bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of Different Fungicides for the Control of Rice Blast (Pyricularia oryzae) Disease under Field Conditions at Pawe, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Horo Jemal Tola , Gudisa Tesfaye
Published: January 2022

Rice blast disease caused by Pyricularia oryzae Cavara is the most destructive rice disease worldwide. Among the disease management options, the use of a fungicide is suitable for immediate action and remained an exclusive management method in the continents like Africa where agricultural technologies are not well advanced. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of seven chemical fungicides viz., Amistar Xtra 280 SC, Artea 330 EC, Contaf Max 350 SC, Fungozeb 80 WP, Matco, Rex® Deo and Tilt 250 EC for the control of rice blast disease under field condition at Pawe, northwest Ethiopia. The result revealed that all the test fungicides have significantly suppressed the disease development with 11.1 – 51.5% suppression of panicle blast severity and 18.9 – 67% suppression of neck blast severity compared to the control (Untreated plot). However, Contaf Max 350 SC had superior disease reduction by more than 60% and gave the maximum grain yield (5617.06 kg ha-1) among the fungicides while the lowest yield was obtained from the control (4324.73 kg ha-1) followed by Artea 330 EC (4639.35 kg ha-1). Therefore, the present results suggest that twice application of Contaf Max 350 SC fungicide at 1 Lha-1 is effective for managing rice blast disease in Pawe and other places with a similar condition.
Prevalence of Fusarium Wilt of Tomato in Major Tomato Growing Areas of Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: Ahmad Salman , Yousaf Maryam , Anjum Romana , Raza Waqas , Rehman Malik Abdul , Ali Yasir
Published: January 2022

Tomato is an essential vegetable in the world due to its nutritional importance. It has vitamin A C and lycopene, which reduce the prostate cancer, and heart and age-related diseases. Tomato wilt disease (TWD) is a potential threat and spreading rapidly in tomato fields in Pakistan. The survey on the disease prevalence of Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici (Fol)) of tomato was conducted in the major tomato growing areas of Punjab, viz., Hafizabad, Pakpattan, Khushab, Sargodha and Faisalabad districts during the cropping season 2018. Tomato wilt disease incidence was higher in district Sargodha (94%) followed by Faisalabad (92%) and Khushab (65%). Two districts, Pakpattan and Hafizabad showed 86% and 73% incidence, respectively. The survey revealed that tomato disease incidence was prevalent with varying intensities in all surveyed districts of Punjab. Moreover, the variation in disease prevalence of tomato wilt disease in different locations was due to the environmental conditions of that area and the varieties being cultivated.
Role of Exogenous Application of Alpha-Tocopherol in Reducing Low Temperature Stress in Bell Pepper
Authors: Atiq Muhammad , Adil Sameen , Rajput Nasir A. , Sahi Shahbaz T. , Hameed Akhtar , Jabbar Abdul , Usman Muhammad , Iqbal Shahid , Tariq Hamza , Mazhar Hafiz M. R. , Ullah Muhammad F.
Published: January 2022

Changing climatic conditions have an impact on the commercial harvest and production of Capsicum annuum L. across the world. It is a summer crop that grows best at 21°C (low) to 37 °C (high) temperature. Changes in normal growth, poor shoot and root length, increased antioxidant activity, low sugar content, high proline content, and poor yield were observed in bell pepper at low temperature stress. A research trial was conducted on bell peppers in the Department of Plant Pathology at University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. Bell peppers were cultivated hydroponically and alpha-tocopherol control (0ppm), 25ppm, 50ppm, and 100ppm were applied in foliar application. At the reproductive period, a low temperature stress of 18 °C day and 15 °C night was used given. After seven days of foliar spray, plants were exposed to cold temperatures during the day and night. After seven days of stress, the plants were harvested and morphological, physiological, and biochemical data were examined. Plant growth, leaf area, number of leaves, buds, and flowers, photosynthetic pigments, relative water content, cell membrane permeability, total soluble sugar, total reducing sugar, protein contents, and total free amino acid levels were all reduced when exposed to high temperatures. When the stress of low temperature was applied, there was a rise in proline, phenolic, flavonoid, H2O2, MDA, enzymatic antioxidants SOD, CAT, POD, and in APX. Under temperature stress, foliar application of alpha-tocopherol significantly improved CAT, POD, APX activity, decreased MDA, H2O2, and improved proline content. Exogenously administered alpha-tocopherol was found to be effective in boosting capsicum growth and antioxidant capability under low temperature stress.
AZ VERİ SETLİ ÇALIŞMALARINDA DERİN ÖĞRENME VE DİĞER SINIFLANDIRMA ALGORİTMALARININ KARŞILAŞTIRILMASI: AGONİST VE ANTAGONİST LİGAND ÖRNEĞİ
Authors: AVCU Fatih Mehmet
Published: January 2022

