bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Equilibrium Optimizer Slime Mould Algorithm For Inverse Kinematics Of The 7-DOF Robotic Manipulator
Authors: Yin Shihong , Luo Qifang , Zhou Guo , Zhou Yongquan , Zhu Binwen
Published: February 2022

In order to solve the inverse kinematics (IK) of complex manipulators efficiently, a hybrid equilibrium optimizer slime mould algorithm (EOSMA) is proposed. Firstly, the concentration update operator of the equilibrium optimizer is used to guide the anisotropic search of the slime mould algorithm to improve the search efficiency. Then, the greedy strategy is used to update the individual and global historical optimal to accelerate the algorithm’s convergence. Finally, the random difference mutation operator is added to EOSMA to increase the probability of escaping from the local optimum. On this basis, a multi-objective version of EOSMA is proposed. Then, EOSMA and MOEOSMA are applied to the IK of the 7-DOF manipulator in two scenarios and compared with 15 single-objective and 3 multi-objective algorithms. The results show that EOSMA has higher accuracy and shorter computation time than previous studies. In two scenarios, the average convergence accuracy of EOSMA is 10e-17 and 10e-18, and the average solution time is 0.05s and 0.36s, respectively.
Assessing the Response to Genomic Selection by Simulation
Authors: Buntaran Harimurti , Bernal-Vasquez Angela Maria , Gordillo Andres , Wimmer Valentin , Sahr Morten , Piepho Hans-Peter
Published: February 2022

The goal of any plant breeding program is to maximize genetic gain for traits of interest. In classical quantitative genetics, the genetic gain can be obtained from what is known as “Breeder’s equation”. In the past, only phenotypic data was used to compute the genetic gain. The advent of genomic prediction has opened the door to the utilization of dense markers for estimating genomic breeding values or GBV. The salient feature of genomic prediction is the possibility to carry out genomic selection with the assistance of the kinship matrix, hence, improving the prediction accuracy and accelerating the breeding cycle. However, estimates of GBV as such do not provide the full information on the number of entries to be selected as in the classical response to selection. In this paper, we use simulation, based on a fitted mixed model for genomic prediction in a multi-environmental framework, to answer two typical questions of a plant breeder: (1) How many entries need to be selected to have a defined probability of selecting the truly best entry from the population; (2) What is the probability of obtaining the truly best entries when some top-ranked entries are selected.
Effect of α-tocopheryloxy acetic acid on the infection of mice with Plasmodium berghei ANKA in vivo and humans with P. falciparum in vitro
Authors: Ariefta Nanang R , Kume Aiko , Nishikawa Yoshifumi , Taniguchi Tomoyo , Umemiya-Shirafuji Rika , Kasai Shunji , Suzuki Hiroshi
Published: February 2022

BackgroundMalarial parasites are susceptible to oxidative stress. The effects of α-tocopheryloxy acetic acid (α-TEA), a vitamin E analog, on infection by Plasmodium berghei ANKA and P. falciparum in mice and human red blood cells (RBCs), respectively, were examined in this study. MethodsFor in vivo studies in mice, RBCs infected with P. berghei ANKA were inoculated via intraperitoneal injection and α-TEA was administered to C57BL/6J male mice after infection. The blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability was examined by Evans blue staining in experimental cerebral malaria at 7 days after infection. The in vitro inhibitory effect of α-TEA on P. falciparum 3D7 (chloroquine-sensitive strain) and K1 (multidrug-resistant strain) was tested using a SYBR Green I-based assay.ResultsWhen 1.5 % α-TEA was administered for 14 days after infection, 88 % of P. berghei ANKA-infected mice survived during the experimental period. Nevertheless, all the control mice died within 12 days of infection. Furthermore, the Evans blue intensity in α-TEA-treated mice brains was less than that in untreated mice, indicating that α-TEA might inhibit the destruction of the BBB and progression of cerebral malaria. The in vitro experiment revealed that α-TEA inhibited the proliferation of both the 3D7 and K1 strains.ConclusionsThis study showed that α-TEA is effective against murine and human malaria in vivo and in vitro, respectively. Although α-TEA alone has a sufficient antimalarial effect, future research could focus on the combined effect of α-TEA and already existing drugs. The prophylactic antimalarial activity of premedication with α-TEA may also be an interesting perspective in the future.
Spatial Distribution Characteristics and Evaluation of Soil Pollution in Coal Mining Area of Loess Plateau in Northern Shaanxi
Authors: Wang Na , Luo Yuhu , Liu Zhe , Sun Yingying
Published: February 2022

