bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Sigma Coindex of Graph Operations
Authors: Nacaroglu Yasar
Published: May 2021

The sigma coindex is defined as the sum of the squares of the differences between the degrees of all nonadjacent vertex pairs. In this paper, we propose some mathematical properties of the sigma coindex. Later, we present precise results for the sigma coindices of various graph operations such as tensor product, Cartesian product, lexicographic product, disjunction, strong product, union, join, and corona product.
Fishery Data Distribution System Based on Distance Prior Network Coding Strategy with Buffer Mapping Mechanism
Authors: Zhang Wei , Li Xiarui , Zhou Renjie , Bai Yangyang
Published: May 2021

Marine fishery production safety has always been a livelihood issue of high concern to government departments at all levels in China. With the construction of marine informatization, a large number of fishing vessels have entered the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS). The massive, highly concurrent, and continuous track data generated by these vessels has posed great challenges to real-time data distribution. To cope with low distribution efficiency in the original data distribution system, this paper proposed a data distribution model based on the combination of network coding and UDP, which improves both reliability and efficiency of data distribution. In order to further enhance the efficiency of data distribution, a Codeword Distance Priority Protocol based on Buffer Map (CDPPBM) was added to the proposed model for the concentration of innovative codewords in the network, thereby increasing the effectiveness of data received by nodes. Experimental results show that the protocol proposed in this paper improves the data distribution efficiency by about 75% on average, compared with the LT code. The influence of data block size on network coded data distribution system is not involved in the previous work. Therefore, this paper discusses the Block to Piece Protocol (BPP) for large files, divides large files into fixed sizes equally, and distributesndata blocks multiple times to find the optimal piece size. The experimental results show that there is an optimalnfor large files of different sizes, which can maximize the efficiency of data distribution.
Chemometric Analysis of UV‐Visible Spectral Fingerprints for the Discrimination and Quantification of Clinical Anthracycline Drug Preparation Used in Oncology
Authors: El Orche Aimen , Adade Casimir Adade , Mefetah Hafid , Cheikh Amine , Karrouchi Khalid , El Karbane Miloud , Bouatia Mustapha
Published: May 2021

In clinical treatment, the analytical quality assessment of the delivery of chemotherapeutic preparations is required to guarantee the patient’s safety regarding the dose and most importantly the appropriate anticancer drug. On its own, the development of rapid analytical methods allowing both qualitative and quantitative control of the formulation of prepared solutions could significantly enhance the hospital’s workflow, reducing costs, and potentially providing optimal patient care. UV‐visible spectroscopy is a nondestructive, fast, and economical technique for molecular characterization of samples. A discrimination and quantification study of three chemotherapeutic drugs doxorubicin, daunorubicin, and epirubicin was conducted, using clinically relevant concentration ranges prepared in 0.9% NaCl solutions. The application of the partial least square discriminant analysis PLS‐DA method on the UV‐visible spectral data shows a perfect discrimination of the three drugs with a sensitivity and specificity of 100%. The use of partial least square regression PLS shows high quantification performance of these molecules in solution represented by the low value of root mean square error of calibration (RMSEC) and root mean square error of cross validation (RMSCECV) on the one hand and the high value of R‐square on the other hand. This study demonstrated the viability of UV‐visible fingerprinting (routine approach) coupled with chemometric tools for the classification and quantification of chemotherapeutic drugs during clinical preparation.
[Retracted] Educational Information System Optimization for Artificial Intelligence Teaching Strategies
Authors: Liu Taotang , Gao Zhongxin , Guan Honghai
Published: May 2021

Under the background of the information age, scientific research and engineering practice have developed vigorously, resulting in many complex optimization problems that are difficult to solve. How to design more effective optimization methods has become the focus of urgent solutions in many academic fields. Under the guidance of such demand, intelligent optimization algorithms have emerged. This article analyzes and optimizes the modern artificial intelligence teaching information system in detail. On the basis of determining the network architecture, a detailed demand analysis was carried out, and the overall structure optimization of the network was given; the business process and data flow of the main modules of the website (resource center module and collaborative learning module) were optimized. In order to further enhance the local search ability of the algorithm, a multiclass interactive optimization algorithm is proposed in combination with the Euclidean distance‐based clustering method, which changes the teaching mode from “one‐person teaching” to “multiperson teaching.” This clustering method has lower complexity and is beneficial to enhance the utilization of neighborhood information. At the same time, in order to enhance the diversity of the population and strengthen the connection between the subgroups, after the teaching phase, the worst students in each subgroup are allowed to learn from the best teachers of the population, and after the learning phase, individuals in a random subgroup are allowed to learn from other subgroups. The algorithm was tested in the experimental environment of unconstrained, constrained, and an engineering problem. From the test results, it can be seen that the algorithm is not easy to fall into the local optimum. Compared with other algorithms, the solution accuracy is higher and the stability is better. And it performed well in engineering optimization problems, thus verifying the effectiveness of the strategy.
Enhanced Neurokinin‐1 Receptor Expression Is Associated with Human Dental Pulp Inflammation and Pain Severity
Authors: Mehboob Riffat , Hassan Sana , Gilani Syed Amir , Hassan Amber , Tanvir Imrana , Waseem Humaira , Hanif Asif
Published: May 2021

