bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative analysis of cyanobacteria species reveals a novel guanidine-degrading enzyme that controls genomic stability of ethylene-producing strains
Authors: Wang Bo , Xu Yao , Wang Xin , Yuan Joshua , Johnson Carl , Young Jamey , Yu Jianping
Published: March 2021

Recent studies have revealed the prevalence and biological significance of guanidine metabolism in nature. However, the metabolic pathways used by microbes to degrade guanidine or mitigate its toxicity have not been widely studied. Here we report a novel guanidine-degrading enzyme, Sll1077, identified in the model cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 through comparative proteomics and subsequent experimental validation. Although previously annotated as an agmatinase enzyme, Sll1077 is more likely a “guanidinase”, because it degrades guanidine rather than agmatine to urea. We demonstrate that the model cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 strain engineered to express the bacterial ethylene-forming enzyme (EFE) exhibits unstable ethylene production due to toxicity and genomic instability induced by accumulation of the EFE-byproduct guanidine. Co-expression of EFE and Sll1077 significantly enhanced genomic stability and enabled the resulting strain to achieve sustained high-level ethylene production. These findings expand our knowledge of natural guanidine degradation pathways and demonstrate their biotechnological application to support ethylene bioproduction.
Fostering land use sustainability through construction land reduction in China: an analysis of key success factors using Fuzzy-AHP and DEMATEL
Authors: Li Qiang , Wang Lifang , Zhu Yuming , Mu Bingxu , Ahmad Naveed
Published: March 2021

Construction land reduction (CLR) is an important instrument for achieving environmental sustainability by reducing intensive land use, controlling the unrestrained extension of construction land and ensuring a balance between construction and arable lands in China. Existing studies on key factors of CLR projects are rare,lacking comprehensive and systematic understanding. Key factors for ensuring the success of CLR projects have not been identified in previous studies. Based on a literature review and questionnaires, in this study, key success factors (KSFs) of CLR projects were identified and analysed. The Fuzzy-AHP and Fuzzy-DEMATEL methods were used to obtain the comprehensive causality and centrality values, whereby factors with a comprehensive causality value larger than 0 and a comprehensive centrality ranking in the top 20% were identified as KSFs. Results indicate that KSFs include the presence of a supportive policy for CLR, coordination with the original landowner, coordination with the surrounding residents, a diversity of enterprises participating in the CLR, a legal environment and land acceptance and testing standards. This paper lays a theoretical foundation for CLR projects and provides guidelines for achieving successful project implementations.
Odor-aided Analysis for Landfill Site Selection: Study of DOKAP Region, Turkey
Authors: Yildirim Volkan , Uzun Bayram , Baykal Tugba Memisoglu , Terzi Fatih , ATASOY BURA ADEM
Published: March 2021

In our world, with the increase of factors such as the rapid and irresponsible consumption of natural resources, man-made environmental disasters, global warming, and pollution of water resources, solid wastes have to be stored or disposed of more effectively. The presentation of the data required to solve spatial problems such as storage, management, and location selection can be carried out extensively and effectively using geographic information systems (GIS). On the other hand, the unsatisfactory results obtained with GIS recently have made it mandatory to use spatial multiple-criteria decision-making (S-MCDM) methods that include the decision-makers in the process. In this study, RSWSA site selection was carried out in eight cities under the responsibility of the Eastern Black Sea Project Regional Development Administration (DOKAP). A combination of GIS and S-MCDM was used in this site selection process. A total of eight data layers were used in the site selection application. Afterwards, storage areas determined as suitable via GIS analysis underwent additional evaluation, taking into account geological, seismic, and environmental factors as well as transportation costs. In addition to these multi-component evaluations, odor analyses were carried out on the proposed storage areas using the prevailing wind direction.
Two doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination induce more robust immune responses to emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern than does natural infection.
Authors: Skelly Donal T. , Harding Adam C. , Gilbert-Jaramillo Javier , Knight Michael L. , Longet Stephanie , Anthony	Brown  , Adele Sandra , Adland Emily , Brown Helen , Team Medawar Laboratory , Tom	Tipton  , Stafford Lizzie , Johnson Síle A. , Amini Ali , Group OPTIC Clinical , Kit	Tan Tiong , Schimanski Lisa , Huang Kuan-Ying A. , Rijal Pramila , Group PITCH Study , Group CMORE/PHOSP-C , Frater John , Goulder Philip , Conlon Christopher P. , Jeffery Katie , Dold Christina , Pollard Andrew J. , Sigal Alex , de Oliveira Tulio , Townsend Alain R. , Klenerman Paul , Dunachie Susanna J . , Barnes Eleanor , Carroll Miles W. , James William S.
Published: March 2021

