bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cytotoxic Effects of Common Irrigation Solutions on Chondrosarcoma and Giant Cell Tumors of Bone
Authors: Moore Chris , Fernandes Russell J. , Manrique Jorge , Polissar Nayak L. , Miljacic Ljubomir , Hippe Daniel S. , Vaux Jonathon , Thompson Matthew J.
Published: November 2022

Background:

Irrigation is commonly used as an adjuvant treatment during the intralesional curettage of bone tumors. The goal of the present study was to analyze the in vitro cytotoxicity of commonly used irrigation solutions on chondrosarcoma and giant cell tumor (GCT) cells as there is no consensus on which solution leads to the greatest amount of cell death.

Methods:

An in vitro evaluation was performed by exposing human GCT and human chondrosarcoma cell lines to 0.9% saline solution, sterile water, 70% ethanol, 3% hydrogen peroxide, 0.05% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG), and 0.3% povidone iodine solutions independently for 2 and 5 minutes. A low-cytotoxicity control (LCC) and a high-cytotoxicity control (HCC) were established to determine the mean cytotoxicity of each solution and each solution’s superiority to LCC and non-inferiority to HCC.

Results:

The present study demonstrated that 0.05% CHG was non-inferior to the HCC when chondrosarcoma was exposed for 5 minutes and when GCT was exposed for 2 and 5 minutes (mean cytotoxicity, 99% to 102%) (p < 0.003 for all). Sterile water was superior to the LCC when chondrosarcoma was exposed for 5 minutes and when GCT was exposed for 2 minutes (mean, 28% to 37%) (p < 0.05). Sterile water (mean, 18% to 38%) (p < 0.012) and 3% hydrogen peroxide (mean, 7% to 16%) (p < 0.001) were both inferior to the HCC. The 3 other solutions were non-superior to the LCC (mean, −24% to −5%) (p < 0.023).

Conclusions:

In vitro irrigation in 0.05% CHG provided high cytotoxicity, comparable with the HCC. Therefore, the use of a 0.05% CHG solution clinically could serve as a potential chemical adjuvant during intralesional curettage of chondrosarcoma and GCT.

Clinical Relevance:

In an effort to reduce the burden of residual tumor cells, irrigation solutions are often utilized as adjuvant local therapy. Use of a 0.05% CHG solution clinically could serve as a potential chemical adjuvant to intralesional curettage of chondrosarcoma and GCT. Further in vivo studies may be indicated to assess clinical outcomes and safety associated with the use of 0.05% CHG in the treatment of chondrosarcoma and GCT.
Calcareous nannofossils of the uppermost Bedoulian and lower Gargasian of La Tuilière - St-Saturnin-lès-Apt (area of the Aptian stratotype, Vaucluse, SE France)
Authors:   Société Axonaise de Paléontologie, 02110 Bohain-en-Vermandois (France), Lambert Bernard C.
Published: November 2022

An 148 m composite section located in the Gargas area stratotype in southeastern France has been studied for its calcareous nannofossil content. The four sections span the upper Bedoulian to lower Gargasian with the stadial boundary located within the basal section south of the village of Clavaillan. A total of 75 samples was processed to inventory taxonomy and stratigraphic distributions. Eprolithus floralis is present at the base of the stratigraphic succession. The lowest occurrence of this species, which marks the base of Subzone NC7A, has been documented in the uppermost lower Aptian (Bedoulian) in other sections in southeastern France. The highest occurrence of the genus Micrantholithus has been utilized to delineate the base of Subzone NC7B. This subzonal boundary was placed at 48 m in the Les Gays I section (113.5 m in the composite) below the lowest occurrence of the foraminifer Globigerinelloides ferreolensis in the suprajacent sample (50 m). The lowest occurrence of Braarudosphaera africana is identified as a regional biohorizon in lower Subzone NC7A and a local proxy for the Bedoulian/Gargasian boundary. This event was placed at 15.5 m in the Clavaillan section at the base of the Dufrenoyia furcata Zone and within the "Niveau Blanc inférieur" marker bed (NB1). The genus Nannoconus is abundant to very abundant in all samples examined. Taxonomic rigor has resulted in the recognition of five main morphologic groups (A-E), including all but one of the 15 species discriminated over this relatively short stratigraphic interval. Four main Nannoconus assemblage biozones - with one subdivision - have been distinguished through semi-quantitative analyses and organized relative to these taxonomic groupings. Assemblage Biozone B is restricted to the Bedoulian and has been correlated to the lower portion of Subzone NC7A (i.e., NC7A1). Assemblage biozones GI and GII (A-B) have been correlated to the upper portion of Subzone NC7A (i.e., NC7A2) and Biozone GIII to Subzone NC7B within the Gargasian. Assipetra is another solution-resistant genus included in semi-quantitative analyses, where both its species were separated into small and large forms based on a size of 10 μm. The highest percentages of large morphotypes are within the Bedoulian in the lower 10.5 m of the Clavaillan section, roughly coeval to an acme of large Assipetra observed in the basal portion of the Serre Chaitieu section in the nearby Vocontian Basin.
Graphene Based Nano Patch Antenna using Photonic Band Gap Insertion into Substrate for Applications at THz Band
Authors: de Sousa Fiterlinge Martins , de Sousa Fabio Barros , Miranda Igor Ramon Sinimbú , de Oliveira Jorge Everaldo , Paschoal Waldomiro , Costa Marcos Benedito Caldas
Published: November 2022

