bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New approach for local C-band weather radar precipitation calibration
Authors: Ávila-Carrasco José Roberto , Herrera Graciela S. , Júnez-Ferrerira Hugo Enrique , Valdés-Manzanilla Arturo
Published: April 2020

Weather radar calibration is a topic of great current interest because it is useful for various hydrological applications. Several methods have been developed for adjusting the relation between reflectivity data Z and rainfall intensity R (Z/R) because droplet size distributions in different storm events are unknown and highly variable in time and space. The present study developed and tested a new space and time window-based procedure for optimal local calibration of weather radar using Z/R relations and applying it to convective and stratiform storms in the lower Grijalva river basin in Mexico. Improving rain estimates from the Sabancuy, Campeche radar is essential because it monitors this basin, which is prone to floods. The resulting estimates of the optimal power-law (Z = ARb) window-based procedure (OP) are compared with those of the default Marshall and Palmer (MP) relation using the observed rain gauge records. The appropriate window was selected using a criterion that considers factors affecting the free fall of raindrops. For most of the storms tested, metrics for the OP models showed better values than those calculated for the MP ones. The best MP performance is when using smooth calibration data, achieving similar metric results to that of the OP. The proposed observed calibration method could be useful to improve the default MP model estimates at any weather radar with similar characteristics to the ones analyzed in this work. The resulting Z/R relations could improve precipitation radar estimates for hydrologic model inputs.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 – COVID-19
Authors: Dhama Kuldeep , Sharun Khan , Tiwari Ruchi , Sircar Shubhankar , Bhat Sudipta , Malik Yashpal Singh , Singh Karam Pal , Chaicumpa Wanpen , Bonilla-Aldana D. Katterine , Rodriguez-Morales Alfonso J.
Published: April 2020

In the past decades, several new diseases have emerged in new geographical areas, with pathogens including Ebola, Zika, Nipah, and coronaviruses (CoVs). Recently, a new type of viral infection has emerged in Wuhan City, China, and initial genomic sequencing data of this virus does not match with previously sequenced CoVs, suggesting a novel CoV strain (2019-nCoV), which has now been termed as severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Although Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is suspected to originate from an animal host (zoonotic origin) followed by human-to-human transmission, the possibility of other routes such as food-borne transmission should not be ruled out. Compared to diseases caused by previously known human CoVs, COVID-19 shows less severe pathogenesis but higher transmission competence, as is evident from the continuously increasing number of confirmed cases globally. Compared to other emerging viruses such as Ebola virus, avian H7N9, SARS-CoV, or MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2 has shown relatively low pathogenicity and moderate transmissibility. Codon usage studies suggest that this novel virus may have been transferred from an animal source such as bats. Early diagnosis by real-time PCR and next-generation sequencing has facilitated the identification of the pathogen at an early stage. Since, no antiviral drug or vaccine exists to treat or prevent SARS-CoV-2, potential therapeutic strategies that are currently being evaluated predominantly stem from previous experience with treating SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and other emerging viral diseases. In this review, we address epidemiological, diagnostic, clinical, and therapeutic aspects, including perspectives of vaccines and preventive measures that have already been globally recommended.
Can Melatonin Reduce the Severity of COVID-19 Pandemic?
Authors: Shneider Alex , Kudriavtsev Aleksandr , Vakhrusheva Anna
Published: April 2020

