bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pracoholik a pracoholik entuzjastyczny – dwa światy?
Authors: Golińska Lucyna
Published: May 2021

Recenzowana książka jest przykładem znakomicie zaprogramowanych badań, które dotyczą bardzo istotnego problemu zróżnicowania form uwikłania w intensywną pracę. Badania te przynoszą bardzo ważną wiedzę o czynnikach warunkujących i współwystępujących z tym co określa się pracoholizmem. Warto dodać, że tematyka ta jest w świetle współczesnych problemów społecznych, związanych z relacją człowiek-praca, niezwykle istotna. Autorka stworzyła własny i bardzo ciekawy model teoretyczny, akcentujący zróżnicowania uwarunkowań i mechanizmów funkcjonowania oraz konsekwencji postępowania pracoholików i entuzjastycznych pracoholików. Model ten świadczy o znakomitym warsztacie analiz teoretycznych. Jeszcze cenniejsze dla nauki i prawdopodobnie praktyki postępowania z tymi grupami osób (pracowników) są badania empiryczne. (…) Badania przeprowadzone przez Autorkę są niewątpliwie istotnym postępem w dziedzinie rozwikłania złożonych problemów związanych z uzależnieniem od pracy. (…) Jest to tekst bardzo ważny i niezwykle interesujący – miejscami wręcz fascynujący. Fragmenty z recenzji prof. Heleny Sękowej
Isolation, identification and characterization of bacteria from Lawachara National Park, Moulovibazar, Bangladesh
Authors: Hasan R. , Rony M. N. H. , Sarker M. S. A. , Tareq M. Z. , Ahmed R.
Published: May 2021

Bacteria are essential elements of natural environments. As bacteria are the key critical components of food webs and nutrient cycles, they contribute to ecosystem functioning via mutualists and pathogens for larger species. The present study has provided substantial grounds to confirm that microbial communities present in natural environments are much more diverse. Here, we tend to study a singular environment Lawachara National Park. Total 125 bacterial strains were isolated using serial dilution method. Thirteen unique colonies were selected, cultured and characterized by gram staining and biochemical tests. Based on morphological, biochemical, 16S rDNA gene sequencing and phylogeny analysis revealed that the isolates were identified as Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus thuringensis, Serratia marcescens, Aeromonas hydrophila, Enterobacter cowanii, Acidobacterium capsulatum, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis. This study serves as a baseline survey of bacterial diversity in the Lawachara National Park.
Effect of Management and Environmental Factors on Semen Production Potential of Indigenous Cattle Breeds
Authors: Bhave K.G. , Jawahar K. Thilak Pon , Kumarasamy P. , Sivakumar T. , Joseph C. , Jadhav R. , Khadse J. , Venkataramanan R.
Published: May 2021

Background: The production of higher number of quality semen doses from the indigenous bulls is required to mitigate the issue of declining population of indigenous cattle breeds. To make the semen production more efficient, the knowledge of factors affecting the semen production is of utmost importance. However, studies on different indigenous breeds are scarcely available and very little information is available on effect of ejaculate number, collection interval, semen collector etc. The present investigation was hence focused to study the effect of different management and environmental factors affecting semen production traits in indigenous breeds. Methods: Semen data comprising of 15,435 ejaculates from 60 bulls of 10 indigenous cattle breeds were analysed for semen production traits. Prior to the analysis, data on initial motility was transformed using the arcsine transformation. Least square analysis was carried out using “lm” function while ANOVA (Type III sum of square) and Duncan’s multiple range test were computed using “car” and “agricolae” packages from R statistical software. Result: The overall means for the semen production traits: ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, total sperm, initial motility and total motile sperm were 5.62±0.041 ml, 1.42±0.51× 109/ml, 7.96±0.25× 109/ejaculate, 74.77±0.002% and 5.92± 0.11 × 109/ejaculate, respectively. All traits were significantly affected by order of ejaculate, collection interval, age at collection, breed, semen collector, season and year of collection except collection interval which had no effect on motility. Except initial motility, semen characters showed quadratic pattern over the age. Results of the study would help in suggesting suitable management and breeding plans for semen production traits.
Obstructions for Bounded Branch-depth in Matroids
Authors: Gollin Jochen Pascal , Hendrey Kevin , Mayhew Dillon , Oum Sang-il
Published: May 2021

DeVos, Kwon, and Oum introduced the concept of branch-depth of matroids as a
natural analogue of tree-depth of graphs. They conjectured that a matroid of sufficiently large branch-depth contains the uniform matroid Un;2n or the cycle matroid of a large fan graph as a minor. We prove that matroids with sufficiently large branch-depth either contain the cycle matroid of a large fan graph as a minor or have large branch-width. As a corollary, we prove their conjecture for matroids representable over a fixed finite field and quasi-graphic matroids, where the uniform matroid is not an option.
Evaluation of Open Educational Resources for an Introductory Exercise Science Course
Authors: Hillman Angela R. , Brooks Anna R. , Barr Marcus , Strycker Jesse
Published: May 2021

