bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sharpness Recognition Based on Synergy between Bio-inspired Nociceptors and Tactile Mechanoreceptors 
Authors: Parvizi-Fard Adel , Salimi-Nezhad Nima , Amiri Mahmood , Falotico Egidio , Laschi Cecilia
Published: May 2021

Touch and pain sensations are complementary aspects of daily life that convey crucial information about the environment while also providing protection to our body. Technological advancements in prosthesis design and control mechanisms assist amputees to regain lost function but often they have no meaningful tactile feedback or perception. In the present study, we propose a bio-inspired tactile system with a population of 23 digital afferents: 12 RA-I, 6 SA-I, and 5 nociceptors. Indeed, the functional concept of the nociceptor is implemented on the FPGA for the first time. One of the main features of biological tactile afferents is that their distal axon branches in the skin, creating complex receptive fields. Given these physiological observations, the bio-inspired afferents are randomly connected to the several neighboring mechanoreceptors with different weights to form their own receptive field. To test the performance of the proposed neuromorphic chip in sharpness detection, a robotic system with three-degree of freedom equipped with the tactile sensor indents the 3D-printed objects. Spike responses of the biomimetic afferents are then collected for analysis by rate and temporal coding algorithms. In this way, the impact of the innervation mechanism and collaboration of afferents and nociceptors on sharpness recognition are investigated. Our findings suggest that the synergy between sensory afferents and nociceptors conveys more information about tactile stimuli which in turn leads to the robustness of the proposed neuromorphic system against damage to the taxels or afferents. Moreover, it is illustrated that spiking activity of the biomimetic nociceptors is amplified as the sharpness increases which can be considered as a feedback mechanism for prosthesis protection. This neuromorphic approach advances the development of prosthesis to include the sensory feedback and to distinguish innocuous (non-painful) and noxious (painful) stimuli.
Large Scale Synthesis of Native Turn and Helix Mimics Stabilized by a Generic Hydrogen Bond Surrogate
Authors: Prabhakaran Erode N , Pal Sunit , Kumar Ankur , Mahajan Shifali
Published: May 2021

Short Turn and Helix mimics frequently represent molecular recognition surfaces perturbing bio-relevant protein-biomolecular interfaces. Generic methods that can stabilize short peptides into turns or helices by retaining all recognition elements, have tremendous applications in drug discovery. Here, a versatile modular synthetic protocol is presented for stabilizing turns and helices of different sizes by replacing their ring-closing hydrogen bonds with a generic three-carbon covalent surrogate. Two Fukuyama-Mitsunobu reactions insert the surrogate between desired residues in high yields and purity. Coupling with turn size-dependent oligopeptides containing both sterically restricted and non-coded residues, followed by macrolactamization yield a variety of stabilized turns. Short peptide extensions at the C-terminus of these turns yield stabilized 310-helices and α-helices. This solution-phase synthetic approach provides combinatorial access to libraries of stabilized turns and helices with all their native residues retained, in >100 mmole scales, in about one week per stabilized mimic, to technicians with postgraduate level training.
Dietary Magnesium Intake and its Association with Leukocyte Telomere Length in US Middle-aged and Elderly Adults
Authors: Hu Lihua , Hu Guiping , Bai Yi , Wang Baomin , Bao Huihui , Cheng Xiaoshu , Li Jianping
Published: May 2021

Background: Magnesium supplementation may extend the life span; however, the biological mechanism is still unknown. Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is a marker of cell aging and biological health in humans. Data concerning whether magnesium supplementation can maintain telomere length, thus prolonging life are limited.Purpose: To investigate the association between dietary magnesium intake and LTL in US middle-aged and elderly adults. Methods: A total of 4039 US adults aged ≥45 years from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 1999-2002). Dietary magnesium intake was collected by a trained interviewer using 24-hour dietary recall method and LTL was obtained using the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the the crude and adjusted association of dietary magnesium intake with LTL. Results: The overall mean (SD) of LTL was 5.6 (0.6) kp. After adjusting potential confounders, every 1 mg increase in log-transformed dietary magnesium intake was associated with 0.20 kp [95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.05-0.34] longer LTL. Participants with the highest tertile (≥ 299 mg) of dietary magnesium intake had statistically significant longer LTL (β = 0.07, P=0.038) compared with the lowest tertile (< 198 mg), with significant linear trends across tertiles. Moreover, the association between dietary magnesium intake and LTL was significantly stronger in participants with higher levels of education (≥ high school compared with < high school, P for interaction = 0.002). E-value analysis suggested robustness to unmeasured confounding.Conclusions: Our findings suggested that increased dietary magnesium intake was associated with longer LTL. Theses warrant additional investigation.
Clinical Profile of Migraine Headache Patients: A Descriptive Study of A Single Tertiary Centre in Malaysia
Authors: LAU YUE HUI , Kurien Jessica , LAU KENG MING , Adenan Sufian
Published: May 2021

