bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preschool Teachers’ Psychological Distress and Work Engagement During COVID -19 Outbreak: The Protective Role of Mindfulness and Emotion Regulation
Authors: Keleynikov Mor , Benatov Joy , Berger Rony
Published: December 2021

The COVID-19 has dramatically affected mental health and work environment of many labor sectors, including the educational sector. Our primary aim was to investigate preschool teachers’ psychological distress and work engagement during the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak, while examining the possible protective role of participating in mindfulness-based intervention (C2C-IT) and emotion regulation. Emotional distress, work engagement and COVID-19 concerns’ prevalence were evaluated among 165 preschool teachers in the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak in Israel, using self-report questionnaires. Findings show that preschool teachers have experienced increased emotional distress. Teachers who had participated in the C2C-IT intervention six month before the pandemic outbreak (N=41) reported lower emotional distress, higher use of adaptive emotion regulation strategies and higher work engagement, compared to their counterparts that had not participated in the mindfulness training (N = 124). Emotion regulation strategies mediated the link between participating in the CTC-IT intervention and emotional distress and work engagement. Teaching is a highly demanding occupation, especially during a pandemic, therefore it is important to invest resources in empowering this population. According to the findings of the current study, implementation of mindfulness-based intervention during the school year, may benefit teachers’ well-being, even during stressful events such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Experimental Study and Improving the Productivity of Assembly line Balancing in Teleja Garment Manufacturing in Ethiopia
Authors: Gelaw Yohannes Admassu
Published: December 2021

This study is designed to assess and improve apparel sewing section efficiency and productivity throughout line balancing. Apparel industry is one of the oldest and among the most global industry, being primarily concerned with the design and production of cloth and their supply. The central process in apparel manufacturing is the joining together of components which is known as the sewing process , which is the most labour intensive type of manufacturing process .Proper utilization of resources in garment sewing section is more critical to enhance the performance of the apparel industry by reducing production cost and minimizing wastage. For effective utilization of resources in the sewing section, good line balancing is important to increase productivity and production efficiency. This research was a design to analyse and improve the assembling line in the case of Telaje garment manufacturing and sales plc. The study was first conduct observations in the production floor and start work with the selection of sewing line in the garment production process. Among the nine lines of the factory select one on the production floor and one garment ordered product known as five pocket men’s jeans trousers are selected. For this study, both qualitative and quantitative research approaches were employed. Both primary and secondary data sources are used to detail the collected relevant data to understand the current efficiency scenario of the factory. The main challenges to minimizing line efficiency and productivity with the expected performance measurement are improper utilization of resources and improper implementation of line balancing in sewing section, therefore this thesis work shows that the bottleneck process and consequence solution will be searched, and finally significantly improving the productivity by 418 unit products/ day and, hence the efficiency will increase from 28.83% to 50.04% of the line
Delta-Aminolevulinic Acid Dehydratase Enzyme Activity and Susceptibility to Lead Toxicity in Uganda’s Urban Children
Authors: Mukisa Ambrose , Kasozi Denis M , Aguttu Claire , Kyambadde Joseph
Published: December 2021

Rapid industrialization, urbanization, and population explosion in sub-Saharan Africa escalate environmental Lead levels with subsequent elevation of blood Lead levels in children. Nutrition status, age, and genetics govern one’s susceptibility to Lead toxicity. This study expounded this susceptibility by relating blood Lead levels, d-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase enzyme activity (ALAD), and genetic variations of proteins that code for ALAD enzyme in urban children of Uganda. Spectrophotometric analysis for blood Lead (BL), hemoglobin levels, and determination d-levels aminolevulinic acid dehydratase enzyme activity of the blood samples from 198 children were performed prior to a polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length digestion for ALAD polymorphism was done. Up to 99.5% of samples coded for the ALAD1 allele whereas 0.05% coded for ALAD2. Genotypes ALAD2-2 members had elevated BLL (mean 14.1 µg/dL) and reduced ALAD enzyme activity compared to others. This, therefore, implies that the majority of children hoard BL which may affect them later in life.
Potential Existence of Heavy Metal Pollution and Pesticide in Honey-Based Products
Authors: Abd Wahid Dg Nooralizan , Wan Mohamad Nazarie Wan Fahmi , Jawan Roslina , Abdulla Rahmath , Gansau Jualang Azlan , Sabullah Mohd Khalizan
Published: December 2021

Over the centuries, honey is known for its superior usage in culinary, and for its rich nutrition and therapeutic values which are scientifically proven in the medical field. The chemical composition of honey varies depending on its botanical sources and environment. Therefore, the nutrition content in honey is highly likely to be affected by contaminants, such as heavy metals and pesticides. To ensure the quality of honey, parameters such as the heavy metal content should be within the safe range of total standard mineral and trace elements as defined by the International Food Standard (Codex Alimentarius), and pesticides should not be present at all. The high concentration of heavy metal and pesticides not only deteriorates the quality and quantity of honey, but also causes harm to the bee colony itself. In the agriculture sector, the excessive usage of pesticides and fertilizer negatively impacts the overall honey production process. Bees, a pollinating agent, bring the polluted nectar back to their beehives, eventually contaminating the honey and depreciating its value. Hence, this article will comprehensively review the activities that contribute to heavy metal and pesticide contamination, the interactions of bees as a pollinating agent, the impact of the pollutant to the colonies, and subsequently to the honey production.
THE INFLUENCE OF SINGLY CHARGED IONS ON THE TRANSLATIONAL MOTION OF MOLECULES IN EXTREMELY DILUTE AMIDE SOLUTIONS
Authors: Bulavin Viktor , V’unik Ivan , Kramarenko Andrii , Rusinov Alexandr
Published: December 2021