While open educational resources (OER) have gained popularity, nearly three quarters of faculty are not aware they are available for use. However, when used, they are well received and do not negatively impact quality of learning. OER can be used within a variety of platforms, including software that aims to be more interactive and engage students in active learning and assessment. One such platform is Top Hat, which was used by the authors of this study to develop a textbook for an introductory exercise science course. We assessed student’s perceptions of Top Hat and barriers to use for reading their textbook and for class assessments over the course of two years. A total of 486 students were registered for this course. Although two thirds of students had previous experience with Top Hat and half of those used the textbook feature, students (n = 39, 38%) were apprehensive about reading their textbook online via Top Hat. However, these feelings resolved as students became comfortable with the platform’s features. Nearly 80% of students have sometimes or never acquired their textbooks before the start of the semester, despite 96% who expressed the importance of having their materials accessible online and available on or before the first day of the course. This indicated that students understood the importance of having their materials for the start of the semester, however they perceived the barriers of purchasing books to be greater. Therefore, using OER and Top Hat removed student learning barriers and had potential to increase course participation and success.
Design Matters: Development and Validation of the Online Course Design Elements (OCDE) Instrument
Authors: Martin Florence , Bolliger Doris U. , Flowers Claudia
Published: May 2021

Course design is critical to online student engagement and retention. This study focused on the development and validation of an online course design elements (OCDE) instrument with 38 Likert-type scale items in five subscales: (a) overview, (b) content presentation, (c) interaction and communication, (d) assessment and evaluation, and (e) learner support. The validation process included implementation with 222 online instructors and instructional designers in higher education. Three models were evaluated which included a one-factor model, five-factor model, and higher-order model. The five-factor and higher-order models aligned with the development of the OCDE. The frequency of use of OCDE items was rated above the mean 4.0 except for two items on collaboration and self-assessment. The overall OCDE score was related to self-reported levels of expertise but not with years of experience. The findings have implications for the use of this instrument with online instructors and instructional designers in the design of online courses.
Photorealism in Mixed Reality: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Pereira Lidiane , Roberti Junior Wellingston C. , Silva Rodrigo L. S.
Published: May 2021

In Augmented Reality systems, virtual objects are combined with real objects, both three dimensional, interactively and at run-time. In an ideal scenario, the user has the feeling that real and virtual objects coexist in the same space and is unable to differentiate the types of objects from each other. To achieve this goal, research on rendering techniques have been conducted in recent years. In this paper, we present a Systematic Literature Review aiming to identify the main characteristics concerning photorealism in Mixed and Augmented Reality systems to find research opportunities that can be further exploited or optimized. The objective is to verify if exists a definition of photorealism in Mixed and Augmented Reality. We present a theoreticalfundamental over the most used methods concerning realism in Computer Graphics. Also, we want to identify the most used methods and tools to enable photorealism in Mixed and Augmented Reality systems.
Learning Numerosity Representations with Transformers
Authors: Boccato Tommaso , Testolin Alberto , Zorzi Marco
Published: May 2021

One of the most rapidly advancing areas of deep learning research aims at creating models that learn to disentangle the latent factors of variation from a data distribution. However, modeling joint probability mass functions is usually prohibitive, which motivates the use of conditional models assuming that some information is given as input. In the domain of numerical cognition, deep learning architectures have successfully demonstrated that approximate numerosity representations can emerge in multi-layer networks that build latent representations of a set of images with a varying number of items. However, existing models have focused on tasks requiring to conditionally estimate numerosity information from a given image. Here we focus on a set of much more challenging tasks, which require to conditionally generate synthetic images containing a given number of items. We show that attention-based architectures operating at the pixel level can learn to produce well-formed images approximately containing a specific number of items, even when the target numerosity was not present in the training distribution.
An Optimal Image–Selection Algorithm for Large-Scale Stereoscopic Mapping of UAV Images
Authors: Lim Pyung-chae , Seo Junghoon , Kim Jae-in , Rhee Sooahm , Chi Junhwa , Lee Suk-bae , Kim Taejung
Published: May 2021

Recently, the mapping industry has been focusing on the possibility of large-scale mapping from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) owing to advantages such as easy operation and cost reduction. In order to produce large-scale maps from UAV images, it is important to obtain precise orientation parameters. For this, various techniques have been developed and are included in most of the commercial UAV image processing software. For mapping, it is equally important to select images that can cover a region of interest (ROI) with the fewest possible images. Otherwise, to map the ROI, one may have to handle too many images, and commercial software does not provide information needed to select images, nor does it explicitly explain how to select images for mapping. For these reasons, stereo mapping of UAV images in particular is time consuming and costly. In order to solve these problems, this study proposes a method to select images intelligently. We can select a minimum number of image pairs to cover the ROI with the fewest possible images. We can also select optimal image pairs to cover the ROI with the most accurate stereo pairs. We group images by strips, and generate the initial image pairs. We then apply an intelligent scheme to iteratively select optimal image pairs from the start to the end of an image strip. According to the results of the experiment, the number of images selected is greatly reduced by applying the proposed optimal image–composition algorithm. The selected image pairs produce a dense 3D point cloud over the ROI without any holes. For stereoscopic plotting, the selected image pairs were map the ROI successfully on a digital photogrammetric workstation (DPW), and a digital map covering the ROI is generated. The proposed method should contribute to time and cost reductions in UAV mapping.
Emerging Dynamics of Macrophage Cellular Senescence and Immunosenescence in Governing Organismal Aging and Disease: Concepts and Opportunities
Authors: Sharma Rohit
Published: May 2021

