bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distribution of Sideroxylon Mascatense (A.DC.) T.D.Penn. and Associated Perennial Plant Communities in Oman
Authors: Hopkins Eric , Al-Yahyai Rashid , Lupton Darach
Published: May 2021

BackgroundOman is located on the south-eastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula and is characterized by an arid climate with a vast and varied landscape. Sideroxylon mascatense is a fruit-producing species growing in the arid mountainous regions of North Africa, The Middle East, and Asia. To date, there are no studies describing the population distribution of S. mascatense and the plant communities associated with it in Oman. This study fills this gap.ResultsA series of botanical field surveys was carried out between June 2018 and August 2019 to describe the distribution and associated plant communities of S. mascatense in the Western Hajar Mountains. Sample units were surveyed in the months of June, July, and August as this is the optimal fruiting period of S. mascatense in the Western Hajar Mountains of Oman. Throughout the surveys, 54 perennial non-cultivated species from 32 families were observed growing with S. mascatense. Two-way cluster analysis and indicator species analysis found two main plant communities associated with S. mascatense along an altitudinal gradient. These were the Acridocarpus orientalis-Euphorbia larica community and the Olea europaea-Euryops arabicus community. There was species overlap in the transitional area between the communities where the environmental factors allowed for continuation along the altitudinal gradient. There was no recruitment of S. mascatense observed during the surveys.ConclusionsThe lack of recruitment, along with the threats of overgrazing and habitat destruction, point to an uncertain future for the S. mascatense populations in Oman. As S. mascatense is associated with threatened key species in the Western Hajar Mountains, S. mascatense should be protected and included in conservation projects. This could allow for the establishment of natural recruitment of S. mascatense, thereby preserving the fragile ecosystem of the Western Hajar Mountains and ensuring the future survival of S. mascatense and its associated communities.
Single Brain Metastasis vs Glioblastoma Multiforme: A Voi-Based Multiparametric Analysys for Differential Diagnosis
Authors: Romano Andrea , Moltoni Giulia , Guarnera Alessia , Pasquini Luca , Napoli Alberto Di , Napolitano Antonio , Espagnet Maria Camilla Rossi , Bozzao Alessandro
Published: May 2021

PURPOSEThe authors purpose was to evaluate ADC and rCBV values in the enhanced lesion, in the peritumoral area and in distal oedema using a Volume of Interest (VOI) based method and to analysed hemodynamic curves obtained from DSC perfusion MRI, in order to create a valid multiparametric MRI model for the differential diagnosis between Glioblastoma and solitary Brain Metastasis.MATERIALS AND METHODSForty-one patients (twenty glioblastomas and twenty-one single brain metastases) were retrospectively evaluated. MRI images were acquired before surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. MRIs were analysed with Olea Sphere® 3.0 (Olea Medical, La Ciotat, France), in particular with diffusion, perfusion and volume of interest segmentation plug-ins. FLAIR, 3D T1 MP-RAGE images after gadolinium, ADC and rCBV maps for each patient were co-registered by the OleaSphere software; this was followed by visual inspection to ensure adequate alignment. Volumes of interest (VOIs) of the lesions were drawn on enhanced 3D T1 MP-RAGE avoiding cyst or necrotic degeneration, and then projected on ADC and rCBV co-registered maps. Another 2 VOIs were drawn in the region of hyperintense cerebral oedema, surrounding the lesion (GB or BM) visible on FLAIR images. The first VOI was drawn into perilesional oedema within 5mm around the enhancing tumor. The second VOI was drawn into residual oedema. Both VOIs were projected on ADC and rCBV maps. Perfusion curves were obtained for each lesion and the value of signal recovery (SR) was reported. A Two sample T-Test was obtained to compare all parameters of GB and BM groups. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis was performed to determine the optimal parameter in distinguishing GB from BM. RESULTSComparing all parameters evaluated for patients with GB and BM, the cerebral lesions were distinguishable with the mean ADC VOI- values of solid component, the PSR values and the mean and max rCBV values in the perilesional edema within 5mm around the enhancing tumor. According to ROC analysis, the area under the curve was 88%, 78% and 74% respectively for mean ADC VOI-values of the solid component, the mean and max rCBV values in the perilesional edema and the PSR. The cumulative ROC curve of these parameters reached an area under the curve of 95% .Using perilesional max rCBV>1,37, PSR>75% and mean lesional ADC<1x10-3 mm2 s-1 GB could be differentiated from solitary BM with sensitivity and specificity of 95% and 86%. CONCLUSIONWe can conclude that lower values of ADC in the enhancing tumor volume and a higher percentage of signal recovery in perfusion curves, associated with higher values of rCBV in the peritumoral edema closed to the lesion, are strongly indicative of GB than solitary BM.
Particle Size of Drug Nanocarriers Defines the Fate of Spinal Cord Injury’s Recovery
Authors: Poormoghadam Delaram , Shiadeh Bita Rasoulian , Azedi Fereshte , Tavakol Hani , Rezayat Seyed Mahdi , Tavakol Shima
Published: May 2021

