter process, the pH, the water holding capacity, the Warner-Bratzler's shear force and the texture profile during the first, seventh and fourteenth day of maturation. Furthermore, the study wanted to identify whether these markers were associated with the muscle µ-calpain and calpastatin content. It was found that the CAPN4751, CAST282, and CAST2959 markers affect most of the productive and meat quality characteristics on brahman breed livestock that are raised and fattened under the lowland´s Colombian tropic conditions. Nevertheless, even though a significant amount of differences were found among the genotypes, these were of a low magnitude.
A review on enhanced nutrient removal in Constructed Wetlands: Insights into operating conditions and plant variation
Authors: Sharma Balram , Kamilya Tuhin , Jain Mahak , Gupta Ashok Kumar , Ghosal Partha Sarathi
Published: May 2022

In the last few decades, nutrient-rich wastewater has become a worldwide problem due to exponentially increased anthropogenic activities causing eutrophication or algal blooms in waters and affect the water bodies with their biological and chemical activities. Physico-chemical techniques have shown promising results, while operational cost, hefty sludge generation, and energy requirement are the major drawbacks. On the other hand, biological processes are cost-effective and efficient, although they are associated with design complexity and extensive monitoring. Among biological techniques, constructed wetland (CW) is an economical, efficient, and green technique for nutrient removal comprising of inherent mechanisms, such as microbial degradation, rhizofiltration, phytodegradation, sorption, etc. This major highlight of the present study is to apprise and critically analyze the ideal conditions and system insights to enhance the nutrient removal efficiency of CW. Macrophytes play a vital role in CW and its planting practices, namely monoculture and polyculture, also influence the removal efficiency of the CW. In the present study, an in-depth analysis reflected that polyculture exhibits better treatment for TN and TP compared to monoculture practices. The observed optimum conditions for nutrient removal in CW were polyculture in combination with higher temperature (23ºC-29ºC), artificial aeration, advanced substrate, and bioaugmentation. The review emphasized the process and design criticality of CWs in removing nutrients from various types of wastewater, which may be instrumental for water research and field applications.
Prenatal imaging and whole-exome sequencing identifies novel tetratricopeptide repeat domain 7A mutation in fetus with gastrointestinal atresia: a case report.
Authors: Barkat Kawthar
Published: May 2022

BackgroundTetratricopeptide repeat domain 7A (TTC7A, chromosome 2p21) is a highly-conserved structural motif essential for multiprotein scaffolding and cell survival. Fewer than 60 cases of TTC7A deficiency have been reported globally. It produces multisystemic disease phenotypes which are lethal in two-thirds of patients, with a median survival age of 12 months. It is predominantly detected postnatally, often rendering medical and surgical interventions futile. Case presentationWe report the antenatal sonographic and magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of a novel phenotype of TTC7A-deficiency presenting with gastrointestinal atresia. This has never been previously documented. The diagnosis was confirmed via whole-exome next generation sequencing thus facilitating prompt initiation of management and prolonging viability. ConclusionsNovel insight into the prenatal morphological characteristics of TTC7A-deficiency phenotypes expands knowledge of this rare condition. Furthermore, antenatal recognition facilitates targeted investigation, genetic counselling, and earlier multidisciplinary intervention to prolong viability of this predominantly lethal condition.
The preparation of dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide modified titanium dioxide for the removal of uranium
Authors: Wang Jian , Ma Ran , Jiang Zheng
Published: May 2022