In this work, we present a numerical investigation of the properties of Graphene based Nano Patch Antenna (GNPA) with triangular periodic arrangements of Photonic Band Gap (PBG) insertion into substrate. In the proposed design, we studied the effect on the radiation characteristics, such as return loss, bandwidth, gain, directivity, voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR), and the radiation pattern using the Finite Integration Method (FIM). We analyzed three configurations of cylindrical air holes with different PBG insertion heights into silicon dioxide (SiO2) substrate, namely h1, h2 and h3, and also reference antennas. The best results obtained are S11=-31.5, 2.038 dB gain and 0.4 THz bandwidth for antenna h3. The investigated GNPA-PBG resonates around 1.5THz, enabling the application at THz band.
A multi-omics analysis and clinical relevance of regualted cell death in bladder cancer
Authors: Li Jingxian
Published: November 2022

The dysfunction of regulated cell death (RCD) could cause human diseases such as cancer, neurodegeneration, autoimmune diseases, and infectious diseases. Recent studies have indicated that RCD has closely functional interaction. Our study aimed to explore the cross-talk, genetic alteration, functions, mechanism, and cluster relevance of the several major types of RCD, including apoptosis, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, necroptosis, autophagy-dependent cell death, in bladder cancer (BLCA). Through analyzing the public database, we found that the genes representing these five RCD types showed complex cross-talk in mRNA, protein levels, somatic mutation, and DNA copy number in BLCA. The mRNA expression of regulated cell death genes (RCDGs) was affected by DNA copy number, somatic mutation, DNA methylation, and RNA modification. Several RCDGs were essential for cell viability, and the expression of RCDGs was correlated with radiotherapeutic sensitivity and IC50 of chemotherapy drugs. Based on the expression of RCDGs, the BLCA patients were divided into two clusters. We found multiple immune-related pathways significantly enriched in cluster1/cluster2. In addition, the patients' prognosis, immune therapy response, and drug sensitivity in these two clusters were significantly different. Through the comparison between the RCD clusters and consensus cluster, we found that RCD cluster1 mainly correlated with the basal squamous cluster, and the RCD cluster2 mainly correlated with the luminal cluster. Through the weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), we identified the high correlation RCDGs with cluster1/cluster2. We found that most cluster1-RCDGs were correlated with poor prognosis for patients, and most prognosis-protection genes correlated with cluster2. Besides, the expression of these prognosis-related RCDGs showed different distribution patterns in basal/luminal subtypes. In summary, our study conducted a comprehensive analysis of RCDGs in BLCA, which provided the foundation for subsequent experiments and therapeutic options.
Microglial expression of CD83 governs cellular activation and restrains autoimmune neuroinflammation
Authors: Langguth Pia , Peckert-Maier Katrin , Kuhnt Christine , Draßner Christina , Haimon Zhana , Linnerbauer Mathias , Royzman Dmytro , Steinkasserer Alexander , Wild Andreas
Published: November 2022

Microglial activation during neuroinflammation is crucial for coordinating the immune response against neuronal tissue and the initial response of microglia determines the severity of neuroinflammatory diseases. CD83 has been associated with early activation of microglia in various disease settings albeit its functional relevance for microglial biology was still elusive. Thus, we conducted a thorough assessment of CD83 regulation in microglia as well as its impact on microglial mediated neuroinflammation. Here, we describe for the first time that CD83 expression in microglia is not only associated with cellular activation but also with pro-resolving functions. Conditional deletion of CD83 causes malfunctioning responses to myelin debris, which results in an over-activated state during autoimmune neuroinflammation. Subsequently, CD83-deficient microglia recruit more pathogenic immune cells to the central nervous system and deteriorate resolving mechanism, which exacerbates the disease. Thus, CD83 in microglia orchestrates cellular activation and consequently, also resolution of neuroinflammation.
Rapid detection of Enterobacter cloacae with a visualized isothermal recombinase polymerase amplification assay
Authors: Fan Shihui , Lu Yingzhi , Wang Lei , Zhu Wenjun , Wang Kun , Wang Yan , Zhao Weiguo , cheng Chen , Zhou Ping
Published: November 2022

Background: Enterobacter cloacae exhibits strong adhesion and invasion properties which can contribute its ability to infect the host; it has been considered as an important opportunistic pathogen throughout the world. Simple, rapid, and accurate detection methods are needed to control the spread of E. cloacae. Current methods suffer from various shortcomings and do not meet the demand for on-site detection.
Results: In this study, an isothermal detection method using recombinase polymerase amplification combined with lateral flow strip (RPA-LFS) was established to target the outer membrane protein X (ompX) gene of E. cloacae. This reaction can be performed in 30 min at 37°C. The limit of detection of 101 CFU/reaction was equivalent to that of the qPCR method. The detection accuracy of clinical samples was also equal to that of the qPCR method.
Conclusions: The RPA-LFS assay developed in this study was simple, rapid, and accurate, and did not require a laboratory facility. It may be useful for on-site detection of E. cloacae.
SMC1A facilitates gastric cancer cells proliferation, migration and invasion via promoting SNAIL activated EMT
Authors: Liu Yaling , Fang Xianrui , Wang Qianqian , Xiao Da , Zhou Ting , Kang Kuo , Peng Zhenyu , Ren Feng , Zhou Jingyu
Published: November 2022

