bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lysozyme Treatment Makes 16S rRNA Amplicon Sequencing Results Less Biased
Authors: Jiao Yuting , Gao Zijie , Gui Shiyu , Ren Lu , Lu Yongyue , Cheng Daifeng
Published: December 2021

Background

Amplicon sequencing is widely applied in gut bacteria structure analysis. However, the proportion of Gram-positive bacteria may greatly affect the results of microbial community analysis. Lysozyme is an effective agent to extract DNA of Gram-positive bacteria. In this study, we assessed the influence of lysozyme treatment on results of Bactrocere dorsalis rectal bacteria structure.
Result

The results indicated that the total bacteria content can be significantly increased in lysozyme treated samples. Moreover, rectal bacteria diversity was significantly higher in lysozyme treated samples. A detail analysis revealed that abundance of Gram-positive bacteria significantly increased in samples treated with lysozyme.
Conclusion

This study indicates that lysozyme treatment before DNA extraction is an effective way to reduce bias in bacteria structure analysis, especially for samples with high proportion of Gram-positive bacteria.
Mitophagy Eliminates the Accumulation of SARM1 on the Mitochondria, Alleviating Axon Degeneration in Acrylamide Neuropathy
Authors: Wang Shuai , Yong Hui , Zhang Cuiqin , Kang Kang , Song Mingxue , Yang Yiyu , Huang Zhengcheng , Wang Shu’e , Ge Haotong , Zhao Xiulan , Song Fuyong
Published: December 2021

Background: Sterile-α and toll/interleukin 1 receptor motif containing protein 1 (SARM1) is the central executioner of axon degeneration. Although it has been confirmed to have a mitochondrial targeting sequence and can bind to and stabilize PINK1 on depolarized mitochondria, the biological significance for mitochondrial localization of SARM1 is still unclear. Chronic acrylamide (ACR) intoxication can cause typical pathology of axonal injury, owning the potential to explore the interaction between mitochondria and SARM1 during the latent period of axon destruction.Methods: The expression and the mitochondria distribution of SARM1 were evaluated in in vivo and in vitro ACR neuropathy models. Transmission electron microscopy, immunoblotting, and immunofluorescence were performed to evaluate mitochondrial dynamics and PINK1-dependent mitophagy. LC3 turnover experiment and live cell imaging were conducted to further assess the state of mitophagy flux. In order to verify the effect of mitophagy in SARM1-mediated axon degeneration, low-dose and low-frequency rapamycin was administered in ACR-exposed rats to increase basal autophagy.Results: In a time- and dose-dependent manner, ACR induced peripheral nerve injury in rats and truncated axons of differentiated N2a cell. Moreover, the severity of this axon damage was consistent with the up-regulation of SARM1. SARM1 prominently accumulated on mitochondria, and at the same time mitophagy was activated. Importantly, rapamycin (RAPA) administration eliminated mitochondrial accumulated SARM1 and alleviated SARM1 dependent axonal degeneration.Conclusions: Complementing to the coordinated activity of NMNAT2 and SARM1, mitochondrial localization of SARM1 may be part of the self-limiting molecular mechanisms of Wallerian axon destruction. In the early latent period of axon damage, the mitochondrial localization of SARM1 will help it to be isolated by the mitochondrial network and to be degraded through PINK1-dependent mitophagy to maintain local axon homeostasis. When the mitochondrial quality control mechanisms are broken down, SARM1 will cause irreversible damage for axon degeneration. Moderate autophagy activation can be invoked as potential strategies to alleviate axon degeneration in ACR neuropathy and even other axon degeneration diseases.
Application of CT Radiomics Combined with Machine Learning Methods in Predicting the Recurrence or Metastasis of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors
Authors: Feng Qiu-Xia , Xu Lu-Lu , Li Qiong , Jiang Xiao-Ting , Tang Bo , Zhang Yu-Dong , Liu Xi-Sheng
Published: December 2021

Background

The study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of machine learning-based CT radiomics models for predicting the recurrence and metastasis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) preoperatively.
Methods

A total of 382 patients with histopathological confirmed GISTs were retrospectively included. According to postoperative follow-up, patients were classified into non-recurrence and metastasis group (NRM) and recurrence or metastasis group (RM). Radiomics features were extracted from arterial and portal venous phase CT images. Four feature selection methods and ten machine learning techniques were used to train predicting models on training cohort with internal validation by 10-fold cross-validation. F1 score was used to evaluate the performance of the classification model. The best model of two phase were stacked to build an ensemble model. The area under the curve (AUC), recall, precision, accuracy, and F1 score were used to evaluate the performance of the models and compare with clinical criteria based on diameter.
Results