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating condition for which no definitive treatment has yet been identified. Noteworthy, it influences other tissues through inflammatory reactions and metabolic disturbance. Therefore, fingolimod (FTY-720) as an FDA-approved inflammatory modulator would be promising. In the present study, nanocarriers at two distinct monodisperse particle sizes of 60 (nF60) and 190 (nF190) nm were prepared.The neural stem cell (NSC) viability and LDH release were studied in the face of the nanocarriers and free FTY-720. Results indicated that nanocarriers and free FTY-720 enhanced NSC viability than the control group.However, nF190 significantly induced less cell membrane damage than nF60. Nanocarriers and free FTY-720 enhanced motor neuron recovery in SCI rats, while body weight and return to bladder reflux by nF190 was significantly higher than nF60 groups. Return to bladder reflux might be due to the role of FTY-720 in regulation of detrusor muscle tone and preservation of the integrity of vessels by acting on endothelial cells. Moreover,nF190 gained higher soleus muscle weight than the free drugs;probably decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokines in soleus diminish muscular atrophy in SCI rats.To sum thing up, larger nanacarrirs with less cell membrane damage seems to be more efficient than smaller ones to manage SCI.
Prognostic Value of Intraoperative Pleural Lavage Cytology as an Independent Prognostic Factor in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Ekkasak Sirawee , Pongchaikul Pisut , Ngodngamthaweesuk Montien
Published: May 2021

BackgroundThe aim of this study is to demonstrate that intraoperative PLC has a role in predicting clinical outcomes in NSCLC patients.MethodsIntraoperative PLC was performed in NSCLC patients who had no pleural effusion before the operation. PLC was performed three times for each patient. PLC1 was performed after the thoracotomy; PLC2 was performed immediately after complete operation; and PLC3 was performed after complete operation and washed the pleural cavity with 5,000 ml of normal saline solution. Clinical records of 178 patients in Ramathibodi Hospital from 2012 to 2016 were retrospectively reviewed and analysed for the relevance of intraoperative PLC and clinical outcomes.Results178 patients were included in this study; 67 patients were male (37.6%). Metastatic tumour from primary lung cancer occurred in 56 patients (31.4%). Positive intraoperative PLC was significantly associated with higher metastatic rate (p < 0.05). Survival rate in the positive intraoperative PLC group was significantly worse than that in the negative PLC group (p < 0.05).ConclusionsThis study shows positive intraoperative PLC was statistically significant for increasing metastatic rate and decreasing survival rate in NSCLC patients. Intraoperative PLC could provide important information for the prediction of disease progression and treatment planning.
Blockchain Enabled Emperor Penguin Optimizer Based Encryption Technique for Secure Image Management System
Authors: U Padmavathi , Rajagopalan Narendran
Published: May 2021

In recent years, the electronic sharing of digital images faces a major threat to security, as the existing image transmission infrastructure is mainly based on the trust of third parties. At the same time, the available solutions are placed on the cloud based centralized data center, which is expensive, requires large storage area, and security issues regarding the transmission of data over the network. So, it is needed to develop an image management system which enables sharing and storing of digital images effectively. This paper develops novel multiple share creation schemes with block technology for secure image management (MSCCBT-SIM) systems. The MSCCBT-SIM model allows the user to create consensus with no dependencies on central authorities. It involves an MSC which involves share creation and share encryption using emperor penguin optimizer based ElGamal public key cryptosystem (EPO-EPKC). In addition, the blockchain is used as a distributed data storage mechanism to generate a ledger for permitting access to the user and prevent third party access to the encrypted shares. The application of blockchain technology and MSC techniques helps to achieve decentralization, highly reliable, inexpensive, and secure transmission and storage of digital images. In order to validate the effective performance of the MSCCBT-SIM model, a series of simulations take place and investigated the results interms of different measures. The experimental results ensured the better performance of the MSCCBT-SIM model over the state of art methods.
Escape Dynamics of a Particle From a Purely-nonlinear Truncated Quartic Potential Well Under Harmonic Excitation
Authors: Farid Maor
Published: May 2021

This paper focuses on the escape problem of a harmonically-forced classical particle from a purely-quartic truncated potential well. The latter corresponds to various engineering systems that involve purely cubic restoring force and absence of linear stiffness even under the assumption of small oscillations, such as pre-tensioned metal wires and springs, and compliant structural components made of polymer materials. This, in contrast to previous studieswhere the equivalent potential well could be treated as linear at first approximation under the assumption of small perturbations. Due to the strong nonlinearity of the current potential well, traditional analytical methods are inapplicable for describing the transient bounded and escape dynamics of the particle. The latter is analyzed in the framework of isolated resonance approximation by canonical transformation to action-angle (AA) variables and thecorresponding reduced resonance manifold (RM). The escape envelope is formulated analytically. Surprisingly, despite the essential nonlinearity of the well investigated, it exhibits a universal property of a sharp minimum due to the existence of multiple intersecting escape mechanisms. Unlike previous studies, three underlying mechanisms that govern the transient dynamics of the particle were identified: two maximum mechanisms and a saddle mechanism. The first two correspond to a gradual increase in the system's response amplitude for a proportional increase in the excitation intensity, and the latter corresponds to an abrupt increase in the system's response and therefore more potentially hazardous. The response of the particle is described in terms of energy-based response curves. The maximal transient energy is predicted analytically over the space of excitation parameters and described using iso-energy contours. All theoretical predictions are in complete agreement with numerical results.
Full-field MRIMeasurements of in-vivo Positional Brain Shift Reveal the Significance of Intra-cranial Geometry and Head Orientation for Stereotactic Surgery
Authors: Zappalà Stefano , Bennion Nicholas J. , Potts Matthew R. , Wu Jing , Kusmia Slawomir , Jones Derek K. , Evans Sam L. , Marshall David
Published: May 2021

