bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Methanol Mitigation During Manufacturing of Fruit Spirits With Special Consideration of Novel Coffee Cherry Spirits
Authors: Blumenthal Patrik , Steger Marc C. , Einfalt Daniel , Rieke-Zapp Jörg , Quintanilla Bellucci Andrès , Sommerfeld Katharina , Schwarz Steffen , Lachenmeier Dirk W.
Published: March 2021

Methanol is a natural ingredient with major occurrence in fruit spirits, such as apple, pear, plum or cherry spirits, but also in spirits made from coffee pulp. The compound is formed during fermentation and the following mash storage by enzymatic hydrolysis of naturally present pectins. Methanol is toxic above certain threshold levels and legal limits have been set in most jurisdictions. Therefore, the methanol content needs to be mitigated and its level must be controlled. This article will review the several factors that influence the methanol content including the pH value of the mash, the addition of various yeast and enzyme preparations, fermentation temperature, mash storage, and most importantly the raw material quality and hygiene. From all these mitigation possibilities, lowering the pH value and the use of cultured yeasts when mashing fruit substances is already common as best practice today. Also a controlled yeast fermentation at acidic pH facilitates not only reduced methanol formation, but ultimately also leads to quality benefits of the distillate. Special care has to be observed in the case of spirits made from coffee by-products which are prone to spoilage with very high methanol contents reported in past studies.
Kajian Ketersediaan Air dan Potensi Daya Listrik Yang Dihasilkan Pada Rencana Pembangunan PLTMH Kebongembong Kabupaten Kendal
Authors: Rifai Muji
Published: March 2021

Potensi sumber daya air yang melimpah di Indonesia karena banyak terdapatnya hutan hujan tropis dapat diolah, bila hal ini dapat dikembangkan, konversi air menjadi energi listrik lebih baik dan efisien. Pembangkit Listrik Tenaga Mikrohidro (PLTMH) merupakan alternatif sumber energi listrik bagi masyarakat. Dalam upaya ikut berpartisipasi pada sektor ketenagalistrikan nasional maka akan membangun PLTMH yang berada di Desa Kebongembong Kecamatan Pageruyung. Secara teknis, PLTMH memiliki tiga komponen utama yaitu air (sumber energi), turbin dan generator. Air yang bisa digunakan untuk harus mempunyai kapasitas aliran serta tinggi jatuh air (head) tertentu, karena tinggi jatuh air dan kapasitas air berpengaruh pada daya listrik yang dihasilkan, karena prinsip kerja PLTMH adalah memanfaatkan beda tinggi dan jumlah debit yang ada pada aliran. Untuk perhitungan ketersediaan air Sungai Lampir  (lokasi rencana PLTMH Kebongembong), dalam kajian ini mengambil titik kontrol yaitu di rencana bangunan pengambilan/bendung Kebongembong. Dalam merencanakan PLTMH, debit yang diperlukan yaitu debit yang konstan agar pasokan tenaga listrik dari turbin yang digerakan oleh air dapat berjalan secara kontinyu. Sehingga dalam menghitung potensi daya listrik yang dapat dihasilkan akan menggunakan debit terkecil dari Q-90 yaitu sebesar 1,2 m3/detik. Sehingga dengan menghitung berdasarkan debit, beda tinggi (head) serta efisiensi alat, maka besarnya potensi daya listrik yang dapat dihasilkan oleh PLTMH Kebongembong yaitu sebesar 370 kW.
Does E-Procurement Prevent Corrupt Activity in Public Procurement Process?
Authors: Maytandi Andre , Abbas Muhammad Hasyim Ibnu
Published: March 2021

Corruption is an extraordinary crime that occurred in every country. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported in 2013 that about 10-25 percent of the value of public procurement in the whole world, including Indonesia, was corrupted. Based on the data of Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), corruption cases in public procurement is in the highest rank compared to the others. Using a game theoretical approach, this study aims to analyze the procurement process of public goods and services of the Indonesian Government, which has adopted the electronic system, called e-procurement. The game is played sequentially by two representative agents, namely the organizer (government) and the provider. It is assumed that the organizer has a non-corrupt nature. This study results that e-procurement is not significantly able to reduce corrupt behavior. It happens because, although the procurement process is conducted electronically, both sides still have the possibility to meet for negotiation, which can lead to corruption. Therefore, the key to preventing corrupt practices in public procurement is to avoid the two players’ meeting.
A Review of the Overseas Communication of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Authors: Fang Jia , Hou YanFang
Published: March 2021

The novel the Romance of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguo yanyi 三國演義）stands out among the most famous and influential works in Chinese literature. It was read by readers from all levels of society from the Emperor down all over the world. At present, most researches of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms focus on its English translation and its communication in a certain country, especially concentrated in neighboring countries or regions surrounding China, such as Thailand, Japan and so on. In order to provide researchers with a comprehensive and systematic review about its spread and impact, this research intends to investigate the current communication situation of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms in various countries from three aspects of communication form, communication strategies and communication effect. Then it is found that the overseas communication of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms has diversified forms and various communication strategies, but there are still some deficiencies and problems in the process of overseas communication. In order to solve these problems, this paper puts forward corresponding suggestions from the perspectives of "communicator", "communication content" and "communication channel", with an aim to provide some reference for the overseas communication of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea in General Surgery Patients: Is Screening Required Preoperatively?
Authors:   Department of General Surgery, Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan., Ahmed Osama , Habib Zahid ,   Department of General Surgery, Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, Rahman Sheeraz Ur ,   Department of General Surgery, Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, Beg Arshad ,   Department of General Surgery, Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, Shoaib Maira ,   Department of General Surgery, Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, Hirani Asma ,   Department of General Surgery, Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, Hamidani Abeer ,   Department of General Surgery, Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
Published: March 2021

