bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LncRNA MIAT Promotes Spinal Cord Injury Recovery in Rats by Regulating RBFOX2-Mediated Alternative Splicing of MCL-1
Authors: He Xin , Zhang Jianan , Guo Yunshan , Yang Xiaowei , Huang Yunfei , Hao Dingjun
Published: January 2022

Background: LncRNA myocardial infarction associated transcript (MIAT) alleviates acute spinal cord injury (ASCI)-induced neuronal cell apoptosis, but the specific mechanism of it involved in regulating SCI progression needs further exploration. Methods: A SCI rat model was established, followed by administration with Adenovirus-mediated MIAT overexpression vector (Ad-MIAT) alone or together with Ad-RBFOX2 (RNA binding fox-1 homolog 2), and rat locomotor capacity was evaluated. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE), Nissl and TUNEL straining were used to analyze spinal cord tissue morphology, neuron loss and apoptosis. Then, PC-12 cells were treated with H2O2 to induce cell injury, and cell viability and apoptosis were determined. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments were carried out to explore the effect of MIAT and RBFOX2 on cell functions. The binding between MIAT and RBFOX2 was confirmed using RNA immunoprecipitation and RNA pull down assays. MCL-1(myeloid cell leukemia sequence 1)-specific steric-blocking oligonucleotides (SBOs) were used to transfer the MCL-1 pre-mRNA splicing pattern from MCL-1L to MCL-1S. Confocal laser microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were used to analyze autophagy flux and lysosome formation.Results: MIAT overexpression promoted motor function recovery, improved morphology of injured tissues, and restrained neuron loss and cell apoptosis in SCI rats, as well as hindered H2O2-caused cell apoptosis in vitro. MIAT stabilized RBFOX2 protein expression by binding to RBFOX2, thereby promoting RBFOX2-induced increase of anti-apoptotic MCL-1L and decrease of pro-apoptotic MCL-1S. Silencing RBFOX2 blocked the inhibitory effect of MIAT on cell apoptosis. And RBFOX2 protected cells from H2O2-caused damage, which was reversed by SBOs. Moreover, overexpression of MCL-1L instead of MCL-1S promoted autophagy activation in cells. Interestingly, co-overexpression of MIAT and RBFOX2 had a better promoting effect on SCI recovery.Conclusion: MIAT mitigated SCI by promoting RBFOX2-mediated alternative splicing of MCL-1. Our findings might provide a promising therapeutic target for SCI.
Effect of Crop Rotation and Straw Application in Combination With Mineral Nitrogen Fertilization on Soil Carbon Sequestration in the Thyrow Long-term Experiment Thy_D5
Authors: Kroschewski Bärbel , Richter Christel , Baumecker Michael , Kautz Timo
Published: January 2022

PurposeThe aim of study was to quantify the temporal change of soil organic carbon content in relation to agricultural management for a dry sandy arable soil and to derive the C sequestration potential.MethodsWe analyzed data from a long-term field experiment with three crop rotations of different cereal proportions, with two levels of straw application (removal/return) in combination with four mineral nitrogen rates (40 … 160 kg ha-1 yr-1). Treatments are arranged in a two-factorial block design with two replicates for each rotation. During the 24-year study period, grain and straw yield of two cereal test crops and soil organic carbon content in topsoil were determined annually from each plot. ResultsSoil organic carbon content was positively influenced by removing non-cereal crops from the rotation and – to a smaller extent – by straw application. Increasing mineral N-fertilization from 40 kg ha-1 yr-1 to higher rates increased grain yield of rye but not barley, increased straw yield of both cereals more, with no effect of higher straw yields on soil organic carbon content.ConclusionDespite the overall soil organic carbon content of the sandy soil under study is comparatively low, the results indicate that agricultural management has a relevant impact on soil carbon stocks. Straw return contributes to carbon sequestration even in rotations with a low potential for reproduction of organic matter. High mineral N-fertilization is not an adequate measure to sequester carbon.
Network Analysis Can Detect Changes In Food Web Stability Produced By Bottom Trawl Fishery In Patagonia
Authors: Manuela Funes , Saravia Leonardo , Cordone Georgina , Iribarne Oscar , Galvan David
Published: January 2022

Demersal fisheries are one of the top anthropic stressors in marine environments. In the long term, some species are more vulnerable to fishery impacts than others, which can lead to permanent changes on the food web. The trophic relationships between predator and prey constitute the food web and it represents a network of the energy channels in an ecosystem. In turn, the network structure influences ecosystem diversity and stability.The first aim of this study was to describe for the first time the food web of the San Jorge Gulf (Patagonia Argentina) with high resolution, i.e. to the species level when information is available. The San Jorge Gulf was subject to intense fisheries thus our second aim is to analyse the food web structure with and without fishery to evaluate if the bottom-trawl industrial fishery altered the network structure and stability. We used several network metrics like: mean trophic level, omnivory, modularity and quasi-sign stability. We included these metrics because they are related to stability and can be evaluated using predator diets that can weight the links between predators and prey. The network presented 165 species organized in five trophic levels. The inclusion of a fishery node adds 71 new trophic links. All weighted and unweighted metrics showed differences between the two networks, reflecting a decrease in stability when fishery was included in the system. Thus, our results suggested a probable change of state of the system. The observed changes in species abundances since the fishery was established, could represent the state change predicted by network analysis. Our results show how changes in the stability of food webs can be used to evaluate the impacts of human activity on ecosystems.
MicroRNA Composition of Plasma Extracellular Vesicles: A Harbinger of Late Cardiotoxicity of Doxorubicin
Authors: Toton-Zuranska Justyna , Sulicka-Grodzicka Joanna , Seweryn Michal , Pitera Ewelina , Kapusta Przemyslaw , Konieczny Pawel , Drabik Leszek , Kolton-Wroz Maria , Chyrchel Bernadeta , Nowak Ewelina , Surdacki Andrzej , Grodzicki Tomasz , Wolkow Pawel
Published: January 2022