Positional brain shift (PBS), the sagging of the brain under the effect of gravity, is comparable in magnitude to the margin of error for the success of stereotactic interventions (∼1 mm). This non-uniform shift due to slight differences in head orientation can lead to a significant discrepancy between the planned and the actual location of surgical targets. Accurate in vivo measurements of this complex deformation are critical for the design and validation of an appropriate compensation to integrate into neuronavigational systems. PBS arising from prone-to-supine change of head orientation was measured with magnetic resonance imaging on 11 young adults. The full-field displacement was extracted on a voxel-basis via digital volume correlation and analysed in a standard reference space. Results showed the need for target-specific correction of surgical targets, as a significant displacement ranging from 0.52 mm to 0.77 mm was measured at surgically relevant structures. Strain analysis further revealed local variability in compressibility: anterior regions showed expansion (both volume and shape change), whereas posterior regions showed small compression, mostly dominated by shape change. Finally, analysis of correlation demonstrated the potential for further patient-and intervention-specific adjustments, as intra-cranial breadth and head tilt correlated with PBS reaching statistical significance.
Giant Lipoma in Superior Vena Cava: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Soetisna Tri Wisesa , Namretta Lisca , Ronidipta Bagus , Elen Elen , Raharjo Sunu Budhi , Tjubandi Amin
Published: May 2021

Background: Intravascular lipomas were a rare occurrence, especially in major vessels. This tumor is composed of adipocytes in a fibrous capsule that had a slow growth rate and usually shows no symptoms. There were only eight reports in the literature regarding intravascular lipoma located in the superior vena cava.Case presentation: A 54-year-old man had episodes of supraventricular tachycardia and atrial flutter for over a year. Radiological findings preoperative showed a giant mass that arose from superior vena cava to right atrium and biopsy catheter showed that there were no signs of malignancy. The patient then underwent surgery through a median sternotomy and the mass was extirpated on the highest part of the stalk that could be reached. The patient was stable and remains to show no symptoms or evidence of residual mass or stalk in 2 years follow-up.Conclusion: The surgical approach in excising lipoma in SVC should be considered wisely with the support of adequate preoperative diagnostic. Extensive manipulation that could increase surgical technique difficulty or postoperative morbidity and mortality is not necessary since lipoma is a very slow-growing tumor.
WITHDRAWN: Intrarater and Interrater Reliability of Dynamic Gait Index in Post Stroke Patients With Eye Movement Disorders
Authors: Batool Sana , Zafar Hamayun , Gilani Syed Amir , Ahmad Ashfaq , Hanif Asif
Published: May 2021

Background: The Dynamic Gait Index is a useful scale that has been evaluated for its reliability in patients with vestibular disorder, elderly people and, in chronic stroke population but its reliability has not been evaluated yet in sub-acute stroke patients with eye movement disorders. So the purpose of this study was to evaluate the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of the Dynamic gait index to measure the dynamic balance, gait and risk of fall in sub-acute stroke population with eye movement disorders.Methods: A total of 30 (18 male, 12 females) stroke patients in the sub-acute phase suffering from eye movement disorders were recruited for this reliability study. Two experienced Physical therapists assessed the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of the Dynamic gait index in two testing sessions three days apart. In the later session, two raters assessed the patients’ performance simultaneously on the Dynamic gait index. Data analysis was done at 95% confidence interval using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC2, 1). A significance level was set at P-value <0.05.Results: Mean tests scores by rater 1 in the first and second assessment were 17.4±2.04 and 18.0±2.05. Mean tests score by rater 2 in the second assessment were 18.6±2.06. Intra-rater (ICC=0.86, CI=0.73-0.93) and inter-rater (ICC=0.91, CI=0.83-0.96) reliability of total DGI scores was found good to excellent while intra-rater (ICC=0.73-0.91) and inter-rater (ICC=0.73-0.93) reliability of individual items of DGI scores were ranged from moderate to good. Item 8 (steps) showed lowest reliability (ICC=0.73). The significant difference was seen in total and individual scores (P<0.001) of DGI scale in both intra-rater and inter-rater reliability.Conclusions: The Dynamic gait index is found clinically a reliable tool to objectively measure dynamic balance, gait and risk of fall in sub-acute stroke individuals with eye movement disorders. The intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of the total DGI scores was found good to excellent; whereas intra-rater and inter-rater reliability for individual items of DGI were varied from moderate to good.
A Deep Learning Approach for Successful Big-bubble Formation Prediction in Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty
Authors: Hayashi Takahiko , Masumoto Hiroki , Tabuchi Hitoshi , Ishitobi Naofumi , Tanabe Mao , Grün Michael , Bachmann Björn , Cursiefen Claus , Siebelmann Sebastian
Published: May 2021

