bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variable Selection Using aModified Gibbs Sampler Algorithm with Application on Rock Strength Dataset
Authors: Mahdi Ghadeer J. M. , Salih Othman M.
Published: November 2021

Variable selection is an essential and necessary task in the statistical modeling field. Several studies have triedto develop and standardize the process of variable selection, but it isdifficultto do so. The first question a researcher needs to ask himself/herself what are the most significant variables that should be used to describe a given dataset’s response. In thispaper, a new method for variable selection using Gibbs sampler techniqueshas beendeveloped.First, the model is defined, and the posterior distributions for all the parameters are derived.The new variable selection methodis tested usingfour simulation datasets. The new approachiscompared with some existingtechniques: Ordinary Least Squared (OLS), Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (Lasso), and Tikhonov Regularization (Ridge). The simulation studiesshow that the performance of our method is better than the othersaccording to the error and the time complexity. Thesemethodsare applied to a real dataset, which is called Rock StrengthDataset.The new approach implemented using the Gibbs sampler is more powerful and effective than other approaches.All the statistical computations conducted for this paper are done using R version 4.0.3 on a single processor computer.
A Fuzzy Dynamic Programming for the Optimal Allocation of Health Centers in some Villages around Baghdad
Authors: Khalaf Wakas S.
Published: November 2021

The Planning and Resource Development Department of the Iraqi Ministry of Health is very interested in improving medical care, health education, and village training programs. Accordingly, and through the available capabilities of the ministry, itdesires to allocate seven health centers to four villages in Baghdad, Iraq therefore the ministry needs to determine the number of health centers allocated to each of these villages which achieves the greatest degree of the overall effectiveness of the seven health centers in a fuzzy environment. The objective of this study is to use a fuzzy dynamic programming(DP) method to determine the optimal allocation of these centers, which allows the greatest overall effectiveness of these health centers to be achieved, which is the expected increase in the average life years in the village population in a fuzzy environment. The results of this studyareproved after a real-life problem was solved that the proposed method is an effective mathematical model for making a series of related decisions, and it provides us with a systematic procedure to determine the optimal combination of decisions.
WOAIP: Wireless Optimization Algorithm for Indoor Placement Based on Binary Particle Swarm Optimization (BPSO)
Authors: Naif Omar S. , Mohammed Imad J.
Published: November 2021

Optimizing the Access Point (AP) deployment has a great role in wireless applications due to the need for providing an efficient communication with low deployment costs. Quality of Service (QoS), is a major significant parameter and objective to be considered along with AP placement as well the overall deployment cost. This study proposes and investigates a multi-level optimization algorithm called Wireless Optimization Algorithm for Indoor Placement (WOAIP) based on Binary Particle Swarm Optimization (BPSO). WOAIP aims to obtain the optimum AP multi-floor placement with effective coverage that makes it more capable of supporting QoS and cost-effectiveness. Five pairs (coverage, AP deployment) of weights, signal thresholds and received signal strength (RSS) measurements simulated using Wireless InSite (WI) software were considered in the test case study by comparing the results collected from WI with the present wireless simulated physical AP deployment of the targeted building - Computer Science Department at University of Baghdad. The performance evaluation of WOAIP shows an increase in terms of AP placement and optimization distinguished in order to increase the wireless coverage ratio to 92.93% compared to 58.5% of present AP coverage (or 24.5% coverage enhancement on average).
Text Multilevel Encryption Using New Key Exchange Protocol
Authors: Khudhair Zaid Nidhal , Nidhal Ahmed , El Abbadi Nidhal K.
Published: November 2021

The technological development in the field of information and communication has been accompanied by the emergence of security challenges related to the transmission of information. Encryption is a good solution. An encryption process is one of the traditional methods to protect the plain text, by converting it into inarticulate form. Encryption implemented can be occurred by using some substitute techniques, shifting techniques, or mathematical operations. This paper proposed a method with two branches to encrypt text. The first branch is a new mathematical model to create and exchange keys, the proposed key exchange method is the development of Diffie-Hellman. It is a new mathematical operations model to exchange keys based on prime numbers and the possibility of using integer numbers. While the second branch of the proposal is the multi-key encryption algorithm. The current algorithm provides the ability to use more than two keys. Keys can be any kind of integer number (at least the last key is a prime number), not necessarily to be of the same length. The Encryption process is based on converting the text characters to suggested integer numbers, and these numbers are converted to other numbers by using a multilevel mathematical model many times (a multilevel process depending on the number of keys used), while the decryption process is a one-level process using just one key as the main key, while the other keys used as secondary keys. The messages are encoded before encryption (coded by ASCII or any suggested system). The algorithm can use an unlimited number of keys with a very large size (more than 7500 bytes), at least one of them a prime number. Exponentiation is also used for keys to increase complexity. The experiments proved the robustness of the key exchange protocol and the encryption algorithm in addition to the security. Comparing the suggested method with other methods ensures that the suggested method is more secure and flexible and easy to implement.
Constructing a Software Tool for Detecting Face Mask-wearing by Machine Learning
Authors: Abdulmajeed Ashraf Abdulmunim , Tawfeeq Tawfeeq Mokdad , Al-jawaherry Marwa Adeeb
Published: November 2021

