bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation Indicator of Regional Energy Vulnerability to Climate Change - Spatial and Temporal Analysis
Authors: RAMOS Luis , GUEVARA Fredy , GUEVARA Marco
Published: March 2021

Climate change might affect energy production and therefore the energy security of a country or region. This vulnerability situation may affect Renewable Energy Sources (RES) such as hydroelectric and has consequences on effective energy transition. Since the transition to RES is a key for decarbonizing the economy in line with the Paris Agreement this situation is critical for many countries in which their energy systems are linked to resources strongly affected by climate. The aim of this study is to purpose a vulnerability indicator (VI) to evaluate the electric energy vulnerability of an on-grid system to climate change at national and regional level taking as base the case of study of Colombia, a country with a system based on 70% RES. VI is computed with different variables that may be related to climate change, the energy matrix, and vulnerability. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to select the variables involved in the VI calculation. The VI was calculated for the whole country and the 32 departments (states) showing that the regions with the larger vulnerability correspond to the more energy demanding regions. These vulnerable regions to climate change are more than 50% of the maximum possible vulnerability, meanwhile, the vulnerability of the whole country was estimated as 43%. The analysis was developed for the current situation of Colombia in which there are two regions: interconnected (SIN) and not-interconnected (ZNI) areas.
Dysautonomia in post-COVID-19 patients: new insights
Authors: Barizien Nicolas , Guen Morgan Le , Russel Stéphanie , Touche Pauline , Huang Florent , Vallée Alexandre
Published: March 2021

Background: Increasing numbers of COVID-19 patients, continue to experience symptoms months after recovering from mild cases of COVID-19. Amongst these symptoms, several are related to neurological manifestations, including fatigue, anosmia, hypogeusia, headaches and hypoxia. However, the involvement of the autonomic nervous system, expressed by a dysautonomia, which can aggregate all these neurological symptoms has not been prominently reported. Here, we hypothesize that dysautonomia, could occur in secondary COVID-19 infection, also referred to as “long COVID” infection. Methods: 39 participants were included from December 2020 to January 2021for assessment by the Department of physical medicine to enhance their physical capabilities: 12 participants with COVID-19 diagnosis and fatigue, 15 participants with COVID-19 diagnosis without fatigue and 12 control participants without COVID-19 diagnosis and without fatigue. Heart rate variability (HRV) during a change in position is commonly measured to diagnose autonomic dysregulation. In this cohort, to reflect HRV, parasympathetic/sympathetic balance was estimated using the NOL™ index, a multiparameter artificial intelligence-driven index calculated from extracted physiological signals by the PMD-200TM pain monitoring system. Repeated-measures mixed-models testing group effect were performed to analyze NOL index changes over time between groups. Results: A significant NOL index dissociation over time between post-COVID-19 participants with fatigue and control participants was observed (p=0.046). A trend towards significant NOL index dissociation over time was observed between post-COVID-19 participants without fatigue and control participants (p=0.109). No difference over time was observed between the two groups of post-COVID-19 participants (p=0.904). Conclusions: Post-COVID-19 participants with fatigue may exhibit a dysautonomia characterized by dysregulation of the HRV, that is reflected by the NOL index measurements, compared to control participants. Dysautonomia may explain the persistent symptoms observed in post-COVID-19 patients, such as fatigue and hypoxia.
The interaction between brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66met polymorphism and dietary indices, The Healthy Eating Index (HEI), The Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I) , and Phytochemical index (PI) , on anthropometric indices, inflammatory, and oxidative stress markers in patient with type2 diabetes
Authors: Naeini Zeinab , Aghazadeh Negin , Karimi Elmira , Esmaeily Zahra , Abaj Faezeh , Rafiee Masoumeh , Koohdani Fariba
Published: March 2021

Background: Although many studies suggest an association between BDNF Val66Met with eating disorders and obesity especially in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), the interaction between BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and diet quality indices in diabetic patients have not been investigated yet. The current study was aimed to evaluate the interaction between the diet quality indices including Healthy Eating Index (HEI), Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I), Phytochemical Index (PI) and BDNF Val66Mat (rs6265) polymorphism on markers of inflammation, and oxidative stress in T2DM patients.Methods: This current cross-sectional study was conducted on 634 Iranian T2DM patients aged 35–65 years of both genders were randomly recruited. Dietary intakes was estimated by a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) with 148 food items. All participants were categorized into three categories, based on DQI, HEI, and PI scores. The interactions were tested using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) in adjusted and unadjusted models.Results: There were significant gene-diet interactions between BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and HEI, DQI, and PI scores in modulating body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) values. Our results showed that higher scores for all diet-quality indices were significantly associated with a lower BMI and WC values after adjustment (P Interactions < 0.05). We also observed a significant interaction between the DQI scores and Val66Met polymorphism on level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) (p-interaction= 0.01). The highest quartile of DQI was associated with elevated level of SOD in the Val/Met and Met/Met genotype group. Moreover, the interaction between the DQI scores and Val66Met polymorphism on total antioxidant capacity (TAC) tended to be significant.Conclusions: Higher scores for all diet-quality indices were significantly associated with a lower BMI and WC values. There were significant differences for PTX and PGF2A among HEI tertiles. The interaction between the polymorphism and DQI on TAC and SOD levels were significant.
Evolution of the GII.3[P12] Norovirus from 2010 to 2019 in Jiangsu, China
Authors: Fu Jian-Guang , Ai Jing , Bao Changjun , Zhang Jun , Wu Qingbin , Zhu Liguo , Hu Jianli , Xing Zheng
Published: March 2021