The current COVID-19 pandemic is one of the most devastating events in recent history. The virus causes relatively minor damage to young, healthy populations, imposing life-threatening danger to the elderly and people with diseases of chronic inflammation. Therefore, if we could reduce the risk for vulnerable populations, it would make the COVID-19 pandemic more similar to other typical outbreaks. Children don’t suffer from COVID-19 as much as their grandparents and have a much higher melatonin level. Bats are nocturnal animals possessing high levels of melatonin, which may contribute to their high anti-viral resistance. Viruses induce an explosion of inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species, and melatonin is the best natural antioxidant that is lost with age. The programmed cell death coronaviruses cause, which can result in significant lung damage, is also inhibited by melatonin. Coronavirus causes inflammation in the lungs which requires inflammasome activity. Melatonin blocks these inflammasomes. General immunity is impaired by anxiety and sleep deprivation. Melatonin improves sleep habits, reduces anxiety and stimulates immunity. Fibrosis may be the most dangerous complication after COVID-19. Melatonin is known to prevent fibrosis. Mechanical ventilation may be necessary but yet imposes risks due to oxidative stress, which can be reduced by melatonin. Thus, by using the safe over-the-counter drug melatonin, we may be immediately able to prevent the development of severe disease symptoms in coronavirus patients, reduce the severity of their symptoms, and/or reduce the immuno-pathology of coronavirus infection on patients’ health after the active phase of the infection is over.
Covid-19 Predictions Using a Gauss Model, Based on Data from April 2
Authors: Schüttler Janik , Schlickeiser Reinhard , Schlickeiser Frank , Kröger Martin
Published: April 2020

We propose a Gauss model (GM), a map from time to the bell-shaped Gauss function to model the deaths per day and country, as a quick and simple model to make predictions on the coronavirus epidemic. Justified by the sigmoidal nature of a pandemic, i.e. initial exponential spread to eventual saturation, we apply the GM to existing data, as of April 2, 2020, from 25 countries during first corona pandemic wave and study the model's predictions. We find that logarithmic daily fatalities caused by Covid-19 are well described by a quadratic function in time. By fitting the data to second order polynomials from a statistical chi2-fit with 95\% confidence, we are able to obtain the characteristic parameters of the GM, i.e. a width, peak height and time of peak, for each country separately, with which we extrapolate to future times to make predictions. We provide evidence that this supposedly oversimplifying model might still have predictive power and use it to forecast the further course of the fatalities caused by Covid-19 per country, including peak number of deaths per day, date of peak, and duration within most deaths occur. While our main goal is to present the general idea of the simple modeling process using GMs, we also describe possible estimates for the number of required respiratory machines and the duration left until the number of infected will be significantly reduced.
New Approaches to an Old Problem: Original Techniques in [FeFe]-hydrogenase Research
Authors: Land Henrik , Senger Moritz , Berggren Gustav , Stripp Sven T.
Published: April 2020

Even 20 years after the first crystal structures of [FeFe]-hydrogenase have been published, several aspects of biological hydrogen turnover are heatedly discussed. In this perspective, we give an overview on how the diversity of naturally occurring and artificially prepared, semi-synthetic [FeFe]-hydrogenases deepens our understanding of hydrogenase chemistry. In parallel, we cover new results from biophysical techniques that go beyond the scope of conventional electrochemistry, X-ray diffraction, EPR, and FTIR spectroscopy. Taking into account both proton transfer and electron transfer as well as the notorious sensitivity of [FeFe]-hydrogenases towards carbon monoxide, the discussion further touches upon the molecular proceedings of biological hydrogen turnover.
Hypothesis: mPGES-1-Derived Prostaglandin E2, a So Far Missing Link in COVID-19 Pathophysiology?
Authors: Smeitink Jan , Jiang Xiaolan , Pecheritsyna Svetlana , Renkema Herma , van Maanen Rob , Beyrath Julien
Published: April 2020

With frequencies varying up to 20%, treatment resistant pulmonary failure is a major life-threatening complication in COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2, HCoV19) disease pathology. Both acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), proposed to be caused by an over-reacting immune system which floods the lung with edema, a liquid consisting of inflammatory cells, and diminished lung perfusion, have been postulated to cause this treatment resistant lung failure. Aging, co-morbidities, male gender and obesity are pre-existing factors associated with the more severe outcome. Thrombosis is more frequently observed than usually seen during ICU admission. Different hypotheses explaining the pathophysiological cascade leading to fast progressing severe COVID-19 disease and how to counteract it have been proposed. A variety of intervention studies to control severity are ongoing or planned. Not suggested so far, we here hypothesize that the inflammatory lipid modulator prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) executes a prominent role in COVID-19 pathophysiology. Based on this we suggest measuring PGE2 in patients and evaluating selective inhibition of the human microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) as a potential innovative therapeutic approach in this devastating condition for which sonlicromanol, a drug currently in phase 2b studies for mitochondrial disease, is a candidate.
Chern-Simons Current of Left and Right Chiral Superspace in Graphene Wormhole
Authors: Capozziello Salvatore , Pincak Richard , Bartos Erik
Published: April 2020