In the pandemic era of COVID19, software engineering and artificial intelligence tools played a major role in monitoring, managing, and predicting the spread of the virus. According to reports released by the World Health Organization, all attempts to prevent any form of infection are highly recommended among people. One side of avoiding infection is requiring people to wear face masks. The problem is that some people do not incline to wear a face mask, and guiding them manually by police is not easy especially in a large or public area to avoid this infection. The purpose of this paper is to construct a software tool called Face Mask Detection (FMD) to detect any face that does not wear a mask in a specific public area by using CCTV (closed-circuit television). The problem also occurs in case the software tool is inaccurate. The technique of this notion is to use large data of face images, some faces are wearing masks, and others are not wearing masks. The methodology is by using machine learning, which is characterized by a HOG (histogram orientation gradient) for extraction of features, then an SVM(support vector machine) for classification, as it can contribute to the literature and enhance mask detection accuracy. Several public datasets for masked and unmasked face images have been used in the experiments. The findings for accuracy are as follows: 97.00%, 100.0%, 97.50%, 95.0% for RWMFD (Real-world Masked Face Dataset)& GENK14k, SMFDB (Simulated Masked Face Recognition Dataset), MFRD (Masked Face Recognition Dataset), and MAFA (MAsked FAces)& GENK14k for databases, respectively. The results are promising as a comparison of this work has been made with the state-of-the-art. The workstation of this research used a webcam programmed by Matlab for real-time testing.
Design and Performance Investigation of a Solar- Powered Biological Greywater Treatment System in the Iraqi Climate
Authors: Mahdi Hashim A. , AL-Joboory Hassan Naji Salman , Abdula Akram G. , Hameed Alia A. , Rasheed Aseel K.
Published: November 2021

The increase in population resulted in an increase in the consumption of water. The present work investigates the performance of a recycling solar- powered greywater treatment system for the purposes of irrigation, used to reduce the amount of waste grey water and reduce electricity consumption and reduce the costs of constructing large scale water treatment plants. The system consumes about 3814W per hour and provides water treatment about 1.4 m3 per day. The proposed system is designed to    residential, office and governmental buildings application. Tests are conducted in an office building at the Ministry of Science and Technology site in Baghdad. Laboratorial water samples testing analyses are conducted for measuring the COD, BOD5, TDS, NH4, NO3-TN, TOC, TSS, pH and oil and grease content according to the Iraqi standards. Test results revealed a huge decrease in the values of BOD5 and COD for readings for every15 days and for a period of 5 months by removing rate more than 90% and also noting the values of TOC by removing about 80%, this indicates that the results of Laboratory testing have proved the success of the treatment process.  The research is divided into two parts, theoretical and practical. The theoretical one includes choosing the type and size of the equipment and the required tools for the treatment system. While the practical one covers implementing a laboratory-scale system for the proposed treatment system and conducting experiments and laboratory analyses of greywater samples. Top of Form
Does educational attainment matter for Environmental Kuznets Curve? Evidence from aggregated and disaggregated time series data of China
Authors: Cui Yuanpei , Wei Zikun , Xue Qinglin , Sohail Sidra
Published: November 2021

The primary focus of this study is to evaluate the impact of various levels of education on CO2 emissions in China. Moreover, the study also tested the EKC hypothesis for different levels of education and economic development. The analysis employed disaggregate and aggregate data for education that included enrollment at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels and the average year of schooling. For empirical analysis, we employed an error correction model and bounds testing approach to cointegration. The results of the study provided some useful information both in the short and long run. All the proxies of education positively impact CO2 emissions at the initial level both in the short and long run; however, when we take the square of these variables, the effects of education on CO2 emissions become negative. Similarly, the impact of economic growth on CO2 emissions is positive in the short and long run, and the square of economic growth on CO2 emissions is negative, supporting the EKC hypothesis.
Basic study of a breast cancer epidemiology among the female patients using a regional data source: Case of Chlef region, Algeria
Authors: BOUKABCHA MAAMAR
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Breast cancer is a public health problem. It impact given several, important consequences for reducing this disease. We did this study to know the situation of breast cancer and the development of cancer registry.
Methods

Epidemiological, statistical and computer tools are used to collect, analysis and process of the data, we used the medical records to know the data information on female breast cancer patients, by collaboration with of Bedje Sisters Public Hospitalise of Chlef (BSPHC) and the Oran Cancer Registry.
Results

We collected approximately 177 cases of female breast cancer, and approximately 601595 female populations during the year 2016 for Chlef region. The incidence rate is more than 29 cases of female breast cancer patients per 100000 female populations for each year. Female breast cancer patients of Chlef region is a major public health problem according to the 2016 study. Incidence rates this disease are greatly increased between 55 years and 75 years old.
Conclusion

Prevention, early diagnostic and different care and treatment play an important role in reducing this chronic disease in this region and why not over the worldwide?
Sensitive chemoselectivity of cellulose nanocrystal films
Authors: Ge Wenna , Feng Zhixin , Zhang Fusheng , Bai Xiangge , Feng Shile , Liu Yahua
Published: November 2021