Abstract: Aim: To screen cases who are at high risk and low risk for obstructive sleep apnea in general surgery patients. Materials & Methods: It is a cross-sectional study. It was done in Liaquat National Hospital from January 2019 to June 2019. After institutional approval, 335 patients were included in this study, who presented to general surgery OPD. STOP-BANG questionnaire was used to screen cases who are at high risk and low risk for obstructive sleep apnea in general surgery patients. Results: 335 patients were screened and 38.5% of individuals in population had age of more than 50 years. In this population 149(44.5%) of patients were male. Out of 335 patients, 135(40.3%) of them were found to have high risk of obstructive sleep apnea while the remaining 199(59.7%) were classified in low risk group. All of the parameters of STOP-bang questionnaire including age (p<0.001), gender (p=0.026), BMI (p<0.001), snoring (p<0.001), tiredness (p<0.001), sleep apnea (p=0.001), diastolic blood pressure (p<0.001) and neck circumference (p<0.001) were significantly different between high risk and low risk patients. Conclusion: This study can provide a catalyst for more meticulous screening for OSA preoperatively to diagnose high risk group. Keywords: Sleep Apnea, Obstructive, Care, Preoperative, Surgery, General, Operative Procedures.
What do the White Spots in the Second Part of Duodenum Tell Us?
Authors:   Department of Internal Medicine, Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University, Faculty of Medicine, Bolu, Turkey., Kurtkulagi Ozge , Yonem Ozlem ,   Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey., Terzi Hatice ,   Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey
Published: March 2021

Abstract: Objective: The underlying conditions/diseases of scattered white spots in the duodenum are rather not very clear in the literature. We aimed to find out whether Helicobacter pylori, diabetes mellitus or inflammation has an impact on the presence of duodenal white spots. Materials & Methods: We included all patients who underwent endoscopy between the time-period 2007-2017 in the Endoscopy Unit of Cumhuriyet University and had scattered white spots in the duodenum. Our control group was formed by randomly selected patients who underwent endoscopy at the same time period in whom duodenal biopsy was taken. The demographic data of both the patient and the control group, the presence of diabetes, endoscopic and histological diagnoses, neutrophil lymphocyte ratio, thrombocyte lymphocyte ratio, mean platelet volume and erythrocyte distribution width were obtained from the computer system of the hospital in detail. Results: Peptic ulcer disease was found to be significantly more prevalent in patients with white spots than the control group. We could not find any difference between the patient and control groups by means of either neutrophil lymphocyte ratio, platelet lymphocyte ratio, mean platelet volume and erythrocyte distribution width, Helicobacter pylori, positivity or presence of diabetes. Conclusion: Both diabetes mellitus and H. pylori are causes of systemic inflammation. In our study, we evaluated whether patients with white spots were associated with systemic inflammation by looking at popular inflammation markers. We could not find any difference between the two groups in terms of these markers. Keywords: White spots, Duodenum, Diabetes mellitus, Systemic inflammation, Lymphangiectasia, Giardiasis, Chronic nonspecific duonetitis.
COEVALNESS OF INSECT TRACE FOSSILS AND TRACE-BEARING ROCKS, A CASE STUDY FROM THE PLIO?-PLEISTOCENE OF SW SPAIN
Authors: MAYORAL EDUARDO , GENISE JORGE F. , RODRÍGUEZ-TOVAR FRANCISCO J. , SANTOS ANA
Published: March 2021

Plio?-Pleistocene outcrops located at the southwestern edge of the Guadalquivir Basin in the area of Lepe (Huelva, Spain) provide an interesting example for studying the contemporaneity of traces with the rocks that contain them. Two different types of cells compatible with the ichnogenera Celliforma (Type 1) and Palmiraichnus (Type 2) were found in these outcrops. Their walls were constructed with the same material as the matrix and our first research in the area showed no extant bees producing them suggesting that they were coeval with the trace-bearing rocks. The case of the “Palmiraichnus-like” Type 2 cells was misleading because of its similarity with Palmiraichnus described from the region in the Canary Islands and Balearic Archipelago (Spain). Two determining features were vital in clarifying this first appearance. In the Palmiraichnus-like cells we found remains of a larval cocoon in one cell that could be dated by C14, giving a modern age. In the Celliforma-like cells more field research in the area allow us to observe extant bees nesting in these rocks in autumn. Ichnological literature show a few cases of asynchronies involving extant traces found mostly in Paleozoic and Mesozoic rocks. In contrast, the case presented herein indicates the time gap between the bearing rocks and the Lepe traces was shorter (ca. 12 ky–2.6 My), enhancing the similarity of traces and rocks and thus their potential coevalness. This case may serve as a warning about other potential examples in the fossil record in which relatively short asynchronies between traces and paleosols exist.
DIFFUSE TERMITINAE NESTS SHED LIGHT ON THE AFFINITIES OF LAETOLICHNUS KWEKAI (KRAUSICHNIDAE)
Authors: CANTIL LILIANA F. , GENISE JORGE F. , FARINA JUAN L. , LUPO SEBASTIÁN , PORRINI DARÍO , KWEKASON AMANDUS , HARRISON TERRY
Published: March 2021