The ecological environment of the Loess Plateau in Northern Shaanxi is fragile, and the soil pollution caused by the development of coal resources can not be ignored. in this study, Shigetai Coal Mine in the Loess Plateau of Northern Shaanxi was selected for field investigation and sampling, the content of heavy metals in soil was analyzed, the environmental pollution status in the study area was evaluated by single factor pollution index method, comprehensive pollution index method and potential ecological risk index method, and the spatial distribution characteristics of heavy metals were discussed by geostatistics method. The results show that the average contents of heavy metals Hg, Cd, Pb and Cr are 2.03, 1.36, 1.11 and 1.23 times of the soil background value of Shaanxi Province, respectively. The average contents of other heavy metals are lower than the soil background value of Shaanxi Province. Hg and Cd show medium variation, as, Pb, Cr, Zn, Ni and Cu show strong variation. The skewness coefficient and kurtosis coefficient of soil Cd, as and Cu in the study area are high, In cumulative state. Single factor pollution index (Pi) and potential ecological risk index (E) show that heavy metal Hg is the main pollution factor, mainly concentrated in the East and north of the study area. The comprehensive index of potential ecological risk (RI) in the study area is 1336.49, showing a very high ecological risk, and its distribution characteristics are consistent with the distribution of potential ecological risk index (E) of Hg. The ecological risk early warning results show that Hg is in the light warning situation, Cd, Pb and Cr are in the early warning situation, the high value area of ecological risk early warning in the study area is mainly distributed in the East and North, and the whole study area presents an obvious zonal distribution law. In the process of coal mining, the soil is greatly disturbed. The ecological management of the mining area should be combined with the local natural conditions and regional environmental characteristics, and according to the principle of "adjusting measures to local conditions and implementing measures by classification". Adopt an environmentally sustainable approach to governance to achieve eco-environmental protection and high-quality development of coal resources.
The challenge of care coordination by midwives during the COVID-19 pandemic: a national descriptive survey
Authors: GAUCHER Laurent , DUPONT Corinne , GAUTIER Sylvain , BAUMANN Sophie , ROUSSEAU Anne
Published: February 2022

Background: As part of a decades-long process of restructuring primary care, independent (also known as community) healthcare workers are being encouraged to work in groups to facilitate their coordination and continuity of care in France. French independent midwives perform about half of the early prenatal interviews that identify mothers' needs during pregnancy and then refer them to the appropriate resources. The French government, however, structured the COVID-19 pandemic response around public health institutions and did not directly mobilise these community healthcare workers during the lockdown phase. These responses have raised questions about their role within the healthcare system in crises. This survey’s main objectives were to estimate the proportion of independent midwives who experienced new difficulties in referring women to healthcare facilities or other caregivers and in collaborating with hospitals during the first stage of this pandemic. The secondary objective was to estimate the proportion, according to their mode of practice, of independent midwives who considered that all the women under their care had risked harm due to failed or delayed referral to care. Methods: We conducted an online national survey addressed to independent midwives in France from 29 April to 15 May 2020, around the end of the first lockdown (17 March–11 May, 2020). Results: Of the 5264 registered independent midwives in France, 1491 (28.3%) responded; 64.7% reported new or greater problems during the pandemic in referring women to health facilities or care-providers, social workers in particular, and 71.0% reported new difficulties collaborating with hospitals. Nearly half (46.2%) the respondents considered that all the women in their care had experienced, to varying degrees, a lack of or delay in care that could have affected their health. This proportion did not differ according to the midwives’ form of practice: solo practice, group practice with other midwives only, or group practice with at least two types of healthcare professionals. Conclusions: The pandemic has degraded the quality of pregnant women’s care in France and challenged the French model of care, which is highly compartmentalised between an almost exclusively independent primary care (community) sector and a predominantly salaried secondary care (hospital) sector.
Evaluation of the zootechnical parameters of 'Poulet du Faso' fed with rations formulated by the design of experiments method
Authors: KY Inoussa , PARKOUDA Charles , SOMDA Marius , DICKO Mamoudou Hama
Published: February 2022

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of feed formulation using the design of experiments methodology on the zootechnical performance of the local hen in Burkina Faso. The experimental flock consisted of one hundred (100) 11-day-old chicks of the "Poulet du Faso" breed, randomly divided into ten lots of ten chicks. Ten feed rations resulting from the formulation by the experimental design method were prepared to feed the ten batches of poultry. Feed intake, live weight, average daily gain and feed efficiency were monitored weekly for 9 weeks. At the end of the study, the average daily food consumption varied from 112.30 ± 50.79 to 119.49±52.11g/d, the average live weight of the subjects varied from 1089.53±0.07g to 1660±0.12g. The average daily gain varied from 22.81±2.11g/d to 31.92±2.85g and the consumption index varied from 3.92±1.92 to 5.34±2.68. The dissemination of this information to poultry farmers could improve their production yields and the profitability of their activity.
Examining the Feasibility and Functionality of Common Analysis Methods for Longitudinal Data with Binary Outcomes
Authors: Zaniletti Isabella , Dueck Amylou C. , DeWees Todd A.
Published: February 2022

Background
Previous literature often indicates that binary longitudinal data, such as responder analysis with patient-reported outcomes to evaluate treatment risks and benefits in cancer randomized controlled trials, need complex statistical approaches for a thorough evaluation of the treatment effect and consequently elaborated clinical design and power calculation for prospective trials. This simulated analysis aims to evaluate six common statistical techniques used for binary longitudinal data to explore the feasibility and overall functionality of these methods in comparison to more complex modeling techniques.
Methods
We simulated data to represent a typical clinical trial design, with dichotomous outcome, and treatment vs control group at three waves T1, T2, and T3. We evaluated five sample size conditions ranging from small to large with 1,000 replicates each. We then evaluated results from six statistical techniques (Generalized linear model [GLM] with generalized estimating equations [GEE], Generalized linear mixed model [GLMM], Logistic regression, Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel [CMH], Chi-square, and Fisher’s Exact test) and their ability in detecting difference between treatment groups under different conditions.
Results
While less elaborated models always achieved convergence, the convergence rate of GLMM with unstructured covariance matrix ranged from 7–43%. The proportion of detected significant differences between control and treatment expectedly increased with the increasing of the sample size but remained somewhat similar across modeled outcome and sample size scenarios.
Conclusions
Overall results indicated that, with careful consideration, straightforward modelling approaches which require less assumptions in design and power calculation are sufficient to ensure meaningful, adequately powered, evaluation of treatment effect.
Serum and Plasma Levels of Ba, But Not Those of Soluble C5b-9, Might be Affected by Renal Function in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients
Authors: Yamane Ryoko , Yasuda Yoshinari , Oshima Aki , Suzuki Yasuhiro , Kojima Hiroshi , Kim Hangsoo , Fukui Sosuke , Maruyama Shoichi , Ito Yasuhiko , Mizuno Masashi
Published: February 2022