Background: The use of doxorubicin is associated with an increased risk of acute and long-term cardiomyopathy. Despite the constantly growing number of cancer survivors, little is known about the transcriptional mechanisms which progress in the time leading to a severe cardiac outcome. It is also unclear whether long-term transcriptomic alterations related to doxorubicin use are similar to transcriptomic patterns present in patients suffering from other cardiomyopathies. Methods: We have sequenced miRNA from total plasma and extracellular vesicles (EVs) from 66 acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) survivors and 61 healthy controls (254 samples in total). We analyzed processes regulated by differentially expressed circulating miRNAs and cross-validated results with the data of patients with clinically manifested cardiomyopathies. Results: We found that especially miRNAs contained within EVs may be particularly informative in terms of cardiomyopathy development and may regulate pathways related to neurotrophin, transforming growth factor beta or epidermal growth factor receptors (ErbB). We identified vesicular miR-144-3p and miR-423-3p as the most variable between groups and significantly correlated with echocardiographic parameters and for plasma: let-7g-5p, miR-16-2-3p. Vesicular miR-144-3p correlates with the highest number of echocardiographic parameters and is differentially expressed in the circulation of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. We also found that distribution of particular miRNAs between of plasma and EVs (proportion between compartments) e.g., miR-184 in ALL is altered suggesting alterations in secretory and miRNA sorting mechanisms.Conclusions: Our results show that transcriptomic alterations which lead to cardiomyopathy development many years after doxorubicin treatment are reflected in circulating miRNA levels. Among miRNAs related to cardiac function we found vesicular miR-144-3p and miR-423-3p and let-7g-5p, miR-16-2-3p contained in total plasma. Selection of source for such studies (plasma or EVs) is of critical importance as distribution of some miRNA between plasma and EVs is altered in ALL survivors in comparison to healthy people which suggests that doxorubicin-induced changes include miRNA sorting and export to extracellular space.
One Academic Year Under COVID-19 Conditions: A Multicenter Evaluation Study Among Medical Students in Bavaria, Germany Students' Needs, Difficulties, and Concerns About Digital Teaching and Learning
Authors: Holzmann-Littig Christopher , Zerban Nina L. , Clara Storm , Ulhaas Lilian , Pfeiffer Mona , Kotz Alexander , Wijnen-Meijer Marjo , Keil Stephanie , Huber Johanna
Published: January 2022

Background

Since March 2020, COVID-19 has created a need for adaptation in many areas of life. This study explores medical students' perspectives on digital teaching under conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. It focuses on expectations and concerns about digital teaching, the evaluation of specific aspects of teaching, and requests for future teaching.
Methods

Six German faculties have joined forces within the Bavarian network for medical education to develop and deploy a common core questionnaire. Cross-sectional surveys were conducted at the end of the summer semester 2020 and winter semester 2020/21. Medical students from different semesters participated in the online survey. Data was analyzed descriptively and/or inferentially. Item differences across semesters were examined using contingency tables and Chi² tests. Mean values were compared using the independent samples t-test; answer frequencies in retrospective and prospective concerns were compared using contingency tables and Chi2 tests with Yates’ correction.
Results

In the summer semester 2020, 1565 students and in winter semester 2020/21, 1727 students took part in the survey. Students' ratings on aspects of the organizational framework, for example knowledge of where to find information or the helpfulness of information, were in the upper-middle range. Of the students, 92.5% in the summer semester and 93.7% in winter semester had access to technical equipment to participate in synchronous online sessions. For some students, however, the internet connection was not stable enough to do so. Students particularly missed the personal contact with their fellow students, but also with teachers. On-site teaching was the preferred form of teaching, and there was a preference for asynchronous over synchronous digital teaching. Teaching recordings were particularly popular to complement future on-site teaching. Besides the lack of social exchange with fellow students, the students' biggest concern was the lack of possibility to perform practical trainings.
Conclusions

The following areas of education under COVID-19 conditions are highly important to medical students: adequacy of information sharing, integration of opportunities for exchange with fellow students and teachers, possibility to perform practical trainings. After the normalization of the pandemic situation, on-site teaching should be supplemented with blended learning concepts such as the inverted classroom model.
Trajectory Tracking Control of USV Based on Exponential Global Fast Terminal Sliding Mode Control
Authors: Zhu Tengbin , Xiao Yingjie , Zhang Hao , Pan Yufeng
Published: January 2022