An intricate relationship between impaired immune functions and the age-related accumulation of tissue senescent cells (SC) is rapidly emerging. The immune system is unique as it undergoes mutually inclusive and deleterious processes of immunosenescence and cellular senescence with advancing age. While factors inducing immunosenescence and cellular senescence may be shared, however, both these processes are fundamentally different which holistically influence the aging immune system. Immunosenescence is a well-characterized phenomenon, but our understanding and biological impact of cellular senescence in immune cells, especially in the innate immune cells such as macrophages, is only beginning to be understood. Tissue-resident macrophages are long-lived, and while functioning in tissue-specific and niche-specific microenvironments, senescence in macrophages can be directly influenced by senescent host cells which may impact organismal aging. In addition, evidence of age-associated immunometabolic changes as drivers of altered macrophage phenotype and functions such as inflamm-aging is also emerging. The present review describes the emerging impact of cellular senescence vis-à-vis immunosenescence in aging macrophages, its biological relevance with other senescent non-immune cells, and known immunometabolic regulators. Gaps in our present knowledge, as well as strategies aimed at understanding cellular senescence and its therapeutics in the context of macrophages, have been reviewed.
When Off Target Effects Are On Target: The Role Of Spironolactone In Patients With COVID-19
Authors: Wilcox Christopher Stuart , Pitt Bertram
Published: May 2021

Aims: Spironolactone is a steroidal mineralocoricosteroid receptor antagonist (MRA) used for treatment of resistant hypertension, heart failure and edema. It exerts class specific adverse effects that are shared by other MRAs. Additionally, it exerts unique “off target” steroidal effects that include gynecomastia, impotence and loss of libido in males and menstrual irregularity in females. Together, these have led to a poor tolerability and limited use despite positive results in many randomized, controlled clinical trials. We review the off-target effects of spironolactone that may summate with its MRA action to provide an advantageous profile for prevention or treatment of patients with COVID-19. Methods: Literature review using PubMed Central. Results: The blockade by spironolactone of the androgen receptor should diminish the expression of transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) that has an androgen promoter while its MRA action should enhance the expression of protease nexin1 (PN1) that inhibits furin and plasmin. TMPRSS2, furin and plasmin cooperated to process the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to increase its high affinity binding to the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and thereby promote viral cell entry. Its actions as an MRA may reduce inflammation and preserve pulmonary, cardiac and vascular functions. Its anti-plasmin action may combat hemostatic dysfunction. Conclusion: The hypothesis that the off-target effects of spironolactone summate with its MRA actions to provide special benefits for COVID-19 is worthy of direct investigation and clinical trial.
Unlocking LoxP to Track Genome Editing In Vivo
Authors: Gendron William , Rubin Jeffrey , Simone Brandon , Ekker Stephen , Barry Michael , Nace Rebecca , Hansen Michael
Published: May 2021

The development of CRISPR associated proteins, such as Cas9, has led to increased accessibility and ease of use in genome editing. However, additional tools are needed to quantify and identify successful genome editing events in living animals. We developed a method to rapidly and quantitatively monitor gene editing activity non-invasively in living animals that also facilitates confocal microscopy and nucleotide level analyses at the end of study. Here we report a new CRISPR “footprinting” approach to activate luciferase and fluorescent proteins in mice as a function of gene editing. This system is based on experience with our prior Cre-detector system and is designed for Cas editors able to target LoxP including gRNAs including SaCas9 and ErCas12a [1, 2]. These CRISPRs cut specifically within LoxP, an approach that is a departure from previous gene editing in vivo activity detection techniques that targeted adjacent stop sequences. In this sensor paradigm, CRISPR activity was monitored non-invasively in living Cre reporter mice (FVB.129S6(B6)-Gt(ROSA)26Sortm1(Luc)Kael/J and Gt(ROSA)26Sortm4(ACTB-tdTomato,-EGFP)Luo/J, which will be referred to as LSL and mT/mG throughout the paper) after intramuscular or intravenous hydrodynamic plasmid injections, demonstrating utility in two diverse organ systems. The same genome-editing event was examined at the cellular level in specific tissues by confocal microscopy to determine the identity and frequency of successfully genome-edited cells. Further, SaCas9 induced targeted editing at efficiencies that were comparable to Cre recombinase demonstrating high effective delivery and activity in a whole animal. This work establishes genome editing tools and models to track CRISPR editing in vivo non-invasively and to fingerprint the identity of targeted cells. This approach also enables similar utility for any of the thousands of previously generated LoxP animal models.
Modulation of Organogenesis and Somatic Embryogenesis by Ethylene: An Overview
Authors: Neves Mariana , Correia Sandra , Cavaleiro Carlos , Canhoto Jorge
Published: May 2021