BackgroundDuring the recent few decades, pathogenic mechanisms associated with uncontrolled activation of the complement (C) system and development of anti-C agents have been closely investigated in the field of nephrology. The usefulness of some C products such as C5a and sC5b-9 for diagnostic and prognostic purposes remains controversial. On the other hand, decreased renal function is being observed in many patients with or without nephritis as a background factor in progressively aging societies. We therefore investigated whether renal function influenced the evaluation of various complement components and activation products.MethodsTo investigate the influence of renal function on evaluations of C3, C4, CH50, Ba, C5a and sC5b-9, 40 patients were retrospectively chosen from among 844 patients without active glomerulonephritis from 2009 to 2016. We measured plasma and serum levels of C3, C4, CH50, Ba, C5a and sC5b-9 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and compared the findings with inulin clearance (Cin) as a marker of preserved renal function.ResultsBoth plasma and serum levels of Ba correlated significantly with Cin, but other values did not. Compared with patients with Cin ≥60 or ≥30 mL/min/1.73 m2, plasma and serum levels of Ba were increased in patients with Cin decreased to <60 or <30 mL/min/1.73 m2, but levels of C5a and sC5b-9 were not.ConclusionThe influence of renal function might need to be considered when evaluating Ba, but not C5a and sC5b-9, in plasma and serum samples from chronic kidney disease patients.
Aptamer-Antibody Hybrid ELONA That Uses Hybridization Chain Reaction to Detect EN2, A Urinary Biomarker for Bladder and Prostate Cancer
Authors: Kim Eunseon , Kang Minji , Ban Changill
Published: February 2022

We report an EN2-specific (Kd = 8.26 nM) aptamer, and a sensitive and specific enzyme-linked oligonucleotide assay (ELONA) for rapid and sensitive colorimetric detection of bladder and prostate cancer biomarker EN2 in urine. The assay relies on an aptamer-mediated hybridization chain reaction (HCR) to generate DNA nanostructures that bind to EN2 and simultaneously amplify signals. The assay can be performed within 2.5 h, and has a limit of detection of 0.34 nM in buffer and 2.69 nM in artificial urine. Moreover, this assay showed high specificity as it did not detect other urinary proteins, including biomarkers of other cancers. The proposed ELONA is inexpensive, highly reproducible, and has great chemical stability, so it may enable development of a simple, sensitive and accurate diagnostic tool to detect bladder and prostate cancers early.
Natural Ventilation in Urban Buses: From Negative Pressure To Velocity-Driven Dispersion of Aerosols
Authors: Pichardo-Orta F. Alexei , Patiño-Luna Oscar Adrían , Vélez-Cordero J. Rodrigo
Published: February 2022

In this report we analyze the air streams formed across the open windows (natural ventilation) of an urban bus model and the resulted dispersion of aerosols emitted in the passenger area. The methods include computational fluid dynamics simulations and three ways to characterize the dispersion of passive tracers: a continuous concentration-based model, a discrete random model and a parametric scalar based on the so-called mean age of air. We also conducted experiments using a 1:10 scale bus model and CO2 as a passive tracer to assess the ventilation characteristics. We found that dispersion and expulsion of aerosols is driven by a negative pressure field in the standard bus design equipped with lateral windows. Also, the average age of air is 6 minutes while the air streams promote aerosol accumulation at the front (driver’s area). To speed up the expulsion of aerosols and reduce their in-cabin accumulation, we proposed a bus bodywork prototype having a frontal intake of air. The expulsion of aerosols in this case is driven by a frontal velocity field while the average age of air is reduced to 50 seconds which manifests as an increase of the aerosols expulsion rate.
Prognostic Value of Coronary Artery Calcium Scores from 1.5 mm Slice Reconstructions of Electrocardiogram-gated Computed Tomography Scans in Asymptomatic Individuals
Authors: Kim Suh Young , Suh Young Joo , Lee Hye-Jeong , Kim Young Jin
Published: February 2022

It is unknown whether the thinner slice reconstruction has added value relative to 3 mm reconstructions in predicting major adverse cardiac events (MACEs). This retrospective study included 550 asymptomatic individuals who underwent cardiac CT. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores and severity categories were assessed from 1.5 and 3 mm scans. CAC scores obtained from 1.5 and 3 mm scans were compared using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Cox proportional hazard models were developed to predict MACEs based on clinical variables, the degree of coronary artery stenosis on coronary CT angiography and the presence of CAC on both scans. Model performances were compared using the time-dependent ROC curve and integrated area under the curve (iAUC) methods. The CAC scores obtained from 1.5 mm scans were significantly higher than those from 3 mm scans (median, interquartile range 4.5[0-71] vs. 0[0-48.4]; p < 0.001). Multivariable models showed no significant difference in predictive accuracy of the presence of CAC between 1.5 and 3 mm scans (iAUC, 0.716 vs. 0.738; 95% confidence interval for difference, -0.199–0.155). In conclusion, CAC scores obtained from 1.5 mm scans are significantly higher than those from 3 mm scans, but do not provide added prognostic value relative to 3 mm scans.
The Protective Effect of the Experimental TiF4 and Chitosan Toothpaste on Erosive Tooth Wear in Vitro
Authors: Francese Monique , Gonçalves Isabela , Vertuan Mariele , Souza Beatriz , Magalhães Ana
Published: February 2022