This paper studies the trajectory tracking of an under-driven surface unmanned surface vessel (USV). The trajectory tracking controller is divided into two parts: the kinematics controller and the dynamic controller. Taking the hull coordinate system of the USV as the datum plane, the kinematics controller is designed based on the backstepping method, and the virtual control input of the speed and the heading deviation of the ship is obtained. A dynamic controller is designed through an exponential sliding surface to stabilize the error of speed and heading deviation, thereby stabilizing the position error. In the process of designing the controller, the stability of the entire closed-loop control system is analyzed though using Lyapunov’s stability theory. Finally, the designed numerical simulation experiment is carried out. The proposed exponential sliding mode controller is compared with the global integral sliding mode controller, and it is verified that the proposed controller has better effectiveness and robustness in the trajectory tracking of the under-actuated USV. Insert your abstract here. Include keywords, PACS and mathematical subject classification numbers as needed.
Research on Water Meter Reading Recognition Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Liang Yue , Wu Wenjuan , Li Shaobo , Liao Yiqi , Qiu Taorong
Published: January 2022

Most of the current water meters are manually carried with a palm-integrated machine to read the meters on the spot, which has low labor efficiency and high labor costs, which leads to problems such as low efficiency for the entire water department. In response to this problem, this article aims to in-depth study and analyze a suitable water meter image recognition model to improve labor efficiency, reduce labor costs, and thereby improve the overall efficiency of the water department. The main content of this paper is to select a model with high recognition accuracy for the numbers in the black rectangle. This paper first introduces the existing in-depth learning models, such as Faster RCNN, SSD, and YOLOv3. Then two datasets are sorted out, one is the original water table picture dataset, the other is the data set cut out of a black rectangle box. Then two plans are proposed, one is to train the whole picture directly and recognize the water meter digits through the in-depth learning network, the other is to train the black rectangle picture and recognize the water meter digits through the in-depth learning network. Finally, by comparing the three models from different angles, it is determined that YOLOv3 in plan B has the best recognition effect, and the accuracy rate reaches 90.61%, which can greatly improve the labor efficiency and save labor costs.
Elucidating the genetic architecture controlling antioxidant status in barley
Authors: Thabet Samar , Alomari Dalia , Börner Andreas , Brinch-Pedersen Henrik , Alqudah Ahmad
Published: January 2022

A core set of 138 diverse barley accessions were exposed to salt stress under field conditions at the reproductive phases, and then a genome-wide association scan (GWAS) was conducted using 19,276 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to uncover the genetic basis of morpho-physiological and agronomic traits. A wide range of responses among the accessions to the salt stress was explored in the current study. GWAS detected 299 significantly associated SNPs with the antioxidants, K+/Na+ ratio, and agronomic traits. Five genomic regions harbor interesting putative candidate genes within LD ±1.2 Mbp. Exclusively, 2H harbors many candidate genes associated with antioxidant contents such as SOD, APX, GR, AsA, and GSH under salt stress. Markedly, on chromosome 7H at 153773211 bp, A:C SNP is physically located inside the gene HORVU.MOREX.r3.7HG0676830.1 (153,772,300- 153,774,057 bp) that annotated as L-gulonolactone oxidase, regulating the natural variation of SOD_S and APX_S. The allelic variation at this SNP reveals a negative selection of accessions carrying C allele which are predominantly landraces originated from Far-, Near-East carrying photoperiod sensitive alleles having lower activity of enzymatic antioxidants. The SNP-trait associations detected in the current study constitute a benchmark for developing molecular selection tools for antioxidant compound selection in barley.
Indications for the Potential of Cry1Ab1 for Inhibiting Aphid Development and Virus Transmission
Authors: Jin Liang , Zhang Bin-Wu , Zhao Xiao-Di , Lin Yi
Published: January 2022

Cry1A-type toxins are insecticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis that are widely used to control Lepidoptera pests, and they are believed to be useless for the control of Hemiptera pests. In this paper, the purified Cry1Ab1 toxic core rarely killed peach aphids (Myzus persicae), as its Lethal Concentration 50 (LC50) was up to 1308.6 µg/ml, as measured using the membrane-encapsulation method. We then identified the proteins that bind to the Cry1Ab1 toxic core in M. persicae using pull-down assays and liquid chromatography−tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and then analyzed the associated functions of these proteins using the STRING database. GPN-loop GTPase 2, beta-actin, ATP synthase subunit alpha and an unknown and annotated protein, which are mainly involved in cell phagocytosis, RNA polymerase, cellular oxidative phosphorylation and other related functions, were the proteins that bound to the Cry1Ab1 toxic core. Indications from docking showed that Cry1Ab1 toxic core, ATP synthase subunit alpha and beta-actin or Cry1Ab1 toxic core, ATP synthase subunit alpha and GPN-loop GTPase 2 being a complex to exert effects; Finally, models for underlying the molecular mechanism of Cry1Ab1 in M. persicae and disturbing virus transmission were proposed. The study will suggest new insights for aphid-effective Cry evaluation and improvement.
Productivity Analysis of Medical Record Department of Hospitals: A Case Study of Iran
Authors: Mokhtari Akram , Nabilou Bahram , Aghlmand Siamak , yusefzadeh hasan
Published: January 2022