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) self-assembled into a chiral nematic structure film is an advanced platform for the fabrication of fascinating sensing, photonic and chiral nematic materials. Despite extensive progress in the functions of CNCs, their chemoselectivity has rarely been reported. Here, we exploit a brand-new perspective of CNCs in chemoselectivity, which shows sensitive selectivity even between isomers of monosaccharides and disaccharide by generating discernible crystal patterns. This sensitive selectivity of glucose homologs is attributed to the selective interaction of carbohydrate–carbohydrate, which enables the tune of the photonic properties and chiral mesoporous structures. Moreover, based on the chemoselectivity, chiral mesoporous structures with tunable specific surface areas are assembled from CNC suspensions and glucose homologs. We envision that the sensitive chemoselectivity of CNC films could provide insights into the recognition of carbohydrates and the preparation of mesoporous carbon in numerous practical applications.
Deciphering Solar Magnetic Activity: 140 Years Of The ‘Extended Solar Cycle’ – Mapping the Hale Cycle
Authors: McIntosh Scott William , Leamon Robert J , Egeland Ricky , Dikpati Mausumi , Altrock Richard C , Banerjee Dipankar , Chatterjee Subhamoy , Srivast Abhishek K , Velli Marco
Published: November 2021

We investigate the occurrence of the ``extended solar cycle'' (ESC) as it occurs in a host observational data spanning 140 years. Investigating coronal, chromospheric, photospheric and interior diagnostics we develop a consistent picture of solar activity migration linked to the 22-year Hale (magnetic) cycle using superposed epoch analysis (SEA) using previously identified Hale cycle termination events as the key time for the SEA. Our analysis shows that the ESC and Hale cycle, as highlighted by the terminator-keyed SEA, is strongly recurrent throughout the entire observational record studied, some 140 years. Applying the same SEA method to the sunspot record confirms that Maunder's butterfly pattern is a subset of the underlying Hale cycle, strongly suggesting that the production of sunspots is not the fundamental feature of the Hale cycle, but the ESC is. The ESC (and Hale cycle) pattern highlights the importance of 55\degree\ latitude in the evolution, and possible production, of solar magnetism.
Chronic cough in postmenopausal women and its associations to climacteric symptoms
Authors: Ziller Volker , Oppermann Thea Sophie , Cassel Werner , Hildebrandt Olaf , Kroidl Rolf , Koehler Ulrich
Published: November 2021

BackgroundPostmenopausal women often have chronic cough, which is likely caused by hormonal changes affecting lung function and the mucous membrane of the airways, causing hypersensitivity of the cough reflex. Therefore, postmenopausal hormonal changes could play a key role in the association between increased cough and menopause. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relation of chronic cough and postmenopausal symptoms.MethodsWe performed a questionnaire-based cohort study in generally healthy postmenopausal women (age 45–65 years). Women with cough of known origin were excluded. Comorbidities, medication and baseline data were collected. The Menopause Rating Scale II (MRS II) was combined with the Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ). Groups were divided in chronic cough versus non-coughing participants, chronic cough was defined as symptoms over 8 weeks. We performed correlations and logistic regression for predicting cough based on postmenopausal symptoms.ResultsSixty-six of 200 women (33%) reported mild to heavier symptoms of chronic cough over 8 weeks. No significant differences in baseline data (age, BMI, onset of menopause, years since menopause, concomitant diseases, and medication) were found between coughing and non-coughing women. The MRS II showed higher menopausal symptoms in patients with cough, with significant differences in 2 of the 3 MRS-domains (urogenital (p < 0.001) and somato-vegetative (p < 0.001)). Climacteric symptoms correlated strongly with parameters of cough (p<0.001). On the basis of the MRS total score (p<0.001) and the somato-vegetative and urogenital domains (p<0,05), the prediction for respiratory complaints could be shown.DiscussionChronic cough was significantly associated with menopausal symptoms. Therefore chronic cough as a possible climacteric symptom and its underlying mechanisms should be further explored.
Water Use Characteristics of the Common Tree Species in Rock-dominated and Thin-soil Environments in Subtropical Monsoon Climate Region
Authors: Jia Jianbo , Yan Wende , Lu Jia , Deng Wenping
Published: November 2021