Ethylene is a plant hormone controlling physiological and developmental processes such fruit maturation, hairy root formation and leaf abscission. Its effect on regeneration systems, such as organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis (SE), has been studied and progresses in molecular biology techniques have contributed to unveil mechanisms behind its effects. This compound affects regeneration differently, depending on the species, genotype and explant. In some species, ethylene seems to revert recalcitrance in genotypes with low regeneration capacity. However, its effect is not addictive, since in genotypes with high regeneration capacity this ability decreases in the presence of ethylene precursors, suggesting that regeneration is modulated by ethylene. Several lines of evidence have shown that the role of ethylene on regeneration is markedly connected to biotic and abiotic stresses as well as to hormonal-crosstalk, in particular with key regeneration hormones and growth regulators of the auxin and cytokinin families. Transcriptional factors of the ethylene response factor (ERF) family are regulated by ethylene and strongly connected to SE induction. Thus, an evident connection between ethylene, stress responses and regeneration capacity is markedly established. In this review the effect of ethylene and the way it interacts with other players during organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis is discussed.
Exploring the Impact and Management Strategies for Hailstorm Associated Loss and Damage among Smallholder Farmers in Poverty Prone Northern Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Mohammad Mahbubur , Bijoy Mizanur Rahman
Published: May 2021

Climate change causes weather extremes to rise in frequency and severity, which could have detrimental effects on human life, property and livelihood activity. There is significant uncertainty about the influences of anthropogenic climate change on the occurrence and severity of small-scale, sudden onset weather phenomena such as hailstorms and subsequent loss and damage. Yet, several studies indicate that there is an apparent stable connection between hailstorm activity and hailstorm damage. Severe hailstorm events are observed in Bangladesh in recent years, which are, in fact, rapid-onset disasters but low exposure in terms of giving government response and media consideration. Hence this study examines potential impacts and management strategies for loss and damage resulting from hailstorm events among smallholder farmers in Kurigram District's Phulbari Upazila of Bangladesh. Firstly, the direct and long term economic and non-economic loss and damage caused by the hailstorm on human well-beings and livelihoods were assessed. Then, the study evaluated the current adaptation, coping, management and response strategies at the institutional and community level in the context of such extreme events. Finally, a regulatory framework and implementation approaches had suggested achieving the country's resilience against disaster and climate change-induced loss and damage. Participatory Vulnerability Analysis, Key Informant Interviews and Sample Surveys accumulated the primary data for the study. In addition, secondary data were collected through analysis of literature, published and unpublished scientific articles and media reports, etc. This research outcome will help countries develop a guideline to address climate change and disaster-related loss and damage.
Why Aggregate? On the Evolution of Aggregative Multicellularity
Authors: La Fortezza Marco , Schaal Kaitlin , Velicer Gregory J.
Published: May 2021

Microbes have evolved many fascinating and complex ways of interacting with conspecifics. Perhaps one of the most interesting is aggregative multicellularity, wherein independent cells come together and adhere to one another in order to form a larger entity. The fundamental benefits of active aggregation into multicellular groups generally remain unclear, and there are many open questions about what selective pressures led to the evolution of this behavior in various eukaryotic and prokaryotic taxa, most notably the dictyostelids and the myxobacteria. Aggregative multicellularity can be partitioned into three main phases: coming together, staying together as a group, and disaggregation. Different selective pressures may have led to adaptations unique to each phase. While aggregative microbial systems generally form elevated multicellular structures such as fruiting bodies, these can vary in complexity and morphology even among closely related species. What evolutionary forces shaped such morphological diversification remains unknown. Strains that are not genetically identical can coaggregate, which can impact group-level function either positively through functional synergy or negatively through harmful exploitation. Such chimerism within aggregates is likely to have played important roles in shaping the evolution of microbial multicellularity. Much further research is needed into the evolutionary forces and processes leading to and shaping the many forms of microbial aggregation.
Analysis of Clinical Characteristics, Radiological Predictors, Pathological Features and Perioperative Outcomes Associated With Perinephric Fat Adhesion Degree
Authors: Liu Junqiang , Huang Hongwei , Jiang Yiheng , Liu Dikuan , Zhu Zheng , Chen Jing , Wang Lina , Zong Huafeng , Song Xishuang , Wang Xuejian , Zhu Xinqing , Chen Qiwei , Nahayo Sony , Wang Jianbo , Yang Deyong
Published: May 2021