Objectives: Norovirus genotype GII.3[P12] strains have been an important pathogen for sporadic gastroenteritis infection. In previous studies of GII.3[P12], the number of specimens and time span are relatively small, which is difficult to truly reflect the infection and evolution of this type of norovirus. Here we report a molecular epidemiological study of the NoVs prevalent in Jiangsu between 2010 and 2019 to investigate the evolution of the GII.3[P12] strains in China. Methods: In this study 60 GII.3[P12] norovirus strains were sequenced and analyzed for evolution, recombination, and selection pressure using bioanalysis software. Results: The GII.3[P12] strains were continuously detected during the study period, which showed a high constituent ratio in males, among children aged 0–11 months and winter. A time-scaled evolutionary tree showed that both GII.P12 RdRp and GII.3 VP1 sequences were grouped into three major clusters (Cluster I-III). Most GII.3[P12] strains were mainly located in sub-cluster (SC) II of Cluster III. A SimPlot analysis identified GII.3[P12] strain to be as an ORF1-intragenic recombinant of GII.4[P12] and GII.3[P21]. The RdRp genes of the GII.3[P12] showed a higher mean substitution rate than those of all GII.P12, while the VP1 genes of the GII.3[P12] showed a lower mean substitution rate than those of all GII.3. Alignment of the GII.3 capsid sequences revealed that three HBGA binding sites of all known GII.3 strains remained conserved, while several amino acid mutations in the predicted antibody binding sites were detected. The mutation at 385 was within predicted antibody binding regions, close to host attachment factor binding sites. Positive and negative selection sites were estimated. Two common positively selected sites (sites 385 and 406) were located on the surface of the protruding domain. Moreover, an amino acid substitution (aa204) was estimated to be near the active site of the RdRp protein. These results suggested that evolution of the GII.3[P12] noroviruses was possibly driven by intergenic recombination and mutations in some key amino acid sites. Conclusions: The GII.3[P12] recombinant strain was dominant for the GII.P12 and GII.3 noroviruses in China, which is therefore a major concern for causing gastrointestinal infection.
Fundamental optical linewidth of soliton microcombs
Authors: Lei Fuchuan , Ye Zhichao , Fülöp Attila , Torres-Company Victor
Published: March 2021

Soliton microcombs provide a versatile platform for realizing fundamental studies and technological applications. To be utilized as frequency rulers for precision metrology, soliton microcombs must display broadband phase coherence, a parameter characterized by the optical phase or frequency noise of the comb lines and their corresponding optical linewidths. Here, we analyze the optical phase-noise dynamics in soliton microcombs and show that, because of the Raman self-frequency shift, the fundamental linewidth of some of the comb lines can, surprisingly, be narrower than the linewidth of the pump laser. This work elucidates information about the ultimate limits in phase coherence of soliton microcombs and illustrates a new strategy for the generation of spectrally coherent light on chip.
Effect of Alkali Atom Doping on the Electronic Structure and Aromatic Character of Planar and Quasi-Planar Al13+ Clusters
Authors: Guin Surajit , Jana Atish Dipankar
Published: March 2021

A set of three Al13+ clusters, one perfectly planar and two quasi-planar structures have been recently reported by our group [Guin et. al. Journal of Molecular Graphics and Modeling, 2020, 97, 107544]. One of the quasi-planar structures is true minima (GS) with zero imaginary frequency and another one is transition state structure (TS) with one imaginary frequency, whereas the perfectly planar structure has three imaginary frequencies. All three posses bilaterally symmetry with identical structural features - a set of ten aluminium atoms encircle a triangular core and also this set of three aluminium cluster is a rare example of a metallo-aromatic system in which highly anti-aromatic islands are embedded in an aromatic sea. One of the atoms of the central triangle lies on the symmetry axis and is crucial for the stability of these clusters. In the present study, we have explored the effect of doping alkali atoms (Li, Na and K) at this pivotal site of the cluster with an aim to understand the structural stability and the effect on the aromatic character as compared to the parent clusters. Besides the electronic structural analysis, NICS and ELF studies have also been carried out to characterize the aromatic nature of the doped clusters. Interestingly it has been found that even with the incorporation of the alkali atoms the bilateral symmetry of the clusters remains intact but instead of the central position the alkali atoms drift towards the periphery of the cluster along the symmetry line and equilibrate on the periphery. The dipole moment of the clusters systematically increases and the overall aromaticity of the cluster systematically decreases with the increase in the atomic number of the dopant alkali atoms.
Use of bacterial cellulose in the textile industry and the wettability challenge - a review
Authors: Provin Ana Paula , Reis Victória Oliva dos , Hilesheim Stefany Espindola , Bianchet Ritanara Tayane , Dutra Ana Regina de Aguiar , Cubas Anelise Leal Vieira
Published: March 2021

