bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Transaldolase From Aquilaria Sinensis Involves in Aba-mediated Seed Germination and Root Growth
Authors: Rong Yuqing , Li Tiezheng , Liu Xiao , Shi Shepo , Wang Xiaohui , Tu pengfei
Published: February 2021

Transaldolase, the key enzyme of the pentose-phosphate pathway, plays an important role in plant growth and defense. Seed germination is a key factor that influences the cultivation of Aquilaria sinensis, the plant source of agarwood, which is widely used as a traditional medicine, perfume and incenses. However, little is known about the function of transaldolase in abscisic acid (ABA)-mediated seed germination. In the present study, the full-length AsTal1 gene was isolated and characterized from A. sinensis calli. Sublocalization analysis indicated that AsTal1 was localized in the cytoplasm. In addition, phenotypic analysis indicated that AsTal1-overexpressing Nicotiana benthamiana (OE) plants were less sensitive to ABA during seed germination and root growth than wild-type (WT) plants. Overexpression of AsTal1 regulated the expression of genes involved in ABA metabolism, biosynthesis and signal transduction under ABA treatment. In addition, expression of NbRbohA and NbRbohB was inhibited in the overexpression lines, whereas the abundance and activities of the antioxidative enzymes SOD, APX, and POD were higher in the transgenic plants than in the WT lines after ABA treatment. Taken together, our results indicated that AsTal1 is involved in the ABA response during seed germination and root growth by regulating the expression of genes involved in the ABA signaling pathway and the enzymes responsive to ROS.
Mass Drug Administration Interruption by COVID-19 reportedly increases lymphatic filarial attacks, pains, and perceived increased lymphatic filarial infection transmission in rural Ghana
Authors: Kwarteng Alexander , Arthur Yarhands Dissou , Asiedu Samuel Opoku , Yamba John Kanyiri , Amewu Emmanuel Kobla , Kwarteng Efiba Vidda Senkyire , Ahuno Samuel Terkper
Published: February 2021

BackgroundLike all other diseases, the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic has been implicated to impact the elimination schedule and control of neglected tropical diseases such as human lymphatic filarial (LF) infections in endemic countries. However, it is unclear the extent to which delays in mass drug administration has affected people living with chronic lymphatic filarial pathology in rural Ghana as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and thus remain to be investigated. MethodTo address this, a cross-sectional study where 133 LF participants from 8 LF-endemic communities in the Ahanta West District of Ghana were recruited to assess the impact of MDA interruptions as a result of COVID-19 among individuals presenting with the filarial pathology. Here, the chi-square test of independence was used as a statistical tool to assess the dependency: 1) between MDA interruption and filarial attacks 2) between MDA interruption and filarial-related pains 3) between MDA interruption and a perceived increase in LF transmission.ResultsStudy participants were asked whether the MDA interruption has affected them in any way. Here, 81% of the patients indicated yes, it had. In addition, we sought to investigate whether MDA interruption has resulted in increased filarial attacks and pains. At this, 68% of the study respondents reported an increase in filarial attacks. Similarly, 65% reported an increase in filarial-related pains. The study further reported that filarial attacks (B=14.997, df=1, p-value <0.001) and pains (a=11.773, df=1, p-value <0.001) are dependent on MDA interruption. Next, we further report that the perceived increase in LF transmission is dependent on MDA interruption (c=9.415, df=1, p-value=0.002). ConclusionIn this study, MDA interruption is reported to increase filarial attacks, filarial-related pains, and a perceived LF transmission increase in the study communities. This study's findings are important and urgent, suggesting that sustained MDA interruption in LF-endemic communities could further worsen LF patients' plight as filarial attacks, pains, and transmission could increase. Therefore, the need to immediately identify alternative modes of MDA distribution in LF-endemic areas where mass treatment has been halted in the wake of COVID-19 to prevent an unwarranted surge in LF attacks, pains, and transmission.
SCD leads to the development and progression of acute myocardial infarction through the AMPK signaling pathway
Authors: Wang Lijie , Yu Fengxia
Published: February 2021

Background: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is myocardial necrosis caused by acute coronary ischemia and hypoxia. It can be complicated by arrhythmia, shock, heart failure and other symptoms that can be life-threatening. We constructed a multi-regulator driven dysfunction module for AMI. It is intended to explore the pathogenesis and functional pathways regulation of acute myocardial infarction. Methods: Combining differential expression analysis, co-expression analysis, and the functional enrichment analysis, we obtained a set of expression disorder modules related to AMI. Hypergeometric test was performed to calculate the potential regulatory effects of multiple factors on the module, identifying a range of non-coding RNA and transcription factors. Results: We obtained 4551 differentially expressed genes for AMI and seven co-expression modules. These modules are primarily involved in the metabolic processes of prostaglandin transport processes, regulating DNA recombination and AMPK signal transduction. Based on this set of functional modules, we revealed 3 of 24 transcription factors (TFs) including NFKB1, MECP2 and SIRT1, 3 of 782 non-coding RNA including miR-519D-3P, TUG1 and miR-93-5p were obtained. These core regulators are thought to be involved in the progression of AMI disease. Through the AMPK signal transduction, the critical gene stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) can lead to the occurrence and development of AMI. Conclusions: In this study, we used a dysfunction module to explore the pathogenesis of multifactorial mediated AMI and provided new methods and ideas for subsequent research. It helps researchers to have a deeper understanding of its potential pathogenesis. The conclusion provides a theoretical basis for biologists to design further experiments related to AMI.Trial registration: All analyses were based on previous study, thus no ethical approval and patient consent are required. The dataset of GSE48060 is from GEO and the accession number is PRJNA208840.
Ten-Year Risk of Fatal Cardiovascular Disease and its Association with Metabolic Risk Factors Among Waste Pickers in South Africa
Authors: Made Felix , Nonterah Engelbert A , Tlotleng Nonhlanhla , Ntlebi Vusi , Naicker Nisha
Published: February 2021

Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among non-communicable diseases in South Africa. Several metabolic risk factors contribute to the development of CVD. Informal workers such as waste pickers could be unhealthy lifestyle naive, and most public health research on CVD does not include this understudied population. This study estimated the 10-year risk of fatal CVD and its association with metabolic risk factors in an understudied study population of waste pickers in Johannesburg, South Africa. MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted among waste pickers in two landfill sites in Johannesburg. We used the Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) risk charts to estimate the 10-year risk of fatal CVD. We then employed ordinary least squares regression to assess the association between the 10-year risk of fatal CVD with metabolic risk factors. Other variables adjusted in the regression model were HIV status, education, income, injuries from work, clinic visits in the previous 12 months, and alcohol consumption. ResultsA total of 370 waste pickers were included in this analysis, 265 (73.41%) were males. The mean age of the participants was 34 years. The majority were between the age of 20 and 39 years. More than 55% of the waste pickers did not visit a clinic in the previous 12 months, and 68.57% were smoking. The 10-year survival probability from CVD was more than 99% for both males and females. Waste pickers who were overweight/obese, hypertensive, or with an elevated blood glucose level had high statistically significant mean percentages of the 10-year risk of fatal CVD compared to those who did not have the metabolic risk factors. Conclusions Prevention of 10-year risk of fatal CVD in this understudied population of waste pickers should target the control of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. Health awareness and education for waste pickers will be an important step in reducing the burden of these metabolic risk factors. We further recommend that health systems should recognize waste pickers as a high-risk group and consider extensive CVDs surveillance.
The Distribution of IOL Center and Its Relationship with Internal Ocular Objective Visual Quality in Cataract Patients
Authors: Long Tan , Gu Xin , Wei Wei , Ma Ting , Wang Rui
Published: February 2021

Background: To investigate the distribution of the center of the intraocular lens (IOL) after phacoemulsification, and to assess the correlation between the center of IOL and preoperative angle kappa, angle alpha, and objective internal visual quality, respectively, in cataract patients with monofocal and bifocal IOLs implantation. Methods: Prospective cross-section cases series. One hundred and thirty-seven eyes of 107 patients who underwent phacoemulsification were included. Preoperative angle kappa and alpha, postoperative internal ocular aberrations, internal objective visual quality, and the center of IOL relative to the visual axis (CIV) was evaluated using iTrace system. Independent sample t-tests and Pearson correlations were performed.Results: Locations of CIV were scattered in all directions centered on corneal light reflection for both C-Loop designed IOL and plate-haptic designed IOL. No correlations were found between CIV and preoperative angle kappa and alpha in both magnitude and orientation. No correlations were found between CIV and postoperative internal ocular aberrations (astigmatism, coma, and trefoil). In the bifocal IOLs group, the CIV was negatively correlated to the internal Strehl ratio at 3mm; however, it was not correlated to the Strehl ratio at 5mm. The magnitude of CIV was positively correlated to the length of the optic axis.Conclusions: CIV was not predictable according to angle kappa and alpha before cataract surgery. CIV was not related to internal ocular aberration, but large CIV may lead to light scattering due to steps between diffractive rings in patients with small pupil sizes. The magnitude of CIV may be greater in cataract patients with longer optic axis.Trial registration: retrospectively registered.
Characteristics of life-sustaining treatment decisions: National data analysis in South Korea
Authors: Choi Jiyeon , jeon Heejung , Lee Ilhak
Published: February 2021

Although the Act on Decisions on Life-sustaining Treatment for Patients in Hospice and Palliative Care or at the End of Life was implemented in South Korea in 2018 to ensure the dignity of death for patients, adequate data are not available about whether patients’ preferences are being reflected in end-of-life decisions. By using the data of 79,863 patients from the database of national institutions, this study examined the actual condition and characteristics of the life sustaining treatment decisions (LSTD) system since its implementation. The patients were divided into four groups according to the decision-making method (G1, G2, G3, and G4), and descriptive statistical analysis was performed. Logistic regression analysis was performed by dividing the patients into self-determining (G1, G2) and family-determining patients (G3, G4). The results revealed significant relationships between the variables; age, disease, and hospice use of patients showed differences in each group. Age was found to have a major impact on LSTD, and with increase in age, the family, and not the patient, made the LSTD. The LSTD method also differed depending on the disease. The self-determination rates of patients with circulatory or digestive diseases were somewhat lower than that of those with neoplastic diseases. Regarding the period from decision making to the implementation of the LSTD life judgment, the findings revealed hurried decision making and inadequate time for the patient to prepare for death. The findings highlights the need for ensuring that the patients are the subjects of their treatment decisions and for beginning LSTD consultation sooner.
Direct Anterior Versus Anterolateral and Posterolateral Approaches to Total Hip Replacement: Comparative Accuracy of Acetabular Implant Placement and Early Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Chen Ying-Lin , Horng Chi-Horng , Hsieh Shang-Lin , Hsu Chin-Jung , Chang Chien-Chun , Fong Yi-Chin , Chen Hsien-Te , Su Li-Ting , Lin Tsung-Li , Tsai Chun-Hao
Published: February 2021