The efficacy of deep learning in predicting successful big-bubble (SBB) formation during deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) was evaluated. Medical records of patients undergoing DALK at the University of Cologne, Germany between March 2013 and July 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups: (1) SBB or (2) failed big-bubble (FBB). Preoperative images of anterior segment optical coherence tomography and corneal biometric values (corneal thickness, corneal curvature, and densitometry) were evaluated. A deep neural network model, Visual Geometry Group-16, was selected to test the validation data, evaluate the model, create a heat map image, and calculate the area under the curve (AUC). This pilot study included 55 patients overall (12 women, 43 men). SBBs were more common in keratoconus eyes (KC eyes) than in corneal opacifications of other etiologies (non KC eyes) (p = 0.001). The AUC was 0.746 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.603–0.889). The determination success rate was 78.3% (18/23 eyes) (95% CI: 56.3-92.5%) for SBB and 69.6% (16/23 eyes) (95% CI: 47.1–86.8%) for FBB. This automated system demonstrates the potential of SBB prediction in DALK. Although KC eyes had a higher SBB rate, no other specific findings were found in the corneal biometric data.
Incidence and Risk Factors for L5-S1 Complications After Long-level Floating Fusion in Adult Degenerative Scoliosis
Authors: Jiang Tinghua , Cheng Yunzhong , Hai Yong , Zhang Xinuo , Su Qingjun , Meng Xianglong , Pan Aixing , Zhang Hanwen , Xu Gang
Published: May 2021

Background Whether to preserve L5-S1 with no pre-existing pathology in the fusion for patients with adult degenerative scoliosis (ADS) remains controversial. This study is to determine the predictors of L5-S1 diseases for the distal fusion to L5 in the long instrumented fusion for ADS. Methods A total of 159 patients with ADS who had undergone long floating fusion were evaluated with a minimum 2 year follow-up between 2014 to 2018. The patient- and surgical-related risk factors for each individual were identified by using univariate testing. All patients were divided into groups with and without L5-S1 diseases. Univariate testing was used to identify the potential risk factors. Independent risk factors of L5-S1 diseases were identified using multivariate logistic regression. Results BMD of the patients with L5-S1 diseases were much higher than that without L5-S1 diseases (P = 0.003). Postoperative sacral slope in L5-S1 diseases group was much higher than that without L5-S1 diseases group (P = 0.000). Patient-related independent risk factors for the development of L5-S1 diseases included gender (OR = 0.41, P = 0.016) and BMD (OR = 0.42, P = 0.000). Surgical-related independent risk factors for the development of L5-S1 diseases included fusion level (OR = 2.64, P = 0.033) and postoperative sacral slope (OR = 1.43, P = 0.000).ConclusionsGender and BMD were the most common patient-related independent risk factors, Fusion levels and postoperative sacral slope were the most common surgical-related independent risk factors. Prevention of these risk factors can reduce the incidence of L5-S1 diseases in patients with long floating fusion.
Attraction of Choristoneura Rosaceana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) to Pheromone Blends in Ratios Produced in Females’ Pheromone Gland or Emitted by the Females in Michigan Apple Orchards
Authors: Huang Juan , Grieshop Matthew J , Gut Larry J
Published: May 2021

Trap captures of obliquebanded leafroller, Choristoneura rosaceana (Harris) to pheromone blends in ratios approximating those reported in pheromone glands and a novel blend based on a volatile headspace collection from live virgin females were evaluated in field experiments in Michigan apple orchards. In an initial field trapping study, pheromone lures composed of either a three- or four-component blend approximation of the blend present in female pheromone glands at doses ranging from 0.1 to 20 mg/lure were compared. The four-component blend was a combination of (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate (Z11-14:Ac), (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate (E11-14:Ac), (Z)-11-tetradecen-1-ol (Z11-14:OH), and (Z)-11-tetradecenal (Z11-14:Al) in a ratio of 96.5:1.8:1.4:0.2, respectively, while the three-component blend lacked Z11-14:Al. Pheromone emissions by groups of virgin females and commercial lures were collected in the laboratory and analyzed by gas chromatography. These data were used to formulate a new pheromone lure that was compared to a commercial lure in a second trapping study. In the first field study, traps baited with 10 mg pheromones or above captured significantly more moths than traps baited with 1 mg or less, regardless of the blend. Surprisingly, groups of virgin females only emitted two detectable pheromone components, Z11-14:Ac and Z11-14:OH in a ratio of 37:63 which was substantially different from the blends detected in pheromone glands in the literature. The newly formulated pheromone lure based on females’ emission was more than twice as attractive as the commercial lure which emitted a 74:5:21 three-component blend of Z11-14:Ac, E11-14:Ac, and Z11-14:OH, indicating that the response of C. rosaceana to its pheromone was more strongly mediated by the pheromone quantity relative to the blend ratio.
In Silico Studies, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of 4,5-Dehydrospisulosine Butyrate Ceramides as Potential Sphingosine Kinase I Inhibitors
Authors: Kaur Parleen , Sharma Sonia , Randhawa Vinay , Agnihotri Navneet , Kaur Ramandeep , singh vasundhara
Published: May 2021