Bacterial cellulose (BC) has been studied as an alternative material in several segments of the food, pharmaceutical, materials and textile industries. The importance of BC is linked to sustainability goals, since it is an easily degradable biomaterial of low toxicity to the environment and is a renewable raw material. For use in the textile area, bacterial cellulose has attracted great interest from researchers, but it presents some challenges, notably hydrophilicity due to its porous structure. This bibliometric review article gathers studies and methods related to minimizing the hydrophilicity of bacterial cellulose in order to expand its applicability in the textile industry. The databases consulted were ScienceDirect, ProQuest and Web of Science, the documents investigated were scientific articles and the time period investigated was between 2015 and 2021. The discussion is focused on the applicability of BC in the textile industry, highlighting the research needs, especially with regard to reducing wettability.
Effects of China's Ecological Restoration on Economic Development Based on Night-Time Light and NDVI Data
Authors: Li Qiang , Shi Xueyi , Wu Qing Qing
Published: March 2021

Correctly understanding and handling the relationship between economic development and environment protection is an eternal subject for human society. Based on the panel data of 31 provincial administrative units in China from 2000 to 2013, this study used Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Night-Time Light data to characterize the effect of ecological restoration practices and economic development respectively, and made an empirical study on the impact of ecological restoration on economic development by means of trend analysis, panel regression model and sub-sample analysis. The results showed that the spatial distribution of Night-Time Light was high in the east and low in the west, and the NDVI in the northwest of the Hu Line was generally low, while the southeast was higher. During the 14 years from 2000 to 2013, the overall vegetation coverage showed an upward trend, and the area with stable night lights accounted for the largest proportion. The influence of NDVI on Night-Time Light presented an inverted U-shaped relationship, which meant that the negative influence of the former on the latter was not an inevitable result but its periodic performance. In the process of economic development, there was an optimal value of vegetation coverage. The increase in vegetation coverage had a negative impact on the economic development of the eastern region, but it was beneficial to the central and western regions. In the future, the government should strengthen protection and restoration of ecosystem, promote high-level protection of environment and high-quality development with efficient environmental and economic policies, and differentiate the relationship between development and ecology in the eastern, central and western regions.
The Value of Heart Rhythm Complexity in Identifying High-Risk Pulmonary Hypertension Patients
Authors: Tang Shu-Yu , Ma Hsi-Pin , Hung Chi-Sheng , Kuo Ping-Hung , Lin Chen , Lo Men-Tzung , Hsu Hsao-Hsun , Chiu Yu-Wei , Tsai Cheng-Hsuan , Lin Yen-Tin , Peng Chung-Kang , Wu Cho-Kai , Lin Yen-Hung
Published: March 2021

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a fatal disease even under state-of-the-art medical treatment. Non-invasive clinical tools for risk stratification are still lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical utility of heart rhythm complexity in risk stratification for PH patients. We prospectively enrolled 54 PH patients, including 20 high-risk patients (group A; defined as WHO functional class IV or class III with severely compromised hemodynamics), and 34 low-risk patients (group B). Both linear and non-linear heart rate variability (HRV) variables, including detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) and multiscale entropy (MSE) were analyzed. In linear and non-linear HRV analysis, low frequency and high frequency ratio, DFAα1, MSE slope 5, scale 5 and area 6–20 were significantly lower in group A. Among all HRV variables, MSE scale 5 (AUC: 0.758) had the best predictive power to discriminate the two groups. In multivariable analysis, MSE scale 5 (p = 0.010) was the only significantly predictor of severe PH in all HRV variables. In conclusion, the patients with severe PH had worse heart rhythm complexity. MSE parameters, especially scale 5, can help to identify high-risk PH patients.
Global long-term mapping of surface temperature shows intensified intra-city urban heat island extremes
Authors: Mentaschi Lorenzo , Duveiller Gregory , Zulian Grazia , Corbane Christina , Pesaresi Martino , Maes Joachim , Stocchino Alessandro , Feyen Luc
Published: March 2021

Surface temperatures are generally higher in cities than in rural surroundings. This phenomenon, known as surface urban heat island (SUHI), increases the risk of heat-related human illnesses and mortality. Past global studies analysed this phenomenon aggregated at city scale or over seasonal and annual time periods, while human impacts strongly depend on shorter term heat stress experienced locally. Here we develop a global long-term high-resolution dataset of daytime SUHI as urban-rural surface temperature differences. Our results show that across urban areas worldwide over the period 2003-2020, 3-day SUHI extremes are on average more than twice as high as the warm-season median SUHI, with local exceedances up to 10 K. Over this period, SUHI extremes have increased more rapidly than warm-season medians, and averaged worldwide are now 1.04 K or 31% higher compared to 2003. This can be linked with increasing urbanisation, more frequent heatwaves, and greening of the earth, processes that are all expected to continue in the coming decades. Within many cities there are hotspots where extreme SUHI intensity is 10 to 15 K higher compared to relatively cooler city parts. Given the limited human adaptability to heat stress, our results advocate for mitigation strategies targeted at reducing SUHI extremes in the most vulnerable and exposed city neighbourhoods.
A Cost Effective Approach for Subsonic Aeroelastic Stability Analysis of Turbomachinery 3D Blade Cascade. A Reduced Order Aeroelastic Model Numerical Approach
Authors: Prasad Chandra Shekhar , Kolman Radek , Pesek Ludek
Published: March 2021