Both natural infection with SARS-CoV-2 and immunization with vaccines induce protective immunity. However, the extent to which such immune responses protect against emerging variants is of increasing importance. Such variants of concern (VOC) include isolates of lineage B.1.1.7, first identified in the UK, and B.1.351, first identified in South Africa. Our data confirm that VOC, particularly those with substitutions at residues 484 and 417, escape neutralization by antibodies directed to the ACE2-binding Class 1 and the adjacent Class 2 epitopes but are susceptible to neutralization by the generally less potent antibodies directed to Class 3 and 4 epitopes on the flanks of the receptor-binding domain. To address the potential threat posed by VOC, we sampled a SARS-CoV-2 uninfected UK cohort recently vaccinated with BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech, two doses delivered 18-28 days apart), alongside a cohort sampled in the early convalescent stages after natural infection in the first wave of the pandemic in Spring 2020. We tested antibody and T cell responses against a reference isolate of the original circulating lineage, B, and the impact of sequence variation in the B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 VOC. Neutralization of the VOC compared to B isolate was reduced, and this was most evident for the B.1.351 isolate. This reduction in antibody neutralization was less marked in post-boost vaccine-induced responses compared to naturally induced immune responses and could be largely explained by the potency of the homotypic antibody response. After a single vaccination, which induced only modestly neutralizing homotypic antibody titres, neutralization against the VOC was completely abrogated in the majority of vaccinees. Importantly, high magnitude T cell responses were generated after two vaccine doses, with the majority of the T cell response directed against epitopes that are conserved between the prototype isolate B and the VOC. These data indicate that VOC may evade protective neutralizing responses induced by prior infection, and to a lesser extent by immunization, particularly after a single vaccine dose, but the impact of the VOC on T cell responses appears less marked. The results emphasize the need to generate high potency immune responses through vaccination in order to provide protection against these and other emergent variants.
Hypoglossal schwannoma masquerading as a submandibular gland tumor: a case report
Authors: Weng Yanming , Li Sainan , Wu Hanjiang , Wu Kun
Published: March 2021

Background: Hypoglossal nerve schwannoma in the submandibular space is rare. This case report presents the treatment of a young patient affected by an unusual hypoglossal nerve schwannoma at the right side of the submandibular region. Case representation: A 31-year-old female presented to our department with complaints of a right-sided submandibular region mass. None calculi was observed by CBCT. An MRI of the neck demonstrating a 18×12mm mass located at the submandibular region. Based on clinical presentation and imaging, a diagnosis of a submandibular gland tumor was conferred and the patient scheduled for excision. Intraoperatively, the mass was noted to arise from the hypoglossal nerve, remaining independent of the submandibular gland. On histopathologic analysis, the mass was determined to be consistent with hypoglossal schwannoma. Conclusion: Though rare, the hypoglossal schwannoma should remain a consideration in the evaluation of a submandibular space mass. During operation, it might be better to explore the mass before managing the submandibular gland.
Solitary waves and modulation instability with the
influence of fractional derivative order in nonlinear
left-handed transmission line
Authors: Ahmadou Djidere , Houwe Alphonse , Mibaile Justin , Betchewe Gambo , Doka Serge Y. , Crepin Kofane T. , Inc Mustafa
Published: March 2021

The resolution of the reduced fractional nonlinear Schrodinger equation obtained
from the model describing the wave propagation in the left-handed nonlinear
transmission line presented by Djidere et al recently, allowed us in this work
through the Adomian decomposition method (ADM) to highlight the behavior
and to study the propagation process of the dark and bright soliton solutions
with the e ect of the fractional derivative order as well as the Modulation Instability
gain spectrum (MI) in the LHNLTL. By inserting fractional derivatives
in the sense of Caputo, we used ADM to structure the approximate solitons
solutions of the fractional nonlinear Schrodinger equation reduced with fractional
derivatives. The pipe is obtained from the bright and dark soliton by
the fractional derivatives order (see Figures 2 and 5). By the bias of MI gain
spectrum the instability zones occur when the value of the fractional derivative
order tends to 1. Furthermore, when the fractional derivative order takes small
values, stability zones appear. These results could bring new perspectives in
the study of solitary waves in left-handed metamaterials, as the memory e ect
could have a better future for the propagation of modulated waves because we
also show in this article that the stabilization of zones of the dark and bright
solitons could be described by a fractional nonlinear Schrodinger equation with
small values of fractional derivatives order. In addition, the obtained signi cant
results are new and could nd applications in many research areas such as in
the eld of information and communication technologies.
Maricaulis alexandrii sp. nov., a novel dimorphic prosthecate and active bioflocculants-bearing bacterium isolated from phycosphere microbiota of laboratory cultured highly-toxic Alexandrium catenella LZT09
Authors: Zhang Xiao-ling , Qi Min , Li Qiu-hong , Cui Zhen-dong , Yang Qiao
Published: March 2021

An aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, straight or curved rods, prosthecate bacterium designated as LZ-16-1T was isolated from phycosphere microbiota of highly-toxic and laboratory cultured dinoflagellate Alexandrium catenella LZT09. This new isolate produces active bioflocculanting exopolysaccharides (EPS). Cells were dimorphic with non-motile prostheca, or non-stalked and motile by a single polar flagellum. Growth occurred at 10-40 °C, pH 5–9 and 1–8 % (w/v) NaCl, with optimum growth at 25 °C, pH 7–8 and 2-4 % (w/v) NaCl, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA indicated that strain LZ-16-1T was affiliated to the genus Maricaulis, and closely related to Maricaulis parjimensis MCS 25T (99.48%) and M. virginensis VC-5T (99.04%),. However, based on genome sequencing and phylogenomic calculations, the average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digtal DNA-DNA genome hybridization (dDDH) values between the two strains were only 85.0 and 20.9%, respectively. Strain LZ-16-1T owned Q-10 as predominant isoprenoid quinone; summed feature 8, C16:0, C17:0, C18:0, C18:1 ω9c and summed feature 9 as dominant fatty acids; and sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol, glycolipids and unidentified phospholipid as major polar lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content is 63.6 mol%. Physiological and chemotaxonomic characterization further confirmed the distinctiveness of strain LZ-16-1T from other Maricaulis members. Thus, strain LZ-16-1T represents a novel species of the genus Maricaulis, for which the name Maricaulis alexandrii sp. nov. (type strain LZ-16-1T=KCTC 72194T=CCTCC AB 2019006T) is proposed .
A Closed-Loop Brain-Computer Interface with Augmented Reality Feedback for Industrial Human-Robot Collaboration
Authors: Ji Zhenrui , Liu Quan , Xu Wenjun , Yao Bitao , Liu Jiayi , Zhou Zude
Published: March 2021

Industrial human-robot collaboration (HRC) aims to combine the human intelligence and robotic capability to achieve the higher productiveness. In industrial HRC, the communication between human and robot is essential to enhance the understanding the intent of each other to make a more fluent collaboration. Brain-computer interface (BCI) is a technology that could record the user’s brain activity that can be translated into interaction messages (e.g., control commands) to the outside world, which is able to build a direct and efficient communication channel between human and robot. However, due to lacking of information feedback mechanism, it is challenging for BCI to control robots with high degree of freedom with the limited number of classifiable mental state. To address this problem, this paper proposes a close-loop BCI with contextual visual feedback by an augmented reality (AR) headset. In such BCI, the electroencephalogram (EEG) patterns from the multiple voluntary eye blinks are considered as the input and the its online detection algorithm is proposed whose average accuracy can reach 94.31%. Moreover, an AR-enable information feedback interface is designed which enable to achieve an interactive robotic path planning. A case study of an industrial HRC assembly task is also develop which shows that the proposed closed-up BCI could shorten the time of user input in human-robot interaction.
Have the same pathogenicity of Ureaplasma Parvum and Ureaplasma Urealyticum in non-specific cervicitis? -based on digital droplet PCR assay
Authors: Huang Yanfang , Xu Xiaoqin , Lv Panpan , Zhao Zhen
Published: March 2021

Background: Ureaplasma spp. are association with a various of infectious diseases in female, but it still limited evidence for the pathogenicity in nonspecific cervicitis. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) assay for quantified the load of Ureaplasma spp in cervical swabs. Methods: A total of 293 non-specific cervicitis (NSC) patients and 211 asymptomatic female fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Cervical swabs were identified by qPCR and further absolutely quantified by ddPCR. Results: The prevalence of U.parvum were 51.9% (152/293) and 46.9% (99/211); while U.urealyticum were 8.2% (24/293) and 8.1% (17/211) in the NSC and Control group, respectively. In addition, the average Ct value and median copy number per microliter of U.parvum were 31.33 (n=152) and 599 (n=48) in the NSC group and 33.68 (n=99) and 17.4 (n=33) in control group, respectively, suggest that the load of U.parvum of NSC group were significantly higher than the asymptomatic individual (P<0.001). But, the median load number of U.urealyticum were 1.26 (n=22) and 5.35 (n=14) copies per microliter two groups, the difference was no statistical significance (P>0.05). Conclusions: our study suggests that often carrying U.parvum at a high load but not U.urealyticum may have an important implications on the development and progression of cervicitis among female.
Quantitative trait loci and candidate genes associated with photoperiod sensitivity in lettuce (Lactuca spp.)
Authors: Han Rongkui , Lavelle Dean , Truco Maria José , Michelmore Richard
Published: March 2021

The molecular mechanism of flowering time regulation in lettuce is of interest to both geneticists and breeders because of the extensive impact of this trait on agricultural production. Lettuce is a facultative long-day plant which changes in flowering time in response to photoperiod. Variations exist in both flowering time and the degree of photoperiod sensitivity among accessions of wild (Lactuca serriola) and cultivated (L. sativa) lettuce. An F6 population of 236 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) was previously developed from a cross between a late-flowering, photoperiod-sensitive L. serriola accession and an early-flowering, photoperiod-insensitive L. sativa accession. This population was planted under long-day (LD) and short-day (SD) conditions in a total of four field and screenhouse trials; the developmental phenotype was scored weekly in each trial. Using genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) data of the RILs, quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping revealed five flowering time QTLs that together explained more than 20% of the variation in flowering time under LD conditions. Using two independent statistical models to extract the photoperiod sensitivity phenotype from the LD and SD flowering time data, we identified an additional five QTLs that together explained more than 30% of the variation in photoperiod sensitivity in the population. Orthology and sequence analysis of genes within the nine QTLs revealed potential functional equivalents in the lettuce genome to the key regulators of flowering time and photoperiodism, FD and CONSTANS respectively, in Arabidopsis.
Functional Network Connectivity Imprint in Febrile Seizures
Authors: Acharya Ullas V , Kulanthaivelu Karthik , Panda Rajanikant , Saini Jitender , Gupta Arun K , Sankaran Bindu Parayil , Kenchaiah Raghavendra , Mundlamuri Ravindranath Chowdary , Sinha Sanjib , Keshavamurthy Mysore Lakshmikanta , Bharath Rose Dawn
Published: March 2021

