bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
KERAGAMAN GENETIK SEMAI TIMOHO (Kleinhovia hospitaLinn.) BERDASARKAN PENANDA RANDOM AMPLIFIED POLYMORPHISM DNA (RAPD)
Authors:   Balai Besar Litbang Bioteknologi dan Pemuliaan Tanaman Hutan, Nurtjahjaningsih ILG , Hakim Lukman , Hutomo Y.V ,   Universitas Kristen Duta Wacana, Rimbawanto Anto , Widyatmoko AYPBC , Prihatini Istiana , Qiptiyah Maryatul , Sulistyawati Purnamila , Wahyunisari Wahyunisari
Published: August 2022

Timoho (Kleinhovia hospita Linn.) has high economic value for medicine and construction. However, information on genetic diversity and conservation genetic has been limited by the lack of genetic data. This study aimed to assess genetic diversity of timoho seedling using RAPD markers. Leaf samples of seedlings were collected from a nursery at CFBTI in Yogyakarta; the seedlings originated from plantation in Gunungkidul (GK) and arboretum in Faculty of Forestry, GMU (FK). Seven out of 22 screened RAPD markers were stable in amplification and consisted of 61 polymorphic loci; then these markers were used to analyse genetic diversity and population structure of 48 seedlings from GK and FK. The genetic diversity and structure parameters were calculated by GenAlex software. A moderate level of genetic diversity (mean uHE=0,326) and great genetic distance between the two populations (DA=0.119) were found in this species. PCoA analysis showed that the 48 individuals were divided into two clusters according to their originated population. Appropriate conservation strategies were proposed to protect genetic diversity of this species
The planetary boundary layer physical processes, the secondary thermal baroclinic circulation and inertial oscillation contribution to diurnal variation of the Etesian winds over the Aegean Sea
Authors:   Emeritus Professor, School of Engineering, University of West Attica, Ancient Eleonas University Campus, Egaleo, 122 41, Attica, Greece, Prezerakos Nicholas G. ,   Honorary President of the Hellenic (Greek) Meteorological Society.
Published: August 2022

Etesian winds constitute an important climatological phenomenon, which does not only moderate the heat during the summer in the Aegean Sea, but provides a source of clean renewable energy as well. Even though several papers have attempted to explain their dynamical and physical characteristics, the respective processes that drive the diurnal variation of the wind speed are not fully understood. The objective of this paper is to identify the processes responsible for diurnal variation with observed maximum wind speed around noon and minimum around midnight. Analytical solutions of a primitive equation set in Eulerian form, after introducing suitable conditions and approximations, reveal an inertial oscillation over the Aegean Sea. Data based on direct observations, ECMWF IFS high resolution analyses and high-resolution simulations with the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model are utilized to find out the type and structure of the planetary boundary layer (PBL) over the Aegean Sea. This PBL appears to be of a marine character and turbulent mostly during the day but less during the night. The direct impact of local and regional thermally-driven circulations is found to be the main cause of the diurnal variation of the observed wind and partly the inertial oscillation. Results from numerical simulations certify these findings. Furthermore, the momentum and Newtonian heating exchanges by the physical processes inside the PBL, where the gradient wind together with smaller scales of atmospheric motions exist, are also necessary for explaining the variability of the Etesian winds.
Comparison of two air quality models in complex terrain near sea shore
Authors: Zeydan Özgür , Karademir Aykan
Published: August 2022

Air pollution is the most important environmental problem in Zonguldak, Turkey due
to excessive coal combustion and thermal power plant emissions. The city center is
located on a complex terrain near the Black Sea shore. There exist some previous studies
about PM10 pollution in the study area, but none of them is related to the spatial
distribution of the pollutant. This air quality modeling study aims to fill this gap in
the literature. Firstly, PM10 emission inventory has been prepared for point, line, and
area sources for the year 2011. For that period, bituminous coal was the principal fuel
for domestic heating in houses and generating electricity in thermal power plants,
therefore particulate matter (PM10) was the leading air pollutant. Emission inventory
calculations revealed that 2710.2 tons of PM10 have been emitted to the atmosphere from
all sources in the study area. Then, the air quality modeling has been performed for
PM10 by using two air quality models: AERMOD and CALPUFF. According to the modeling
results, the PM10 pollution levels may pose a health threat to the inhabitants of
Zonguldak. The maximum PM10 concentrations predicted by the CALPUFF model were higher
than that of the AERMOD model. The model predicted values plus background concentration
were validated against the PM10 measurements by using fractional bias, index of
agreement, geometric mean bias, and geometric mean-variance. According to the model
performance analysis, CALPUFF showed slightly better performance as compared to
AERMOD.
Distribution and spatio-temporal variation of temperature and precipitation in the
Sierra de Otontepec Ecological Reserve, Veracruz, Mexico through GIS modelling
Authors: Soto Victor , Alanís José Luis , Pech Juan Manuel , Chagoya Jorge Luis
Published: August 2022