BackgroundDifferent surgical approaches used in total hip arthroplasty (THA) include direct anterior approach (DAA), anterolateral approach (AL), and posterolateral approach (PL). However, the acetabular cup position varies according to surgical view, surgical table, and patient position for each approach. This study is aimed to compare acetabular cup position in THA under different approaches, including surgical time, blood loss, and postoperative complications.MethodsBetween Jan 2017 and Dec 2018, 231 patients who underwent THA (64 DAA, 96 AL, and 71 PL THAs) were analyzed retrospectively. Intraoperative blood loss, operation time, preoperative and postoperative WOMAC score, cup anteversion, inclination angle, and postoperative complications were analyzed.ResultsDAA showed longer operation time and more blood loss, but shorter hospital stays. The cup was found in the safe zone for 97% of DAA patients, 74% of AL patients, and 56% of PL patients. PL showed the highest complication rate (9.9%), followed by DAA (3.1%) and AL (1%). There was no statistically significant difference in preoperative and postoperative WOMAC scores. ConclusionTHA by DAA using a special table is a more reliable procedure to achieve safe cup position. Although DAA showed fewer outliers in cup position, it resulted in longer operation time and greater blood loss compared to other groups.Trial registration: Retrospective study
Detect caterpillar, grasshopper, aphid and simulation program for neutralizing them by laser
Authors: Rakhmatulin Ildar
Published: February 2021

The protection of crops from pests is relevant for any cultivated crop. But modern methods of pest control by pesticides carry many dangers for humans. Therefore, research into the development of safe and effective pest control methods is promising. This manuscript presents a new method of pest control. We used neural networks for pest detection and developed a powerful laser device (5 W) for their neutralization. In the manuscript methods of processing images with pests to extract the most useful feature are described in detail. Using the following pets as an example: aphids, grasshopper, cabbage caterpillar, we analyzed various neural network models and selected the optimal models and characteristics for each insect. In the paper the principle of operation of the developed laser device is described in detail. We created the program to search a pest in the video stream calculation of their coordinates and transmission data with coordinates to the device with the laser.
Direct and Indirect Effects of Precipitation Change and Nutrients Addition on Desert Steppe Productivity in Inner Mongolia, Northern China
Authors: Guo Xinxin , Zuo Xiaoan , Yue Ping , Li Xiangyun , Hu Ya
Published: February 2021

Background and Aims Global changes profoundly impact on structure and function of grassland ecosystem. However, it remains unclear on the mechanism of how multiple limiting resources affect plant community primary productivity (ANPP) in desert steppe.Methods Here, we conducted an experiment to examine the effects of precipitation changes (natural and ± 50% precipitation) and nutrient addition (=N: 0 g·m-2·yr-1; +N: N 10 g·m-2·yr-1; +NPK: N/P/K each for 10 g·m-2·yr-1) on species diversity, ANPP, functional traits and soil properties. We used structural equation model (SEM) to evaluate the effects of precipitation changes and nutrient addition on ANPP.Results Increased precipitation increased species diversity and ANPP under NPK addition, NPK addition increased ANPP under increased precipitation, and the interaction of precipitation changes and nutrient addition was significant for ANPP. Drought reduced plant height and leaf dry matter content (LDMC), but increased leaf nitrogen content (LNC). ANPP was positively correlated with species richness, abundance, height and LDMC, but negatively correlated with specific leaf area (SLA) and LNC. The SEM showed increased precipitation and nutrient addition directly increased ANPP. Altered precipitation indirectly affected ANPP through its effect on abundance and SLA, while nutrient addition indirectly affected ANPP only through its effect on abundance.Conclusion The combined limitations of precipitation and multiple nutrients deserves more attention in studying the effect of global changes on productivity in arid steppe. Our results highlight the importance of species diversity and functional traits in driving short-term responses of ANPP to environmental factors in desert steppe ecosystems.
Dysregulation of the Leukocyte Signaling Landscape during Acute COVID-19
Authors: Turnbull Isaiah , Fuchs Anja , Remy Kenneth , Kelly Michael , Frazier Elfaridah , Ghosh Sarbani , Chang Shin-wen , Mazer Monty , Hess Annie , Leonard Jennifer , Hoofnagle Mark , Colonna Marco , Hotchkiss Richard
Published: February 2021

