bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The four-drug fixed-dose combination reduced the loss to follow up from TB treatment in Brazil: additional evidence comparing two prospective cohorts at the same health centers
Authors: Oliveira Marina de Aguiar , Bento Joseane de Lima , Costa Ronaldo Rodrigues , Leite Isabel Cristina Gonçalves , Silva Marcio Roberto
Published: March 2022

Background: Loss to follow up (LTFU) is an obstacle to improving tuberculosis (TB) indicators. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of and risk factors for LTFU from TB treatment by comparison of two prospective cohorts enrolled at the same health centers in southern Brazil: patients who used RH-FDC + Z regimen (2007-2010) and 4-FDC regimen (2018-2019). Methods: Predictors of LTFU were investigated using univariate and multivariate multilevel Cox regression models. Results: Of the 296 cases included, 247 (83.5%) and 49 (16.5%) had cure and LTFU as outcomes, respectively. Patients treated in first period (RH-FDC + Z regimen) and those with substance abuse (drug addicts, alcoholism, and smokers) had a higher risk for LTFU from TB treatment (p < 0.05). Accordingly, the cases treated with RH-FDC + Z regimen showed a HR of 2.25 (95% CI: 1.03 - 4.94, p = 0.042). Conclusions: The main result of this research was the significant reduction in the LTFU from TB treatment after the consolidation of the 4-FDC in Brazil, strengthening the premise that the presentation of drugs in this way improves treatment adherence. Also, substance abuse should be investigated more carefully in TB patients and systematically recorded as risk factors for LTFU, to contribute to better outcomes. Although the TB treatment 4-FDC regimen analyzed is already in use, these new regimens should be implemented with simultaneous pharmacovigilance studies and pragmatic cohort or trial designs to simulate real-world clinical practice, as done by this study.
Down-regulated Expression Of CDK5RAP3 and UFM1 Suggests A Bad Prognosis In Gastric Cancer Patients Running title: CDK5RAP3 and UFM1 in gastric cancer
Authors: Lin Mi , Lian Ning-Zi , Cao Long-Long , Yoon Changhwan , Huang Chang-Ming , Zheng Chao-Hui , Li Ping , Xie Jian-Wei , Wang Jia-Bin , Lu Jun , Chen Qi-Yue , Li Ya-Han , Peng Zhu-Huai , Zhang Xiao-Yu , Mei Yi-Xian , Lin Jian-Xian
Published: March 2022

Purpose: The relationship between the CDK5RAP3 and UFM1 expression and the prolonged outcomes of patients who underwent gastric cancer (GC) surgery was investigated. Methods: Single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA), unsupervised clustering and other methods were used to verify the relationship between CDK5RAP3 and UFM1 in GC through public databases. Additionally, CDK5RAP3 and UFM1 expression in cancerous and paracancerous tissues of GC was analysed in the context of patient prognosis. Results: CDK5RAP3 and UFM1 expression was downregulated synchronously, the interaction was existed between the two proteins, and UFM1 and CDK5RAP3 expression was found to be inversely associated to AKT pathway activation. Prognostic analysis showed that the prognosis is poorer for low CDK5RAP3 and UFM1 patients, than for high CDK5RAP3 and/or UFM1 (p<0.001) patients, and this expression pattern was an independent predictor for overall survival of GC. Coexpression of CDK5RAP3 and UFM1 combined with TNM staging can improve the accuracy of prognosis prediction for patients (p <0.001). Conclusions: It is confirmed in our findings that a combination of CDK5RAP3 and UFM1 can produce a more precise prediction model for GC patients' survival.
Alien Advantage in Endozoochorous Seed Dispersal of Aquatic Plants
Authors: Lovas-Kiss Ádám , Navarro Maria José , Vincze Orsolya , Löki Viktor , Urgyán Renáta , Pallér Falicia Kapusi , Leeuwen Casper van , Green Andy J. , Lukács Balázs András
Published: March 2022

The expansion of alien plant species is of global concern, yet our understanding of their dispersal mechanisms is limited, especially regarding the role of migratory birds. We hypothesize that invasiveness of alien wetland plants might depend on specific adaptations that ensure high seed survival in the digestive tract of waterfowl, ensuring their efficient spread across sites. In a controlled feeding experiment, we compared the endozoochorous dispersal ability of twelve congeneric alien and native wetland plant species, with a particular focus on seed passage rate, gut retention time, germinability, and time to germination. Germination dynamics were also compared to those of control seeds. Finally, we test how seed traits explain the observed differences. Gut passage rate was higher and time to germination faster, but retention time and germinability were lower in alien than in native species. Controlling for seed traits did not alter these conclusions. Among control seeds, aliens germinated faster and their germinability was higher than in natives. Seed traits explained differences in germinability but not time to germination in control seeds. Our results indicate that endozoochory provides competitive advantage to alien plants by ensuring higher propagule pressure in new environments, potentially ensuring their quick spread.
Fault Diagnosis Based on Compressed Sensing of Multisource Data
Authors: You Xianglong , Deng Zhongwei , Zhang Kai , Li Jiacheng , Yuan Hang
Published: March 2022

