bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of the Epidemiological Situation on Cholera in the World and in the Russian Federation in 2020 and Forecast for 2021
Authors: Noskov A. K. , Kruglikov V. D. , Moskvitina E. A. , Monakhova E. V. , Levchenko D. A. , Yanovich E. G. , Vodop’yanov A. S. , Pisanov R. V. , Nepomnyashchaya N. B. , Ezhova M. I. , Podoinitsyna O. A.
Published: April 2021

Aim of the work – to assess the epidemiological situation on cholera in 2020 and to make a forecast for 2021 based on the monitoring data and analysis of morbidity around the world for the period of 2011–2020. During the period between 2011 and 2020, 4 413 988 cases of cholera were recorded in 97 countries of the world with a general trend towards a decrease in the incidence (coefficient of accuracy of approximation R2  – 0.5705). However, due to the continuing epidemic manifestations of cholera in the endemic countries of Asia, Africa and America, the epidemiological situation on cholera on these continents was characterized as unfavorable in 2020. The emergence of a new “post-Haitian” lineage was observed among epidemically hazardous strains of Vibrio cholerae O1. In 2020, no epidemically dangerous strains of V. cholerae O1, O139 were isolated from humans on the territory of the Russian Federation. 25 non-toxigenic V. cholerae O1 El Tor strains were isolated from environmental objects, eight out of which (ctxA-, tcpA+), according to PCR-INDEL typing and SNP analysis of sequences, belonged to the clonal complex. The results of the analysis of biological properties and phylogenetic relations between the isolated non-toxigenic strains provided the basis for considering the epidemiological situation on cholera in Russia in 2020 as a stable one and a similar forecast of its development in 2021. At the same time, the possibility of importation of this infection from endemic countries cannot be ruled out, as well as the need to carry out a complex of differentiated anti-epidemic (preventive) measures within the framework of the state sanitary-epidemiological surveillance in order to localize and eliminate the imported focus and avoid the spread of the infection.
Features of the Epidemiological Situation on Tick-Borne Rickettsioses in the Russian Federation in 2010–2020 and Prognosis for 2021
Authors: Rudakov N. V. , Shpynov S. N. , Pen’evskaya N. A. , Blokh A. I. , Reshetnikova T. A. , Samoylenko I. E. , Kumpan L. V. , Shtrek S. V. , Savel’ev D. A. , Abramova N. V. , Trankvilevsky D. V.
Published: April 2021

Objectiveis to analyze the incidence of Siberian tick typhus (STT) in the Russian Federation over the period of 2010–2020, Astrakhan spotted fever (ASF) and Mediterranean fever (MF) since the official registration, and to forecast the development of the epidemic process for endemic rickettsioses for 2021. The analysis of the incidence of STT, ASF and MF in Russia for the period of 2010–2020, 2013–2020 and 2014–2020, respectively, has been carried out. The forecast of endemic rickettsioses morbidity in the European and Asian parts of Russia for 2021 has been made. The average long-term incidence of STT for 2010–2020 in the Russian Federation as a whole was 1.04 (CI951.02÷1.05)0/0000, with no tendency to change. The maximum relative incidence of STT is typical for the Siberian Federal District (SFD), where the average long-term incidence rate for 2010–2020 was 6.20 (CI956.08÷6.31) per 100 thousand of the population. The Far Eastern Federal District (FEFD) – 4.70 (CI954.53÷4.87)0/0000came in second place, the third place was taken by the Ural Federal District (UFD) – 0.08 (CI950.07÷0.10)0/0000. When assessing the 11-year dynamics of the relative incidence of STT by the Federal Districts, we have detected a tendency to its stabilization in the SFD and the FEFD. In the UFD, a significant downward trend was revealed. The upward trend in the incidence of STT remained in the Altai Republic. Major decline in STT incidence was observed in the Kurgan Region, Trans-Baikal Territory, Krasnoyarsk Territory, and the Republic of Khakassia. There was a declining trend in the incidence of Astrakhan spotted fever in the Astrakhan Region and the Republic of Kalmykia. In the Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol there is no trend to increase the incidence of Mediterranean fever.
Signal propagation modeling in complex, three-dimensional environments
Authors: Wilson D. , Breton Daniel , Waldrop Lauren , Glaser Danney , Alter Ross , Hart Carl , Barnes Wesley , Ekegren Michael , Muhlestein Michael , Mishra Manisha , Niccolai M. , White Michael , Borden Christian , Fahy Ethan
Published: April 2021

The Signal Physics Representation in Uncertain and Complex Environments (SPRUCE) work unit, part of the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) Army Terrestrial-Environmental Modeling and Intelligence System (ARTEMIS) work package, focused on the creation of a suite of three-dimensional (3D) signal and sensor performance modeling capabilities that realistically capture propagation physics in urban, mountainous, forested, and other complex terrain environments. This report describes many of the developed technical capabilities. Particular highlights are (1) creation of a Java environmental data abstraction layer for 3D representation of the atmosphere and inhomogeneous terrain that ingests data from many common weather forecast models and terrain data formats, (2) extensions to the Environmental Awareness for Sensor and Emitter Employment (EASEE) software to enable 3D signal propagation modeling, (3) modeling of transmitter and receiver directivity functions in 3D including rotations of the transmitter and receiver platforms, (4) an Extensible Markup Language/JavaScript Object Notation (XML/JSON) interface to facilitate deployment of web services, (5) signal feature definitions and other support for infrasound modeling and for radio-frequency (RF) modeling in the very high frequency (VHF), ultra-high frequency (UHF), and super-high frequency (SHF) frequency ranges, and (6) probabilistic calculations for line-of-sight in complex terrain and vegetation.
Petrology of Basanitic Lavas of the Daur–Hentiyn Range (P–T Conditions of Formation, Crystallization Sequence, and Sources of Material)
Authors: Medvedev A.Ya. , Demonterova E.I. , Karimov A.A. , Belyaev V.A.
Published: April 2021