Sierra de Otontepec Ecological Reserve is an isolated mountain in the Coastal
Plain of Gulf of Mexico with great scientific importance. However, it lacks
climatological information to support the studies of the ecosystems that have been
carried out in recent years. Through GIS modelling its climatology was characterized,
and climate variability scenarios were created for the period 1981-2010. From
temperature and precipitation data recorded in situ, vertical gradients of both
variables were obtained in relation to the orography of the zone. The records were
correlated with data from nearby weather stations so that by using a DEM it was possible
to obtain raster layers with a resolution of 15 m per pixel for temperature, in the
summer and winter seasons; and for precipitation, in the rainy and dry seasons; the
annual value was also calculated for both variables. The climatic variability detected
in the zone indicates a gradual increase in air temperature over time and a spatial
variation in the distribution of precipitation. The spatial resolution of the modelling
is precisely adjusted to the relief of the mountain, allowing the flora and fauna
elements found within each pixel to be analysed with a good level of detail. This work
represents the most viable and effective alternative to estimate temperature and
precipitation values in mountain systems lacking climatological stations; demonstrating
that beyond providing climate information, which is increasingly necessary for
ecosystems, it is possible to model their spatio-temporal dynamics to better understand
the complex climate variability of our days.
Experimental downslope gravity currents over a synthetic topography
Authors:   Institute for Geophysics and Meteorology, University of Cologne, Cologne, 50969, Germany., Burgos-Cuevas Andrea , Ruiz-Angulo Angel ,   Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, 101, Iceland, Ramos-Musalem Karina ,   Instituto de Ciencias de la Atmósfera y Cambio Climático, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico, Palacios-Morales Carlos ,   Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, 04510, Mexico, García Molina Cruz ,   Univ. Grenoble Alpes, IRD, CNRS, Grenoble INP, IGE, 38000 Grenoble, France
Published: August 2022

Experimental lock-release gravity currents are investigated as they propagate downslope over varying synthetic topography. We emulate and investigate the dynamics of thermally driven winds that propagate downslope while interacting with the roughness of a complex topographic surface. The mixing processes between the gravity currents and their surroundings are studied with Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), and entrainment is quantified. The magnitude of the entrainment coefficient is shown to increase as the roughness of the slope increases. Shadowgraph visualizations qualitatively reproduce this behavior. Finally, pressure fields are estimated from velocity fields, and pressure time series are obtained over synthetic stations along the topographic surface. The arrival of gravity currents is shown to be detected in the pressure time series. This last result may help detect atmospheric gravity currents using only surface pressure measurements.
Solution of advection-diffusion-reaction problems on a sphere: High-resolution numerical experiments
Authors:   Instituto de Ciencias de la Atmósfera y Cambio Climático, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, C.P. 04510, MEXICO, Skiba Yuri N. , Cruz-Rodriguez Roberto C. ,   Instituto de Ciencias de la Atmósfera y Cambio Climático, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Mexico City, C.P. 04510, MEXICO, Filatov Denis M. ,   Sceptica Scientific Ltd, Carpenter Court, 1 Maple Rd, Bramhall, Stockport, Cheshire, SK7 2DH, UK
Published: August 2022

The implicit and unconditionally stable numerical method proposed in Skiba (2015) is applied to solve linear advection-diffusion-reaction problems and nonlinear diffusion-reaction problems on a sphere. Numerical experiments carried out on a high-resolution spherical mesh show the effectiveness of the method in modelling linear advection-diffusion processes on a sphere (dispersion of pollution in the atmosphere), and nonlinear diffusion processes (propagation of nonlinear temperature waves, blow-up regimes of combustion, and chemical reactions in the Gray-Scott model). The method correctly describes the mass balance of a substance in forced and dissipative systems and conserves the total mass and norm of the solution in the absence of forcing and dissipation.
Use of the Analytic Hierarchy Process and Selected Methods in the Managerial Decision-Making Process in the Context of Sustainable Development
Authors: Stofkova Jana , Krejnus Matej , Stofkova Katarina Repkova , Malega Peter , Binasova Vladimira
Published: August 2022

This article describes the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method which can be calculated by several methods. The AHP method is essential for the managerial decision-making to recognize which method is efficient for the calculation and to determine the proper order of criteria. In the article there are included methods that can be used in order to calculate the matrix in the AHP process for setting criteria such as Geometric mean, Arithmetic mean, Row sum of the adjusted the Saaty matrix, Reverse sums of the Saaty matrix columns and Row sums of the Saaty matrix. The paper is focused on the accuracy of the methods used. The results show that the most accurate method is the Saaty method, and the second most accurate method is the geometric mean in order to determine the ranking. This method is easier to use when the same order is achieved as in the Saaty method, followed by Geometric mean, which is favourable for fast and easy determination of alternatives using in the AHP process. The survey carried out among managers graduated from Universities and Colleges in Slovakia showed that the respondents considered the Saaty method as the most complex and also the most difficult method and the geometric mean average method the simplest method. 44% of respondents stated that they are capable to use a program to calculate the AHP. 46% of respondents said they had experience with some method related to the managerial decision-making process. 72% of managers regarded as important to manage some method for decision-making in their managerial position.
The Magnetosome Protein, Mms6, is a Lipid-Activated Ferric Reductase
Authors: Singappuli-Arachchige Dilini , Feng Shuren , Wang Lijun , Palo Pierre E. , Shobade Samuel O. , Thomas Michelle , Nilsen-Hamilton Marit
Published: August 2022