This study evaluated the protective effect of an TiF4 and chitosan toothpaste on erosive tooth wear (ETW) in vitro. Bovine samples were randomly assigned to toothpastes (n=12): 1) TiF4 (1400 ppm F−), 2) 0.5%. chitosan (75% deacetylation, 500 mPas), 3) TiF4 (1400 ppm F−) plus 0.5%. chitosan (75% deacetylation, 500 mPas), 4) Placebo, 5) Erosion Protection (Elmex® - GABA, Suíça, 1400 ppm F−). Twelve samples were only eroded. All samples were submitted to erosive pH cycles and the groups 1-5 to abrasive challenges using toothpastes’ slurries plus 45 s of treatment, for 7 days. The final profile was overlaid to the baseline one for the ETW calculation (µm). The data were subjected to Kruskal-Wallis/Dunn tests. TiF4 toothpastes, regardless of the presence of chitosan, were able to significantly reduce ETW compared to placebo, while chitosan alone was similar to placebo for both tissues. The toothpastes containing TiF4 were even superior to the commercial Elmex® toothpaste on enamel wear, which were also significantly different from placebo. TiF4 and Elmex® toothpastes minimized the impact of brushing on eroded surface compared to the other groups. In conclusion, TiF4 toothpastes, regardless the presence of chitosan, showed to be effective in minimizing ETW in vitro.
Co-Creating Cultures of Sustainability and Co-Imagining the Teaching Green Building: The Use of a Participatory Photovoice Process in a HPGB Context
Authors: Reimer-Watts Benjamin Kai , Abel Esther , Coulombe Simon , Riemer Manuel
Published: February 2022

Despite understanding the severity of the climate crisis, global action remains highly insufficient to address this challenge. Buildings are significant contributors to climate change due to their substantial global emissions, but can also contribute to urgent climate solutions. High-performance green buildings (HPGBs) can reduce operational building-level emissions dramatically, and potentially offer other benefits that support building users’ wellbeing and sustainable behaviours. HPGBs can provide useful environments to engage and influence culture, and can act as publicly visible symbols of emergent local clean economies. However, a gap remains in knowing how best to support the emergence of citizen-led cultures of sustainability (COS) within green building spaces, an effort that could also help address the noted ‘performance gap’ of green buildings that has been linked to occupant behaviours. With the intention of investigating and supporting a growing citizen-led COS in a green building, this study applied an empowerment-based Photovoice method in the context of the HPGB evolv1, located in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Six building users (citizens) took and selected photographs, participated in facilitated group discussions and individual interviews, and contributed toward three public exhibitions based on research findings.
Based on thematic analysis, findings suggest building citizens know what a COS means to them, and existing barriers and enablers within/around the evolv1 building toward achieving this. In addition, participants recognized the impact of specific green building features on their own personal sustainability-related values and practices, including the influence of sustainability symbolism within the building environment. Lastly, participants articulated specific recommendations for further promoting and growing a COS at evolv1. Significant themes identified are discussed in relation to and expansion of Cole (2014)’s Teaching Green Building (TGB) Model for Learning, providing preliminary insights into the degree to which evolv1 may or may not presently embody key aspects of a TGB. This study contributes to deepening understandings of how researchers and building citizens can support the emergence of COS within green buildings and related environments, with key takeaways that can be usefully applied to other settings, and theoretical and practical implications. Research findings encourage action toward supporting engaged, citizen-led COS, to advance more sustainable futures.
Smallholders Livestock Keepers Breeding Choice and Its Implication on Poverty Reduction in Tanzania
Authors: Kitole Felician Andrew
Published: February 2022

The paper examines forces behind smallholder livestock keepers’ decision towards breeding choices by widening the choices between improved dairy and beef cattle and traditional breeds and its implication in poverty reduction in Tanzania. The study has utilized the Tanzania household panel data survey of 2017/18 entailing all 27 mainland regions by focusing on the smallholder livestock keepers. The study shows that majority of smallholder livestock keepers are residing in rural areas constituting 85.87% with the sector being dominated by males owning 76.665 of entire livestock. However, the traditional breeds are dominant forming 56.43% of entire breeds in the country followed by improved beef and dairy breeds with 40.51% and 3.06% respectively. The sector is characterized by low education whereas 55.38% of the smallholder livestock keepers have no formal education, those with primary education are 41.74% and those with higher education are just 1.03% countrywide. Moreover, the multinomial logit results showed that choices of smallholder livestock keepers on cattle breeding categories significantly depend on a residence, national zoning, income diversification (farming and business ownership), education as well as per capita income with 52.45% living below the poverty line. The study recommends that the national livestock development program and livestock master plan should reconsider poverty as the focal point of change for the sectoral development and actors.
Asymmetry, Nonlinearity, and Dynamics of El Niño Southern Oscillation
Authors: Swedan Nabil
Published: February 2022