Complex febrile seizures (CFS), a subset of paediatric febrile seizures (FS), have been studied for their prognosis, epileptogenic potential and neurocognitive outcome. We evaluated their functional connectivity differences with simple febrile seizures (SFS) in children with recent onset FS. Resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI) datasets of 24 children with recently diagnosed FS (SFS-n=11; CFS-n=13) were analysed. Functional connectivity (FC) was estimated using time series correlation of seed region–to-whole-brain-voxels. Regional connectivity differences were correlated with clinical characteristics (corrected p < 0.05). CFS patients demonstrated increased FC of the bilateral middle temporal gyri (MTG), left supplementary cortex when compared to SFS. Decreased FC of the primary sensory areas and Default mode network regions were observed in the CFS. Number of recurrent febrile seizures positively correlated with FC of bilateral MTG and negatively correlated with left Supplementary Motor. Duration of longest febrile seizure correlated positively with connectivity of right MTG and left supplementary motor cortex. It also negatively correlated with connectivity of bilateral post central gyrus and Precuneus. Our findings report altered connectivity in CFS proportional to the seizure recurrence and duration. Regardless of the causal/consequential nature, such observations demonstrate the imprint of these disease-defining variables of febrile seizures on the developing brain.
A Mechanistic insight into chemical cues and interactions involved in herbivory induced jasmonate mediated plant defense mechanism
Authors: Yousafi Qudsia , Hafeez Amina , Khan Muhammad Saad , Bibi Shabana , Shah Muhammad Ajmal , Liaqat Maryam , Saleem Shahzad , Sajid Muhammad Wasim , Mehmood Asim , Alqarni Mohammed , Blundell Renald
Published: March 2021

The first step in plant defense mechanism is to sense the insect attack stimulus. Plant sensitivity of an insect attack is the first step of defense. Molecules generated by the oral secretion of the insect interact with the plant receptors to trigger plant defense mechanisms. We selected some highly cited insect elicitors molecules, volicitin, caeliferin, bruchin which interact with plant defense by interacting with plant elicitors (systemin, inceptin and peps) located on the plant cell surface. This interaction activates plant receptors SYR1, LRR, PEPR and triggers downstream defense signaling. The octadecanoid pathways, involving enzymes allene oxide synthase (AOS) and Hydroxyperoxide lyase (HPL) are activated. These enzymes mediate production of green leafy volatiles and Jasmonic acid by interacting with hydroxperoxide molecules. We docked the elicitors with receptors and enzymes with substrates in the pathway of JA production. Phe was found to be an important amino acid that interacts with 13- hydroxyperoxides in the case of AOS to produce JA but not in the case of HPL. JA is converted to JA-Ile which shows strong binding with COI1 and COI1-JA-Ile complex docked with JAZ which showed strong interaction with five hydrogens and one salt bridge bond. AOS and HPL showed less than 40% identity for sequence and structure alignment. AOS and HPL had shown an interaction between each other and showed a common interaction partner of the Lipoxygenase family. HPL shows interaction with ADH2 (Alcohol dehydrogenase) involved in GLVs production. AOS also showed interaction partner AOC, COI1 and OPR1 which are involved in JA-induced plant defense mechanism.
Genetic alterations and functional networks of m6A RNA methylation regulators in pancreatic cancer based on data mining
Authors: Zeng Juan , Zhang Heying , Tan Yonggang , Wang Zhe , Li Yunwei , Yang Xianghong
Published: March 2021

Background
Pancreatic cancer is a fatal malignancy of the digestive system and the 5-year survival rate remains low. Therefore, new molecular therapeutic targets are required to improve treatments, prognosis, and the survival of patients. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most prevalent reversible methylation in mammalian messenger RNA (mRNA) and has critical roles in the tumorigenesis and metastasis of various malignancies. However, the role of m6A in pancreatic cancer is still unclear. Exploring genetic alterations and functional networks of m6A regulators in pancreatic cancer may provide new strategies for its treatment.
Methods
In this study, we used data from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and other public databases through cBioPortal, LinkedOmics, UALCAN, GEPIA, STRING, and the database for annotation, visualization, and integrated discovery (DAVID) to systematically analyze the molecular alterations and functions of 20 main m6A regulators in pancreatic cancer.
Results
We found that m6A regulators had widespread genetic alterations, and that their expression levels were significantly correlated with pancreatic cancer malignancy. Moreover, m6A regulators were associated with the prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients.
Conclusions
m6A regulators play a crucial part in the occurrence and development of pancreatic cancer. Our study will guide further studies of m6A RNA modification in pancreatic cancer and could potentially provide new strategies for pancreatic cancer treatment.
Hierarcal porous polystyrene-based activated carbon spheres for CO2 capture
Authors: Ren Xiaoxia , Zhang Changming , Kou Lifang , Wang Rongxian , Wang Yaqi , Li Rui
Published: March 2021