—We performed a comprehensive study of basanites from the Daur–Hentiyn Range and present the first data on their Sr and Nd isotope and mineral compositions (electron probe microanalysis). The study has shown that the basanites are chemically similar to the volcanic rocks of the South Baikal volcanic area (SBVA) and are slightly different from oceanic island basalts in higher contents of Ba, Th, La, and Sr. The crystallization temperatures and pressures for the Fo0.85 olivine–melt equilibrium have been estimated, 1186–1137 ºC, 1.09–1.06 GPa, and the sequence of mineral crystallization has been established. The obtained Sr and Nd isotope data indicate that the basanitic magmas were generated from material with PREMA and EMI isotope parameters.
Crust–Mantle Xenoliths from the Kharchinsky Volcano (Central Kamchatka Depression): Mineralogy and Petrogenesis
Authors: Sekisova V.S. , Smirnov S.Z. , Kuzmin D.V. , Shevko A.Ya. , Gora M.P.
Published: April 2021

—We present results of a study of plutonic-rock xenoliths from the Kharchinsky Volcano (Central Kamchatka depression). The studied xenolith collection comprises nine samples of peridotites and clinopyroxenites. The peridotites are identified as wehrlites, dunites, and harzburgites composed of olivine, clino- and orthopyroxenes, amphibole, and chromite in varying amounts. The clinopyroxenites consist mostly of clinopyroxene and often contain subordinate olivine, amphibole, hercynite, and magnetite. The xenoliths have interstitial segregations and veins composed of chlorite, plagioclase, K-feldspar, orthopyroxene, barite, fluorapatite, ilmenite, and, more seldom, anhydrite, phlogopite, and some other minerals. The study has revealed that veinlet minerals sometimes replace primary minerals and form pseudomorphs, thus indicating the metasomatic origin of interstitial and vein mineral assemblages. The thermobarometric calculations for minerals have shown that peridotites formed at ~1140 °C and ≤10 kbar in the intermediate chambers at the depths from the spinel stability field to the Moho. Interstitial metasomatic alterations of rocks took place at ~400–850 °C.
Activated Carbon Impregnated by Zero-Valent Iron Nanoparticles (AC/nZVI) Optimized for Simultaneous Adsorption Furfural: Green Synthesis, Regeneration, Characterization, and Adsorption-Desorption Studies
Authors: Rashtbari Yousef , Afshin Shirin , Hamzezadeh Asghar , Ghosh Soumya , Rastegar Ayoob , Poureshgh Yousef , Ahmadi Shahin , Sher Farooq
Published: April 2021

Furfural is an organic aromatic compound that has attracted considerable interest as a potential chemical for the production of biochemical and biofuels. However, furfural has proved to possess ecotoxic effect on the environment and to humans, therefore measures are required to prevent these effects. One of the most widely used methods for eliminating furfural is the surface adsorption process.The present study focused on the structure and morphology of the composite nanoparticles, investigated using FTIR, XRD, BET and FE-SEM techniques.Furthermore, the variables of time, solution pH, dosage composite and initial furfural were evaluated. Furfural adsorption was performed by spectrophotometer at a wavelength of 227 nm. The removal efficiency under optimal conditions for furfural (Furfural concentration of 250 mg/L, the composite dose of 4 g/L, the reaction time of 60 min and pH = 7) was 81.46%. In addition, the study of isotherm and adsorption kinetics for furfural showed that the adsorption process follows the Langmuir isotherm and quasi-quadratic kinetics. The qmax of the composite was determined by the Langmuir model of222.22 mg/g. Therefore, the present study exclusively showedthat the activated carbon coated with nZVI nanoparticles used as an effective and environmentally friendly adsorbent for furfural removal from aqueous solutions. Furthermore, this study could possibly have applied for the adsorbtion of other chemical cmpounds such as dyes,metronidazole,aniline.
Modeling Shear Strength of Medium- to Ultra-High-Strength Concrete Beams with Stirrups using SVR and Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Jiang Chun-song , Liang Gui-Qin
Published: April 2021