Background: The importance of paying attention to improving productivity in different departments of health system become increasingly evident due to increased costs of health care goods and services, limited resources and production facilities. The aim of this study was to measure the productivity of medical records departments of hospitals affiliated with Urmia University of Medical Sciences (UUMS) in order to provide a comprehensive analysis of their performance.Method: In this study, total productivity and total factor productivity changes of medical record department in hospitals affiliated with UUMS were calculated by Kendrick-Creamer and Malmquist indexes in 2016-2020 and has examined the trend of each One of them.Results: The results of Malmquist index showed that average total productivity changes of medical record departments of hospitals during the study period was equal to 1,096 which is greater than one, therefore it can be concluded that productivity has decreased by about 9.6% during the study period; Technological efficiency changes has had the greatest impact on reducing productivity compared to other factors. Conclusion: The main cause for decreased productivity due to technological changes in the studied departments is the lack of sufficient knowledge of the medical record department staff of hospitals in the use of technology and equipment in providing services correctly and holding training courses for the correct use of technology by personnel can be useful in this regard.
Formal description of HOrBAC model
Authors: Quimatio Martin Benoît Azanguezet , FIDELE TSOGNONG , Nkenlifack Marcellin Julius
Published: January 2022

Companies' information systems are regularly exposed to internal attacks perpetrated by users who have been granted access to the system. Discretionary, mandatory, role-based and organization-based access control models do not guarantee optimal protection against these attacks because these models trust in users. Therefore, they are unable to protect the system against attacks carried out by authenticated users, especially the super user who can carry out any type of internal attack on information system's data. The objective of this paper is to propose a model that excludes any trust in users. To do so, our model extends the OrBAC (Organization Based Access Control) model by integrating two concepts: the organizational hierarchy and the redundant authentication. The model thus implemented offers a hierarchical and redundant access control to data and processing in an information system based on zero trust in users.
Power Management in Solar PV - Microhydro Hybrid System Using Power Angle Control Strategy with Syncronverter
Authors: Neupane Deependra , Gurung Samundra
Published: January 2022

The most crucial control challenge in the hybrid-system is the frequency stability, especially when they are in the face of load-generation imbalance and numerous uncertainties. In this paper, the Syncronverter (SV) based on a micro hydropower System (MHPS) is proposed to handle the intermittent power output of Solar Photo-voltaic (SPV). The standalone microgrid is modeled in the MATLAB/Simulink environment. The power control form SV is performed using Power Angle Control(PAC) method. Several case studies are performed, and the simulation results show the dynamics of appropriate sharing of power for both the linear and nonlinear loads by the hybrid system. Both the frequency and Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) of load voltage kept within the standard limits. The application of SV shows a quick and smooth synchronization with micro-hydro. The change in irradiance level has been appropriately managed by power-sharing with micro-hydro to save the system from frequency imbalance during low light conditions. The power has been shared by providing an appropriate load angle between sources based on the irradiance level available at the time. Moreover, the dynamic response of voltage, power, and frequency of the system due to the induction motor load has also been studied.
Canine Hepatic Calodiosis with Cirrhosis
Authors: Senthilnayagam Hemalatha , pukkarandi Sumathi , Senthilnayagam Hemalatha , K Nagarajan , Mahalingam Vidhya , Chirukandoth Sreekumar , Venkata Sudhakara Rao Ganne
Published: January 2022

Parasitic zoonoses from dogs are less frequent although dogs are reservoirs for many zoonotic parasites. The nematode parasite Calodium hepaticum (Capillaria hepatica) has a global distribution and is commonly reported in rodents (definitive host), dogs, cats and wild animals. Humans especially children are more susceptible to the parasitic infection. This paper documents an incidental finding of hepatic calodiosis with cirrhosis in a stray dog and discusses the zoonotic implications. A nondescript dog was brought for necropsy examination to the Department of Veterinary Pathology, Madras Veterinary College, Tamil Nadu, India. Liver appeared dark brown mottled with multifocal random variably sized, grey white flat firm areas. Histopathologically, liver tissue revealed multiple random encysted large collection of eggs surrounded by mild inflammation with a few lymphocytes, macrophages and fine fibrosis. The eggs had characteristic barrel shape, bipolar ends, bilayered wall, cross striations between the walls, and yolk. Periodic acid Schiff stain demonstrated the glycolic wall of ova. Marked portal to portal fibrosis was demonstrated for collagen by Masson’s trichrome and for reticulin by Warthin-Starry stains. The stage of parasitic infection was diagnosed as intermediate to chronic due to fibrosis. A need to study the prevalence of the disease in human and animals and attempts for early diagnosis is emphasized. A caution in general about the zoonotic threat to children/pet parents/ veterinarians/animal handlers caused by C. hepaticum infection which is poorly diagnosed and sporadically reported in India and worldwide.
Non-invasive sampling of water-borne hormones demonstrates individual consistency of the cortisol response to stress in laboratory zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Authors: Midttun H. L.E. , Overli O. , Tudorache C. , Mayer Ian , Johansen I. B.
Published: January 2022