With the development of the internet of things (IoT) and the application of 5G communication, fault diagnosis of massive multisource sensor data becomes more and more important. In this study, a compressed multisource sensor data-based fault diagnosis scheme is proposed, and its advantages include high data compression and fusion efficiency, low computational cost, and a fast online training sample updating rate. The method includes reference matrix construction, reference matrix compression and fusion, sparse vectors calculation, testing sample reconstruction, and quality evaluation. First, a reference matrix is constructed with labeled multisource sensor data, and each column in the matrix is composed of data samples collected from different sources. Then, the reference matrix is compressed using a measurement matrix, meanwhile, the multisource data samples are fused based on weighted summation during the compression. Later, sparse representation based on batch matching pursuit algorithm is conducted, in this step, the compressed testing sample is represented by the compressed reference matrix, and the output of the sparse representation is a sparse vector. After that, elements in the sparse vector corresponding to different patterns are retained exclusively while other elements are set to zero, respectively, and estimated testing samples are reconstructed with the compressed reference matrix and the processed sparse vector. Finally, based on reconstruction quality evaluation, the pattern of the testing sample is determined. Two cases are employed to validate the effectiveness of the proposed approach, including landfill gas power generator maintenance pattern recognition and multiple redundancy aileron actuator fault diagnosis, and the detection accuracy is 96.13% and 96.67%, respectively.
The Adoption Of Industrial Robots And Pollution Abatement In China
Authors: Wang Ying , Feng Jiahao
Published: March 2022

This paper explores the effects of the adoption of industrial robots on pollution abatement for Chinese firms. We find that industrial robots can significantly lower SO2 emission intensity. Panel quantile regression shows that industrial robots have greater effects on reducing SO2 emission intensity at low quantiles. Heterogeneity test shows that the reduction of SO2 emission intensity in labor- and technology-intensive industries benefits more from industrial robots. Our findings indicate that industrial robots play important roles in pollution abatement while more efficient policies should be implemented to promote the combination of intellectualization and green development for heavily polluting industries.JEL Classification: O33, Q53, Q58
Genetic Basis Underlying Tiller Angle in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) by Genome-wide Association Study
Authors: Bai Shaoxing , Hong Jun , Su Su , Li Zhikang , Wang Wensheng , Shi Jianxin , Liang Wanqi , Zhang Dabing
Published: March 2022

Rice tiller angle is a key agronomic trait determining rice grain yield. Several quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting rice tiller angle have been mapped in the past decades. little is known about the genetic base of tiller angle in rice, because rice tiller angle is a complex polygenic trait. In this study, we performed genome-wide association study (GWAS) on tiller angle in rice using a population of 164 japonica varieties derived from the 3K Rice Genomes Project (3K RGP). We detected a total of 18 QTLs using 1,135,519 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) based on three GWAS models (GLM, FastLMM and FarmCPU). Among them, two identified QTLs, qTA8.3 and qTA8.4, overlapped with PAY1 and TIG1, respectively, and additional 16 QTLs were identified for the first time. Combined with haplotype and expression analyses, we further revealed that PAY1 harbors one non-synonymous variation at its coding region, likely leading to variable tiller angle in the population, and that nature variations in the promoter of TIG1 significantly affect its expression, closely correlating with tiller angle phenotypes observed. Similarly, using qRT-PCR and haplotype analysis, we identified 1 and 7 candidate genes in qTA6.1 and qTA8.1 that were commonly detected by two GWAS models, respectively. In addition, we identified 3 more candidate genes in the remaining 14 novel QTLs after filtering by transcriptome analysis and qRT-PCR. In summary, this study provides new insights into the genetic architecture of rice tiller angle and candidate genes for rice breeding.
Evaluation the Association of Facet Tropism in Multisports Athletes with Cervical Disc Hernia
Authors: Eroglu Ali , Eroglu Ahmet
Published: March 2022

Background: Facet tropism is defined as the asymmetry between the left and the right facet joints . Facet joints play an important role in the posterior stabilization of the vertebrae through the upper and lower joint faces. Most studies discuss about the relationship with lumbar disc hernia and facet joint angle. However, little is known about the association of facet tropism with disc herniation in the cervical spine in multisports athletes. In our study, We aimed to investigate the relationship between cervical facet tropism and disc hernia in athletes of different branches between the ages of 20-40 from the cervical MR images of the cases.Methods: This is a retrospective study performed on athletes who applied our hospital ; between January 2014-2019 with neck pain and have MR imaging of the cervical spine. Cervical MR images of the patients were evaluated by an experienced radiologist from the hospital system database and archives. 79 cases (52 men and 27 women) were included in the study.Results: No statistically significant difference was found between the facet joint angles of both groups at all levels (p˃0.05). Only left C6_7 disc angles of CDH group were measured as 92.99 ± 10.77 (62-113) and 88.58 ± 7.65 (67-110) for the normal group and this difference was found statistically significant (p = 0.007) . After the weight variable was taken under control, the C6-7 L value of the CDH group was found to be 92,673 and the normal group value was 88,916 (CDH group values ​​without the weight control were 92.99 normal group value 88.58) and the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (p = 0.17).Conclusion: In this study, we did not predict that cervical facet tropism may be a factor associated with cervical disc hernia in young athletes with CDH.
Association of Benzodiazepines With SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Clinical Outcomes: a Nationwide Cohort Study
Authors: Park Hye Yoon , Kwon Junhyun , An Suk Kyoon , Park Eun-Cheol
Published: March 2022