This paper presents a data-driven machine learning approach of support vector regression (SVR) with genetic algorithm (GA) optimization approach called SVR-GA for predicting the shear strength capacity of medium-to ultra-high strength concrete beams with longitudinal reinforcement and vertical stirrups. 148 experimental samples collected with different geometric, material and physical factors from literature were utilized for SVR-GA with 5-fold cross validation. Shear influence factors such as the stirrup spacing, the beam width, the shear span-to-depth ratio, the effective depth of the beam, the concrete compressive and tensile strength, the longitudinal reinforcement ratio, the product of stirrup ratio and stirrup yield strength were served as input variables. The simulation results show that the predicted shear strength of SVR-GA model can achieve high accuracy based on testing set with a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.9642, root mean squared error (RMSE) of 1.4685 and mean absolute error (MAE) of 1.0216 superior to that for traditional SVR model with 0.9379, 2.0375 and 1.4917. The sensitivity analysis reveals that the most important variables affecting the prediction of the shear strength are shear span-to-depth ratio, concrete compressive strength, reinforcement ratio and the product of stirrup ratio and stirrup yield strength. Three-dimensional input/output maps can vividly reflect the nonlinear variation of the shear strength with the two coupling variables. All in all, the proposed SVR-GA model presents an effective and accurate artificial intelligence technology for modeling the shear strength of ultra-high strength concrete beams with stirrups.
Mechanical Behavior and Constitutive Model for Loess Samples under Simulated Acid Rain Conditions
Authors: ye xia , Liu Enlong , Di Baofeng , yu yayang
Published: April 2021

In this paper, the sulfuric acid solution is diluted to pH 5.0, 4.0 and 3.0 to simulate the acid rain condition, and the triaxial compressional tests and scanning electron microscope are carried out to study the mechanical properties and evolution of the microstructure of the saturated loess samples. The results demonstrate that acid rain increases the porosity of loess samples, and the pore distribution is not uniform, so that the mechanical properties of loess samples change. With the decrease of pH value, the peak value of the deviatoric stress and the volumetric contraction of loess samples decreases, which causes the strength of soil to decrease. Furthermore, the framework of the chemical-mechanical model for loess under the action of acid rain is established, in which the loess is considered as porous medium material, and the variable of acid rain at different pH values through the degree of chemical reaction is taken into account in the double-hardening model, and the model is also verified by the triaxial test results finally.
Cullin3 Aggravates The Inflammatory Response of PDLSCs Via Regulation of Shh Signaling and Nrf2
Authors: Chen Wanhong , Su Jiangling , Cai Shixiong , Shi Chun
Published: April 2021

Objective: Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) was found to be correlated with inflammation degree of patients with periodontitis. Cullin3 is an important ubiquitin ligase for controlling Shh signaling. In this study, we exerted ourselves to clarify the roles of Shh and Cullin3 in P. gingivalis-LPS (Pg-LPS)-treated periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs). Methods: Cell viability was detected using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). The inflammatory cytokines of PDLSCs were estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The protein levels of Shh, Gli1 and NF-E2-related factor2 (Nrf2) were determined via western blots. Alkaline phosphatase staining and Alizarin red staining were performed to evaluate the differentiation and mineralization capabilities of PDLSCs. The apoptotic cells were screened by TUNEL staining. Results: Pg-LPS inhibited cell viability and triggered inflammation of PDLSCs. Overexpression of Cullin3 impeded the differentiation and mineralization capabilities of PDLSCs. Moreover, Cullin3 overexpression aggravated inflammation and cell apoptosis induced by Pg-LPS. Of note, while the protein levels of Shh, Gli1 and Nrf2 were elevated in PDLSCs treated with Pg-LPS, overexpression of Cullin3 decreased the expressions of them. Conclusion: Shh/Gli1 and Nrf2 were involved in the inflammation and cell apoptosis of PDLSCs, which was dominated by Cullin3.
A Theory of Skyrmion Size in Skyrmion Crystals
Authors: Wang X. R. , Wu H. T. , Hu X. C. , Jing K. Y.
Published: April 2021

A magnetic skyrmion is a topological object that can exist as a solitary embedded in the vast ferromagnetic phase, or coexists with a group of its "siblings" in various stripy phases as well as skyrmion crystals (SkXs). Isolated skyrmions and skyrmions in an SkX are circular while a skyrmion in other phases is a stripe of various forms. Unexpectedly, the sizes of the three different class of skyrmions depend on material parameters differently. For chiral magnetic films with exchange stiffness constant A, the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI) strength D, and perpendicular magnetic anisotropy K, κ=π2D2⁄(16AK)=1 separates isolated skyrmions from condensed skyrmion states. In contrast to isolated skyrmions whose size increases with D⁄K and is insensitive to κ<<1 and stripe skyrmions whose width increases with A⁄D and is insensitive to κ>>1, the size of skyrmions in SkXs is inversely proportional to the square root of skyrmion number density and decreases with A⁄D. This finding has important implications in searching for stable smaller skyrmions at the room temperature.
Housing, Husbandry, and Clinical Techniques for Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) used in Biomedical Research
Authors: Palillo Michael , Palillo Jack , Glon Mael , White Mary , Bidot Willie , Pintor Lauren , Bergdall Valerie , Malbrue Raphael
Published: April 2021