Background: structural maintenance of chromosomes protein 1A (SMC1A) is a crucial subunit of the cohesion protein complex and plays a vital role in cell cycle regulation, genomic stability maintenance, chromosome dynamics. Recent studies demonstrated that SMC1A participate in tumorigenesis. This reseach aims to explore the role and the underlying mechanisms of SMC1A in gastric cancer (GC).
Materials and methods: RT-qPCR and western blot were used to examine the expression levels of SMC1A in GC tissues and cell lines. The role of SMC1A on GC cell proliferation, migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)were analyzed. Furthermore,the mechanism of SMC1A action was investigated.
Results: SMC1A was highly expressed in GC tissues and cell lines. The high expression of SMC1A indicated the poor overall survival of GC patients from Kaplan-Meier Plotter. Enhancing the expression of SMC1A in AGS remarkably promoted cell proliferation, migration and invasion. While knockdown of SMC1A in HCG27 inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion of HGC27 cells. Moreover, it’s observed that SMC1A promoted EMT and malignant cell behaviors via regulating SNAIL
Conclusion: our study revealed SMC1A facilitates gastric cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion via promoting SNAI2 activated EMT, which indicated SMC1A may be a potential target for gastric cancer therapy.
Symptoms and risk factors of depression and PTSD in the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal survey conducted from 2020 to 2022 in Japan
Authors: FUKASE Yuko , ICHIKURA Kanako , TAGAYA Hirokuni
Published: November 2022

Background
The present study aimed to explore changes in depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among the general population during the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and to investigate risk factors and adaptive/nonadaptive strategies.
Methods
A web-based longitudinal survey was conducted across five timepoints from 2020 to 2022 in Japan. The survey consisted of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IESR), and Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced.
Results
A total of 1,366 participants (mean age = 52.76, SD = 15.57) were analyzed. Regarding levels of depression, PHQ-9 scores in 2022 were lower than in 2020 and 2021. Regarding levels of PTSD, IESR scores in 2022 were lower than in 2021 among females; however, IESR scores did not decrease during the pandemic. Risk factors included being younger, not working, and experiencing economic impacts regardless of income. Adaptive strategies included active coping, use of emotional support, and use of instrumental support, whereas nonadaptive strategies included self-distraction, denial, substance use, behavioral disengagement, venting, religion, and self-blame.
Conclusions
Levels of depression might have decreased in January 2022, and PTSD might not have reflected the condition of the general population during the pandemic, at least in Japan. Adaptive strategies might be difficult to find for the prolonged nature of the pandemic. Therefore, professional support must be provided to people who have risk factors and those who employ nonadaptive strategies.
Middle aged and older adult's perspectives of their own home environment: A qualitative meta-synthesis
Authors: Dalistan Roslyn , George Stacey , Lane Rachel , Block Heather , Laver Kate
Published: November 2022

Background
Most people prefer to remain in their homes and communities as long as possible. Staying at home is widely beneficial as ageing within the home promotes independence and costs less than residential aged care. Understanding meanings and drivers of remaining at home is an area of importance.
Objective
The objective of this systematic review was to describe middle and older aged adult’s perspective of their home environment and concept of home to determine the factors that are important when making decisions about future housing.
Methods
This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for reviews of qualitative evidence. Meta-aggregation was used as the method of synthesis. Included qualitative studies involved middle and older aged adults and their views about ageing and housing. Published studies were identified in four electronic databases and grey literature. Critical appraisal and extraction were conducted using JBI tools, then aggregated into synthesized findings.
Results
A total of 46 papers with 5413 perspectives on the concept of home were included. Factors impacting on future housing decisions among individuals were revealed. Seventeen synthesized findings emerged - independence, finances, stigma, attitudes towards ageing, attachments with home, aesthetics, and family connection.
Conclusion
Financial positions contributed to housing decisions, suggesting the need to increase new ‘in-between’ housing options. Older people’s values should be incorporated to assist planning future housing needs, rather than on the physical characteristics. Funding changes are required for older people to access appropriate support for home modifications
Exploring the impact of renewable energy investment and energy resource endowment on carbon emission efficiency: A spatial econometric analysis based on 60 BRI countries
Authors: Wu Guolian , Yuan Xiue , Wang Zixuan , Wu Lianhua
Published: November 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
The Research Interest, Capacity and Culture of NHS Staff in South East Scotland and Changes in Attitude to Research Following the Pandemic: a Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Chinn David J , Pribanova Magdalene , Quirk Frances
Published: November 2022