The type of short range solvation of Li+, Na+ K+, Rb+, Cs+, NH4+, Cl– , Br–, I–, ClO4– ions has been determined and analyzed in formamide (FA), N-methylformamide (MFA), N-dimethylformamide (DMF) at 298.15 K. In order to determine the type of ion solvation we used familiar-variable quantitative parameter (– ri), where  is the translational displacement length of ion, ri is its structural radius. It was found that the difference (– ri) is equal to the coefficient of attraction friction (CAF) of ions normalized to the solvent viscosity and hydrodynamic coefficient. The sign of the CAF is determined by the sign of the algebraic sum of its ion-molecular and intermolecular components. In amide solutions the studied cations are cosmotropes (positively solvated ((– ri) > 0), structure-making ions) and anions are chaotropes (negatively solvated ((– ri) < 0 ), structure-breaking ions). In the amide series, regardless of the sign (– ri), the near-solvation enhances, which can be explained by the weakening of the specific interaction between the solvent molecules. The decrease of  and respectively (– ri)  with increasing cation radius in a given solvent is the result of weakening of its coordinating force due to the decrease of charge density in the series Li+–Na+–K+–Rb+–Cs+. The increase of  (and (– ri), correspondingly) for the ions studied in the series FA- MFA-DMF can be explained by the weakening of intermolecular interactions in this series, which leads to the strengthening of solvation. It was found that for the halide ions in the series FA-MFA-DMF the regular growth of  parameter is explained by the weakening of the solvent structure. It was shown that Li+ ion with the lowest diffusion coefficient among cations and the highest  value forms kinetically stable complexes in amide solutions.
TREATMENT GOALS AND MANAGEMENT OF DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS (DKA); TIMELY ACTION NEEDED FOR DKA
Authors:   Sulaiman S.A.A., Usman Miyan Atif
Published: December 2021

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is an acute, well recognized and well studied complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). Its main characteristics are hyperglycemia, ketosis, acidosis and dehydration in case of profound insulin deficiency in diabetics. Earlier it was known to be a complication of patients with type I diabetes but now it occurs predominantly in type II diabetics.
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ASPIRIN WITH REGARD TO THE AGE OF THE PERSONS SUFFERING FROM CORONARY HEART DISEASE.
Authors:   Robert Naylor, Naylor Ian
Published: December 2021

The present invention is related to the effectiveness of aspirin with age of person suffering from coronary heart disease. One of major cause which was observed in selected groups of patients was smoking. The age group distribution with persons who were selected for aspirin treatment who were actually has coronary heart diseases.
THE DOMESTICATED DONKEY: III -ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE, UNCOMMON USAGES, REPRODUCTION TRAITS, GENETICS, NUTRITION AND HEALTH CARE.
Authors:   Saim Boztepe, YÄ±lmaz Orhan
Published: December 2021

Donkeys are odd-toed, short-legged and long ears Equidae. Donkeys are used as traction animals in rural areas for small-scale farmers. They are an important farm animal species which adapted to the different environments, hard conditions and harsh climates
GAMMA RAYS MUTAGENESIS OF ASPERGILLUS NIGER FOR HYPERPRODUCTION OF MUTAROTASE
Authors:   Khalilur Rehman, Mazhar Modasarah
Published: December 2021

Aspergillus niger was subjected to gamma rays mutagenesis at different dose rates (40 to 120 k.Rads). The mutant strains of Aspergillus niger were isolated and selected by random screening method. The selected mutant derived strains were compared with parent type of Aspergillus niger for enhanced production potential of mutarotase. A mutant strain of Aspergillus niger with maximum production potential of mutarotase was finally selected.
HODGKIN'S LYMPHOMA THERAPY OF A FEMALE IN HOSPITAL OF ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN; A CASE REPORT
Authors: Tamsil Bazgha
Published: December 2021

Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) is most curable form of cancer. HL accounts for 10% of lymphoma. The etiology of it remains unrevealed for a long time, now the outlook for HL has improved over the past 30 years.
EFFECTIVENESS OF ELECTRICAL STIMULATION (EMS), THERAPEUTIC ULTRASOUND, THERAPEUTIC EXERCISES AND SOFT TISSUE MOBILIZATION IN WHIPLASH INJURIES; A CASE REPORT
Authors:   Khan M.S.G., Khan Asghar
Published: December 2021

The purpose of the study was to determine the effectiveness of combined physical therapy Intervention in the treatment of whiplash-associated disorders. A case was selected from an outpatient clinic for a 31-year-old male with whiplash injuries due to an auto accident. The outcome measures were pain (0-10 pain scale), disability (disability index) and quality of life including social life activities
A VERY RARE GENETIC DISEASE LAURENCE MOON BARDET BEIDLE SYNDROME AND SUBSTANDARD PHARMACEUTICAL CARE PROVISION TO THE PATIENT AND IMPROPER THERAPY AND MONITORING; A CASE REPORT
Authors: Aslam Butt Huma
Published: December 2021