Substance P (SP) is a peptide involved in many biological processes, including nociception and inflammation. SP has a high affinity for its receptor neurokinin‐1 (NK‐1R). SP/NK‐1R complex plays a major role in the interactions going on during the onset of dental pain and inflammation. Objective. To identify the expression of NK‐1R in healthy and inflamed human dental pulp, as well as to identify any association with severity of dental pain. Methods. This case‐control study included ten irreversibly inflamed samples of dental pulp, which were extirpated from patients presenting with chief complaint of dental pain due to caries. Ten healthy pulps, extirpated from those teeth which were indicated for extraction due to orthodontic reasons, were used as the control group. Visual analog scale (VAS) and modified McGill Pain Questionnaire were used to assess the characteristic and severity of pain. Immunohistochemical study was performed using monoclonal antibodies against NK‐1R. Results. The results showed that the NK‐1R was expressed intensely in patients with higher pain score. The mean pain score in cases was 7.0 ± 2.0. The healthy dental pulps had negative or mild NK‐1R staining of +1 intensity. The NK‐1R score in cases was 2.4 ± 0.516 and 0.2 ± 0.4216 in controls. There was significant difference in NK‐1R score between both groups (p value <0.05). There was a strong positive correlation between the pain score and NK‐1R expression score. As the pain increased, the NK‐1R expression score was also increased (0.95 ∗∗, p value 0.000). Conclusions. NK‐1R is overexpressed in inflamed dental pulp. SP/NK‐1R modulation may provide a novel approach for the treatment of pulpal inflammation and pain.
Potential Alterations of Functional Connectivity Analysis in the Patients with Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome
Authors: Ge Shengyang , Hu Qingfeng , Guo Yijun , Xu Ke , Xia Guowei , Sun Chuanyu
Published: May 2021

Background. Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is one of the most common diseases in urology, but its pathogenesis remains unclear. As a kind of chronic pain which the patients suffered for more than 3 months, we investigated the influence on patients’ brain functional connectivity in resting state. Methods. We recruited a cohort of 18 right-handed male patients with CP/CPPS and 21 healthy male right-handed age-matched controls. Their resting-state fMRI data and structural MRI data were preprocessed and processed by RESTPlus V1.22. To assess the integrity of the default mode network (DMN), we utilized the voxel-wised analysis that we set medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and posterior cingulate gyrus (PCC) as seed points to compare the global functional connectivity (FC) strength. Results. Compared with healthy control, the FC strength between left mPFC and posterior DMN decreased in the group of CP/CPPS (

P
<
0.05

, GFR correction, voxel

P
<
0.01

, cluster

P
<
0.05

), and the FC strength between the left anterior cerebellar lobe and posterior DMN increased (

P
<
0.05

, GFR correction, voxel

P
<
0.01

, cluster

P
<
0.05

). In the patient group, there was a positive correlation between the increased FC strength and the score of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) anxiety subscale (

r
=
0.5509

,

P
=
0.0178

) in the left anterior cerebellar lobe, a negative correlation between the decreased FC strength and the score of the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (

r
=
−
0.6281

,

P
=
0.0053

) in the area of left mPFC, and a negative correlation between the decreased FC strength and the score of HADS anxiety subscale (

r
=
−
0.5252

,

P
=
0.0252

). Conclusion. Patients with CP/CPPS had alterations in brain function, which consisted of the default mode network’s compromised integrity. These alterations might play a crucial role in the pathogenesis and development of CP/CPPS.
Taurine Increases Zinc Preconditioning‐Induced Prevention of Nitrosative Stress, Metabolic Alterations, and Motor Deficits in Young Rats following Intrauterine Ischemia
Authors: Gonzalez-Vazquez Alejandro , Aguilar-Peralta Ana-Karina , Tomas-Sanchez Constantino , Blanco-Alvarez Victor-Manuel , Martinez-Fong Daniel , Gonzalez-Barrios Juan-Antonio , Treviño Samuel , Millán-Perez Peña Lourdes , Alatriste Victorino , Soto-Rodriguez Guadalupe , Brambila Eduardo , Leon-Chavez Bertha Alicia
Published: May 2021

Oxygen deprivation in newborns leads to hypoxic‐ischemic encephalopathy, whose hallmarks are oxidative/nitrosative stress, energetic metabolism alterations, nutrient deficiency, and motor behavior disability. Zinc and taurine are known to protect against hypoxic‐ischemic brain damage in adults and neonates. However, the combined effect of prophylactic zinc administration and therapeutic taurine treatment on intrauterine ischemia‐ (IUI‐) induced cerebral damage remains unknown. The present work evaluated this issue in male pups subjected to transient IUI (10 min) at E17 and whose mothers received zinc from E1 to E16 and taurine from E17 to postnatal day 15 (PND15) via drinking water. We assessed motor alterations, nitrosative stress, lipid peroxidation, and the antioxidant system comprised of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Enzymes of neuronal energetic pathways, such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), were also evaluated. The hierarchization score of the protective effect of pharmacological strategies (HSPEPS) was used to select the most effective treatment. Compared with the IUI group, zinc, alone or combined with taurine, improved motor behavior and reduced nitrosative stress by increasing SOD, CAT, and GPx activities and decreasing the GSSG/GSH ratio in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Taurine alone increased the AST/ALT, LDH/ALT, and AST/LDH ratios in the cerebral cortex, showing improvement of the neural bioenergetics system. This result suggests that taurine improves pyruvate, lactate, and glutamate metabolism, thus decreasing IUI‐caused cerebral damage and relieving motor behavior impairment. Our results showed that taurine alone or in combination with zinc provides neuroprotection in the IUI rat model.
Layout Method of Multiseismic Detectors for Shallow Underground Excavation Applications
Authors: Qin Dong-ze , Zhang Jin-Shi
Published: May 2021