The insect trace fossil Laetolichnus kwekai, which is composed of a small chamber extending to slender cylinders at each end, was tentatively included in the ichnofamily Krausichnidae as termite nests. New evidence presented here provides information to validate these inferences. A more complex structure formed by interconnected Laetolichnus was recently found in the same Pliocene deposits (Laetoli, Tanzania) as the isolated specimens reported previously. Our study confirms inclusion of Laetolichnus in Krausichnidae and supports the inference that it represents a nest of a social insect. Neoichnological field studies in the coastal dunes of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, were undertaken to refine further the nature of these affinities. Survey of the dune surface revealed abundant loose fragments of termite nests of a size and shape comparable to that of L. kwekai. The fragile nests constructed by Onkotermes brevicorniger, which are described here in detail for the first time, enable us to interpret the fossil structures. They consist of connected chambers similar to the interconnected Laetolichnus. These were frequently exposed and broken by wind action resulting in loose fragments similar to the isolated Laetolichnus. The Celliforma ichnofacies represented at Laetoli, which contains L. kwekai, indicates arid or semiarid shrublands and woodlands. The distribution of O. brevicorniger also corresponds to arid and semiarid shrublands and dry woodlands of Argentina. Although the African termite producer of L. kwekai and the South American Onkotermes would be phylogenetically unrelated, the analogous structures probably reflect convergent nesting behaviors as an adaptation to similar arid to semiarid environmental conditions.
MyBotS Prototype on Social Media Discord with NLP
Authors: Al Maksur Imam , Muhajir Muhammad
Published: March 2021

The continuous growth in technology and technological devices has led to the development of machines to help ease various human-related activities. For instance, irrespective of the importance of information on the Steam platform, buyers or players still get little information related to the application. This is not encouraging despite the importance of information in this current globalization era. Therefore, it is necessary to develop an attractive and interactive application that allows users to ask questions and get answers, such as a chatbot, which can be implemented on Discord social media. Artificial Intelligence is a technique that allows machines to think and be able to make their own decisions. This research showed that the discord chatbot prototype provides various services based on the results of classification testing using the SVM method with three kernels, namely Linear, Polynomial, and RBF. The test data and accuracy values prediction are the largest Liniear Kernel SVM with accuracy and error prediction values of 94% and 6%.
Synthesis, Characterization and Biological Activity Evaluation of Some Pyrazoles, Thiazoles and Oxazoles Derived from 2-Mercaptoaniline
Authors: AL-Joubory Ahmood Kh. Jebur , Abdullah Layth W. , Mohammed Abdullah Jasim
Published: March 2021

Synthesis of 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (A1) is performed from the reaction of  o-aminothiophenol and carbon disulfide CS2 in ethanol under basic condition. Compound (A1)  is reacted with chloro acetyl chloride to give compound (A2). Hydrazide acid compound (A3) is obtained from the reaction of compound (A2) with  hydrazine hydrate in ethanol under reflux in the presence of glacial acetic acid .The reaction of hydrazide acid compound (A3) with ethyl acetoacetate gives pyrazole compound (A4). The new hydrazone  compound (A5) was prepared from the reaction of compound (A3) with  benzaldehyde. Reaction of compound (A3) with  thiourea  dissolved in ethanol  gave  2-amino thiazole  compounds(A6) which was used the reaction with 4–N,N-dimethyl benzaldehyde to yield  compound hydrazone (A7).While, the reaction of compound (A2) with  urea  in the presence of ethanol  gave 2-amino oxazole  compounds (A8) which was used in the reaction with 3-hydroxy – 4 -methoxy benzaldehyde to yield hydrazone (A9). The structures of the prepared compounds were established by spectral (1H-NMR,Elemental analysis (C.H.N- ),and  FT-IR. In addition to systematic characterization of some active functional groups in these compounds, antibacterial activity (Esheriechia coli,  Bacillus subtilis ) for some of the synthesized compounds were evaluated against two types of fugal (Candida albicans ) , the synthesized compounds.
NCDs-COVID19 Preventions, Environmental – Nutrition Perspective Approach; (The Case of Tanzanian Students)
Authors: Kilimba Ulumbi , Baysen Engine
Published: March 2021