Makine öğrenme algoritmaları günümüzde hemen hemen tüm bilim dallarında kullanılmaktadır. Özellikle sınıflandırma algoritmaları fen ve sağlık bilimleri açısından oldukça popüler bir konudur. Derin öğrenme, diğer algoritmalar gibi makina öğrenme tekniklerinden biridir. Günümüzde işlemci hızlarının artması nedeni ile tekrar popüler olmuştur. Özellikle grafik işlemci tabanlı hesaplamalar bu konuyu popüler yapmıştır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, kimyasal veri tabanlarından elde edilen veriler ile literatürde iyi bilinen, dopamin reseptörlerine bağlanan agonist ve antiagonist moleküllerini makine öğrenme algoritmaları ile sınıflandırmaktır. Çalışmanın amacı ayrıca veri sayısı az olan durumlarda sınıflandırma yaparken doğru bir sınıflandırma için derin öğrenme algoritmasının kullanımını önermektir. Algoritmanın eğitmek için, Python kütüphanelerinden Scikit-learn ve Tensorflow-Keras kullanılmıştır. Sınıflandırma işlemi popüler makine öğrenme algoritmaları ile kıyaslanmış ve sonuçlar bir tablo olarak sunulmuştur.
Hubungan Pengetahuan dengan Sikap Perawat tentang Triage di IGD Dimasa Pandemi Covid-19
Authors: Martina Siska Evi , Satria Galih , Nababan Donal , Gultom Rumondang
Published: January 2022

Banyaknya pasien yang datang di IGD membuat perawat harus memilah pasien dengan cepat dan tepat sesuai prioritas. Hal tersebut memerlukan pengetahuan dan sikap dalam hal pemisahan jenis dan kegawatan pasien dalam triase, sehingga penanganan pasien bisa lebih optimal dan terarah. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui hubungan antara pengetahuan dan sikap perawat tentang triage. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode penelitian korelasi dengan pendekatan cross-sectional. Penelitian dilakukan di IGD RSUD Dr. H Kumpulan Pane Kota Tebing Tinggi, RSUD Rantau Prapat, dan RSUD Tuan Rondahaim Simalungun dari bulan Januari sampai Agustus 2020. Sampel dalam penelitian ini sebanyak 46 perawat yang bertugas di IGD RSUD Dr. H Kumpulan Pane Kota Tebing Tinggi, RSUD Rantau Prapat, dan RSUD Tuan Rondahaim Simalungun yang diambil secara total sampling. Instrumen penelitian menggunakan kuesioner. Analisis data menggunakan korelasi spearman rank pada taraf kepercayaan 95%. Hasil analisis univariat menunjukkan mayoritas perawat memiliki pengetahuan tentang triase yang cukup (48%) dan mayoritas perawat bersikap positif (77%). Hasil analisis statistik spearman rank memperoleh nilai koefisien korelasi spearman sebesar 0,753 dengan ρ-value 0,000 < 0,05, sehingga Ha diterima. Kesimpulan dalam penelitian ini terdapat hubungan antara pengetahuan dan sikap perawat tentang triase di RSUD Dr. H Kumpulan Pane Kota Tebing Tinggi, RSUD Rantau Prapat, dan RSUD Tuan Rondahaim Simalungun.
Arguing The Unarguable
Authors: Teeluckdharry Guru Dev
Published: January 2022

This article is about legal ethics. It analyses the debate on Lord Brougham in Queen Caroline’s Case in 1820. The eminent Professor Monroe Freedman argued in the article ‘Henry Lord Brougham, Written by Himself’ that: "[A]n advocate, in the discharge of his duty, knows but one person in all the world, and that person is his client". As to whether Lord Brougham fulfilled his moral duty in line with Kant’s Ethics of Duty to defend his client to attain a 'Good Will' is indeed a dilemmatic question. According to many critics, he had resorted to derogatory tactics considered as being unethical from the standpoint of Virtue Ethics in order to attain that 'Good Will'. Which is which as far as this paradox is concerned?
Government Intervention in the Education Sector and the Consequences of the Privatisation of Education
Authors: Kakade Ameya Sathya
Published: January 2022

Education policy has been at the forefront of discussions that relate to the economic prosperity of various nations. But, there still seems to be a sense of unclarity in the ongoing debate on whether the education sector needs to be privatised or still conform to the mixed economic model that lays as the fundamental nucleus of most countries’ education policies. Should India and the United States continue to spend their 3.1%1 and 6.2% of their GDP respectively on the education sector? Or would education be buoyant under privatisation? Whilst this article hopes to put forth the various arguments that are prevalent today and complement this discussion with the Indian education model, as a case study, it also looks to answer the question - how would the education sector change if governments were no longer involved?
Descripción de dos especies nuevas de Cerion (Mollusca: Pulmonata: Cerionidae) de Cuba
Authors: Suárez Alexis , Fernández Alejandro
Published: January 2022

Se describen dos especies nuevas del género Cerion Röding, 1878, procedentes una de ellas de la localidad costera Punta de Guanos, en la provincia Matanzas, y otra de Cayo La Raya, perteneciente a la provincia Holguín. Con estos reportes aumentan a 18 los táxones descritos para Matanzas, a 43 los descritos para Holguín, y en general a 158 los descritos para Cuba. Cerion irielii sp. nov., muestra como característica notable poseer una concha de gran tamaño en comparación con la mayoría de las descritas para el grupo, y un mayor grosor en la última vuelta; por su parte, Cerion maikei sp. nov., posee el mayor grosor en las cercanías de la región central, hacia la base del ápice y la superficie de la concha áspera al tacto, con hendiduras axiales.
Primer registro de cinco externas de Loxothylacus texanus en Callinectes rathbunae en una laguna costera del golfo de México
Authors: Vázquez-López Horacio
Published: January 2022