In the present work, synthesis of 4,5-dehydrospiulosine and its chain analogues (1-3) as potential Sphingosine Kinase I inhibitors has been achieved via the diasteroselective Grignard reaction, stereoselective cross metathesis reaction followed by N-acylation with p-nitrophenyl butyrate to give the corresponding butyrate ceramides (4-6). All compounds were obtained in high yield and purity followed by molecular docking simulation studies using AutoDock which indicated their varying binding affinities with Sphingosine Kinase 1 protein was done. Further, the biological evaluation studies, as potential anti-prostate cancer agents by inhibiting the sphingosine kinase 1 protien of all synthesized compounds (1-6) on PC-3 cell lines by SRB method was done. Compound N-((2S,3S,E)-3 hydroxyheptadec-4-en-2-yl) butyramide (4) exhibited remarkable cytotoxicity with an IC50 value of 6.06 µM.
A site-and-branch-heterogeneous model on an expanded dataset favor mitochondria as sister to known Alphaproteobacteria
Authors: Munoz-Gomez Sergio , Susko Edward , Williamson Kelsey , Eme Laura , Slamovits Claudio , Moreira David , Lopez-Garcia Purificacion , Roger Andrew
Published: May 2021

Determining the phylogenetic origin of mitochondria is key to understanding the ancestral mitochondrial symbiosis and its role in eukaryogenesis. However, the precise evolutionary relationship between mitochondria and their closest bacterial relatives remains hotly debated. The reasons include pervasive phylogenetic artefacts, as well as limited protein and taxon sampling. Here, we developed a new model of protein evolution that accommodates both across-site and across-branch compositional heterogeneity. We applied this site-and-branch-heterogeneous model (MAM60 + GFmix) to a considerably expanded dataset that comprises 108 mitochondrial proteins of alphaproteobacterial origin, and novel metagenome-assembled genomes from microbial mats, microbialites, and sediments. The MAM60 + GFmix model fits the data much better and agrees with analyses of compositionally homogenized datasets with conventional site-heterogenous models. The consilience of evidence thus suggests that mitochondria is sister to the Alphaproteobacteria to the exclusion of MarineProteo1 and Magnetococcia. We also show that the ancestral presence of a crista-developing MICOS complex (a Mitofilin domain-containing Mic60) supports this relationship.
Which of MIS-TLIF and TLIF Can Leads to Better Pedicle Screws Placement Accuracy and Clinical Outcomes with Navigation Guidance?
Authors: Liu JiaBin , Wu JunLong , Zuo Rui , Li ChangQing , Zhang Chao , Zhou Yue
Published: May 2021

Background Although previous studies have suggested that navigation can improve the accuracy of pedicle screw placement, there are still few studies comparing navigation-assisted transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) and navigation-assisted minimally-invasive TLIF (MIS-TLIF). The pedicle screw insertion entry point of navigation-assisted MIS-TLIF may be deflected from the planned entry point due to uneven bone-surface, which may result in misplacement. The purpose of this study was to explore the pedicle screws accuracy and clinical consequences of MIS-TLIF and TLIF both under O-arm navigation to determine which surgical method is better.MethodsA retrospective study of 54 patients who underwent single-segment navigation-assisted MIS-TLIF (NM-TLIF) or navigation-assisted TLIF (N-TLIF) was conducted. In addition to the patient's demographic characteristics, intraoperative indicators and complications, the ODI and VAS scores were recorded and analyzed preoperatively, at 1, 6, 12 months and at the final follow-up postoperatively. The clinical accuracy and absolute accuracy of pedicle screw placement was assessed by postoperative CT. Multifidus muscle injury were evaluated by T2-weighted MRI.ResultsCompared with N-TLIF, NM-TLIF was more advantageous in the incision length, intraoperative blood loss, drainage volume, time before ambulation, length of hospital stays, blood transfusion rate and analgesia rate (p<0.05). The ODI and VAS for low back pain scores were better than those of N-TLIF at 1 month and 6 months after surgery (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the screw clinical qualitative accuracy (97.3% vs. 96.2%, p>0.05). The absolute quantitative accuracy results show that the axial translational error, sagittal translational error and sagittal angle error of NM-TLIF group are significantly greater than that in N-TLIF group (P<0.05). The mean T2-weighted signal intensity of multifidus muscle in the NM-TLIF group was significantly lower than that in the N-TLIF group (P<0.05)ConclusionsCompared with N-TLIF, NM-TLIF has more minimally invasive advantages, it does not yield a lower accuracy of screw placement and can achieve better symptom relief in the middle stage of postoperative recovery. However，more attention on real-time adjustment should be paid to pedicle insertion in NM-TLIF, rather than just following the entry point and trajectory of the intraoperative plan.
Real-world Concordance in Microsatellite Instability Status Between PCR-based Testing and Next-Generation Sequencing Assay for Solid Tumors
Authors: Shimozaki Keitaro , Hayashi Hideyuki , Horie Sara , Chida Akihiko , Tsugaru Kai , Togasaki Kazuhiro , Kawasaki Kenta , Aimono Eriko , Hirata Kenro , Hamamoto Yasuo , Nishihara Hiroshi , Kanai Takanori
Published: May 2021