INTRODUCTION; Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are serious public diseases. They are affecting a larger a number of young people who are from developing countries. Characterized by been non-transferrable diseases. The main risk factors include unhealthy behaviors and metabolic syndromes. Unhealthy behaviors include excess use of salts, sugar, fats food and alcohol, other are cigarettes, physical inactive and inadequate intake of fruits and vegetable, but also overweight/obesity, hypertension high cholesterol and hyperglygriciride. Common NCDs killers are CVDs, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes and cancer OBJECTIVES; main objective of this study was to assess the student knowledge on NCD-COVID-19 prevention; environmental – nutrition perspective approach.. METHOD; Cross section study design conducted at Dar-es-salaam- Tanzania. Purposive method used to select participants within six secondary schools that are situated at city center. The likert scale questioner used to obtain non-parametric data. The validation and reliability of tool pre-tested before actual data collection. The data were analyzed under ordinal regression analysis under the help of computer with SPSS- 20 version software. The descriptive statistics established frequencies and percentages while statistical measures were median and IQR. RESULTS; about 600 students were recruited and participated, 54.7% were female and 45.3% male, (SD) mean was 18.3 and SD was 0.64. Students were knowledgeable on nutrition perspective by 81% while on environmental perspective was 50%. CONCLUSION; the study concluded that, to speed up NCDs–COVID19 prevention, the multipart environmental education, curriculum education review and adoption of new NCDs strategic action (2018-2020) are needed.
Three-dimensional Real-time Triplane versus Biplane Simpson for left ventricular ejection fraction estimation after ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Brás Diogo Rodrigues , Reis Carla , Horta Eduarda , Mendes Miguel , Andrade Maria João
Published: March 2021

Purpose: The Biplane Simpson (BPS) remains the recommended 2-dimensional method to assess left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). However, it has known limitations that may be overcome with 3D real-time triplane (RTTP), for instance, obtaining all apical views simultaneously at the same cardiac cycle. Accurate LVEF measurement is of utmost importance, as it guides the allocation of many treatments that reduce morbidity and mortality in heart failure. We sought to compare LVEF and volumes assessed by BPS and RTTP, using 3D LV full volume as reference, in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).Methods and results: Prospective study that included consecutive STEMI patients. LV volumes and EF were compared between BPS and RTTP and the reference method. Fifty-two patients were studied and anterior MI was the most frequent location (44%). There was strong correlation between EF measured by BPS (r=0.80, p<0.001) and RTTP (r=0.91, p<0.001) versus the reference method, with significant difference between coefficients (0.11, p=0.034). EF by BPS attained a good inter-operator agreement, with an intraclass correlation (ICC) of 0.82 (95% CI 0.710-0.894,p<0.001), as well as EF by RTTP (ICC 0.88, 95% CI 0.801–0.930,p<0.001), without statistically significant difference between the two methods (p=0.279).Conclusion: Estimation of LV volumes and EF by RTTP method showed higher correlation than BPS with 3D-echocardiography, in a population of STEMI patients. As an accurate LVEF estimation is of high relevance for its potential to alter clinical decision pathways, this data points to the usefulness of the RTTP method, especially in myocardial infarction setting.
Investigation of the impact of mole-fraction on the digital benchmarking parameters as well as sensitivity in GaXIn1-XAs/GaYIn1-YSb vertical heterojunctionless tunneling field effect transistor
Authors: Rajabi Behzad , Vadizadeh Mahdi
Published: March 2021

GaXIn1-XAs/GaYIn1-YSb vertical heterojunctionless tunneling field effect transistor (VHJL-TFET) has been suggested to optimize the digital benchmarking parameters. In the proposed VHJL-TFET with type II heterostructure (i.e. X=0.8, Y=0.85), slight changes in gate voltage cause switching from OFF-state to ON-state. As a result, the electrical properties of Ga0.8In0.2As/Ga0.85In0.15Sb VHJL-TFET are excellent in the sub-threshold region. The heterostructure with III-V semiconductors in the source-channel region increases the ON-state current (ION (of the VHJL-TFET. Comparing the results of Ga0.8In0.2As/Ga0.85In0.15Sb VHJL-TFET with the simulated devices with type I heterostructure (i.e. X=0.9, Y=0.1) and type III heterostructure (i.e. X=0.1, Y=0.4) shows the improvement by 26% and 15% in the average subthreshold slope (SS). Sensitivity analysis for VHJL-TFET with the type II heterostructure shows that the sensitivity of OFF-state current (IOFF) to the body thickness (Tb) and doping concentration (ND) is more than the sensitivity of the other main electrical parameters. The Ga0.8In0.2As/Ga0.85In0.15Sb VHJL-TFET with a channel length of 20 nm, Tb=5 nm, and ND=1×1018cm-3 showed the SS=4.4mV/dec, ION/IOFF=4E14, and ION=8mA/um. As a result, Ga0.8In0.2As/Ga0.85In0.15Sb VHJL-TFET can be a reasonable choice for digital applications.
Oxytocin levels in individuals with schizophrenia are high in cerebrospinal fluid but low in serum: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Authors: Hernández-Díaz Yazmin , González-Castro Thelma Beatriz , Tovilla-Zarate Carlos , López-Narváez María Lilia , Genis-Mendoza Alma Delia , Castillo-Avila Rosa Giannina , Ramos-Méndez Miguel Ángel , Juárez-Rojop Isela Esther
Published: March 2021