Background:Migraine is one of the most common disabling neurological disorder among adult population in Malaysia. Purpose:To evaluate demographic characteristics among the migraine patients.Methods:A total of 73 patients with the complain of headache, who aged 18 to 65 were recruited prospectively at neurology clinic from December 2017 to April 2019 in Kuala Lumpur Hospital. All new patients were mainly referred by primary care clinics. Demographic characteristics such as age and gender, age of onset, clinical phenotypes, trigger factors, rescue therapy, prophylaxis usage, frequency of headache, psychiatric symptoms, marital status and education level were all evaluated. Migraine headaches were coded according to ICHD-III criteria. Statistical analysis was analysed using SPSS software. Descriptive statistics, mean and standard deviation were used to evaluate for clinical data.Results:44 out of 73 patients had migraine (60.3%). The mean age of migraine patients was 30 and mean age of onset was 24.8. Majority of the sample were female (36, 81.8%), single (23.52.3%) and with tertiary education level (31, 70.5%). The most frequent symptoms included unilateral headache (36, 81.8%) with throbbing in quality (39, 88.6%). The main trigger factor was stress (23, 52.3%). The most frequently used rescue therapies are sleeping and paracetamol ingestion (18, 40.9%). Most of the patients experienced acute attack 4-14 days in a month (15, 34.1%). 42(95.5%) patients were prophylaxis naïve.ConclusionCharacteristics of the migraine patients in Kuala Lumpur Hospital are comparable with previous studies. A registry of headache patients is crucial to determine the prevalence and local impact of the disease in Malaysia.
Human Adipose Derived Stem Cell Exosomes Enhance the Neural Differentiation of PC12 Cells
Authors: Najafabadi Samira Shariati , Amirpour Noushin , Amini Sharhram , Zare Nasrin , Kazemi Mohammad , Salehi Hossein
Published: May 2021

Background: Human adipose stem cells (hADSCs) are proper cell sources for tissue regeneration. They mainly mediate their therapeutic effects through paracrine factors as exosomes. The exosomes contents are protein, lipid and RNA. Exosomes are effective in restoring the function of neurons and astrocytes in neurodegenerative diseases, and improve the therapeutic outcomes. We investigated the effect of hADSCs derived exosomes on survival and neural differentiation of PC12 cells in vitro.Methods and Results: The isolated hADSCs, were characterized by flow cytometry. Exosomes were separated from hADSC-condition medium using Exo-spinTM kit and characterized by DLS and TEM. Then acridine orange staining was performed to confirm entrance of exosomes into PC12 cells. PC12 cells were treated with culture medium containing NGF and exosome. Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay, and neural differentiation by ICC technique and qRT-PCR. TEM and DLS data confirmed the isolation of exosomes according to their size (30-100nm) and acridine orange staining indicated entrance of exosomes to target cells. MTT assay showed that cell viability was significantly increased in exosome treated group. ICC technique revealed that the expression of Map2 was superior in the exosome treated group. Based on qRT-PCR data, Map2 and β-tub III gene expression was increased in the exosome treated group. Significant expression of Gfap was seen in the NGF and NGF/EXO treated groups.Conclusions: Present study indicated that hADSCs derived exosomes might enhance cell viability and promote neuronal differentiation and expression of mature neural marker in PC12 cells.
Landslide hazard zonation using logistic regression technique: the case of Shafe and Baso catchments, Gamo highland, Ethiopia
Authors: Shano Leulalem , Raghuvanshi Tarun Kumar , Meten Matebie
Published: May 2021

Landslide hazard zonation plays an important role in safe and viable infrastructure development, urbanization, land use, and environmental planning. The Shafe and Baso catchments are found in the Gamo highland which has been highly degraded by erosion and landslides thereby affecting the lives of the local people. In recent decades, recurrent landslide incidences were frequently occurring in this Highland region of Ethiopia in almost every rainy season. This demands landslide hazard zonation in the study area in order to alleviate the problems associated with these landslides. The main objectives of this study are to identify the spatiotemporal landslide distribution of the area; evaluate the landslide influencing factors and prepare the landslide hazard map. In the present study, lithology, groundwater conditions, distance to faults, morphometric factors (slope, aspect and curvature), and land use/land cover were considered as landslide predisposing/influencing factors while precipitation was a triggering factor. All these factor maps and landslide inventory maps were integrated using ArcGIS 10.4 environment. For data analysis, the principle of logistic regression was applied in a statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). The result from this statistical analysis showed that the landslide influencing factors like distance to fault, distance to stream, groundwater zones, lithological units and aspect have revealed the highest contribution to landslide occurrence as they showed greater than a unit odds ratio. The resulting landslide hazard map was divided into five classes: very low (13.48%), low (28.67%), moderate (31.62%), high (18%), and very high (8.2%) hazard zones which was then validated using the goodness of fit techniques and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) with an accuracy of 85.4. The high and very high landslide hazard zones should be avoided from further infrastructure and settlement planning unless proper and cost-effective landslide mitigation measures are implemented.
Rhizobium inoculants suppress emergence of the weed Striga gesnerioides in cowpea
Authors: MU'AZ WAJIHA ABDULLAHI , Dianda Mahamdi , Boukar Ousmane , Dieng Ibnou , Mohammed Gaya S , Belko Nouhoun , Togola Abou , Muhammad Hayat , Kanampiu Fred , Giller Ken , Vanlauwe Bernard
Published: May 2021