Variations in precipitation pattern under climate changes influence water availability that have important implications for plants water use and vegetation sustainability. However, the water use characteristic of the main tree species under different temporal-spatial of water availability remain poorly understood, especially in high temporal-spatial heterogeneity area, such as subtropical monsoon climate region of China. We investigated water use characteristics of the most widely and common natural trees, Mallotus philippensis and Celtis biondii , in edaphic and rocky habitats. We measured the δD and δ 18 O values of xylem and soil water and water potential of plant leaves during the wet season in 2020. The results showed that the two species mainly absorbed soil water from shallow layers and switched for deeper layers during the late of the wet season in both habitats. But the plant water sources were different in edaphic and rocky habitats when the antecedent precipitation was much high, deep layers soil water in the former and still shallow layers in the latter. The two species had no significant differences in water uptake depth, but notably distinction in the diurnal water potential ranges. M. philippensis maintained less negative predawn and midday water potential, whereas C. biondii showed higher diurnal water potential ranges. Besides, the water potential of C. biondii were negatively associated with antecedent precipitation amount. These results indicate that there is significant eco-physiological niche segregation but no ecohydrological segregation co-existing species in communities. Besides, antecedent precipitation amount and habitat differences were the main factors influencing the plant water uptake depth. While the relationship between leaf physiological traits and water availability was affected by the species types, rather than the habitats. Furthermore, during the long drought in growing season, there are probable divergent responses of M. philippensis and C. biondii , such as growth restriction and hydraulic failure. But when the precipitation is heavy and long, these natural species could increase the ecohydrological linkages between ecosystem and the deep-layer system in edaphic habitat.
Morphometric Traits and iPBS Based Molecular Characterizations of Walnut (Juglans regia L.) Genotypes
Authors: Başak İbrahim , Özer Göksel , MURADOGLU FERHAD
Published: November 2021

In this study, walnut genotypes that selected during two growing seasons among thousands of seedlings were analyzed in terms of detailed morphometric, phenological, and chemical traits. A multivariate analysis was conducted with valuable traits for breeding and selection such as morphometric traits, chemical composition, and phenological characteristics. Also, genotypes were characterized by a retrotransposon-based iPBS marker system. The correlation analysis showed significant positive and negative correlations between agro-morphological characters. The principal component analysis explained 71.44% of the total variance into five main components. Principal component and hierarchical cluster analysis divided genotypes into three groups, whose subgroups were identified based on both agro-morphological characters and iPBS marker systems. A high level of polymorphism ratio was observed for tested markers. Mantel’s test demonstrated relatively low correlations between molecular and morphological treats (r=0.04). The genetic similarities among all individuals ranged from 0.39 (between 018 and 015 or 045 genotypes) to 0.98 (between 090 and 094 genotypes) with a mean similarity of 0.67. Remarkable phenotypic and molecular variations were observed among the genotypes. The features of some investigated genotypes were above the acceptable thresholds for walnut selection in breeding programs and our study indicated that iPBS markers can be beneficial in walnut breeding programs, allowing the evaluation of the genetic relationship between genotypes, helping to differentiate and select the best genotypes to improve agronomic properties.
A Tale of Two Transmitters: Serotonin and Histamine as In Vivo Biomarkers of Chronic Stress in Mice
Authors: Hersey Melinda , Reneaux Melissa , Berger Shane , Mena Sergio , Buchanan Anna Marie , Ou Yangguang , Tavakoli Navid , Reagan Lawrence P. , Clopath Claudia , Hashemi Parastoo
Published: November 2021

Background: Stress-induced mental illnesses (mediated by neuroinflammation) pose one of the world’s most urgent public health challenges. A reliable in vivo chemical biomarker of stress would significantly improve the clinical communities’ diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to illnesses like depression.Methods: Male and female C57BL/6J mice underwent a chronic stress paradigm. We paired innovative in vivo serotonin and histamine voltammetric measurement technologies, behavioral testing, and cutting-edge mathematical methods to correlate chemistry to stress and behavior.Results: Inflammation-induced increases in hypothalamic histamine were co-measured with decreased in vivo extracellular hippocampal serotonin in mice that underwent a chronic stress paradigm, regardless of behavioral phenotype. In animals with depression phenotypes, correlations were found between serotonin and the extent of behavioral indices of depression. We created a high accuracy algorithm that could predict whether animals had been exposed to stress or not based solely on the serotonin measurement. We next developed a model of serotonin and histamine modulation, which predicted that stress-induced neuroinflammation increases histaminergic activity, serving to inhibit serotonin. Finally, we created a mathematical index of stress, Si and predicted that during chronic stress, where Si is high, simultaneously increasing serotonin and decreasing histamine is the most effective chemical strategy to restoring serotonin to pre-stress levels. When we pursued this idea pharmacologically, our experiments were nearly identical to the model’s predictions.Conclusions: This work shines the light on two biomarkers of chronic stress, histamine and serotonin, and implies that both may be important in our future investigations of the pathology and treatment of inflammation-induced depression.
The analysis of N6-methyladenosine regulators impacting the immune infiltration in clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Li Jianpeng , Cao Jinlong , Deng Ran , Li Pan , Tian Junqiang
Published: November 2021