Background
The UK National Health Service (NHS) is ideally placed to undertake research. The UK Government recently launched its vision of research within the NHS to improve research culture and activity amongst its staff. Currently, little is known about the research interest, capacity and culture of staff in one Health Board in South East Scotland and how their attitudes to research may have changed as a result of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
Methods
We used the validated Research Capacity and Culture tool in an online survey of staff working in one Health Board in South East Scotland to explore attitudes to research at the organisation, team and individual level together with involvement in, barriers to and motivators to engage in research. Questions included changes in attitude to research as a result of the pandemic. Staff were identified by professional group: nurses/midwives, medical/dental, allied health professionals (AHP), other therapeutic and administrative roles. Median scores and interquartile ranges were reported and differences between groups assessed using the Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests with P < 0.05 accepted as statistical significance. Free-text entries were analysed using content analysis.
Results
Replies were received from 503/9145 potential respondents (5.5% response), of these 278 (3.0% response) completed all sections of the questionnaire. Differences between groups were noted in the proportions of those with research as part of their role (P = 0.012) and in being research-active (P < 0.001). Respondents reported high scores for promoting evidence-based practice and for finding and critically reviewing literature. Low scores were returned for preparing reports and securing grants. Overall, medical and other therapeutic staff reported higher levels of practical skills compared with other groups. Principal barriers to research were pressure of clinical work and lack of time, backfill and funds. 171/503 (34%) had changed their attitude to research as a result of the pandemic with 92% of 205 respondents more likely to volunteer for a study themselves.
Conclusions
We found a positive change in attitude to research arising from the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Research engagement may increase after addressing the barriers cited. The present results provide a baseline against which future initiatives introduced to increase research capability and capacity may be assessed.
An Economical and Sustainable Non-sterilization Cultivation Method of Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus spp.) and its Key Influencing Factor
Authors: Zhang Yulong , Li Zhijun , Lin Dongmei , Chen Jingsi , Shen Linsong , Wen Fengmei , Xie Mingjun , Lin Hui , Lin Xingsheng , Luo Hailing , Yan Fan , Okal Eyalira Jacob , Lin Yingxing , Lin Zhanxi
Published: November 2022

Natural processes inspire human innovation. For example, leafcutter ants inhabiting rainforests of South America cut plant debris, transport them to underground nests, dissociate them into small pieces, and use them to cultivate a specific fungus, which serve as the main food source for the whole colony. Inspired by this, Giant Juncao grass (Cenchrus fungigraminus, name used before: Pennisetum giganteum z.x.lin) was used as the raw material. It is a C4 tall grass with rapid growth, high yield, wide-spread adaptability, nitrogen fixation, low-quality soil requirements, biosafety, and can be cultivated on a large scale in many low value and idle lands such as saline and alkali soils, desert and barren mountains. On this basis, we screened out a non-sterilization-based cultivation method of oyster mushroom with fresh Giant Juncao grass. Using our novel method, the bottleneck technologies in the popularization and application of various oyster mushroom cultivation methods in underdeveloped areas were improved. Took Wei W.'s report as reference that the highest annual output of Giant Juncao grass was 450 tons per hectare in southern China. And according to the conversion rate of the oyster mushroom in this research which was 95% in average (Ratio of total weight of fresh mushroom to dry weight of culture material), and the water content which was 91.5%, about 119.7 tons of fresh oyster mushroom could be produced in 2-3 months. Took the nutrient contents of Pleurotus sapidus cultivated by sterilization cultivation method with fresh Giant Juncao grass reported by Zhixiang X. as reference, it could provide 2.37 tons of high-quality protein. In addition, this study found that, the key to the success of this method was the reduction of the soluble substances in culture materials, which significantly reduced the contamination by Mucor circinelloides and provided an enabling environment for the growth of oyster mushroom. These findings provided an index for quality control and a theoretical basis for further study. If this technology is applied appropriately, it will be able to greatly alleviate malnutrition and food shortages in an economical, organic, and sustainable manner in underdeveloped areas.
Energy-Aware Data Replication in Green Cloud Computing using Improved Bat Algorithm and Paralleling Technique
Authors: Zade Behnam Mohammad Hasani , Mansouri Najme , Javidi Mohammad Masoud
Published: November 2022

In green cloud computing, resources are allocated in a reasonable way so that cloud computing systems are energy efficient and consume little power. In this paper, Parallel-based data replication with an Improved Fuzzy-Bat technique called PIF-Bat is proposed. At first, we introduce an Improved Fuzzy-Bat (IF-Bat) strategy that tunes some parameters of the standard Bat algorithm and controls the tradeoff between exploration and exploitation. By balancing the trade-offs among the five optimization objectives (i.e., availability, service time, load, latency, centrality, energy consumption), the PIF-Bat algorithm determines the optimal locations for replicas using a multi-objective optimization strategy based on the Improved Fuzzy-Bat technique. A successful attack against each site will reveal no useful information even if only a single part of the file is exposed. A fuzzy inference system is used in the PIF-Bat algorithm to determine whether to parallelize files based on data such as file size, free space, and average bandwidth at each node. In order to reduce retrieval time, a parallel download technique, which allows users to download portions of a file simultaneously from different sites, is applied. The experimental results and statistical tests with a set of well-known test functions demonstrate the superior exploitation and exploration ability of IF-Bat. Furthermore, PIF-Bat obtains lower access latency around 15%∼20% and better performance than other similar replication algorithms under high load conditions.
Performance of Deep Learning Methods for Different Relay Selection Protocols
Authors: Akdemir Bilgehan , KARABULUT Muhammet Ali , Ilhan Haci
Published: November 2022