The Laurence moon Bardet Biedl syndrome is a very rare genetic disorder in which the recessive trait of gene is defected and yet need to be exploited for the purpose to provide better pharmaceutical care to such patients.
Nanostructural mechanisms of physicochemical reactions
Authors: Stetsenko V. Yu. , Stetsenko A. V.
Published: December 2021

It is generally accepted that physicochemical reactions are mainly molecular atomic. It was shown that liquid water consists of 12 % molecules and 88 % of ice nanocrystals. When melting, microcrystals of substances break down into nanocrystals and molecules or into nanocrystals and atoms. During the crystallization of liquids, the reverse process occurs. Based on the above physicochemical reactions, it is shown that nanostructural mechanisms prevail in their basis.
Technology Focus: Hydraulic Fracturing Modeling (November 2021)
Authors: Yangfi Junjie
Published: December 2021

In the past decades, the success of unconventional hydrocarbon resource development can be attributed primarily to the improved understanding of fracture systems, including both hydraulically induced fractures and natural fracture networks. To tackle the fracture characterization problem, several recent papers have provided novel insights into fracture modeling technique.

Because of the complex nature and heterogeneity of rock discontinuity, fabric, and texture, the fracture-modeling process typically suffers from limited data availability. Research shows that modeling results reached without interrogation of high-resolution petrophysical and geomechanical data can mislead because the fluid flow is actually controlled by fine-scale rock properties. A more-reliable fracture geometry can be obtained from an enhanced modeling process that preserves the signature from high-frequency data.

Advanced techniques to model fracturing processes with proppant transportation and thermodynamics require even more-sophisticated simulation and computation power. When the subsurface is too puzzling to be described by a physical model and existing data, machine learning and artificial intelligence can be adapted as a practical alternative to interpret complex fracture systems. Taking a discrete fracture network (DFN) as an example, a data-driven approach has been introduced to learn from outcrop, borehole imaging, core computed tomography scan, and seismic data to recognize stratigraphic bedding, faults, subseismic fractures, and hydraulic fractures. Input data can be collected by hand, 3D stereophotogrammetry, or drone.

When upscaling DFN into a coarse grid for reservoir simulation, deep-learning techniques such as convolutional neuron networks can be used to populate fracture properties into a dual-porosity/dual-permeability model approved to yield high accuracy compared with a fine-grid model. Furthermore, the new techniques greatly extend the application of fracture modeling in the arena of the energy transition, such as in geothermal optimization.

Recommended additional reading at OnePetro: www.onepetro.org.

SPE 203927 - Numerical Simulation of Proppant Transport in Hydraulically Fractured Reservoirs by Seyhan Emre Gorucu, Computer Modelling Group, et al.

SPE 202679 - Deep-Learning Approach To Predict Rheological Behavior of Supercritical CO2 Foam Fracturing Fluid Under Different Operating Conditions by Shehzad Ahmed, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, et al.

SPE 203983 - A 3D Coupled Thermal/Hydraulic/Mechanical Model Using EDFM and XFEM for Hydraulic-Fracture-Dominated Geothermal Reservoirs by Xiangyu Yu, Colorado School of Mines, et al.
Human-wildlife conflict and community perceptions towards wildlife conservation in and around Wof-Washa Natural State Forest, Ethiopia: a case study of human grivet monkey conflict
Authors: Yazezew Dereje
Published: December 2021

Background: Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) is predicted to increase globally in the vicinity of protected areas and occurs in several different contexts and involves a range of animal taxonomic groups whose needs and requirements overlap with humans. Human-monkey conflict exists in different forms more in developing countries and ranks amongst the main threats to biodiversity conservation. Grivet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops aethiops) are any slender agile Old-World monkeys of the genus Cercopithecus. This study was conducted to investigate the status of human grivet monkey conflict and the attitude of local communities towards grivet monkey conservation in and around Wof-Washa Natural State Forest (WWNSF), Ethiopia from September 2017 to May 2018. Questionnaire survey (143) was used to study the human-grivet monkey conflict and its conservation status. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the responses were compared using a nonparametric Pearson chi-square test. Results: Majority of respondents from both gender (male= 67.1%; female= 74.1%) were not supporting grivet monkey conservation due to its troublesome crop damaging effect. There was significant difference in respondents perceptions towards grivet monkey conservation based on distance of farmland from the forest (χ2= 12.7, df =4, P = 0.013). There was no significant difference in the techniques used by villagers to deter crop raiders (χ2= 14.73, df =15, P = 0.47). There was significant difference in respondents expectations on the mitigation measures to be taken by government (χ2= 40.01, df =15, P = 0.000). Based on the questionnaire result, 42.5 ± SD 8.68 of respondents in all villages elucidated that the causes of crop damage was habitat degradations.Conclusion: The encroachment of local communities in to the forest area and exploitation of resources that would be used by grivet monkey and enhanced crop damage by grivet monkey exacerbated the HGMC in the study area. As a result grivet monkeys have been killed relentlessly as a consequence of crop damage. This was due to negative energy developed in human perspective. Thus, awareness creation education program and feasible crop damage prevention techniques need to be implemented.
Detection of Emerging Ibrutinib Resistance by Flow Cytometry in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Authors: Takács Ferenc , Kotmayer Lili , Czeti Ágnes , Szalóki Gábor , Tamás László , Mikala Gábor , Márk Ágnes , Masszi András , Farkas Péter , Plander Márk , Weisinger Júlia , Demeter Judit , Fekete Sándor , Szerafin László , Deák Beáta Margit , Szaleczki Erika , Sulák Adrienn , Borbényi Zita , Barna Gabor
Published: December 2021