Eighty machine learning models in two phases were built and the ensemble model was integrated by analysis of variance and Naive Bayes (ANOVA_NB) model in arterial phase which selected only 5 features provided the highest F1 Score of 0.560 and Kruskal Wallis and Adaptive Boosting (KW_ AdaBoost) model in venous phase which selected only 4 features provided the highest F1 Score of 0.500. The AUC of the generated ensemble model and the clinical criteria showed no difference (0.866 vs 0.857; DeLong Test, P = 0.865). But the ensemble model had higher accuracy (0.961), recall (0.826), precision (0.905), F1 Score (0.864), and the area under the Precision-Recall curve (0.774; 95%CI, 0.552 - 0.917), compared with clinical criteria, of which, the accuracy was 0.942, recall was 0.367, precision was 0.478, the F1 Score was 0.415 and the area under the Precision-Recall curve was 0.354(95%CI, 0.552 - 0.917).
Conclusions

Our findings highlight the potential of machine learning techniques based on CT radiomics in the prediction of recurrence and metastasis of GISTs preoperatively.
The mNUTRIC Score as a Tool to Predict Mortality and Increased Resource Utilization in Intensive Care Patients with Sepsis.
Authors: Wełna Marek , Kübler Andrzej , Goździk Waldemar , Adamik Barbara
Published: December 2021

Background: The mNUTRIC score is a nutrition risk assessment tool. The aim of this study was to evaluate mNUTRIC score ability to predict 28-mortality, icu resource utilization and nursing workload for patients with sepsis and septic shock. Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of prospectively collected data from a ICU sepsis registry database. The study included adults diagnosed with sepsis or septic shock, admitted from January to December 2014.Results: The study included 146 patients. In the ROC curve analysis the mNUTRIC score had the ability to predict 28-day mortality with an AUC of 0.833 (95% CI 0.76-0.89). Additionally group of patients with NUTRIC score ≥ 6 points more frequently required vasopressor infusion, mechanical ventilation, renal replacement therapy, thromboprophylaxis and blood products use. Nursing workload was also significantly higher in this group (TISS-28: 36 pts., IQR 33 – 40 vs. 31 pts, IQR 28 – 34, p<0.001).Conclusion: The mNUTRIC score obtained at admission to the ICU provided a good discriminative value for 28-mortality and makes it possible to identify patients who will ultimately require intense use of ICU resources with an associated increase in the nursing workload during ICU sepsis treatment.
A systematic review of blue carbon as an approach for Eco-DRR: current gap and future research
Authors: Ogunwumi Taiwo Seun , Armstrong Margarethe-Elizabeth Graves
Published: December 2021

Blue carbon ecosystems (BCEs), such as wetlands, marshes, mangroves, and seagrasses, warrant increased attention for their abilities to protect life, property, and environments locally and globally. BCEs serve as both buffers reducing coastal hazards and carbon sinks storing ‘blue’ carbon in aquatic plant life and soils. While research exists on BCE functions and benefits, their global diversity necessitates a collection of localized research investigating the unique dynamics and histories of distinct BCEs. The historic degradation of coastal ecosystems proves the need for purposeful, well-informed, sustainable ecosystem management to conserve and restore BCEs. We conducted a systematic literature review to understand the existing body of research on synergies between BCEs and ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction (Eco-DRR). We investigated how prior research employed various research methods, discussed key aspects of sustainable land management, and considered geographic locations and scales. We discovered localized case studies have incredible insights on the efficacy of BCEs along with context-specific strategies for sustainable ecosystem management. However, as these case studies are not plentiful and are concentrated in North America and Asia, they do not account for the diversity of BCEs. We suggest increased support for localized research on the benefits and implementation of BCEs as Eco-DRR measures.
Diarrhea Prevalence and Associated Factors Among Under-Five Children in the Periphery Area of Azezo Sub-City, Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia: A community Based Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Bitew Bikes Destaw , Getachew Atalay , Azanaw Jember
Published: December 2021

Background

Although there has been a global decrease in childhood diarrheal disease in parallel with improvements in the standard of living, it still remains a significant public health problem that occurs due to poor WASH status and other related factors that cause massive childhood morbidity and mortality particularly in sub-Saharan Africa countries including Ethiopia.
Objective

To assess diarrheal disease prevalence and associated factors among under-five children in periphery area of Azezo sub-city, Gondar, northwest Ethiopia.
Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in April 2019. A simple random sampling technique was applied to recruit the eligible clusters/villages. Structured interview questionnaires were used to collect data. The completed data were entered into Epi Info version 7 and exported to SPSS version 20 for further analysis. A binary logistic regression model was used to process bivariate and multivariable analysis of the data to establish the association between dependent and independent variables. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% CI was used for the interpretation of data after controlling the confounders.
Results

The two-week prevalence of U5C diarrheal disease was 24.9% with 95% CI: (20.4 – 29.7). Age group of 1-12months [AOR: 9.22, 95%CI: (2.93-29.04)], age group of 13-24months [AOR: 4.44, 95%CI: (1.87-10.56)], low monthly income (AOR: 3.68, 95% CI: (1.81-7.51)], small family size [AOR: 0.32, 95% CI: (0.16-0.65)], poor hand washing practice [AOR: 8.37, 95% CI: (3.12-22.52), and immediate feed for cooked foods [AOR: 0.39, 95%CI: (0.19-0.81)] were significantly associated factors with childhood diarrhea.
Conclusion