In this paper a cost effective numerical model for subsonic classical flutter analysis for turbomachinery is presented. The model is based on reduced order aeroelastic modeling (ROAM) approach. The prime objective of the ROAM is to significantly reduce the computational time for flutter analysis of low pressure (LP) stage blades of power turbines at preliminary design stage. A mesh free incompressible fluid solver based on boundary element method(BEM) e.g. 3D panel method is developed. The proposed ROAM is employed to perform subsonic aeroelastic stability analysis in 3D blade cascades. The ROAM simulated results are compared against experimental and high fidelity CFD-CSD model's results. The ROAM estimated results show good agreement with experimental results and prove to be much faster in execution compared to CFD-CSD model. Therefore, this gives designers and engineers a freedom to analyze multiple design iteration in very short time on normal workstation. Thus, the ROAM has immense potential for industrial use as a cost effective and faster numerical tool for design and analysis of more efficient and safer power turbines to meet the future demand of electric energy cheaply, quickly and efficiently.
Impact of Cultural Practices During Labor and Delivery on Maternal and Child Health Service Utilization and Associated Factors in Awi, East and West Gojjam Zones, Amhara Region, North West Ethiopia: Community Based Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Melesse MFM Misganaw Fikrie , Bitew YBB Yibelu Bazezew , Dessie KND Kumneger Nigussie , Wondim DBW Demeke Binalf , Bereka TMB Tefera Marie
Published: March 2021

Background: Cultural practices are traditional and customary practices of a particular ethnic or any other social group. The time of labor and delivery is a period at which such practices and beliefs present in every society in the world with a varied degree in type, depth, and dependency. Thus, this research was aimed to assess the impact of cultural practices during labor and delivery on maternal and child health service utilization and associated factors in Awi, West, and East Gojjam Zones North West Ethiopia.Method: Community based cross-sectional study was conducted on women of the reproductive age group who have at least one pregnancy history in Awi, West, and East Gojjam Zones from January 1 to May 30, 2020. The multistage cluster sampling technique was used to select 845 study participants. Data was collected through a pre-tested and structured interview questionnaire, entered and cleaned using EPI info version 7.2, and exported to SPSS version 23 for analysis. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression was employed to assess the association of the variables and a P-value less than 0.05 was declared as statistically significant.Result: The study revealed that the magnitude of home delivery due to the impact of cultural practices was 31.2% with 95% CI: 28.3 to 34.4. Educational status (AOR=5.2, 95% CI: 1.8, 14.7), parity (AOR=2.7, 95% CI: 1.3, 5.4), cultural practice experienced during labor and delivery (AOR=2.1, 95% CI: 1.3, 3.4), history of abortion (AOR=2.0, 95% CI: 1.2, 3.1) and antenatal care follow up (AOR=33.8, 95% CI: 20.5, 55.7) had statistically significant association with impact of cultural practices on health service utilization during labor and delivery. Conclusion: This study showed that the impact of cultural practices on health service utilization during childbirth was high in Awi, West, and East Gojjam Zones. Working on antenatal care follow up and women education in a culturally acceptable manner may reduce the impact of cultural practices on health service utilization during labor and delivery
Mobilising Private Adaptation Finance: Lessons Learned From the Green Climate Fund
Authors: Stoll P. P. , Pauw W. P. , Tohme Farah , Grüning C.
Published: March 2021

The mobilisation of private sector engagement is considered to be critical to address the adaptation challenge, but literature demonstrates that it has proven difficult. In the context of international climate finance, the focus has been on mobilising private finance for adaptation, and in addressing barriers that prevent investments from materialising. In contrast, this article identifies options to engage the private sector in adaptation beyond finance and focuses on market imperfections instead of barriers. This moves the focus away from simply mobilising more private adaptation finance towards identifying market forces that innovate, engage and direct investments towards adaptation. The Green Climate Fund (GCF) and its portfolio of 67 adaptation projects serve as a case study. We demonstrate that 79 per cent of the GCF projects engage the private sector in ways that go beyond co-finance or project development, thus indicating the important broader role of the private sector in adaptation. Furthermore, our ordinal regression demonstrates that addressing the market imperfections of positive externalities, imperfect capital markets, and incomplete and/or asymmetric information all have a significant positive effect on private sector engagement in the GCF’s adaptation portfolio. Both findings indicate that there is a big potential for the GCF - and other climate finance providers - to increase private sector engagement in adaptation. However, the mobilisation of private sector engagement in adaptation is a means to this end, not an end in itself. The main aim should be to adapt society as a whole in an efficient manner, including the most vulnerable people.
A Model of Chemotherapy-Induced Tumor Dormancy: Doxorubicin Retention and Degradation Defines Resumed Growth in Vivo
Authors: Zaleskis Gintaras , Garberytė Sima , Pavliukevičienė Božena , Characiejus Dainius , Žilionytė Karolina , Kraśko Jan Aleksander , Karabanovas Vitalijus , Matuseviciene Nijole , Kucinskaite Vakare Barbora , Pasukoniene Vita
Published: March 2021