Purpose: Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor ibrutinib has revolutionized the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Although ibrutinib is a highly effective drug, during the treatment acquired ibrutinib resistance may occur and its early detection is an important issue. Our aim was to investigate several phenotypic markers on CLL cells to reveal changes in their expression during ibrutinib treatment.Methods: In our study 28 (treatment naive, ibrutinib sensitive, clinically ibrutinib resistant) peripheral blood (PB), and 6 paired PB and bone marrow (BM) samples were examined. The expression of several surface markers (CD69, CD184, CD86, CD185, CD27) was assessed by flow cytometry in each sample. Furthermore, the presence of the BTKC481S resistance mutation was tested using digital droplet PCR. In addition, we investigated the changes of the phenotype of CLL cells during ibrutinib treatment in one patient with acquired ibrutinib resistance.Results: The expression of CD27 decreased during ibrutinib therapy but increased again at the onset of clinical resistance. Expressions of CD69 and CD86 were also elevated at the onset of clinical ibrutinib resistance. The expression of CD86 showed correlation between PB and BM samples. Relapsed cases with high CD86 expression were positive for BTKC481S mutation. Our prospective study showed that the increases in the expression of CD27, CD69 and CD86 were detectable up to several months before the onset of clinical resistance.Conclusion: Our research suggests that the flow cytometric measurements of certain markers, especially CD86, may predict development of ibrutinib resistance, however, confirmatory experiments are still required.
Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance in Chromium(VI) Reduction and Dye Degradation using Sn3O4/SnS2 Nanocomposite and Mechanism Insight
Authors: Kumar Gandharve , Dutta Rajkumar
Published: December 2021

Detection of residual organic and inorganic species in water bodies including drinking water has led to developing strategies for their removal. Here we report a very efficient method of photoreduction of Cr (VI) and photodegradation of methylene blue dye in aqueous medium using Z-scheme heterojunction based Sn3O4/SnS2 solar photocatalyst. The photocatalyst is synthesized by hydrothermal route and it is thoroughly characterized in terms of its structural, compositional, morphological and optical properties. About 100 % of Cr (VI) reduction in 60 min and 99.6 % of methylene blue degradation in 90 min is achieve under sunlight exposure at a photocatalytic rate of 0.066 min-1 and 0.043 min-1, respectively. The total organic carbon estimation of the post-degradation reaction medium corresponded to 85.1 % (MB) mineralization. The photocatalytic degradation is attributed to in-situ generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) e.g., superoxide radicals, hydroxide radicals, and the role of ROS towards reduction and degradation of Cr (VI) and MB respectively, is confirmed from ROS scavenging studies. The dye degradation mechanism has been discussed by analyzing the degradation products via UPLC-Q-Tof-MS. The photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue by Sn3O4/SnS2 nanocomposites is significantly enhanced as compared to SnS2 photocatalyst, attributed to Z-scheme heterojunction and the charge carrier mobility.
Cross-Border Malaria Drivers and Risk Factors on the Brazil-Venezuela Border Between 2016 and 2018
Authors: Wangdi Kinley , Wetzler Erica , Marchesini Paola , Villegas Leopoldo , Canavati Sara
Published: December 2021

Background Globally, cross-border importation of malaria has become a challenge to malaria elimination. The border areas between Brazil and Venezuela have experienced high numbers of imported cases due to increased population movement and migration out of Venezuela. This study aimed to identify risk factors for imported malaria and delineate imported malaria hotspots in Roraima, Brazil and Bolivar, Venezuela between 2016 and 2018.MethodsData on malaria surveillance cases from Roraima, Brazil and Bolivar, Venezuela from 2016 to 2018 were obtained from national surveillance systems: the Brazilian Malaria Epidemiology Surveillance Information System (SIVEP-Malaria), the Venezuelan Ministry of Health and other non-government organizations. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify the risk factors for imported malaria. Spatial autocorrelation in malaria incidence was explored using Getis-Ord (Gi*) statistics.ResultsDuring the study period, there were 11,270 (24.3%) and 4,072 (0.7%) imported malaria cases in Roraima, Brazil and Bolivar, Venezuela, respectively. In the multivariable logistic regression for Roraima, men were 28% less likely to be an imported case compared to women (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]= 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.665, 0.781). Ages 20-29 and 30-39 were 90% (AOR=1.90; 95% CI 1.649, 2.181) and 54% (AOR=1.54; 95% CI 1.331, 1.782) more likely to be an imported case compared to the 0-9 year age group, respectively. Imported cases were 197 times (AOR=197.03; 95% CI 175.094, 221.712) more likely to occur in miners than those working in agriculture and domestic work. In Bolivar, cases aged 10-19 (AOR=1.75; 95% CI 1.389, 2.192), 20-29 (AOR=2.48; 95% CI 1.957, 3.144), and 30-39 (AOR=2.29; 95% CI 1.803, 2.913) were at higher risk of being an imported case than those in the 0-9 year old group, with older age groups having a slightly higher risk compared to Roraima. Compared to agriculture and domestic workers, tourism, timber and fishing workers (AOR=6.38; 95% CI 4.393, 9.254) and miners (AOR=7.03; 95% CI 4.903, 10.092) were between six and seven times more likely to be an imported case. Spatial analysis showed the risk was higher along the international border in the municipalities of Roraima, Brazil.ConclusionTo achieve malaria elimination, cross-border populations in the hotspot municipalities will need targeted intervention strategies tailored to occupation, age and mobility status. Furthermore, all stakeholders, including implementers, policymakers, and donors, should support and explore the introduction of novel approaches to address these hard-to-reach populations with the most cost-effective interventions.
Cellulase Production by Penicillium Oxalicum Ti-11 with Traditional Chinese Medicine Residue as Substrate
Authors: zeng xiaoxi , zhang yuanke , Chen lulu , Ran song , Zhang cheng , Ma liang
Published: December 2021