Glucocorticoid (GC) stress hormones are well-known for their impact on phenotypic traits ranging from immune function to behaviour and cognition. For that reason, consistent aspects of an individual’s physiological stress response (i.e. GC responsiveness) can predict major elements of life-history trajectory. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) emerge as a promising model to study such consistent trait correlations, including the development of individual stress coping styles, i.e. consistent associations between physiological and behavioral traits. However, consistency in GC responsiveness of this popular animal model remains to be confirmed. Such a study has so far been hampered by the small-bodied nature and insufficient blood volume of this species to provide repeated measurements of circulating GCs. Here, we developed a technique that allows for repeated, non-invasive sampling of individual zebrafish by quantifying GCs from holding water. Our findings indicate consistency of the magnitude of post-stress GC production over several consecutive stress events in zebrafish and that water-borne GCs accurately reflect individually consistent variation in GC responsiveness in this species.
Suitability of Rose Bengal sodium salt staining for visualisation of face mask contamination by living organisms
Authors: Kisielinski Kai , Wojtasik Barbara
Published: January 2022

Unworn masks and masks provided to us after having been worn conformable to law (mandatory wearing of masks) served as test objects. In order to identify the distribution of living microorganisms on the surface of a mask dependent on exposure time and distance from the human face we conducted a staining study using the bengal rose method. The regular deposition of living microorganisms on artificial mask surfaces was more intense in the areas close to the mouth and nose. A time dependent accumulation was larger on the inside in comparison to the outside of the mask, even if the mask was not worn but only left in the room. The most interesting finding was the ability of microorganisms to penetrate all layers of the mask. We therefore conclude that masks are a suitable substrate for the cultivation of germs, even when not worn. Colonisation increases with human use and with time.
Prognostic Factors And Survival Of Patients With Uterine Sarcoma A German Unicenter Analysis
Authors: Huss Alexandra , Klar Maximilian , Hasanov Mir Fuad , Juhasz-Böss Ingolf , Bossart Michaela
Published: January 2022

Purpose: Uterine sarcoma (US) as a histologically heterogeneous group of tumors is rare and associated with poor prognosis. Prognostic factors based on systematic data collection need to be identified to optimize patients’ treatment.Methods: This unicenter, retrospective cohort study includes 57 patients treated at the University Hospital Freiburg, Germany between 1999 and 2017. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated and visualized in Kaplan-Meier curves. Prognostic factors were identified using log-rank test and Cox-regression.Results: 44 Leiomyosarcoma (LMS), seven low grade-endometrial stromal sarcoma (LG-ESS), four high grade-ESS and two undifferentiated US patients were identified. The median age at time of diagnosis was 51.0 years (range 18‑83). The median follow-up time was 35 months. PFS for the total cohort was 14.0 (95%-Confidence-Interval (CI) 9.7-18.3) and OS 36.0 months (95%-CI 22.1‑49.9). Tumor pathology was prognostically significant for OS with LG-ESS being the most favorable (mean OS 150.3 months). In the multivariate analysis, patients over 52 years showed a four times higher risk for tumor recurrence (hazard ratio (HR) 4.4; 95%-CI 1.5-12.9). Progesterone receptor negativity was associated with a two times higher risk for death (HR 2.8; 95 %-CI 1.0-7.5). For LMS patients age ≥ 52 years (p=0.04), clear surgical margins (p=0.01), FIGO stage (p=0.01) and no application of chemotherapy (p=0.02) were statistically significant factors for OS.Conclusion: Tumor histology, age at time of diagnosis and progesterone receptor status were prognostic factors for US. Unfavorable OS in LMS patients was associated with advanced FIGO stage, suboptimal cytoreduction and application of chemotherapy.
Prevalence of Migraine in Medical Students of Dubai Medical College, UAE
Authors: Sandozi Tasneem , Iqbal Hana , Salman Maryam Haitham
Published: January 2022

Aim: To assess the prevalence of migraine in students at Dubai Medical College, UAE. Material Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was undertaken for three months between December 2020 and February 2021, in Dubai Medical College for Girls, UAE. Results: The students from the first to the final year of MBBS participated in the study. (n=147) Thirty seven percent of the students from this sample size are giving a history of migraine. Family history of migraine is noted in forty five percent of students from this sub-group. The duration of migraine history is between one to five years in nearly sixty two percent of them with a duration of one to five hours and occurring at a frequency of one episode per week in the maximum number of students with a history of migraine. Fifty eight percent of the students experienced an aura preceding the migraine attack, while forty-two percent of the students had no preceding aura. Lack of sleep, examination and physical stress and psychological factors (anxiety, depression, anger) constituted the main triggering factors for the migraine attacks. Conversely, adequate sleep, rest medication (analgesics) and coffee were the salient relieving factors. The students were suffering from mild to moderately severe migraine predominantly, while not many of them had severe migraine. Associated illness in the form of anxiety, allergic rhinitis and polycystic ovarian disease was noted in some of the students with migraine. Medical advice for the migraine was obtained by a very small number of the students. Conclusion: Headache of migraine can have a detrimental effect on a student’s life both personally and professionally. Measures avoiding triggering factors, prophylactic drug treatment and launching of migraine awareness programs at high school levels would all be greatly beneficial in alleviating the student’s headache and halting its progress to a chronic illness; thereby influencing a student’s quality of life remarkably
New Glulam-Framed Shear Wall Concept with Enhanced Behaviour Characteristics for Tall Timber Buildings in Seismic Areas.
Authors: Carrero Tulio , Montaño Jairo , Perez Luis , Doudak Ghasan , María Hernán Santa , Guindos Pablo
Published: January 2022