Background: The tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) and N6-methyladenosine (m6A) are related to the progression of several types of cancer. Nevertheless, the impact of m6A on the tumor immune microenvironment of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) remains unclear. Methods: This study used an unsupervised clustering algorithm to divide the samples into distinct subgroups. The single sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) algorithm to estimate the tumor immune microenvironment. The correlation between m6A regulators and immune cells in different subgroups was calculated using Spearman analysis. At last, the relationship between IGF2BP2 and HMGA2 was validated in several datasets, including TCGA-KIRC, GEO, and HPA datasets.Results: We found that m6A regulators were differently expressed in several clinical groups, such as grade and stage. Based on the expression of m6A regulators, we divided the samples into three subgroups. Then, the survival analysis for these three subgroups showed that the cluster 2 subgroup had poor overall survival (OS). Further, we found that IGF2BP2 and IGF2BP3 were essential components in the cluster 2 subgroup using the principal component analysis (PCA) algorithm. In addition, the expression of these two genes was significantly correlated with overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), progression-free interval (PFI). At last, we found that HMGA2 was significantly correlated with IGF2BP2 in several datasets, which indicated that HMGA2 is an essential role in affecting IGF2BP2 regulating the TIME.Conclusion: There is a close correlation between m6A regulators and TIME. Moreover, IGF2BP2 is related to the progression of ccRCC and plays an essential role in affecting the tumor immune microenvironment.
Integrative Analysis of Systems Pharmacology and Proteomics to Identify Key Targets and Pathways of Tuomin-Zhiti-Decoction for Allergic Rhinitis
Authors: Cheng Jinjun , Zhang Meiling , Zheng Yanfei , Wang Ji , Wang Qi
Published: November 2021

Background: Tuomin-Zhiti-Decoction (TZD) is a polyherbal medicine consisting of eleven different herbs and has a significant effect on Allergic rhinitis (AR), yet its underlying mechanism is still unknown. Methods: Mice were sensitized and intranasally challenged with ovalbumin (OVA), the nasal symptoms, Th1/Th2-related cytokines and histopathology were examinated after TZD treatments. Bio-active compounds, potential therapeutic targets and underlying mechanisms of TZD against AR were systematically elucidated by integrating systems pharmacology approach and proteomics analysis. Then we validated the binding affinity between key targets and their corresponding active compounds using molecular docking evaluation.Results: A total of 280 active ingredients, 240 targets of TZD and 643 AR-related targets were obtained. Furthermore, 74 overlapping targets were identified. TZD oral administrations inhibited allergic responses via reduction of OVA-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels and histamine release. In nasal tissue, TZD not only decreased nasal rubbing and sneezing to AR mice, but also reduced AR-induced damage to nasal mucosa, accordingly, the nasal symptoms were also clearly ameliorated. Moreover, TZD modulated the balance of Th1/Th2/Th17. The proteomics analysis identified 41 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), protein function analysis showed that the DEPs were mainly involved in PI3K-AKT, MAPK, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance, NF-kappa B signaling pathway. Our results indicate that TZD plays important roles by restoring DEPs, through the selection of key DEPs, IL-6 and CD40 may be potential protein targets of TZD in treatment of AR. Combining the systems pharmacology, quercetin and wogonin may play more effective roles in AR. Molecular docking confirmed that most active compounds of TZD could bind tightly to the key targets.Conclusion: TZD may have therapeutic potential for treating AR, integrating analysis of systems pharmacology and proteomics uncovered the underlying mechanism and targets of TZD, which provides a scientific method for the rational development of traditional Chinese medicine.
In situ Alphavirus Assembly and Budding Mechanism Revealed by Cellular CryoET
Authors: Chmielewski David , Schmid Michael , Simmons Graham , Jin Jing , Chiu Wah
Published: November 2021

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a representative alphavirus causing debilitating arthritogenic disease in humans. Alphavirus particles assemble into two icosahedral protein layers: the glycoprotein spike shell embedded in a lipid envelope and the inner nucleocapsid (NC) core. In contrast to matrix-driven assembly of some enveloped viruses, the assembly/budding process of two-layered icosahedral particles remains poorly understood. Here we used cryogenic electron tomography (cryoET) to capture snapshots of the CHIKV assembly process in infected human cells. Subvolume classification of the snapshots revealed 12 intermediate structures, representing different stages of assembly/budding at the plasma membrane. Further subtomogram average structures ranging from subnanometer to nanometer resolutions show that immature, non-icosahedral NCs function as rough scaffolds to trigger icosahedral assembly of the glycoprotein spike lattice, which in turn progressively transforms the underlying NCs into icosahedral cores during budding. Here we resolve a long-standing mechanistic question about the role of spikes and NCs in assembly of two-layered icosahedral shells. Further, data of CHIKV-infected cells treated with budding-inhibiting antibodies shows that spacing spikes apart to prevent their lateral interactions prevents the plasma membrane bending around NC cores, thus blocking virus budding. These findings provide the molecular details of icosahedral enveloped virus formation and antibodies against assembly/budding.
Legacy Effects of Nitrogen Deposition and Increased Precipitation on Plant Productivity in a Semi-Arid Grassland
Authors: Meng Ya-ni , Li Tianpeng , Liu Heyong , Li Shao-peng , Xu Zhuwen , Jiang Yong
Published: November 2021