Crayfish (Decapoda: Astacoidea & Parastacoidea), are amongst the few animals that have stem cells within hemolymph, with the capacity to continuously produce differentiated neuronal structures throughout life. As crayfish and other invertebrates continue to become common models in research to study human disease, it is vital that we develop universal laboratory standards and guidelines on housing and husbandry practices. This publication presents introductory data on housing, husbandry, hemolymph collection and statistically supported anesthesia trials, to support future research endeavors. Evaluation of housing, husbandry, clinical and anesthetic techniques in Procambarus clarkii maintained in a biomedical research setting were performed. An option for hemolymph collection, in the area termed, the Ventral Coelomic Hemolymph Collection Zone (VCHCZ) is presented as a technique to assess hemocytes. Additionally, Wright Giemsa stained slides of crayfish hemolymph were evaluated by a board-certified veterinary clinical pathologist for interpretation and confirmation of hemolymph collection. The housing and husbandry experiments were performed over a duration of 37 days. Mortality rates and physical health assessments were performed. The following water quality parameters were concurrently evaluated: temperature, light cycle, pH, KH, GH, conductivity, total dissolved solids, salinity, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. Anesthetic techniques were evaluated between four experimental groups: (A) immersion in buffered MS-222 (50 mg/L), (B) immersion in buffered MS-222 (150 mg/L) (C) immersion in Propofol (65 mg/L) and (D) Propofol injection (100 mg/kg) into VCHCZ. Housing and husbandry techniques were validated with 0% mortality and normal species-specific behaviors were observed. MS-222 immersion had no observable effect on crayfish. Propofol immersion (65 mg/L) created sedative effects allowing for appropriate handling. Propofol injection (100 mg/kg) into VCHCZ successfully created a deep anesthetic plane that would allow for more invasive or surgical procedures, without adverse effects during or after recovery.
Preparing for Partnerships in Cancer Care: An Explorative Analysis of the Role of Family-Based Caregivers
Authors: Harrison Reema , Raman Madhav , Walpola Ramesh Lahiru , Chauhan Ashfaq , Sansom-Daly Ursula
Published: April 2021

Background

Family-based ‘informal’ caregivers are critical to enable sustainable cancer care that produces optimal health outcomes people who are living with or have lived with cancer worldwide. The present study sought to explore the experiences of family-based caregivers for people with cancer, their role in providing clinical care for their loved ones, and views of the support needed to enable them to participate in healthcare partnerships.
Methods

Qualitative data was collected using focus group and interview methods. We purposively sampled caregivers identified as having a high burden of responsibility for providing clinical care including those from ethnic minority backgrounds, parental caregivers and those living rurally. Transcripts were subject to thematic analysis utilising a team-based approach.
Results

Family-based caregivers included spouses (11), parents (7), children (1), siblings (1). Ten participants were from ethnic minority backgrounds and five participants were from regional or rural locations. Four resulting inter-related themes were; 1) Dual burden of providing clinical care as a family-based caregiver; 2) Healthcare partnership dynamics; 3) Skillset Development, and 4) Unique supportive needs and barriers to access. These data provide evidence of the unique challenge of providing clinical care as part of family-based caregiving for a loved one with cancer, and the absence of support for caregivers to take up this role.
Conclusion

Our findings highlight the substantial contribution of family-based caregivers to the provision of cancer care in contemporary health systems. Inadequate support for caregivers is apparent with regard to their role in providing clinical aspects of care such as medication administration and management. Support programs to prepare caregivers to provide clinical care while building capacity to manage their stressors and emotions through this challenging period may be valuable towards sustainable, person-centred care.
The Automatic Detection of Caries in Third Molars on Panoramic Radiographs Using Deep Learning: A Pilot Study
Authors: Vinayahalingam Shankeeth , Kempers Steven , Limon Lorenzo , Deibel Dionne , Maal Thomas , Bergé Stefaan , Xi Tong , Hanisch Marcel
Published: April 2021

The objective of this study is to assess the diagnostic accuracy of dental caries on panoramic radiographs using deep-learning algorithms. A convolutional neural network (CNN) was trained on a reference data set consisted of 400 cropped panoramic images in the detection of carious lesions in mandibular and maxillary third molars, based on the CNN MobileNet V2. For this pilot study, the trained MobileNet V2 was applied on a test set consisting of 100 cropped OPG(s). The detection accuracy and the area-under-the-curve (AUC) were calculated. The proposed method achieved an accuracy of 0.87, a sensitivity of 0.87, a specificity of 0.86 and an AUC of 0.90 for the detection of carious lesions of third molars on OPG(s). A high diagnostic accuracy was achieved in caries detection in third molars based on the MobileNet V2 algorithm as presented. This is beneficial for the further development of a deep-learning based automated third molar removal assessment in future.
Mobile and Intelligent Sensing for Video Watermarking Using Spectral Centroid and Haar Wavelet Transformation on High Performace Computing
Authors: S Venkatesh , R Saravanakumar , M SureshKumar , B sivakumar , T veeramakali
Published: April 2021