Diarrhea was a common health problem among under-five children in the periphery area of Azezo sub-city. Age of children, family size, monthly income, hand-washing practice, and feeding time for cooked food were identified statistically significant risk factors. Therefore, an appropriate intervention program through health education would be recommended with a focus on identified risk factors to reduce the burden of diarrheal diseases.
Applying Different Chemical Methods to Develop an Efficient Acellular Rat Uterine Tissue Matrix
Authors: Masoomikarimi Masoomeh , Rajaei Samira , Noorbakhsh Farshid , Salehi Majid
Published: December 2021

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Long-term Observation After Transplantation of Cultured Human Corneal Endothelial Cells for Corneal Endothelial Dysfunction
Authors: Sun Peng , Shen Lin , Li Yuanbin , Du Liqun , Wu Xinyi
Published: December 2021

Background

At present, corneal transplantation is still the only way to treat serious corneal diseases caused by corneal endothelial dysfunction. However, the shortage of donor cornea tissues and human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs) remains a worldwide challenge. We cultivated HCECs by the use of a conditioned medium from orbital adipose-derived stem cells (OASC-CM) in vitro. Then the HCECs were used to treat animal corneal endothelial dysfunction models via cell transplantation. The initial effect was gratifying. The purpose of this study was to conduct a long-term observation and evaluation after cell transplantation.
Methods

First, orbital adipose-derived stem cells (OASCs) were isolated to prepare conditioned medium (CM). Then HCECs were cultivated and expanded by the usage of CM (CM-HCECs). Related CEC markers were analyzed by immunofluorescence. Cells proliferation ability was also tested. CM-HCECs were then transplanted into monkey corneal endothelial dysfunction models by cell injection. We carried out a 24-month postoperative preclinical observation and verified the long-term effect by histological examination and transcriptome sequencing.
Results

CM-HCECs expressed HCEC related markers and maintained polygonal cell morphology after several passages. During 24 months of cell transplantation into the monkey's anterior chamber, the cornea thickness and transparency kept healthy status, and the corneal endothelial cell density remained in the normal range. Gene sequencing showed that the gene expression pattern of CM-HCECs was similar to that of transplanted cells and HCECs.
Conclusions

The proliferation and repair ability of HCECs were significantly improved due to the effect of OASC-CM. The result of this study confirmed long-term therapeutic efficacy of CM-HCECs in vivo. Our research provided an extensive cell source and a promising prospect for regenerative medicine and cell-based therapy.
A 13-item Health of the Nation Outcome Scale (HoNOS 13): Validation by Item Response Theory (IRT) in people with Substance Use Disorder
Authors: Chatton Anne , Khazaal Yasser , Penzenstadler Louise
Published: December 2021

BackgroundThe Health of the Nation Outcome Scale (HoNOS) is a widely used 12-item tool to assess mental health and social functioning. The French version has an added 13th item measuring adherence to psychotropic medication. The aim of the current study is to uncover the unknown pattern of item 13 and to compare the unidimensional and multi-dimensional fit of both the original HoNOS 12 and the new HoNOS 13 using Item Response Theory (IRT) modelling. This research question was studied among inpatients with substance use disorder (SUD). MethodsSix hundred and nine valid questionnaires of the HoNOS were analyzed using the multidimensional extension of the IRT graded-response modelling. For HoNOS 13, we fitted respectively a one-factor and a two-factor model. ResultsThe two-factor model suggesting a first factor capturing psychiatric/impairment-related issues and a second factor reflecting social-related issues yielded better goodness-of-fit values compared to the one-factor solution. ConclusionsWe were able to validate the 13-item questionnaire including medication compliance and suggest that the HoNOS 13 can be recommended as a clinical evaluation tool to assess the problems and treatment needs for inpatients with SUD. In IRT analyses, the items related to substance use and item 13 showed moderate discriminative abilities to catch the severity of the latent construct whereas the items related to the second factor (social problems) showed higher discriminative abilities. Trial registration﻿ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT03551301, registered: 11.06.2018.
Dexmedetomidine is Resistant to Ferroptosis by Activating mTOR-TFR1 Signaling
Authors: Ding Hui , Wang Jing-Yan , Li Yuan-Hai , Huang Yan
Published: December 2021

Background: With the development of society, Neurodegenerative disease (ND), such as alzheimer's disease, is more and more important to the researchers. Metal iron may play a crucial role in this disease, so our research constructed the iron overloading model in nerve cells, induce the ferroptosis, simulate the state of the nerve in the body, and used the anesthesia Dexmedetomidine (Dex), and study whether the Dex can inhibit the ferroptosis and reduce the ND.Methods: Cell proliferation kit CCK8 and PI/Hoechst fluorescence double staining were used to detect the proliferation and apoptosis of HT22 cells. Western blot (WB) was used to detect the expression of PTGS2 and ACSL4, pathway proteins mTOR, TFR1. ROS content in HT22 cells was determined by DHE fluorescence probe. Lipid Peroxidation in nerve cells was detected by MDA Assay. Mito-ferrorange fluorescent probe was used to detect the level of ferrous ions in cells to demonstrate that ferroptosis occurred in nerve cells and Dex could protect nerve cells from ferroptosis.Results: Dex inhibits ferroptosis by regulating the mTOR-TFR1 pathway, reducing lipid peroxidation, intracellular reactive oxygen accumulation (ROS), reducing iron ions, and alleviating mitochondrial damage. mTOR is a well-known autophagy target and has been found to be closely related to ferroptosis. Dex activates the mTOR pathway, inhibits iron entry into the cell, reduces iron influx, and prevents ferroptosis by fenton reaction between excessive iron and lipids in the cell.Conclusion: Dex protects nerve cells from ferroptosis by regulating the mTOR-TFR1 pathway.
Correlation Between Occurrence Environment and the Cause of Deterioration at Ancient Earthen Ruins: A Case Study at Shenna Ruins, Qinghai, China
Authors: Wang Juanli , Rong Yan , Zhang Ying , Chao Xiaolian , Feng Xue , Yu Jingli , Liu Jian , Mai Bingjie , Li Yuhu , Cao Jing
Published: December 2021