This investigation covers the lateral performance of a new concept of hybrid timber shear wall, and includes individual connection testing, full-scale shear wall testing and numerical modeling. The main objective of this study is to develop enhanced timber structural solutions that facilitates the design and construction of mid-rise timber buildings in areas with high seismic demand. The new shear wall concept involves structural configurations similar to those found in conventional light-framed timber shear wall, but using glulam members as framing elements, connected to OSB sheathing panels using conventional nails. More specifically, the OSB sheathing is embedded within grooved glulam members in order to enhance the lateral capacity and stiffness of the wall. Connections and full-scale monotonic and cyclic shear wall testing were performed, and the results indicated that it is possible to obtain a high performing timber shear wall with the proposed concept. In particular, the obtained values are promising with strength and stiffness levels that are 3 times that of a conventional CLT shear wall. Furthermore, the proposed prototype comprises 0,89 m3 of wood volume, which represents less than one-fourth of the amount of wood in a CLT shear wall of equivalent lateral capacity. In addition, the ductility obtained for the proposed concept can be classified as high ductility class (HDC) according to the Eurocode 8. It is expected that the ductility may be further improved by limiting potential brittle failure observed in of one of the framing members at high displacement levels. Finally, it was found that available modelling tools with hysteretic models, such as the MSTEW, is capable of predicting the lateral strength and stiffness of the proposed concept, since modeling errors below 10% were obtained.
Almost-quasifibrations and Fundamental Groups of Orbit Configuration Spaces
Authors: Sayed Roushon
Published: January 2022

We introduce the notion of an almost-quasifibration and give many examples. As a consequence, supporting the Asphericity conjecture of [11], we deduce that the fundamental group of the orbit configuration space of an effective and properly discontinuous action of a discrete group, on an aspherical 2-manifold with isolated fixed points is torsion free. Furthermore, if the 2-manifold has at least one puncture then it is poly-free, and hence has an iterated semi-direct product of free groups structure, which generalizes a result of Xicot´encatl ([[16], Theorem 6.3]).
Effects of Organic Carbon Sources on Growth and Oil Accumulation by Desmodesmus Subspicatus LC172266 Under Mixotrophic Condition
Authors: Eze Chijioke Nwoye , Ogbonna Innocent Okonkwo , Aoyagi Hideki , Ogbonna James Chukwuma
Published: January 2022

Energy crisis and environmental sustainability have attracted global attention to microalgal biofuels. The present study investigated the impact of organic carbon sources on growth and bio-oil accumulation by an oleaginous microalga Desmodesmus subspicatusLC172266 under mixotrophic culture condition. Glucose and glycerol supported higher growth rates and lipid productivities than sucrose, fructose, mannitol and acetate. Each of the organic carbon source tested supported significantly (P < 0.05) higher growth rates and lipid productivities than the photoautotrophic culture (without organic carbon source). The lipid productivity obtained with a mixture of optima concentrations of glucose and glycerol (5.0 gL−1 glycerol + 10.0 gL−1 glucose) (0.14875 ± 0.002 g/L/day) was about 25% and 66% higher than the values obtained with only 10.0 gL−1 glucose and 5.0 gL−1 glycerol respectively. When a batch culture with 5 gL−1 glycerol was fed with 0.5 gL−1 glucose daily the cell growth and lipid productivity were lower than the values obtained in a batch culture with a mixture of glucose and glycerol. The lipid productivity obtained in a 4-L photobioreactor was 94% (0.217 gL−1day−1), higher than the value obtained in a flask culture with 10.0 g/L glucose (0.112 gL−1day−1) and 46% higher than the value obtained in a flask culture with 5.0 gL−1 glycerol (0.086 gL−1day−1) .
SOTIP: a Unified Framework for Microenvironment Modelling with Spatial Omics Data
Authors: Yuan Zhiyuan , Li Yisi , Shi Minglei , Yang Fan , Gao Juntao , Yao Jianhua , Zhang Michael
Published: January 2022

The rapidly developing spatial omics techniques generate datasets with diverse scales and modalities. However, most existing methods focus on modeling dynamics of single cells while ignore microenvironments (MEs) which bridge single cells to tissues. Here we present SOTIP (Spatial Omics mulTIPle-task analysis), a scalable framework incorporating MEs and their interrelationships into a unified graph. Based on this graph, three tasks can be performed, including spatial heterogeneity (SHN) quantification, spatial domain (SDM) identification and differential microenvironment (DME) analysis. We validate SOTIP’s accuracy, robustness, interpretation, and scalability on various datasets by comparing with state-of-art methods. In mammalian cerebral cortex, we reveal a striking gradient SHN pattern with strong correlations with the cortical depth. In human triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), we identify previously unreported molecular polarizations around SOTIP-detected tumor-immune boundaries. Most importantly, we discover TNBC subtype-specific MEs, which exhibit interesting compositional and spatial properties, and could be powerful clinical indicators. Overall, by modeling biologically explainable microenvironments, SOTIP outperforms state-of-art methods and provides new perspectives for data interpretation, which facilitates further understanding of spatial information on a variety of biological issues.
Intensity and phase imaging through scattering media via deep despeckle complex neural networks
Authors: Liu shuai , Li Peng , Sha Hao , Dong Jiuyang , Huang Yue , Zhao Yanjing , Yao Xuri , Zou Wenzhen , Chen Yu , Wang Mingzhe , Peng Qin , Li Xiu , Lin Xing , Zhang Yongbing
Published: January 2022