Los cangrejos del género Callinectes están ampliamente distribuidos en aguas cálidas. Habitan principalmente en lagunas costeras y estuarios. En las lagunas del golfo de México, están sujetos a una pesquería importante. En el caso de México, Callinectes sapidus y Callinectes rathbunae contribuyen con 90 % de la captura nacional. Un aspecto importante en el ciclo de vida de los cangrejos es el parasitismo causado por balanos parásitos del orden Rhizocephala, debido a su alta prevalencia y periodicidad. El objetivo del presente estudio fue proveer de información reciente acerca del número de externas por individuo en cangrejos de la especie C. rathbunae. En un muestreo comercial realizado en marzo de 2019, se capturaron tres especímenes de la especie C. rathbunae parasitados con el balano rizocéfalo Loxothylacus texanus: un ejemplar macho con dos externas vírgenes, una hembra con cinco externas vírgenes, y un organismo macho con cinco externas maduras. Este es el primer reporte en donde se presenta evidencia de cinco externas en un hospedero, se concluyó que esta prevalencia fue baja. Es importante realizar más estudios de este tipo para comprender del todo el ciclo de vida de L. texanus y su impacto en las poblaciones de sus hospederos.
Actividad diaria y ciclo anual de Tropidophis melanurus (Squamata: Tropidophiidae) en el Jardín Botánico de Cienfuegos, Cuba
Authors: Hernández Dauval Alejandro , Fundora Caballero Daylon
Published: January 2022

La ecología de los ofidios no ha sido casi estudiada en la región de las Antillas. Además, se conoce muy poco sobre los patrones de actividad diaria de las especies que habitan dicha área, así como la forma en que factores ambientales, como la temperatura, las precipitaciones y la disponibilidad de alimento, afectan su actividad. El Jardín Botánico de Cienfuegos posee una abundante población de Tropidophis melanurus (Schlegel, 1837). Para este estudio, se realizaron recorridos al azar de 1 km de largo por cuatro metros de ancho. Los muestreos se efectuaron con una frecuencia mensual durante un año y se tomaron varios datos de los individuos observados, como la actividad o inactividad de estos, la longitud total y el sexo. Los datos de actividad diaria fueron agrupados en bloques de 2 meses para facilitar su análisis. Para comparar la abundancia de los individuos entre las épocas de seca y lluvia se utilizó la prueba chi cuadrado (X2). Los mayores números de individuos activos se registraron en las primeras horas de la noche. Los meses de mayor actividad fueron agosto y septiembre mientras que en los meses de abril y mayo se registraron la menor cantidad de individuos. La actividad de la especie en los períodos de lluvia y seca fue muy semejante, y factores como la temperatura parecen no tener especial relevancia en dicho comportamiento. No obstante, las precipitaciones parecen tener una mayor influencia en la actividad en la especie.
Disentangling diversity patterns in Cuban scorpions (Arachnida: Scorpiones)
Authors: De Araújo Lira André Felipe , Araújo Foerster Stênio Ítalo , Medeiros DeSouza Adriano , De Armas Luis F.
Published: January 2022

The assembly of communities is often viewed as a process involving the dispersal of species from a regional pool. An oceanic island provides a unique opportunity to test such a hypothesis and many others related to the patterns and processes behind biodiversity. Our aim was to investigate the patterns of scorpion diversity in the Cuban archipelago, using biotic and abiotic variables and their interactions as explanatory features. We use biotic and abiotic variables related to vegetation, climate and topography characterize the landscape of the Cuban archipelago. In this way, we analyze the patterns of beta diversity of the scorpions, verifying the effects of the variables alone and together. Scorpion fauna of the Cuban archipelago comprises 61 species, grouped into nine genera and two families: Buthidae and Diplocentridae. The interplay between biotic and abiotic variables explained scorpion species composition, especially when spatial predictors were considered. Climatic and spatial predictors affected scorpion beta diversity in terms of richness difference. These patterns are discussed emphasizing the role of biotic and abiotic environmental features and their interactions on the mechanisms of scorpion biodiversity generation and maintenance in Cuban archipelago.
Terapia Eléctrica Funcional en el Manejo de la Disfagia: Una Revisión Sistemática
Authors: Noriega de la rosa Rubén Darío , Vargas Barragán Nathaly , Mateus Santacruz Liliana , Benavides Barrera Stephanic
Published: January 2022

La participación del Fonoaudiólogo en la rehabilitación neuromuscular orofacial y musculatura implicada en la mecánica deglutoria, se ha complementado con el uso de la terapia eléctrica funcional; esta ha carecido de evidencia científica que respalde su efectividad en los procesos de recuperación funcional. Objetivo: Realizar una revisión documental sobre el uso de la terapia eléctrica funcional en el manejo de la disfagia, a fin de crear un soporte teórico que respalde los procesos de intervención en fonoaudiología. Metodología: La revisión de la literatura se realizó en las bases de datos de Proquest, EBSCO, Scielo, Redalyc y Medic Latina. Fueron revisados artículos entre el 2008 y 2018. Para la selección de los artículos se utilizó el diagrama de flujo PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Hems for Systematic Reviews and Meta analyses). Resultados: Se revisaron 2980 artículos para exclusión por título, quedando 66 artículos en la primera depuración, de los cuales 21 fueron descartados por no cumplir con ningún criterio propuesto, 10 por repetición y 12 por no permitir el acceso al documento. Finalmente fueron considerados 23 artículos y 5 fuentes de consulta física para realizar el respectivo análisis. Conclusiones: Existe escasa evidencia científica que respalde la intervención fonoaudiológica en la disfagia con electroterapia.
A Novel Bifunctional Wax Ester Synthase Involved in Early Triacylglycerol Accumulation in Unicellular Green Microalga Haematococcus pluvialis Under High Light Stress
Authors: Ma Haiyan , Zheng Jie , Li Yanhua , Zhao Liang , Zou Song , Hu Qiang , Han Danxiang
Published: January 2022