Activated carbon spheres with high specific surface area and hierarcal porous texture were prepared from polystyrene-based macroreticular resin spheres by air pre-oxidization and steam activation. The as-prepared carbon spheres had a specific surface area of 1274.95 m2 g− 1, total pore volume of 1.09 cm3 g− 1 and micropore volume of 0.47 cm3 g− 1. Moreover, these carbon spheres showed a hierarcal porous texture composed of ultrafine micropores (0.5-1 nm), micropores (1–2 nm), mesopores (10–50 nm) and macropores (50–100 nm). A CO2 adsorption capacity of 2.82 mmol g− 1 for carbon spheres can be obtained at 30 ℃ and 1 atm. Further, after introducing nitrogen-containing functional groups by gaseous ammonia at 600 ℃, these carbon spheres exhibited a high CO2 adsorption capacity of 3.2 mmol g− 1. In addition, excellent cyclic stability, low hygroscopicity and regenerability temperature suggested these carbon spheres were favorable for CO2 capture.
Evaluation of a Multi-disciplinary Medical Model in Vancomycin Treatment in Chinese Adult Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Ma Lingyun , Zhou Ying , Chen Chaoyang , Gao Feifei , Li Xueying , Que Chengli , Jiao Hongmei , Li Shuangling , Zheng Xizi , Lv Jicheng , Cui Yimin , Yang Li
Published: March 2021

Background

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common adverse drug reaction of vancomycin which is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. To investigate the roles of a multi-disciplinary medical model in preventing vancomycin-induced AKI (VI-AKI) through a standardized clinical path.

Methods

This study was a single center open-label randomized clinical trial which included adult pneumonia patients using vancomycin in Peking University First Hospital. In the intervention group (multi-disciplinary medical model), a standardized clinical path was conducted as (1) pharmacists-driven PopPK formula-based vancomycin regimen. (2) pharmacists-driven TDM monitor. (3) physicians-driven SCr monitor. (4) nephrologists-driven multi-disciplinary kidney protection. Pharmacists or nephrologists did not intervene patients’ treatment in the control group (routine medical model). The primary outcome was the incidence of VI-AKI.

Results

145 patients including 72 in the intervention arm and 73 in the control arm, aged 69.0 (60.0-79.0) years with male in 74.5%, were included in the outcome analysis. The incidence of AKI was 23.6% (17/72) in the intervention arm and 34.2% (25/73) in the control arm (P=0.16). Among the 57 patients in the intervention arm who accepted PopPK based vancomycin regimen, AKI incidence was significantly decreased compared to patients in the control arm (15.8% vs. 34.2%, P=0.02).

Conclusions

Intervention with a multi-disciplinary medical model through standardized clinical path has the potential to reduce the incidence of VI-AKI. Multicenter and large sample size studies are warranted.

Trial registration

This trial was registered with chictr.org (number ChiCTR1900021115, http://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=353 76&htm=4) on 29th Jan 2019 by retrospective registration.
Expression and correlation of circulating miRNAs in healthy obese children
Authors: Ma Feifei , Cao Dingding , Liu Zhuo , Li Yuanyuan , Ouyang Shengrong , WU Jianxin
Published: March 2021

Background

Obesity is an important risk factor of metabolic diseases. It is caused by the interaction of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. This study aimed to identify specific circulating miRNAs for evaluating obesity in children.
Methods

Thirty children including 15 obese and 15 extremely thin were selected. The miRNA microarray was used to detect the expression of miRNAs in circulating plasma. The reliability of differential miRNA expression was verified using TaqMan qPCR. The correlation between miRNA and obesity was analyzed using multiple linear regression. Target genes for selected miRNAs were analyzed using informatics tools, and a functional network map was constructed.
Results

Thirty-six differential expression miRNAs were screened by gene chip, and seven up-regulated miRNAs were verified by TaqMan qPCR, including hsa-miR-126-3p, hsa-miR-15b-5p, hsa-miR-199a-3p, hsa-miR-20a-5p, hsa-miR-223-3p, hsa-miR-23a-3p, and hsa-miR-24-3p. Six miRNAs had significant statistical difference except hsa-miR-23a-3p. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that hsa-miR-15b-5p and hsa-miR-223-3p were associated with obesity [1.649 (4.974–16.084), -1.175 (-17.852~ -2.657)]. After adjusting for age and gender, these two miRNAs were still associated with obesity [1.400 (3.572–14.301), -0.973 (-15.634~ -1.303)]. Among them, hsa-miR-15b-5p and hsa-miR-223 had more predicted obesity-related target genes than others. In particular, hsa-miR-15b-5p had numerous target genes associated with the FoxO, insulin, Ras, and AMPK signaling pathways.
Conclusions

The miRNA expression profile in the body circulation of obese children differs from normal children. This result is attributed to the abnormal metabolism of obese children. hsa-miR-15b-5p and hsa-miR-223-3p could serve as a molecular marker for screening obese children and susceptible population of metabolic syndrome.
Removal of invasive Scotch broom increases its negative effects on soil and plant communities
Authors: Slesak Robert , Harrington Timothy , D'Amato Anthony , Peter David
Published: March 2021