Nitrogen (N) deposition and increased precipitation induced by anthropogenic activities were widely reported to promote plant productivity in terrestrial ecosystems. However, few studies have explored the effects of historical resource supplement on plant communities although N deposition was predicted to decrease in the near future and the directional change of precipitation would shift among years. Here, we examined the legacy effects of N deposition and increased precipitation on plant productivity in a semi-arid steppe after cessation of a 13-year N and water addition experiment. We found historical N and water addition generally had positive effects on plant productivity even after the treatments were ceased. However, such legacy effects showed strong inter-annual variation, and the positive effect of N and water addition on productivity were stronger in a wet year (i.e., 2019) than an extremely drought year (i.e., 2018). Although N and water availability decreased rapidly, the independently positive effects of historical N and water input persisted after 2 years of cessation largely due to the stable community composition. The increased plant stature of dominant functional groups largely contributed to the increased current productivity after the historical N and water addition. Together, these findings will facilitate the projection of the primary productivity and carbon cycling under the scenarios of predicted reduce in N deposition and changeable precipitation.
Climate Change Effects On Height-Diameter Allometric Relationship Vary With Tree Species And Size For Larch Plantations In Northern And Northeastern China
Authors: Xu Qigang , Lei Xiangdong , Zang Hao , Zeng Weisheng
Published: November 2021

Background: Tree height-diameter relationship is very important in forest investigation, understanding forest ecosystem structure and estimating carbon storage. Climate change may modify the relationship. However, our understanding of the effects of climate change on height-diameter allometric growth is still limited at large scale.Methods: In this study, we explore how the climate change effects on height-diameter allometric relationship vary with tree species and size for larch plantations in northern and northeastern China. Based on the repeated measurement data of 535 plots from the 6th to 8th national forest inventory of China, climate-sensitive tree height-diameter models of Larix plantations in north and northeast China were developed by two-level nonlinear mixed effect (NLME) method. The final model was used to analyze the height-diameter relationship of different Larch species under RCP2.6, RCP 4.5, and RCP8.5 climate change scenarios from 2010 to 2100.Results: The values of B(adjusted coefficient of determination), MAE(mean absolute error) and RMSE(root mean squared error) of the NLME models for calibration data were 0.92, 0.76m and 1.06m, respectively. The inclusion of climate variables MAT (Mean annual temperature), CMD (Hargreaves climatic moisture deficit) with random effects was able to increase a by 19.5% and reduce the AIC (Akaike’s information criterion), MAE and RMSE by 22.2%, 44.5% and 41.8%, respectively. The climate sensitivity was ranked as L. gmelinii > the unidentified species group > L. pincipis-rupprechtii > L. kaempferi > L. olgensis under RCP4.5, but L. gmelinii > L. pincipis-rupprechtii > the unidentified species group > L. olgensis > L. kaempferi under RCP2.6 and RCP8.5. Conclusion: According to the climate sensitivity, tree species could be classified as group I(L. gmelinii, L. pincipis-rupprechtii and the unidentified species group) with large c (from -4.77% to 18.17%) and group II (L. kaempferi and L. olgensis) with small k (from -6.37% to 9.4%).Large trees were more sensitive to climate change than small trees.
Diurnal variations in the stratosphere of an ultrahot exoplanet
Authors: Mikal-Evans Thomas , Sing David , Barstow Joanna , Kataria Tiffany , Goyal Jayesh , Lewis Nikole , Taylor Jake , Mayne Nathan , Daylan Tansu , Wakeford Hannah , Marley Mark , Spake Jessica
Published: November 2021

The temperature profile of a planetary atmosphere is a key diagnostic of radiative and dynamical processes governing the absorption, redistribution, and emission of energy. Observations have revealed dayside stratospheres that either cool [1,2] or warm [3,4] with altitude for a small number of gas giant exoplanets, while others are consistent with constant temperatures [5,6,7,8]. Here we report spectroscopic phase curve measurements for the gas giant WASP-121b,[9] which constrain stratospheric temperatures throughout the diurnal cycle. Variations measured for a water vapor spectral feature reveal a temperature profile that transitions from warming with altitude on the dayside hemisphere to cooling with altitude on the nightside hemisphere. The data are well explained by models assuming chemical equilibrium, with water molecules thermally dissociating at low pressures on the dayside and recombining on the nightside [10,11]. Nightside temperatures are low enough for perovskite (CaTiO3) to condense, which could deplete titanium from the gas phase [12,13] and explain recent non-detections at the day-night terminator [14,15,16,17]. Nightside temperatures are also low enough for refractory species, such as magnesium, iron, and vanadium, to condense. Detections [16,17,18,19] of these metals at the day-night terminator suggest, however, that if they do form nightside clouds, cold trapping is not as effective at removing them from the upper atmosphere.

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Clinicopathologic Features and Lymph Node Metastasis Pattern of the Cervical MiNEN
Authors: Xu Huihui , Zhao Zehua , Zhu Yanmei
Published: November 2021