The bulk of neutral lipids, including astaxanthin esters and triacylglycerols (TAGs), are accumulated in the green microalga Haematococcus pluvialis under high light (HL) stress. In this study, a novel bifunctional wax ester synthase (WS) gene was cloned from H. pluvialis upon HL stress. The overexpression of HpWS restored the biosynthesis of wax esters and TAGs in neutral lipid-deficient yeast mutant Saccharomyces cerevisiae H1246 fed with C18 alcohol and C18:1/C18:3 fatty acids, respectively. Under HL stress, HpWS was substantially upregulated at the transcript level, prior to that of the type I diacylglycerol:acyl-CoA acyltransferase encoding gene (HpDGAT1). HpDGAT1 is the major TAG synthase in H. pluvialis. In addition, the application of xanthohumol (a DGAT1/2 inhibitor) in the H. pluvialis cells did not completely eliminate the TAG biosynthesis under HL stress at 24 h. These results indicated that HpWS may contribute to the accumulation of TAGs in H. pluvialis at the early stage under HL stress. In addition, the overexpression of HpWS in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii bkt5, which is engineered to produce free astaxanthin, enhanced the production of TAGs and astaxanthin. Our findings broaden the understanding of TAG biosynthesis in microalgae and provide a new molecular target for genetic manipulation in biotechnological applications.
Poly-L-Lysine and Human Plasmatic Fibronectin Films as Proactive Coatings to Improve Implant Biointegration
Authors: Miranda Anamar , Seyer Damien , Palomino-Durand Carla , Morakchi-Goudjil Houda , Massonie Mathilde , Agniel Rémy , Rammal Hassan , Pauthe Emmanuel , Gand Adeline
Published: January 2022

The success of stable and long-term implant integration implies the promotion, control, and respect of the cell microenvironment at the site of implantation. The key is to enhance the implant–host tissue cross talk by developing interfacial strategies that guarantee an optimal and stable seal of soft tissue onto the implant, while preventing potential early and late infection. Indeed, implant rejection is often jeopardized by lack of stable tissue surrounding the biomaterial combined with infections which reduce the lifespan and increase the failure rate of implants and morbidity and account for high medical costs. Thin films formed by the layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes are particularly versatile and attractive for applications involving cell–material contact. With the combination of the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin (Fn, purified from human plasma) and poly-L-lysine (PLL, exhibiting specific chain lengths), we proposed proactive and biomimetic coatings able to guarantee enhanced cell attachment and exhibiting antimicrobial properties. Fn, able to create a biomimetic interface that could enhance cell attachment and promote extracellular cell matrix remodeling, is incorporated as the anionic polymer during film construction by the LbL technic whereas PLL is used as the cationic polymer for its capacity to confer remarkable antibacterial properties.
Activated Platelets Autocrine 5-Hydroxytryptophan Aggravates Sepsis-Induced Acute Lung Injury by Promoting Neutrophils Extracellular Traps Formation
Authors: Huang Yumeng , Ji Qian , Zhu Yanyan , Fu Shengqiao , Chen Shuangwei , Chu Liangmei , Ren Yongfei , Wang Yue , Lei Xuan , Gu Jia , Tai Ningzheng , Liu Dadong
Published: January 2022

Excessive neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation is an important contributor to sepsis-induced acute lung injury (ALI). Recent reports indicate that platelets can induce neutrophil extracellular trap formation. However, the specific mechanism remains unclear. Tph1 gene, which encodes the rate-limiting enzyme for peripheral 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HT) synthesis, was knocked out in mice to simulate peripheral 5-HT deficiency. Cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) surgery was performed to induce sepsis. We found that peripheral 5-HT deficiency reduced NET formation in lung tissues, alleviated sepsis-induced lung inflammatory injury, and reduced the mortality rate of CLP mice. In addition, peripheral 5-HT deficiency was shown to reduce the accumulation of platelets and NETs in the lung of septic mice. We found that platelets from wild-type (WT), but not Tph1 knockout (Tph1−/−), mice promote lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NET formation. Exogenous 5-HT intervention increased LPS-induced NET formation when Tph1−/− platelets were co-cultured with WT neutrophils. Therefore, our study uncovers a mechanism by which peripheral 5-HT aggravated sepsis-induced ALI by promoting NET formation in the lung of septic mice.
Autosomal Recessive Primary Microcephaly: Not Just a Small Brain
Authors: Zaqout Sami , Kaindl Angela M.
Published: January 2022