Magnetosomes of magnetotactic bacteria consist of magnetic nanocrystals with defined morphologies enclosed in vesicles originated from cytoplasmic membrane invaginations. Although many proteins are involved in creating magnetosomes, a single magnetosome protein, Mms6, can direct the crystallization of magnetite nanoparticles in vitro. The in vivo role of Mms6 in magnetosome formation is debated and the observation that Mms6 binds ferric and not ferrous iron raises the question of how Mms6 could promote the crystallization of magnetite, which contains both ferric and ferrous iron. Here we show that Mms6 is a ferric reductase that reduces ferric to ferrous iron using NADH and FAD as electron donor and cofactor, respectively. Reductase activity is elevated when Mms6 is integrated into either liposomes or bicelles. Analysis of Mms6 mutants suggests that the C-terminal domain binds iron and the N-terminal domain contains the catalytic site. Although Mms6 forms multimers that involve C-terminal and N-terminal domain interactions, a fusion protein with Mms6, which remains a monomer, displays reductase activity, which suggests that the catalytic site is fully in the monomer. These results are consistent with a hypothesis that Mms6, a membrane protein, promotes the formation of magnetite by a mechanism that involves reducing iron.
SUMOylation in Skeletal Development, Homeostasis, and Disease
Authors: Yang Tao , Liu Huadie , Craig Sonya E. L. , Molchanov Vladimir , Floramo Joe , Zhao Yaguang
Published: August 2022

The modification of proteins by small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO) molecules, SUMOylation, is a key post-translational modification involved in a variety of biological processes such as chromosomes organization, DNA replication and repair, transcription, nuclear transport, and cell signaling transduction. In recent years, emerging evidence has shown that SUMOylation regulates the development and homeostasis of the skeletal system, with its dysregulation causing skeletal diseases, suggesting that SUMOylation pathways may serve as a promising therapeutic target. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which SUMOylation pathways regulate skeletal cells in the physiological and disease contexts.
The IASI Water Deficit Index to Monitor the Vegetation Stress and the Early Drying in Summer Because of Heatwaves: an Application to Southern Italy
Authors: Masiello Guido , Ripullone Francesco , De Feis Italia , Rita Angelo , Saulino Luigi , Pasquariello Pamela , Cersosimo Angela , Venafra Sara , Serio Carmine
Published: August 2022

The boreal Hemisphere has been experiencing increasing extreme hot and dry conditions over the past few decades, consistent with anthropogenic climate change expectations. The continental extension of the phenomenon calls for tools and techniques capable of monitoring the global to regional scales. In this context, the satellite is the only system that can satisfy the need for global coverage. The main objective we have addressed in the present paper is the capability of infrared satellite observations helping to monitor the vegetation stress due to increasing drought and heatwaves in summer. We have designed and implemented a new water deficit index (wdi) that exploits satellite observations in the infrared to retrieve humidity, air temperature, and surface temperature simultaneously. These three parameters are combined to provide the water deficit index. The index has been developed based on the Infrared Atmospheric Sounder Interferometer or IASI, which covers the infrared spectral range 645 to 2760 cm-1 with a sampling of 0.25 cm-1. The index has been used to study the 2017 heatwave, which hit Continental Europe from May to October. In particular, we have examined Southern Italy, where Mediterranean forests suffer from climate change. We have computed the index's time series and show that it can be used to indicate the atmospheric background conditions associated with meteorological drought. We have also found a good agreement with soil moisture, which suggests that the persistence of anomalously high water deficit index was an essential driver of the rapid development and evolution of the exceptionally severe 2017 droughts.
Booking Public Charging: User Preferences and Behavior towards Public Charging Infrastructure with A Reservation Option
Authors: Hardinghaus Michael , Anderson John Erik , Nobis Claudia , Stark Kerstin , Vladova Galya
Published: August 2022

Electric vehicles offer a means to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in passenger transport. The availability of reliable charging infrastructure is crucial for the successful uptake of electric vehicles in dense urban areas. In a pilot project in the city of Hamburg, Germany, public charging infrastructure is equipped with a reservation option providing exclusive access for local residents and businesses. The present paper combines quantitative and qualitative methods to investigate the effects of the newly introduced neighborhood charging concept. We use a methodology combining a quantitative questionnaire survey and qualitative focus group discussions as well as the analyses of charging infrastructure utilization data. Results show that inner-city charging and parking options are of key importance for (potential) users of electric vehicles. Hence, the neighborhood concept is rated very positively. Providing guaranteed charging and parking facilities are therefore likely to increase the stock of EVs. On the other hand, these could to a large extent be additional cars with consequential disadvantages. The study shows that openly accessible infrastructure is presently utilized much more intense than the exclusive option. Consequentially, the concept evaluated should be part of an integrated approach managing parking and supporting efficient concepts like car sharing.
The Emergence of Automated Vehicles and their Potential Implications for Urban Mobility: A Review of the Literature and Synthesis of Use Cases
Authors: Beza Abebe Dress , Koutra Sesil , John Frederic , Thomas Dimitrios
Published: August 2022