The global COVID-19 pandemic has claimed the lives of more than 450,000 US citizens. Dysregulation of the immune system underlies the pathogenesis of COVID-19, with inflammation mediated local tissue injury to the lung in the setting of suppressed systemic immune function. To define the molecular mechanisms of immune dysfunction in COVID-19 we utilized a systems immunology approach centered on the circulating leukocyte phosphoproteome measured by mass cytometry. COVID-19 is associated with wholesale activation of a broad set of signaling pathways across myeloid and lymphoid cell populations. STAT3 phosphorylation predominated in both monocytes and T cells and was tightly correlated with circulating IL-6 levels. High levels of STAT3 phosphorylation was associated with decreased markers of myeloid cell maturation/activation and decreased ex-vivo T cell IFN-gamma production, demonstrating that during COVID-19 dysregulated cellular activation is associated with suppression of immune effector cell function. Collectively, these data reconcile the systemic inflammatory response and functional immunosuppression induced by COVID-19 and suggest STAT3 signaling may be the central pathophysiologic mechanism driving immune dysfunction in COVID-19.
Convolutional Neural Network for Iris Recognition
Authors: Alnahari Wael
Published: February 2021

In this paper, I proposed an iris recognition system by using deep learning via neural networks (CNN). Although CNN is used for machine learning, the recognition is achieved by building a non-trained CNN network with multiple layers. The main objective of the code the test pictures’ category (aka person name) with a high accuracy rate after having extracted enough features from training pictures of the same category which are obtained from a that I added to the code. I used IITD iris which included 10 iris pictures for 223 people.
Fractional SEIRP model for COVID-19 dynamics incorporatingsocial distancing and environment
Authors: Akindeinde Saheed Ojo , Okyere E. , Adewumi A. O. , Lebelo R. S. , Fabelurin O. O. , Moore S. E.
Published: February 2021

We propose a Caputo-based fractional compartmental model for the dynamics of the novel COVID-19 epidemic taking into consideration social distancing and the influence of the environment. Using basic concepts such as continuity and Banach fixed-point theorem, the existence and uniqueness of the solution to the proposed model were shown. Furthermore, we analyze the stability of the model in the context of Ulam-Hyers and generalized Ulam-Hyers stability criteria. The concept of next-generation matrices was used to compute the basic reproduction number $R_0,$ a number that determines the spread or otherwise of the disease into the general population. Numerical simulation of the disease dynamics was carried out using the fractional Adam-Bashforth-Moulton method to validate the obtained theoretical results.
Detection of the new SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.526 with the Spike E484K mutation in South America
Authors: Cadena Juan Fernández , Muñoz Mindy , León Gabriel Morey , Armas-González Rubén , Márquez Darlyn Amaya , Viteri Katheryn Sacheri , Consortium Paúl Cárdenas & USFQ-COVID , Valiente-Echeverría Fernando , Rifo Ricardo Soto , Molina Derly Andrade
Published: February 2021

Here, we report two sequences of the new SARS-CoV-2 variant recently detected and designed as B.1.526. This variant carries the immune escape-associated mutation E484K and additional mutations in the S, N, NSP2, NSP3, NSP4, NSP6, NSP8, NSP12 and NSP13 genes. Viral sequences were obtained from an individual traveling from the US to Equator with a negative RT-PCR and from one of his closest contacts that became infected. These cases should be considered an alert for the potential circulation of a new variant of concern with the E484K mutation in South America
Analytical solution to the radiotherapy fractionation problem including dose bound constraints
Authors: Fernández Luis Alberto , Fernández Lucía
Published: February 2021

This paper deals with the classic radiotherapy dose fractionation problem for cancer tumors concerning the following goals: a) To maximize the effect of radiation on the tumor, restricting the effect produced to the organs at risk (healing approach). b) To minimize the effect of radiation on the organs at risk, while maintaining enough effect of radiation on the tumor (palliative approach). We will assume the linear-quadratic model to characterize the radiation effect and consider the stationary case (that is, without taking into account the timing of doses and the tumor growth between them). The main novelty with respect to previous works concerns the presence of minimum and maximum dose fractions, to achieve the minimum effect and to avoid undesirable side effects, respectively. We have characterized in which situations is more convenient the hypofractionated protocol (deliver few fractions with high dose per fraction) and in which ones the hyperfractionated regimen (deliver a large number of lower doses of radiation) is the optimal strategy. In all cases, analytical solutions to the problem are obtained in terms of the data. In addition, the calculations to implement these solutions are elementary and can be carried out using a pocket calculator.
Transcriptome analysis at mid-stage development seeds in litchi with contrasting seed size
Authors: Pathak Ashish Kumar , Sharma Ritika , Nath Vishal , Singh Sudhir P , Tuli Rakesh
Published: February 2021