Microcephaly or reduced head circumference results from a multitude of abnormal developmental processes affecting brain growth and/or leading to brain atrophy. Autosomal recessive primary microcephaly (MCPH) is the prototype of isolated primary (congenital) microcephaly, affecting predominantly the cerebral cortex. For MCPH, an accelerating number of mutated genes emerge annually, and they are involved in crucial steps of neurogenesis. In this review article, we provide a deeper look into the microcephalic MCPH brain. We explore cytoarchitecture focusing on the cerebral cortex and discuss diverse processes occurring at the level of neural progenitors, early generated and mature neurons, and glial cells. We aim to thereby give an overview of current knowledge in MCPH phenotype and normal brain growth.
Active Learning Accelerates Design and Optimization of Hole-Transporting Materials for Organic Electronics
Authors: Abroshan Hadi , Kwak H. Shaun , An Yuling , Brown Christopher , Chandrasekaran Anand , Winget Paul , Halls Mathew D.
Published: January 2022

Data-driven methods are receiving increasing attention to accelerate materials design and discovery for organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). Machine learning (ML) has enabled high-throughput screening of materials properties to suggest new candidates for organic electronics. However, building reliable predictive ML models requires creating and managing a high volume of data that adequately address the complexity of materials’ chemical space. In this regard, active learning (AL) has emerged as a powerful strategy to efficiently navigate the search space by prioritizing the decision-making process for unexplored data. This approach allows a more systematic mechanism to identify promising candidates by minimizing the number of computations required to explore an extensive materials library with diverse variables and parameters. In this paper, we applied a workflow of AL that accounts for multiple optoelectronic parameters to identify materials candidates for hole-transport layers (HTL) in OLEDs. Results of this work pave the way for efficient screening of materials for organic electronics with superior efficiencies before laborious simulations, synthesis, and device fabrication.
Association Between Vaginal Gardnerella and Tubal Pregnancy in Women With Symptomatic Early Pregnancies in China: A Nested Case-Control Study
Authors: Zhang Yingxuan , Chen Si , Chen Xiaofeng , Zhang Huimin , Huang Xuge , Xue Xiaomeng , Guo Yinan , Ruan Xiaofeng , Liu Xiaorong , Deng Gaopi , Luo Songping , Gao Jie
Published: January 2022

The early diagnosis and treatment of ectopic pregnancy (EP) remains a major challenge. Despite a known link between vaginal microbiota and female reproductive health, few studies have focused on the association between vaginal microbiota and pregnancy location. This nested case-control study aimed to characterize the vaginal microbiota in tubal pregnancy (TP) among symptomatic women in early pregnancy. Women with symptomatic early pregnancy of unknown location (PUL) were included in this study. 16S rDNA gene sequencing was performed to assess vaginal microbial diversity and relative abundance. Machine learning and multivariate logistic regression were also used to evaluate the association between Gardnerella and TP. The results indicate that the vaginal microbiome in TP was more diverse (Shannon, p < 0.05) and was different in composition to that of women with intrauterine pregnancy (IUP) (weighted Unifrac, R = 0.08, p = 0.01). The genus Gardnerella was significantly enriched in TP. The XGBoost analysis was able to classify Gardnerella-induced TP more reliably (AUC = 0.621). Moreover, after adjusting potential confounders, our results indicate a robust association between Gardnerella and TP (as a continuous variable, adjusted OR: 12.0, 95% CI: 2.1–67.4, p < 0.01; as a categorical variable (≥0.85%), and adjusted OR: 4.2, 95% CI: 2.0–8.8, p < 0.01). In conclusion, we found that higher virginal Gardnerella levels were associated with TP in women with symptomatic early pregnancy.
Clinical and Surgical Evaluations of Reoperation After Mechanical Mitral Valve Replacement Due to Different Etiologies
Authors: Li Jiehui , Wang Shuiyun , Sun Hansong , Xu Jianping , Dong Chao , Song Min , Yu Qibin
Published: January 2022

Background:

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and surgical characteristics of patients who required reoperation after mechanical mitral valve replacement (MVR).

Methods:

We retrospectively identified 204 consecutive patients who underwent reoperation after mechanical MVR between 2009 and 2018. Patients were categorized according the reason for reoperation (perivalvular leakage, thrombus formation, or pannus formation). The patients' medical and surgical records were studied carefully and the rates of in-hospital complications were calculated.

Results:

The mean age was 51±12 years and 44% of the patients were male. The reasons for reoperation were perivalvular leakage (117 patients), thrombus formation (35 patients), and pannus formation (52 patients). The most common positions for perivalvular leakage were at the 6–10 o'clock positions (proportions of ≥25% for each hour position). Most patients had an interval of >10 years between the original MVR and reoperation. The most common reoperation procedure was re-do MVR (157 patients), and 155 of these patients underwent concomitant cardiac procedures. There were 10 in-hospital deaths and 32 patients experienced complications. The 10-year survival rate was 82.2 ± 3.9% in general, and the group of lowest rate was patients with PVL (77.5 ± 5.2%). The independent risk factors were “male” (4.62, 95% CI 1.57–13.58, P = 0.005) and “Hb <9g/dL before redo MV operation” (3.45, 95% CI 1.13–10.49, P = 0.029).