In this study, we propose effective monitoring equipment intended for monitoring the underground tunnel of illegal excavation (such as theft, jailbreak, and smuggling). It mainly detects the microseismic information produced by underground excavation in a short distance to detect the status of underground excavation. Based on the arrival time difference principle, the positioning mathematical models of the 5‐1‐1 layout method, 4‐3 layout method, and 7‐0‐0 layout method are established, respectively. In the research process, the measurement and the placement error caused by the installation of a seismic detector are joined into the detectors. Simulation results show that the relative error and its average value are obtained when mining outside the monitoring area. The experiment results demonstrate that, first, the depth positioning error is positively affected by the number of seismic detectors. Then, the relative error of plane positioning can be reduced when the installation distance among detectors is increased. Finally, the main causes of location error include time measurement error, propagation velocity difference caused by terrain, and the performance of detector hardware. The array of a ground motion detector has a weak influence on it. These emerging trends will have profound impacts on application of an underground excavation system.
Monitoring of the Looseness in Cargo Bolts under Random Excitation Based on Vibration Transmissibility
Authors: Dong Guangming , Chen Jin , Zhao Fagang
Published: May 2021

Bolted joints are widely used in industrial applications and joint failure can cause a disastrous accident if loosening happens. Bolt loosening detection can be made by regular manual inspection or by using sensors based on different physical principles, such as acoustoelastic effect, piezoelectric active sensing, and electromechanical impedance. Compared with the above methods, vibration based bolt looseness monitoring using accelerometers is appealing for its economy and convenience for measurement. In this paper, cargo bolts looseness monitoring under random excitation is studied based on vibration transmissibility, which overcomes the drawback of commonly used vibration methods in finding local bolt looseness. Vibration transmissibility analysis only uses two vibration transducers to monitor bolt group looseness, where the vibration signal below the cargo bolts is used as the “input” and the other one above the cargo bolts is used as the “output.” There are 12 bolts in the cargo bolts studied in this paper, providing an essential clamping force to fix cargo during transportation. Six kinds of bolt group looseness with an increasing degree are simulated in the experiment. The experimental analysis shows that variation of the spectral moment can be used to monitor the global variation of the torque wrench exerted on the cargo bolts. The early stage of the bolt group looseness is that some one or two bolts begin to loose; however, the spectrum moment factor is insensitive to the local bolt looseness in the bolt group. To address this issue, the eigensystem realization algorithm (ERA) based on random input and output is utilized to find the subtle eigenvalue variation of the system matrix, which is neglected by the frequency transmissibility function. The experimental results show the effectiveness of the proposed method for detecting local bolt looseness.
In Vivo and In Vitro Analyses of Titanium‐Hydroxyapatite Functionally Graded Material for Dental Implants
Authors: Wang Xinhua , Wan Chengpeng , Feng Xiaoxia , Zhao Fuyan , Wang Huiming
Published: May 2021

Purpose. The stress shielding effect caused due to the mechanical mismatch between the solid titanium and the surrounding bone tissue warrants the utilization of a mechanically and biologically compatible material such as the titanium‐hydroxyapatite (Ti‐HA) functionally graded material (FGM) for dental implants. This study is aimed at fabricating a Ti‐HA FGM with superior mechanical and biological properties for dental implantation. Materials and Methods. We fabricated a Ti‐HA FGM with different Ti volume fractions (VFs) using HA and Ti powders. Ti‐HA was characterized by studying its mechanical properties. Cytotoxicity was examined using a Cell Counting Kit‐8 assay and an LDH cell cytotoxicity assay. Scanning electron microscopy was performed on an XL30 environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM). Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and transforming growth factor (TGF‐β1) expressions were quantitatively monitored using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. The expressions of TGF‐β receptors and ALP genes were measured using real‐time polymerase chain reaction. The Ti‐HA FGM dental implants were placed in beagle dogs. Microcomputed tomography (CT) and hard tissue slices were performed to evaluate the bone‐implant contact (BIC) and bone volume over total volume (BV/TV). Results. The density and mechanical properties of the Ti‐HA exhibited various graded distributions corresponding to VF. Based on the results of the Cell Counting Kit‐8 (CCK‐8) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays, the difference in cytotoxicity between the two groups was statistically nonsignificant (P = 0.11). The ALP and TGF‐β1 levels were slightly upregulated. The transcript levels of ALP and TGF‐βRI were higher in the Ti‐HA groups than in the Ti group at 7 days, whereas the transcript levels of TGF‐βRII exhibited no obvious increase. The BIC did not exhibit significant differences between the Ti and Ti‐HA FGM groups (P = 0.0504). BV/TV showed the Ti‐HA FGM group had better osteogenesis (P = 0.04). Conclusion. Ti‐HA FGM contributes to the osteogenesis of dental implants in vivo and in vitro.
Effect of Cocoa Bean Shell Addition on Metabolite Profile and Antioxidant Activity of Herbal Infusions
Authors: Quijano-Avilés Maria , Chóez-Guaranda Ivan , Viteri Rafael , Barragán-Lucas Ana , Sosa Daynet , Manzano Patricia
Published: May 2021