Litchi is a sub-tropical fruit crop with contrasting genotypes bearing fruits with variable seed size. Small seed size is a desirable trait in litchi, as it improves consumer preference and facilitates fruit processing. Seed specific transcriptome analysis was performed in two litchi genotypes with contrasting seed size to identify the genes associated with seed development in litchi fruits. The transcriptomic data from seeds at mid- development stages (16 to 28 days after anthesis) were de-novo assembled into 1,39,608 Trinity transcripts. Out of these, 6,325 transcripts expressed differentially between the two contrasting genotypes. Several putative genes for salicylic acid, jasmonic acid and brassinosteriod pathways were down-regulated in the small-seeded litchi. The putative regulators of seed maturation and seed storage were down-regulated in the small-seeded genotype. Embryogenesis, cell expansion, seed size and stress related Trinity transcripts exhibited differential expression. Further studies can lead to identification and characterization of early regulators of seed size in litchi.
Impact of nutrient warning labels on choice of ultra-processed food and drinks high in sugar, sodium, and saturated fat in Colombia: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Mora-Plazas Mercedes , Higgins Isabella , Gomez Luis Fernando , Hall Marissa G. , Parra Maria Fernanda , Bercholz Maxime , Murukutla Nandita , Taillie Lindsey Smith
Published: February 2021

BackgroundFront-of-package nutrient warning labels are one promising policy to inform healthier food choices and purchasing decisions. This study aimed to identify the impact of nutrient warning labels on product selection and the ability to correctly identify products with an excess of critical nutrients, among other outcomes in Colombia.MethodsWe conducted an online randomized experiment among 8,061 Colombian adults in October 2020. Participants were randomly assigned to a front-of-package label condition: nutrient warning, guideline daily amounts (GDA), Nutri-Score, or a no-label condition. First, they viewed a fruit drink with added sugar that was labeled per their assigned condition and one without added sugar, which was only labeled in the GDA and Nutri-Score conditions, and completed selection tasks. The primary outcomes were 1) selection of the fruit drink with added sugar as the fruit drink they would rather buy and 2) correctly identifying which fruit drink was higher in sugar. Next, they viewed four food products (cookies, yogurt, sliced bread, and breakfast cereal) with their assigned condition and answered a series of questions. Finally, they selected which of the three label types would most discourage them from consuming a specified ultra-processed food.ResultsFewer participants in the nutrient warning condition (20%) selected the added sugar fruit drink as the product they would rather buy compared to 24% in the GDA condition (p<.01), 29% in the no-label condition, and 33% in the Nutri-Score condition (both, p<.001). More participants in the nutrient warning condition (88%) correctly identified the fruit drink higher in sugar compared to the no-label condition (68%) and the Nutri-Score condition (65%) (both, p<.001). More participants in the GDA condition (91%) correctly identified the fruit drink higher in sugar compared to the nutrient warning condition (p<.01). Most participants (72%) selected the nutrient warning label as most discouraging, while only 20% selected the GDA label and 9% selected the Nutri-Score label.ConclusionsNutrient warning labels are a promising policy strategy to prevent obesity and diet-related non-communicable diseases in Colombia. Future research is needed to understand the impact of nutrient warning labels on actual ultra-processed food purchases in Colombia. Trial Registration: NCT04567004
Psychometric validation of the Chinese version of the PaArticular Scales among elderly residents in long-term care facilities with joint contractures
Authors: Chen Yi-Chang , Lin Keh-Chung , Yeh Shu-Hui , Pan Ay-Woan , Chen Hao-Ling , Wang Chih-Hung , Chen Chen-Jung
Published: February 2021

Background: Joint contractures, which affect activity, participation, and quality of life, are common complications of neurological conditions among elderly residents in long-term care facilities. The aim of this study is to examine the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the PaArticular Scales in a population with joint contractures. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used. The sample included elderly residents older than 64 years with joint contractures in an important joint who had lived at one of 12 long-term care facilities in Taiwan for more than 6 months (N = 243). The Chinese version of the PaArticular Scales of joint contractures was generated in 5 stages: translation, review, back-translation, review by a panel of specialists, and a pretest. Test-retest reliability, internal consistency reliability, construct validity, and criterion validity were evaluated, and the results were compared with those for the World Health Organization Quality of Life scale and the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule.Results: The Chinese version of the PaArticular Scales had excellent reliability with a Cronbach’s α coefficient of .975 (M = 28.98; SD = 17.34). An exploratory factor analysis showed 3 factors and 1 factor with an eigenvalue > 1 that explained 75.176% and 62.83% of the total variance in the Activity subscale and Participation subscale, respectively. The subscale-to-total scale correlation analysis showed a Pearson correlation coefficient of .881 for the Activity subscale and .843 for the Participation subscale. Pearson’s product-moment correlation revealed that the correlation coefficient (r) between the Chinese version of the PaArticular Scales and the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule was .770, and that for the World Health Organization Quality of Life scale was -.553; these values were interpreted as large coefficients. Conclusions: The underlying theoretical model of the Chinese version of the PaArticular Scales functions well in Taiwan, and it has acceptable levels of reliability and validity. However, the Chinese version needs to be further tested for applicability and generalizability in future studies, preferably with a larger sample and in different clinical domains.Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2000030413. Registered 1 March 2020, http://www.chictr.org.cn/usercenter.aspx
Das teilvirtuelle ILL-Projektseminar „Internetzeitung“ der Fächer Deutsch und Informatik an der PH Ludwigsburg
Authors: Albrecht Helmut , Baum Gabriela , Jost Roland
Published: February 2021