PurposeThe study aims to search for efficient cellulase producer and explore the possibility of traditional Chinese medicine residue as a substrate for cellulase production, so as to realize the waste utilization of traditional Chinese medicine residue.MethodsThe cellulase-producing strain was identified through morphological and molecular biological methods. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to characterize the structure of traditional Chinese medicine residues before and after fermentation. The enzyme activity was determined by DNS method, and the enzyme production conditions were optimized by single factor and response surface methodology.ResultThe strain grew well in forsythia leaf residue, and the highest FPA could reach 2.06 IU/mL. In addition, the structural characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine residue that before and after enzymatic hydrolysis were characterized by SEM and FTIR. The results showed that the structure of the residue was destroyed after enzymatic hydrolysis, the damage of forsythia leaf residue was the most serious, and enzymatic hydrolysis promoted the dissolution of cellulose, lignin and hemicellulose. The enzyme production conditions of the strain were optimized by Plackett-Burman design and response surface analysis. The FPA could reach 2.79 IU/mL under the optimal conditions of FLR concentration 24.84 g/L, (NH4)2SO4 concentration 2 g/L, temperature 34.44℃, pH 6.20, rotational speed 200rpm, inoculum 6%, which was 35.44% higher than that before optimization.Conclusions﻿The results showed that traditional Chinese medicine residue could be used as the induced substrate for fungal cellulase production. This study provides an idea for the low-cost production of fungal cellulase and the waste utilization of traditional Chinese medicine residue.
Genome sequence of Corynebacterium Amycolatum ICIS 99 Isolated From Human Vagina Reveals Safety and Beneficial Properties
Authors: Gladysheva Irina , Khlopko Yuriy , Kataev Vladimir , Cherkasov Sergey
Published: December 2021

Corynebacterium amycolatum ICIS 99 was isolated from vaginal smears of healthy women and showed promising results in antimicrobial screenings. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of this strain and analyze its main features to assess its safety and useful properties. The genome is 2,532,503 bp long and contains 2,186 CDSs with an average G+C content of 59.0%. Analyses of the ICIS 99 genome revealed the absence of true virulence genes. The genome contains genes involved in the synthesis of secondary metabolites and bacteriocins of the class sactipeptide. In the genome of ICIS 99, we identified a large number of genes responsible for adaptation and survival in the vaginal environment, including acid and oxidative stress resistance genes. The genomic information of ICIS 99 provides a basis for understanding the safety and useful properties of ICIS 99 and for considering it as a potential probiotic strain. However, further research is needed to test its probiotic efficacy in vivo. The whole genome shotgun project has been deposited at DDBJ/ENA/GenBank under the accession number JAIUSU000000000.
Improving the Red-Black tree delete algorithm
Authors: Eddine ZEGOUR Djamel
Published: December 2021

Today, Red-Black trees are becoming a popular data structure typically used to implement dictionaries, associative arrays, symbol tables within some compilers (C++, Java …) and many other systems. In this paper, we present an improvement of the delete algorithm of this kind of binary search tree. The proposed algorithm is very promising since it colors differently the tree while reducing color changes by a factor of about 29%. Moreover, the maintenance operations re-establishing Red-Black tree balance properties are reduced by a factor of about 11%. As a consequence, the proposed algorithm saves about 4% on running time when insert and delete operations are used together while conserving search performance of the standard algorithm.
Identification of a Hypoxia-Related LncRNA Signature for the Prognosis of Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Huang Hua , Gu Mingjia , Xu Shanshan , Li Youran , Gu Yunfei , Ji Lijiang
Published: December 2021