Cocoa bean shell (CBS) is a by-product with aromatic characteristics that can enhance the aroma and bioactivity of herbal infusions. This study was aimed to determine the effect of the addition of cocoa bean shell on the metabolite profile and antioxidant activity of infusions made with Ilex guayusa and Vernonanthura patens and their mixtures. Metabolite profile was analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry combined with multivariate analysis. Total polyphenol content and flavonoids were determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method and by the flavonoid-AlCl3 complex, respectively. Antioxidant activities were measured by the decolorization assay of the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical and the ferric reducing antioxidant power. The results revealed that the addition of CBS increases the content of phenolic acids in the infusions (caffeic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, and pyrocatechol). Nonetheless, the antioxidant activity of the infusions decreased with the addition of CBS (16.21 to 2.74 TEAC). Carboxylic acids and derivatives, major compounds present in the infusions prepared with V. patens, were the metabolites that showed the highest correlation with the antioxidant activity. This study suggests that the infusions made with CBS present a profile of metabolites different from the infusions of I. guayusa, V. patens, and their mixtures.
Analysis of Dendrimer Generation by Sombor Indices
Authors: Amin Shahid , Rehman Virk Abaid Ur , Rehman M.A. , Shah Nehad Ali
Published: May 2021

Dendrimers are highly branched, star-shaped macromolecules with nanometer-scale dimensions. Dendrimers are defined by three components: a central core, an interior dendritic structure (the branches), and an exterior surface with functional surface groups. Topological indices are numerical numbers that help us to understand the topology of different dendrimers and can be used to predict the properties without performing experiments in the wet lab. In the present paper, we computed the Sombor index and the reduced version of the Sombor index for the molecular graphs of phosphorus-containing dendrimers, porphyrin-cored dendrimers, PDI-cored dendrimers, triazine-based dendrimers, and aliphatic polyamide dendrimers. We also plotted our results by using Maple 2015 which help us to see the dependence of the Sombor index and reduced Sombor index on the involved parameters. Our results may help to develop better understanding about phosphorus-containing dendrimers, porphyrin-cored dendrimers, PDI-cored dendrimers, triazine-based dendrimers, and aliphatic polyamide dendrimers. Our results are also useful in the pharmaceutical industry and drug delivery.
The Stability of a Two-Axis Gimbal System for the Camera
Authors: Cong Danh Nguyen
Published: May 2021

Gimbal or an inertial stabilization platform (ISP) is used to stabilize the line of sight of an object or device that is tracking another object (LOS) with stationary or moving targets or targets moving forward. It can achieve precision when there is isolation between the tracker and the gimbal base. Studying the 2-axis tilt angle to create gimbal stability, especially in a camera, is a compelling subject for the automation field, as it is controlled by modern controllers. This paper presents a two-axis gimbal loop in which the LOS rate is stable, and I proceed to examine the stability of the system to get a better overview of the system properties. Through examining the stability of the system, I can choose from modern control methods to control them. The stability of the system used from the two analysis methods I present below gives me a visual view from the results achieved. The simulation is performed in MATLAB.
Evaluation of Nursing Homes Using a Novel PROMETHEE Method for Probabilistic Linguistic Term Sets
Authors: Li Peng , Xu Zhiwei
Published: May 2021

Aging has become a serious social problem in China. Traditional informal long‐term care is hard to sustain because of the reduction in family size and elders’ children migration to big cities. The institution offering services for the disabled elders has been a tendency. There exists a strange phenomenon: some nursing homes are difficult to enter for most disabled elders, while the other ones must search for elders to maintain operation. Therefore, for the evaluation of nursing homes, two problems should be considered: (1) selecting suitable nursing homes for disabled elders; (2) obtaining the key factors influencing the selection of elders and helping nursing homes improve their services based on the key factors. First, we propose a new DEMATEL (Decision‐Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory) method for PLTSs to solve the second problem. Then, we present a novel PROMETHEE (Preference Ranking Organization Methods for Enrichment Evaluations) method to rank the alternatives and make a sensitivity analysis for criteria. Finally, we illustrate our proposed methods to an evaluation problem in Zhenjiang City by a case study. Based on the case study, we can obtain that our proposed methods are effective and practicable.
The Influence of Endogenous Testosterone on Incidental Prostate Cancer after Transurethral Prostate Resection
Authors: Porcaro Antonio B. , Siracusano Salvatore , Amigoni Nelia , Tafuri Alessandro , Rizzetto Riccardo , Shakir Aliasger , Tiso Leone , Cerrato Clara , De Michele Mario , Bianchi Alberto , Gallina Sebastian , Brunelli Matteo , Migliorini Filippo , Artibani Walter , Antonelli Alessandro
Published: May 2021