The earthen ruins are precious historical imprints left over from ancient human life and production, and have important cultural values. Chinese ancient ruins are widely distributed, large in number, and numerous in types. Most of the unearthed ruins are large in scale, immovable, and closely related to the surrounding environment. This paper takes the Shenna ruins as the research object, realizes the investigation of the occurrence environment of the ruins through geotechnical survey technology, and explores the reasons for the deterioration of the soil at the ruins of Shenna through the research of the correlation between the occurrence environment and typical diseases. On the basis of traditional cultural relics survey, the geological, environmental characteristics and geotechnical engineering conditions of the ruins were identified, analyzed, and evaluated through survey methods. Combined with indoor experimental analysis, it was found that the main reason for the deterioration of Shenna ruins was the migration of water and salt in the soil caused by seasonal precipitation, and combined with the geotechnical investigation results, the possibility of groundwater damage in this area is eliminated, which provides a research basis for the preventive treatment of water environment in the future protection and restoration of the Shenna ruins, and provided very useful technical application reference and research idea for such earthen ruins protection in Northwest China.
Higher Cystatin C Level Increase the Risk of Delayed Cerebral Ischemia after Endovascular Treatment of Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Case-Control Study.
Authors: Chen Kehua , Huang Guanghua , Cai Chengwei , Yan Chuangnan , Zhang Fuguang , Yao Min , Ma Junqiang , Xu Hongwu
Published: December 2021

Cystatin C (CysC) has been found to be associated with hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke in many studies. However, the association between CysC level and the risk of delayed cerebral ischemia after endovascular treatment of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage has been reported rarely. Our study was proposed to explore this association. Consecutive patients from June 2015 to February 2021 in this single-center retrospective study were selected. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify potential prognostic risk factors for delayed cerebral ischemia, and the stability of the association was demonstrated by several statistical methods, such as subgroup analysis, interaction testing, generalized linear models, and propensity score matching. A total of 424 patients were included in the analysis. Cystatin C was independently associated with delayed cerebral ischemia. The independent effects of CysC on delayed cerebral ischemia were shown in generalized linear models with a logit link, and the results were relatively stable in crude, partial, and full models with ORs (95% CIs) for delayed cerebral ischemia. Subgroup analysis showed no significant subgroup differences in the effect of CysC on delayed cerebral ischemia. There was also no interaction effect between CysC and other confounders. Patients in the high CysC group had a higher risk of delayed cerebral ischemia than those in the low CysC group before and after propensity score matching. CysC level could be an independent predictor for the risk of delayed cerebral ischemia after endovascular treatment of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.
The Methylation Inhibitor 5-Aza-2′-Deoxycytidine Induces Genome-Wide Hypomethylation in Rice
Authors: Liu Shuo , Bao Yu , Deng Hui , Liu Guanqing , Han Yangshuo , Wu Yuechao , Zhang Tao , Chen Chen
Published: December 2021

DNA methylation is a conserved epigenetic modification which is vital for regulating gene expression and maintaining genome stability in both mammals and plants. Homozygous mutation of rice methyltransferase 1 (met1) gene can cause host death in rice, making it difficult to obtain plant material needed for hypomethylation research. To circumvent this challenge, the methylation inhibitor, 5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine (AzaD), is used as a cytosine nucleoside analogue to reduce genome wide hypomethylation and is widely used in hypomethylation research. However, how AzaD affects plant methylation profiles at the genome scale is largely unknown. Here, we treated rice seedlings with AzaD and compared the AzaD treatment with osmet1-2 mutants, illustrating that there are similar CG hypomethylation and distribution throughout the whole genome. Along with global methylation loss class I transposable elements (TEs) which are farther from genes compared with class II TEs, were more significantly activated, and the RNA-directed DNA Methylation (RdDM) pathway was activated in specific genomic regions to compensate for severe CG loss. Overall, our results suggest that AzaD is an effective DNA methylation inhibitor that can influence genome wide methylation and cause a series of epigenetic variations.
Prognostic Value of Exercise Capacity in Incidence Diabetes: A Country With High Prevalence of Diabetes
Authors: Jamiel Abdelrahman A. , Ardah Husam , Ahmed Amjad M. , Al-Mallah Mouaz H.
Published: December 2021

Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a fast-growing health problem that imposes an enormous economic burden. Several studies demonstrated the association between physical inactivity and predicting the incidence of diabetes. However, these prediction models have limited validation locally. Therefore, we aim to explore the predictive value of exercise capacity in the incidence of diabetes within a high diabetes prevalence population.Methodology: A retrospective cohort study including consecutive patients free of diabetes who underwent clinically indicated treadmill stress testing. Diabetic patients at baseline or patients younger than 18 years of age were excluded. Incident diabetes was defined as an established clinical diagnosis post-exercise testing date. The predictive value of exercise capacity was examined using Harrell’s c-index, net reclassification index (NRI), and integrated discrimination index (IDI).Results: A total of 8,722 participants (mean age 46±12 years, 66.3% were men) were free of diabetes at baseline. Over a median follow-up period of 5.24 (2.17-8.78) years, there were 2,280 (≈26%) new cases of diabetes. In a multivariate model adjusted for conventional risk factors, we found a 12% reduction in the risk of incident diabetes for each one greater MET achieved (HR, 0.9; 95% CI, 0.88–0.92; P<0.001). Using Cox regression, exercise capacity improved the prediction ability beyond the conventional risk factors (AUC=0.62 to 0.66 and c-index= 0.62 to 0.68).Conclusion: Exercise capacity improved the overall predictability of incidence diabetes. Patients with reduced exercise capacity are at high risk for developing incidence diabetes. Improvement of both physical activity and functional capacity represents a preventive measure for the general population.
A General Approach for All-visible-light Switching of Diarylethenes through Triplet Sensitization using Semiconducting Nanocrystals
Authors: Hou Lili , Larsson Wera , Hecht Stefan , Andreasson Joakim , Albinsson Bo
Published: December 2021

Coupling semiconducting nanocrystals (NCs) with organic molecules provides an efficient route to generate and transfer triplet excitons. These excitons can be used to power photochemical transformations such as photoisomerization reactions using low energy radiation. Thus, it is desirable to develop a general approach that can efficiently be used to control photoswitches using all-visible-light aiming at future applications in life- and material sciences. Here, we demonstrate a simple ‘cocktail’ strategy that can achieve all-visible-light switchable diarylethenes (DAEs) through triplet energy transfer from the hybrid of CdS NCs and phenanthrene-3-carboxylic acid, with high photoisomerization efficiency and improved fatigue resistance. The size-tunable excitation energies of CdS NCs make it possible to precisely match the corresponding energy of the relevant DAE photoswitch. We demonstrate reversible all-visible-light photoisomerization of a series of DAE derivatives both in the liquid and solid state, even in the presence of oxygen. Our general strategy is promising for fabrication of all-visible-light activated optoelectronic devices as well as memories, and should in principle be adaptable to photopharmacology.
Accidental Epidural Catheter Removal Rates and Strength Required for Disconnection: a Retrospective Cohort and Experimental Study
Authors: Ishida Yoshiaki , Homma Yoichiro , Kawamura Takashi , Sagawa Masatoshi , Toba Yoshie
Published: December 2021

Background: Epidural analgesia requires the use of epidural catheters, which are associated with certain risks such as accidental epidural catheter removal, including dislodgement and disconnection. Few studies have investigated accidental catheter removal rates and directly compared them among epidural connector types. This study aimed to examine the differences in accidental catheter removal rates associated with different catheter connector types and to experimentally determine the linear tensile strength required to induce disconnection in each connector type.Methods: This retrospective cohort study included adult patients who underwent elective surgery and received patient-controlled epidural analgesia between December 2019 and August 2020. Patients were divided into groups according to the type of catheter connection used: standard (old group), new standard (new group), and new standard with taping (taping group). Furthermore, we prepared 60 sets of epidural catheters and connectors comprising 20 sets for each of the old, new, and taping groups, and used the digital tension meter to measure the maximum tensile strength required to induce disconnection. A multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to examine risk factors for disconnection. The experimental study groups were compared using one-way analysis of variance.Results: The clinical study involved in 920 patients (360, 182, and 378 patients in the old, new, and taping group, respectively). Dislodgement rates were similar among the three groups. Disconnection was most likely to occur in the new group (5.5%) and least likely to occur in the taping group (0.3%) compared to the old group (1.9%). However, the new group was not a risk factor for disconnection. The experimental study identified tensile strengths of 12.41 N, 12.06 N, and 19.65 N in the old, new, and taping groups, respectively. Comparison tests showed a significant difference in the tensile strength required for disconnection between the new and taping groups but not between the new and old groups.Conclusions: These findings suggest that taping the catheter connector connection may reduce the risk of disconnection, and thereby help improve patient outcomes. Further studies are required to clarify other parameters that may affect patient safety in this context.
Theoretical and Experimental investigation of PVMQ/ EPDM-g-MA/CR blends: Rheological, Compatibility and Mechanical Properties
Authors: Azizli Mohammad Javad , Azizli Mohammad Javad , Vafa Ehsan , Barghamadi Mohammad , Rezaeeparto Katayoon , Mokhtary Masoud , Jahankhah Zahra
Published: December 2021