Deep Learning (DL) is an emerging topic that has found its place in various applications due to its many advantages, such as providing good performance and reducing complexity. In this paper, we employed different DL methods for channel estimation in cooperative communication by using Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE) to combine different copies of transmitted signal over a Binary Phase-Shift Keying (BPSK) modulation in a Rayleigh fading communication channel. We have presented three different relay selection protocols. The first one is SNR-based; the SNRs of the transmission lines between nodes are calculated, and a relay with maximum SNR is selected among the relays. The second relay selection protocol is threshold-based; average SNRs have been computed for all transmission lines, and the links exceeding the average SNR attend in the collaboration. The last protocol is that all relays in the network participate in cooperation, which achieves better performance metrics in terms of Bit Error Rate (BER) and outage analysis. From our simulation results, DL algorithms achieved good performance for channel estimation in the different relay selection protocols based on the Decode and Forward (DF) relaying system.
Engagement of Back Remodeling of Adult Neurons in Memory Formation on Rats
Authors: Mekhtiev Arif , Asadova Shamsiya , Guseinov Shovgi
Published: November 2022

The article concerns the problem of mechanisms of memory formation. The study was conducted on polyclonal antibodies to serotonin-modulating anticonsolidation protein (SMAP) that is in linear relationship with serotonin. Intra-cerebral administration of polyclonal anti-SMAP antibodies significantly enhanced elaboration and strengthened memory formation in two complex behavioral conditioned models. At the same time, intra-cerebral administration of these antibodies brought to upregulation of nerve growth factor (NGF) in the hippocampus (p<0.001). Intra-cerebral administration of antibodies to dihydropyrimidinase-related protein 2 (active component of SMAP, two other component proteins – tubulin and actin – are structural proteins lacking any regulatory activity) brought to downregulation of beta III tubulin (marker of differentiated neurons) in the hippocampus (p<0.001) and in the left parietal cortex (p<0.01). The obtained results indicate to the process of back remodeling of mature nerve cells of adult organisms occurring under the effects of anti-SMAP and anti-DRP2 antibodies. Conclusion is made that back remodeling (dedifferentiation) of mature nerve cells, apparently, is engaged in memory formation.
The LSTM-Based Automated Phishing Detection Driven Model for Detecting Multiple Attacks on Tor Hidden Services.
Authors: C RAJESWARY , M Thirumaran
Published: November 2022

Phishing is a major problem on darknets. Phishing is the practice of attacking an unaware person by pretending to be someone else to steal their personal digital data. In anonymous platforms such as the dark web or deep web of Tor, detecting the attacker or phishing attacks is a much more complicated practice. Generic phishing attacks can be easy to spot. Today’s challenge is detecting the various attacks in the anonymous network is very hard. The intelligent factor of attacks can bypass traditional detection solutions. To solve the problem of complications in the Tor Network, the dynamic and time-variant with new promising techniques such as Long-Short-term -Memory (LSTM), accurately detects the new forms of vulnerable attacks in phishing-based Tor hidden services.
A Smart Agriculturing IoT System for Banana Plants Disease Detection through Inbuilt Compressed Sensing Devices
Authors: Nandhini Aasha , R Hemalatha , S Radha , G Shreya , R Selvarajan
Published: November 2022

The Internet of Things (IoT) solutions for agriculture are rapidly growing and have the potential to transform agriculture in many aspects. In particular, the plant disease detection devices play a vital role in improving the agriculture. The visual monitoring of plants for the onset of diseases is a tedious and time-consuming task for farmers and at the same time it is less accurate. Hence an automated system with environmental data and camera sensors can serve as an alternative and effective solution for manual monitoring of plants. In this paper, a novel and efficient compressed sensing inbuilt plant disease detection device is developed which uses a foreground-based segmentation method and two step feature extraction technique to detect and classify two of the major banana diseases. A database is created for banana bunchy top and sigatokaleaf spot diseases by collecting images in real time from the fields of southern parts of Tamilnadu namely Thadiyankudisai and Thandikudi of Dindigul district, KC Patti, Muthalapuram, Suruli Patti and Kambam of Theni district and ICAR NRCB, Tiruchirapalli. The suggested device's effectiveness has been assessed in terms of the proportion of infected areas, detection accuracy, percentage of feature reduction, and classification accuracy. The prototype of the proposed device is developed and validated using the Raspberry pi board. The findings demonstrate that the suggested device achieves classification accuracy of 97.33% and detection accuracy of 96.75%.
Cyclic AMP signaling promotes regeneration of cochlear synapses after excitotoxic or noise trauma
Authors: Hemachandran Sriram , Hu Ning , Green Steven H.
Published: November 2022

Cochlear afferent synapses connecting inner hair cells (IHCs) to spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) are susceptible to excitotoxic trauma on exposure to loud sound, resulting in a noise-induced cochlear synaptopathy. We mimicked this trauma in an in vitro model by applying a glutamate receptor agonist, kainic acid (KA) to organotypic cochlear. Regeneration of the lost synapses is very limited but, we show here, can be promoted by cAMP signaling in the in vitro model and in noise-exposed mice. Indeed, using the in vitro model, we show that the application of the cell membrane-permeable cAMP agonist 8-cpt-cAMP or the cAMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor rolipram promotes significant regeneration of synapses within twelve hours after their destruction by KA. This is independent of neurotrophin-3, which also promotes synapse regeneration. Two independent signaling effectors are activated by cAMP: the cAMP Exchange Protein Activated by cAMP and the cAMP-dependent protein kinase. We show here that it is the latter that mediates synapse regeneration. Finally, we show that systemic delivery of rolipram from a subcutaneously implanted minipump in adult mice promotes synapse regeneration in vivo following NICS. Thus, systemic administration of rolipram or similar compounds may provide a minimally invasive therapeutic approach to reversing synaptopathy post-noise.
Compatibilization of immiscible PA6/PLA Nanocomposites using graphene oxide and PTW compatibilizer for high thermal and mechanical applications
Authors: Azizli Mohammad Javad , Ghadami Azam , Vafa Ehsan , Rezaeeparto Katayoon , Parham Somayeh , Mokhtary Masoud , Jahankhah Zahra , Hashemi Mohammad , Bazargan-Lari Reza , Amani Ali Mohammad
Published: November 2022