Background: Various malignancies exhibit high microsatellite instability (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR). The MSI-IVD kit, which can detect MSI status using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method, was approved as the first tumor-agnostic companion diagnostic for pembrolizumab in patients with MSI-H solid tumors in Japan. Recently, next-generation sequencing (NGS), which can also detect MSI-H/dMMR, has been made clinically available. However, the real-world concordance in MSI-H/dMMR between the PCR-based testing and NGS is yet to be thoroughly investigated.Methods: A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the utility of MSI testing using PCR-based testing and NGS assay in patients eligible for both MSI testing and any NGS platform. Co-primary endpoints included positive and negative predictive values of MSI-H/dMMR.Results: Between December 2018 and June 2020, 40 patients underwent both PCR-based MSI testing and NGS assay for MSI. Two patients with gastric neuroendocrine carcinoma and ovarian cancer were confirmed to have MSI-H/dMMR in both examinations. Among the 38 patients diagnosed as microsatellite stable by PCR-based testing, 2 (5.2%) with pancreatic cancer were diagnosed as MSI-H after NGS analyses. NGS had positive and negative predictive values of 100% (2/2) and 94.7% (36/38), respectively, for MSI-H, while the concordance between NGS and PCR-based testing was 94.9% (38/40).Conclusion: Similar to PCR-based MSI testing, NGS can be useful for evaluating MSI/MMR status in clinical practice and could be an important alternative method for detecting MSI-H/dMMR in the future.
Study On Polyethylene-Based Carbon Fibers Obtained by Sulfonation Under Hydrostatic Pressure
Authors: Eun Jong Hyun , Lee Joon Seok
Published: May 2021

Carbon fibers were prepared using polyethylene fibers. The draw ratio of the polyethylene fibers and the sulfonation mechanism were investigated under hydrostatic pressures of 1 and 5 bar. The influence of the melt flow index of polyethylene on the sulfonation reaction was studied. Carbon fibers were prepared through the sulfonation of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) fibers possessing side chains with a high melt flow index. The polyethylene fibers, which exhibited thermoplastic properties and plastic behavior, were cross-linked through the sulfonation process. Their thermal properties and mechanical properties changed to thermoset properties and elastic behavior. Although sulfonation was performed under a hydrostatic pressure of 5 bar, it was difficult to convert the highly oriented polyethylene fibers because of their high crystallinity, but partially oriented polyethylene fibers could be converted to carbon fibers. Therefore, sulfonation was performed using partially oriented LLDPE fibers with a melt flow index of 20 at 130°C for 2.5 hours under a hydrostatic pressure of 5 bar. The resulting fibers were carbonized under the following conditions: 1000°C, 5°C/min, and five minutes. Carbon fibers with a tensile strength of 2.03 GPa, a tensile modulus of 143.63 GPa, and an elongation at break of 1.42% were prepared.
A Protolith Reconstruction Model (PRM) for Metabasalt: Quantitative Protolith and Mass Transfer Estimation Based on Machine-learning Approach
Authors: Matsuno Satoshi , Uno Masaoki , Okamoto Atsushi , Tsuchiya Noriyoshi
Published: May 2021

Mass transfer in rocks provides a direct record of fluid–rock interaction within the Earth, including metamorphism, metasomatism, and hydrothermal alteration. However, mass transfer analyses are usually limited to local reaction zones where the protoliths are evident in outcrops (1–100 m in scale), from which regional mass transfer can be only loosely constrained due to uncertainty in protolith compositions. In this study, we developed protolith reconstruction models (PRMs) for metabasalt based on a machine learning approach. We constructed PRMs through learning multi-element correlations among basalt compositional datasets, including mid-ocean ridge, ocean island, and island arc basalts. The PRMs were designed to estimate trace-element compositions from inputs of 2–9 selected trace elements, and basalt trace-element compositions (e.g., Rb, Ba, U, K, Pb, Sr, and rare earth elements) were estimated from only four inputs with a reproducibility of ~0.1 log10 units (i.e., ±25%). Using Th, Nb, Zr, and Ti, which are typically immobile during metamorphism, as input elements, the PRM was verified by applying it to seafloor altered basalt with known protoliths. When suitable immobile elements are incorporated, a PRM can yield unbiased and accurate mass transfer analysis of any metabasalt with unknown protolith.
Copper Immobilization on Fe3o4@Agar: An Efficient Superparamagnetic Nanocatalyst for Green Buchwald-Hartwig Cross-coupling Reaction of Primary and Secondary Amines With Aryl Iodide Derivatives
Authors: Hoseinzade Kimia , Mousavi-Mashhadi Seyed Ali , Shiri Ali
Published: May 2021

Immobility of copper on magnetic nanoparticles was performed using surface rectification of Fe3O4 with Agar. The magnetic Fe3O4@Agar-Cu nanocatalyst was prepared and entirely characterized by different analyses such as Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), thermogravimetric (TGA), and inductively coupled plasma (ICP). The nanocatalyst was applied in C-N bond formation through the cross-coupling reaction of aryl halides with primary or secondary amines in water as a green medium known as the Buchwald-Hartwig reaction. The results of the Buchwald-Hartwig reaction by Fe3O4@Agar-Cu magnetic nanoparticles as catalyst demonstrate excellent activity and stability in water. Moreover, this catalyst can be recycled several times without considerable loss in its activity.
Current-Induced Crystallisation in Heusler Alloy Films for Memory Potentiation in Neuromorphic Computation
Authors: Frost William , Elphick Kelvin , Samiepour Marjan , Hirohata Atsufumi
Published: May 2021