Automated vehicles (AVs), which are expected to enter the market within the near future, represent the current frontiers in mobility and urban planning. AVs are assumed to bring substantial benefits to cities in many aspects. The present study attempts to investigate this broad assumption by conducting a literature review on the possible implications of AVs in cities as well as synthesizing the current state of practice of AV pilots to detect trends in their deployment. In this paper, literature findings on AVs’ implication on vehicle ownership, mobility, land use as well thirteen uses cases were synthesized to capture the big picture of them in cities. The findings showed that, in the AV pilots, the operation of AVs is limited to routes stretching less than 3.5km and an operation speed of less than 18km/h; low speed has been one of the main concerns of the participating passengers to use them for daily trips. The results also revealed that although shared AVs are expected in urban mobility, private ownership will stay competitive since vehicle ownership has been a socio-cultural identity in the history of automobiles. The findings also underlined that the potential influence of AVs on active mobility is still unclear as the AVs have not been introduced on a larger scale. Regarding AVs’ impact on land use, their introduction results in the effective use of space, but they will cause suburbanization in the long term.
Dysregulated Expression of Ion Channels in Sensory Neurons Enhances Action Potential Afterhyperpolarization in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease–Associated Pruritus
Authors: Momose Akishi , Yabe Michihiro , Chiba Shigetoshi , Kumakawa Kenjirou , Shiraiwa Yasuo , Mizukami Hiroki
Published: August 2022

Expression levels of Cav3.2, BKCa, and anoctamin 1 were previously found to be significantly elevated in patients with chronic kidney disease–associated pruritus (CKD-aP). On the other hand, the expression of TRPV1 was significantly reduced. We further compared CKD patients with and without CKD-aP in terms of the expression levels of several ion channels in the skin, including in peripheral nerve endings。Based on CKD-aP severity, subjects were divided into two groups: non-CKD-aP (no or slight pruritus; n = 16) and CKD-aP (mild, moderate, or severe pruritus; n = 16). Skin samples were obtained from the forearm or elbow during arteriovenous fistula surgery. We used quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction to measure the skin expression levels of the following ion channels in the skin: Nav1.7, Kv7.2, TREK1, HCN2, TrkA, and Piezo2.　RT-PCR analyses showed that CKD-aP patients had significantly higher levels of TREK1 and Piezo2 transcripts and significantly lower levels of HCN2 transcripts than non–CKD-aP patients. No significant differences were noted between groups in the expression of Nav1.7 or TrkA. Moreover, Kv7.2 transcripts were not detected in either group. In skin samples collected from CKD-aP patients, ion channel expression patterns were altered to enhance hyperpolarization of pruriceptive neurons.
Impact of Sleep Deficiency on Surgical Performance: A Prospective Assessment
Authors: Quan Stuart F. , Landrigan Christopher P. , Barger Laura K. , Buie Justin D. , Dominguez Cynthia , Iyer Jay M. , Majekodunmi Akindele , Papautsky Elizabeth Lerner , Robbins Rebecca , Shen Burton H. , Stephens Joshua T. , Weaver Matthew D. , Czeisler Charles A.
Published: August 2022

Background: Sleep deficiency can adversely affect the performance of resident physicians resulting in greater medical errors. However, the impact of sleep deficiency on surgical outcomes, particularly among attending surgeons is less clear. Methods: Sixty attending surgeons from academic and community departments of surgery or obstetrics and gynecology were studied prospectively using direct observation and self-report to explore the effect of sleep deprivation on patient safety, operating room communication, medical errors, and adverse events while operating under two conditions, Post-Call (defined as >2 hours of nighttime clinical duties) and Non-Post-Call. Results: Each surgeon contributed up to five surgical procedures post-call and non-post-call yielding 362 cases total (150 Post-Call and 210 Non-Post-Call). Most common were caesarian section and herniorrhaphy. Hours of sleep on the night before the operative procedure were significantly less Post-Call (4.98 ± 1.41) vs. Non-Post-Call (6.68 ± 0.88, p<0.01). Errors were infrequent and not related to hours of sleep or post-call status. However, Non-Technical Skills for Surgeons (NOTSS) ratings demonstrated poorer performance while Post-Call for Situational Awareness, Decision Making and Communication/Teamwork. Fewer hours of sleep also was related to lower ratings for Situational Awareness and Decision Making. Decreased self-reported alertness was observed to be associated with increased procedure time. Conclusions: Sleep deficiency in attending surgeons was not associated with greater errors during procedures performed during the next day. However, procedure time was increased suggesting that surgeons were able to compensate for sleep loss by working more slowly. Ratings on non-technical surgical skills were adversely affected by sleep deficiency.
Projection onto the Set of Rank-Constrained Structured Matrices for Reduced-Order Controller Design
Authors: Nagahara Masaaki , Iwai Yu , Sebe Noboru
Published: August 2022