Objective: The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that endogenous total testosterone (TT) may relate to incidental prostate cancer (iPCA) in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with prostate enlargement undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Methods: The hypothesis was tested in contemporary cohort of patients who underwent TURP because of LUTS due to prostate enlargement after excluding the suspect of PCA. In period running from January 2017 to November 2019, 389 subjects were evaluated. Endogenous testosterone was measured preoperatively between 8:00 and 10:00 o’clock in the morning. Relationships between TT and iPCA were evaluated by statistical methods. Results: Overall, iPCA was detected in 18 cases (4.6%) with clinical stage cT1a or International Society of Urologic Pathology (ISUP) < 2 in 11 patients (61.1%). Endogenous testosterone was inversely associated with age and BMI in the study population but not in the subgroup with iPCA in wholly endogenous TT strongly correlated to both number of chips involved by cancer (Pearson’s correlation coefficient, r = 0.553; p = 0.017) and ISUP > 2 (r = 0.504; p = 0.033). The positive association of endogenous TT with both tumor load and tumor grade was confirmed by the linear regression model with high-regression coefficients for the former (regression coefficient, b = 0.307; 95% confidence interval, 95% CI: 0.062–0.551; and p = 0.017) as for the latter (b = 5.898; 95% CI: 0.546–11.249; and p = 0.033). Conclusions: Preoperative endogenous TT is associated with features of iPCA. The influence of iPCA on endogenous testosterone needs to be addressed by a large multicenter prospective trial.
Vigilância em saúde do trabalhador: o suicídio relacionado ao trabalho
Authors: Corsi Carlos Alexandre Curylofo , Luiz Alan Vinícius Assunção , Cintra Álefe Saloum , Pitta Natássia Condilo , Paschoal Ana Cláudia da Silva , Queiroz Talita Silva , Flória-Santos Milena
Published: May 2021

Objetivo: investigar as possíveis relações que permeiam as temáticas da ideação suicida e do suicídio associadas aos aspectos internos e externos do trabalho. Método: ao adotar uma abordagem qualitativa e perspectiva descritiva, foi realizada uma revisão integrativa da literatura do período de 2009-2019 operacionalizada por buscas nas bases de dados PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, LILACS, BDENF e BVS. Resultados: partiu-se da questão norteadora “Quais são as relações existentes entre o trabalhador, vítima de suicídio, e o ambiente de trabalho em que ele está inserido?” e de descritores, encontrando-se 481 registros, dos quais dez estudos foram selecionados. Separados por dois eixos de análise (aspectos internos e externos), os estudos descreveram dez relações predominantes entre o suicídio e o trabalho, sendo elas: depressão (19,3%); assédio moral/bullying (16,1%); ausência de lazer (12,9%); estresse (9,6%); sobrecarga profissional (9,6%); acidentes no trabalho (9,6%); Síndrome de Burnout (6,4%); isolamento social (6,4%); conflitos entre a família e o trabalho (6,4%) e falta de autonomia no trabalho (3,2%). Conclusão: os resultados demonstram a relação existente entre o trabalho e o suicídio. Como a Enfermagem é uma potencial promotora no cuidado humanizado, destacase a necessidade de vigilância e promoção da saúde para os trabalhadores nesses ambientes.
"A gira que eu faço é firme!" - o gesto da Rainha
Authors: Anjos Jean Souza dos
Published: May 2021

Ensaio fotográfico sobre as giras da Rainha Pombagira Sete Encruzilhadas na Cabana do Preto Velho da Mata Escura, em Fortaleza, CE. Um trabalho, uma baia, uma antropologia macumbeira que movimenta e enfeitiça. As imagens encantadas desvelam o que se pode olhar e guardam os segredos sagrados, gestos. O visível e o invisível se encontram revelando poéticas, interstícios e conhecimentos.
Dengbêj - um grito de resistência curdo
Authors: Pessuto Kelen
Published: May 2021

Este foto-ensaio foi realizado na cidade de Diyarbakir, no Curdistão turco, e retrata o dengbêj, a principal prática cultural do povo curdo, que visa transmitir sua língua, seus mitos e suas histórias através das gerações. Em um país onde o idioma curdo é proibido até nas escolas, a prática do dengbêj, mesmo institucionalizada (a partir de 2007, quando foi criado o Dengbêj House), é um ato de resistência do povo curdo, pois através dessas canções a língua curda vive e resiste.
The Peacock Junction
Authors: Schellini Marcelo Artioli
Published: May 2021

Este ensaio apresenta imagens e textos que relatam o encontro com a paisagem contemporânea do Tamil Nadu, sul da Índia. No início de janeiro de dois mil e vinte, em decorrência de uma experiência educacional em uma instituição acadêmica indiana, iniciei a pesquisa visual que considera a fotografia de paisagem um procedimento de imersão no espaço para refletir sobre o território e suas representações. Em seus desdobramentos – uma vez que a paisagem revela-se como um espaço de interação – o gênero da fotografia de paisagem justapõe complexas relações que vão além de uma simples transcrição da natureza; expandindo a ideia de paisagem sobretudo por meio da transformação provocada por seus habitantes, a presença do observador, o extra-campo e suas inúmeras representações históricas.
Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation on Cardiovascular and Glycemic Biomarkers
Authors: Miao Jennifer , Bachmann Katherine N. , Huang Shi , Su Yan Ru , Dusek Jeffery , Newton‐Cheh Christopher , Arora Pankaj , Wang Thomas J.
Published: May 2021

Background

Experimental and observational studies have suggested a link between vitamin D and cardiovascular and metabolic disease, but this has not been confirmed in randomized controlled trials. We sought to determine whether vitamin D supplementation reduces biomarkers of insulin resistance, inflammation, neurohormonal activation, and lipids.