The current information technology has been developed based on von Neumann type computation. In order to sustain the rate of development, it is essential to investigate alternative technologies. Among them, neuromorphic computation has been attracting intensive studies using the current complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) architecture and beyond in recent years to mimic the functionality and operation of a synapse in a brain. One of the promising synapses is stochastic operation of a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ). However another important feature of a synapse, memory potentiation, has been overlooked to date. In this study, a giant magnetoresistive (GMR) junction consisting of a half-metallic Heusler alloy is used as an artificial synapse while still achieving a low resistance-area product for low power consumption. Here the Heusler alloy films are grown on a (110) surface to promote layer-by-layer growth to reduce their crystallisation energy, which is comparable with Joule heating induced by a controlled current introduction. The current-induced crystallisation leads to the reduction in the corresponding resistivity, which acts as memory potentiation for an artificial GMR synapse. This offers more realistic neuromorphic computation with higher efficiency.
2D Polymeric Network of Cu/Na, A Route for the Preparation Truncated Octahedral Catalyst Applicable in the WGS Reaction
Authors: Razmara Zohreh
Published: May 2021

A 2D heterometallic copper(II)–sodium(I) complex based on pyridine 2,6-dicarboxylato (dipic2-) formulated as [Cu(μ-dipic)2{Na2(µ-H2O)4}]n. 2nH2O (1) has been synthesized. Thermal stability of complex 1 was studied by thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD) analysis showed that the parallelepiped colorless crystal of complex 1 crystallizes in a monoclinic system with the space group P2/c . A highly dispersed truncated octahedral catalyst formulated as Cu-Na/Al2O3 (CNM) was prepared by thermal decomposition of complex 1. Besides, the reference catalyst of Cu-Na/Al2O3 (CNR) was prepared by impregnation conventional method. The catalysts were examined by FT-IR, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area, and subjected to water-gas shift (WGS) reaction in the temperature range of 150-400 °C. The catalysts showed strong surface structure-activity dependence in WGS reaction. Improved catalytic performance during the water-gas shift reaction was observed for CNM compared to CNR due to its high dispersion, smaller particle size, and higher BET specific surface area.
Analysis of small molecules against the NMDA receptor: an insight from virtual screening and molecular dynamics simulation based findings
Authors: Sharma Garima , Shukla Rohit , Singh Tiratha Raj
Published: May 2021

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a chronic intensifying neurodegenerative disorder and accounts for three-fourths of dementia cases. To date, there is no effective treatment available which can completely cure AD. The available medications can slower AD progression and can provide symptomatic relaxation. The N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) plays a paramount role in the survival of neurons and synaptic plasticity. Although, excessive function of NMDAR cause excitotoxicity. Due to this the cell death process activated resulting into neurodegeneration and promotes AD. Hence in this study, we have screened 98,072 natural compounds by using Smina and idock. After that 154 compounds were selected and ADMET is predicted by using the pkCSM web-based server. From the ADMET analysis, 18 compounds were chosen and employed for the re-docking studies by using Autodock Vina. Then from the docking result, we have selected top three complexes (NMDAR-ZINC4258884, NMDAR-ZINC8635472, and NMDAR-ZINC15675934) and employed them for the 100 ns MDS studies. Based on MDS result analysis we have concluded that NMDAR-ZINC4258884 and NMDAR-ZINC15675934 are the best stable complex and can function as a lead compound against the NMDAR. Although this is a theoretical study while we have shortlisted only two compounds out of 98072 compounds and proposed them to the scientific community worldwide for further experimental validations.
The Learning Effect of Corpora on Strong and Weak Collocations: Implications for Corpus-Based Assessment of Collocation Competence
Authors: ALTUN Hatice
Published: May 2021

Although corpora and corpus linguistics have been applied for quite long in foreign and second language settings, there is still limited understanding about how EFL learners use corpus tools along with dictionaries to enhance their collocation knowledge. This study aims to gain insight into the effectiveness of corpus-based pedagogy in comparison with the conventional vocabulary teaching methods, particularly using dictionaries. The study was conducted with two non-English major advanced groups of L2 learners at a public university. The experimental group studied 16 pre-selected formal academic words and their strong and weak collocations with corpus (COCA, the corpus of contemporary American English), while the comparison group studied the same collocations using advanced learner’s dictionaries. The instruments for collecting data included the Oxford placement test, pretest, posttest, and exercises devised for particular teaching points of collocations. Results of Repeated Measures ANOVA tests showed no significant difference between the two experimental groups. However, the corpus-based approach showed more impact on the reception of strong collocations acquired by the corpus group at a slightly better performance rate, as evidenced by the group’s mean scores (Corpus =45.91, Dictionary= 44.06). Interestingly, the acquisition of weak collocations was better for the dictionary use group (Corpus=54.08, Dictionary= 57.18). The paper thus offers some implications for teaching and assessing collocation knowledge and makes suggestions that EFL practitioners should create variations in instructional methodologies through gaining awareness of the increasing availability of innovative technologies. Further research on collocations’ assessment has also been suggested.
The effects of information content of cash flow statement, dividend payout ratio, economic value added and corporate social responsibility on stock trading volume
Authors: Oktavianingsih Dwi Luvira , Safkaur Otniel , Sesa Pascalina V. S.
Published: May 2021