The evidence for the impact of benzodiazepine (BZD) use on infection or clinical outcomes of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is limited. We evaluated the association of BZD use with SARS-CoV-2 infection and the clinical outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) using a nationwide COVID-19 database from South Korea. This nationwide cohort study was performed using the COVID-19 database from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service of Korea, and SARS-CoV-2 positivity was investigated according to BZD use. SARS-CoV-2-positive adult patients were assessed in three groups, those who needed hospitalization, those with severe symptoms requiring intensive care, and those who died. A multivariate logistic regression model was used for all the analyses. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, there was no association between BZD use and SARS-CoV-2 positivity. SARS-CoV-2-positive patients with BZD use showed an increased risk of need for hospitalization from COVID-19 compared to those without BZD use (odds ratio [OR]: 1·33, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1·07–1·65). In addition, there was a higher risk for long-term users (OR: 2·64, 95% CI: 1·08–6·47). Chronic BZD use contributed to a higher risk of the need for hospitalization among COVID-19 patients, whereas BZD use did not increase the risk of SARS-CoV-2 test positivity, severe outcomes, or mortality.
Effect of The Isotiazole Adjuvants in Combination With Cisplatin in Chemotherapy of Neuroepithelial Tumors: Experimental Results and Modeling
Authors: Potkin Vladimir , Pushkarchuk Aliaxandr , Zamaro Alexandra , Zhou Hongwei , Kilin Sergey , Petkevich Sergey , Kolesnik Iryna , Michels Dominik , Lyakhov Dmitry , Kulchitsky Vladimir A.
Published: March 2022

Chemotherapy is one of the main treatment options for cancer, but it is usually accompanied with negative side effects. The classical drugs combination with synergistic adjuvants can be the solution to this problem, allowing reducing therapeutic dose. Elucidating the mechanism of adjuvant action is of key importance for selection of the optimal agent. Here we examine the system drug-adjuvant to explain observed effect in practice. We used the first line drug – cisplatin. Morpholinium and 4-methylpiperazinium 4,5-dichloro isothiazol-3-carboxylates were selected as adjuvants. The study of cisplatin – adjuvant system was carried out by quantum chemical modeling with DFT method. It turned out that adjuvants form conjugates with cisplatin that leads to relocation of frontier molecular orbitals as well as increase of conjugate’s dipole moment. It results in change of the character of interaction with DNA and increase of bioactivity of system. The data obtained are the basis for expanding the studies to include other drugs and adjuvants. Oncologists will have opportunity to use “classical” chemotherapy drugs in combination with synergists for those patients who have not been previously recommended to such treatment because of pronounced toxic side effects.
Moss Establishment Success Is Determined By The Interaction Between Propagule Size And Species Identity
Authors: Hurtado Fernando , Estébanez Belén , Aragón Pedro , Hortal Joaquín , Molina-Bustamante Manuel , Medina Nagore G.
Published: March 2022

Question: Colonization of new habitat patches is a key aspect of metacommunity dynamics, particulary for sessile organisms. Mosses can establish in new patches through fragmentation, with different vegetative structures acting as propagules. Despite the importance of these propagules for successful colonization the specific aspects that favour moss colonization by vegetative propagules remain poorly understood, including the effect of propagule size. We examine the intra- and interspecific variation of establishment and colonization success in culture of propagules of different sizes in six widespread, soil moss species of contrasting growth form (Dicranum scoparium, Homalothecium aureum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Ptychostomum capillare, Syntrichia ruralis and Tortella squarrosa).Methods: We obtained three different size classes of propagules from artificially fragmented vegetative material, and assessed their establishment under controlled light and temperature conditions. We characterize the size, shape, apparent viability, morphological type and size changes due to hydration states of the propagules, all of them traits with potentially significant influence in their dispersal pattern and establishment. Then we assess the effect of these traits on moss establishment, using indicators of surface establishment (number of established shoots and colonized surface) and biomass production (viable biomass) as proxies of colonization success. Results: The establishment indicators related to colonization surface and biomass production differ among species and propagule sizes. The magnitude of the interspecific differences of all indicators of establishment success was larger at the smaller propagule size class. T. squarrosa was the most successful species, and D. scoparium showed the lowest performance. We also found interspecific differences in the hydration dynamics of the propagules.Conclusions: The process of establishment by vegetative fragments operates differently among moss species. Besides, differences between hydration states in propagules of some species could be part of syndromes for both dispersal and establishment. This study unveils several functional traits, such as wet versus dry area and length of fragments, relevant for moss colonization that may improve our understanding of their spatial dynamics.
Nutritional Status and Feeding Practices of Children Aged 0 to 36 Months in Thulamela Municipality, Limpopo Province
Authors: Mugware Anzani , Motadi Selekane Ananias , Mushaphi Lindelani Fhumudzani
Published: March 2022