Background: To assess the clinical characteristics, radiological predictors and pathological features of perinephric fat adhesion degree (PFAD) graded based on fixed criteria and to determine the impact of adherent perinephric fat (APF) on retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (RLPN) outcomes. Methods: 84 patients undergoing RLPN were included and graded into 4 groups based on PFAD. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed for clinical characteristics and radiological predictors of PFAD. Perioperative data was compared between APF groups and non-APF groups. Masson staining determined collagen fibers. Immunohistochemistry detected CD45 immune cells and CD34 vessels.Results: 20, 28, 18 and 18 patients were graded as normal perinephric fat (NPF), mild adherent perinephric fat (MiPF), moderate adherent perinephric fat (MoPF) and severe adherent perinephric fat (SPF), respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that gender (p<0.001), age (p=0.003) and hypertension (p=0.006) were significant clinical risk factors of PFAD, while radiological predictors included perinephric stranding (p=0.001), posterior perinephric fat thickness (p=0.009) and perinephric fat density (p=0.02). APF was associated with drain output (P = 0.012) and accompanied by immune cells gathering in renal cortex near thickened renal capsule with many vessels.Conclusions: Clinical characteristics and radiological predictors can evaluate PFAD and may assist guide preoperative surgical option. Pathological features of APF reflect decapsulation and bleeding during kidney mobilization at RLPN.
Sleep Quality, Cancer-Related Fatigue, and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Omanis Hospitalized Patients with Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study.
Authors: Al-Habsi Zamzam , Al-Noumani Huda , Hashmi Iman Al
Published: May 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the difference in HRQoL by participants’ characteristics and to investigate the determinants of health-related quality of life HRQoL among Omani hospitalized patients with cancer.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in two oncology centers in Oman. Omani hospitalized patients with breast, thyroid, colorectal, stomach, and prostate cancer were recruited using convenience sampling. Participants completed Arabic versions of self-reported questionnaires: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Brief Fatigue Inventory scales and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed. T-test, ANOVA and multiple linear regression analysis was utilized to determine predictors of HRQOL.Results: in total, 275 participants were recruited (Meanage= 52 years). About 64 % of the participates reported poor sleep and 18.5% reported severe cancer-related fatigue. Sleep quality, cancer-related fatigue, age, and prostate and thyroid cancer were significant predictors of HRQoL (F (5, 269) = 26.26, p < 0.000) and they explained 33% of the variances in the HRQoL (R2 = .328).Conclusions: This study highlights the impact of sleep quality and caner-related fatigue on the HRQOL among Omanis hospitalized with cancer. Thus, sleep quality and cancer-related fatigue should be assessed routinely during hospitalization of oncology patients with special attention patients’ age.
p53 is Functionally Inhibited in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (Ccrcc): A Mechanistic and Correlative Investigation into Genetic and Molecular Characteristics.
Authors: Diesing Karoline , Ribback Silvia , Winter Stefan , Gellert Manuela , Oster Antonia M. , Stühler Viktoria , Gläser Eva , Adler Frank , Hartwig Christoph , Scharpf Marcus , Bedke Jens , Burchardt Martin , Schwab Matthias , Lillig Christopher , Kroeger Nils
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Although p53 is rarely mutated in ccRCC, its overexpression has been linked to poor prognosis. The current study sought to elucidate the unique role of p53 in ccRCC with genomic, proteomic, and functional analyses.
Materials and Methods

Data from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were evaluated for genomic and proteomic characteristics of p53; a tissue micro array (TMA) study was carried out to evaluate the association of p53 and phosphorylated p53 (pp53) with clinical outcome. Mechanistic in vitro experiments were performed to confirm a pro-apoptotic loss of p53 in ccRCC and p53 isoforms as well as posttranslational modifications of p53 where assessed to provide possible reasons for a functional inhibition of p53 in ccRCC.
Results

A low somatic mutation rate of p53 could be confirmed. Although mRNA levels were correlated with poor prognosis and clinicopathological features, there was no monotonous association of mRNA levels with survival outcome. Higher p53 protein levels could be confirmed as poor prognostic features. In vitro, irradiation of ccRCC cell lines markedly induced levels of p53 and of activated (phosphorylated) p53. However, irradiated ccRCC cells demonstrated similar proliferation, migration, and p53 transcriptional activity like non-irradiated controls indicating a functional inhibition of p53. p53 isoforms and could not be correlated with clinical outcome of ccRCC patients.
Conclusions

p53 is rarely mutated but the wildtype p53 is functionally inhibited in ccRCC. To investigate mechanisms that underly functional inhibition of p53 may provide attractive therapeutic targets in ccRCC.
An assessment of the thermal impact on the valve torque on cryogenically sub-zero temperatures
Authors: Kumar Anil , Abhijit Mane
Published: May 2021

A common challenge faced by valve designers for cryogenics is the prediction, evaluation, and conclusion of the most optimum design of the valve hand-wheel due to the enhanced torque required for the valve to operate at sub-zero temperatures. The research efforts are directed towards technical assessment to establish a correlation between the thermal variations and torque values for the valve. The research envisioned an experimental study conducted on Liquid Nitrogen (LIN) Media on an isolation type globe valve of the size of Diameter nominal 15mm on variable pressure value from 1 MPa to 3 MPa with temperature inception from -150 ºC (123 K) to -200 ºC (73 K). The experiment is modeled using the design of experiments methodology subsequently compared with the engineering design analytical methodology to correlate the two methods .
3D Simulation and Optimization of Characteristics of Al0.1Ga0.9N/In0.2Ga0.8N High Electron Mobility Transistor with B0.03Ga0.97N Back-Barrier Layer
Authors: Bechlaghem Fatima Zahra , Hamdoune Abedelkader
Published: May 2021