In this paper, we propose an efficient numerical computation method of reduced-order controller design for linear time-invariant systems. The design problem is described by linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) with a rank constraint on a structured matrix, due to which the problem is NP-hard. Instead of the heuristic method that approximates the matrix rank by the nuclear norm, we propose a numerical projection onto the rank-constrained set based on the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM). Then the controller is obtained by alternating projection between the rank-constrained set and the LMI set. We show the effectiveness of the proposed method compared with existing heuristic methods, by using 95 benchmark models from the COMPLeib library.
Effectiveness of Adherence to a Mediterranean Diet in the Management of Overweight Women: the Prospective Interventional Cohort Study
Authors: Poráčová Jana , Uher Ivan , Vašková Hedviga , Kimáková Tatiana , Švedová Milena , Konečná Mária , Mydlárová Blaščáková Marta , Sedlák Vincent
Published: August 2022

Evidence indicates that unhealthy eating habits constitute multilevel obstacles threatening our health and well-being—studies suggesting that consumer choices turn irremovably towards Western diets. Mediterranean diets (MD) have been identified as one of the most effective in preventing and treating overweight and obesity. Considering this scientific substantiation in prevention and treatment activity, the purpose of this investigation is to verify this evidence. In our prospective interventional study, we examined the effect of MD on body weight in a female cohort sample. The analyzed group consisted of (n=181) females divided into three distinct groups based on their age (tricenarian, quadragenarian, and quinquagenarian). Anthropometric (weight, BMI, FATP, VFATL, FFM, TBW, and BMR), biochemical examinations (urea, creatinine, uric acid, ALT, AST, GGT, CHOL, HDL-CH, non-HDL, LDL-CH, TAG, GLU, and CRP) and comprehensive, personalized three months MD program was completed on the examined subjects. We didn’t establish convincing evidence of MD on weight reduction and its magnitude of correlation with a positive correspondence on selected determinants in all groups combined. There is a challenge to construct more robust prospective cohort studies that will incorporate add-on critical integrands that will be appropriate to monitor, evaluate and predict weight management in experimenting.
Probiotic Oxalate-Degrading Bacteria: New Insight of Environmental Variables and Expression of The Oxc and Frc Genes on Oxalate Degradation Activity
Authors: Karamad Dina , KHosravi-Darani Kianoush , Mousavi-Khaneghah Amin , Miller Aaron
Published: August 2022

Oxalate, a compound produced by many edible plants and as a terminal metabolite in the liver of mammals, is a toxin that has a detrimental role to human health. Humans and other mam-mals do produce the enzymatic machinery to degrade oxalate. However, numerous oxa-late-degrading bacteria reside in the mammalian gut and thus provide an important function for hosts. The current review focuses on the environmental factors that influence the efficacy of pro-biotic oxalate-degrading bacteria, relative to oxalate metabolism. We describe the mechanism of oxalate catabolism and its consumption by obligate and facultative anaerobic oxalate-degrading bacteria, in both in vitro and in vivo environments. We also explore the environmental variables that impact oxalate degradation. Studies on single species degrade oxalate have not shown a strong impact on oxalate metabolism especially in high oxalate conditions such as consumption of foods high in oxalate (such as coffee and chocolate for humans or halogeton in animal feed). Considering effective variables which enhance oxalate degradation could be used in application of effective probiotic as a therapeutic tool in individuals with hyperoxaluria. This study indicates probiotics can be considered a good source of naturally occurring oxalate degrading agent in human colon
Predictive Values of Nocturia and Its Voiding Frequency on the Aging Males’ Symptoms
Authors: Yuen John Wai-Man , Wong Ivy Yuen-Ping , Chiu Peter Ka-Fung , Teoh Jeremy Yuen-Chun , Chan Chi-Kwok , Yee Chi-Hang , Ng Chi-Fai
Published: August 2022

Background: The link between nocturia and aging male symptoms (AMS) has not been scientifically established. This study aimed to measure the degree of severity of AMS that impact on the health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) in adult males living with nocturia, and to determine the predictive values of nocturnal factors on AMS. Methods: It is an extended analysis of new data collected by using the Hong Kong Traditional AMS (HK-AMS) scale and Cantonese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) in a recently published cross-sectional population-based survey. Results: Of the 781 respondents that have completed the set of questionnaires, 68% and 61% of men living with nocturia reported clinically significant (at moderate-to-severe levels) somato-vegetative and sexual AMS, whereas the prevalence and severity were increased with advancing nighttime voiding frequency. The nocturia-specific QoL (NQoL) score and nocturnal frequency were found to be significant predictive factors for composite, somato-vegetative and sexual AMS, in addition to age, global OSQI score, and certain metabolic diseases. Conclusions: Current findings suggested the inclusion of nocturia when measuring the male-specific HRQoL related to aging.
Factors Influencing Second and Third Dose Observance during Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC): A Quantitative Study in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger
Authors: Somé Anyirékun Fabrice , Zongo Issaka , Sagara Issaka , Ibrahim Alkassoum , Ahanhanzo Césaire Damien , Agbanouvi-agassi Edoh Eddie , Sayi Dona Alain , Paré Lea , Kabré Zachari , Nikiéma Frédéric , Bazié Thomas , Ouédraogo Sylvin , Sombié Issaka , Dicko Alassane , Adehossi Eric , Ouedraogo Jean Bosco , Dabiré K.  Roch
Published: August 2022