Background: Poor Infant and young child feeding practices accounts for nutrients deficiency, illness and infections in children that lead to malnutrition at an early age. The objective of this study was to investigate the nutritional status and feeding practices of children aged 0 to 36 months in Thulamela Municipality. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between September and December 2019 in Thulamela Municipality. A total number of 250 mother-child pair were recruited in the study using a convenience sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used to interview mothers. Anthropometric measurements of children were assessed using standard procedure. Anthropometric measurements were calculated using WHO Anthro version 3.2.2. The data obtained were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA) version 26. Results: The mean (± SD) age of children in months was 10.53 (8.39). Exclusive breastfeeding up to six months was practised by only 7.6% of mothers while 87.5% of mothers introduced complementary feeding before the age of six months. The prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight were 9.2%, 2% and 3.6% respectively. About 38.1% of children who received water before six months of age were more likely to be stunted as compared to their counterparts (19.9%) (p=0.001). Children who were given complementary foods one week after birth, the odds of being underweight were 9.00 times as compared to those who were given complementary foods after six months (OR=9.00; 95% CI=1.325 - 61.138).
Influences of Different Ectopic Fermentation Bed Fillers of Human Excreta on the Soil Properties and Growth of Chinese Pakchoi
Authors: Li Jiabin , Liu Xue , Zhu Changxiong , Luo Liangguo , Chen Zhuobo , Jin Shan , Geng Bing
Published: March 2022

The reuse of human excreta as biofertilizer resources offers a new option for meeting the growing demand for food and addressing the scarcity of soil productivity. Feces and black water are two prevalent forms of human excreta, both of which contain potentially harmful substances and therefore need to be treated in an environmentally sound manner by appropriate means. Ectopic fermentation bed systems (EFSs) seem to be a new technique for effective human excreta management and the production of biofertilizers using decomposed fillers. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the nutrient content and fertilizer potential of decomposed fills after treatment of human feces and black water by an EFS under different application conditions. The results showed that the application of an appropriate proportion of fillers was beneficial to promote the growth of pakchoi, improve the yield and quality of pakchoi, and enhance soil fertility. The safe production requirements of agricultural products can be met as long as a reasonable filler application rate is maintained, with human feces fillers controlled within 5% and black water fillers controlled within 10%. The main factors affecting the yield and quality of pakchoi in this study were soil properties, especially soil EC. These findings help to better clarify the agronomic value of human excreta; however, the effects of long-term filler application need to be further explored.
Stimulus Intensity For Measuring Temporal Summation Of Second Pain: The Case-Control Study Of Patients With Chronic Pain And Healthy Individuals
Authors: Daisuke Moriguchi , Shoichi Ishigaki , Xiaoyu Lin , Kotaro Kuyama , Yukiko Koishi , Ryota Takaoka , Peter Svensson , Hirofumi Yatani
Published: March 2022

Background: Central sensitization (CS) of the nociceptive system is linked to a disparity between the perceived pain intensity and the severity of the tissue damage in many chronic pain conditions. Temporal summation of second pain (TSSP) has been suggested as a psychophysical index for CS. However, there is no golden standard for protocols to measure TSSP. The purpose was to establish the stimulus intensity for measuring TSSP to obtain the best assessment of CS in healthy individuals and patients with chronic pain. Methods: Women patients with chronic myofascial temporomandibular disorders pain (n = 16) and healthy women volunteers with no pain (n = 15) participated. First, TSSP response patterns in healthy volunteers with no pain were tested. Second, differences in TSSP between groups were investigated. Pain thresholds (PT °C) were measured, and repetitive heat stimuli at three stimulus intensities (PT °C, PT+1 °C, PT+2 °C) were applied. TSSP parameters were quantified as TSSP magnitude (TSm), TSSP frequency (TSf). Generalized linear mixed-effect models with repetitive stimuli on pain ratings were conducted. Results: In healthy women volunteers, pain ratings significantly decreased at PT ℃ (P < .050), besides TSm and TSf at PT+2 ℃ were significantly higher than those at PT ℃ (P < .025). In chronic pain patients, pain ratings significantly increased at PT+1 ℃ and PT+2 ℃ (P < .050). At PT+2 ℃, TSm and TSf in chronic pain patients were significantly higher than healthy volunteers (P < .050). Conclusion: The stimulus intensity should be individually adjusted to 2 ℃ above the patient’s pain thresholds to assess TSSP clearly.
In Situ Measurements of Elastic Constants In Liquid Crystalline Droplets
Authors: Rudyak Vladimir Yu. , Krakhalev Mikhail N. , Gardymova Anna P. , Abdullaev Abylgazy S. , Alekseev Andrey A. , Zyryanov Victor Ya.
Published: March 2022

In this work, we investigated the behaviour of cholesteric droplets with homeotropic boundary conditions experimentally and by computer simulations. Small droplets forming twisted radial structure were studied. We obtained two different paths of structural transformations under electric field in such droplets. The choice between these paths has probabilistic nature. The ratio between two transition types was found to be sensible to the elastic constants of LC forming the droplet. We suggest the principal approach for in situ estimation of ratios between elastic constants in cholesteric LCs deposited in polymer dispersed LC material and discuss its strong and weak sides.
Association of MMP-9 and TIMP1 Genes Expression With Pro-inflammatory Cytokines in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Akbari Tooran , Fard Toktam Kazemi , Fadaei Reza , Ahmadi Reza , Moradi Nariman , Movahedi Monireh , Tond Sepideh Barzin , yarahmadi sahar , Ghaffari tina , fallah Soudabeh
Published: March 2022