Cowpea is a grain legume of major importance in sub-Saharan Africa where it is cultivated by smallholder farmers on poor soils and production is often constrained by the parasitic weed Striga gesnerioides. Experiments were conducted to assess the potential of rhizobium inoculation in mitigating Striga infestation and increasing cowpea productivity. We tested under basal P application and artificial S. gesnerioides inoculation the impact of cowpea genotypes (G) (nine Striga-resistant and 11 Striga–susceptible genotypes) and bradyrhizobium inoculation (N) (two bradyrhizobium strains USDA3384 and IRJ2180A, and uninoculated control) on Striga dynamics and cowpea yield. Additional treatments included N supplied as urea (with and without), and no input (i.e., soil inherent N and P) that served as negative check. A first experiment was carried out in potted sterile soils in the screen house excluding addition of N-fertilizers. Significant G x N interactions were observed in counts of nodule (P = 0.012), Striga attachment (P < 0.0001) and emergence (P = 0.005), and cowpea shoot growth (P = 0.016). Cowpea nodulated poorly across host lines, Striga counts were the lowest for resistant varieties with no emerged plants. Rhizobial inoculants depressed Striga counts with consistent differences found across cowpea genotypes. Inoculation with IRJ2180A performed the best against Striga attachment in resistant genotypes, and its emergence in susceptible genotypes. In the field trial, nodule numbers were lowest in cowpea without inputs (P < 0.0001). The G x N interaction was significant in emerged Striga plants (P < 0.0001). Resistant genotypes were free of emerged Striga while for susceptible ones, Striga emergence was the highest without any input addition. Significant G x N interaction was observed in cowpea grain yield (P < 0.0001). Yield response to inoculation was most obvious for resistant genotypes inoculated with the strain IRJ2180A (P = 0.0043). The integrated use of Striga-resistant cowpea lines and elite bradyrhizobium inoculant under moderate application of P-based fertilizer could be a promising approach for mitigating Striga infestation and increasing productivity.
Accounting for epistasis improves genomic prediction of phenotypes with univariate and bivariate models across environments
Authors: Vojgani Elaheh , Pook Torsten , Martini Johannes W.R. , Hölker Armin C. , Mayer Manfred , Schön Chris-Carolin , Simianer Henner
Published: May 2021

We compared the predictive ability of various prediction models for a maize dataset derived from 910 doubled haploid lines from two European landraces (Kemater Landmais Gelb and Petkuser Ferdinand Rot), which were tested at six locations in Germany and Spain. The compared models were Genomic Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (GBLUP) as an additive model, Epistatic Random Regression BLUP (ERRBLUP) accounting for all pairwise SNP interactions, and selective Epistatic Random Regression BLUP (sERRBLUP) accounting for a selected subset of pairwise SNP interactions. These models have been compared in both univariate and bivariate statistical settings for predictions within and across environments. Our results indicate that modeling all pairwise SNP interactions into the univariate/bivariate model (ERRBLUP) is not superior in predictive ability to the respective additive model (GBLUP). However, incorporating only a selected subset of interactions with the highest effect variances in univariate/bivariate sERRBLUP can increase predictive ability significantly compared to the univariate/bivariate GBLUP. Overall, bivariate models consistently outperform univariate models in predictive ability. Across all studied traits, locations, and landraces, the increase in prediction accuracy from univariate GBLUP to univariate sERRBLUP ranged from 5.9 to 112.4 percent, with an average increase of 47 percent. For bivariate models, the change ranged from − 0.3 to + 27.9 percent comparing the bivariate sERRBLUP to the bivariate GBLUP, with an average increase of 11 percent. This considerable increase in predictive ability achieved by sERRBLUP may be of interest for “sparse testing” approaches in which only a subset of the lines/hybrids of interest is observed at each location.
Optimization of a cable support strategy for roadways in coal mines by using the PSO algorithm
Authors: Tang Zhu , Li Shuqing , Huang Fei , Yang Junwei , Yang Fuling , Zhu Yanping , Yang Dangzheng , Wen Nan
Published: May 2021

Cables are commonly used for roadway support in coal mines. Traditionally, support schemes show characteristics of excessive strength and resource waste; therefore, determining how to scientifically and economically arrange the distribution of cables is important for engineering practice. To obtain the best distribution of cables, in this paper, the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm and FLAC3D numerical simulation were combined to conduct numerical simulations. Finally, the best cable distribution considering safety and economy was determined. By analyzing the numerical simulation results, it can be concluded that the PSO algorithm can be applied to determine the optimal cable distribution for roadway support and can be applied to engineering practice. In addition, the best cable arrangement of a roadway under different lateral stress coefficients was obtained, and it can be concluded that the cable arrangement should be adjusted according to specific circumstances.
Contract Farming, Social Trust, And Cleaner Production Technology Adoption By Broiler Farmers In China
Authors: Mao Hui , Fu Yong , Cao Guangqiao , Chen Shaojian
Published: May 2021