Background. Cancer recurrence after adjuvant chemotherapy with long periods of remission is common. After cessation of the therapy, the dormant cells may repopulate, but the signals that control the tumor to exit dormancy are not completely understood. We hypothesized that tissue bound cytotoxic drug indwelling in a body for years might somehow contribute to dormancy or recurrence of a tumor. The purpose of this study was to design a model demonstrating that viable cells implanted in mice can repopulate or be suppressed, depending on the cytotoxic preload conditions.Methods. A two-step dormancy/recurrence (TSDR) murine model was designed, which mimics the extrusion of taken up drug from tumor cells. The viable cells preloaded with drug were implanted into mice. The survival rates of these mice were then used as criteria to demonstrate the relationship between resumed growth and drug cellular efflux/viability. The drug internalization patterns following their exposure to doxorubicin (dox) or degraded dox (dox-dgr) were investigated by exploring flow cytometry, spectral analysis, high performance liquid chromatography and confocal microscopy. Antiproliferative and myelotoxic capacity was evaluated by hematological nadir induced by the iv injected drug. Results. The viable SL2 lymphoma cells exposed to 10 µg/ml of dox for 30 min and injected into syngeneic DBA/2 mice were made unable to recure. Exposure of cells to lower dox concentrations (0.01 – 1.0 µg/ml) resulted in tumor recurrence, similar to that which was observed during implantation of an untreated tumor. Dox-dgr kept at 37 °C for 365 days lost its tumoricidal and antiproliferative capacity and displayed a loss of selectivity of nuclear fluorescence.Conclusions. Our TSDR model is a rapid convenient tool to study in vivo behavior of cells preloaded with cytotoxic drug. This approach focuses on mechanisms of tumor cells exiting dormancy, in relation to cytotoxic drug efflux. Multiple modifications of our TSDR model are possible, including nude mice models. As an example, we used one-year body temperature exposed dox to demonstrate its inability to retain sufficient cytotoxic capacity.
Diabetic Nephropathy Progression in type 1 Diabetes: Temporal Renal Angiopoietin-Like Protein 2-Toll-Like Receptor 4 and Role of Early Renal Angiotensin II Inhibition by Valsartan
Authors: Tawfik Mona K. , keshawy mohammed , Makary Samy
Published: March 2021

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a consequence of diabetes mellitus (DM). DM is associated temporal changes in renal angiotensin II (ANG II) release and multiple mediators leading to DN. These changes were evaluated using early ANG II blocker valsartan as a DN renoprotective drug. Adult male Wister rats were divided into (i) vehicle group; (ii) valsartan received oral 30 mg/Kg/day; (iii) diabetic received single 50 mg/Kg intraperitoneal streptozotocin injection; (iv) renoprotection, valsartan treated-diabetic rats after 7 days from DM. Other group of diabetic animals assigned to receive late valsartan intervention from week 9 to 12 of DM. The renoprotective effect evaluated at 4th, 8th, 12th weeks. DN effects on urine albumin excretion, blood pressure and renal ANG II were measured. Urinary nephrin and kidney injury molecule-1 biomarkers, renal ANGPTL2, and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR 4) mRNA expression were tested. DN-initiated fibrotic markers integrin, α-smooth muscle expression and collagen IV and apoptotic protein caspase 3 were tested. DM induced changes starting from the 4th week. At 12th week, early valsartan intervention showed a significant reduction in ANG II, ANGPTL2 and TLR 4 expression and improvement in albuminuria, blood pressure, urinary biomarkers, fibrotic and apoptotic markers, more than the late intervention. Early inhibition of ANG II in diabetes is associated with decrease in ANGPTL2 and TLR 4 proteins and fibrotic changes. This observation helps in understanding DN pathophysiology and its therapeutic approaches.
Human Umbilical Cord-Blood Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Can Improve the Clinical Outcome and Joint Space Width after High Tibial Osteotomy
Authors: Suh Dong Won , Han Seung Beom , Yeo Woo Jin , Cheong Kuhoang , So Sang-Yeon , Kyung Bong Soo
Published: March 2021

Purpose
We compared the clinical and radiologic results of human umbilical cord-blood derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCB-MSCs)cartilage regeneration procedures combined with HTO to those of microfracture with HTO.
Methods
From August 2017 to December 2018, HTO patients with International Cartilage Regeneration and Joint Preservation Society (ICRS) grade IV cartilage defects over 200 mm2 on medial femoral condyle (MFC) were enrolled. For comparison, all participants were divided into two groups: those who had undergone an hUCB-MSC induced cartilage regeneration procedure (group MSC) and those with microfractures only (group C, controls). Clinically, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), and Lysholm scores were evaluated post-operatively at 18 months. Radiologically, mechanical axis (MA) and joint space width (JSW) were evaluated.
Results
A total of 100 knees were enrolled (43 in group MSC, 57 in group C). The IKDC score in group MSC (69) was better than that in group C (62; P < 0.05). The JSW increment in the MSC group (0.6 mm) was more than that in group C (0.1 mm; P < 0.05). No patient developed nonunion, correction loss, or arthroplasty conversion.
Conclusion
hUCB-MSCs can improve clinical outcome and JSW better than microfracture only in HTO patients.
Phase Analysis on the Error Scaling of Entangled Qubits in a 53-Qubit System
Authors: Chang Ching-Ray , Huang Wei-Jia , Chien Wei-Chen , Cho Chien-Hung , Huang Che-Chun , Huang Tsung-Wei , Tan Seng Ghee , Cao C. , Zeng Bei
Published: March 2021