Some technologies are technologically advanced to provide security from illegal copying. Two complementary methods are encryption and watermarking. Encryption safeguards the information throughout the communication from the sender to the receiver. The data might present a distorted image after receipt and subsequent decryption. Watermarking complements encryption through embedding data openly into the image. Therefore, the watermark continuously remains existing in the data. A digital watermark is a category of indication secretly entrenched in a noise-tolerant signal similar to audio or else image information. It is indeed applied to distinguish copyright possession of such signal. Computer-aided hiding of the given digitized information in a carrier is known as watermarking. Digital watermarks possibly will be employed to validate the authenticity or integrity of a carrier signal or to determine source uniqueness. It is evidently applied for determining copyright contraventions and aimed at banknote verification. Analogous to traditional watermarks, digital watermarks are unique only beneath certain conditions. Once a digital watermark varies a carrier in a manner that it turns out to be noticeable, formerly it is of no use. The media will be visible by traditional watermarks (similar to images or else video) but the signal might be pictures, video, audio, texts or 3D models in digital watermarking. A signal can transmit some different watermarks at the equivalent time. Image watermarking is achieved in this study using two methods known as Hidden Markov Tree–Contourlet Wavelet Transform (HMT-CWT) and Haar wavelet transform – Discrete Fourier transform (HWT-DFT). In the next HWT-DFT method, a video is given as an input and it is split into two halves (audio and image). The audio is de-watermarked through Spectral Centroid Wavelet Transform and enhanced by utilizing Firefly procedure. The images is handled through HWT in addition to DFT. Then the output watermarked images and audio combined together to form a watermarked video. The obtained video is de-watermarked to produce the original copy of the video. The process of getting back the original copy by removing the watermark from the video is called as de-watermarking.
Biodegradation Control of Chitosan Materials By Surface Modification With Copolymers of Glycidyl Methacrylate and Alkyl Methacrylates
Authors: Bryuzgin Evgeny , Bryuzgina Ekaterina , Yartseva Vitaliya , Belina Kristina , Makevnina Olga , Kolyaganova Olga , Klimov Victor , Navrotskiy Alexander , Novakov Ivan
Published: April 2021

Chitosan is one of promising polymer from natural polysaccharides, which is an environmentally friendly compound from renewable raw materials. Chitosan has biodegradability, biocompatibility, and exhibits antimicrobial, antibacterial, and other activities. In this article, we report the first use of copolymers based on glycidyl methacrylate and (fluoro)alkyl methacrylates as material surface wettability modifiers based on a chitosan, and we show that grafting of copolymers allows an increase in the hydrophobicity of films with contact angles up to 114° and up to 154° for aerogels. The resulting chitosan aerogels have high porosity with a pore size of 100–200 µm and the pore walls are 0.6–0.7 µm-thick film formations. Our study of lyophilic properties of modified chitosan substrates showed a change in the hydrophobicity of the materials as a function of length of the hydrocarbon radical in the side groups of (fluoro)alkyl methacrylates in the copolymers. Additionally, the rate of biodegradation of the resulting materials decreased with an increase in the number of hydrophobic groups in the modifier. Obtained chitosan materials with hydrophobic coatings have potential as a protective layer for wound dressings with an extended service life.
Design and Simulation of Photonic Crystal Fiber Based Surface Plasmon Resonance Biosensor for Cancer Diagnosis
Authors: Fazeli Mehdi , Horri Ashkan
Published: April 2021

A surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor based on photonic crystal fiber (PCF) was designed and gold metal was used as a sensitive plasmonic layer. Performance of this sensor was investigated using the finite element method (FEM) for refractive indexes (RI) of 1.33 to 1.41. This sensor has a sensitivity for the defined refractive indexes range between 2600 to 28921 nm/RIU at wavelengths of 650 to 1400 nm and has the highest resolution and best FOM with a value of 3.46×10 -6 RIU, 222.45 RIU -1 , respectively. Diagnosis of cancer by examining blood samples is one of the advantages of this sensor. Due to the simple structure of this sensor and its good performance, it can be used as a good diagnostic tool for analytes with different refractive index.
With a hint of Sudachi: food plating can facilitate the fondness of food
Authors: Kokaji Nao , Nakatani Masashi
Published: April 2021

Among the senses of food, our sense of taste is significantly influenced by our perception. In appetite science, previous research reported that when we make estimate the quality in daily life, we rely considerably on visual information (Carlos et al., 2012). In this study, we focused on the multimodal mental imagery (Nanay, 2018) evoked by the visual information of food served on a plate and examined the effect of the peripheral visual information: garnish, on the sensory impression of the main dish. We conducted a sensory evaluation experiment to evaluate the impressions of food photographs and structured the sensory values using multivariate analysis. We found that the appearance of the garnish placed on the plates close to the main meal contributes to appetite arousal. Here we show that color, moisture, and taste (sourness and spices) play a major role in the decision. In order to arouse one’s appetite, it is important to make the main dish appear warmer. Our results can be used to modulate eating experience and appetite arousal. Applying these results for meals can contribute toward making the dining experience more attractive by superimposing visual information on it with XR technology, or by presenting real appropriate garnishes.
Collection and use of human materials during TB clinical research; a review of practices
Authors: Ochieng Joseph , Kwagala Betty , Sewankambo Nelson
Published: April 2021

Background: Human biological materials are usually stored for possible uses in future research because they preserve valuable biological information, save time and resources which would have been spent on collection of fresh samples and are less burdensome to sample sources. However, use of these materials may pose ethical challenges like disclosure of genetic information about an individual or a community which may lead to dire consequences. Others include, stigma, psychological harm, discrimination or bio-security implications rendering sample sources vulnerable, lack of control over the materials or associated data, storage, who owns them, how they are used, for what, by whom and how benefits are shared if any. We evaluated how the tuberculosis (TB) clinical research protocols that were used to collect and store biological materials for future use conform to the requirements stated in the Uganda national guidelines for research involving humans as participants.Methods: This was a retrospective review of TB clinical research projects approved by the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST) from 2011 to 2015, on whether they fulfilled the requirement for ethical collection and use of human materials. Data was abstracted from review of the project protocols and collected using a template developed based on the informed consent and the Materials Transfer Agreement (MTA) requirements in the national guidelines.Results: Out of 55 research protocols reviewed most of the protocols, 46 (83.6%), had been used to collect the stored samples (sputum, blood and sometimes urine), 13 (28%) had a section on specimen collection and 24% mentioned ownership of the biological materials.Review of the consent forms used in the studies that stored materials for future use, only 9% of the protocols had a separate consent form for storage of materials, 4.5% of the consent forms explained the risks, 11.4% explained the purpose of the study while 6.8% mentioned the place of storage for the collected materials.Conclusion: Many of the studies reviewed did not meet the requirements for collection and storage of biological materials contained in the national guidelines.
Identification of Candidate Biomarkers Correlated Poorer Prognosis of Breast Cancer via Bioinformatics Method
Authors: Chen Gang , Yu Mingwei , Cao Jianqiao , Zhao Huishan , Dai Yuanping , Cong Yizi , Qiao Guangdong
Published: April 2021