Pollution from livestock and poultry is the main source of agricultural non-point-source pollution, which directly affects the rural ecological environment as well as the quality and safety of agricultural products. Based on field experiment data of broiler farmers in China, this paper analyzes the cleaner production behavior of farmers from the perspective of incomplete contracts and social trust. We find that social trust can promote farmers' cleaner production behaviors. Moreover, we find that contract farming (CF) has a significant positive effect on farmers' social trust and cleaner production behaviors. Further analysis indicates that CF not only directly promotes farmers' cleaner production, but can also indirectly promote farmers' cleaner production by improving their interpersonal and institutional trust. Overall, this research offers a new point of view for improving the rural environment and sheds light upon how the government can formulate relevant policies to promote farmers' cleaner production technology adoption.
Episodic transport of discrete magma batches beneath Aso volcano
Authors: Niu Jieming , Song Teh-Ru
Published: May 2021

Magma ascent, storage, and discharge in the trans-crustal magma plumbing system are key to long-term volcanic output and short-term eruption dynamics. Petrological analytics, geodetic deformations and mechanical modeling have shaped the current understanding of magma transport. However, due to the lack of observations, how a distinct magma batch transports from a crystal-rich mush region to a crystal-poor pool with eruptible magma remains enigmatic. Through stacking of tilt and seismic waveform data, we find that episodic long-period tremors (LPTs) located near sea level beneath the Aso volcano are accompanied by a synchronous deformation event, which initiates ~50 seconds before individual LPT event and concludes seconds after. The episodic deformation source corresponds to either an inflation or a deflation event located ~3 km below sea level, with a major volumetric component (50-440 cubic meters per event) and a minor high-angle normal-fault component. We suggest that these deformation events likely represent short-lived, episodic upward transport of discrete magma batches accompanied by high-angle shear failure near the roof of the inferred magma chamber at relatively high temperature, whereas their recurrences, potentially composition dependent, are regulated by the brittle-to-ductile transition rheology under low differential stress and high strain rate due to the surge of magma from below, regulating long-term volcanic output rate. The magma ascent velocity, decompression rates, and cumulative magma output deduced from the episodic deformation events before recent eruptions in Aso volcano are compatible with retrospective observations of the eruption style, tephra fallouts, and plume heights, promising real-time evaluation of upcoming eruptions.
Transcriptomic Analysis of Quinoa Reveals A Group of Germin-Like Proteins Induced By Trichoderma
Authors: Rollano-Peñaloza Oscar Miguel , Mollinedo Patricia , Widell Susanne , Rasmusson Allan G.
Published: May 2021

Background: Fungi in the Trichoderma genus affect growth and pathogen resistance of many plant species with different outcomes. Most plant-Trichoderma interactions result in a beneficial relationship. However, Trichoderma fungi may have a negative impact on certain plants depending on their genotype. Thus, plant-Trichoderma interactions outcome might depend on their genetic compatibility, which is not known in molecular detail. Results: Here we describe the transcriptomic response of two cultivars of Chenopodium quinoa to axenic co-cultivation with Trichoderma harzianum BOL-12 and Trichoderma afroharzianum T22. The response of C. quinoa roots to BOL-12 and T22 in the early phases of interaction was studied by RNA sequencing and RT-qPCR verification. Interaction with the two fungal strains induced partially overlapping gene expression responses. Comparing the two plant genotypes, a broad spectrum of putative quinoa defense genes were found activated in cultivar Kurmi but not in the Real cultivar. In cultivar Kurmi, relatively small effects were observed for classical pathogen response pathways but instead a C. quinoa-specific clade of putative defensive germin-like genes were activated. Germin-like genes were found to be more rapidly induced in cultivar Kurmi as compared to Real. The same germin-like genes were found to be upregulated systemically in Kurmi leaves. No strong correlation was observed between any of the known hormone-mediated defense response pathways and any of the quinoa-Trichoderma interactions. Conclusions: C. quinoa triggers a set of germin-like defensive genes in response to Trichoderma interaction. Quinoa germin-like gene expression is cultivar-specific upon interaction with Trichoderma and was found to be expressed also systemically. The observed differences of quinoa response to Trichoderma for each quinoa cultivar are relevant for the application of Trichoderma agents for quinoa crop protection.
Chromitite layers require the existence of large, long-lived, and entirely molten magma chambers
Authors: Latypov Rais , Chistyakova Sofya , Barnes Stephen , Godel Belinda , Delaney Gary , Cleary Paul , Radermacher Viktor , Campbell Ian , Jakata Kudakwashe
Published: May 2021