Schizophrenia is a mental and disabling disease. Levels of oxytocin have been proposed as a biomarker of schizophrenia; however, the observed levels of oxytocin in individuals with schizophrenia have been inconsistent across studies. We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate oxytocin levels in plasma, serum and cerebrospinal fluid to see if there are statistically different concentrations between individuals with schizophrenia and the comparison group.The meta-analysis followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement to guarantee a high quality and reproducibility.Following the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 14 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The quality of the study was evaluated by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). A random-effects model was performed using the Comprehensive Meta-analysis software with the standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).Serum oxytocin levels in individuals with schizophrenia were significantly lower than that in comparison group (SMD = − 1.74, 95% CI = − 3.22 to − 0.26, p = 0.02) but cerebrospinal fluid oxytocin levels in individuals with schizophrenia were significantly higher than those in the comparison group (SMD = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.05 to 1.04, p = 0.03).Our results suggest that oxytocin levels in cerebrospinal fluid are increased in individuals with schizophrenia but decreased in serum. Therefore, the oxytocin system dysregulation may play a role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and it should be measured in more populations for a possible implementation as a biomarker of schizophrenia.
Prediction of Conotoxin Type Based on Long Short-term Memory Network
Authors: Wang Feng , Chang Shan , Wei Dashun
Published: March 2021

Background: Conotoxin is a valuable peptide that targets ion channels and neuronal receptors. The toxin has been proven to be an effective drug for treating a series of diseases, but the process of identifying the type of toxin through traditional wet experiments is very complicated, low efficiency and high cost, but the method of machine learning is used to identify the cono toxin. Training in the process can effectively change this status quo.Methods: A method to predict the type of spiral toxin using the sequence information of the toxin combined with the long-term short-term memory network (LSTM) method model. This method only needs to take the conotoxin peptide sequence as input, and uses the character embedding method in text processing to automatically map the sequence to the feature vector representation, and extract the features for training and prediction.Results: Experimental results show that the correct index of this method on the test set reaches 0.80, and the AUC (area under the ROC curve) value reaches 0.817. For the same test set, the AUC value of the KNN algorithm is 0.641, and the AUC value of the method proposed in this paper is 0.817.Conclusions: The algorithm does not require manual feature extraction and feature reconstruction steps, thereby simplifying the algorithm design, and can use the advantages of the long-term dependence of LSTM according to the characteristics of the cono toxin sequence, so that its classification can be better predicted, and the classification of the cono toxin can be better predicted. The sequence information of spirotoxin combined with the LSTM method can be better than the KNN classification algorithm.
Assessing the effects of disaggregated public spending on green economic growth: The case of China
Authors: Gnangoin Thierry Y. , Du Liangsheng , Edjoukou Akadje Jean Roland , Sow Djeri , Fania Nyande
Published: March 2021

This article examines the linear and nonlinear relationship between disaggregated public spending and green economic growth in China's case for 1993Q1-2018Q4. We used the principal component analysis approach to calculate the index of green economic growth and analyzed quarterly data through DOLS and FMOLS models. We found that public spending on economic affairs, public spending on health, inflation rate, and trade openness have a positive effect on green economic growth, while public spending on housing has a negative effect on green economic growth. Besides, the results showed a linear relationship between public spending on economic affairs and green growth; while a nonlinear relationship between public spending on housing and green economic growth, and between public spending on health and green economic growth. Lastly, the results showed that the 2015Q1 breakpoint has a negative and significant effect on green growth, while the 2008 financial crisis effect is not significant.
QTL Mapping of Panicle Architecture and Yield-related Traits Between Two U.S. Rice Cultivars ‘LaGrue’  and ‘Lemont’
Authors: Rice Adam , North Dustin , Moldenhauer Karen Ann-Kuenzel , Pereira Andy , Shi Ainong , Shakiba Ehsan
Published: March 2021

Grain yield is a quantitative trait that is determined by several agronomic traits. Unfortunately, there is little information about the genetics behind yield components in U.S. rice cultivars. The objective of the study were to 1) conduct a QTL study for identification of chromosome regions associated with yield traits in two US developed rice cultivars and 2) identify candidate genes in major QTL regions related to yield traits. Four rice cultivars were evaluated in the summer 2017 at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Rice Research and Extension Center (RREC) at Stuttgart, AR for 15 agronomic traits associated with yield. Of the four cultivars, “LaGrue” had a higher number of seeds/panicle, number of primary panicle branches/panicle, and number of seeds/plant and “Lemont”, despite having longer panicles and higher 100 seed weight/panicle, produced the least number of seeds among the cultivars. A bi-parental population was developed from a cross between LaGrue and Lemont for QTL analysis. Leaf samples from F2 plants were collected for genetic analysis. A set of 322 F2:3 lines were evaluated in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) for several agronomic traits at two locations with three replications for each line. A total of 17 major QTLs were detected including two major QTLs for plant height on chromosome 1 and two major QTLs for flag leaf length and panicle length on chromosome 8 with seven candidate genes found in these regions. The results from the study would be useful for marker assisted selection in rice breeding.
In-silico analysis of BCL2 gene using multiple bioinformatics tools to identify the most lethal mutations that are crucial for its structural and functional integrity
Authors: Ghani Usman , Ali Yasir , Gul Karim , Ullah Rahmat , Khan Abbas , Wei Dong-Qing
Published: March 2021