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is a malignancy with a high incidence among women in the world, and it is very urgent to identify significant biomarkers and molecular therapy methods.Methods: Total 58 normal tissues and 203 cancer tissues were collected from three Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) gene expression profiles, and the differential expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. Subsequently, the Gene Ontology (GO) function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome (KEGG) pathway were analyzed. Additionally, hub genes were screened by constructing a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Then, we explored the prognostic values and molecular mechanism of these hub genes Kaplan-Meier (KM) curve and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). Results: 42 up-regulated and 82 down-regulated DEGs were screened out from GEO datasets. GO and KEGG pathway analysis revealed that DEGs were mainly related to cell cycles and cell proliferation. Furthermore, 12 hub genes (FN1, AURKA, CCNB1, BUB1B, PRC1, TPX2, NUSAP1, TOP2A, KIF20A, KIF2C, RRM2, ASPM) with a high degree of genes were selected, among which, 11 hub gene were significantly correlated with the prognosis of patients with BC. From GSEA reviewed correlated with KEGG_CELL_CYCLE and HALLMARK_P53_PATHWAY. Conclusion: this study identified 11 key genes as BC potential prognosis biomarkers on the basis of integrated bioinformatics analysis. This finding will improve our knowledge of the BC progress and mechanisms.
Poleward shift in the Southern Hemisphere westerly winds synchronous with the deglacial rise in CO2
Authors: Gray William , de Lavergne Casimir , Wills Robert Jnglin , Menviel Laurie , Spence Paul , Holzer Mark , Kageyama Masa , Michel Elisabeth
Published: April 2021

The Southern Hemisphere westerly winds strongly influence deep ocean circulation and carbon storage1. While the westerlies are hypothesised to play a key role in regulating atmospheric CO2 over glacial-interglacial cycles2–4, past changes in their position and strength remain poorly constrained5–7. Here, we use a compilation of planktic foraminiferal δ18O from across the Southern Ocean and constraints from an ensemble of climate models to reconstruct changes in the westerlies over the last deglaciation. We find a 4.7° (2.9-6.9°, 95% confidence interval) equatorward shift and about a 25% weakening of the westerlies during the Last Glacial Maximum (about 20,000 years ago) relative to the mid-Holocene (about 6,000 years ago). Our reconstruction shows that the poleward shift in the westerlies over deglaciation closely mirrors the rise in atmospheric CO2. Experiments with a 0.25° resolution ocean-sea-ice-carbon model demonstrate that shifting the westerlies equatorward substantially reduces the overturning rate of the abyssal ocean, leading to a suppression of CO2 outgassing from the Southern Ocean. Our results establish a central role for the westerly winds in driving the deglacial CO2 rise, and suggest natural CO2 outgassing from the Southern Ocean is likely to increase as the westerlies shift poleward due to anthropogenic warming8–10.
An investigation into the avoidability of drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome
Authors: Danjuma Mohammed , Naseralallah Lina , AbouJabal Bodoor , Mohamed Mouhand , Abubeker Ibrahim , Jabbar Layla , Elzouki Abdelnaser
Published: April 2021

Purpose Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is a rising morbidity amongst hospitalized patients. Significant uncertainty remains regarding its exact diagnostic tool. Whilst algorithms for management of index cases have been well established, examination of its potential preventability by utilizing novel “avoidability” tools have remained unexplored.Methods This prospective study is comprised of patients who presented to emergency department of Weill Cornell Medicine-affiliated Hamad General Hospital, Doha Qatar with suspected DRESS syndrome. These cases were comparatively adjudicated and ascertained independently using RegiSCAR, and JSCAR tools by two clinical pharmacists and two General Physicians. They were subsequently rated for potential avoidability utilizing the Liverpool adverse drug reactions avoidability tool (LAAT) by the same team of raters.Results A total of 16 patients satisfy RegiSCAR criteria for DRESS syndrome. The mean age of the study population was 41.5 (SD ± 13.3) years, with a disproportionately male phenotype (n = 12; [75%]). The median latent period from drug ingestion to clinical presentation was 14 days (IQR 6.5, 29). The median RegiSCAR and J-SCAR scores were 6 (IQR 5, 6.8), 5 (IQR 4, 5.8) respectively. Utilizing the LAAT tool, about 60% of the DRESS syndrome-drug pairs were rated as “avoidable” (“probable” or “definite”). The overall Krippendorf’s alpha with the LAAT was 0.81 (SE 0.10, CI 0.59–1.00); with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.90 (CI 0.77, 0.96.).Conclusion In a randomly selected cohort of DRESS syndrome-drug pairs, the LAAT tool showed a significant proportion that were potentially avoidable (“possibly” and “definitely”). This will need validation by large sample sized prospective studies utilizing the updated LAAT tool proposed by this study.
Myiasis Absent Wohlfahrtiimonas Chitiniclastica Bacteremia in a Lung Cancer Patient – A Case Report
Authors: Dovjak Peter , Kroissenbrunner Michael , Iglseder Bernhard
Published: April 2021