The objective of this paper is to simulate the effect of a BGaN back-barrier on performances of a high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) based on AlGaN/InGaN, by using TCAD 3D Silvaco simulator. We simulate some DC and AC characteristics; we note that with only 60 nm BGaN back-barrier layer and 3% of boron in BGaN, HEMT shows improvement of 33.34% in the maximum drain current, 64.7 % in the transconductance, 19% in the threshold voltage, 50% the drain-induced barrier lowering, 34.67% in the subthreshold swing, 20% in the breakdown voltage, 10.18% in the cut-off frequency, 12% in the maximum oscillation frequency, and record high ION/IOFF of over 1012.9.
An open-label, randomized, single intravenous dosing study to investigate the effect of fixed dose combinations of tenofovir/lamivudine or atazanavir/ritonavir on the pharmacokinetics of remdesivir in Ugandan healthy volunteers (RemTLAR)
Authors: Walimbwa Stephen Ian , Kaboggoza Julian Paul , Waitt Catriona , Byakika-Kibwika Pauline , D'Avolio Antonio , Lamorde Mohammed
Published: May 2021

Background: Remdesivir is a novel broad-spectrum antiviral therapeutic with activity against several viruses that cause emerging infectious diseases. The purpose of this study is to explore how commonly utilized antiretroviral therapy (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate /lamivudine [TDF/3TC] and atazanavir/ritonavir [ATV/r]) influence plasma and intracellular concentrations of remdesivir. Methods: This is an open label, randomized, fixed sequence single intravenous dosing study to assess pharmacokinetic interactions between remdesivir and TDF/3TC (Study A, Crossover design) or TDF/3TC plus ATV/r (Study B). Healthy volunteers satisfying study entry criteria will be enrolled in the study and randomized to either Study A; N=16 (Sequence 1 or Sequence 2) or Study B; N=8. Participants will receive standard adult doses of antiretroviral therapy for seven days and a single 200mg remdesivir infusion administered over 60 minutes. Pharmacokinetic blood sampling will be performed relative to start of remdesivir infusion; predose (before start of remdesivir infusion) and 30 minutes after start of remdesivir infusion. Additional blood samples will be taken at 2, 4, 6, 12 and 24 hours after end of remdesivir infusion. Discussion: This study will characterize the pharmacokinetics of remdesivir from a typical African population in whom clinical use is anticipated. Furthermore, this study will deliver pharmacokinetic datasets for remdesivir drug concentrations and demographic characteristics which could support pharmacometric approaches for simulation of remdesivir treatment regimens in patients concurrently using tenofovir/lamivudine and/or atazanavir/ritonavir. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, ID:NCT04385719
Discovery of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Targets For Vascular Injury Induced By Methylglyoxal Using Proteomics
Authors: Xie Ming-Zhang , Liu Yan-Ting , Zhang Min , Zhao Meng-Meng , Sun Ke-Tao , Zhang Yu-Chao , Zhang Yu-Jing , Zhou Xiao-Chun , Wang Lei , Bo De-Ying , Wang Shi-Yan , Zhao Guo-An , Liu Yan-Xuan
Published: May 2021

Background: Methylglyoxal, a byproduct of diabetes or the consumption of a high-carbohydrate diet, is associated with vascular injury; however, its molecular mechanisms remain unclear. We aimed to systematically characterize molecular profiles and offer unique insights into new disease pathways, thereby contributing to understanding the mechanisms and pathogenesis of vascular injury-related cardiovascular diseases. Methods: Cell survival assays were performed to assess DNA damage; oxidative stress was confirmed by colorimetric assays and quantitative fluorescence, and cyclooxygenase-2 and the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways were assessed using ELISA. Differentially expressed proteins were quantitated via TMT-based LC-MS/MS and bioinformatics analysis, and confirmed by parallel reaction monitoring. Results: Vascular injury was assessed through colorimetric assays, quantitative fluorescence, ELISA, and survival assays. Of the 4029 proteins identified, 368 were differentially expressed after methylglyoxal treatment, compared with the negative control; 31 were defined as biomarkers or therapeutic targets according to the Gene Ontology Program, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, and protein-protein interaction network analyses. Sixteen proteins were significantly (p<0.05) upregulated (>1.5-fold change) and 15 were dramatically downregulated (<0.667-fold change) and confirmed through parallel reaction monitoring.Conclusions: The 31 proteins identified as biomarkers or therapeutic targets may contribute to vascular dysfunction through DNA damage, oxidative stress, inflammation, autophagy, hypertension, endothelial dysfunction, vascular remodeling, and the coagulation cascade. Additionally, new disease pathways involving the Wnt, ErBb, and BMP signaling pathways were identified; all provide scope as potential underlying molecular mechanisms. Therefore, the 31 proteins identified warrant further development as new therapeutic or diagnostic targets for vascular diseases.
Ecological Risk Assessment of Trace Elements Accumulated in Stormwater Ponds within Industrial Areas
Authors: Waara Sylvia , Johansson Frida
Published: May 2021