The aim of this work is synthesis a novel nanocomposite containing Polylactide (PLA) and polyamide 6 (PA6) reinforced with graphene oxide (GO) and poly ethylene-butyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate) (PTW) compatibilizer during solvent-based method. For this purpose, GO was added to the nanocomposite with 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 1 phr. Morphology, rheology and mechanical properties of nanocomposites were studied with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and (DMTA) which showed rougher fracture surface due to the presence of compatibilizer and an increase in the amount of graphene oxide and better dispersion of graphene oxide. The results of experimental and theoretical studies of mechanical properties showed that increasing the concentration of graphene oxide in the presence of PTW improved the tensile strength, impact strength and tensile modulus in the PA6/PTW/PLA system. The study of rheological properties (according to the Carreau-Yasuda model) showed an increase in storage modulus and complex viscosity, which also confirmed the role of PTW compatibilizer in better GO dispersion. So, PA6/PTW/PLA is a good candidate for mechanical and high thermal applications.
Visual Field Mean Deviation Slopes: A Potential Primary Endpoint for Clinical Trials in Glaucoma Neuroprotection
Authors: De Moraes Carlos Gustavo , Lane Keith J. , Wang Xiao , Liebmann Jeffrey M.
Published: November 2022

The purpose of this retrospective, longitudinal study is to evaluate the relationship between MD slope from visual field tests collected over a short period of time (2 years) and the current United States’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended endpoints for visual field outcomes. If this correlation is strong and highly predictive, clinical trials employing MD slopes as primary endpoints could be employed in neuroprotection clinical trials with shorter duration and help expedite the development of novel IOP-independent therapies. Visual field tests of patients with or suspected glaucoma were selected from an academic institution and evaluated based on two functional progression endpoints: 1) five or more locations worsening by at least 7 dB, and 2) at least 5 test locations based upon the GCP algorithm. A total of 467 (76.6%) and 472 (77.4%) eyes reached Endpoints A and B, respectively, at any point in time. 359 (58.8%) eyes progressed faster than 0 dB/year, 278 (45.5%) faster than -0.5 dB/year, and 200 (32.7%) faster than -1.0 dB/year. It was found that eyes experiencing rapid 24-2 visual field MD slopes over a 2-year period were more likely to reach one of the FDA accepted endpoints during or soon after that period.
Gauge-flux-induced anti-parity-time symmetries for extreme manipulations of channel-drop tunneling
Authors: Wang Bing , Qin Chengzhi , Fan Shanhui , Lu Peixiang
Published: November 2022

Parity-time (PT) and anti-parity-time (APT) symmetries have provided important guiding principles in the researches of non-Hermitian physics. Particularly, the realization of APT symmetries in photonic systems usually relies on optical nonlinearities or indirect-coupling methods. Here, we reveal a linear, direct-coupling mechanism of introducing gauge-flux biasing into open-cavity systems to attain APT symmetries. We show that a π-flux biasing in a looped-resonator array can force a degeneracy between a pair of Bloch modes in the array. By further coupling the array to external bus waveguides, the system near the degeneracy point can be described by an APT-symmetric Hamiltonian. As gauge-flux varies, the system undergoes a spontaneous transition between APT and APT-broken phases, with which we can switch between two extreme cases of complete channel-drop tunneling and complete tunneling suppression. Moreover, by adding a PT-symmetric term onto the APT-symmetric Hamiltonian through applying an imaginary gauge-flux biasing, we also achieve extreme channel-drop amplifying effects by reaching the “lasing point” under the critical-coupling condition. Our work bridges the physical connection between synthetic gauge field and non-Hermitian APT symmetries, which may also find many applications from optical routing, switching to buffering and amplifying on a chip-scale platform.
Evaluation of the efficacy of varying xylanase to cellulase ratio on ruminal fermentation of untreated and alkali treated oat straw
Authors: Jabri Jihene , Abid Khalil , Yaich Hela , Malek Atef , Rekhis Jamel , Kamoun Mohamed
Published: November 2022