Asymmetry and nonlinearity of the observed Oceanic Niño Index (ONI) have been subjects of research for decades. The magnitude of the warming phase of the Index, or El Niño, is always greater than that of the succeeding cooling phase, or La Niña. In addition, the Index is damped with time. Such asymmetry and nonlinearity of ONI have remained un-captured by climate model simulations. Addressing these subjects satisfactorily is important for through comprehension of ENSO dynamics. This work proposes a potential explanation of the asymmetry and nonlinearity of ONI. El Niño Southern Oscillation is a product of an air hammer produced by atmospheric air forces in El Niño region. The resulting energy cycles between atmosphere and ocean are damped with time, just like pressure and energy cycles produced by water, steam, and air hammer experienced in practical applications. In analogy, the amplitude of the warming phase is greater than that of the succeeding cooling phase, and the Oceanic Niño Index exhibits nonlinearity with time. The physical explanation and theoretically derived Oceanic Niño Index agree with observations, and the theoretical index may therefore be used to assess ENSO climatology. This may have merit for research and society.
Cancer Genomic Profiling Identified Dihydropyrimidine Dehydrogenase Deficiency in Bladder Cancer Promotes Vulnerability to Gemcitabine
Authors: Tsukahara Shigehiro , Shiota Masaki , Takamatsu Dai , Nagakawa Shohei , Matsumoto Takashi , Kiyokoba Ryo , Yagi Mikako , Setoyama Daiki , Noda Nozomi , Matsumoto Shinya , Hayashi Tetsutaro , Contreras-Sanz Alberto , Black Peter C. , Inokuchi Junichi , Kohashi Kenichi , Oda Yoshinao , Uchiumi Takeshi , Eto Masatoshi , Kang Dongchon
Published: February 2022

Chemotherapy is a standard therapy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). However, genomic alterations associated with chemotherapy sensitivity in MIBC have not been fully explored. This study aimed to investigate the genomic landscape of MIBC in association with the response to chemotherapy and to explore the biological role of genomic alterations. Genomic alterations in MIBC were sequenced by targeted exome sequencing of 409 genes. Gene expression in MIBC tissues was analyzed by western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and RNA microarray. Cellular sensitivity to gemcitabine and gemcitabine metabolite was examined in bladder cancer cells after modulation of candidate gene. Targeted exome sequencing in 20 cases with MIBC revealed various genomic alterations, and we focus on DPYD. Conversely, high DPYD and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) expression was associated with poor response to gemcitabine-containing chemotherapy among patients with MIBC, as well as gemcitabine resistance in bladder cancer cells. DPD suppression rendered cells vulnerable to gemcitabine, while DPD overexpression made cells gemcitabine-resistant through reduced activity of the cytotoxic gemcitabine metabolite difluorodeoxycytidine diphosphate. This study revealed the novel role of DPD in gemcitabine metabolism. It has been suggested that DPYD genomic alterations and DPD expression are potential predictive biomarkers in gemcitabine treatment.
Sources of acquisition and frequency of e-cigarette use among adolescents in the United States
Authors: Esther Adeniran , Manul Awasthi , Adekunle Oke , Billy Brooks , Manik Ahuja , Jones Antwan , Florence Weierbach W , Adkins Fletcher R. , Mamudu Hadii M.
Published: February 2022

Purpose: Despite strategies prohibiting e-cigarettes use and purchase, the literature suggests continued use and access by adolescents. Guided by the Socio-Ecological Model, we examined sources and types of e-cigarettes along with the associated frequency of use among U.S school-going adolescents. Methods: We used the 2019 National Youth Tobacco Survey comprising U.S middle and high schoolers (n=19,018). Multinomial logistic regression was conducted to evaluate associations between sources and types of e-cigarettes, and the frequency of use while controlling for covariates. Results: The final sample was 3,537 with 76.9% high schoolers, 51.6% males, and 59.7% prefilled pods/cartridges users (JUUL). Past-month e-cigarette use was 60.8% for 1-10 days, 14.3% for 11-20 days, and 24.9% for 21-30 days. Sources adolescents obtained e-cigarettes included retail stores (20.1%), vape shops (15.2%), internet (7.1%), social networks (74.0%), and unknown sources (5.9%). Compared to 1-10 days, 21-30 days e-cigarette use was higher among participants who obtained e-cigarettes from retail stores [OR= 3.03; 95% CI= 3.009-3.046; P<0.001], vape shops [OR= 3.42; 95% CI= 3.393-3.439; P<0.001], and the internet [OR= 1.85; 95% CI= 1.839-1.872; P<0.001] than from other sources, but lower when obtained from social networks [OR= 0.63; 95% CI= 0.628-0.636; P<0.001]. Using e-cigarettes like JUUL was associated with higher odds of 21-30 days [OR= 1.11; 95% CI= 1.106-1.120; P<0.001] use than refillable e-cigarette tank. Conclusion: Factors within the organizational and community levels, including types (JUUL) and sources of e-cigarette (retail stores, vape shops, and internet), were associated with a higher frequency of past-month use.
On the long and short-range adhesive interactions in viscoelastic contacts
Authors: Violano Guido , Afferrante Luciano
Published: February 2022