Scotch broom is an aggressive invasive species of major concern in coast Douglas-fir forests of the Pacific Northwest USA. Control efforts are common, but potential for ecosystem recovery following Scotch broom removal is unclear. We assessed the potential for ecosystem recovery following broom removal at two sites that contrasted strongly in soil quality (i.e., texture and nutrient pool size) in western Washington and Oregon. Comparisons were made among replicated plots where Scotch broom was never present (uninvaded), retained, or removed. Microclimate (photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), soil temperature and moisture), soil properties, and vegetation were monitored during 2013 to 2017. Scotch broom removal increased PAR and soil temperature at both sites but had limited effects on soil moisture. Concentrations of Ca, Mg, K, and P were significantly lower with Scotch broom removal compared to the uninvaded and retained treatments, with the effect being most pronounced at the low-quality site. NMS ordinations indicated that the treatments differed in vegetation composition, with limited evidence for recovery in the removal treatment. Nonnative and native species varied inversely in their abundance responses, where nonnative species abundance was greatest in the removal treatment, intermediate in the retained treatment, and lowest in the uninvaded treatment, indicating occurrence of a secondary invasion following removal. As with the soil response, effects were more pronounced at the low-quality site. Our findings indicate that Scotch broom removal exacerbates negative effects on soil and plant communities, with little evidence of ecosystem recovery over our study period. These findings highlight the importance of controlling Scotch broom invasions immediately after the species establishes, especially at low-quality sites that are more susceptible to Scotch broom invasion and negative legacy effects.
Identification of immune-infiltrated hub genes as potential biomarkers of Moyamoya disease by bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Jin Fa , Duan Chuanzhi
Published: March 2021

Background Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a unique chronic progressive cerebrovascular disease. The molecular mechanism behind pathophysiology is still elusive. This study aims to determine the key genes and their roles in the immune infiltration of MMD.Methods We download raw gene expression profiles (GSE157628, GSE141024) of cerebrovascular tissue from GEO database. Identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and perform functional enrichment analysis. The CIBERSORT deconvolution algorithm was used to analyze the proportion of immune cell infiltration between MMD and negative control group. We screened for neutrophil-associated DEGs, constructed a protein-protein interaction network (PPI) using STRING, and clarified hub genes using the Cytoscape plugin MCODE analysis. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve is applied to test and filter the best gene signature.Results A total of 570 DEGs were detected, including 212 downregulated and 358 up-regulated genes. Reactome and KEGG enrichment revealed that DEGs are involved in the cell cycle, molecular transport, and metabolic pathways. The immune infiltration profile demonstrates that MMD cerebrovascular tissues contained a higher proportion of neutrophils, monocytes, and NK cells than negative control group. PPI network and MCODE cluster identified 9 DEGs (UNC13D, AZU1, PYCARD, ELANE, SDCBP, CCL11, CCL15, CCL20, and CXCL5) associated with neutrophil infiltration. ROC results showed that UNC13D has good specificity and sensitivity (AUC = 0.7846).Conclusions The characteristics of immune infiltration in the cerebrovascular tissues of MMD patients and abnormal expression of hub genes provide new insights for understanding MMD progression. UNC13D is promising to be one of the candidate molecules to determine neutrophil infiltration characteristics in MMD.
Construction of Ni-Mo-P heterostructures with efficient hydrogen evolution performance under acidic condition
Authors: Chen Tian-Yun , Zhang Ya-Qi , Fu Ying-Yan , Qian Min , Dai Hao-Jiang , Ye Bo , Qin Shan , Qing-Hua Yang
Published: March 2021

Hydrogen energy is regarded as one of the most important clean energy in the 21st century, and improving the catalytic efficiency of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is the basis for realizing the large-scale hydrogen production. Transition metal phosphides (TMPs) were proved to be efficient electrocatalysts for HER. In this work, we first synthesized the nickel-molybdenum bimetallic precursors, followed by high-temperature calcination in air. Finally, NiMoP/MoP nanorods (Ni-Mo-P NRs) was obtained by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of phosphating. The target catalyst of Ni-Mo-P NRs was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). For Ni-Mo-P NRs, the electrochemical test in 0.5 M H2SO4 solution for HER showed that the optimal feeding ratio was Ni: Mo = 1:1. And the Ni1-Mo1-P NRs presented an onset potential of 63.2 mV, and an overpotential of 117.9 mV was required to drive the current density of 10 mA↔cm− 2. Meanwhile, The Tafel slope, exchange current density (j0), electrochemical double-layer capacitance (Cdl) were 58.6 mV↔dec− 1, 0.10 mA↔cm− 2, 12.6 mF↔cm− 2, respectively. Moreover, there was no obvious activity diminish of Ni1-Mo1-P NRs after a long-term stability and durability test.
Flow Estimation Only from Image Data, based on Persistent Homology
Authors: Suzuki Anna , Miyazawa Miyuki , Minto James , Tsuji Takeshi , Obayashi Ippei , Hiraoka Yasuaki , Ito Takatoshi
Published: March 2021