Purpose - This study aims to empirically test and analyze the influence of information content of cash flow statements, Dividend Payout Ratio (DPR), Economic Value Added (EVA) Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) on the trading volume of empirical study stocks in manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange from 2014 to 2018.  Method - The number of samples used in this study was 169 taken from financial report on idx. The analytical techniques used were multiple regressions in order to obtain a comprehensive picture of the relationship between variable and each other. This research used a quantitative approach with its research population of companies included in the manufacturing sector listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2014- 2018..Result - Based on the results of this study, investment cash flow and Dividend Payout Ratio (DPR) significantly influenced the trading volume of stocks. Meanwhile, operating cash flow, funding cash flow, Economic Value Added (EVA) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) had no significant effect on stock trading volume.Implication - This research is suggested to improve development of trading volume in investor decision making for investment and for companys’ performance assessment.Originality - This research is the study that used content of cash flow resporting information, dividend payout ratio, economic value added, corporate social responsibility on stock trading volume.
Treatment of Figurative Expressions in Two-Way School Dictionaries
Authors:   University of Banja Luka, Faculty of Philology, Mikic Jovica
Published: May 2021

This paper deals with the selection and the lexicographic treatment of figurative expressions in two dictionaries: a French-Serbian dictionary for elementary school students and an Italian-Serbian dictionary for elementary and secondary school students. First, the corpus is processed for the purpose of quantitative comparison of figurative expressions, then 18 related words from each dictionary are singled out in order for qualitative similarities and differences to be more thoroughly examined, with, finally, the same words being analysed by means of general two-way dictionaries. The highlights of the analysis are as follows: the number of marked figurative expressions is disproportionately greater in the dictionary intended for both elementary and secondary school students; translation equivalents are identical or very similar in both school dictionaries, with the exception of the way they are marked; both school dictionaries feature examples for all figurative meanings; and, the number of figurative meanings in school dictionaries is lower than in general dictionaries, but the former show more consistence with regard to their marking and exemplifying. As far as the results are concerned, they are interpreted through the prism of lexicological, lexicographic, and didactic factors. In the end, the author conclude(s) that an appropriate treatment of figurative expressions is one of the key reasons why two-way school dictionaries are still an indispensable tool in foreign language teaching.
Identification and Formulation of Conceptual Metaphors in the Corpus Consisting of Engineering Texts in English
Authors:   Academy of Professional Studies Šumadija, Department in Trstenik, Igrutinovic Smiljana
Published: May 2021

This paper gives a brief theoretical review of conceptual metaphors with special reference to the metaphors in scientific discourse because they are present in engineering and scientific texts. The author tried to use the theoretical framework of conceptual metaphors to detect and identify metaphors and mappings in the corpus consisting of engineering texts in English. The texts were selected according to the needs of students at the Academy of Professional Studies Šumadija, Department in Trstenik. A few bilingual and online dictionaries in the field of science and technology were also used. Although the corpus under consideration is rather small in comparison with other corpora containing millions of words, a considerable number of metaphorical expressions were discovered. All these expressions were grouped and analysed in order to establish conceptual mappings and metaphors. The results show that most of these conceptual metaphors have an anthropocentric quality in common (e.g. MACHINE PARTS ARE PARTS OF THE BODY, PARTS OF A MACHINE TOOL ARE PARTS OF THE BODY, A MATERIAL FEATURE IS A BODY FEATURE, A MACHINE FEATURE IS A HUMAN FEATURE). The paper also aims to apply these findings in the classroom activities. This can be achieved by raising metaphoric awareness of students learning engineering English. If students’ attention is explicitly drawn to the relations between the source and target domain, language learning can be facilitated. Thus, the study of metaphors can become a significant tool in the classroom in order to help students learn both technical and academic vocabulary and comprehend engineering texts written in English. Language acquisition may be higher if pedagogical potential of conceptual metaphors is used.
Reading Poetics. Branko Milanović on Ivo Andrić
Authors:   University of Banja Luka, Faculty of Philology, Pevulja Duško
Published: May 2021

This paper analyses the works by Branko Milanović, generated over a period of almost forty years, dedicated to the analysis of various aspects of Ivo Andrić’s literary oeuvre. Milanović is one of the most qualified interpreters of this oeuvre, given the fact that he was among the first scholars within the scope of the Yugoslav literary science to have produced a PhD dissertation on Andrić and to have published a book on his works. There are several thematic issues that mark Milanović’s prolonged interest in this matter, centred around Andrić’s literary beginnings, the atmosphere and nature of his early works, his narrative pieces featuring questions of artistic expression and the essence of art, as well as around the foundations of Andrić’s poetics, revealed in his literary works and essay and critical writing, and, finally, his novels. This analysis shows that Milanović, as early as upon acquiring his PhD title, embarks on a unique, argument-based interpretative path, constantly juxtaposing Andrić’s fiction and non-fiction. Gathered in one place, Milanović’s writings on Andrić confirm him as being one of the foremost interpreters of the latter’s oeuvre.
Following in the Footsteps of (Non)-Sense and Life
Authors:   University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Philology and Arts, Čebašek Aleksandra
Published: May 2021

Review of: Kritika poezije (2019), Izbor iz kritika o delu Branka Miljkovića, priredio Aleksandar Kostadinović, Niš: Niški kulturni centar, br. str. 403.