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Estimation of R0 for the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Germany from Excess Mortality
Authors: Prada Juan , Maag Luca , Siegmund Laura , Bencurova Elena , Chunguang Liang , Koutsilieri Eleni , Dandekar Thomas , Scheller Carsten
Published: December 2021

Background

For SARS-CoV-2, R0 calculations in the range of 2-3 dominate the literature, but much higher estimates have also been published. Because capacity for PCR testing increased greatly in the early phase of the Covid-19 pandemic, R0 determinations based on these incidence values are subject to strong bias. We propose to use Covid-19-induced excess mortality to determine R0 regardless of PCR testing capacity.
Methods

We used data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) on the incidence of Covid cases, Covid-related deaths, number of PCR tests performed, and excess mortality calculated from data from the Federal Statistical Office in Germany. We determined R0 using exponential growth estimates with a serial interval of 4.7 days. We used only datasets that were not yet under the influence of policy measures (e.g., lockdowns or school closures).
Results

The uncorrected R0 value for the spread of SARS-CoV-2 based on PCR incidence data was 2.56 (95% CI 2.52-2.60) for Covid-19 cases and 2.03 (95%CI 1.96-2.10) for Covid-19-related deaths. However, because the number of PCR tests increased by a growth factor of 1.381 during the same period, these R0 values must be corrected accordingly (R0corrected = R0uncorrected/1.381), yielding 1.86 for Covid-19 cases and 1.47 for Covid-19 deaths. The R0 value based on excess deaths was calculated to be 1.34 (95% CI 1.32-1.37). A sine-function-based adjustment for seasonal effects of 40% corresponds to a maximum value of R0January = 1.68 and a minimum value of R0July = 1.01.
Discussion

Our calculations show an R0 that is much lower than previously thought. This relatively low range of R0 fits very well with the observed seasonal pattern of infection across Europe in 2020 and 2021, including the emergence of more contagious escape variants such as delta or omicron. In general, our study shows that excess mortality can be used as a reliable surrogate to determine the R0 in pandemic situations.
A Prospective Study of Feto-Maternal Outcome Among Covid-19 Positive Women Delivered in a Level III Covid Hospital at Moradabad, Western UP
Authors: Nandi Nupur , Agarwal Ritika , Bajpai Garima
Published: December 2021

Background: The ongoing pandemic situation by a highly infective Covid-19 virus is a global health threat. Pregnancy related physiological changes of cardio- respiratory system and relative immunosuppression might cause more infectivity and worsening complications of this novel respiratory virus infection. Limited data availability on feto -maternal outcome of Covid 19 positive pregnant women necessitates the current study.Methodology: A prospective cohort study was conducted in a government designated level III Covid care hospital at Teerthankar Mahaveer Medical College & Research Centre to assess the feto-maternal outcome in Covid 19 RT- PCR test positive pregnant women delivered between April 2020 to September 2020. Mothers were evaluated in terms of asymptomatic status or predominant symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, and breathlessness), complication if any including need for ventilatory support for extensive pneumonia, or mortality. Neonates were tested for presence of infection by RT-PCR test on day 2 & 5 of delivery, and also looked for any symptoms of the disease or it’s complication.Results: Total 33 women with Covid19 positivity delivered at term pregnancy in the said period of 6 months. The most frequent (45.45%) age group was 26 to 30 years. Asymptomatic Covid 19 positive cases were more (57.58%) prevailing over symptomatic patients. Fever was most frequent (33.33%) physical symptom. Emotional quotient was significantly affected by presence of anxiety amongst 36.36%. Caesarean delivery conducted maintaining all protocol in 60.6% women, but all were indicated for other obstetric reason. None of the mother had developed significant pneumonia or other complication. One case of maternal mortality noted, but was not related to Covid 19 infection. Vertical transmission was nil in our study and no neonate was affected by any complication.Conclusion: Course of disease was not different in pregnant women infected by Covid 19 virus in late pregnancy in comparison to non-pregnant adults. No case of vertical transmission noted, neither any neonatal morbidity nor mortality in present study, shows the importance of following optimum protocol. All pregnant women should be screened for Covid 19 infection in current scenario.
All-Optical Switching In A Medium of A Four-Level Vee-Cascade Atomic Medium
Authors: Xuan Khoa Dinh , Van Ai Nguyen , Minh Dong Hoang , Van Doai Le , Huy Bang Nguyen
Published: December 2021

We proposed a model for all-optical switching in a medium consisting of four-level vee-cascade atomic systems excited by coupling, probe, and signal fields. It is shown that, by changing the intensity or the frequency of the signal field, the medium can be actively switched between either electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) or electromagnetically induced absorption (EIA), which has behavior of all-optical switching. As a result, a cw probe field is switched into square pulses by modulating the intensity or the frequency of the signal light. Furthermore, width of the square probe pulses can be controlled by tuning the switching period of the signal field. Such a tuneable all-optical switching is useful for finding related applications in optic communications and optical storage devices.
Formation and Evolution of Secondary Particulate Matter During Heavy Haze Pollution Episodes in Northeast China in Winter
Authors: Hong Ye , Sun Junying , Ma Yanjun , Wang YangFeng , Li Xiaolan , Zhang Yunhai , Liu Ningwei , Zhao HuJia , Zhou DePing
Published: December 2021