Background:Colorectal cancer (CRC), the commonly seen malignancy, ranks 3rd place among the causes of cancer-associated mortality. As suggested by more and more studies, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs)have been considered as prognostic biomarkers for CRC. But the significance of hypoxic lncRNAs in predicting CRC prognosis remains unclear.Methods:The gene expressed profiles for CRC cases were obtained based on the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and applied to estimate the hypoxia score using a single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) algorithm. Overall survival (OS) of the high- and low-hypoxia score group was analyzed by the Kaplan–Meier (KM) plot. To identify differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs) between two hypoxia score groups, this study carried out differential expression analysis, and then further integrated with the DELs between controls and CRC patients to generate the hypoxia-related lncRNAs for CRC. Besides, prognostic lncRNAs were screened by the univariate Cox regression, which was later utilized for constructing the prognosis nomogram for CRC by adopting the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm. In addition, both accuracy and specificity of the constructed prognostic signature were detected through the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Moreover, our constructed prognosis signature also was validated in the internal testing test. This study operated gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) for exploring potential biological functions associated with the prognostic signature. Finally, the ceRNA network of the prognostic lncRNAs was constructed.Results:Among 2299 hypoxia-related lncRNAs of CRC in total, LINC00327, LINC00163, LINC00174, SYNPR-AS1, and MIR31HG were identified as prognostic lncRNAs by the univariate Cox regression and adopted for constructing the prognosis signature for CRC. ROC analysis showed the predictive power and accuracy of the prognostic signature. Additionally, the GSEA revealed that ECM-receptor interaction, PI3K-Akt pathway, phagosome, and Hippo pathway were mostly associated with the high-risk group. 352 miRNAs-mRNAs pairs and 177 lncRNAs-miRNAs were predicted.Conclusion:To conclude, we identified 5 hypoxia-related lncRNAs to establish an accurate prognostic signature for CRC, providing important prognostic markers and therapeutic targets.
Relative Contribution of Amyloid-β Plaque Associated and Plaque Distant Microglia to Alzheimer’S Disease (AD) Progression
Authors: Hemonnot-Girard Anne-Laure , Meersseman Cédric , Pastore Manuela , Linck Nathalie , Rey Catherine , Lachuer Joël , Reynes Christelle , Rassendren François , Hélène Hirbec
Published: December 2021

Background: Research in recent years firmly established that microglial cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In parallel, a series of studies showed that, under both homeostatic and pathological conditions, microglia are a heterogeneous cell population. In AD, amyloid-b (Ab) plaque-associated microglia (PAM) display a clearly distinct phenotype compared to plaque-distant microglia (PCM), suggesting that these two microglia subtypes likely differently contribute to disease progression. So far, molecular characterization of PAM was performed indirectly using scRNA-seq approaches or based on markers that are supposedly up-regulated in this microglia subpopulation.Methods: In this study, we combined cell-specific laser capture and RNA-seq analysis to investigate, without preconceived notions of the molecular and/or functional changes that would affect these cells, the functional role of both plaque-associated and plaque-distant microglia. Results: First, we established that this approach allows selective isolation of microglia, while preserving spatial information and preventing transcriptome changes induced by classical purification approaches. Then, we identified, in PAM and PCM subpopulations, networks of co-deregulated genes and analyzed their potential functional roles in AD. Finally, we investigated the dynamics of microglia transcriptomic remodeling at early, intermediate and late stages of the disease. Conclusions: Our comprehensive study demonstrates that the proximity of microglia to Ab-plaques dramatically alters the microglial transcriptome and reveals that these changes can have both positive and negative impacts on the surrounding cells. These opposing effects may be driven by local microglia heterogeneity also demonstrated by this study. Our results also suggest that Ab plaque-associated microglia undergo exhaustion in the later stage of the disease. Our approach leads to molecularly define the overlooked plaque-distant microglia. We show that plaque-distant microglia are not bystanders of the disease, although the transcriptomic changes are far less striking compared to what is observed in plaque-associated microglia. In particular, our results suggest they are involved in Ab oligomer detection and in Ab-plaque initiation, with increased contribution as the disease progresses.
The Characterization of Amorphous AZO-n/Si-p Hetrojunction Diode for Solar Cell Application
Authors: Hosseini Soghra , Dejam Laya , Elahi Hossain
Published: December 2021

The aim of the present study is to verify the effect of annealing temperature variation on zinc oxide doped with aluminum (AZO) thin films deposited on p-type silicon (Si) substrates. Here, AZO/p-Si heterojunction was annealed in nitrogen environment and its structural, electrical, and optical characterizations were investigated. The results of XRD patterns showed the amorphous structure of AZO thin films. FE-SEM images illustrated the increase of grain size by increasing annealing temperature up to 500oC. The reflectance analysis showed that for this annealing temperature, that the energy band gap of AZO thin film was moved to higher energy level. The electrical properties were investigated by I–V measurement carried out in the light at room temperatures. The short circuit current (ISC), ideality factor, saturation current, and open circuit voltage (VOC) of the AZO/p-Si heterojunction strongly depended on annealing conditions due to charge carrier trapping and density of defect on interface. By considering IR and IF as reverse and forward current, the ration of IF/IR had the maximum value at 1 V which was belonged to n-AZO/p-Si heterojunction at 500oC annealing temperature.
The Shift of Dental Education During and Post COVID-19
Authors: Kweh Ting Jing , Lim Ghee Seong , Maria Angela Garcia Gonzalez , Ong Teng Kai
Published: December 2021

Education worldwide has been conducted in the traditional face-to-face classroom teaching style for ages, and this includes the education in dentistry. Since the introduction of online education and distance learning, teaching institutions have gradually made e-learning an integral part of teaching and learning activities. With the emergence of COVID-19 pandemic and closure of teaching institutions worldwide, the faculty of dentistry is amongst the many that were forced to leap onto the online education field abruptly. There is a sudden need for educators to resort to online teaching and e-learning becomes an essential tool to be developed as an alternative to traditional education methods. This article serves as a review to explore and discuss the common concerns and institutional readiness in delivering e-learning and review the methods currently utilised during this time of crisis.
Effect of Resin Coating on Surface Roughness and Microhardness of High Viscous Glass Ionomer Cements
Authors: Jian Sheng Lee , Wen Ni Chan , Yahya Noor Azlin , Omar Ros Anita
Published: December 2021