Recently, tribologists have shown increasing interest in rate-dependent phenomena occurring in viscoelastic fractures. However, in some cases, conflicting results are obtained despite the use of similar theoretical models. For this reason, we try to shed light on the effects that long and short-range adhesion has on the pull-off force in the contact of viscoelastic media by exploiting a recently developed numerical model.
We find that, in the limit of long-range adhesion, the unloading velocity has little effect on the pull-off force, which is close to the value predicted by Bradley for rigid bodies. In such case, the detachment process is characterized by a uniform bond-breaking of the contact area, and viscous dissipation involves the bulk material.
For medium(short)-range adhesion, the pull-off force is instead a monotonic increasing function of the pulling velocity and, at high speeds, reaches a plateau that is a function of the adiabatic surface energy. In this case, the detachment process is similar to the opening of a circular crack, and viscous dissipation is localized at the contact edge.
Oxaliplatin induced Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome masquerading as colorectal liver metastasis: A Case report
Authors: Gupta Vipul , Chopde Amit , Patkar Shraddha , Deodhar Kedar , Goel Mahesh
Published: February 2022

The Multicentre International Study of oxaliplatin/5-FU/leucovorin [FOLFOX] in the Adjuvant Treatment of Colon Cancer Trial has shown that addition of oxaliplatin to infusional FU [fluorouracil] and leucovorin increased disease free and overall survival rates significantly. Another combination used is that of oxaliplatin and capecitabine, and hence oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy is commonly used in adjuvant treatment of colon cancer. However oxaliplatin can cause damage to non-tumor bearing liver which presents as sinusoidal obstructive syndrome (SOS). These lesions are difficult to differentiate from metastasis both radiologically and clinically. The present study reports the case of a patient with oxaliplatin-induced SOS which mimicked colo-rectal liver metastasis on imaging studies. Therefore, in patients with colo-rectal cancer having received oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy, SOS may be considered as one of the causes of newly developed liver lesions, particularly if they possess representative findings of oxaliplatin‑induced SOS and the lesions do not demonstrate FDG uptake on PET-CT.Conclusion: Thorough clinical knowledge of imaging findings and thus identification of focal SOS may help in preventing overtreatment and avoiding potentially morbid surgeries.
Dataset Mismatched Steganalysis Using Subdomain Adaptation With Guiding Feature
Authors: Zhang Lei , Abdullahi Sani M. , He Peisong , Wang Hongxia
Published: February 2022

The generalization problem in deep learning has always been an important problem to be solved. In the field of steganalysis, generalization is also an important factor that makes steganalysis models difficult to deploy in real-world scenarios. For a group of suspicious images that never appeared in the training set, the pre-trained deep learning-based steganalysis models tend to suffer from distinct performance degradation. To address this limitation, in this paper, a feature-guided subdomain adaptation steganalysis framework is proposed to improve the performance of the pre-trained models when detecting new data. Initially, the source domain and target domain will be divided into subdomains according to class, and the distributions of the relevant subdomains are aligned by subdomain adaptation. Afterward, the guiding feature is generated to make the division of subdomains more stable and precise. When it is used to detect three spatial steganographic algorithms with a wide variety of datasets and payloads, the experimental results show that the proposed steganalysis framework can significantly improve the average accuracy of SRNet model by 5.4% at 0.4bpp, 8.5% at 0.2bpp, and 8.0% at 0.1bpp in the case of dataset mismatch.
Study on the Law and Mechanism of Joint Structure Damage Caused by Ice Wedge in Saturated Coal and Rock
Authors: Li Hewan , Sun Siyang , Wang Laigui , Liu Jian , Zhang Ziheng
Published: February 2022

The width and degree of connectivity of coal and rock joints directly affect the seepage ability of gas and other mobile energy. In order to study the damage law and mechanism of coal and rock joint structure under the action of liquid nitrogen, two methods of non-liquid nitrogen loading and liquid nitrogen freezing and thawing are used for different water content. The joint structure damage modification test of the saturation coal and rock was performed. The OLS4000 laser confocal microscope and the MH-25 universal tensile testing machine were used to observe the changes in the joint width and the Young's modulus of the coal surface before and after the test, and analyzed the influence of ice wedge expansion stress on coal and rock structure damage by establishing a physical and mechanical model. The test results found that the expansion stress, confining pressure, and temperature stress of the ice wedge in the joint affect the damage of the coal and rock joint structure, and the expansion stress of the ice wedge contributes the most. With the increase of water saturation, the damage to the joint structure of coal and rock is intensified. The expansion stress of the ice wedge under water saturation affects the damage of the joint structure of coal and rock most obviously. The physical mechanics model of coal and rock joints is used to reveal the damage mechanism of the ice wedge expansion stress affecting the coal and rock joint structure. The establishment of damage criteria provides new ideas for the mining of clean energy such as coalbed methane and the prevention of rock bursts.
Antibiotic and genetic profiling of field-collected and laboratory wild-type strains reveals seven novel Bacillus spizizenii strains that produce the lanthipeptide subtilin
Authors: Helfrich Markus , Entian Karl-Dieter , Stein Torsten Helge
Published: February 2022