Based on the simultaneous observation of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and its chemical components in four heavy haze pollution episodes at 14 sampling sites in northeast China from 2017 to 2019, the formation and existence of sulfate (SO42-) and nitrate (NO3-) secondary contaminants under different stages of the pollution episodes, and different meteorological and emission conditions were compared. The results yielded three main findings. (1) Organic carbon (OC) was the most important component of PM2.5, followed by NO3-,SO42-,and ammonium (NH4+). Nitrate surpassed sulfate as the most important secondary inorganic component over the study period. (2) The significant increase in atmospheric OC, SO42-, and NO3-concentrations was an important reason for haze formation. Meteorological factors such as wind direction, wind speed, temperature (T), relative humidity (RH), and atmospheric oxidability played an important role in secondary pollutant formation. (3) There were two potential SO42- formation mechanisms. The first was the gas-phase reaction of the hydroxyl radical(OH·) leading to the oxidation of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2),and high ozone (O3) concentrations. A high atmospheric oxidability and high winter Ts were very important for SO42- formation. The second mechanism occurred under neutral or weakly alkaline conditions when large amounts of SO2 could enter aerosol droplets, and NO2 was more likely to react in the aqueous phase with SO2 to increase the output of SO42-. Nitrate formation was may be mainly due to the homogeneous gas-phase reaction of OH· with NO2, SO2, and ammonia(NH3). The highest NO3 concentration was observed under mild winter Ts, high RH, high atmospheric oxidability (O3 and nitrous acid (HONO)), high NH3 concentrations, and suitable light conditions. The differences in SO42- formation between northeast China and other regions were mainly a result of the suppression of the aqueous reaction of SO42- due to the low T in winter and low-sulfur coal emissions, which resulted in the gas-phase oxidation process with the highest SO42- production capacity becoming an important process. However, the aqueous reaction process was the most common mechanism of SO42- production in northeast China.
An Ecosocial Reading of Slow Violence in Latife Tekin’s Manves City
Authors: AKYOL Özlem
Published: December 2021

Ecocriticism is an increasingly heterogeneous movement under which a variety of
approaches fall. One of these approaches is Ecosocialism which expands the critical scope
towards environmentally serious social issues within cities. The theory combines
revolutionary and green perspectives to promote equality and living in harmony with
nature in a classless society. At this point, Rob Nixon’s innovative concept ‘slow violence’ of
which effects are not immediate but dispersed time and space has been frequently associated
with Ecosocialism. Through ecosocial lenses, slow violence can be considered as a common
threat for environment and society since the theory perceives both as cheap resources
gradually exploited for profit. The environmental and social effects of such violence
strikingly appear in Latife Tekin’s Manves City1 (2018) in which a post-industrial small town
and its inhabitants’ tragic lives are portrayed. Based on Tekin’s socialist and green
perspectives which are frequently adopted in her literary works, Manves City, in which
exploitative attitude of employers towards nature and workers and the gradual extinction of
nature in parallel with the degradation in domestic life of local people are discussed as
essential themes, lends itself Ecosocial criticism. In analyzing the novel through ecosocial
lenses, the paper also aims to reveal the interacting relation between environmental and
social degradation through Tekin’s depiction of slow violence.
Education loan delivery by banks in India: A qualitative enquiry
Authors: Pant Vimal , Srivastava Nidhi , Singh Tejinderpal , Pathak Prachi
Published: December 2021

Education financing is a key retail banking product for most commercial banks and a lifeline for large numbers of students seeking professional courses. This study aimed to identify the impediments in the successful delivery of this loan product in India, where it is marketed majorly by public sector banks under a common scheme devised by the government. The study adopted a qualitative approach to probe behavioral issues related to the credit appraisal process, which is the most suitable approach for unstructured exploratory design. Since credit managers in banks work with applicants for education loans, their insight becomes essential to understanding the issues plaguing with the smooth implementation and delivery of this scheme. Thus, ten public sector bank managers working in different geographical locations were selected using a homogeneity purposive sampling technique. The study collected 41 responses, which were then divided into 4 major categories. The responses were simultaneously transcribed manually to ensure that data remained close to the original verbatim of the participant. All transcribed interviews were imported into ATLAS.ti 8 Software for analysis. The 4 observational categories lead to a broad understanding that product accessibility, operational hurdles, scheme features and limitations in bad loan recovery are key bottlenecks in managing education loans. These responses had over 80% commonality on key issues of product feature and cost. It was concluded that education financing can perform better by improving access, rationalizing interest rates and liberalizing repayment terms. These findings can be used as input for tweaking the product for better performance.
Manager profile in organizations providing social services: Evidence from the Czech Republic
Authors: Mašát David , Prokešová Radka , Vacková Jitka
Published: December 2021