We have studied carefully the behaviors of entangled qubits on the IBM Rochester with various connectivities and under a “noisy” environment. A phase trajectory analysis based on our measurements of the GHZ-like states is performed. Our results point to an important fact that entangled qubits are “protected” against environmental noise by a scaling property that impacts only the weighting of their amplitudes. The reproducibility of most measurements has been confirmed within a reasonably short gate operation time. But there still are a few combinations of qubits that show significant entanglement evolution in the form of transitions between quantum states. The phase trajectory of an entangled evolution, and the impact of the sudden death of GHZ-like states and the revival of newly excited states are analyzed in details. All observed trajectories of entangled qubits arise under the influences of the newly excited states in a “noisy” intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) computer.
Application of a Method for Engineering Multivalent Antibodies to Substantially Enhance Functional affinity of Clinical Trial Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies
Authors: Leach Adam , Miller Ami , Bentley Emma , Mattiuzzo Giada , Thomas Jemima , McAndrew Craig , Montfort Rob , Rabbitts Terence
Published: March 2021

Infection by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes COVID-19 disease. Therapeutic antibodies are being developed that interact with the viral spike proteins to limit viral infection of epithelium. We have applied a method to dramatically improve the performance of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies by enhancing avidity through multimerization using simple engineering to yield tetrameric antibodies. We have re-engineered six anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies using the human p53 tetramerization domain, including three clinical trials antibodies casirivimab, imdevimab and etesevimab. The method yields tetrameric antibodies, termed Quads, that retain efficient binding to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and show up to two orders of magnitude enhancement in neutralization of pseudovirus infection. The tetramerization method is simple and general and its application is a powerful methodological development for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies that are currently in pre-clinical and clinical investigation.
Does Environmental Stress Affect Economic Growth: Evidence from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries?
Authors: Sweidan Osama Daifalla D. , Elbargathi Khadiga
Published: March 2021

This paper empirically investigates the influence of environmental stress on economic growth in the GCC countries during (1995-2016). We use a panel cointegration analysis and compute an autoregressive distributed lag model. Our paper is motivated by the high CO2 emissions per capita and environmental stress in these countries relative to other countries. We assume that the income per capita is a function of the natural resource’s rents and environmental stress. Our findings show that environmental stress has a positive and significant effect on economic growth, mainly in the long run. Further, the natural resources’ rents have a significant positive effect in the short run, while the long run impact is negative. Our paper’s policy implication states that economic policymakers should monitor and evaluate future environmental stress outcomes in these countries. There is no guarantee that the positive influence prevails. Therefore, they should diversify their economies and energy resources.Jel Classification: Q51, Q56.
Experimental Study on Response Law and Failure Process of Slopes in Fully Weathered Granites Under Precipitation Infiltration
Authors: Tan Fei
Published: March 2021

To investigate the response law and failure process of slopes in fully weathered granites under precipitation infiltration, a typical fully weathered granite slope is selected for sampling in Fengkai, Guangdong. The physical simulation experimental study of rainfall-induced landslide is conducted, in which Weber criterion is used as the similarity criterion for precipitation. The research results reveal that under precipitation infiltration, the fully weathered granite slope responds quickly. Further, the water content increases sharply, and the matrix suction quickly dissipates. After dissipation, the matrix suction transforms into pore water pressure, which accelerates the deformation of the slope. The wet peak has a large infiltration depth in the slope, and the acceleration of deep part is lower than that of the shallow part. Under the action of precipitation, the fully weathered granite model undergoes four stages of failure. Firstly, gullies and cracks appear. Secondly, cracks propagate and link up. Then, the soil on the slope surface swells and ruptures. Finally, the slope slides locally until the entire slope creeps, collapses, and transforms into a "soil flow." Based on the analysis of precipitation similarity, the landslide will be triggered in fully weathered granite slope by precipitation when the precipitation intensity comes up to 155 mm/d, and the landslide occurs at an accumulated precipitation of 304 mm. Overall, the results can provide a reliable theoretical basis and abundant experimental data for the prevention, monitoring, and forecasting of geological disasters in granitic areas.
Generating Circularly Polarized Light from Clustering‐Triggered Emission Using Solid Phase Molecular Self-Assembly
Authors: Liao Peilong , Zang Shihao , Wu Tongyue , Jin Hongjun , Wang Wenkai , Huang Jianbin , Yan Yun
Published: March 2021