Conclusion:

Perivalvular leakage was the most common reason for reoperation after mechanical MVR, with a low survival rate in long term follow-up relatively.
Non-vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants and Drug-Food Interactions: Implications for Clinical Practice and Potential Role of Probiotics and Prebiotics
Authors: Sánchez-Fuentes Ana , Rivera-Caravaca José Miguel , López-Gálvez Raquel , Marín Francisco , Roldán Vanessa
Published: January 2022

Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are a therapeutic option to prevent stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). In fact, NOACs have become the recommended choice by international clinical practice guidelines over vitamin K antagonists (VKA), because of their efficacy and safety profile, especially in newly initiated patients. The more predictable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of this family of drugs allows preventing anticoagulation drug monitoring. Furthermore, NOACs have significantly fewer drug and food interactions in comparison with VKAs. Despite this, there are no studies that compare the effects on the quality of anticoagulation of NOACs with the intake of potential interactions drugs of P-glycoprotein and cytochrome P450 (CYP). This review brings an overview of NOACs pharmacokinetics profile and their potential drug-food interactions. We also briefly discuss the potential role of prebiotics and probiotics in patients under therapy with NOACs.
Explainable Machine Learning for COVID-19 Pneumonia Classification With Texture-Based Features Extraction in Chest Radiography
Authors: Moura Luís Vinícius de , Mattjie Christian , Dartora Caroline Machado , Barros Rodrigo C. , Marques da Silva Ana Maria
Published: January 2022

Both reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and chest X-rays are used for the diagnosis of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). However, COVID-19 pneumonia does not have a defined set of radiological findings. Our work aims to investigate radiomic features and classification models to differentiate chest X-ray images of COVID-19-based pneumonia and other types of lung patterns. The goal is to provide grounds for understanding the distinctive COVID-19 radiographic texture features using supervised ensemble machine learning methods based on trees through the interpretable Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) approach. We use 2,611 COVID-19 chest X-ray images and 2,611 non-COVID-19 chest X-rays. After segmenting the lung in three zones and laterally, a histogram normalization is applied, and radiomic features are extracted. SHAP recursive feature elimination with cross-validation is used to select features. Hyperparameter optimization of XGBoost and Random Forest ensemble tree models is applied using random search. The best classification model was XGBoost, with an accuracy of 0.82 and a sensitivity of 0.82. The explainable model showed the importance of the middle left and superior right lung zones in classifying COVID-19 pneumonia from other lung patterns.
Flow Simulation and Influence Factors Analysis of CO2 Foam Fracturing in Annulus Injection
Authors: Li Hao , Peng Genbo
Published: January 2022

CO2 foam fracturing fluid is widely used in unconventional oil and gas production because of its easy flowback and low damage to the reservoir. Nowadays, the fracturing process of CO2 foam fracturing fluid injected by coiled tubing is widely used. However, the small diameter of coiled tubing will cause a large frictional pressure loss in the process of fluid flow, which is not beneficial to the development of fracturing construction. In this paper, the temperature and pressure calculation model of gas, liquid, and solid three-phase fluid flow in the wellbore under annulus injection is established. The model accuracy is verified by comparing the calculation results with the existing gas, solid, and gas and liquid two-phase model of CO2 fracturing. The calculation case of this paper shows that compared with the tubing injection method, the annulus injection of CO2 foam fracturing fluid reduces the friction by 3.06 MPa, and increases the wellbore pressure and temperature by 3.06 MPa and 5.77°C, respectively. Increasing the injection temperature, proppant volumetric concentration, and foam quality will increase the wellbore fluid temperature and make the CO2 transition to the supercritical state while increasing the mass flow rate will do the opposite. The research results verify the feasibility of the annulus injection of CO2 foam fracturing fluid and provide a reference for the improvement of CO2 foam fracturing technology in the field.
Gender Stereotypes and Expected Backlash for Female STEM Students in Germany and Japan
Authors: Froehlich Laura , Tsukamoto Saori , Morinaga Yasuko , Sakata Kiriko , Uchida Yukiko , Keller Melanie M. , Stürmer Stefan , Martiny Sarah E. , Trommsdorff Gisela
Published: January 2022

Although Germany and Japan are top-ranking in STEM, women are underrepresented in the STEM fields of physics, engineering, and computer science in both countries. The current research investigated widespread gender-science stereotypes in STEM in the two countries (Studies 1 and 2) and negative consequences of expected backlash (i.e., imagining negative reactions and lower ascribed communion in scenarios) for women’s emotions and motivation in STEM due to role incongruity and lack-of-fit (Study 3). Studies 1 (N = 87) and 2 (N = 22,556) showed that explicit and implicit gender-science stereotypes are widespread and comparable in Germany and Japan. Study 3 (N = 628) showed that lower ascribed communion was related to less positive emotions, more negative emotions and anxiety emotions, and less study motivation for STEM students (from the fields of physics, engineering, and computer science) from Germany and Japan. Results point to more subtle expected backlash effects for women in STEM than hypothesized. Theoretical and practical implications for gender equality in STEM are discussed.
Independent Variables for Determining the Cumulative Live Birth Rates of Aged Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or Tubal Factor Infertility: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Guan Yichun , Kong Pingping , Xiao Zhiying , Zhang Junyan , He Jingfang , Geng Wenjun , Yan Junfang , Sun Simin , Mu Mingkun , Du Xiaofang , Wang Xingling
Published: January 2022

Objective

To assess whether women of advanced age (≥35 years) with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have the same cumulative live birth rate (CLBR) as their age-matched controls with tubal factor infertility and to determine the influencing factors on the CLBRs of aged women.

Design

A retrospective cohort study.