BackgroundCoronary artery disease (CAD) is the main cause of death and is characterized by atherosclerosis in coronary arteries. Since Inflammation play an essential role in progression and development of atherosclerosis, we investigated the effects of interaction MMPs, TIMP and cytokines in the pathogensis of atherosclerosis.Method and resultsThe present study was consisted of 132 Iranian individuals underwent coronary angiography, 65 patients with CAD and 67 controls. The Matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), Interleukin 6 (IL-6) and vitamin D levels were measured by ELISA technique. The genes expression of MMP-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP1) were estimated by Real time PCR assay. A considerable increase in both levels and PBMC gene expression of MMP-9, serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were found in CAD patients compared with controls. While a significant decrease was detected in vitamin D levels of CAD patients in comparison with controls. A considerable direct correlation was found between MMP-9 levels and MMP-9 and TIMP1 genes expression in CAD patients. MMP-9 levels positively correlated with LDL-C and in CAD. Correlation between TIMP1 gene expression and IL-6 levels was also negatively significant. Moreover, there were positive correlations between MMP-9 levels and IL-6 and TNF-α serum levels in CAD patients.ConclusionThis study showed that the interaction between MMPs, TIMP and cytokines could play a role in the pathogensis of atherosclerosis.
Effectiveness of an integrated community, facility and media-based early child development intervention on caregiver knowledge and behavior: A quasi-experimental evaluation of the Malezi program in Tanzania
Authors: Antelman Gretchen , Ferla Josephine , Gill Michelle , Heather Hoffman , Komba Teopista , Abubakar Amina , Remes Pieter , Jahanpour Ola , Mariki Martha , Mang'engya Mary , de Ven Roland van
Published: March 2022

BackgroundThe quality of caregiving and the parent-child relationship is critical for early child development (ECD) and has been shown to be modifiable. This study evaluated an ECD project in Tanzania, assessing the effectiveness of radio messaging (RM) alone and a combined radio messaging/video job aids/ECD (RMV-ECD) intervention.MethodsThis two-arm pre-post evaluation study enrolled a cohort of caregivers of children 0–24 months in four districts of Tabora region, following them for nine months. ECD radio messages were broadcast on popular stations at least 10 times/day reaching all study districts. In two districts, community health workers (CHW) trained in UNICEF’s Care for Child Development package and used ECD videos in home- and facility-based sessions with caregivers. We used pre-post analyses within intervention group to describe intervention effects on five outcomes: ECD knowledge, early stimulation, father engagement, responsive care, and environment safety; and logistic regression to describe the relative benefits of the combined intervention package (RMV-ECD) compared to radio messaging (RM) alone.ResultsIn the RMV-ECD arm, all outcomes at endline except environment safety significantly improved after the intervention with the largest change seen in ECD knowledge (35.8% increase, p < .0001) and the smallest in father engagement (6.7%, p = .015). In the RM arm, ECD knowledge (5.7%, p = .031) and environment safety (18.1%, p = < .0001) improved. In the comparative analysis, three outcomes showed significantly greater change in the RMV-ECD arm compared to the RM arm: ECD knowledge (65.7% vs. 30.0%), early stimulation (49.5% vs. 31.2%) and father engagement (35.4% vs. 23.5%). High measures of parenting stress were associated with lower likelihood of having good ECD knowledge (AOR 0.50, 95%CI: 0.35, 0.71), father engagement (AOR 0.72, 95%CI: 0.52, 0.99) and responsive care (AOR 0.31, 95%CI: 0.18, 0.54).ConclusionsAn intervention that includes mass media, educational video content and CHWs who counsel caregivers in their homes and health facilities was associated with significant improvements in ECD parenting knowledge and behaviors but effect on responsive care could not be established. Mass media alone was associated with improved parenting knowledge and household environment safety. Parenting stress was identified as a factor associated with ECD knowledge, early stimulation, father engagement and responsive care.Trial registrationNCT05244161 at clinicaltrials.gov; retrospectively registered
The combined effect of a novel vaccine for herd immunization on porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus (PRRSV) and porcine parvovirus (PCVs) from Jinzhong-Shanxi of China
Authors: Zheng Longlong , Zhang Li , Zheng Mingxue , Wang Chen , Kang Huixin , Tan Fan
Published: March 2022

PRRSV and porcine circovirus (PCVs), two of the most significant swine diseases that affect the pig industry. NADC30-like or NADC34-like PRRSV and PCV3 has had a strong in China and could cause clinical disease on pigs. Co-infection of PRRSV and PCVs is frequently observed under field conditions and elicits more severe diseases. However, the endemic status of NADC30-like/NADC34-like PRRSV and PCV3/PCV4 in Jinzhong of Shanxi is unclear under the field condition of immune inactivated vaccines or subunit vaccine (Virus-LikeParticles, VLPs). In this study, we examined 120 weaner dead pigs-lung tissue samples collected from a single PRRSV and PCV positive pig farm in Jinzhong-Shanxi from January to November 2021. Six NADC30-like PRRSV and PCV3 strains were discovered in samples, and PRRSV NSP2 and ORF5 genomes & PCV3 Cap genomes of these strains were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that these novel PRRSV and PCV strains belong to NADC30-like PRRSV and PCV3, forming one group in Shanxi, Jinzhong. After NADC30-like PRRSV pregnant sows (African swine fever infection pressure) were immunized with Ch-1a inactivated vaccine for one year, NADC34-like PRRSV was not identified, and NADC30-like PRRSV was still an epidemic strain in the piglet herd. Importantly, PCV2 pregnant sows were immunized with subunit (Cap protein) vaccine for one year, PCV-4 was not detected, and PCV-3 was still an epidemic strain in the piglet herd. Immunization of sows with PRRSV inactivated vaccine and circular VLPs vaccine can reduce viremia and increase the survival rate of piglets, but cannot provide complete virological protection.
Vehicle Speed Prediction Using a Combined Neural Network of Convolution and Gated Recurrent Unit With Attention
Authors: Jiao Xiaohong , Wang Zhennan , Zhang Zhao
Published: March 2022