High viscous glass ionomer cement (HVGIC) was recently developed for atraumatic restorative treatment (ART). However, its moisture sensitivity remains a limitation thus protective coating application is recommended. This study investigated the effect of resin coating on the surface roughness and microhardness of two HVGICs (Riva Self Cure HVGIC [RV] and Equia® Forte Fil [EQ]) conditioned in food-simulating liquids (FSLs). Fifty standard disc-shaped samples were fabricated using customised stainless-steel mould (10 × 2 mm). Coating was applied on top surface of all samples and subsequently divided into five groups: air (control), distilled water, 0.02 N citric acid, heptane and 50% ethanol-water solution. The samples were conditioned in FSLs at 37°C for seven days. Subsequently, the surface roughness and microhardness of samples were measured using optical profilometry and microhardness tester, respectively. SEM analysis was done for qualitative observation of surface morphological changes. Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA, two-way ANOVA and posthoc Tukey’s test (α = 0.05). Interestingly, the results revealed that surface roughness was significantly influenced by FSLs immersion, presence of coating and the materials itself (p < 0.001). The lowest surface roughness was found on control coated samples: RV (50.98±4.25) nm and EQ (62.77±3.92) nm, while the highest values seen on uncoated surfaces in citric acid: RV (505.26±31.10) nm and EQ (350.33±15.36) nm. RV samples had the lowest microhardness of 54.97±2.48 Vickers hardness number (VHN) post-immersion in citric acid. In conclusion, with the exception of RV conditioned in heptane and ethanol, the uncoated HVGICs generally had higher surface roughness than the coated HVGICs. HVGICs conditioned in citric acid showed the most significant increase in surface roughness and reduction in microhardness.
Use of Social Media in Dental Education: A Single Institutional Study
Authors: Abdul Hamid Nor Faharina , Jaafar Azlan
Published: December 2021

Educational landscape has changed drastically over the past decades with the integration of technology to support the role of educators. The objectives of this study were to examine the use of social media application among dental students and to investigate significant demographic variables with regard to social media use for academic purposes. All dental students across all academic years were invited to participate in a self-administered questionnaire (content validated, pre-tested) survey conducted online via Google Forms. Overall response rate was 67.8%. Of the 244 respondents, 99.1% owned smartphones, with a majority of them were iPhone and Android users. Notably, 91.4% of the respondents had access to internet data via a third generation (3G) mobile carrier and WiFi connection. A majority of the respondents (97.1%) used social media to communicate or connect with friends whereas 5.7% of them used it for business purposes. There was no significant association between gender, year of study and type of internet access with the mean of social media usage for academic purposes (p > 0.05). Most of the respondents preferred YouTube (74.6%) and Google (73.7%) for seeking information in their study. In conclusion, we found that majority of respondents had acknowledged the importance of social media in education. Our findings suggest the potential value of integrating social media in teaching and learning activities to enhance students’ learning experience.
Assessment of Fluoride and pH Levels in a Range of Ready-to-Drink Children’s Beverages Marketed in Malaysia
Authors: Ahmad Aira Syazleen , Mohd Nor Nor Azlida , Ahmad Nadia Afiqah , Mohd Yusof Zamros Yuzadi , Chestnutt Ivor G.
Published: December 2021

This study aimed to determine the fluoride and pH levels of beverages likely to be consumed by children in Malaysia and to estimate daily fluoride intake from consumption of these beverages. A convenience sampling of 120 ready-to-drink beverages were purchased and categorised into 11 groups (UHT recombined milk, fresh milk [pasteurised], cultured milk [probiotic], yogurt beverages, fresh fruit juices, fruit flavoured beverages, soy-based beverages, malt-based beverages, tea, carbonated beverages and bottled waters). Fluoride concentration was measured using a fluoride ion-selective electrode while the pH level was measured using a pH meter. The fluoride concentration in the beverages ranged from 0.02±0.00 mg/L to 2.77±0.06 mg/L. Tea was found to have the highest fluoride concentration. The intake of fluoride from consumption of other types of beverages is below the lowest-observed-adverseeffect level (except tea). The pH of the beverages included in the study ranged from 2.20±0.01 to 7.76±0.00. Carbonated beverages (mean pH: 2.98±0.50) were found to be extremely acidic followed by fresh fruit juices (mean pH: 3.38±0.34) and fruit flavoured beverages (mean pH: 3.90±0.92). The correlation between fluoride and pH levels was weak, τ = 0.058 and not statistically significant (p
Correlations between basal metabolic rate in humans with different age, gender, BMI and local earth magnetic field activity
Authors: Taletaviciene Giedre , McCraty Rollin , Qammar Naseha Wafa , Ragulskis Minvydas , Vainoras Alfonsas
Published: December 2021