Setting and Population

A total of 160 women of advanced age (≥35 years) with PCOS and 1073 women with tubal factor infertility were included in our study. All patients underwent their first fresh cycles and subsequent frozen cycles within in one year in our centre from 2015 to 2020.

Methods

To determine independent influencing factors on the CLBRs of these aged patients, a multivariable Cox regression model of CLBR according to the transfer cycle type was constructed. Main outcome measure(s): CLBRs.

Result

The Cox regression model of the CLBRs indicated that there was no significant difference between the PCOS group and the tubal infertility group in terms of advanced age (HR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.71-1.27, P=0.732). The CLBR significantly decreased for women of advanced reproductive age up to 37 years of age (HR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.39-0.56, P<0.001). The CLBR increased by 63% when more than ten oocytes were retrieved (HR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.34-1.98, P<0.001). Patients with an AMH level above 32.13pmol/l were likely to have a 72%(HR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.08-2.73, = 0.023) and 34% (HR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.07-1.68, P=0.010)improvement in CLBR compared to those with an AMH below 7.85pmol/l and 7.85-32.12pmol/l, respectively.

Conclusion

Despite the higher number of oocytes retrieved in PCOS patients, the reproductive window is not extended for PCOS patients compared with tubal factor infertility patients. Age, AMH and the number of oocytes retrieved play crucial roles in the CLBRs of patients of advanced age (≥35 years).
Study on the Pyrolysis Behaviors of Urea-Formaldehyde Resin and Rice Straw Mixed Pellets
Authors: Li Xiaoteng , Bing Huilin , Luo Siyi , Zhang Weiwei , Zuo Zongliang , Ren Dongdong
Published: January 2022

In order to study the effect of biomass on the pyrolysis characteristics of urea-formaldehyde resin, the thermogravimetric experiments were carried out respectively using urea-formaldehyde resin (UF), rice straw (RS), and their mixed pellets with different proportions. The pyrolysis kinetics analysis was conducted. The results showed that the pyrolysis process of UF resin and mixed pellets could be divided into three stages: the drying and dehydration of the material, the rapid decomposition of volatile matter, and residue decomposition. The reaction order of UF resin and mixed pellets was discussed using the Coats–Redfern method, the activation energy of UF resin was 54.27 kJ/mol, and this value decreased with the addition of rice straw. As the mass ratio of UF resin to rice straw was 3:1, the activation energy achieved the lowest value, which means that the addition of rice straw was beneficial to the pyrolysis process of UF. In the process of pellet preparation, the falling strength and compressive strength of UF resin pellets can be improved by adding an appropriate proportion of rice straw. In this test, the yield of pyrolytic carbon reached the highest value of 23.93%, as the mass ratio of UF resin to rice straw was 3:2. When the mass ratio was 4:1, the highest liquid product yield of 43.21% was achieved.
Drivers and Seasonal Variability of Redox-Sensitive Metal Chemistry in a Shallow Subterranean Estuary
Authors: O'Connor Alison E. , Canuel Elizabeth A. , Beck Aaron J.
Published: January 2022

The subterranean estuary (STE) has been historically defined in terms of the mixing of saline and fresh water, in an analogy to surface estuaries. However, redox gradients are also a defining characteristic of the STE and influence its role as a source or sink for metals in the environment. Approaching the STE from a redox-focused biogeochemical perspective (e.g., considering the role of microbial respiration and availability of organic matter) provides the ability to quantify drivers of metal transport across spatial and temporal scales. This study measured the groundwater composition of a shallow STE over 2 years and used multiple linear regression to characterize the influence of salinity and redox chemistry on the behavior of redox-sensitive metals (RSMs) including Mo, U, V, and Cr. Molybdenum and uranium were both supplied to the STE by surface water, but differed in their removal mechanisms and seasonal behavior. Molybdenum showed non-conservative removal by reaction with sulfide in all seasons. Sulfide concentrations at this site were consistently higher than required for quantitative reaction with Mo (10 µM sulfide), evidently leading to quantitative removal at the same depth regardless of season. In contrast, U appeared to depend directly on microbial activity for removal, and showed more extensive removal at shallower depths in summer. Both V and Cr were elevated in meteoric groundwater (2.5–297 nM and 2.6–236 nM, respectively), with higher endmember concentrations in summer. Both V and Cr also showed non-conservative addition within the STE relative to conservative mixing among the observed endmembers. The mobility of V and Cr in the STE, and therefore their supply to the coastal ocean, was controlled by the availability of dissolved organic matter and Fe, suggesting V and Cr were potentially complexed in the colloidal fraction. Complexation by different organic matter pools led to seasonal variations in V but greater interannual variability of Cr. These results reveal distinct behaviors of RSMs in response to seasonal biogeochemical processes that drive microbial activity, organic matter composition, and complexation by inorganic species.
Does the Carbon Emission Trading Policy Promote Foreign Direct Investment?: A Quasi-Experiment From China
Authors: Shao Wei , Yu Xiaobo , Chen Ziqi
Published: January 2022

As an important policy to promote global energy transition and carbon emission reduction, does the carbon emission trading policy help promote foreign direct investment inflows, thus alleviating the contradiction between environment and economic development? Based on the “OLI paradigm,” by using the data of China’s 30 provinces from 2007 to 2016 and taking China’s pilot implementation carbon emission transaction policy in 2013 as the natural experiment, so as to construct a differences-in-differences model, this study empirically analyzed the impact of carbon emission transaction policies on foreign direct investment and conducted an in-depth analysis and discussion on related heterogeneity. The empirical results show that 1) there is a positive correlation between the carbon emission trading policy and foreign direct investment; 2) the results of heterogeneity analysis show that the effect of carbon emission trading policy on the increase in FDI is more significant in the areas with a stronger environmental regulation, a higher degree of marketization, and low energy consumption. The conclusions of this study enrich the analysis of the effectiveness of government environmental policies from the perspective of both environment and economic development and provide relevant policy enlightenment for developing countries in environmental regulation and attracting foreign direct investment.