Im Rahmen des Landesprogramms „Virtuelle Hochschule“ des Ministeriums für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst Baden-Württemberg entwickeln die Pädagogischen Hochschulen1 seit 1998 in einem Verbund (VIB)2 didaktische Konzepte zur Anreicherung der Hochschullehre durch die gezielte Nutzung virtueller Techniken. Ziel ist es, die „akademische Medienkompetenz“ der Studierenden und Lehrenden zu fördern. Für Lehramtsstudierende ist eine solche Kompetenz heutzutage unverzichtbar. Sie sollen sich schließlich auf einen Schulalltag vorbereiten, in dem Computer als zeitgemäße und flexible Medien einen wesentlichen Raum einnehmen werden.
Post and core: a new clinical perspective – myths and facts
Authors: Matos Jefferson David Melo de , Nakano Leonardo Jiro Nomura , Lopes Guilherme da Rocha Scalzer , Silva Jhenifer Rodrigues , Grande Mateus Favero Barra , Marques Ana Carolina , Ramos Nathália de Carvalho , Vasconcelos John Eversong Lucena de , Andrade Valdir Cabral , Bottino Marco Antonio , Nishioka Renato Sussumu
Published: February 2021

Objective: The present study aims to describe a literature review on post and core restorations from a new clinical perspective in dentistry. Also, to define the best choice regarding the intraradicular retainer, material used, confection techniques and their possible failures, explaining the myths and the truths about them. Methodology: This literature review was conducted by leading health databases: Pubmed (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed), SCIELO (www.scielo.org) e Google Scholar (https://scholar.google.com.br). The keywords for the textual search were: Denture, Partial, Fixed; Post and Core Technique; Dental Research; Dentistry. Inclusion criteria were: literature on the subject under study, literature of recent years, english and portuguese languages, laboratory and clinical studies, and systematic reviews. Literature Review: Post and core are defined as prosthetic elements that seek intraradicular retention to support prosthetic crowns or unitary restorations. The ideal shape of the intraradicular retainer should supplement the dental remnant, allowing the shape of a prepared tooth to receive a prosthetic crown. In conjunction of the dental remnant, they are responsible for dissipating and absorbing the forces developed during the chewing cycles, without deformation or damaging the minimal cement layer. Conclusion: The evolution of endodontic therapy enables a restoration with greater safety of treated teeth. However, it is necessary to consider the remaining dental structure, mainly because the posts do not provide reinforcement, only retention and resistance to the prosthetic crown.
Las emociones: una breve historia en su marco filosófico y cultural. Edad Media
Authors: Pinedo Cantillo Iván Alfonso , Yáñez Canal Jaime
Published: February 2021

Aunque las emociones se encuentran en el núcleo de quienes somos, su naturaleza y estructura continúan siendo hoy en día un amplio campo de investigación para diferentes disciplinas científicas. No obstante, como muchos otros temas de Investigacion actual las emociones tienen unos antecedentes y una historia que conviene tener presente para ubicar los conceptos, los debates y las diversas aproximaciones teóricas en el marco cultural y las tradiciones de pensamiento que les dieron origen. En este artículo haremos un breve recorrido por la historia de las emociones en la época medieval, de tal manera que el lector pueda reconocer, a grandes rasgos, las interpretaciones y posturas originales que desencadenaron múltiples comprensiones teóricas en torno a estos fenómenos físicos y mentales que conforman nuestra existencia.
Evolving deep neural networks for Time Series Forecasting
Authors:   Federal university of Pará - UFPA, Campos Lídio Mauro Lima , Pereira Jherson Haryson Almeida ,   Federal University of Pará - UFPA, Duarte Danilo Souza ,   Federal University of Pará - UFPA, Oliveira Roberto Célio Limão
Published: February 2021

The aim of this paper is to introduce a biologically inspired approach that can automatically generate Deep Neural networks with good prediction capacity, smaller error and large tolerance to noises. In order to do this, three biological paradigms were used: Genetic Algorithm (GA), Lindenmayer System and Neural Networks (DNNs). The final sections of the paper present some experiments aimed at investigating the possibilities of the method in the forecast the price of energy in the Brazilian market. The proposed model considers a multi-step ahead price prediction (12, 24, and 36 weeks ahead). The results for MLP and LSTM networks show a good ability to predict peaks and satisfactory accuracy according to error measures comparing with other methods.
Study of Crystallization and Composition on Silicon Oxycarbide (SiOC) and Silicon Boron Oxycarbide (SiBOC) Ceramics Obtained from Alkoxysilanes Precursors
Authors: Segatelli Mariana , Sanchez Patricia , Silva Lívia , Silva Maria , Tarley César , da Silva Paulo , Ribeiro Emerson
Published: February 2021