Background: A gruesome infection was found in a woman with advanced lung tumor and associated malnutrition. Worldwide, bacteremia with Wohlfartiimonas chitiniclastica was only found in 13 cases yet.Case presentation: This is the first case in Austria and the first case without infestation of maggots.Conclusions: This germ may be considered as an emerging human pathogen not only in patients with poor personal hygiene, difficult social circumstances, alcohol dependence or chronic wounds.AbstraktEine grauenhafte Infektion wurde bei einer Patientin mit fortgeschrittenem Lungentumor und Malnutrition gefunden. Bisher wurden weltweit erst 13 Fälle mit einer Wohlfahrtiimonas chitiniclastica - Bakteriämie beschrieben. Dieser erste Fall in Österreich manifestierte sich ohne eine Infestation mit Maden. Dieses Bakterium kann als neuer Krankheitserreger betrachtet werden, der nicht nur bei Patienten unter mangelnder Hygienebedingungen, schwierigen sozialen Verhältnissen, Alkoholabhängigkeit oder chronischen Wunden auftreten kann.
The Efficacy and Safety of Percutaneous Kyphoplasty in the Management of Patients With Painful Spinal Osteoblastic Metastases
Authors: Wu Wence , Liu Huanmei , Zhang Xinxin , Yu Shengji
Published: April 2021

Background: The study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of minimally invasive approach for painful spinal osteoblastic metastases by percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP).Methods: A total of 30 patients (11 males and 19 females, average age, 58.9 ± 8.7 years) with 56 spinal osteoblastic lesions underwent PKP under conscious sedation were reviewed retrospectively. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score was employed to assess pain. Karnofsky performance score (KPS), quality of life (QOL) score (short form with 36 questions) and related complications were used to evaluate the clinical outcomes of the procedures.Results: All patients underwent PKP successfully and the pain was significantly alleviated after PKP. Mean VAS scores decreased significantly from 6.07 ± 1.84 preoperatively to 2.70 ± 1.56 at 3 days after PKP (P<0.001), and remained largely immutable at 1 month (2.03 ± 0.72; 30 patients; P<0.001), 3 months (2.38 ± 1.24; 29 patients; P<0.001) and 1 year (3.04 ± 1.00; 26 patients; P<0.001). Mean KPS and QOL scores were 59.33 ± 19.11 and 91.20 ± 12.88 preoperatively and improved to 69.31 ± 19.81 (P < 0.001) and 99.61 ± 12.29 (P < 0.001) at 3 months after PKP, respectively. Two (6.7%) patients suffered from the leakage of bone cement.Conclusions: As a minimally invasive surgery, PKP may not only effectively allevated the pain, but also safely improved the QOL of spinal osteoblastic metastatic patients.
Vibrational spectroscopy analysis of ligand efficacy in M2R
Authors: Katayama Kota , Suzuki Kohei , Suno Ryoji , Kise Ryoji , Tsujimoto Hirokazu , Iwata So , Inoue Asuka , Kobayashi Takuya , Kandori Hideki
Published: April 2021

The intrinsic efficacy of ligand binding to G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) reflects the ability of the ligand to differentially activate its receptor to cause a physiological effect. Here we use attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy to examine the ligand-dependent conformational changes in the human M2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (M2R). We show that different ligands affect conformational alteration appearing at the C=O stretch of amide-I band in M2R. Notably, ATR-FTIR signals strongly correlated with G-protein activation levels in cells. Together, we propose that amide-I band serves as an infrared probe to distinguish the ligand efficacy in M2R and paves the path to rationally design ligands with varied efficacy towards the target GPCR.
Online chatter detection in robotic machining based on adaptive variational mode decomposition
Authors: Chen Qizhi , Zhang Chengrui , Hu Tianliang , Zhou Yan , Ni Hepeng , Wang Teng
Published: April 2021

Chatter is the main problem that limits the application of industrial robots in the field of machining process. It is critical important to establish an adaptive chatter detection solution for robot machining process and realize the online detection of chatter. However, different from machine tool chatter, the chatter in robotic machining process is more complex to be detected due to the variable stiffness characteristics and weaker stiffness of normal industrial robot, and the existing literature has less research on this problem. This paper presents a comprehensive solution for online chatter detection in robotic machining process. Firstly, in order to detect the chatter in robotic machining process and avoid mode mixing problem in variational mode decomposition (VMD) process, an adaptive variational mode decomposition (AVMD) method based on kurtosis and instantaneous frequency is proposed, which realizes the adaptive selection of the decomposition parameter. Secondly, optimal decomposition parameters are calculated by using genetic algorithm. By optimizing the discrete step length of decomposition parameter, it greatly reduces the optimization time. Last but not least, approximate entropy, energy entropy and proposed entropy drift coefficient are extracted to distinguish chatter and stable machining state. Simulation and experimental results show that the proposed method can meet the real-time requirements of online detection and detect the occurrence of chatter effectively.
Men’s Comfort to Distribute or Receive HIV Self-Test Kits from Close Male Social Network Members in Tanzania: Baseline Results from the STEP Project
Authors: Matovu Joseph KB , Mbita Gaspar , Hamilton Akeen , Mhando Frank , Sims Wynton M. , Thompson Noah , Komba Albert N , Lija Jackson , Zhang Jiajia , Akker Thomas van den , Duncan Dustin , Choko Augustine , Conserve Donaldson F.
Published: April 2021