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Does Technological Innovation Promote Haze Pollution Control? New Evidence Based on Panel Threshold Model and Spatial Econometric Model
Authors: Shi Weiwei , Zhang Lin
Published: January 2022

Since the reform and opening up, China’s rapid economic growth mainly depends on the industrial development mode of “high energy consumption and high pollution,” which has caused serious haze pollution. In order to achieve the goal of haze control and sustainable development, we need to give full play to the role of technological innovation. Empirical analysis of the haze control effect of technological innovation has theoretical significance and practical value. Based on the panel data of 30 provinces in China from 2005 to 2018 and the PM2.5 concentration data published by the atmospheric composition analysis group of Dalhousie University, this study selects R&D personnel input and technology market turnover to represent the level of technological innovation and uses the panel data model, threshold effect model, and spatial Durbin model to empirically analyze the impact of technological innovation on haze pollution control. The empirical results show that 1) technological innovation can significantly reduce the PM2.5 concentration of the province, showing a positive haze control effect; 2) technological innovation indicates a negative indirect effect on PM2.5 concentration, confirming the “technology spillover effect,” that is, technological innovation also has a haze control effect on the surrounding provinces; 3) with the increase in the province’s economic aggregate, the haze control effect of technological innovation shows a trend of “high low high,” and the role of technological innovation is the lowest in the stage of economic transformation; and 4) from the perspective of regional differentiation, the haze control effect of technological innovation is the largest in the central region, and the smallest in the western region. Technological innovation indicates a positive haze control effect on all regions at all stages of economic development. This study provides policy suggestions for the government and enterprises to use innovation for cleaner production and sustainable development.
Construction and Validation of a Novel Ferroptosis-Related Prognostic Model for Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Song Ying , Tian Shufang , Zhang Ping , Zhang Nan , Shen Yan , Deng Jianchuan
Published: January 2022

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a clonal malignant proliferative blood disorder with a poor prognosis. Ferroptosis, a novel form of programmed cell death, holds great promise for oncology treatment, and has been demonstrated to interfere with the development of various diseases. A range of genes are involved in regulating ferroptosis and can serve as markers of it. Nevertheless, the prognostic significance of these genes in AML remains poorly understood. Transcriptomic and clinical data for AML patients were acquired from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Univariate Cox analysis was performed to identify ferroptosis-related genes with prognostic value, and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm and stepwise multivariate Cox regression analysis were utilized to optimize gene selection from the TCGA cohort (132 samples) for model construction. Tumor samples from the GEO database (136 samples and 104 samples) were used as validation groups to estimate the predictive performance of the risk model. Finally, an eight-gene prognostic signature (including CHAC1, CISD1, DPP4, GPX4, AIFM2, SQLE, PGD, and ACSF2) was identified for the prediction of survival probability and was used to stratify AML patients into high- and low-risk groups. Survival analysis illustrated significantly prolonged overall survival and lower mortality in the low-risk group. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve demonstrated good results for the training set (1-year: 0.846, 2-years: 0.826, and 3-years: 0.837), which verified the accuracy of the model for predicting patient survival. Independent prognostic analysis indicated that the model could be used as a prognostic factor (p ≤ 0.001). Functional enrichment analyses revealed underlying mechanisms and notable differences in the immune status of the two risk groups. In brief, we conducted and validated a novel ferroptosis-related prognostic model for outcome prediction and risk stratification in AML, with great potential to guide individualized treatment strategies in the future.
Identification of Potential Prognostic Biomarkers Associated With Macrophage M2 Infiltration in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Liu Baohong , Ma Xueting , Ha Wei
Published: January 2022

Gastric cancer is a common cancer afflicting people worldwide. Although incremental progress has been achieved in gastric cancer research, the molecular mechanisms underlying remain unclear. In this study, we conducted bioinformatics methods to identify prognostic marker genes associated with gastric cancer progression. Three hundred and twenty-seven overlapping DEGs were identified from three GEO microarray datasets. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that these DEGs are involved in extracellular matrix organization, tissue development, extracellular matrix–receptor interaction, ECM-receptor interaction, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, focal adhesion, and protein digestion and absorption. A protein–protein interaction network (PPI) was constructed for the DEGs in which 25 hub genes were obtained. Furthermore, the turquoise module was identified to be significantly positively coexpressed with macrophage M2 infiltration by weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA). Hub genes of COL1A1, COL4A1, COL12A1, and PDGFRB were overlapped in both PPI hub gene list and the turquoise module with significant association with the prognosis in gastric cancer. Moreover, functional analysis demonstrated that these hub genes play pivotal roles in cancer cell proliferation and invasion. The investigation of the gene markers can help deepen our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of gastric cancer. In addition, these genes may serve as potential prognostic biomarkers for gastric cancer diagnosis.