An emerging and increasingly pervasive school of thought is that large, long-lived and largely molten magma chambers are transient to non-existent in Earth’s history1–13. These ideas attempt to supplant the classical paradigm of the ‘big magma tank’ chambers in which the melt differentiates, is replenished, and occasionally feeds the overlying volcanoes14–23. The stratiform chromitites in the Bushveld Complex – the largest magmatic body in the Earth’s crust24 – however, offers strong contest to this shifting concept. Several chromitites in this complex occur as layers up to 2 metres in thickness and more than 400 kilometres in lateral extent, implying that chromitite-forming events were chamber-wide phenomena24–27. Field relations and microtextural data, specifically the relationship of 3D coordination number and grain size, indicate that the chromitites grew as a 3D framework of touching chromite grains directly at the chamber floor from a melt saturated in chromite only28–30. Mass-balance estimates dictate that a 1 to 4 km thick column of this melt26,31,32 is required to form each of these chromitite layers. Therefore, an enormous volume of melt (>1,00,000 km3)24,25 must have been involved in the generation of all the Bushveld chromitite layers, with half of this melt being expelled from the magma chamber24,26. We therefore argue that the very existence of thick and laterally extensive chromitite layers in the Bushveld and other layered intrusions strongly buttress the classical paradigm of ‘big magma tank’ chambers.
Association of Dietary Total Antioxidant Capacity and MC4R Polymorphisms in Metabolically Healthy and Unhealthy Overweight/Obese Women
Authors: elhamkia maryam , Setayesh Leila , Yarizadeh Habib , Pooyan Sara , Veysi Zahra , Aghamohammadi Vajihe , Casazza Krista , Mirzaei Khadijeh
Published: May 2021

Background: 3-15% of people with obesity display a metabolically healthy phenotype. An inflammatory diet impairs metabolic signaling pathways and eliciting metabolic syndrome. The main purpose of this study was to investigate how the Dietary Total Antioxidant Capacity (DTAC) and the MC4R variants affect the metabolic health status in overweight and obese Iranian women.Methods and results: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 237 overweight-obese Tehrani women with mean age of 36 years.The DTAC was calculated using the following indices: total reactive antioxidant potential (TRAP), Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), and the ferric-reducing ability of plasma (FRAP). The Metabolic health was evaluated using the Karelis criteria. The MC4R genotypes were determined by the restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Approximately 43% of participants were identified as Metabolically Unhealthy Obesity (MUO), 6% Metabolically Healthy Obesity (MHO) including 42.5% of the total had T/T genotype ,23.8% had the C/T genotype, and 33.5% had the C/C genotype (P=0.05). In the C/C genotype people 75% were unhealthy whereas it was lower in T/T and T/C genotype people. Further, The C/C genotype with higher DTAC quartile had higher Karlis score than other DTAC quartile. A liner model test supported that the probability of MHO was significantly higher in subjects with the T/C genotype (β=-0.001, 95% CI= -0.001-4.796; P ≤ 0.1). Conclusions: Our results indicated that the C/C genotype with higher DTAC had favorable lipid profile and were metabolically healthier. It is plausible that dietary modification targeting antioxidant intake may attenuate metabolic impairments associated with genetic predisposition.
Synthesis And Evaluation of Ca-Doped Ferrihydrite As A Novel Adsorbent For The Efficient Removal of Fluoride
Authors: ahmad Khalil , Shah Izaz Ali , Ali Sharafat , Khan Muahammad Tariq , Qureshi Muhammad Bilal Ahmed , Shah Syed Hassan Ali , Ali Asmat , Rashid Wajid , Gul Hifza Nayab
Published: May 2021

In this work, a novel calcium (Ca) doped ferrihydrite adsorbent was evaluated for the enhanced adsorption of fluoride (F) from the aqueous phase. The adsorbent properties, adsorption behavior, and mechanism were systematically evaluated. The synthesized adsorbent exhibited tremendous performance in a broad range of temperature and pH. Interestingly, the presence of co-existing anions such as NO3-, SO42-, Cl-, and natural organic matter (NOM) have no considerable effect on the adsorption of fluoride from water. The adsorption process was best fitted to the pseudo-second order kinetic model and the Langmuir isotherm. The prepared adsorbent exhibited a maximum adsorption capacity of 53.21 mg/g for the uptake of fluoride from water. The regeneration results confirmed that adsorbent could retain their original adsorption capacity after five regeneration cycles. Results from the current study suggested that Ca-doped ferrihydrite has the application potential for the enhanced adsorption of fluoride from the water phase.
Response of Plant Diversity of Urban Remnant Mountains To Surrounding Urban Spatial Morphological Features: A Case Study In Guiyang of Guizhou Province, China
Authors: Kong Ning , Wang Zhitai
Published: May 2021

To explore response of plant diversity of urban remnant mountains (URMs) in the built environment to the surrounding urban spatial morphological features during urban expansion, 9 typical URMs were selected as the research objects, the spots in each sample URM were set by the combination way of the slope direction and slope position, a total of 99 plots for plant diversity survey. Taking the edge line of the sample URMs as the datum, annular buffer zones were set successively outward at step lengths of 100 m, a total of 16 buffer zones with a total width of 1600 m.The spatial morphological characteristics within each buffer zone were analyzed by using spatial syntax, then the relationship between spatial morphological characteristics and plant diversity of URMs were analyzed. The results indicated that: ① There were significant differences in plant diversity among different URMs, and there were also significant differences in plant diversity in different slope positions or different directions of the same URM. ② The spatial morphology around the URMs was different, and the road density (Dn) around the URMs tended to be stable with the increase of spatial scale. The space syntactic indices were positively linearly correlated with the buffer width. ③ On the whole, there was a positive correlation between spatial morphology indices and URMs plant diversity indices. Connectivity (Ci), integration (Ii) and road density (Dn) were more comprehensive and specific, and the correlation increased with the increase of spatial scale. However, choice (C), connectivity (Ci) and mean depth (MDi) were not comprehensive and unstable in response to plant diversity indices. ④There were differences in the response of different slope positions or different directions of the same URM to the spatial morphology. The response intensity of plant diversity in different slope position of URMs to urban spatial morphology was the foot of mountain> mountainside > mountaintop; There was a weak and unstable relationship between road density (Dn) and plant diversity indices in different directions. The results of this study could provide important scientific basis for the conservation and management of urban plant diversity and urban planning and construction.
Design and Validation of Integrated Clamping Interfaces for Post-Processing and Robotic Handling in Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Ferchow Julian , Kälin Dominik , Englberger Gokula , Schlüssel Marcel , Klahn Christoph , Meboldt Mirko
Published: May 2021