Vehicle velocity prediction can benefit widespread applications, such as optimal vehicle propulsion systems and advanced driver assistance systems. Dynamic changes in the traffic environment strongly influence vehicle speed prediction, making it hard to predict vehicle speed accurately. In contrast, advances in intelligent transportation systems and machine learning have made it possible to predict short-term vehicle speed accurately. In this regard, this paper presents a novel vehicle speed prediction algorithm using deep learning methodologies. A practical temporal and channel attention module (TCAM) is designed for a feed-forward convolution neural network (CNN) to enhance valuable information and suppress redundant information. At the same time, a gated recurrent unit (GRU) with an attention network is utilized, having the advantages of analyzing significant relationships among time-series data through its memory function. The two prediction algorithms consisting of the CNN embedded in TCAM and the GRU with attention mechanism are fused to improve vehicle speed prediction performance. Simulation experiments using IPG-Carmaker software validate better prediction performance of the proposed model than traditional and existing deep learning prediction methods.
Mechanism of DNA repair gene ERCC1 affecting breast cancer metastasis through NF-κB signaling pathways
Authors: Li Xiabin , Yang Yongxin , Wu Bin , Zheng Haishan , Hao Liyue , Wang Tianxiong , Tao Zhonghua , Tang Yan
Published: March 2022

To explore the role of DNA repair gene ERCC1 in breast cancer metastasis and its signaling pathway.Through prospective cohort studies and cell tests, Western Blot and IHC were used to detect the expression of DNA repair gene ERCC1 and NF-κB signaling pathways related proteins, scratch test and Transwell to detect the ability of migration and invasion. To explore the mechanism of ERCC1 affecting breast cancer metastasis. Population results: There was no significant difference in clinicopathological features between the two groups (P > 0.05). ERCC1 has a positive correlation with breast cancer metastasis(r = 0.543, P < 0.05). And the metastasis-free survival rate of ERCC1 low expression group was higher than that of high expression group(Χ2 = 17.571, P < 0.05). The expression level of p65,p50,TNFα,IKKβ in ERCC1 low expression group was significantly lower than that in ERCC1 high expression group(P < 0.05), IκBα was significantly higher than ERCC1 high expression group(P < 0.05). The analysis of Spearman correlation method shows that ERCC1 expression is positively correlated with the IKKβ(r = 0.481, P < 0.05), IKKβ and IκBα were negatively correlated(r = -0.203, P < 0.05), IκBα and p50 were negatively correlated(r = -0.275, P < 0.05), p50 and p65 were positively correlated(r = 0.386, P < 0.05), positive correlation between p65 and TNFα(r = 0.476, P < 0.05), TNFα is positively associated with breast cancer metastasis(r = 0.281, P < 0.05). Cell tests:At 24 hours, the migration distance of the MCF-7-ERCC1 knockdown group was less than that of the negative control group(P < 0.05). At 48 hours, the migration distance of MCF-7-ERCC1 knockdown group was less than that of blank control group and negative control group(P < 0.05). Compared with the blank control group and the negative control group, the number of cell invasion in the MCF-7-ERCC1 knockdown group decreased significantly (P < 0.001). Compared with the blank control group, the number of cell invasion decreased in the negative control group(P < 0.05). The protein level of p65, p50, TNFα, IKKβ in ERCC1 knockdown group was significantly lower than that in blank control group and negative control group(P < 0.05), IκBα protein levels were significantly higher than those of the blank and negative control groups(P < 0.05). DNA repair gene ERCC1 may affect breast cancer metastasis by regulating NF-κB signaling pathways.
A cross-sectional survey about characteristics of sexual behavior in blind males
Authors: Huang Shaoming , Zhu Shenghuang , Liu Renfu , Xiong Chuanchuan , Liu Lixin , Li Shuangshuang , Liu Shihan , Shu Yuan , Qian Biao , Huang Jiaguo
Published: March 2022

Objective: To improve the quality of sexual life of blind males. Methods: A total of 54 blind males were conducted a face-to-face interview survey and questionnaire by the trained investigators to investigate access to sexual knowledge, understanding of the sexual partners' beauty and sexual arousal in blind males and analyze the factors affecting them. Results: The sound of mobile phones accounted for 51.9% of access to sexual knowledge, peer communication for 48.1%, the sound of television for 35.2%, and radio for 27.8%. The gentle and pleasant voice (64.8%) was most frequent on understanding of the sexual partners' beauty, followed by sexy and stylish figure (55.5%), fine and smooth skin (51.9%) and attractive body fragrance (18.5%). The results on the stimulation of sexual arousal showed that touching sexy and stylish figure for 53.7%, touching delicate and smooth skin for 44.4%, hearing gentle and pleasant sounds accounted for 40.7%, and pleasant mood for 22.2%. Conclusion: The stimulation of sexual arousal in blind males is mainly reflected in sound and touch, and pleasant mood also has a certain impact. And the understanding of the sexual partners' beauty mainly includes hearing, touch and smell. Blind males lack formal and systematic sex education in Ganzhou.
Effectiveness of multi-loop traction device for colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection in trainees: a pilot study
Authors: Jinushi Ryuhei , Tashima Tomoaki , Terada Rie , Miyaguchi Kazuya , Katsuda Hiromune , Ogawa Tomoya , Nakano Yuya , Saito Yoichi , Fujita Akashi , Tanisaka Yuki , Mizuide Masafumi , Mashimo Yumi , Kawasaki Tomonori , Ryozawa Shomei
Published: March 2022

Colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a difficult procedure, and its introduction in trainees have been debated. Although the criteria for starting colorectal ESD vary among institutions, it is often initiated after gaining experience in animal and upper gastrointestinal ESD. This pilot study aimed to compare the treatment outcomes of the trainees using the multi-loop traction device (MLTD group) and the experts’ conventional-ESD (control group), and determine whether MLTD can be used for safe introduction of colorectal ESD in trainees. We included 26 colorectal ESD patients (13 in the MLTD group and 13 in the control group) treated at our hospital from October to December 2021 in the analysis. There were no significant differences in procedure time (50 min vs. 30 min), dissection speed (19.9 mm2/min vs. 28.7 mm2/min,), and intraoperative perforation (0 % vs. 0 %) between the two groups. Furthermore, the proportion of ESD self-completion in the MLTD group was 100%. Thus, MLTD was used for safe introduction of colorectal ESD even among endoscopists with no experience in colorectal ESD. Subsequently, MLTD may replace animal and upper gastrointestinal ESD in the introduction of colorectal ESD in trainees. Further studies using larger sample sizes need to be conducted.
Towards a Carbon-Neutral Environment, the Role of Biomass Energy Consumption and Trade Openness in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Spatial Econometric Analysis
Authors: Kenne Emmanuel Sogbou , Zhang Cheng , Gan Weihua , Abban Olivier , Owusu Emmanuel , Hu Shangui
Published: March 2022

Energy consumption is known as the catalyst for economic growth, however, the association of CO2 emissions with energy consumption has prompted policymakers to pursue types of energy that ensure sustainable development. This paper analyses the spillover effect of CO2 emissions and the marginal effect of Biomass energy consumption on CO2 emissions in Sub-Saharan Africa by applying the extended Stochastic Impacts by Regression on Population, Affluence, and Technology (STIRPAT) model together with the spatial econometric models. The likelihood ratio test and Wald test indicated that the Spatial Durbin Model was the most suitable model to explain the elasticities of the exogenous variables. Furthermore, the Hausman test performed revealed that the fixed-effects model was more adept than the random-effects model. The findings suggested that increasing biomass energy consumption in a local country turns to reduce the country’s own CO2 emissions and also reduces the CO2 emissions of its adjacent countries by 0.089% and 0.022% respectively. Whereas an increment in trade openness in a country pollutes its environment and that of its neighboring states by 0.163% and 0.035% respectively. Comparing the indirect effect of the employed exogenous variables, foreign direct investment exerted a heavier weight impact than the others. Overall the study spotlighted some policies suggestions for the Sub-Saharan Africa states’ energy market in the cause of controlling the emissions of CO2.
The contribution of atmospheric deposition to cadmium and lead accumulation in rice grains
Authors: Zhu Zhen , Xu Zhangqian , Peng Jianwei , Fei Jiangchi , Yu Pengyue , Wang Maodi , Tan Yifan , Huang Ying , Zhran Mostafa , Fahmy Ahmed
Published: March 2022

Purpose Over-accumulation of cadmium and lead in rice grain is a global concern as it has adverse health impacts. Atmospheric deposition is an important source of heavy metal accumulation in soil, but contribution to crops has not been quantified and the mechanisms of foliar Cd and Pb uptake via the stomata of rice leaves exposed to atmospheric fallout are unclear. Methods To quantify the contribution of atmospheric deposition on Cd and Pb accumulation in rice grains, a rice pot experiment with three exposure treatments (T1, all day exposure without geotextile membranes; T2, all day exposure with geotextile membranes; T3, daytime exposure with geotextile membranes; and T4, night exposure with geotextile membranes) using severely (ZZ) and moderately (XT) polluted soils was conducted. Results Cd content in shoots and roots was T1 > T2, T3 > T4 in XT soils, and T1 > T2, T4 > T3 in ZZ soils, while Pb content in both soils was T1 > T2, and T4 > T3. Cd and Pb contents in rice grains showed the same trend. Using the tracer of isotope tracer ratios (114/111Cd, 112/111Cd, and 207/206Pb, 208/206Pb) the contribution of atmospheric deposition to rice grains was quantified as 63.55% and 18.01% for Cd, and 27.69% and 41.13% for Pb in XT and ZZ soils, respectively. Conclusions Foliar uptake atmospheric deposition had substantial effect on Cd and Pb accumulation in rice grains and the control of heavy metal foliar uptake should be paid more attention in to maintain rice safety production.
The Interaction of Pedobiodiversity with Biotic and Abiotic Environment in Floodplain Forests of Serbia
Authors: Horák Jakub , Markovic Cedomir , Dobrosavljevic Jovan , Rada Patrik , Mladenovic Strahinja , Kohutka Alexander , Peltanová Alena , Pech Pavel , Drabek Ondrej , Tejnecky Vaclav
Published: March 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Biological Validation of the Free Software RhizoVision Explorer to Determine Root Parameters in Horticultural Crops
Authors: Perez Guillermo Ignacio , Stoffel María Micaela , Baroni Claudio Javier , Maina María Eugenia , Daurelio Lucas Damián , Muñoz Fernando Felipe
Published: March 2022