We specify basic definitions of the Chern-Simons current in cohomology theory, then we calculate its value by using a model of quantum machine learning, the so-called supersymmetric support Dirac machine. The supercurrent is generated from the coupling between three states of a quantum flux of modified Wilson loop of the Cooper pairs. We use Holo-Hilbert spectrum in frequency modulation to visualize the network as a coupling behavior of convolutional neuron network in superstatistical theory with the application to the theory of a superconductor. We also calculate the number of carbon atoms in the stable support spinor network structure of a graphene wormhole to produce a supercurrent of Cooper pairs as graviphoton states by using the Holo-Hilbert spectral analysis.
A Study of Annual and Seasonal Variations in Tropospheric Ozone (O3) Concentrations over India
Authors: Gupta Komal , Saha Arnab
Published: April 2020

India is one of the large sources of the anthropogenic pollutants and their increasing emission due to the recent economic growth in India. In this study we analyzed the annual and seasonal behaviors of ozone (O3) gas using satellite remote sensing dataset from the sources Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) over India region from 2006-2015. The study focuses on the seasonal behaviors of O3 gas i.e., monthly, seasonal, annual mean variations of trace gas and also trend analysis of O3 gas and comparison of the seasonal behavior of the ozone gas by trend analysis were assessed. In this study we also taken eleven cities to show the increment and decrement in four seasons of O3 gas by taking 2006 as a base year and investigate the behaviors of gases during (2007-2015) years. Higher concentrations of O3 south-to-north gradient, indicating the variations due to the impact of emissions and local meteorology. Ozone concentrations were higher during the warmer months. However, in winter season lowest concentration of O3 seen due to the less amount of heat and due to cold days and ozone holes in the stratosphere. Instead, total O3 concentrations rises over Delhi, Lucknow and Kolkata due to large population density, high traffic emission, highly polluted air and larger industrial activities.
An Overview of SARS‐CoV‐2 and Animal Infection
Authors: Mahdy Mohamed
Published: April 2020

A novel coronavirus has been reported as the causative pathogen of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak Wuhan city, China in December 2019. Due to the rapid spreading of COVID-19 worldwide, it has been announced as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). Hospitalized patients in Wuhan are associated with the Huanan seafood wholesale market where live animals, such as poultry, bats, snakes, frogs, rabbits, marmots, and hedgehogs are sold in that market which suggests a possible zoonotic infection. Therefore, it is essential to identify the potential animal reservoir, and the possibility of infection for other animal species. This short review aims to provide an overview on the relation between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection and animals.
COVID-19 Epidemic Compartments Model and Bangladesh
Authors: Shahidul Islam Md. , Irana Ira Jannatun , Ariful Kabir K. M. , Kamrujjaman Md.
Published: April 2020

In the promptness of the COVID-19 outbreak, it would be very important to observe and estimate the pattern of diseases to reduce the contagious infection. To study this effect, we developed a COVID-19 epidemic model that incorporates five various groups of individuals. Then we analyze the model by evaluating the equilibrium points and analyzing their stability as well as determining the basic reproduction number. Also, numerical simulations show the dynamics of a different group of the population over time. Thus, our findings based on the sensitivity analysis and the reproduction number highlight the role of outbreak of the virus that can be useful to avoid a massive collapse in Bangladesh and rest of the world. The outcome of this study concludes that outbreak will be in control which ensure the social and economic stability.
Relativistic Thermodynamic State Functions from a Time Dilation Perspective
Authors: Wasif Baig Mirza
Published: April 2020

To embrace the special theory of relativity with classical thermodynamics correct Lorentz transformations of thermodynamic state functions are formulated. All of these Lorentz transformations of state functions equally support the time dilation phenomenon which is experimentally verified fact. Relativistic Boltzmann constant proves entropy to be the Lorentz variant. Twin paradox thought experiments for heat engines prove heat flux to be Lorentz variant. Lorentz transformation of entropy and heat flux proves temperature Lorentz invariant. All thermodynamic state functions are proved to be Lorentz variant which is shown in accord with Lorentz transformation of thermodynamic work.
Mathematical Modelling of Social Consciousness to Control the Outbreak of COVID-19
Authors: Shahriar Mahmud Md. , Kamrujjaman Md , Jubyrea J. , Shahidul Islam Md.
Published: April 2020