Background

Few studies have explored alternative strategies for reaching men with HIV self-testing services. In this study, we assessed the factors associated with men’s comfort to distribute or receive HIV self-test kits from close male friends among men who socialize in networks locally referred to as "camps" in Tanzania.
Methods

Data are from a cluster-randomized controlled trial conducted in June 2019 in 18 social networks or “camps” in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Participants were 18-year-old or older male camp members who were HIV-negative at the time of enrolment. Robust Poisson regression was implemented through the generalized random effect model with the log link to assess the factors associated with being comfortable to receive and/or give out HIV self-test kits to close male members within one’s social network.
Results

Of 505 participants, 67.9% (n = 342) reported that they would be comfortable giving HIV self-test kits to close male friends while 68.2% (n = 344) were comfortable receiving HIV self-test kits from their close male friends. Ever having heard about HIV self-testing (Adjusted Prevalence Rate (Adj. PR): 1.6; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.3, 1.9), willingness to self-test for HIV in front of a sexual partner (Adj. PR: 3.0; 95%CI: 1.5, 6.1) and exposure to peer-led HIV self-testing education and promotion (Adj. PR: 1.4; 95%CI: 1.2, 1.7) were significantly associated with being comfortable to receive and/or give out HIV self-test kits to close male members within one’s social network.
Conclusions

Prior awareness of HIV self-testing, willingness to self-test before one’s sexual partner and exposure to peer-led HIV self-testing education and promotion were significantly associated with being comfortable to give or receive HIV self-test kits from close male friends in this population. These findings suggest that distribution of HIV self-test kits through close male friends could improve the proportion of men reached with HIV self-testing services and improve HIV testing rates in this population where uptake remains low.
Quantitative Evaluation of Insulin Injection-induced Abdominal Subcutaneous Dystrophic Tissue Using Shear Wave Elastography
Authors: Sato Genki , Uchino Hiroshi , Shimizu Yosuke , Tatebe Junko , Morita Toshisuke , Hirose Takahisa
Published: April 2021

Subcutaneous dystrophic tissue produced by injection of insulin causes dysglycemia due to inadequate absorption of insulin. However, precise techniques to measure the dystrophic tissue have not been established. Shear wave elastography (SWE) is an imaging technology that can quantify tissue stiffness. We evaluated insulin injection-induced dystrophic tissue by SWE. We recruited seven patients with type 2 diabetes who had suspicion of the abdominal dystrophic tissue. Using SWE, we measured the shear wave velocity (SWV) of the dystrophic tissue and the normal adipose tissue as a control. Furthermore, two patients underwent whole abdominal SWE examination and we calculated the proportion of dystrophic tissue. We also performed a subcutaneous insulin tolerance test at both dystrophic tissue and control sites. The mean SWV of the dystrophic tissue was significantly higher than the control (2.87 ± 0.24 vs. 1.34 ± 0.11 m/s, p<0.01). The volume of the dystrophic tissue was 2.94 ± 3.21%. The mean area under the curve of subcutaneous injected Insulin Aspart concentration at the dystrophic tissue sites was lower than control (80.3 ± 31.4 vs. 119 ± 34.2 h*mU/L, p=0.10). The results from this study indicate that SWE can be useful in evaluating abdominal subcutaneous dystrophic tissue.
Expression CMTM6 and PD-L1 and Their Significance in Cervical Squamous Cell Carcinomas
Authors: Ma Hongyan , Shi Shuai , Zhang Zhigang , Ma Zhihong , liu honggang
Published: April 2021

Background: This study aimed to investigate the expression levels of chemokine-like factor-like MARVEL transmembrane domain-containing family member 6 (CMTM6) and PD-L1 in cervical squamous cell carcinoma and their clinical significance. Methods: We used immunohistochemistry to detect the expression of CMTM6 and PD-L1 in 41 cases of normal cervical squamous mucosa tissue and 76 cervical squamous cell carcinomas. Chi-square test was used to analyze the difference of CMTM6 between cervical squamous carcinoma and normal squamous mucosa. Results: The results showed that the expression of CMTM6 and PD-L1 in cervical squamous carcinoma was significantly higher than that in normal squamous mucosa (p<0.05). There is a positive correlation between the expression of CMTM6 and PD-L1 in cervical squamous carcinoma (p<0.05). There is no correlation between CMTM6 and HPV infection in cervical squamous carcinoma. In addition, CMTM6 expression is positively correlated with lymph node metastasis and nerve invasion for cervical squamous carcinoma (p<0.05). PD-L1 expression is positively correlated with the differentiation of cervical squamous carcinoma. Conclusions: The expression of CMTM6 and PD-L1 is closely correlated in cervical squamous carcinoma , and may be used as a molecular target for cervical cancer in the future.