Topological data analysis is an emerging concept of data analysis for characterizing shapes. A state-of-the-art tool in topological data analysis is persistent homology, which is expected to summarize quantified topological and geometric features. Although persistent homology is useful for revealing the topological and geometric information, it is difficult to interpret the parameters of persistent homology themselves and difficult to directly relate the parameters to physical properties. In this study, we focus on connectivity and apertures of flow channels detected from persistent homology analysis. We propose a method to estimate permeability in fracture networks from parameters of persistent homology. Synthetic 3D fracture network patterns and their direct flow simulations are used for the validation. The results suggest that the persistent homology can estimate fluid flow in fracture network based on the image data. This method can easily derive the flow phenomena based on the information of the structure.
Nanocarved Vanadium Nitride Nanowires Encapsulated in Lamellar Graphene Layers as Supercapacitor Electrodes
Authors: Zhao Dan , Yuan Xiaoyan , Wang Ruiqin , Zhao Qian , Guo Shouwu
Published: March 2021

Supercapacitors have the characteristics of high specific capacitance, long cycle life and fast charging ability, which have shown extremely valuable applications in energy storage fields. Improving the electrode materials is a crucial approach to achieve high capacity. Vanadium nitride (VN) has higher theoretical capacitance than noble metal oxides, as well as better chemical stability and good electrical conductivity. Herein, a composite of VN nanowires with multiple cavities encapsulated in N-doped reduced graphene oxide lamellar layers (VNNWs@rGO) has been synthesized by facile freeze-casting and subsequent nitridation technique. The hierarchical VNNWs@rGO composite exhibited excellent supercapacitor performance: high capacitances of 222 and 65 F g− 1 were achieved at current densities of 0.5 and 10 A g− 1, respectively. The improved electrochemical performance is associated with the unique structural design: the N-doped rGO sheets endowed enhanced electric conductivity and chemical stability for VN, the interconnected laminar network of VNNWs@rGO are crucial for electrolyte penetration and charge transfer, and the cavities and nanoparticles inside the VN nanowires can provide abundant active sites for electric double layer capacitor and pseudocapacitance.
Access to Health Insurance in Zimbabwe and associated factors: Insights from data from the Zimbabwe Demographic Health survey, 2015
Authors: Musuka Godfrey , Dzinamarira Tafadzwa , Cuadros Diego , Chingombe Innocent , Murewanhema Grant , Mapingure Munyaradzi
Published: March 2021

Objective: To determine factors associated with access to health insurance among adults in Zimbabwe. Methods: We used statistical analysis to determine the association between various variables and access to health insurance using the Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey, 2015-16 data.Results: Overall, only 11% of 7397 females and 12% of 7420 males included in the analysis had access to health insurance. Age, educational level, marital status, religion, area of residence and wealth quintile were associated with access to health insurance for both females and males. For females, HIV status was associated with access to health insurance. Although not statistically significant a smaller proportion of HIV positive males (10%) had access to any medical insurance compared to their HIV negative counterparts (12%), p=0.189. Conclusion: Our study showed that geospatial distribution of individuals with access to health insurance in Zimbabwe is concentrated around urban areas. Since the bulk of Zimbabweans do not have access to health insurance and mainly use the public health sector for services, there is need for the Ministry of Health to enhance its investment in these facilities so that the bulk of the population can also get quality healthcare.
Bayesian Maximal Information Coefficient (BMIC) to Discover Causal Correlations from Large Dataset in Random System
Authors: Wang Shuliang , Surapunt Tisinee
Published: March 2021

Bayesian network (BN) is a probability inference model to describe the explicit relationship of cause and effect, which may examine the complex system of rice price with data uncertainty. However, discovering the optimized structure from a super-exponential number of graphs in the search space is an NP-hard problem. In this paper, the Bayesian maximal information coefficient (BMIC) is proposed to uncover the causal correlations from a large dataset in a random system by integrating a probabilistic graphical model (PGM) and maximal information coefficient (MIC) with Bayesian linear regression (BLR). First, MIC is to capture the strong dependence between predictor variables and a target variable for reducing the number of variables during the Bayesian network structural learning. Second BLR is to assign orientation in a graph resulting in a posterior probability distribution. It conforms to what BN needs to acquire a conditional probability distribution when given the parents for each node by the Bayes’ Theorem. Third, the Bayesian information criterion (BIC) is treated as an indicator to determine the well-explained model with its data to ensure correctness. The score shows that the proposed method obtains the highest score compared to the two traditional learning algorithms. Finally, the BMIC is applied to discover the causal correlations from large dataset on Thai rice price by identifying the causality change in the paddy price of Jasmine rice. The experimented results show the BMIC returns the directed relationships with a clue to identify the cause(s) and effect(s) on paddy price with the better heuristic search.
Long Term Monitoring of Connection Between Relief and Clouds Cover Distribution in Serbia
Authors: Valjarević Aleksandar
Published: March 2021