Two dozen field-collected Bacillus and a dozen laboratory Bacillus spizizenii wild-type strains were selected on the basis of their antagonistic properties against the Gram-positive strain Micrococcus luteus. Their genetic and antibiotic profiles were characterized (subtilin encoding spaS gene sequences, mass spectrometric and quantitative reversed phase rpHPLC analyses, as well as presence of the lanthionin cyclase protein SpaC by western blotting). We identified seven novel producer of the lanthipeptide subtilin. Phylogenetic analyses of the field collected (HS and N5) and laboratory (DSM 618, 1087, 6395, 6405, and 8439) subtilin producer strains on the basis of their 16S rDNA encoding rrn sequences showed that all seven strains can be classified to B. spizizenii. To the best of our knowledge, all B. spizizenii strains described so far are characterized by the fact that they can produce a lanthipeptide from the subtilin family. Furthermore, the potential of the analyzed strains with regard to the coproduction of the sactipeptide subtilosin and the lipopeptides surfactin and fengycin were determined.
Living Labs for a Mobile App-Based Health Program: Effectiveness of a 24-Week Walking Intervention for Cardiovascular Disease Risk Reduction Among Female Korean-Chinese Migrant Workers: a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Kim Youlim , Lee Hyeonkyeong , Chung Misook Lee
Published: February 2022

Background: The risk of Cardiovascular disease (CVDs) among adult populations is influenced by environmental factors, and immigrant populations tend to be more vulnerable. This study examined the effectiveness of a 24-week app-based walking program for CVD risk reduction among female Korean-Chinese middle-aged workers.Methods: This study used a pilot parallel randomized controlled trial. Participants were recruited by distributing posters and flyers and randomly assigned to either the standard treatment (ST, n=22) or enhanced treatment group (ET, n=28). Participants were provided with a mobile app linked to Fitbit Alta for 24 weeks and instructed to walk at least 30 minutes five times a week and moderate-intensity physical activity. The ET group had additional interventions that enhanced socio-cognitive factors such as self-efficacy, social support. All participants were guided to voluntary physical activity during the 12-week maintenance period. Data were analyzed by the Mann Whitney U-test and a generalized estimating equation. Results: There were significant between-group differences regarding the number of steps (B=1.295, P< .001) and moderate physical activity time (OR=6.396, P= .030) at week 12. ET group had significant changes in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (B=10.522, P= .007), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( B=-16.178, P=.024), total cholesterol (B=-20.325, P= .039), fasting blood sugar (B= -8.138, P=-.046). In addition, there was a significant reduction of 10-year CVD risk for the ET group over 12 weeks compared to the ST group (B =-0.521, P<. 001). Conclusions: Long-term studies are needed to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in large-scale migrant workers and to confirm the direct and insdirect effects of socio-cognitive factors on health outcomes.Trial Registration: The trial was retrospectively registered in WHO ICTRP (KCT0006467) August 19th, 2021. (https://trialsearch.who.int/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=KCT0006467,
A Nanobody as a Potent Angiogenesis Inhibitor That Targets the Orphan Receptor Tie1
Authors: Meltzer May , Eliash Noam , Papo Niv
Published: February 2022

Human Tie1 and Tie2 receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are signaling molecules with important pathophysiological functions in many diseases, including different cancers. Tie1, in particular, has been implicated in the promotion of tumor growth and cancer cell migration in vitro and in vivo. Tie1 activity is mediated mainly through the downstream angiopoietin-1 (Ang1)-dependent activation of Tie2, rendering both Tie 1 and the Tie1/Tie2/Ang1 axis attractive putative targets for therapeutic intervention. However, the development of inhibitors that target Tie1 and their effect on Tie2 or on the Tie1/Tie2/Ang1 axis in general remains an unfulfilled task, due, largely, to the facts that Tie1 is an orphan receptor and is difficult to produce and use in the quantities required for immune antibody library screens. In a search for a selective inhibitor of this orphan receptor, we sought to exploit the advantages (e.g., small size that allows them to bind to hidden epitopes) of non-immune nanobodies and to simultaneously overcome their limitations (i.e., low expression and stability). We thus performed expression, stability and affinity screens of yeast-surface-displayed naïve and predesigned synthetic (non-immune) nanobody libraries against the Tie1 extracellular domain. The screens yielded a nanobody with high expression and good affinity and specificity for Tie1, thereby yielding preferential binding for Tie 1 over Tie2. The stability, selectivity, potency, and therapeutic potential of this synthetic nanobody were profiled using in vitro and cell-based assays. The nanobody triggered a Tie1-dependent inhibition of RTK (Tie2, Akt and FAK) phosphorylation and angiogenesis in endothelial cells, and suppression of cancer cell proliferation and migration.
Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Metaphotonics and Self-coupled Polariton Platform Realized by CVD Bottom-up Method
Authors: sheng fuhuan , zhou yaoqiang , zhang zhenhe , Ma Jingwen , Chen Huanjun , Wang Shaojun , Chen Zhefeng , Xu Jian-Bin
Published: February 2022