Aims
The objectives of this work were to compare the degree of fit between WinRhizo (WR) and RhizoVision Explorer (RVE), and validated the utility of RVE in biological assays.
Methods
Seedlings of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. Grand rapid), broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica Plenck H. Belstar) and bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L. H. Floridor) were irrigated with different concentrations of sodium selenate and sodium selenite. Scanned images of the roots were obtained and analyzed with WR and RVE.
Results
Results showed that mean bias error (MBE) values for total root length and average diameter of roots indicate an overestimation of RVE with respect to WR, while the opposite is true for the number of root tips. In bell pepper, the highest values of the root mean square error (RSME) were observed with respect to the other two crops. Furthermore, there were significant differences (P < .0001) between the values measured by RVE and WR for the 3 crops. For most of the crops and parameters evaluated there was a high linear regression coefficient between the programs. Similarly, linear correlation coefficient was high in all three crops for most of the root diameter classes evaluated. The two programs allowed finding similar significant differences for the selenium treatments.
Conclusions
RVE allowed to contrast and analyze the biological effect of different types of treatments on the roots.
The Morphological And Molecular Variability Of Sporisorium Scitamineum Isolates In Eswatini
Authors: Nkhabindze Bongani Zipho , Earnshaw Diana , Wanyika Harrison , Ateka Elijah
Published: March 2022

Background: Sugarcane smut, caused by Sporisorium scitamineum, is a disease of economic importance in the sugarcane industry, occasioning losses of up to 50%. Current management practices have been shown to be ineffective in controlling the fungal disease and hence the understanding of the local pathogen and development of appropriate control measures is required. This study investigates the morphology, development patterns and molecular variability of Sporisorium scitamineum isolates in Eswatini to understand its pathogenicity for effective control.Results: Fungal isolates were collected along the Sugarbelt in Lowveld of Eswatini. The isolates were verified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the bE 4 and bE 8 specific primers with an amplification of a 420bp fragment; this was further verified by the sequencing results. The teliospores from the isolates were uniform for the brown colour, spiny texture and circular shape. The teliospore sizes were significantly (P=0.05) different among the isolates. The isolate from Big-Bend had a mean diameter of 5.55µm, while Simunye, Nsoko and Mhlume had average diameters of 4.69µm, 4.98µm and 4.87µm, respectively. The documentation of the developmental stages revealed that the samples were of variable virulence with significantly (P=0.05) different rates of promycelium development. Genetic distance matrix analysis and the cluster analysis showed a high homology (99-100%) among the local isolates.Conclusion: There is very low variability in the strains that are found in the selected sugarcane growing areas in Eswatini. Local isolates may possess varying virulence levels, but may not require variable management strategies.
How Many Amps, Watts and Joules Are Converted Into the Physical Quantity of Memory?
Authors: Neto Arnaldo Pinto Guedes de Paiva
Published: March 2022

Hodgkin and Huxley mathematically expressed the sodium, potassium and chlorine conductances, considering the level of inactivation and gating particles of these ions channels. The article reviews the work of Benjamin Libet (1978) and becomes possible to approach the term “memory” as a physical quantity. Restructuring aspects evaluated by Penfield (1958), graphs were constructed referring to the values ​​in scientific notation of the results of the described experiments. From the graphs, it becomes possible to develop a new area of physics that considers mental phenomena. The purpose of the paper is to calculate the memory in amperes, watts and joules. Higher pulse frequency tends to generate more work and less residual or dissipated energy, unless the pulse frequency reaches the latency period of the sensitive receptor. One of the expressions used in the literature to model such interaction is the so-called “postsynaptic current”.
Pleomorphic adenoma with extensive mucinous metaplasia mimicking mucoepidermoid carcinoma
Authors: SERCAN ÇİĞDEM , BOZDOĞAN ÖNDER , GÜNHAN ÖMER
Published: March 2022

Background:Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is the most common benign tumor of the salivary glands. Histologically it is characterized by presenting epithelial as well as mesenchymal elements and may contain various metaplastic changes. Case presentation: In this article, a case of PA with extensive mucinous metaplasia and histologically very similar to mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is presented. Discussion and Conclusions:Pleomorphic adenoma with extensive mucinous and squamous differentiation can potentially be misdiagnosed as MEC. Immunohistochemistry was not effective in the differential diagnosis and the diagnosis was confirmed by the absence of MAML2 translocation.
The Politics of COVID-19: Differences Between Blue, Purple, and Red States in COVID-19 Cases, Deaths, and Regulations
Authors: Guess C. Dominik , Boyd Lauren , Perniciaro Kelly , Tuason Ma. Teresa
Published: March 2022

Confining and controlling infectious diseases, currently COVID-19, is a challenging task for politicians around the world. Since not much has been known about the virus initially, political decisions had to be made under uncertainty. Thus, worldviews and beliefs of politicians heavily influenced political decisions. The current study investigated political decisions in 2020 and 2021 and their influence on COVID-19 deaths in the 50 states of the United States, with a particular focus on comparing red (Republican) and blue (Democrat) states. Results showed overall more regulations in blue states and fewer COVID-19 related deaths in blue states compared to red states.