This work deals on the preparation of silicon oxycarbide (SiOC) and silicon boron oxycarbide (SiBOC) ceramics from pyrolysis involving alkoxysilanes with different organic groups. Boron content, organic substituent and annealing time were evaluated on crystallization and composition of resulting ceramics. B-free precursors composed of methyltriethoxysilane (MTES), phenyltriethoxysilane (PTES) and vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMS) were obtained by the sol-gel method, whilst B-containing precursors were prepared by adding to each alkoxysilane a proper amount of boric acid resulting in B/Si atomic ratios of 0.1 and 0.5. Precursors were pyrolyzed at 1500 °C for 1 and 3 h to produce respective SiOC and SiBOC ceramics. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns revealed enhanced SiC phase crystallization for PTES-derived ceramics, followed by those containing vinyl and methyl groups, which was also confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) from percentages of Si-C and Si-O bonds. Csp2 and Csp3 amounts varied among ceramics, indicating direct influence of organic substituent on conductive carbon phase development. Boron addition induced the growth of SiC crystallites, having more evident effect in matrices with higher proportions of amorphous fraction and lower residual carbon amounts. Organic group nature, boron content and annealing time played an important role for production and evolution of SiC and C phases into ceramics.
The Effect of Computer-Free Coding Education for Special Education Students on Problem-Solving Skills
Authors: Demir Ümit
Published: February 2021

During recent years coding education has been an important issue in many countries. Coding education has been an important topic for these countries. One of the reasons why coding education is being discussed by educators and other partners of the schools is that it is seen as a key competence for students, and workers at developing problem-solving skills. Coding as an academic skill is seen as a part of logical reasoning. Coding is also accepted as one of the skills called “21st-century skills” required from individuals. Special education students are in a disadvantaged situation as in other learning platforms. Thus, the aim of this study is to analyze the place of coding education in developing problem-solving skills of special education students. Within the scope of the study, computer-free coding applications were carried out with the participation of 34 students having the mild intellectual disabilities who are continuing their education in a special education vocational school aged between 14 and 18. An observation form was used to evaluate problem-solving skills. There was a significant difference [t(24)=-7.19, p<.001]  between the pre and post-course skills of the students. While the average score of the students’ problem-solving skills was 10.68 in pre-course, in the post-course this score increased to 13.36. The analysis of the findings showed that the students' skill scores in using problem-solving steps have increased in all these steps.
Fixed bed column performance of Tinospora cordifolia for defluoridation of water
Authors: Chakraborty Meena , Pandey Madhurima , Pandey Piyushkant
Published: February 2021

A continuous adsorption study in a fixed-bed column was carried out by using Tinospora cordifolia as an adsorbent for the removal of fluoride from aqueous solution. The effect of flow rate, influent fluoride concentration and bed depth on the adsorption characteristics of adsorbent was investigated at pH 7. The dependencies of breakthrough curves on these parameters were confirmed from the data obtained. Modeling of data was done. Thomas, Yoon–Nelson and Adams–Bohart models were applied to experimental data to predict the breakthrough curves. These kinetic models were helpful to determine the characteristic parameters of column designing for defluoridation on a large scale. Thomas and Yoon-Nelson models were found to be more suitable for the description of the breakthrough curve than the Adams–Bohart model in the present study. It was concluded that the Tinospora cordifolia-packed column can be used for effective defluoridation of water.
UV-activated permanganate process for micro-organic pollutant degradation: efficiency, mechanism and influencing factors
Authors: Ye Miaomiao , Li Chengzhuo , Liu Xiaowei , Wang Lili , Chen Rong
Published: February 2021

Ultraviolet-activated permanganate (UV/PM) process is a novel advanced oxidation process (AOP), but its application potential remains to be evaluated. This work investigates the degradation of refractory organic pollutant by UV/PM in terms of efficiency, mechanism, and influencing factors. The target compound benzoic acid (BA), which is a micro-organic pollutant and is resistant to PM and UV treatment, can be efficiently degraded by UV/PM. The electron paramagnetic resonance spectra directly supported the formation of hydroxyl radical (HO•) and superoxide radical from UV photolysis of PM. Competitive kinetics experiments verified that acted as precursor of HO• and the good degradation performance of BA was due to the involvement of HO• and manganese(V). The rate constants of BA degradation showed a positive linear relationship with PM dosage in the range of 0.5–20 mg·L−1, and the degradation process was significantly influenced by solution pH and natural organic matters but insensitive to chloride and bicarbonate at environmentally relevant concentrations. Compared to the typical UV-based AOP UV/hydrogen peroxide, UV/PM is a little inferior, indicating that optimization and enhancement is needed for this process before its possible practical application.
Evaluation of advanced phosphorus removal from slaughterhouse wastewater using industrial waste-based adsorbents
Authors: Sun Shengdan , Feng Chuanping , Tong Shuang , Zhao Yan , Chen Nan , Zhu Ming
Published: February 2021