Purpose: Mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasm (MiNEN) is a rare type of cervical tumor. Its clinicopathological features, lymph node(LN) metastatic patterns and outcomes are still unclear. Methods: We have analyzed the clinicopathological information of 26 patients with cervical MiNEN.Results: The median age of onset for cervical MiNEN was 48 years. Macroscopically, polyps and nodules were the main types. The neuroendocrine components included small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (SCNEC) (14/26 cases), large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) (10/26 cases), and typical carcinoid (2/26 cases). Non-neuroendocrine components included adenocarcinoma (AC) (12/26, including one case of AC in situ) and squamous cell carcinoma (SC) (10/26) and adeno-squamous cell carcinoma (ASC) (4/26). Of the 16 AC cases, 15 were human papilloma virus (HPV) -associated AC and onewasHPV-independent AC. Except for the case of MiNEN with HPV-independent AC, all cases were diffusely and strongly positive for p16 protein. The lympho-vascular space invasion (LVSI) was seen in 17/26 cases, and the components that invade lymphatic vessels were mainly neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) (15/17), followed by SC (1/17) and AC (1/17). Ten patients developed LN metastases, including six in combined SCNECs (6/14) and four in combined LCNECs (4/10); the metastatic component was pure NEC in eight cases (8/10) and SC or AC in two cases (2/10) .Conclusions: NEC component is the key factor that determines the clinical behavior and prognosis of cervical MiNEN.
Cinnamomi Ramulus Inhibits the Growth of Colon Cancer Cells Via Akt/ERK Signaling Pathways
Authors: Pan Boyu , Xia Yafei , Gao Zilu , Zhao Gang , Wang Liangjiao , Fang Senbiao , Liu Liren , Yan Shu
Published: November 2021

Background
Colon cancer (CC) has the second highest mortality rate among malignant tumors worldwide, and the current mainstream treatment regimens are not very effective. The unique efficacy of Chinese herb medicine (CHM) for cancers has recently received increasing attention. Cinnamomi Ramulus (CR), as a classic CHM, has been widely used in the treatment of a variety of diseases for hundreds of years in China, but its specific pharmacological mechanism of against CC still needs to be fully evaluated.
Methods
TCMSP and China National Knowledge Infrastructure database were obtained to predict the candidate ingredients of CR, and TCMSP and SwissTargetPrediction database were also employed to predict the drug targets of the candidate ingredients from CR. Then, we evaluated the therapeutic effect of CR on CC by oral administration in CC-bearing mice and performed in vitro cellular functional verifications. Next, the potential CC-related targets were further identified by using Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Based on these obtained targets, the drug/disease-target PPI networks were constructed using Bisogenet plugin of Cytoscape. The potential core therapeutic targets were then identified through topological analysis using CytoNCA plugin. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed to predict the underlying mechanism of CR against CC. Furthermore, these in silico analysis results were validated by a series of cellular functional and molecular biological assays.
Results
In this study, we first found that CR has potential therapeutic effects on cancers. Then, oral administration of CR could inhibit the growth of CC cells in C57BL/6 mice, and it could inhibit the viability and motility of CC cells. Meanwhile, we further obtained 111 potential core therapeutic targets, and enrichment analyses showed that CR could induce the apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in CC cells by blocking the Akt/ERK signaling pathways. The above virtual results were further verified. Next, we used ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS) to identify 5 key components from the crude extract of CR. Molecular docking analysis revealed that taxifolin is mostly likely to be a potential key active ingredient.
Conclusions
In summary, our results indicate that CR has good prospects in the treatment of CC.
The prediction model of fatty liver was established by blood biochemical indexes
Authors: xu yan , LIU Rong
Published: November 2021

Background

The main cause of chronic liver disease is fatty liver, which includes alcoholic fatty liver and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This study is aimed to establish the prediction model of fatty liver, and provide help for the prevention and treatment of fatty liver, especially NAFLD in the future.
Methods

Datasets from 2017 to March 2020 NHANES required for the analysis were downloaded from the NHANES web site and R 4.1.1. Software was used for data analysis. A total of 3762 subjects were enrolled in this study, which were divided into model construction group and model validation group in a 2:1 ratio.
Results

The study selected 6 indicators to build the prediction model, which are as follows: ALT, Platelet count, Creatinine, LDH, HS C-Reactive Protein, Glucose. Then the prediction model was constructed. The area under ROC curve of the model was 0.7471. In the validation population, the area under the ROC curve of the model was 0.7816.
Conclusions

F score has a good predictive effect on fatty liver, which can be used as an important means for the prevention and treatment of fatty liver, especially NAFLD in the future.
Discrepant Results of Hepatitis B Virus Genotype Determination by PCR and DNA Sequencing
Authors: Xiao Yihan , Ni Lan , Cui Zhigang , Sun Long , Zhou Xiaojun , Chen Xinjun , Li Lihua , Tang Chuanning , Yin Feifei , Du Jiang , Liu Lina , Lu Gang , Cui Xiuji , Quan Yunfan
Published: November 2021

Currently, multiplex-PCR with genotype-specific primers is widely used for preliminary screening of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotyping, despite its relatively lower accuracy compared with whole genome sequencing. Here, we present the discrepant results of HBV genotyping by PCR and full-length sequencing. HBV DNA was isolated from chronic hepatitis B serum and the HBV genotype was detected by PCR using genotype-specific primers and full-length genome sequencing. As a result, the determination of genotype B by the PCR method was consistent with the DNA sequencing results; however, PCR revealed that genotype C exhibited a mixed genotype of B and C in the current study. In conclusion, the PCR-based genotyping method may not provide accurate information of the HBV genotype and whole genome sequencing remains the “gold standard” method for HBV genotyping.
Lactobacillus Paracasei BEJ01 Protects Against Fumonisin B1-Induced Intestinal Toxicity in Balb/c Mice
Authors: EZDINI Khawla , Salah-Abbès Jalila Ben , Belgacem Hela , Chaieb Kamel , Abbès Samir
Published: November 2021