This study aims to evaluate the factors influencing the adherence to the 2nd and 3rd doses during each cycle of seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Overall, 3,132 people were interviewed during surveys between 2019 and 2020 in 15 health districts. The median age was 30 years. In Burkina , Mali, and Niger, the proportions of non-adherence were 4.15% , 5.60%, and 13.30%, respectively (95% CI (-3.27% -0.37 %, p = 0.114 ) for the 2nd dose and 3.98%, 5.60% and 14.39% for the 3rd dose. The main cause of non-adherence to the 2nd and 3rd doses was other illnesses in 28.5% and 29.78% respectively in Burkina, 5.35% and 5.35% in Mali and 1.6% and 0.75% in Niger. It was followed by vomiting in 12.24% and 10.63% for Burkina and 2.45% and 3.78% in Niger. The last causes were refusal in 6.12% and 4.25% in Burkina , 33.9% and 15.25% in Mali and 0.8% and 1.51% in Niger. Non-adherence of doses related to parents was primary due to their absence in 28.5% and 27.65% in Burkina , 16.07% and 16.07% in Mali and 7.37 % and 6.06% in Niger. Travelling was the second cause in 12.24 % and 12.76% in Burkina , 19.64% and 19.64% in Mali and 0.81% and 0.75% in Niger. Non-adherence related to community distributors was mainly due to missing of the doses in 4.08% and 4.25% in Burkina , 23.21% and 23.21% in Mali, 77.04% and 76.51% in Niger. Our study reported very small proportions of non-adherence to 2nd and 3rd doses of SMC and identified the main causes of non-adherence.
Analysis of A Piezo Stack Impact Actuation Mechanism for Freely Moveable Masses
Authors: Wapler Matthias Christian , Peter Constantin , Kanjilal Koustav , Wallrabe Ulrike
Published: August 2022

We present the prototype and analytical model of a miniaturized impact actuation mechanism, providing a fast out-of-plane displacement to accelerate objects against gravity, allowing for freely moving objects and hence for large displacements without the need of cantilevers. To achieve the necessary high speed, we chose a piezo electric stack actuator driven by a high-current pulse generator, connected to a rigid support and a rigid three-point contact with the object. We describe this mechanism with a spring-mass model and compare various inertial masses, all of them spheres, from different diameters and materials. As expected, we found that larger flight heights are achieved by harder projectiles, achieving, e.g., approx. 3 mm displacement for a 3 mm steel sphere using a 3x3x2 mm³ piezo stack.
High-Purity Corundum as Support for Affinity Extractions from Complex Samples
Authors: Völzke Jule L. , Shamami Parya Hodjat , Gawlitza Kornelia , Feldmann Ines , Zimathies Annett , Weller Michael G.
Published: August 2022

Nonporous corundum powder, known as an abrasive material in the industry, was functionalized covalently with protein binders to isolate and enrich specific proteins from complex matrices. The materials based on corundum were characterized by TEM, ESEM, BET, DLS, and zeta potential measurements. The strong Al-O-P bonds between the corundum surface and amino phosphonic acids are used to introduce functional groups for further conjugations. The common crosslinker glutaraldehyde was compared with a hyperbranched polyglycerol (PG) of around 10 kDa. The latter is oxidized with periodate to generate aldehyde groups that can covalently react with the amines of the surface and the amino groups from the protein via a reductive amination process. The amount of bound protein was quantified via aromatic amino acid analysis (AAAA). This work shows that oxidized polyglycerol can be used as an alternative to glutaraldehyde. With polyglycerol, more of the model protein bovine serum albumin (BSA) could be attached to the surface under the same conditions, and lower nonspecific binding (NSB) was observed. As a proof of concept, IgG was extracted with protein A from crude human plasma. The purity of the product was examined by SDS-PAGE. A binding capacity of 1.8 mg IgG per g of corundum powder was achieved. The advantages of corundum are the very low price, extremely high physical and chemical stability, pressure resistance, favorable binding kinetics, and flexible application.
A System for Supporting the Selection of Progressive Methods and Technologies with the Aim of Improving the Management of Production Processes
Authors: Bubenik Peter , Kolesnyk Olha , Rakyta Miroslav , Binasova Vladimira , Capek Juraj
Published: August 2022

Managers are often faced with the task of improving the management of the production 17process in order to maintain the sustainability of production efficiency in a highly competitive en-18vironment. The submitted contribution deals with the design of a system that will support them in 19the selection of progressive methods and technologies in order to improve the management of pro-20duction processes. Managers often follow new trends in this issue, but it is not easy to work on the 21knowledge that proven progressive technologies can bring them higher efficiency. The presented system is based on the use of knowledge of existing solutions of manufacturers of automotive components, where companies solve similar problems in production management. The mix of methods and technologies used in the management of production processes brings companies different results in the achieved efficiency. The proposed system for supporting the selection of the production management method and technology is designed from blocks of data collection, benchmarking of the performance of production processes of industrial enterprises, and further from data mining technology to obtain knowledge about the effect on efficiency from already implemented technologies. The last blocks help to examine the differences in the implementation of the same methods and technologies and allow to present the obtained results to the manager in the form of recommendations for choosing a suitable progressive method and technology.
Understanding Anti-Influenza Antiviral Drugs
Authors: Ley Sidney
Published: August 2022