Additive manufacturing (AM), particularly laser-based powder bed fusion of metals (LPBF), enables the fabrication of complex and customized metallic parts. However, 20–40% of the total manufacturing costs are usually attributed to post-processing steps. To reduce the costs of extensive post-processing, the process chain for AM parts has to be automated. Accordingly, robotic gripping and handling processes, as well as an efficient clamping for subtractive machining of AM parts, are key challenges. This study introduces and validates integrated bolts acting as a handling and clamping interface of AM parts. The bolts are integrated into the part design and manufactured in the same LPBF process. The bolts can be easily removed after the machining process using a wrench. This feasibility study investigates different bolt elements. The experiments and simulations conducted in the study show that a force of 250 N resulted in a maximum displacement of 12.5 µm. The milling results of the LPBF parts reveal a maximum roughness value, Ra, of 1.42 µm, which is comparable to that of a standard clamping system. After the bolt removal, a maximum residual height of 0.067 mm remains. Two case studies are conducted to analyze the form deviation, the effect of bolts on build time and material volume and to demonstrate the application of the bolts. Thus, the major contribution of this study is the design and the validation of standardized interfaces for robotic handling and clamping of complex AM parts. The novelties are a simple and clean interface removal, less material consumption, less support structure required and finally an achievement of a five-side tool accessibility by combining the interfaces with a three-jaw chuck.
Infant Mortality Decline In Zambia: To What Extent Did Maternal Education Influence Infant Mortality Rate Decline For The Period 1992 To 2018?
Authors: Halinga Johnathan , Mapoma Chabila
Published: May 2021

Background: In Zambia, infant mortality has reduced from 107 to 42 per 1000 live births from 1992 to 2018. Across the Globe, it is argued that maternal education contributes to the reduction in infant mortality. However, the extent to which maternal education influenced the decline in infant mortality in Zambia for the period 1992 to 2018 was not clear. Therefore, this study investigated the extent to which maternal education influenced the decline in infant mortality in Zambia from 1992 to 2018. The purpose of this study is to inform policy as well as program planning and implementation in the promotion of infant survival. Methods: This study was a secondary data analysis (Trend Analysis). Zambia Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS) data sets: 1992 to 2018 were used in the analyses. The unit of analysis was infant mortality with sample sizes: 6169, 7066, 6526, 6025,12916 and 9959 respectively. All analyses were done using the statistical package for social sciences version 25.0. Univariate analysis was done for descriptive statistics. Chi-square was used for testing associations. Point Bi-serial correction was done between maternal education and infant mortality at 1% and/or 5% levels of significance. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the influence of predictors on infant mortality. Results: Maternal education was (negatively) related to infant mortality from 1992 to 2001-2. The correlation coefficients were smaller negatives indicating a very weak negative relationship between maternal education and infant mortality. Among the interactions, only the interactions between maternal education and contraceptive use, preceding birth interval, breast feeding, and antenatal care (visits) significantly influenced the decline in infant mortality from 1992 to 2018. Singularly, maternal education influenced the decline in infant mortality rate to a lesser extent (only marginally). When interacted with contraceptive use, preceding birth interval, breast feeding and antenatal care, maternal education influenced the decline in infant mortality to a larger extent. Conclusion: For more robust interventions to further reduce infant mortality in the country, these interactions should be considered in the planning and implementation of child health programs such as the child health nutrition, national partnership for maternal, new-born and child health.
Effect of Prophylactic Ondansetron on the Incidence of Spinal Anesthesia-Induced Shivering and Hypotension in Elective Cesarean Sections:Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Salahat Ahmad , Taha Adham Abu , Almasri Nouraldin , Sweity Essa
Published: May 2021