Fumonisin B1 (FB1) is a carcinogenic (Class 2B) mycotoxin produced by Fusarium fungi and is responsible for several types of mycotoxicoses in animals and humans. Lactobacillus paracasei (LP), as a probiotic, is known to impart a wide range of advantageous effects on host health. The objective of the current study was to evaluate if LP (type BEJ01) isolated from Tunisian artisanal butter, could potentially help protect a host against intestinal alterations caused by exposure to FB1. Here, adult male Balb/c mice were randomly assigned to four groups, i.e., control (vehicle only), treated with FB1 (100 µg/kg BW), LP (2 × 109 CFU/ml [≈ 2 mg/kg BW]) and FB1 (100 µg/kg BW) + LP (2 × 109 CFU/ml) and treated per os daily for 10 days. At 24 hr after the final treatment, mice were euthanized and their jejunum harvested for examination of intestinal alterations induced by the FB1. The data showed that a variety of negative effects in jejunal tissue were induced by the FB1, including DNA fragmentation, oxidative stress, apoptotic cell death, and histopathological alterations. The results also showed that co-treatment of LP with FB1 was able to mitigate the harmful FB1 effects. LP alone imparted no damage to jejunal tissues. These results show that apart from potential use as a bio-preservative for extending the shelf-life of food and feeds, LP may also provide a benefit of helping prevent untoward effects from a potent mycotoxin like FB1.
Patients’ Attitudes Towards Involvement of Medical Students in Their Care at Three Selected University Teaching Hospitals in Uganda: A Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Ibingira Charles BENSTONS , Mwaka Amos Deogratius , Taremwa Seti , Adoch Winnie , Achan Jennifer , Ainembabazi Peruth , Walego Grace , Ntayi Moses Levi , Bongomin Felix
Published: November 2021

BackgroundThe acceptance of medical students by patients during care is important and promotes appropriate clinical reasoning, competence and skills development among students. The attitudes and comfort of patients attending care at the medical and obstetrics/gynecology specialties was studied in teaching hospitals of three public universities in Uganda.MethodsThis was cross sectional study conducted among patients getting care at teaching hospitals for three public universities; of Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), Makerere and Gulu Universities. Logistical regression was used to determine the magnitude of associations between independent and dependent variables. Two-sided p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results855 patients participated in the study. Majority (54%, n=460) were aged 18 — 39 years, female (81%, n=696) and married (67%, n=567). Seventy percent (n=599) of participants could recognize and differentiate medical students from qualified physicians, and had ever had involvement of medical students (65%, n=554) during earlier consultations. Regarding attitudes of patients towards presence of medical students during their consultations, most participants (96%; n=818) considered their involvement in patients’ care as an essential ingredient of training of future doctors/ health professionals. Most participants prefer the training of medical students to take place in the tertiary public hospitals (80%; n=683). Participants who were single/never married were 68% less likely to recognize and differentiate medical students (aOR = 0.32, 95%CI: 0.22 — 0.53) from other members of the healthcare team ,compared to married participants. Participants with university education had 55% lower odds of being comfortable with presence of medical students during consultation compared to those with primary education (aOR= 0.45, 95%CI: 0.21 — 0.94). Participants from MUST teaching hospital had 2-fold higher odds of being comfortable with presence of medical students compared to participants from Mak teaching hospitals (aOR = 2.01; 95%CI: 1.20 — 3.39).ConclusionPatients are generally comfortable with medical students’ involvement in their care; they prefer to seek care in hospitals where medical students contribute to their care. There is a need for disseminating clear messages to the public regarding the presence and roles of medical students in the university teaching hospitals in order to promote and inform patients’ autonomy and informed decisions.
Atypical parathyroid adenomas as a rare cause of primary hyperparathyroidism - in an academic institution experience
Authors: Kowalski Grzegorz , Buła Grzegorz , Bednarczyk Adam , Gawrychowska Agata , Gawrychowski Jacek
Published: November 2021

BACKGROUND

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is caused by benign and malignant conditions. Most commonly by typical adenoma/single gland disease (PA) - this is 80-85% cases of PHPT. Parathyroid hyperplasia or multiple gland disease accounts for 10-15% of cases of PHPT. Atypical parathyroid adenoma (APA) and carcinoma (PC) - very rare conditions - are both responsible for PHPT in approximately 0,5 - 1,5% of cases.
OBJECTIVES

To estimate occurrence of atypical parathyroid adenoma, parathyroid carcinoma and parathyroid hyperplasia along with characterize them based on their etiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment
METHODS

We performed a retrospective study and enrolled 1,019 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism undergoing parathyroidectomy at academic Department of General and Endocrine Surgery between 1983 and 2018.
RESULTS

Out of 1,019 cases of primary hyperparathyroidism, 850 (83.4%) cases were due to typical parathyroid adenoma (PA), 135 (13.2%) cases were due to parathyroid hyperplasia, 29 (2.8%) cases were due to parathyroid carcinoma (PC), and 5 (0.5%) cases were due to atypical parathyroid adenoma (APA).