Two in vitro ruminal fermentation assays were conducted to study the effect of exogenous fibrolytic enzyme (EFE) supplementation on untreated and alkali treated oat straw. During the first experiment, five CellulasePLUS-XylanasePLUS (DyadicPLUS International Inc.) complexes (EFE): DEF1 (100% CellulasePLUS), DEF2 (100% XylanasePLUS), DEF3 (50% CellulasePLUS + 50% XylanasePLUS), DEF4 (75% CellulasePLUS + 25% XylanasePLUS), DEF5 (25% CellulasePLUS + 75% XylanasePLUS) at varying xylanase to cellulase ratio (between 0.49 and 2.2) were assessed at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30 µl/gDM. DEF1 and DEF2 were subject to higher doses 60 and 100 µl/g DM. 200 mg of grounded oat straw was anaerobically incubated with buffer solution, fresh ruminal fluid, and EFE. The gas production (GP) was measured during 96h of incubation. EFE supplementation improved the rate and extent of GP and exerted quadratic responses (p-value < 0.001) for most parameters. The highest results were recorded for DEF3 (xylanase to cellulase = 1.5) with its optimal dose D5 = 5µl/gDM. As compared to the control, DEF3 increased the GP, GP rate, OMD, VFA and ME by 63.7%, 144.7%, 77.2%, 135.5%, and 54.8%, respectively. The responses to EFE were dependent on dose rate and varying xylanase to cellulase ratio. DEF3 was reevaluated in second experiment on untreated, NaOH (OSS) and Urea (OSU) treated oat straw. DEF3 was less effective regarding GP, fermentation parameters, and estimated OMD, ME, and VFA of OSS and OSU. Therefore, selecting the best xylanase to cellulase ratio and its optimal dose depends on chemical composition of the targeted substrate because of enzyme-substrate specificity.
Dual-band metamaterial-based energy harvesting application for WLAN communication frequency bands
Authors: Ercan Murat , Tetik Gamze , Altintas Olcay , Tetik Erkan , Karaaslan Muharrem
Published: November 2022

The increasing need for energy has made energy harvesting applications a hot topic in the last few decades. Metamaterials that give effective results in harvesting have been presented and analyzed in various designs since the day they were discovered. In this study, a dual band metamaterial-based system that can harvest energy in the WLAN communication frequency band is proposed. The metamaterial with a novel double circle rings geometry is designed and investigated for energy harvesting both numerically and experimentally. A lumped element and no lumped element resonator are studied with copper covered dielectric substrate for perfect absorbance. S parameters give two peaks at 2.48 GHz and 5.00 GHz. The absorptions of the proposed metamaterial structure are 77.84% and 84.02% at these frequencies, respectively. After the experimental fabrication of the proposed structure, absorption is measured as 92.38% and 95.90% at 2.48 and 5.00 GHz, respectively. Finally, harvesting calculations are carried out. The absorption efficiencies of the proposed structure are found as 64% at 2.44 GHz and 68% at 5.00 GHz. A total harvest percentage of 30.32% is calculated as harvesting efficiency parameter at these frequencies. This study reveals that the proposed structure can be considered as potential EM energy harvesters at 2–6 GHz frequency range.
Spatial variation of physical and mechanical properties of tailings under different rainfall intensities and the interaction pattern
Authors: Nie Wen , Li Chenxi , Hu Jingwen , Saffari Pooya , Wang Wensong , Luo Minghau
Published: November 2022

With the continuous mining, a huge amount of mine waste has accumulated in tailing dams in China. The increasing frequency of abnormal rainfall in China poses a significant threat to the stability of tailings dams. It is important to study spatial variation of physical and mechanical properties of tailings for the process of dam destabilization due to rainfall. The Luomukeng tailings dam, Jiangxi province, China, was selected as the research object and the changes of physical parameters of tailings at different spatial locations under different rainfall intensities and influence on the tailing’s mechanical properties were studied. The correlations between the parameters were analyzed by Spearman correlation analysis. The results showed that rainfall led to particle migration, with a high number of fine particles repositioning. The greater the intensity of rainfall, the more significant the migration of particles, the more obvious the changes of physical and mechanical properties of tailings. Based on Spearman correlation analysis results, it was obtained that the change of inhomogeneity coefficient of tailings has the strongest effect on cohesion, and the change of water content has the strongest effect on friction angle.
Booster immunization with Ad26.COV2.S or Omicron adapted vaccine enhanced immune responses and efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron in non-human primates
Authors: Solforosi Laura , Costes Lea , Tolboom Jeroen , McMahan Katherine , Anioke Tochi , Hope David , Murdza Tetyana , Sciacca Michaela , Bouffard Emily , Barrett Julia , Wu Cindy , Hachmann Nicole , Miller Jessica , Yu Jingyou , He Xuan , Jacob-Dolan Catherine , Huber Sietske Rosendahl , Dekking Liesbeth , Chamanza Ronnie , Choi Ying , Boer Karin Feddes-de , Barouch Dan , Schuitemaker Hanneke , Zahn Roland , Wegmann Frank
Published: November 2022

Omicron spike (S) encoding vaccines as boosters, are a possible strategy to improve COVID-19 vaccine efficacy against Omicron. Here, non-human primates immunized twenty months earlier with Ad26.COV2.S, were boosted with Ad26.COV2.S, Ad26.COV2.S.529 (encoding Omicron BA.1 S) or a combination of both vaccines. All vaccines elicited a rapid increase in WA1/2020 and Omicron S antibody titers; Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 antibody responses were most effectively boosted by vaccines including Ad26.COV2.S.529. Independent of vaccine used, mostly WA1/2020-reactive or WA1/2020 and Omicron BA.1 cross-reactive B cells were detected. Boosting with vaccines including Ad26.COV2.S.529 provided slightly higher protection of the lower respiratory tract against Omicron BA.1 challenge compared with Ad26.COV2.S. Antibodies and cellular immune responses were identified as complementary correlates of protection. Overall, a booster with an Omicron-spike based vaccine provided moderately improved immune responses and protection compared with the original Wuhan-spike based vaccine, which still provided robust immune responses and protection against Omicron infection.
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment outcomes in Kazakhstan: 10-year experience
Authors: Adusheva Aisha , Kemaykin Vadim , Kuttymuratov Asset , Dosayeva Saltanat , Burlaka Zhanna , Vildanova Ruzal , Zhakhina Gulnur , Sipenova Aigerim , Saparbay Jamilya , Kulkayeva Gulnara
Published: November 2022