BCL2 was the first ever known gene for anti-apoptotic activity, that encodes for essential proteins of the external mitochondrial membrane. Regarding tumorigenesis, deregulated BCL2 expression and related proteins have been recognized as characteristic of several human cancers and there is concrete evidence that the deregulated expression of BCL2 like proteins plays a vital role in tumor development, persistence and therapeutic resistance. Therefore, it is important to identify the polymorphisms of BCL2 that are both structurally and functionally important for research to find their possible malfunctions and therapeutics. For this reason, in our research, we have used a variety of bioinformatics tools to recognize the most destructive nsSNPs that may be important for the structure and function of BCL2. In silico tools, PROVEAN, SIFT, SNP&GO, PhD SNP, and PolyPhen2 included a variety of other tools such as I Mutant, MutPred, and ConSurf, to study their conservation profiles to validate their stability, structural, and functional impacts. Post-transcriptional alteration sites were also predicted followed by application of 3-D mapping with I-TASSER and Phyre2 tools. Furthermore, the gene interactions were mapped via STRING and GeneMANIA. We also found that nsSNPs Q118R (rs759928495), G193R (rs1197820694), R129C (rs777784952), and Ll81V (rs752310933) are the most destructive nsSNPs in BCL2 genes that can have a vital part in BCL2 protein defects and possibly cause different cancers. Gene-gene interactions showed relation of BCL2 with other genes depicting its importance in several pathways and co-expressions. This research is the first of its kind and offers future prospects for the development of dedicated medicines as well. In the animal models, the effects of BCL2 can also be tested in diseases. Such should be the study of BCL2 proteins from cancer patients. The effects of BCL2 can also be tested on animal models.
Modelling 1-D Copper Grating for Extraordinary Optical Transmission
Authors: Iqbal Tahir , Ashfaq Zain , Iqbal Khalid , Afsheen Sumera , Zafar Maria , Tabassum Huma
Published: March 2021

The excitation of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) and its association with extraordinary optical transmission (EOT) has been presented in this report.. The 1-dimensional periodic grating structure of copper (Cu) has been designed over the glass substrate in rf-module of COMSOL Multiphysics 5.3a. The geometry was illuminated from glass side with visible-near infrared (400-900nm) electromagnetic spectrum. The 0th order transmission spectra have been investigated to study the maximum value of EOT at different slit widths by taking the period (700nm) and thickness of Cu grating (50nm) constant. Moreover, the near field analysis has been used to investigate the field behavior at desired interface and to verify the results of transmission spectra. It is worth mentioning that the highest value of EOT corresponds to the slit width of 250nm which is affiliated with the strongest plasmonic mode i.e., fundamental plasmonic mode. Such devices are increasingly applicable in sensing, chemical and solar cell industries.
Suppressed Distortion Performance Metrics of 20nm GAA-GaN/Al2O3 Nanowire MOSFET: Based on Quantum Numerical Simulation 
Authors: Gupta Neha , Jain Aditya , Kumar Ajay
Published: March 2021

This work investigates the suppressed distortion performance metrics of gate all around (GAA) Gallium Nitride (GaN)/Al2O3 Nanowire (NW) n-channel MOSFET (GaNNW/Al2O3 MOSFET) based on quantum numerical simulations at room temperature (300 K). The simulation results show high switching ratio (≈109) with low subthreshold swing (67mV/decade), high QF value (4.1mS-decade/mV) of GaNNW/Al2O3-MOSFET in comparison to GaNNW/SiO2 and SiNW MOSFET for Vds=0.4V due to the lower permittivity of GaN and more effective mass of the electron. Furthermore, linearity and distortion performance is also examined by numerically calculating transconductance and its higher derivatives (gm2 and gm3); voltage and current intercept point (VIP2, VIP3 and IIP3); 1-dB compression point; Harmonics distortions (HD2 and HD3) and IMD3. All these parameters show high linearity and low distortion at zero crossover point (where gm3=0) in GaNNW/Al2O3 MOSFET. Thus, GaNNW MOSFET can be considered as a promising candidate for low power high-performance applications. In addition, effect of ambient temperature (250K-450K) on the performance of GaNNW/Al2O3 is studied and discussed in terms of the above mentioned metrics. It is very well exhibited that SS, Ion, Vth, and QF improved when the temperature is lowered which makes it suitable for low-temperature environments. But, linearity degrades as the temperature lowers down.
Molecular Mapping and Characterization of QBp.caas-3BL for Black Point Resistance in Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.)
Authors: Liu Cuihe , Song Jie , Liu Siyang , Liu Jingdong , Xu Dengan , Tian Xiuling , Bian Yingjie , Dong Yachao , Wang Fengju , Wang Rongge , He Zhonghu , Xia Xianchun , CAO SHUANGHE
Published: March 2021

Wheat black point, which occurs in most wheat growing regions of the world, is detrimental to grain appearance, processing and nutrient quality. Mining and characterization of genetic loci for black point resistance is helpful for breeding resistant wheat cultivars. We previously identified a major QTL QBp.caas-3BL in a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population of Linmai 2/Zhong 892 across five environments. Here we confirmed the QTL in two additional environments. The genetic region of QBp.caas-3BL was enriched with newly developed markers. Using four sets of near isogenic lines QBp.caas-3BL was narrowed down to a physical interval of approximately 1.7 Mb, including five annotated genes according to IWGSC reference genome. TraesCS3B02G404300, TraesCS3B02G404600 and TraesCS3B02G404700 were predicted as candidate genes based on the analyses of sequence polymorphisms and differential expression. We also converted a SNP of TraesCS3B02G404700 into a breeding-applicable KASP marker and verified its efficacy for marker-assisted breeding in a panel of germplasm. The findings not only lay a foundation for map-based cloning of QBp.caas-3BL but also provide a useful marker for selection of resistant cultivars genotypes in wheat breeding.
Association of Progranulin and Rab2 is required for autophagosome-lysosome fusion
Authors: Zhao Xiangli , Liberti Rossella , Jian Jinlong , Fu Wenyu , Hettinghouse Aubryanna , Sun Ying , Liu Chuanju
Published: March 2021