Antigenic drift in influenza strains allows viruses to avoid being fully suppressed by seasonal vaccines. As a result, public interest has led to increased scrutiny and reevaluation of anti-influenza antiviral drugs as possible solutions. Unfortunately, many anti-influenza drugs developed around the globe suffer from a lack of sufficient clinical trials, as well as a lack of toxicity data. This is especially true of Arbidol, a popularly used drug for the prevention and treatment of influenza strains in China and Russia. Neuraminidase inhibitors, which were developed in the United States, also fall victim to inconclusive clinical trials and adverse effects. Adamantanes, while proven to be effective in treating influenza A, are encountering rapid, widespread cross-resistance. Baloxavir marboxil, a newer anti-influenza medication, shows promise in treating acute uncomplicated influenza, and may avoid the development of resistance when coadministered with other antiviral drugs. This review explores the antivirals available for influenzas treatment at this time.
Effect of One Belt One Road Initiative (OBORI) Policy on the International Spread of Chinese Brands
Authors: N'da Karamoko K.E.H. , Ge Jiaoju , Jifan Ren , Wang Jia
Published: August 2022

Since the advent of the OBORI, it was subjected to numerous studies. However, most previous studies investigated only the potential impact of the OBORI on the Chinese economy and geopolitics. Therefore, its real effect on Chinese international commerce in OBORI countries is not evaluated yet. Accordingly, this study intends to model the OBORI effect on Chinese product brand purchases across country members. The assessment is made on 18362 purchases of the International Online Consumers (IOCs) from a Chinese international online selling platform. The Data was obtained from a programming language and the octopus software. The OBORI policy's effect on Chinese brands' purchases was examined through a Different In Different Model (DIDM). Results show that the impact of OBORI is weak in the real market. However, it could be significant if OBORI includes more developed and economically strong countries. To Chinese brands and policymakers, we show how the inclusion in the OBORI project of developed countries could contribute more to Chinese product brands' purchases. Thus, the study enables decision-makers to understand the current impact of OBORI on the real market and its potential effect if more developed and economically strong countries are included.
Electrochemical Sensors for Digital Medicine and Biology Electrochemical Digitization of Analytical Information Biological Fluids Samples
Authors: Sokolkov Sergey Volodarovich
Published: August 2022

Digital medicine based on the integration of all medical data of a particular patient, has become a reality today, thanks to information technology. Traditional medical examinations can be supple-mented by assessment results of the oxidative-anti-oxidative (OAO) status of the body [1]. Elec-trochemical sensors are able to not only determine the integral indicators of the OAO system of the body, but also to depict details of the processes occurring in the system. The main obstacle to the widespread use of electrochemical sensors in medical diagnostics is the extremely small amount of the received information in comparison with tens of thousands of known human dis-eases. The problem can be eliminated only by rethinking the purpose of electrochemical measure-ment within the framework of thermodynamics of information processes and information theory. In the information paradigm of electrochemical analysis of biological fluids, a sample is considered as an electrochemical message created by a sensor. The purpose of electrochemical measurement is to obtain information in a volume sufficient to identify the sample composition within the range of possible concentrations of its components. The fundamentals of the thermodynamics of infor-mation processes are considered and conclusions that are of practical importance for the devel-opment of electrochemical sensors and analyzers are derived. It is shown that potentiostatic con-trol of the sensor is physically impacted by the electromechanical instability of the electrical double layer, which is the main source of sensor signal noise. Estimates are of a minimum amount of an-alytical signal information required for identification of a sample of a known composition, such as a biological fluid, are provided. Examples of highly informative analytical signals for flowing and stationary samples are presented. Problems related to the visualization of such signals are noted.
Next-Generation Sequencing Comparative Analysis of DNA Mutations between Blood-derived Extracellular Vesicles and Matched Cancer Tissue in Patients with IV Grade Glioblastoma
Authors: Rosa Paolo , De Falco Elena , Pacini Luca , Piazza Amedeo , Ciracì Paolo , Ricciardi Luca , Fiorentino Francesco , Trungu Sokol , Miscusi Massimo , Raco Antonino , Calogero Antonella
Published: August 2022

The biological heterogeneity of glioblastoma (GBM), the most aggressive type of brain cancer, is a critical hallmark, caused by changes in the genomic mutational asset and influencing the clinical progression over the time. The understanding and monitoring of the mutational profile is important not only to reveal novel therapeutic targets in this set of patients, but also to ameliorate the clinical stratification of subjects and the prognostic significance. As neurosurgery represents the primary technique to manage GBM, it is of outmost importance to optimize alternative and less invasive methods to monitor the dynamic mutation profile of these patients. Extracellular vesicles (EV) are included in the liquid biopsy analysis and have emerged as the biological mirror of escaping and surviving mechanisms by many tumors as well as glioblastoma. Very few studies have investigated the technical feasibility to detect and analyze the genomic profile by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) in circulating EV of patients with grade IV glioblastoma. Here, we attempted to characterize and to compare with the corresponding matched tissue samples, potential variants with pathogenic significance of the DNA contained in peripheral blood derived EV. The NGS analysis has revealed that patients with grade IV glioblastoma, exhibited lesser DNA content in EV than controls and that both in EV and matched cancer tissues, the NF1 gene was consistently mutated in all patients with the c.2568C>G as the most common pathogenic variant expressed. This study supports the clinical utility of the circulating EV in glioblastoma and as eligible tool for personalized medicine.
Stochastic Inoculum, Biotic Filtering and Species Specific Transmission Shape the Rare Microbiome of Plants
Authors: Johnston-Monje David , Gutiérrez Janneth P. , Becerra Lopez-Lavalle Luis Augusto
Published: August 2022