The use of meteorological satellite recordings over the last three decades has increased the possibility of determining the patterns between meteorological elements and relief in a more precise way. Cloud cover can influence numerous important ecological processes including growth, reproduction and survival. In the future, the possibility to define geographical locations of potential cloud seeding will be of the utmost significance for the analysis of cloud cover. The properties of cloud cover were estimated by means of MODIS satellite recordings with the average resolution of 1km2 within the period of 30 years (1989-2019). The 30 years’ period represents a whole climatological cycle, sufficient for the conduction of a detailed analysis. These cloud cover properties are for the first time analyzed on the territory of Serbia. These findings support the fundamental role of remote sensing as an effective lens through which one can understand and globally and regionally view the fine-grain spatial variability of clouds and their potential use for seeding. Geographical Information systems with advanced technics gave a better insight into cloud cover properties. In the end, the maps showed three types of cloud distribution, maximum, minimum, and average. One of the questions which has so far remained unsolved is the relation between meteorological parameters and relief. In this research, the author tried to address the possibility of finding patterns between cloud cover distribution and relief.
Applicability of IoT in Solid Garbage Collection and Monitoring System for Smart Cities
Authors: Abuga Dominic , Raghava Nallanthighal
Published: March 2021

Waste management has been a challenge to many cities globally. Improper disposal of waste is harmful to human beings, flora, and fauna. In human beings, inappropriate waste disposal results in waterborne diseases such as typhoid and cholera, which are very dangerous. Waste collected and dumped in landfills produces methane gas which is more dangerous than carbon dioxide. Methane is a greenhouse gas, causes global warming, which has severe ramifications for our planet. In this paper, the applicability of IoT in solid garbage collection and monitoring framework for smart cities has been put forward. The proposed system is built using a Raspberry Pi Uno board that is interfaced with a weight sensor, ultrasonic sensor, and a GSM modem. The weight sensor will be placed at the bottom of the garbage bin for weight measurement. The Ultrasonic sensor will be affixed at the top of the garbage bin in order to measure the levels of waste. The Raspberry will have to be programmed in such a manner that when the garbage is almost being filled up, the other remaining level/height from the threshold level will be automatically displayed. When the solid waste in the garbage bin reaches the threshold weight, it will also set off the GSM modem, which will notify the person in charge of garbage collection. The personnel will send a message to the administrator in charge of garbage collection vehicles.
An Alternative Pressure-dependent Friction Boundary Condition for Modeling Self-reacting Friction Stir Welding
Authors: ZHAO CHENYU , Liu Xun
Published: March 2021

A pressure-dependent friction boundary condition is developed based on wear theory for modeling self-reacting friction stir welding using computational fluid dynamics approach. The importance of shear layer in weld formation is emphasized. Effects of welding speed on the weld cross section geometry can be robustly captured with this newly developed boundary condition. Computational results showed at higher welding speed, the distance between the TMAZ boundary and the pin periphery at the advancing side is reduced, which corresponds to the experimental observations. This tendency could serve as a numerical criterion to predict void defect formation.
Silk-based Matrices and C-kit Positive Cardiac Progenitor Cells for a Cardiac Organoid: Study of an in Vivo Model
Authors: Motta Antonella , Barone Rosario , Macaluso Filippo , Giambalvo Filippo , Pecoraro Francesco , Marco Patrizia Di , Cassata Giovanni , Puleio Roberto , Migliaresi Claudio , Guercio Annalisa , Felice Valentina Di
Published: March 2021

In recent years, there has been a shift from tissue engineering to the production of organoids. The latter are useful tools to study many biochemical aspects and cellular reactions while avoiding the excessive use of laboratory animals. Organoids are very interesting tools because they can replicate the cellular and extracellular environment of an organ and retain some of the properties of the organ itself. However, without an adequate network of vessels, cell masses not only fail to grow, but they may exhibit an area of necrosis, indicating a lack of oxygen and nutrients. For this reason, scientific researchers are looking for ways to create organoids that can also mimic the vascular network of the organ from which they originate. One possibility is to implant the organoids in immunocompromised animals.In the present study, we generated cardiac organoids ex vivo by seeding tyrosine protein kinase kit (c-kit)-positive cardiac progenitor cells (CPC cells) from fresh rat hearts into a rat collagen I gel. We then implanted these patches into immunosuppressed animals and compared the suitability of different silk fibroin scaffolds with three different geometries. We demonstrated that CPC cells were destroyed by CD3+ lymphocytes, that the porous and partially oriented scaffolds induced a consistent foreign body response compared to the electrospun meshes, and that CPC cells were degraded by a T-cell-mediated immune response, although the latter may be suitable for generating rat cardiac organoids.
Brain solute transport is more rapid in periarterial than perivenous spaces
Authors: Vinje Vegard , Bakker Erik Nicolaas Theodorus Petrus , Rognes Marie E
Published: March 2021

Background: Perivascular fluid flow, of cerebrospinal or interstitial fluid in spaces surrounding brain blood vessels, is recognized as a key component underlying brain transport and clearance. An important open question is how and to what extent differences in vessel type or geometry affect perivascular fluid flow and transport. Methods: Using computational modelling in both idealized and image-based geometries, we study and compare fluid flow and solute transport in pial (surface) periarterial and perivenous spaces. Results: Our findings demonstrate that differences in geometry between arterial and venous pial perivascular spaces (PVSs) lead to higher net CSF flow, more rapid tracer transport and earlier arrival times of injected tracers in periarterial spaces compared to perivenous spaces. Conclusions: These findings can explain the experimentally observed rapid appearance of tracers around arteries, and the delayed appearance around veins without the need of a circulation through the parenchyma, but rather by direct transport along the PVSs.