Background: Spinal anesthesia is the preferred method of anesthesia for caesarean section; however, it is associated with dangerous adverse effects on both mother and fetus, this includes: spinal anesthesia induced shivering and hypotension. Previous studies suggest serotonin may have a role in hypotension, bradycardia, and shivering occurrence perioeratively. In this prospective double-blind randomized control trial study, we evaluated the efficacy of the ondansetron, a serotonin receptor antagonist, on the incidence of spinal anesthesia-induced shivering, hypotension, nausea, vomiting and other possible complications in elective caesarean sections. This study conducted in Palestine, West Bank, Nablus city in the caesarean section operation rooms, and post-anesthesia care unit at Rafidia governmental hospital. Eighty full-term elective caesarean section parturient (Age 18-50 years) with ASA 1 or 2 classification were recruited and randomly allocated into two groups: prophylactic IV ondansetron treatment group and placebo 0.9% saline control group. The primary outcomes were the incidence of spinal anesthesia-induced shivering and hypotension, while secondary outcomes were perioperative bradycardia, nausea, vomiting, headache, pain, pruritus, dizziness and respiratory depression and parturient satisfaction. Results: Incidence of intraoperative hypotension and dizziness in the ondansetron group was significantly lower than which occurred in the control group (22.5% vs. 62.5% respectively; P < 0.001), the incidences and intensity of intraoperative shivering in the ondansetron group was lower than the control group (12.5 % vs. 32.5 % respectively; P = 0.032), Intraoperative nausea intensity in the ondansetron group was lower than control group (P = 0.049). Postoperatively, the incidence of postoperative dizziness in the ondansetron group was lower than the control group (5% vs. 37.5 % respectively; P = 0.001), the incidence and intensity of postoperative shivering in the ondansetron group was lower than the control group (12.5% vs. 37.5 % respectively; P = 0.01). Incidence and intensity of postoperative nausea in the ondansetron group was lower than the control group (17.5% vs. 40 % respectively; P = 0.026), the incidence of postoperative vomiting in the ondansetron group was lower than the control group (25.5% vs. 2.5 % respectively; P = 0.014).Conclusion: Prophylactic 4 mg IV ondansetron can significantly attenuate the incidences of spinal anesthesia-induced shivering and hypotension, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting occurrence and increase parturient satisfaction scale for parturient who undergo caesarean section.
In Vitro Gut Microbiome Response to Carbohydrate Supplementation is Minimally Affected by a Sudden Change in Diet
Authors: Pantoja-Feliciano Ida Gisela , Karl J. Philip , Perisin Matthew , Doherty Laurel A. , McClung Holly L. , Armstrong Nicholes J , Renberg Rebecca , Racicot Kenneth , Branck Tobyn , Arcidiacono Steve , Soares Jason W.
Published: May 2021

Background: Interactions between diet, stress and the gut microbiome are of interest as a means to modulate health and performance. Here, in vitro fermentation was used to explore the effects of a sudden change in diet, 21 days sole sustenance on the Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) U.S. military combat ration, on inter-species competition and functional potential of the human gut microbiota. Human fecal samples collected before and after MRE intervention or consuming a habitual diet (HAB) were introduced to nutrient-rich media supplemented with starch for in vitro fermentation under ascending colon conditions. 16S rRNA amplicon and Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) were used to measure community composition and functional potential. Specific statistical analyses were implemented to detect changes in relative abundance from taxa, genes and pathways.Results: Differential changes in relative abundance of five taxa, Dorea spp., Akkermansia muciniphila, Prevotella spp., Desulfovibrio spp., and Dialister spp., and four Carbohydrate-Active Enzymes, specifically GH13_14, over the 24 h fermentation were observed as a function of the diet intervention and correlated to specific taxa of interest. Conclusions: These findings suggest that consuming MRE for 21 days minimally effects changes in gut microbiota structure in response to carbohydrate, but may induce alterations in metabolic capacity. Additionally, these findings demonstrate the potential of starch as a candidate supplemental strategy to functionally modulate specific gut commensals during stress-induced states.
A New Method based on Peptide Mediated for Intracellular Linc-ROR Detection
Authors: Sun Kexin , Li Junlong
Published: May 2021

Linc-ROR, as a new intergenic lncRNA, over-expressed in many kinds of cancer that promotes cancer cell proliferation. So, there are significant values of Linc-ROR situ detectiction in diagnosis and research of diseases. While, the methods for LncRNA detection are almost outside the cells. In this study, established a method for Linc-ROR detection inside the cells. First, we put the nucleic acid probe and antibody together, probe entered cell by peptide (L17E) mediated endocytosis; In order to decreased background signals, the quenching probes were deliveried into cells to neutralise free fluorescence probes. We verified the feasibility of this method, it has a huge amount of potential in clinical test.
Numerical Investigation of the Use of a New Nano-Particle in Microchannel
Authors: Kaya Fuat
Published: May 2021

The purpose of this paper is to study the effects of the use of Boron nitride (BN) as nano-particle on pressure drop and heat transfer in a microchannel. The governing equations for the fluid flow were solved by using Fluent CFD code and artificial neural network (ANN). Computational results acquired from Fluent CFD code and artificial neural network (ANN) for alumina (Al2O3) as nano-particle were compared with numerical values obtained in the literature for validation. On the basis of a water-cooled (only water, water+alumina and water+boron nitride) smooth microchannel were designed, and then the corresponding laminar flow and heat transfer were studied numerically. Results derived from the numerical tests (NT) and artificial neural network (ANN) show good agreement with the values mentioned in the literature and these results also show by the comparison research which was conducted considering the heat transfer and pressure loss parameters between BN and widely used alumina that BN is more convenient nano-particle.
Characterization of Novel Genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS)-based Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs) and Their Application for Population Genomics of Capoeta Aculeata (Valenciennes, 1844)
Authors: Gandomkar Habibollah , Shekarabi Seyed Pezhman Hosseini , Abdolhay Hossein Ali , Nazari Sajad , Mehrjan Mehdi Shamsaei
Published: May 2021