Clustering-triggered emission (CTE) has displayed promising abilities in bioimaging, chemical sensing, and multicolor luminescence. However, it remains absent in the field of circularly polarized emission (CPL) due to the difficulties in well-aligning the nonconventional luminogens. We report the first case of CPL generated with CTE using the solid phase molecular self-assembly(SPMSA) of poly-L-lysine(PLL) and sodium oleate (OL). Under mechanical pressure, the electrostatic complex of PLL/OL form supramolecular film in which the OL ions self-assemble into lamellar mesophases bridged by the PLL chains. Since the OL mesophases are very alike giant 2D rigid supramolecular polymers with well-defined surface charge distribution, the PLL chains are forced to fold regularly as a requirement of optimal electrostatic interaction. Further facilitated by hydrogen bonding, the O and N atoms that form through space conjugation aligned orderly on the 2D surface, leading to CTE-based CPL. The CTE-based CPL is in analogy with conventional emission, which is capable to transfer its energy to a donor via a FRET process, making it possible to develop environmental friendly and economic CPL from sustained and renewable materials.
Molecular Cloning and Sequence Analysis of a Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Gene in the Antarctic Yeast Rhodotorula Mucilaginosa AN5
Authors: Shi Cuijuan , Zhang Hong , Yu Kai , Wang Yingying , Jiang Jie , Ju Yun , Zhang Chuanzhou , Cheng Ziyi , Kan Guangfeng
Published: March 2021

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades play important roles in various signaling transduction networks of biotic and abiotic stress responses. However, MAPK signaling pathways in cold-active yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa have not been reported comprehensively. In the present study, MAPK gene ( RmMAPK ) was first cloned and characterized from Antarctic sea ice yeast R. mucilaginosa AN5. The full length of the RmMAPK gene is 1086 bp and encodes a 361 amino acids protein with a predicted molecular mass of 40.9 kDa and a pI of 5.25. The RmMAPK contains 11 MAPK conserved subdomains and the phosphorylation motif TGY located in the activation loop of the kinase. Quantitative real-time PCR assay revealed that the expression of RmMAPK up-regulated rapidly and significantly when yeast cells were subjected to low temperature (4 °C), high salinity (120‰ NaCl) and heavy metal (2 mmol/L CuCl 2 ), which suggested that the RmMAPK might act as a key function in response to extreme stresses, such as low temperature, high salinity and heavy metal.
The Design of an Evaluation Framework for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support Programs Delivered Nationally
Authors: Olson Jenny Louise , White Becky , Mitchell Helen , Halliday Jennifer , Skinner Timothy , Schofield Deborah , Sweeting Jennifer , Watson Natasha
Published: March 2021

Background
The aim of this work was to develop a National Evaluation Framework to facilitate the standardization of delivery, quality, reporting, and evaluation of diabetes education and support programs delivered throughout Australia through the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS). The NDSS is funded by the Australian Government, and provides access to diabetes information, education, support, and subsidized product across diverse settings in each state and territory of Australia through seven independent service-providers. This article reports the approach undertaken to develop the Framework.
Methods
A participatory approach was undertaken, focused on adopting nationally consistent outcomes and indicators, nominating objectives and measurement tools, specifying evaluation processes, and developing quality standards. Existing programs were classified based on related, overarching indicators enabling the adoption of a tiered system of evaluation.
Results
Two outcomes (i.e., improved clinical, reduced cost) and four indicators (i.e., improved knowledge and understanding, self-management, self-determination, psychosocial adjustment) were adopted from the Eigenmann and Colagiuri national consensus position statement for diabetes education. This allowed for the identification of objectives (i.e., improved empowerment, reduced distress, autonomy supportive program delivery, consumer satisfaction) and related measurement instruments. Programs were categorized as comprehensive, topic-specific, or basic education, with comprehensive programs allocated to receive the highest-level of evaluation. Twelve quality standards were developed, with existing programs tested against those standards. Based on the results of testing, two comprehensive (OzDAFNE for people with type 1 diabetes, DESMOND for people with type 2 diabetes), and eight topic-specific (CarbSmart, ShopSmart, MonitorSmart, FootSmart, MedSmart, Living with Insulin, Insulin Pump Workshop, Ready Set Go – Let’s Move) structured diabetes self-management education and support programs were nominated for national delivery.
Conclusions
The National Evaluation Framework has facilitated consistency of program quality, delivery, and evaluation of programs delivered by multiple service providers across diverse contexts. The Framework could be applied by other service providers who facilitate multiple diabetes education and support programs and could be adapted for use in other chronic disease populations where education and support are indicated.
Body Appreciation Scale (BAS-2): Measurement Invariance across Genders and Item Response Theory Examination.
Authors: Zarate Daniel , Marmara Joshua , Potoczny Camilla , Hosking Warwick , Stavropoulos Vasielios
Published: March 2021