Stormwater ponds can provide flood protection and efficiently treat stormwater using sedimentation. As the ponds also host aquatic biota and attract wildlife there is a growing concern that the sediment bound pollutants negatively affect aquatic organisms and the surrounding ecosystem. In this study we used three methods to assess the accumulation and the potential ecological risk of 13 different heavy metals and metalloids (e.g. trace elements) including both elements that are frequently monitored and some which are rarely monitored in sediment from 5 stormwater ponds located within catchments with predominately industrial activities. Ecological risk for organisms in the older ponds was observed for both commonly- (e.g. Cd, Cu, Zn) and seldom- (e.g. Ag, Sb) monitored trace elements. The 3 methods ranked the degree of contamination similarly. We show that methods usually used for sediment quality assessment in aquatic ecosystems can also be used for screening the potential risk of other trace elements in stormwater ponds and may consequently be useful in stormwater monitoring and management. Our study also highlights the importance of establishing background conditions when conducting ecological risk assessment of sediment in stormwater ponds.
The Efficacy of Multimodal Prehabilitation in Elderly Patients Undergoing Elective Major Abdominal Surgery: A Systematic Review Protocol
Authors: Tan Yu Xiang , Samuel Miny , Pang Ning Qi
Published: May 2021

Introduction Multimodal prehabilitation has been touted as a potential strategy to better prepare our elderly and frail patients for major surgery. While randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews have been done to investigate the effect of prehabilitation on various surgical cohorts, most of these studies have focused on single modality prehabilitation and without an emphasis on the elderly. This systematic review aims to assess the effect of a multimodal prehabilitation program on elderly patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. MethodsThis protocol has been written according to the PRISMA-P statement and is registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO registration number 250281). MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, CINAHL and PsychINFO databases will be searched. Only randomized controlled trials with an average study population age ≥65 that has undergone major abdominal operation with at least two components (physical, nutritional, psychological) of prehabilitation will be included. Clinical outcomes that will be collected include post-operative morbidity and mortality, length of stay, 30-day readmission and peri-operative 6-minute walking distance. The risk of bias in included studies will be assessed. Data will be pooled where possible. DiscussionThis systematic review will evaluate and establish the effectiveness of multimodal prehabilitation for the elderly, who represents the group of patients most likely to benefit from prehabilitation. This review with its focus on the elderly will provide us with fresh insight into the utility of prehabilitation that will better inform policy makers in its implementation.PROSPERO Registration: On 20/04/2021, ID 250281
Outcomes of a Single-Segment Intrastromal Corneal Ring in Early Keratoconus Versus Early Pellucid Marginal Degeneration
Authors: Hashemian Seyed Javad , Abdolalizadeh Parya , Ghiasian Leila , Aghaei Hossein , Hadavandkhani Ali , Semnani Fatemeh Nadjafi , Jafari Mohammad Ebrahim , Hashemian Seyed Mahyar , Hashemian Mahsa Sadat
Published: May 2021

Purpose: To determine the effect of a single-segment intrastromal corneal ring segment (ICRS;Intacs-SK) on early keratoconus (KCN) or pellucid marginal degeneration (PMD).Methods: It is a prospective interventional study. One-hundred-twenty-four eyes (99 patients) with KCN and 36 eyes (26 patients) with PMD at early stage (the maximum keratometric reading less than 55 diopters) were included to ICRS implantation using femtosecond laser at a tertiary university-based hospital and a private outpatient center. The uncorrected distance and spectacle-corrected visual acuity (UDVA and SCDVA), manifest spherical and cylindrical refractions, and keratometry indices were measured preoperatively and postoperatively, 1 week, 2 and 6 months.Results: One week after surgery, significant improvements were observed in UDVA, SCDVA, cylinder and keratometry readings of both KCN and PMD groups (all P<0.05) with no significant changes afterwards. No significant change occurred in the sphere refraction of PMD group (P=0.10) in contrast to KCN group (P<0.001). Corneal irregularity of KCN group in central 3 and 5 mm zones increased at 1 week (both P<0.001) and then continued to decrease up to 6 months. However, the corneal irregularity of PMD group had significant reduction only at 1 week in 5-mm zone (P=0.02) and 2 months in 3-mm zone (P=0.01) postoperatively. The final efficacy indexes were 1.44±0.71 and 0.87±0.40 in KCN and PMD groups, respectively. Conclusion: Visual acuity and keratometry values reached stability at 1 week, after one-segment Intacs-SK implantation in KCN and PMD groups. The short-term efficacy of the procedure was more in early KCN compared to early PMD.
Numerical Simulation of the Coffee-ring Effect Inside Containers with Time-dependent Evaporation Rate
Authors: Kim Hyundong , Yang Junxiang , Kim Sangkwon , Lee Chaeyoung , Yoon Sungha , Kwak Soobin , Kim Junseok
Published: May 2021

In this work, using a mathematical model and numerical simulation, we investigate the effect of time-dependent evaporation rates on stripe formation inside containers, which is driven by the coffee-ring effect. The coffee particles inside a container move according to random walk and under the gravitational force. Because of the non-uniform evaporation rate, we can observe stripe formation inside a container filled with liquid carrying coffee particles. We perform various numerical experiments to demonstrate the proposed model can simulate the stripe formation in a container.
Expecting Mother Nature: Uncertain Hurricane Forecasts Disrupt Prenatal Care and Impair Birth Outcomes
Authors: Hochard Jacob , Li Yuanhao
Published: May 2021