Radioactive contamination, especially the pollution of uranium, is threatening the ecological environment. How to efficient and quickly remove the uranium from the environment is a problem to be solved. In this study, the dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide embellished titanium dioxide composite (DTAB/TiO2) was synthesized as an adsorbent to adsorb uranium from water. The DTAB/TiO2 composite was composed of nanoparticles and presented a spherical morphology of rough surface. The removal of U(VI) on DTAB/TiO2 was a monolayer adsorption process and the removal process was dependent on solution pH. The capture of U(VI) enhanced with the increase of temperature, indicating an endothermic process. According to the Langmuir model, the removal capacity of DTAB/TiO2 for U(VI) reached 108.4 mg/g. The surface oxygen-containing functional groups, especially hydroxyl groups, played a crucial role in the capture of U(VI). This work can provide useful information for the cleanup of uranium and expand the application of surfactants.
Lactobacillus fermentum HNU312 alleviated oxidative damage and behavioural abnormalities during brain development in early life induced by chronic lead exposure through multiple strategies
Authors: Zhang Jiachao , Zhang Zeng , Li Jiahe , Jiang Shuaiming , Xu Meng , Ma Teng , Sun Zhihong
Published: May 2022

Lead exposure severely disrupts brain development and causes damage to the nervous system in early life. Probiotics and gut microbes have been highlighted for their key roles in mitigating lead toxicity. However, the underlying mechanisms by which they work have not been fully explored. Here, we designed a two-stage experiment using the probiotic Lactobacillus fermentum HNU312 (Lf312) to uncover how probiotics alleviate lead toxicity to the brain by activating the gut microbiome during early life. In the first phase, we explored the tolerance and adsorption of this strain to lead in vitro and observed the adsorption effect of this strain at the cellular level. In the second phase, the adsorption capacity of the strain was determined and confirmed in vivo. Then, we clarified how the gut microbiome was involved in mitigating oxidation and inflammation in the brain induced by lead exposure using shotgun metagenome sequencing. The results showed lead exposure-induced imbalance and dysfunction of the gut microbiome. In contrast, Lf312 intake significantly modulated the structure of the microbiome, increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-producing bacteria, and upregulated function-related metabolic pathways such as antioxidants. Notably, Lf312 enhanced the integrity of the blood-brain barrier by increasing the levels of SCFAs in the gut alleviated inflammation in the brain and ultimately improved anxiety-like and depression-like behaviours induced by lead exposure in mice. Subsequently, the effective mechanism was confirmed in vitro and in vivo, which highlighted that Lf312 worked through integrated strategies, including ionic adsorption and microbiota-gut-brain axis regulation.
Spatio-temporal evolution and influencing factors of habitat quality in Karst mountainous cities —— A case study of Guiyang City, China
Authors: Wang Zhijie , Liu Shujun , Su Yuan
Published: May 2022

The coupling of rapid urbanization and ecological remediation measures has significant influence on the habitat quality of fragile and fragmented Karst mountainous cities in recent years. This study aims to reveal the spatio-temporal changes of habitat quality and the influencing of landscape pattern on habitat quality in Karst mountainous cities. Taking Guiyang City, a typical Karst mountainous city of southwest, China, as the research object, the spatial-temporal dynamics and heterogeneity of habitat quality and influence of landscape pattern on habitat quality were explored using the InVEST model, Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis (ESDA) analysis, and hierarchical partitioning (HP), etc. We found that the habitat quality index of Guiyang City improved from 0.6643 to 0.6988 during 2000 ~ 2019, the distribution of habitat quality has significant spatio-temporal heterogeneity and spatial aggregation effect with the low values or the decreased areas concentrated in and around the built-up areas or urbanization expansion areas. Landscape composition had greater contribution than landscape configuration to habitat quality. The increase in natural habitat area had a positive effect on habitat quality. Moreover, each landscape configurations had a significant positive or negative correlation with the habitat quality. Therefore, implementing ecological protection and restoration measures in Karst mountainous cities might be an effective strategy to improve habitat quality in the process of rapid urbanization. Furthermore, optimizing habitat patterns, reducing the habitats loss, and protecting the natural habitat integrity is crucial to improve and maintain biodiversity in the study area.
Application of Skinless Gracilis Adipofascial Flap for Pelvic Floor Reconstruction after Pelvic Exenteration
Authors: Zhang Chen , Yang Xin , Bi Hongsen
Published: May 2022