A profile of manager represents characteristics of a person performing a managerial position, i.e., it includes qualities such as knowledge, skills, and competencies within a specific specialty that provides the ability to carry out managerial duties and responsibilities successfully. The reason for obtaining this information is to build a profile of managers in organizations providing social care, as this area has not been elaborated in detail in the Czech Republic.This study aims to identify and describe the profiles of managers in organizations providing social services in the South Bohemian Region. The study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with 24 managers of selected organizations providing social services in the South Bohemian Region until the information obtained was sufficient. Data were processed using open, selective, and axial coding. Managers were asked about their job descriptions, their skills and education, and the specifics of their duties and responsibilities within their organizations. The results show that manager profiles are influenced by the type of organization and the organization’s funding. The results of the study showed that specific managerial duties and responsibilities are based on the type of social service provided. These duties and responsibilities are also based on the clients of services and the frequency of services provided.
AcknowledgmentThis study was financially supported by the project “Selected aspects of social work management”, registration number GAJU 052/2019/S (Grant Agency of the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice).
Catalytic Effects of Ruthenocene Bimetallic Compounds Derived from Fused Aromatic Ring Ligands on the Main Oxidizing Agent for Solid Rocket Motor
Authors: Dibdalli Yuvaraja , Gaete José , Osorio-Gutierrez Claudio , Arroyo Juan Luis , Norambuena Angel , Amshumali Mungalimane , Abarca Gabriel , Morales-Verdejo Cesar
Published: December 2021

We report the catalytic effect of three ruthenocene bimetallic compounds derived from fused aromatic rings of general formula [{Cp*Ru}2L], with Cp*: pentamethylcyclopentadiene and L = pentalene (1), 2,6-diethyl-4,8-dimethyl-s-indacene (2), and 2,7-diethyl-as-indacene (3), on the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP). The new compound 3 was characterized by a combination of multinuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis of compound 3 shows a decrease in the decomposition temperature of AP to 347 ºC, increases the energy release to 2048 J g-1 and, consequently, leads to the lowest activation energy (42.9 kJ mol−1). These results are comparable to the typically used metallocene (catocene: 347 ºC and 2472 J g-1), suggesting a suitable and competitive alternative to be used as a modifier for composite solid propellants.
Senna leaves: component composition, pharmacological properties, standardization
Authors: Romanyuk Anna A. , Moiseev Dmitry V.
Published: December 2021

Objective: generalization and analysis of scientific data on the component composition, pharmacological properties and standardization of senna leaves. Materials and methods. The article provides an overview of scientific publications in the journals of the search platforms Scopus and PubMed, as well as the databases of the Russian Science Citation Index. The analysis of the range of herbal medicinal products was carried out according to the data of the State Registers of Medicines of the Republic of Belarus, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Kazakhstan using content analysis, comparison and generalization of data. Results. In addition to the laxative effect, determined by the presence of anthracene derivatives in senna leaves, the complex of their biologically active substances has antimicrobial, hypoglycemic, antioxidant, antifungal and antitumor effects. Also, the chemical composition of the plant is represented by fatty acids, triglycerides, flavonoids, macro- and microelements. The analysis of medicinal herbal preparations based on senna leaves registered in the Russian Federation, the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Kazakhstan has been carried out. The differences in the methods of their standardization, given in the normative documentation on quality, have been revealed. The scientific experience of using the method of high performance liquid chromatography for the determination of anthracene derivatives in senna leaves is generalized. Conclusion. The complex of biologically active substances of senna leaves exhibits various pharmacological effects, which, possibly, will expand the range of combined preparations based on them. The use of a modern and selective method of high-performance liquid chromatography in the analysis of senna leaves is a very promising direction in the field of standardization of this type of medicinal plant material.
Removal of As(V) from aqueous solutions using calcium-alginate microspheres with encapsulated iron nanoparticles
Authors: Ruiz-Mora María Soledad , Alfaro-Cuevas-Villanueva Ruth , Martínez-Miranda Verónica , Hernández-Cristóbal Orlando , Cortés-Martínez Raúl
Published: December 2021

This work investigated As(V) removal from aqueous solutions using calcium alginate microspheres with encapsulated iron nanoparticles (FeNPs) in batch systems. The kinetic, equilibrium, and thermodynamic parameters of the adsorption process were evaluated. Adsorbents were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, and Zeta Potential techniques. The FeNPs were obtained by a simple and low-cost method and they were successfully encapsulated and uniformly dispersed over the microspheres' surface. Significantly fast adsorption kinetic rates were observed due to microspheres' particle size and FeNPs encapsulation. The chemisorption mechanism was recognized in both adsorbate-adsorbent systems. The As(V) isotherms data suggested that the process is associated with heterogeneous adsorption. Available sorption sites with different adsorption energies were related to the functional groups involved in removing As(V), such as hydroxyl and carboxyl groups. Significantly high adsorption capacities were obtained for both materials, suggesting they can be competitive compared to conventional adsorbents, even at low FeNPs concentrations. Besides FeNPs encapsulation enhancing arsenate removal, higher adsorption was obtained at slightly acidic pH values and, together with their small particle size, suggests that the microspheres have a great potential to be used as arsenate adsorbents in the water treatment for human consumption.