The exotic electronic and optical properties of the transition metal dichalcogenides(TMDCs) opens up new opportunities in the field of dielectric metaphotonics. Although some interesting photonic phenomena have been demonstrated in nanostructures fabricated from mechanical exfoliated TMDCs, it is still challenging to realize the large scale TMDCs metaphotonics structure with controllable geometric parameters. Here, we experimentally demonstrate the MoS2 metaphotonics structures through the CVD bottom-up method, which support both the dielectric resonant modes and self-coupled polaritons. To be specific, we realize the magnetic-type surface lattice resonance(M-SLR) in the 1D MoS2 metaphotonics structure with extremely low material loss. As a proof of concept, we further exhibit a self-coupled exciton-SLR polariton via the spatial dispersion with abnormal coupling strength to the mode volume and the Rabi splitting up to 170meV. Bright Mie modes and self-coupled anapole-exciton polaritons with unambiguous anti-crossing behavior are also realized in 2D MoS2 metaphotonics structures. We argue that the TMDCs structure based on this CVD bottom-up fabrication method not only can realize nanoresonator but also can be extended to other metaphotonic structure such as metasurface, metalens and slab photonic crystal.
Post-Procedure Micro-CT Analyses of Coronary Artery Stenting in Left Main Vessels of Human Hearts
Authors: Valenzuela Thomas F , Iaizzo Paul A.
Published: February 2022

Background: Percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) within left main coronary arteries are high-risk procedures that require optimization of interactions between stent(s) and diseased vessels. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a widely accepted tool that enhances physicians’ ability to assess proper stent appositions during procedures. The primary aim of this study was to develop complementary post-procedure imaging methodologies to better assess and interpret outcomes of left main PCI procedures, utilizing reanimated and perfusion-fixed human hearts.Methods: PCIs were performed while obtaining OCT scans within the left main anatomies of six human hearts. Following PCI, each heart was scanned with a micro-CT scanner with optimized parameters to achieve resolutions up to 20µm. Scans were reconstructed and imported into DICOM software to segment and generate models of implanted stents and coronary vessels. 2D images that were obtained during PCI from OCT were used to assess the accuracy of 3D models generated from micro-CT reconstructions. Additionally, the 3D models were utilized to create virtual reality scenes and enlarged 3D prints for “mixed reality” physician training and education relative to bifurcation stenting in human left main coronary arteries.Results: We developed a reproducible methodology for post-implant analyses of coronary artery stenting procedures, and created 3D models down to 20 microns of resolution for reanimated and perfusion-fixed heart specimens. Conclusions: These models can be used to obtain detailed measurements for further clinical insight on procedural outcomes. 3D models resulting from these scans are useful for generating virtual reality scenes and 3D prints for physician training and education.
Postoperative Bile Leakage and Anastomotic Stricture After Roux en Y Hepaticojejunostomy: A Retrospective Analysis of Risk Factors.
Authors: Rey Carlos , Conde Danny , Polania David , Garcia Juan Pablo , Olarte Juan Carlos Sabogal
Published: February 2022

ObjectiveTo describe the experience and long-term follow-up after Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy and defining potential risk factors for early and late postoperative outcomes, such as bile leakage and anastomotic stricture.Summary Background dataRoux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy is widely used in gastrointestinal surgery. Bile leakage and anastomotic stricture were the most relevant postoperative complications. The risk factors for postoperative morbidity are poorly described.MethodsAll patients who underwent hepaticojejunostomy between January 2014 - December 2020, were included in this study. Follow up was performed for four years. Multinomial logistic regression was performed, associations between clinical and operative variables were explored, and bile leakage and anastomotic stricture were defined as outcomes at early and late follow-up respectively.ResultsA total of 199 patients were included in this study. Female patients was 56.28%. Mean age 61.73yo. The mean follow-up period was 54 months. Pancreatic cancer was the most common preoperative diagnosis (52.26%). Bile leakage was observed in 4.02%, and anastomotic stricture in 4.52% after 4 years follow- up. Body mass index (BMI) > 27 kg/m2 was associated with bile leakage (p = 0.0001 95% CI). A benign diagnosis was associated with an anastomotic stricture. (p = 0.003 95% CI).ConclusionAppropriate technique is the key factor in decreasing both biliary leak and anastomotic stricture after surgery. It seems that a BMI > 27 kg/m2 is associated with an increased risk of postoperative bile leakage. Oncologic conditions increase postoperative morbidity but do affect biliary leaks or stricture. In addition, benign conditions are associated with a high risk of anastomotic stricture.
The mechanism of RNA capping by SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Tagliabracci Vincent , Park Gina , Osinski Adam , Hernandez Genaro , Eitson Jennifer , Majumdar Abir , Tonelli Marco , Henzler-Wildman Katherine , Pawłowski Krzysztof , Chen Zhe , Li Yang , Schoggins John
Published: February 2022

The SARS-CoV-2 RNA genome contains a 5′-cap that facilitates translation of viral proteins, protection from exonucleases and evasion of the host immune response1-4. How this cap is made is not completely understood. Here, we reconstitute the SARS-CoV-2 7MeGpppA2′-O-Me-RNA cap using virally encoded non-structural proteins (nsps). We show that the kinase-like NiRAN domain5 of nsp12 transfers RNA to the amino terminus of nsp9, forming a covalent RNA-protein intermediate (a process termed RNAylation). Subsequently, the NiRAN domain transfers RNA to GDP, forming the cap core structure GpppA-RNA. The nsp146 and nsp167 methyltransferases then add methyl groups to form functional cap structures. Structural analyses of the replication-transcription complex bound to nsp9 identified key interactions that mediate the capping reaction. Furthermore, we demonstrate in a reverse genetics system8 that the N-terminus of nsp9 and the kinase-like active site residues in the NiRAN domain are required for successful SARS-CoV-2 replication. Collectively, our results reveal an unconventional mechanism by which SARS-CoV-2 caps its RNA genome, thus exposing a new target in the development of antivirals to treat COVID-19.