Methods and Results

This was a prespecified, secondary analysis of the DAYLIGHT (Vitamin D Therapy in Individuals at High Risk of Hypertension) randomized controlled trial. We measured circulating homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, hs‐CRP (high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein), N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide, renin, aldosterone, and lipids at baseline and at 6 months in 289 individuals with low vitamin D status (25‐hydroxyvitamin‐D [25‐OH‐D] ≤25 ng/mL) receiving low‐dose (400 IU/d) versus high‐dose (4000 IU/d) vitamin D3 for 6 months. A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials reporting biomarker changes after vitamin D supplementation was then performed. Levels of 25‐OH‐D increased in the high‐dose relative to the low‐dose vitamin D group (+15.5 versus +4.6 ng/mL,
P
<0.001). Changes in biomarkers of glycemia, inflammation, and neurohormonal activation did not differ by dose. Lipids did not differ between groups, other than triglycerides, which increased in the high‐dose compared with the low‐dose group (+11.3 versus −6.2 mg/dL,
P
<0.001). The meta‐analysis showed potential modest decreases in homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance and hs‐CRP, but no changes in low‐density lipoprotein, after vitamin D supplementation compared with control groups.

Conclusions

In the DAYLIGHT randomized controlled trial, high‐dose vitamin D supplementation did not improve biomarkers of glycemia, inflammation, neurohormonal activation, or lipids.

Registration

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT01240512.
A replacement name for the poorly known illegitimate Paleogene genus Psilamonocolpites Y.K.Mathur (Ginkgoales)

Authors: HERNÁNDEZ JOSÉ AMET RIVAZ
Published: May 2021

The monotypic genus Psilamonocolpites Mathur (1966: 40) was established to classify a new species of gymnosperm’s pollen fossil, within the informal taxon Ginkgo-group, from Western Kutch, in India. Psilamonocolpites longicolpatus Mathur (1966: 40), collected in Paleogene Suppratrappean sediments of Kutch Basin, is the type species by monotypy. Despite the fact that some subsequent contributions to the original description of the species have been focused on increasing knowledge about the palynological paleoflora of Kutch Basin and other Paleogene sedimentary environments located in the southern hemisphere (Venkatachala & Kar 1968, Saxena 1977, Askin 1990, Zavada & de Villiers 2000, Gengwu et al. 2006, Mathews et al. 2013), the occurrence of Psilamonocolpites longicolpatus Y.K.Mathur has not been documented since, and remained largely ignored in the scientific literature, partly because it is known only from the holotype collected approximately 56 years ago. No additional species to the type species of the genus has been described to date.
A new species of Ophiocordyceps (Ophiocordycipitaceae) from Mizoram, India
Authors: CHAWNGTHU ZOHMANGAIHA , VABEIKHOKHEI JOSIAH MC , ZOMUANPUII RITA , MANDAL SURAJIT DE , ZOTHANZAMA JOHN
Published: May 2021

Ophiocordyceps mizoramensisis described as a new species from Mizoram by using a combination of morphological and molecular phylogenetic analysis. The molecular phylogenetic analysis include both the subunits (LSU and SSU), the internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) with the 5.8S gene region, along with Tef (Translation elongation factor). The new species Ophiocordyceps mizoramensis, differs from other closely related species based on molecular phylogenetic relationships, genetic distance, and minor morphological characters related to sexual structures. The entomopathogenic Ophiocordyceps mizoramensis infected the host Polistes olivaceus (paper wasp) causing death to the whole colony of the hive.
Aristolochia vuquangensis (Aristolochiaceae), a new species from Central Vietnam
Authors: DO TRUONG VAN , NGUYEN HUNG VIET , LE KHUONG DUY
Published: May 2021

Aristolochia vuquangensis (Aristolochia subgenus Siphisia), a new species from Central Vietnam, is described and illustrated here. This species is most similar to A. wardiana and A. forrestiana by sharing an ovate to lanceolate-ovate leaf blade and a cylindric or saccate-shaped limb, but it differs principally from the two species in having a densely brown hirsute outer surface of perianth, an oblong-ovate utricle, 1.1–1.5 cm long, an unequally semicircular 3-lobed limb in pre-anthesis, with a revolute median lobe, larger than two lateral lobes, abaxially concave, and lower one-third of the inner surface of limb densely covered by trichomes. A detailed description, illustrations, information on ecology, conservation status, and comparison with two similar species are also provided.
Distribution of Bark Procyanidin Contents in Pinus yunnanensis Populations and Related Species
Authors: Zhang Xiaolong , Yu Hong , Chen Lin , Mao Chuntang , Wang Yuanbing , Pan Yihong
Published: May 2021

The distribution of the bark procyanidin contents in 26 populations of Pinus yunnanensis and 8 populations of P. kesiya var. langbianensis and 5 populations of P. densata was determined. The results indicated that genetic and environmental factors commonly affected
the procyanidin content in the populations of P. yunnanensis and related species. The procyanidin contents in the three related species followed the order of P. densata (54.72 mg/g) > P. kesiya (43.86 mg/g) > P. yunnanensis (37.95 mg/g). Furthermore, the procyanidin
content in P. yunnanensis and related species had high variability. The procyanidin contents in the three related species showed that the procyanidin contents of P. densata distributed in northwest Yunnan and P. kesiya distributed in southern Yunnan were high, the procyanidin
content of the population with introgression and hybridization or a heterogeneous habitat was also high, and that of P. yunnanensis distributed in central Yunnan was low. The quadratic regression model of procyanidin content and latitude was Y = 1329.06 -100.52* Latitude +1.95 * Latitude2.
Photocatalysis and Biodegradation Coupled Intimately for Treatment of the Black-Odor Water
Authors: Xiong Jianhua , Jiao Chunlin , Pan Liushu , Wang Jue , Cheng Hao , Zhu Hongxiang , Song Hainong , Chen Guoning
Published: May 2021