Slaughterhouse wastewater (SWW) contains high concentrations of phosphorus (P) and is considered as a principal industrial contaminant that causes eutrophication. This study developed two kinds of economical P removal adsorbents using flue gas desulfurization gypsum (FGDG) as the main raw material and bentonite, clay, steel slag and fly ash as the additives. The maximum adsorption capacity of the adsorbent composed of 60% FGDG, 20% steel slag, and 20% fly ash (DSGA2) was found to be 15.85 mg P/g, which was 19 times that of the adsorbent synthesized using 60% FGDG, 30% bentonite, and 10% clay (DSGA1) (0.82 mg P/g). Surface adsorption, internal diffusion, and ionic dissolution co-existed in the P removal process. The adsorption capacity of DSGA2 (2.50 mg P/g) was also evaluated in column experiments. The removal efficiency was determined to be higher than 92% in the first 5 days, while the corresponding effluent concentration was lower than the Chinese upcoming SWW discharge limit of 2 mg P/L. Compared with DSGA1, DSGA2 (synthesized from various industrial wastes) showed obvious advantages in improving adsorption capacity of P. The results showed that DSGA2 is a promising adsorbent for the advanced removal of P from SWW in practical applications.
Electrostatic Potential Energy in Protein-Drug Complexes
Authors: Bitencourt-Ferreira Gabriela , de Azevedo Junior Walter Filgueira
Published: February 2021

Background:

Electrostatic interactions are one of the forces guiding the binding of molecules to proteins. The assessment of this interaction through computational approaches makes it possible to evaluate the energy of protein-drug complexes.

Objective:

Our purpose here is to review some the of methods used to calculate the electrostatic energy of protein-drug complexes and explore the capacity of these approaches for the generation of new computational tools for drug discovery using the abstraction of scoring function space.

Method:

Here we present an overview of AutoDock4 semi-empirical scoring function used to calculate binding affinity for protein-drug complexes. We focus our attention on electrostatic interactions and how to explore recently published results to increase the predictive performance of the computational models to estimate the energetics of protein-drug interactions. Public data available at Binding MOAD, BindingDB, and PDBbind were used to review the predictive performance of different approaches to predict binding affinity.

Results:

A comprehensive outline of the scoring function used to evaluate potential energy available in docking programs is presented. Recent developments of computational models to predict protein-drug energetics were able to create targeted-scoring functions to predict binding to these proteins. These targeted models outperform classical scoring functions and highlight the importance of electrostatic interactions in the definition of the binding.

Conclusion:

Here, we reviewed the development of scoring functions to predict binding affinity through the application of a semi-empirical free energy scoring function. Our studies show the superior predictive performance of machine learning models when compared with classical scoring functions and the importance of electrostatic interactions for binding affinity.
Isosteviol Protects H9c2 Cells Against Hypoxia-reoxygenation by Activating ERK1/2
Authors: Abdul Khaja S.M. , Faiz Neha , Jovanović Aleksandar , Tan Wen
Published: February 2021

Aims:

In the present study, we have investigated the cardioprotective properties of
Isosteviol (STV) under conditions of hypoxia-reoxygenation and elucidated the underlying mechanism.

Background:

In our previous studies, we have determined that STV exhibits neuro- and cardio-protective
properties. However, the mechanism underlying STV-induced cardioprotection has not yet
been fully understood.

Methods:

All experiments were performed on rat heart embryonic H9c2 cell line. To induce hypoxia-
reoxygenation, cells were exposed to 1% oxygen (in no glucose and no sodium pyruvate
DMEM) following by reoxygenation (using fully supplemented MEM). Cells viability was tested
by MTT assay, and protein levels were compared by Western blotting.

Results:

Treatment of heart embryonic H9c2 cells with STV (10 μM) significantly increased the
survival of cells exposed to hypoxia-reoxygenation. STV (10 μM) activated ERK1/2 and DRP1 in
hypoxia-reoxygenation, but did not have any effects on ERK1/2 or DRP1 in normoxia. STV (10
μM) did not regulate CAMKII, AKT or AMPK signaling pathways.

Conclusions:

Taken all together, our findings demonstrate that 1) STV protects H9c2 cells against
hypoxia-reoxygenation and that 2) this effect is mediated via ERK1/2. The property of STV that selectively
activates ERK1/2 in cells exposed to stress, but not in cells under non-stress conditions,
makes this compound a promising candidate-drug for therapy against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion
in clinical practice.
Quality of Life in Oral Submucous Fibrosis- A Case Report with a Literature Review
Authors: Shetty Shishir Ram , Reddy Sesha , Adtani Pooja Narain , Shetty Raghavendra , Lakshminarayanan Ashwin , Khazi Shakeel Santerbennur , Vannala Venkata Ramana
Published: February 2021

Introduction:

Oral Submucous Fibrosis (OSMF) is a potentially malignant disorder commonly found in the Southeast Asian region, classically characterized through restricted mouth opening and burning sensation in the mouth on consuming spicy food. The etiopathogenesis and treatment aspects of OSMF have been extensively researched and reviewed. However, the effect of this condition on the Quality of Life (QoL) of patients has not gained much consideration. The aim of our case report is to highlight the importance of evaluating the QoL in an OSMF patient by using discipline-specific questionnaire and also to present to the readers a review of the recently published research articles on the application of QoL questionnaires in OSMF patients.

Results:

It was observed that most of the researchers used generic and discipline-specific questionnaire for evaluating the quality of life in OSMF patients.

Conclusion:

Evaluation of QoL is recommended during the treatment of OSMF patients. There is a need to develop and employ more of disease-specific QoL instruments for OSMF patients.