Background
Pelvic exenteration is a radical surgery performed in selected patients with locally advanced or recurrent pelvic malignancy. It involves radical en bloc resection of the adjacent anatomical structures affected by tumor. The authors sought to evaluate the clinical application of skinless gracilis adipofascial flap for pelvic floor reconstruction after pelvic exenteration.
Methods
A total of 31 patients underwent pelvic floor reconstruction with gracilis adipofascial flap after pelvic exenteration in Peking University Third Hospital from 2014 to 2022 were enrolled in the study. Postoperative follow-up durations varied from 4 months to 12 months.
Results
The total incidence of postoperative complications associated with the flap was 25.81%, with an incidence of 6.45% in the donor site and 19.35% in the recipient site. All complications were early complications, including postoperative infection and flap necrosis. All patients recovered after treatments, including anti-infectives, dressing change, debridement, and local flap repair. Long-term follow-up showed good outcomes without flap-related complications.
Conclusions
Skinless gracilis adipofascial flap can be applied for pelvic floor reconstruction after pelvic exenteration. The flap is an ideal and reliable choice for pelvic floor reconstruction with few complications, high survival rate, sufficient volume, and mild effects on the function of the donor site.
Country-report pattern corrections of new cases allow accurate two-week predictions of Covid19 evolution with the Gompertz model
Authors: Villanueva I. , Conesa D. , Català M. , Cano C. López , Perramon A. , Molinuevo D. , Lopez-Codina D. , Alonso S. , Cardona P. J. , Montañola-Sales C. , Prats C. , Alvarez-Lacalle E.
Published: May 2022

Accurate short-term prediction of Covid19 cases with empirical models allow Health Officials to prepare for hospital contingencies in a two-three week window given the delay between case reporting and the admission of patients in a hospital. We investigate the ability of Gompertz-type empiric models to provide accurate prediction up to two and three weeks to give a large window of preparation in case of a surge in virus transmission. We investigate the stability of the prediction and its accuracy using bi-weekly predictions during the last trimester of 2020 and 2021. Using data from 2020, we show that understanding and correcting for the daily reporting structure of cases in the different countries is key to accomplish accurate predictions. Furthermore, we found that filtering out predictions that are highly unstable to changes in the parameters of the model, which are roughly 20%, reduces strongly the number of predictions that are way-off. The method is then tested for robustness with data from 2021. We found that, for this data, only 1-2% of the one-week predictions were off by more than 50%. This increased to 3% for two-week predictions, and only for three-week predictions it reached 10%.
Superhydrophobic surfaces with dual-scale roughness and water vapor-barrier property for sustainable liquid packaging applications
Authors: zhang xue , Zhang Hongjie , Cheng Yun , Zhang Liyuan , Shen Wei
Published: May 2022

There has been continuous global unmet need to manufacture new sustainable liquid packaging materials, without plastic film or aluminum foil. A proposed research direction is based on superhydrophobic coating technologies to develop more sustainable packaging materials. In this study, the underlying engineering principle, including but not limited to the substrates and engineering properties, of superhydrophobic surfaces proposed for liquid packaging application is investigated. Specifically, in order to improve the engineering performance of superhydrophobic paper designed for packaging, the possibilities to utilize the barrier property of nano-platy-shaped montmorillonite (MMT) and the superhydrophobic property of nano-rolling-pin-shaped precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) to form multifunctional coating layers are investigated. Then, the subtle differences in morphological structures of the as-prepared superhydrophobic paper samples are characterized by water droplet evaporation experiment to verify the promising roughness structure for packaging applications. Furthermore, paperboard, which is widely utilized in packaging, is chosen as the substrate to study the challenges of fabricating superhydrophobic paperboard designed for packaging. The research findings of this study provide the engineering principles of promoting sustainable paper-based materials with dual-scale roughness structure and barrier properties in liquid packaging applications.