The existence of a scattering medium causes the degeneration of intensity and phase information, especially in biological imaging. The present techniques to address this challenge only focus on the reconstruction of intensity information, yet few attempts have tried to recover the phase information. We propose a method to simultaneously predict both intensity and phase information from a speckle image employing a deep despeckle complex neural network (DespeckleNet). Our method enables the high contrast single-shot imaging of biological samples through scattering media without labeling. Various experiments demonstrate the superior reconstruction and generalization performance of our method under multiple types of biological samples with different scattering media. We also provide the real-time observation of living cellular activities without any contaminations or damages to the cells. Our method offers simple yet effective imaging through scattering media and paves the way for real-time unlabeled biological imaging.
An economically viable of Fe3O4@MnO2 core shell magnetic catalyst on bio-diesel production from castor oil
Authors: Sivanandi Periyasamy , Arumugamurthy Sakthi Saravanan , S Manojkumar. M. , s Mohan
Published: January 2022

The exhaustion of natural resources has occasioned the profit margin of oil products to increase dramatically, prompting the use of sustainable fuels like as biofuel. In the proposed investigation, bio-fuel was developed from castor oil utilizing Fe3O4@MnO2 NCs as a heterogeneous catalyst for the transesterification process. X-Ray Diffraction evaluation acknowledged the nanocatalyst's single phase. Scanning Electron Microscopy revealed the spherical morphology of the consolidated nanocatalyst. The magnetic characteristics were examined using a vibrating sample magnetometer. Atomic Force Microscopy demonstrated that the catalyst exhibited has a greater surface area and unevenness. The yield was achieved was 95 percent (w/w) in 50 minutes at 600 C with 15 wt percent catalyst loading and a 12:1 methanol/oil ratio, as acknowledged by a gas chromatograph with mass spectrometer. The findings indicate that Fe3O4@MnO2 NCs are an encouraging catalyst for bio-fuels production via heterogeneous catalysed transesterification under relatively mild response circumstances.
A New Index of Tumor Molecular Heterogeneity for Describing Tumor Occurrence and Development at the Molecular Level
Authors: Pengfei Zhao , Hong Luo , Liu Hui
Published: January 2022

Background: To describe an index of tumor occurrence and development at the molecular level based on a series of tumor markers (AFP, CEA, CA19-9, CA72-4, NSE, FER, and CRP)Methods: The tumor markers were analyzed in patients with poorly differentiated cancer, well-differentiated cancer, benign lesions, and no benign lesions (control group). Cancer molecular index (CMI) was calculated by multiplying the highest elevation in the tumor marker levels with the number of positive markers.Results: An increase in the number of abnormal biomarkers was observed with a decrease in the degree of differentiation. A significant relationship was found between CMI and degree of differentiation (R = 0.647, P < 0.001). Based on these findings, benign lesions, well-differentiated tumors, and poorly differentiated tumors may represent a continuous process at the molecular level. In a patient who is positive for certain biomarkers and does not have abnormal imaging findings, a CMI of <1.35 can be considered to indicate benign lesions and a CMI of >1.35 can be considered to indicate early-stage tumors or “tumors” that occur at the molecular level.Conclusion: The CMI system could have potential benefits for describing tumor occurrence and development at the molecular level.
Volume change rate before and after neoadjuvant systemic therapy of breast cancer is a good quantitative efficacy evaluation index to predict pathological complete response
Authors: Xu Yinggang , Zhang Weiwei , Wang Siqi , Zhu Qiannan , Xu Lu , Xu Haiping , Chen Rui , Shi Xiaoqing , Huang Xiaofeng , Wang Ye , He Jinzhi , Shi Wenjie , Wan Xinyu , Wang Jue , Zha Xiaoming
Published: January 2022

Background: Neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST) is increasingly and widely applied in breast cancer treatment, but individuals respond differently to the same NST regimen. It is unclear which patients should adjust their NST regimen and what such an adjustment should be, especially for patients with radiologically partial response (PR). This study aimed to identify a quantitative efficacy evaluation index to evaluate the therapeutic effect of NST. Methods: Patients with locally advanced and inoperable breast cancer received four cycles of epirubicin and cyclophosphamide (EC), followed by four cycles of taxanes with trastuzumab [T(H)], if needed. Retrospectively, 164 patients were enrolled in this study. Results: Of patients with a volume change rate of EC treatment (δV1) below 0.80, more than half benefited from subsequent T(H) treatment. Importantly, for δV1 of 0.80 and higher, fewer patients benefited from subsequent T(H) treatment, with those not benefiting having a lower pathological complete response (pCR) rate. Across all patients, nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel had a numerically higher pCR rate over other taxanes in patients with triple-negative breast cancer. Conclusions: This study showed that the volume change rate is better than the diameter change rate in monitoring the therapeutic effect of NST. Furthermore, δV1 is a good quantitative efficacy evaluation index to distinguish patients resistant to EC treatment and predict the pCR rate. It can also guide the adjustment of individualized NST regimens.
Sero-Prevalence and Molecular Analysis of Brucellosis in Livestock Keepers and Domestic Ruminants in Baringo County, Kenya
Authors: Lokamar Peter N. , Kutwah Moses A. , Munde Elly O. , Oloo Dickens , Atieli Harrysone , Gumo Sussy , Akoko James M. , Ouma Collins
Published: January 2022