Early forecasts give people in a storm's path time to prepare. Less is known about the cost to society when forecasts are incorrect. We examine over 700,000 births in the path of Hurricane Irene and find exposure led to a decrease in birth weights and increase in preterm and low birth weight outcomes. Additional warning time decreased preterm birth rates for women who experienced intense storm exposures documenting a benefit of avoiding a type II forecasting error. A larger share of this at-risk population experienced a type I forecasting error where severe physical storm impacts were anticipated but not experienced. Disaster anticipation disrupted healthcare services by delaying and canceling prenatal care leading to impaired birth outcomes. Recognizing storm damages depend on human responses to predicted storm paths is critical to supporting the next generation's developmental potential with judicious forecasts that ensure public warning systems mitigate rather than exacerbate climate damages.
Molecular signatures of tumor progression in pancreatic adenocarcinoma identified by energy metabolism characteristics
Authors: Wang Xin , Tan Cong , Weng Weiwei , Ni Shujuan , Zhang Meng , Jiang Hesheng , Wang Lei , Huang Dan , Sheng Weiqi , Xu Midie
Published: May 2021

Background: In this study, we aimed to describe a molecular evaluation of primary pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) based on comprehensive analysis of energy-metabolism-related gene (EMRG) expression profiles.Methods: Molecular subtypes were identified by non-negative matrix clustering algorithm clustering on 565 EMRGs. The overall survival (OS) predictive gene signature was developed, internally and externally validated based on three online PAAD datasets. Hub genes were identified in molecular subtypes by weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA) co-expression algorithm analysis, and then enrolled for determination of prognostic genes. Univariate, LASSO and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to assess prognostic genes and construct the prognostic gene signature. Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, Kaplan-Meier curve and nomogram were used to assess the performance of the gene signature.Results: On the basis of EMRGs expression profile, we propose a molecular classification dividing PAAD into two subtypes: Cluster 1, which display more immune and stromal cell components in tumor microenvironment and higher tumor purity; and Cluster 2, which display worse OS. Moreover, by using a three-phase training, test and validation process, we construct a 4-gene signature that can constantly classify the prognostic risk of patients in all three datasets, and which present higher robustness and clinical usability compared with four previous reported prognostic gene signatures. In addition, a novel nomogram constructed by combining clinical features and the 4-gene signature showed confident clinical utility in PAAD. According to gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), gene sets related to the high-risk group were participated in the neuroactive ligand receptor interaction pathway. Conclusions: In summary, the EMRG-based molecular subtypes and prognostic gene model provides a roadmap for patient stratification and trials of targeted therapies.
Comparing Methods for Handling Missing Cost and Outcome Data in Clinical Trial-based Cost-effectiveness Analysis
Authors: Diop Modou , Epstein David
Published: May 2021

OBJECTIVES: This study compares methods for handling missing data to conduct cost-effectiveness analysis in the context of a clinical study.METHODS: A long-term clinical trial with staggered recruitment was used as a case study (EVRA, NIHR-HTA project 11/129/197). Patients had between 1 year and 5.5 years (median 3 years) of follow-up under “early” or “deferred” treatment. The methods compared were Complete-Case-Analysis (CCA), multiple imputation using linear regression (MILR) and using predictive mean matching (MIPMM), Bayesian parametric approach using the R package missingHE (BPA) and repeated measures mixed model (RMM). The outcomes were total mean costs and total mean quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) at different time horizons (1 year, 3 years and 5 years). RESULTS: All methods found no statistically significant difference in cost at the 5% level in all years, and all methods found statistically significantly greater mean QALY at year 1. At year 3, BPA showed a statistically significant difference while other method did not at later time horizons. Standard errors differed substantially between the methods employed. CONCLUSION: MIPMM seemed to perform better than MILM, confirming findings from simulation studies. RMM and BPA might be feasible options, though they did not perform better than MIPMM in this dataset. Further simulation studies and applications should continue to compare these methods.
Large-scale CRISPRi and transcriptomics of Staphylococcus epidermidis identify genetic factors implicated in commensal-pathogen lifestyle versatility
Authors: Spoto Michelle , Fleming Elizabeth , Nzutchi Yvette Ondouah , Guan Changhui , Oh Julia
Published: May 2021

Staphylococcus (S.) epidermidis is a ubiquitous human commensal skin bacterium and prevalent nosocomial pathogen, but genetic factors underlying this lifestyle plasticity are incompletely understood. We developed a large-scale CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) screen complemented by transcriptional profiling (RNA-seq) across 24 conditions and piloted droplet-based CRISPRi. We identified putative essential genes, demonstrated the importance of trace metal uptake under stress, and identified condition-specific essential genes. Additionally, we demonstrate the considerable transcriptional plasticity of S. epidermidis, postulating a mechanism by which nitrogen metabolism is linked to lifestyle versatility in response to hyperosmotic challenges, and performed a comprehensive analysis of survival under acid stress, hypothesizing a role for cell wall modification as crucial. This study represents one of the first large-scale CRISPRi studies in prokaryotes and the first to integrate transcriptomics data across multiple conditions. Our results provide a valuable benchmarking analysis for CRISPRi screens and are rich resource for other staphylococcal researchers.