Black-odor water remains an important problem of water pollution control in China. An increasing number of studies have thus investigated combined technologies for water pollution. Among them, many researchers prefer the intimate coupling of photocatalysis and biodegradation (ICPB)
for its characteristics of high efficiency and high removal rate for refractory organics. In this study, porous cellulose-TiO2, which has advantages of good responsiveness, stability, and friendliness towards microorganisms, was introduced into the ICPB system as a crucial carrier
for cleaning black-odor water. The key factors of this system were changed to obtain the optimum conditions (carrier mass 4 g, pH 7, and light intensity 25 W), and three comparison protocols including UV-responsive photocatalysis (UPC), biodegradation (B), and the coupled (PB) were carried
out. The results showed removal rates of 59.06% (UPC), 68.20% (B), and 92.06% (PB) for COD, 59.96% (UPC), 82.36% (B), and 97.16% (PB) for NH3–N, and 69.00% (UPC), 85.61% (B), and 94.83% (PB) for TP. Obviously, the coupled treatment exhibited the maximum removal rates for the
three indexes. Moreover, with the coupled treatment, the effluent water quality could meet the requirement of Class III water of the Environmental Quality Standard for Surface Water (GB3838-2002).
Differences in the Soil Bacterial Communities Under Organic Farming and Conventional Farming Modes Revealed by 16S rDNA Sequencing
Authors: Yang Yazhen , Fang Mingke , Wu Meiyan , Zhang Huaisheng , Li Huizhen , Zhu Jianqiang
Published: May 2021

Soil bacterial communities are different in various agricultural ecosystems. To assess the differences in soil bacterial communities between organic and conventional farming modes, high-throughput Illumina MiSeq sequencing was conducted. A total of 3, 919 operational taxonomic units
were identified and classified as 26 phyla, 42 classes, 78 orders, 120 families, 281 genera, and 340 known species. The histogram of the microbial species distribution at genera levels showed that Massiliaand Lysobacter increased quickly in soil under organic farming mode. Analysis
of soil bacterial diversity showed that the soil under the organic farming had a greater bacterial diversity. Linear discriminant analysis effect size analysis showed that the major bacterial groups identified in the soil sample CK1 (2015.4) and CK6 (2017.10) under conventional farming mode
were largely different from those in the soil sample 06 (2017.10) under organic farming mode. Redundancy analysis demonstrated that available nitrogen was the most important factor regulating bacterial composition under the organic farming mode. Massilia, Pseudomonas, Lysobacter and
Pseudarthrobacterabundances showed a strong positive correlation with the content of available nitrogen. The results provided an important reference for the utilization of soil microorganisms under the organic farming mode.
Heterologous Expression and Purification of Hagfish Mucus Protein
Authors: Yang Rui , Sun Ruishuang , Zhu Wenlong , Zhang QingShuai , Liu Debang , Zheng Ruonan , Nie Kaili , Liu Luo , Cao Hui
Published: May 2021

To realize the application and production of hagfish mucus protein, this experiment increased the protein expression and improved its purification method. According to codon preference, the hagfish mucus protein gene was optimized to increase the production of target protein. Then,
the protein expression conditions of the host bacteria were optimized, and the IPTG concentration, induction time and supplementation amounts of glycine, threonine, and serine were evaluated in single-factor tests. On the basis of single-factor experiments, with the supplementation of glycine,
threonine, and serine as independent variables, the target protein yield was the response value. According to the Box-Behnken central combination design principle of the response surface method, the influence of the respective variables and their interaction on the hagfish mucus protein yield
were studied, and the induction conditions were optimized through a combination of Design-Expert software and response surface analysis. The results show that the best induction conditions for EsTKα shake flasks are IPTG concentration 0.6 mmol/L, induction for 12 h, and glycine, threonine,
and serine added at 90 mg/L, 90 mg/L, and 9.91 mg/L, respectively, to achieve the highest protein yield of 153.482 mg/L. The IPTG concentration of EsTKγ was 0.8 mmol/L after induction for 12 h, and the amounts of glycine, threonine, and serine were 54 mg/L, 9.01 mg/L, and 11.4 mg/L,
respectively. The theoretical best protein yield was 141.97 mg/L. Finally, based on the principle of specific self-assembly between proteins, the two proteins were subjected to gradient dialysis, and the gelled assembled protein was selected by the phase separation method to achieve separation
and purification.
SETBP1 overexpression acts in the place of class-defining mutations to drive FLT3-ITD–mutant AML
Authors: Pacharne Suruchi , Dovey Oliver M. , Cooper Jonathan L. , Gu Muxin , Friedrich Mathias J. , Rajan Sandeep S. , Barenboim Maxim , Collord Grace , Vijayabaskar M. S. , Ponstingl Hannes , De Braekeleer Etienne , Bautista Ruben , Mazan Milena , Rad Roland , Tzelepis Konstantinos , Wright Penny , Gozdecka Malgorzata , Vassiliou George S.
Published: May 2021