Background: The world, now in an emergency of preventing the drastic spread of COVID-19. After the infection was first reported in December 2019, almost every country did not pay attention to this highly contaminated disease and failed to react swiftly. Now the whole universe is in an vulnerable state, loosing a great loss of lives and facing difficulties in all socio-economic aspects. That is why we have the urge to develop an efficient mathematical model (quarantine) based on social consciousness to control the epidemic. Methods: This is a quarantine mathematical model. The outcome of the system is dependent on social consciousness. We have calculated the awareness level by considering various socio-economic factor of each country. In our model, the parameters are Education Index, GDP per capita, population density, high literacy and stable economy. To maximize the efficiency of the model, it has to be implemented in initial stage. However, strict application of the method in vigorous stage of epidemic will also bring a satisfactory outcome. Results: Higher social consciousness will decrease the number of infected population dramatically while minimal or lower awareness will do a outburst. Conclusion: Outbreak will be in control of health care system, lower the death rate and will ensure social and economic stability.
Face Masks Against COVID-19: An Evidence Review
Authors: Howard Jeremy , Huang Austin , Li Zhiyuan , Tufekci Zeynep , Zdimal Vladimir , van der Westhuizen Helene-Mari , von Delft Arne , Price Amy , Fridman Lex , Tang Lei-Han , Tang Viola , Watson Gregory L. , Bax Christina E. , Shaikh Reshama , Questier Frederik , Hernandez Danny , Chu Larry F. , Ramirez Christina M. , Rimoin Anne W.
Published: April 2020

The science around the use of masks by the general public to impede COVID-19 transmission is advancing rapidly. Policymakers need guidance on how masks should be used by the general population to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we synthesize the relevant literature to inform multiple areas: 1) transmission characteristics of COVID-19, 2) filtering characteristics and efficacy of masks, 3) estimated population impacts of widespread community mask use, and 4) sociological considerations for policies concerning mask-wearing. A primary route of transmission of COVID-19 is likely via small respiratory droplets, and is known to be transmissible from presymptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. Reducing disease spread requires two things: first, limit contacts of infected individuals via physical distancing and contact tracing with appropriate quarantine, and second, reduce the transmission probability per contact by wearing masks in public, among other measures. The preponderance of evidence indicates that mask wearing reduces the transmissibility per contact by reducing transmission of infected droplets in both laboratory and clinical contexts. Public mask wearing is most effective at stopping spread of the virus when compliance is high. The decreased transmissibility could substantially reduce the death toll and economic impact while the cost of the intervention is low. Thus we recommend the adoption of public cloth mask wearing, as an effective form of source control, in conjunction with existing hygiene, distancing, and contact tracing strategies. We recommend that public officials and governments strongly encourage the use of widespread face masks in public, including the use of appropriate regulation.
A Comparison of Olfactory and Sinonasal Outcomes in Endoscopic Pituitary Surgery Performed by a Single Neurosurgeon or a Collaborative Team of Surgeons
Authors: Noh Yangseop , Choi Ji-Eun , Lee Kyung Eun , Kong Doo-Sik , Nam Do-Hyun , Jung Yong gi , Kim Hyo Yeol , Chung Seung-Kyu , Hong Sang Duk
Published: April 2020