Progranulin (PGRN) is a key regulator of lysosome and its deficiency has been linked to various lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs), including Gaucher disease (GD), one of the most common LSD. Here, we report that PGRN plays a previously unrecognized role in autophagy within the context of GD. PGRN deficiency associated with accumulation of LC3-II and p62 in autophagosomes of GD animal model and patient fibroblasts, resulting from impaired fusion of autophagosomes and lysosomes. PGRN physically interacted with Rab2, a critical molecule in autophagosome-lysosome fusion. Additionally, a fragment of PGRN containing the Grn E domain was required and sufficient for binding to Rab2. Further, this fragment significantly ameliorated PGRN-deficiency associated impairment of autophagosome-lysosome fusion and autophagic flux. These findings not only demonstrate that PGRN is a crucial mediator of autophagosome-lysosome fusion, but also provide new evidence indicating PGRN’s candidacy as a molecular target for modulating autophagy in GD and other LSDs in general.
Neutralizing and binding antibody kinetics of COVID-19 patients during hospital and convalescent phases
Authors: Yao Xiang-Yang , Liu Wei , Li Zhi-Yong , Xiong Hua-Long , Su Ying-Ying , Li Ting-Dong , Zhang Shi-Yin , Zhang Xue-Jie , Bi Zhao-Feng , Deng Chen-Xi , Li Cai-Yu , Yuan Quan , Zhang Jun , Zhang Tian-Ying , Wang Zhan-Xiang , Ge Sheng-Xiang , Xia Ning-Shao
Published: March 2021

Background: Knowledge of host immune response after natural SARS-CoV-2 infection is essential for the direction of vaccination and epidemiological control strategies against COVID-19.Methods: Thirty-four COVID-19 patients were enrolled with 244 serial blood specimens (38.1% after hospital discharge) collected to explore the chronological evolution of neutralizing (NAb), total (TAb), IgM, IgG and IgA antibody in parallel.Results: IgG titers reached a peak later (35 days postonset) than those of Nab, Ab, IgM and IgA (25 days postonset). IgM levels declined with an estimated half-life of 35 days postonset, which was more rapid than those of IgA and IgG (73-76 days postonset). All patients remained positive for NAb, IgG and IgA up to 3 months after illness onset. The relative contribution of IgM to NAb was higher than that of IgG (standardized β regression coefficient: 0.53 vs 0.48). However, the relative contribution of IgG to NAb increased and that of IgM further decreased after 6 weeks postonset.Conclusions: This study suggests that SARS-CoV-2 infection induces robust neutralizing and binding antibody responses in patients. Humoral immunity against SARS-CoV-2 acquired by infection may persist for a relatively long time.
The Prevalence of Educational Burnout, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress among medical students of the Islamic Azad University in Tehran, Iran
Authors: Elyasi Qazal Aghajani , Nejad Sanaz Mahdi , Sami Nafiseh , Khakpour Shahrzad , Yekta Batool Ghorbani
Published: March 2021

Background: Psychological disorders have negative consequences on students' learning and academic performance. In addition, academic burnout is one of the common challenges that affects students’ motivation and academic eagerness; however, the determinant is not clear. Medical students, meanwhile, demand special attention due to their professional responsibilities. In this regard, this study is conducted to investigate the academic burnout, rate of depression, anxiety and stress as well as related factors among undergraduate medical students at the Tehran Medical Sciences Islamic Azad University.Methods: This cross-sectional and descriptive study was performed on medical students of Islamic Azad University of Tehran in 2017. In phase I, conducted on all stager students, Maslach Burnout questionnaire was used. In phase II, the DASS-42 questionnaire was provided for 123 students, 120 of whom met the inclusion criteria. In addition, another questionnaire including gender, age, lifestyle, marital and financial status, nutrition style, vitamin D deficiency, smoking, study hours per week, work efficiency and distance from the place of residence to the teaching hospital was used. Finally, the data extracted by SPSS version 23 was analyzed at the significance level of 0.05.Results: In phase I of the study, 17 subjects showed academic burnout (16.3%). Out of all, 76.5% of students with academic burnout did not focus on the study and students' academic burnout was associated with a decrease in their focus (P < 0.05). However, the relationship between academic burnout and other factors was not significant (P > 0.05).In phase II, the prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress was 37.5%, 41.1% and 30.3%, respectively. The prevalence of severe and very severe degrees that required psychiatric follow-up were 10.5%, 10.5% and 7% for depression, anxiety and stress, respectively. According to statistical analyzes, there is a significant direct relationship between anxiety and the distance from the place of residence to the teaching hospital (P = 0.040).Conclusion: The present study estimated the prevalence of academic burnout to be between 9.2% and 23.4%, and the level of anxiety was related to the distance from the place of residence to the hospital. This high prevalence indicates that this part of medical education needs more attention.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome among Medical Students in Jordan: A cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Yousef Salsabeel , Jadallah Khaled , Kheirallah Khalid A. , Nsour Mohannad Al , Batieha Anwar
Published: March 2021