Daily energy expenditure includes resting metabolism (RMR), endogenous thermogenesis (or thermal effects of food), and energy expenditure associated with exercise. RMR depends on body weight, age, gender, genetic factors, medications used and health status. Every living organism is affected by external factors. Fluctuations in magnetic fields can affect almost every biological system more or less, depending on the characteristics of the particular biological system and magnetic fluctuations. Environmental energy phenomena affect psychophysical processes that can affect people in a variety of ways, depending on their sensitivity, health status, and ability to self-regulate. The aim of this study: to investigate the correlations between basal metabolic rate in humans with different age, gender, BMI and local Earth magnetic field activity. Information on gas metabolism during respiration was obtained by indirect calorimetry where the gas flow was continuously analysed. O2 consumption and CO2 emissions were continuously analysed. The best quality 5 min section was selected from the 15 min recording (automatically selected by the computer). The results were analysed and mean resting metabolic rate (M_RMR) was calculated. Investigations of metabolic rate were performed in Lithuanian, Druskininkai, Medical SPA Center ,,UPA”. Power of spectral density of Local Geo Magnetic field (LGMF) was calculated in 0.32 to 36 Hz frequency range from the Lithuanian (GCI003) magnetometer for East – West direction (E-W). 395 persons were investigated: 116 men and 279 women. All participants were divided into two groups according gender. Women and men groups were divided again into two groups according mean age, the mean was 46 years. Was analysed correlations in women younger (≤ 46 years) and older (> 46 years) groups and the same for men younger (≤ 46 years) and older (> 46 years) groups. On the next step all women and all men, then younger women group, older women group, younger men group and older men group was divided according BMI mean (29), with less than ≤ 29 BMI and with more than > 29 BMI. On the basis of obtained results, we can conclude, that correlations between LGMF and basal metabolic rate features are negative. More expressed negative correlations are seen in persons with smaller BMI. With age negative correlations with LGMF decrease in men group and increase in women group. Sensitivity of persons of different gender to LGMF – differ.
Elektrokimyasal Depolama Yöntemi ile AISI 304 Çeliği Yüzeyine Biriktirilen Ni-B/TiB2 Kompozit Kaplamaların Kristal Yapı ve Bazı Mekanik Özelliklerinin İncelenmesi
Authors: ÜNAL Ersin , YAŞAR Abdülkadir , KARAHAN İsmail Hakkı
Published: December 2021

Bu çalışmada, Watts tipi nikel banyosunda Ni-B alaşım anayapılı ve TiB2 mikro parçacık takviyeli kompozit kaplama, paslanmaz çelik altlık üzerine depolanmıştır. Elde edilen kompozit kaplamanın özellikleri saf nikel ve Ni-B alaşım kaplamalar ile mukayese edilerek incelenmiştir. Takviye parçacıkların etkisini belirlemek amacıyla kristal yapı, mikrosertlik, morfoloji ve aşınma dayanımı analizleri yapılmıştır. Elde edilen sonuçlara göre takviye parçacıkların, saf nikel ve Ni-B alaşımına göre kristal yapı üzerinde değişime neden olduğu görülmüştür. Ayrıca mikro TiB2 parçacıklar sertlikte de artışa sebep olmuştur. Parçacıklar mikro sertlikte, paslanmaz çeliğe göre %225, saf nikele göre %115 civarında artışa sebep olurken, Ni-B alaşımına kıyasla yaklaşık %60 civarında bir artışla sonuçlanmıştır. Kompozit kaplamanın morfolojisinin de diğer kaplamalardan oldukça farklı olduğu, fakat genel olarak düzgün bir yüzeye sahip olduğu görülmüştür. Ayrıca, kompozit kaplamanın aşınma dayanımının saf nikel ve Ni-B alaşım kaplamalarına kıyasla daha iyi olduğu analiz sonuçlarından anlaşılmıştır.
Al/NbB2 In-Situ Kompozit Üretimi ve Özelliklerinin İncelenmesi
Authors: DEMİRTAŞ Hüseyin , KARAKULAK Erdem , NADENLA Hari Babu
Published: December 2021

Bu çalışmada in-situ yöntemi ile Al matriste NbB2 partikül takviyeli kompozitler üretilmiştir. Farklı oranlarda partikül takviyesinin ve üretim süresinin kompozitler üzerindeki etkileri incelenmiştir. Oluşan partiküller, boyutları ve dağılımları incelenmiş, tane boyutu ve sertliğe etkisi belirlenmiştir. Yapılan çalışmalar neticesinde partikül oluşumunda karıştırma süresinin kullanılan alaşım oranı gibi önemli olduğu belirlenmiş ve en iyi değerler 1,5 saat karıştırma sonucu oluşan %3,75 NbB2 ilaveli kompozitte elde edilmiştir. Bu kompozitte tane boyutu 112 μm seviyelerine inmiştir ve sertlik 306,4 MPa olmuştur.
Vulnerability of water distribution networks with real-life pipe failure statistics
Authors: Wéber Richárd , Huzsvár Tamás , Hős Csaba
Published: December 2021

Reasons for occasional, random pipe bursts in water distribution networks (WDNs) may come from numerous factors (e.g. pH value of the soil, pipeline material). Still, the isolation of the damaged section is inevitable. While the corresponding area is segregated by closing the isolation valves, there is a shortfall in drinking water service. This paper analyses the vulnerability of segments of WDNs from the viewpoint of the consumers that is the product of the failure rate and the relative demand loss. Real pipe failure database, pipe material and pipe age data are used to increase the accuracy of the failure rate estimation for 27 real-life WDNs from Hungary. The vulnerability analysis revealed the highly exposed nature of the local vulnerabilities; the distribution of local vulnerability values follows a power-law distribution. This phenomenon is also found by investigating the artificial WDNs from the literature using N rule in terms of isolation valve layout, namely the ky networks, with similar results.