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the second most common acute leukemia in adults. The global burden of ALL was evaluated and in 2017, there were 64 thousand incident cases, and more than 52 thousand died. There is lack of information on epidemiology and burden of ALL in Kazakhstan, the largest Central Asian country. In total, 210 patients with ALL were treated National Research Oncology Center, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. All consecutive patients were treated between 2010 and 2020. Diagnosis and subclassification of ALL were performed according to the immunophenotype classification of the European group for the Immunological characterization of leukemia (EGIL). We found correlation between age and gender, chemotherapy regimen and type of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with overall survival. Death rate was significantly higher in female patients.. Males had higher mortality compared to women, p = 0.014. Five-year overall survival (OS) for females was significantly lower than for males, 23.6% and 36.6%, respectively. There was significantly longer five-year overall survival in group of patients who received HSCT than those with chemotherapy alone, 46.1 month versus 29.7 month respectively. Presented data is the first available data analysis of ALL incidence and treatment outcomes in Central Asia.
Pre-operative coil-embolisation of a large, myelon-compressing vertebral metastasis involving the artery of Adamkiewicz
Authors: Becker Lena S. , Becker Egon Robert , Stuebig Timo , Hinrichs Jan Bernd
Published: November 2022

Background The artery of Adamkiewicz (AKA) or arteria radicularis anterior magna, is the name of the thoracolumbar segment of the dominant radiculomedullary artery, supplying the anterior lower spinal cord in addition to the anterior spinal artery. Results of a meta-analysis by Taterra et al. [1] showed its prevalence in 84.6% of people, a predominantly single appearance, most commonly originating from the left intercostal or lumbar arteries (87.4%) between the levels of T8-L1 (89%) [1], and a mean diameter of 1 mm [2, 3]. The artery most commonly arises from the spinal branch of the posterior ramus of the segmental artery (subcostal, posterior intercostal, or lumbar artery), which in turn arises from the descending aorta. The distal portion of the AKA, together with the anterior spinal artery, forms a characteristic “hairpin” turn [4]. Its location and anatomical variability cause its vulnerability to injury, especially during surgical but also interventional procedures. Anatomical knowledge paired with accurate localization of the AKA is therefore an integral part in planning orthopedic/neurosurgical spine, aortic vascular surgery repair procedures and endovascular selective arterial embolizations in this area.
Case presentation In this case of a 73-year-old female patient with progression of a large, myelon-compressing vertebral metastasis of L1, protective, blood-flow-controlling occlusion of the proximal-most points of the artery of Adamkiewicz artery (AKA) and segmental spinal arteries was safely performed prior to surgical decompression and tumor debulking.
Conclusions Current evidence indicates that knowledge of AKA location and the amount of collateralization may help estimate the risk of post-interventional spinal cord injury.
Linear representation of graphs: applications to molecular graphs
Authors: Ashrafi Ali Reza , Bretto Alain , Faisant Alain
Published: November 2022

In this article we build a linear representation starting from a multigraph; this allows us to give an algebraic view of the multi-graph we are studying. We show that two isomorphic multi-graphs give equivalent representations ; conversely two equivalent representations give isomorphic multigraphs. For the clarity of the article we give at the beginning, classical results on representations , nevertheless these are specific to our graph representation.
MSC Classification: 05C25 , 20G05 , 20C15
The Significant Contribution of Pasteur Institute of Iran to COVID-19 Pandemic Control: A Successful Map over the Obstacles
Authors: Larijani Mona Sadat , Biglari Alireza , Sorouri Rahim , Salehi-Vaziri Mostafa , Doroud Delaram , Azadmanesh Keyhan , Fotouhi Fatemeh , Mostafavi Ehsan , Ramezani Amitis
Published: November 2022

Background

The present study aims to show the comprehensive effort of Pasteur Institute of Iran and its scientists regarding COVID-19 chaos management, related studies, achievements and vaccine production though there were many imposed challenges.

Methods

The relevant literature review was done through the associated data from national and international databases, published and under review research articles and also through reports obtained from official meetings with the heads of the related departments.

Results

The taken strategy adopted by Pasteur Institute of Iran was based on six arms including COVID-19 laboratory network establishment, vaccine research and production, monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 variants, diagnostic tests production, conduction of applied and basic research, and community management and support which eventually utilized appropriate technology for facilitating vaccination as well as the pandemic control at the right time.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic which was going to be a real crisis, led to a precise and great performance of Pasteur Institute of Iran owing to the unity of the scientists and the staff. COVID-19 pandemic has been managed by COVID-19 laboratory network set up, approved vaccines in collaboration with Cuba, evaluation and validation system of diagnostic and immunological COVID-19 kits, community Support and careful SARS-CoV-2 Variants Screening.
COVID-19 is not over yet and the role of Pasteur Institute of Iran in dealing with this pandemic is still pivotal. There are some other challenges to overcome such as preparation for any COVID-19 probable trend, data management and update, long-term safety and efficacy of the vaccines and providing supplies.