Background. Brucellosis is widely distributed in more than 170 countries around the world, where it poses a huge threat to animal husbandry and human health. Brucellosis is a worldwide re-emerging zoonotic disease that poses serious public health problems in many developing countries including Kenya. However, prevalence of brucellosis has not been determined in Baringo County, Kenya, yet there is a continuous movement of cattle resulting from trade and grazing, thus predisposing many herds to brucellosis infection.Methods. We investigated the sero-prevalence of brucellosis in humans and domestic ruminants: sheep, goats, cattle and camels among livestock keeping communities in Baringo County, Kenya. In addition, we analyzed the seropositive samples for molecular detection of Brucella species. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey using quantitative data collection methods. The diagnosis was carried out using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA) and the real-time PCR assays.Results. The sero-prevalence of brucellosis among human blood samples was 0.6% (n=4/640) in Baringo County. About 22.30% (n=143/640) of animal blood samples examined tested positive for Brucella genus-specific ELISA test. Cattle had a high prevalence of 22.88% (n=93/322) followed by camels 20.00% (n=21/105), goats 15.48% (n=24/155) and subsequently sheep at 8.62% (n=5/58). Overall, 7.5% (n=6/80) of the seropositive samples amplified with the genus-specific primers. Brucella melitensis was detected in one out of the six genus positive samples, while none amplified with the B. abortus target.Conclusion. Even though there was high prevalence of brucellosis among livestock in Baringo County, the highest prevalence was invariably noted in cattle, followed by camels, goats and sheep, respectively. Livestock keepers had low prevalence of brucellosis. This implies that there was low risk of transmission of brucellosis between livestock keepers and their livestock.
Saliva-based SARS-CoV-2 serology using at-home collection kits returned via mail
Authors: Campbell Christopher , Roblin Douglas , Padmanabhan Nikhil , Romero Daniel , Joe Jessica , Fathi Lily , Whiting Thomas , Williamson Jared , Goodwin Paul , Mckie Charmaine , Deneal Adrienne , Greenberg Leslie , Sigal George
Published: January 2022

Serology provides tools for epidemiologic studies, and may have a role in vaccine prioritization and selection. Automated serologic testing of saliva, especially specimens that are self-collected at home and sent to a laboratory via the mail without refrigeration, could be a highly-scalable strategy for population-wide testing. In this prospective study, patients were recruited after PCR testing to self-collect saliva and return their specimens via mail. Longitudinal specimens were analyzed in order to monitor seroconversion in the weeks after a diagnostic PCR test for SARS-CoV-2. Diverse users self-collected saliva and returned specimens via mail in compliance with shipping regulations. At our pre-established threshold (0.963 AU/mL), salivary IgG reactivity to full-length spike protein achieved 95.8% sensitivity and 92.4% specificity at 2-4 weeks after diagnostic testing, which is comparable to the typical sensitivity and specificity achieved for serum testing. Reactivity to N antigen also was detected with 92.6% sensitivity and 90.7% specificity at 4-8 weeks after diagnostic testing. Moreover, serologic testing for endemic coronaviruses performed in multiplex with SARS-CoV-2 antigens has the potential to identify samples that may require retesting due to effects of pre-analytical factors. The easy-to-use saliva collection kit, coupled with thresholds for positivity and methods of flagging samples for retest, provides a framework for large-scale serosurveillance of SARS-CoV-2.
The influence of culture and corporate governance on corporate performance of Jordanian financial companies
Authors: Aleqedat Houda Qasim , Rahman Abdul Aziz Abdul , Mansur Hasan , Meero Abdelrhman , AlSaaideh Faisal
Published: January 2022

The current study aims to examine the influence of Culture and corporate governance on the corporate performance of Jordanian financial companies. The results of the current study will contribute to the literature in light of the lack of local studies in this regard. The sample of the study consists of 105 financial companies listed on ASE. For this purpose, the study used agency theory and Hofstede theory. To measure the culture the study used the six of Hofstede's cultural dimensions LPD; MAS; COLL; HUAI; LTO; REST. To measure the corporate governance the study used the board size; Independence of BOD; Non-CEO duality; Board committees, largest OWS LO; Foreign OWS (FO); and government OWS (GO). The current study indicated empirical evidence that there is no relationship between culture and CP with the presence of corporate governance in the Jordanian context. However, there is the additional explanatory power of cultural dimensions in explaining the variances in corporate performance with the presence of CG. Given the importance of culture and its relationship with corporate governance and performance, and in light of the lack of local studies, future studies must be conducted in this regard.