A plant’s health and productivity is influenced by its associated microbes. Although the common microbiome is often thought to be the most influential, significant numbers of rare or uncommon microbes (eg. specialized endosymbionts) may also play an important role in the health and productivity of certain plants in certain environments. To help identify rare/specialized bacteria and fungi in the most important angiosperm plants, we contrasted microbiomes of the shoots, roots and rhizospheres of Arabidopsis, Brachypodium, maize, wheat, sugarcane, rice, tomato, coffee, common bean, cassava, soybean, switchgrass, sunflower, Brachiaria, barley, sorghum, and pea. Plants were grown inside sealed jars on sterile sand or field soil. About 95% and 86% of fungal and bacterial diversity inside plants was uncommon, however judging by read abundance, up to half of the mycobiome consists of uncommon fungal cells, while less than 11% of bacterial endophytes are rare. Uncommon seed transmitted microbiomes consisted mostly of Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteriodetes, Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes that most heavily colonized shoots, to a lesser extent roots and least of all rhizospheres. Soil served as a more diverse source of rare microbes than seeds, replacing or excluding the majority of the uncommon seed transmitted microbiome. With the rarest microbes, their colonization pattern could either be the result of stringent biotic filtering by most plants, or uneven/stochastic inoculum distribution in seeds or soil. Several strong plant-microbe associations were observed such as seed transmission to shoots, roots and/or rhizospheres of Sarocladium zeae (maize), Penicillium (pea and Phaseolus), and Curvularia (sugarcane), while robust bacterial colonization from cassava field soil occurred with the cyanobacteria Leptolyngbya into Arabidopsis and Panicum roots, and Streptomyces into cassava roots. Some abundant microbes such as Sakaguchia in rice shoots or Vermispora in Arabidopsis roots appeared in no other samples, suggesting they were infrequent, stochastically deposited propagules from either soil or seed (impossible to know based on the available data). Future experiments with culturing and cross inoculation of these microbes between plants may help us better understand host preferences and their role in plant productivity, perhaps leading to their use in crop microbiome engineering and enhancement of agricultural production.
Fault Prediction Based on Leakage Current in Contaminated Insulators Using Enhanced Time Series Forecasting Models
Authors: Sopelsa Neto Nemesio Fava , Stefenon Stefano Frizzo , Meyer Luiz Henrique , Ovejero Raúl García , Leithardt Valderi Reis Quietinho
Published: August 2022

To improve the monitoring of the electrical power grid it is necessary to evaluate the influence of contamination in relation to leakage current and its progression to a disruptive discharge. In this paper, insulators were tested in a saline chamber to simulate the increase of salt contamination on their surface, and to evaluate the supportability of these components. From the time series forecasting of the leakage current, it is possible to evaluate the development of the fault before a flashover occurs. Choosing which method to use is always a difficult task since some models may have higher computational effort. In this paper, for a complete evaluation, the long short-term memory (LSTM), group method of data handling (GMDH), adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), bootstrap aggregation (bagging), sequential learning (boosting), random subspace, and stacked generalization (stacking) ensemble learning models are analyzed. A review and comparison of these well-established methods for time series forecasting is performed. From the results of the best structure of the model, the hyperparameters are evaluated and the Wavelet transform is used to obtain an enhanced model.
Microbiota in a Long Survival Discourse with the Human Host
Authors: Ayariga Joseph , Ibrahim Iddrisu , Gildea Logan , Abugri James , Villafane Robert
Published: August 2022

The relationship between human health and gut microbiota is becoming more apparent. It is now widely believed that healthy gut flora plays a vital role in the overall well-being of the individual. There are spatial and temporal variations in the distribution of microbes from the esophagus to the rectum throughout an individual's lifetime. Through the development of genome sequencing technologies, scientists have been able to study the interactions between different microorganisms and their hosts to improve the health and disease of individuals. The normal gut microbiota provides various functions to the host, whereas the host, in turn, provides nutrients and promotes the development of healthy and resilient microbiota communities. Thus, the microbiota provides and maintains the gut's structural integrity and protects the gut against pathogens. The development of the normal gut microbiota is influenced by various factors. Some of these include the mode of delivery, diet, and antibiotics. In addition, the environment can also affect the development of the gut microbiota. For example, one of the main concerns of antibiotic use is the alteration of the gut microbiota, which could lead to the development of multidrug-resistant organisms. When microbes are disturbed, it can potentially lead to various diseases. Depending on the species' ability to adapt to the human body's environment, the fate of the microbes in the host and their relationship with the human body are decided. This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of microbe, microbes-host immune interactions, and factors that can disturb their interactions.