The species Capoeta aculeata (Valenciennes, 1844) is one of the most important freshwater species endemic to Iran. However, the investigation of a population genetic structure of this species is limited by the low number of molecular markers currently described. In this study, we implemented next generation sequencing technology to identify polymorphic microsatellite markers and investigate the population genetic structure of C. aculeata sampled from three geographical sites in Iran. We sequenced 60 individuals from three populations occurring in the Zagros basin. We characterized and developed 36 novel polymorphic microsatellite markers and these loci were examined in 120 individuals from three populations occurring in the Zagros basin. The average number of alleles per locus varied from 1.7 to 16. (average = 7.89). The results showed that, the polymorphism information content (PCI) of these SSR loci varied from 0.254 to 0.888. The observed heterozygosity (Ho) per locus ranged from 0.170 to 0.881, while the expected heterozygosity (He) per locus was from 0.170 to 0.881. Among these SSR loci, 20 loci deviated significantly from the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium after Bonferroni correction (p< 0.05). These microsatellite markers could provide a valuable tool for future population and conservation genetics studies of C. aculeate populations and other closely related species.
Did Patients With COVID-19 Receive Timely Treatment in the Early Epidemic? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Du Peipei , Chen Weixiang , Luo Xufei , Chen Yaolong , Shi Qianling , Lv Meng , Wang Jie , Shi Xuemei , Ma Xiaofeng , Yang Tianying , Lu Shuya , Li Tingting , Yang Shu , Feng Xixi
Published: May 2021

Background: COVID-19 showed a significant difference in case fatality rate between different regions at the early stage of the epidemic. In addition to the well-known factors such as age structure, detection efficiency, and race, there was also a possibility that medical resource shortage caused the increase of the case fatality rate in some regions. Methods: Medline, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, CBM, CNKI, and Wan fang of identified articles were searched through 29 June 2020. Cohort studies and case series with duration information on COVID-19 patients were included. Two independent reviewers extracted the data using a standardized data collection form and assessed the risk of bias. Data were synthesized through description and analysis methods including a meta-analysis.Results: A total of 109 articles were retrieved. The time interval from onset to the first medical visit of COVID-19 patients in China was 3.38±1.55 days (corresponding intervals in Hubei province, non-Hubei provinces, Wuhan, Hubei provinces without Wuhan were 4.22±1.13 days, 3.10±1.57 days, 4.20±0.97 days, and 4.34±1.72 days, respectively). The time interval from onset to the hospitalization of COVID-19 patients in China was 8.35±6.83 days (same corresponding intervals were 12.94±7.43 days, 4.17±1.45 days, 14.86±7.12 days, and 5.36±1.19 days, respectively), and when it was outside China, this interval was 5.27±1.19 days. Conclusion: In the early stage of the COVID-19 epidemic, patients with COVID-19 did not receive timely treatment, resulting in a higher case fatality rate in Hubei province, partly due to the relatively insufficient and unequal medical resources. This research suggested that additional deaths caused by the out-of-control epidemic can be avoided if prevention and control work is carried out at the early stage of the epidemic.PROSPERO registration number CRD42020195606.
A Comparative Transcriptome Analysis of Purple and Yellow Fleshed Potato Tubers Reveals Long Non-coding RNAs and their Targets Functioned in Anthocyanin Biosynthesis
Authors: Tang Ruimin , Dong Haitao , Wu Wanyi , Zhao Cailiang , Jia Xiaoyun , Yang Qing , Zhang Jie , He Liheng , Xie Hong’e , Wu Zongxin
Published: May 2021

Background: Purple fleshed potato tubers accumulate large amounts of anthocyanin content, servicing as functional foods and high-value feedstock. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to play an important role in anthocyanin synthesis by regulating gene expression in various action modes. However, the mechanism underlying anthocyanin accumulation mediated by lncRNAs in underground organs remains unclear.Results: To excavate the differentially expressed lncRNAs (DE lncRNAs) between purple and yellow fleshed potato tubers, the transcriptome sequencing was performed and a total of 1421 DE lncRNAs were identified. Gene Ontology and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) enrichment analyses showed that the target genes of these DE lncRNAs were involved in diverse biological processes and pathways for anthocyanin biosynthesis, reflecting the functional diversity of the corresponding lncRNAs. A lncRNA-mRNA interaction network was created based on their correlation to investigate the regulatory relationship among them. Notably, lncRNAs like XLOC_060098 and XLOC_017372 might contribute to anthocyanin synthesis by targeting the key enzyme genes and transcription factor genes in the pathway. Conclusions: The construction of expression profiling of DE lncRNAs and lncRNA-mRNA relationship network is helpful for further unraveling the molecular mechanisms of lncRNAs in anthocyanin synthesis in potato tubers, and provides theory basis for the cultivation of functional potato varieties and the improvement of nutritional quality of other underground crops.