Advances in cancer genomics have revealed genomic classes of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) characterized by class-defining mutations, such as chimeric fusion genes or in genes such as NPM1, MLL, and CEBPA. These class-defining mutations frequently synergize with internal tandem duplications in FLT3 (FLT3-ITDs) to drive leukemogenesis. However, ∼20% of FLT3-ITD–positive AMLs bare no class-defining mutations, and mechanisms of leukemic transformation in these cases are unknown. To identify pathways that drive FLT3-ITD mutant AML in the absence of class-defining mutations, we performed an insertional mutagenesis (IM) screening in Flt3-ITD mice, using Sleeping Beauty transposons. All mice developed acute leukemia (predominantly AML) after a median of 73 days. Analysis of transposon insertions in 38 samples from Flt3-ITD/IM leukemic mice identified recurrent integrations at 22 loci, including Setbp1 (20/38), Ets1 (11/38), Ash1l (8/38), Notch1 (8/38), Erg (7/38), and Runx1 (5/38). Insertions at Setbp1 led exclusively to AML and activated a transcriptional program similar, but not identical, to those of NPM1-mutant and MLL-rearranged AMLs. Guide RNA targeting of Setbp1 was highly detrimental to Flt3ITD/+/Setbp1IM+, but not to Flt3ITD/+/Npm1cA/+, AMLs. Also, analysis of RNA-sequencing data from hundreds of human AMLs revealed that SETBP1 expression is significantly higher in FLT3-ITD AMLs lacking class-defining mutations. These findings propose that SETBP1 overexpression collaborates with FLT3-ITD to drive a subtype of human AML. To identify genetic vulnerabilities of these AMLs, we performed genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screening in Flt3ITD/+/Setbp1IM+ AMLs and identified potential therapeutic targets, including Kdm1a, Brd3, Ezh2, and Hmgcr. Our study gives new insights into epigenetic pathways that can drive AMLs lacking class-defining mutations and proposes therapeutic approaches against such cases.
Mapping the (mis)match of university degrees in the graduate labor market
Authors: Salas-Velasco Manuel
Published: May 2021

This paper contributes to the scarce literature on the topic of horizontal education-job mismatch in the labor market for graduates of universities. Field-of-study mismatch or horizontal mismatch occurs when university graduates, trained in a particular field, work in another field at their formal qualification level. The data used in the analysis come from the first nationally representative survey of labor insertion of recent university graduates in Spain. By estimating a multinomial logistic regression, we are able to identify the match status 4 years after graduation based on self-assessments. We find a higher likelihood of horizontal mismatch among graduates of Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Pharmacy, and Languages and Literature. Only graduates in Medicine increase the probability of being adequately matched in their jobs. It may be hypothesized that horizontal mismatch is more likely among those graduates in degree fields that provide more general skills and less likely among those from degree fields providing more occupation-specific skills. Other degrees such as Business Studies, and Management and Economics Studies increase the probability of being vertically mismatched (over-educated). Vertical mismatch preserves at least some of the specific human capital gained through formal educational qualifications. However, some workers with degrees in Labor Relations and Social Work are in non-graduate positions and study areas unrelated to their studies. The paper also shows that graduates in the fields of health sciences and engineering/architecture increase the probability of achieving an education-job match after external job mobility.
Improving the precision of depression diagnosis in general practice: a cluster-randomized trial
Authors: Brinck-Claussen Ursula Ødum , Curth Nadja Kehler , Christensen Kaj Sparle , Davidsen Annette Sofie , Mikkelsen John Hagel , Lau Marianne Engelbrecht , Lundsteen Merete , Csillag Claudio , Hjorthøj Carsten , Nordentoft Merete , Eplov Lene Falgaard
Published: May 2021

Background

Methods to enhance the accuracy of the depression diagnosis continues to be of relevance to clinicians. The primary aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic precision of two different diagnostic strategies using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) as a reference standard. A secondary aim was to evaluate accordance between depression severity found via MINI and mean Major Depression Inventory (MDI) sum-scores presented at referral.

Methods

This study was a two-armed, cluster-randomized superiority trial embedded in the Collabri trials investigating collaborative care in Danish general practices. GPs performing case-finding were instructed always to use MDI when suspecting depression. GPs performing usual clinical assessment were instructed to detect depression as they would normally do. According to guidelines, GPs would use MDI if they had a clinical suspicion, and patients responded positively to two or three core symptoms of depression. We compared the positive predictive value (PPV) in the two groups.

Results

Fifty-one GP clusters were randomized. In total, 244 participants were recruited in the case-finding group from a total of 19 GP clusters, and 256 participants were recruited in the usual clinical assessment group from a total of 19 GP clusters. The PPV of the GP diagnosis, when based on case-finding, was 0.83 (95% CI 0.78–0.88) and 0.93 (95% CI 0.89–0.96) when based on usual clinical assessment. The mean MDI sum-scores for each depression severity group indicated higher scores than suggested cut-offs.

Conclusions

In this trial, systematic use of MDI on clinical suspicion of depression did not improve the diagnostic precision compared with the usual clinical assessment of depression.

Trial registration

The trial was retrospectively registered on 07/02/2016 at ClinicalTrials.gov. No. NCT02678845.