Background Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common functional gastrointestinal disorders worldwide. IBS is not a life-threatening condition; however, it considerably reduces the quality of life of sufferers. This study aims at assessing the prevalence of IBS, its subtypes, and associated factors among medical students at Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST).Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study among medical students at JUST from November 2019 to February 2020. A structured, pre-validated, comprehensive, self-administered, and anonymous questionnaire was used. The questionnaire consists of three parts: sociodemographic and behavioral factors related questions, Rome IV diagnostic questionnaire, and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). A total of 396 students participated in our study.Results The prevalence of IBS among medical students at JUST was 28.5%. The predominant IBS subtype was IBS-mixed (IBS-M), which constituted 42.5% of the cases. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that gender, family history of IBS, academic level, residence, stress level, anxiety level, and depression level were the main predictors of IBS. Males were fifty percent less likely to suffer from IBS compared to females. Students who had a family history of IBS were two and half times more likely to suffer from IBS. Students who had extremely severe stress were five times more likely to have IBS than those with normal stress levels. Students who had extremely severe depression were three and half times more likely to suffer from IBS than those who had normal depression level. Students who had extremely severe anxiety levels were two and half times more likely to suffer from IBS than those of normal anxiety level. The odds of having IBS were highest among fifth-year students, followed by sixth-year students compared to first-year students. The anxiety level regression model revealed that students living with their families have a reduced risk for IBS by 50% than students living in a private house.Conclusion IBS is highly prevalent among medical students at JUST. Sex, family history of IBS, academic level, residence, stress level, anxiety level, and depression level were the risk factors of IBS. Offering emotional and psychological support and stress management courses may be needed to enhance students' ability to deal with stress, reduce anxiety and depression.
Blood leukocyte count as a systemic inflammatory biomarker associated with a more rapid spirometric decline in a large cohort of iron and steel industry workers
Authors: Kong Nan , Chen Guoshun , Wang Haitao , Li Jianyu , Yin Shuzhen , Cao Xue , Wang Tao , Li Xin , Li Yanan , Zhang Huanling , Yu Shanfa , Tang Jinglong , Sood Akshay , Zheng Yuxin , Leng Shuguang
Published: March 2021

Objective: Iron and steel industry workers are exposed to high levels of inhalable dust particles that contain various elements, including metals, and cause occupational lung diseases. We aim to assess the relationship between occupational dust exposure, systemic inflammation, and spirometric decline in a cohort of Chinese iron and steelworkers.Methods: We studied 7,513 workers who participated in a Health Surveillance program at Wugang Institute for Occupational Health between 2008 and 2017. Time-weighted exposure intensity (TWEI) of dust was quantified based on self-reported dust exposure history, the experience of occupational hygienists, and historical data of dust exposures for workers with certain job titles. A linear mixed-effects model was used for association analyses.Results: The average annual change of lung function was -50.78 ml/year in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and -34.36 ml/year in forced vital capacity (FVC) in males, and -39.06 ml/year in FEV1 and -26.66 ml/year in FVC in females. Higher TWEI prior to baseline was associated with lower longitudinal measurements of FEV1 and FVC but not with their declines. Higher WBC and its differential at baseline were associated with lower longitudinal measurements and a more rapid decline of FEV1 and FVC in a dose-dependent monotonically increasing manner. Moreover, the elevations of WBC and its differential post-baseline were also associated with a more rapid decline of FEV1 and FVC.Conclusions: Our findings strongly support the important role of systemic inflammation in affecting the temporal change of lung function in iron and steel industry workers.
Dietary quercetin ameliorates TPT-induced hepatic oxidative damage and apoptosis in zebrafish
Authors: Zhang Chunnuan , Wang Yuheng , Ren Hongtao , Wang Junhui , Jiang Dongxue , Yuan Xiaoyu
Published: March 2021

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of quercetin on oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by TPT in zebrafish. 240 fish were divided into 4 groups with three repeats. D1: fish fed with the basal diet as the control group. D2: fish fed with basal diet and exposed in 10 ng/L TPT. D3: fish fed diets containing 100 mg/Kg quercetin and exposed in 10ng/L TPT. D4: fish fed diets containing 100 mg/Kg quercetin. The results showed that quercetin could ameliorate oxidative stress, which decreased MDA, NO levels and improved antioxidant enzyme activities. The key apoptotic gene expressions, including caspase3, Bax and caspase9 mRNA expression were significantly induced by TPT exposure as compared with the control group, while notably decreased the Bcl-2 gene. However, dietary quercetin prevented a significant increase in Bax, caspase3 and caspase9 mRNA levels induced by TPT exposure, but increased Bcl-2 mRNA levels. The results of our study also demonstrated that 10 ng/L TPT significantly up-regulated TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-8, and NF-kB p65 gene expression and down-regulated IL-10 and IkB expression compared to the control group. However, TPT-induced inflammation was significantly mitigated in the quercetin treatment group. In conclusion, our findings suggested that quercetin might alleviate hepatic oxidative damage and apoptosis induced by TPT.