Background: The present study considers a measure of positive body image, the Body Appreciation Scale-2, which assesses acceptance and/or favourable opinions towards the body (BAS-2[29]). Differential functioning of the scale across the two genders, as well as its items, has not been excluded. The present study contributes to this area of knowledge via the employment of gender Measurement Invariance (MI) and Item Response Theory (IRT) analyses. Methods: A group of 386 adults from the community were assessed (N = 394, 54.8% men, 43.1% women, M age = 27.48; SD = 5.57). Results: MI analysis observed invariance across males and females at the configural level, and non-invariance at the metric level. Further, the two-parameter logistic model employed to observe IRT properties indicated that all items demonstrated, although variable, strong discrimination capacity. Conclusions: The items showed increased reliability for latent levels of ∓ 2 SD from the mean level of Body Appreciation. The implications and interpretations of the findings for clinical practice are discussed.
Ginkgolide B derivative synthesis and their effects on the viability of SKOV3 cells
Authors: Feng Zi-Li , Zhu Zhi-Bin , Chen Wang , Xu Jia-Yuan , Bai Yu , Hu Dai-Hua , Zhao Zheng-Dong
Published: March 2021

The natural product GB was used as a raw material and modified by esterification on C10-OH or C1-OH to obtain 11 derivatives (1 to 11), which were structurally characterized with nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. An MTT assay-based in vitro tumor proliferation inhibitory activity test showed that compounds 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, and 11 exhibited strong inhibitory activity against the human ovarian cancer cells SKOV3, with IC50 values of 16.05 µmol/L, 15.65 µmol/L, 32.00 µmol/L, 63.30 µmol/L, 23.20 µmol/L, and 31.10 µmol/L, respectively. Annexin V/PI double staining assay showed that compound 2 induced apoptosis in SKOV3 cells to a slightly greater extent than GB and compounds 5, and 9, with an apoptosis rate of 31.68%.
Effect and Associated Factors of a Clinical Pharmacy Model in the Incidence of Medication Errors in the Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe Eacpharmodel Study: Stepped Wedge Randomized Controlled Trial (NCT03338725).
Authors: Granados Johan , Amariles Pedro , Botero-Aguirre Juan Pablo , Ortiz-Cano Natalia Andrea , Valencia-Quintero Andrés-Felipe , Salazar-Ospina Andrea
Published: March 2021

BackgroundThe World Health Organization considers medication errors to be an issue that requires attention at all levels of care, to reduce the severe and preventable harm related to drug therapy. In the world, clinical pharmacy practice standards have been proposed, where the pharmacist, as part of the multidisciplinary health team, can help improve patient safety; however, more and better evidence needs to demonstrate this effect. ObjectiveTo assess the change in the incidence of medication errors in hospitalized patients and thereby identify drug-related factors and problemsSettingThe study was conducted at Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe, medellín, Colombia.MethodsA randomized, controlled cluster-wedge staggered trial with a duration of 14 months was conducted to compare the clinical pharmacy practice model's effect with the usual care process in the hospital. Five hospital health care units were included, which were initially assigned to the control group, and after an observation period of 2 months, they were randomly assigned to the intervention group.Main outcome measureIncidence of medication errors in hospitalized patientsResultsThe medication error incidence was 13.3% and 22.8% for the intervention group and control group, respectively. The probability of presenting medication error was 48% lower when the patient was in the intervention group (RR 0.52; 95% CI:0.34-0.79).ConclusionThe Clinical pharmacy practice model of the Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe Hospital, made up of strategies focused on reducing medication errors, significantly reduces medication errors in patients during hospitalization compared to usual practice.
Risk factors for unplanned removal of central venous catheters in hospitalized children with hematological and oncological disorders
Authors: Miyagishima Moe , Hamada Motoharu , Hirayama Yuji , Muramatsu Hideki , Tainaka Takahisa , Shirota Chiyoe , Hinoki Akinari , Imaizumi Takahiro , Nakatochi Masahiro , Kamei Michi , Nishikawa Eri , Kawashima Nozomu , Narita Atsushi , Nishio Nobuhiro , Kojima Seiji , Takahashi Yoshiyuki
Published: March 2021

ObjectiveCentral venous catheters (CVCs) have been essential devices for the treatment of children with hematological and oncological disorders. Only few studies investigated the complications and selections of different types of CVCs in these pediatric patients. This study aimed to compare risk factors for unplanned removal of two commonly used CVCs, i.e., peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) and tunneled CVCs, and propose better device selection for the patient.MethodsThis retrospective, single center cohort analysis was conducted on pediatric patients with hematological and oncological disorders inserted with either a PICC or a tunneled CVC.ResultsBetween January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2015, 89 patients inserted with tunneled CVCs (total 21,395 catheter-days) and 84 with PICCs (total 9,177 catheter-days) were followed up until the catheter removal. The median duration of catheterization was 88 days in PICCs and 186 days in tunneled CVCs (p = 1.24×10-9). PICCs at the 3-month cumulative incidence of catheter occlusion (5.2% vs. 0%, p = 4.08×10-3) and total unplanned removal (29.0% vs 7.0%, p = 0.0316) were significantly higher, whereas no significant difference was observed in the cumulative incidence of central line-associated bloodstream infection (11.8% vs. 2.3%, p = 0.664). Multivariable analysis identified younger age (<2 years) (subdistribution hazard ratio [SHR], 2.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27–4.14) and PICCs (SHR, 2.73; 95% CI, 1.48–5.02) were independent risk factors for unplanned removal.ConclusionOur results suggest that tunnel CVCs would be a preferred device for children with hematological and oncological disorders requiring long-term, intensive treatment.