Objectives. Endoscopic pituitary surgery usually requires a collaboration between neurosurgeons and ENT surgeons to achieve optimal outcomes. However, neurosurgeons occasionally perform these procedures alone without an ENT surgeon. In this study, postoperative sinonasal quality of life and olfactory function were compared in patients who underwent endoscopic pituitary surgery performed by a single neurosurgeon or by a collaborative team of a neurosurgeon and an ENT surgeon.Methods. A retrospective review of prospectively collected data was performed. Patients who underwent endoscopic pituitary surgery for pituitary adenoma from January 2015 to April 2018 were included. The study patients were divided into two groups; patients in group 1 underwent surgery performed by a single neurosurgeon, while patients in group 2 received surgery performed by a collaborative team of surgeons. Olfaction was assessed using a subjective Likert scale, the Cross-Cultural Smell Identification Test (CC-SIT), and the butanol threshold test (BTT). In addition, patients answered the Sino-nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) questionnaire regarding sinonasal quality of life before and 3 months after surgery.Results. This study included 152 patients (46 patients in group 1 and 106 patients in group 2). Significant differences were not observed between the two groups regarding age, sex, tumor size, or operation time. Although subjective olfaction was not significantly different before and after surgery, group 2 showed significantly better objective olfactory function based on the CC-SIT (8.44±3.00 vs. 9.84±1.40; P=0.012) and BTT (4.67±0.84 vs. 5.02±0.33; P=0.022) scores at 3 months after surgery. The SNOT-22 scores were not statistically significantly different between the two groups (P>0.05).Conclusion. In the present study, better olfactory outcomes were observed in patients who underwent surgery performed by a collaborative team of a neurosurgeon and an ENT surgeon. This result shows the need for collaboration between neurosurgeons and ENT surgeons in endoscopic pituitary surgery.
Effects of Amniotic Membrane Extract on the Hyperplastic Response of the Middle Ear Mucosa in a Bacterially-Induced Otitis Media Rat Model: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Park Joo Hyun , Kim Hee-Bok , Ko Seo Hyun , Kim Bo Hae , Lim Yun-Sung , Park Seok-Won , Song Jae-Jun , Cho Chang Gun
Published: April 2020

Objectives. Human amniotic membrane extract (AME) is known to contain numerous bioactive factors and anti-inflammatory substances. However, the anti-inflammatory effects of AME on the middle ear (ME) mucosa are unclear. This study assessed the effects of AME on the growth of the ME mucosa in response to bacterially-induced otitis media (OM).Methods. OM was induced by inoculating nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) into the ME cavity of rats. ME mucosal explants were cultured in AME concentrations of 0, 5, 10, or 50 μg/mL. The area of explant outgrowth was measured in culture and analyzed at 1, 3, 5, and 7 days after explantation. The expression of Ki-67, mucin 5AC (MUC5AC), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the explants was also evaluated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunocytochemistry (ICC).Results. The NTHi-induced ME mucosa growth increased gradually over the 7-day culture period in all explants at different AME concentrations. There was a trend for mucosal growth inhibition at higher concentrations of AME, although the growth was not significantly different among the groups until day 5. The ME mucosal explants treated with the 50 μg/mL concentration of AME showed significantly suppressed growth on postexplantation day 7 compared with other explants on the same day. PCR and ICC staining revealed that the expression of Ki-67, MUC5AC, TNF-α, and IL-10 further decreased in the explants with higher concentrations of AME than in those with lower concentrations of AME.Conclusion. Our results showed that higher concentrations of AME reduced the mucosal proliferative response in bacterial OM in rats. These findings provide evidence that AME has an influence on the inflammatory and proliferative responses to NTHi infection in ME mucosa.
Therapeutic Efficacy of the Modified Epley Maneuver With a Pillow Under the Shoulders
Authors: Lee Hyun Jin , Jeon Eun-Ju , Lee Dong-Hee , Seo Jae-Hyun
Published: April 2020

Objectives. Canalolithiasis of the posterior semicircular canal (PC) is the most common reason for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). If a patient is diagnosed with PC-BPPV through the Dix-Hallpike test, the modified Epley maneuver (mEpley) is used as the gold standard treatment. To reduce the discomfort of the standard mEpley, we proposed placing a pillow under the shoulders during this therapeutic maneuver. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the therapeutic efficacy of the mEpley with a pillow under the shoulders (mEpley-PS) was comparable to that of the standard mEpley.Methods. A randomized controlled study at three academic referral hospitals was conducted in compliance with the CONSORT statement. Patients who were diagnosed with PC-BPPV through the Dix-Hallpike test were randomly assigned to groups A or B. Patients in groups A and B were treated with the standard mEpley and mEpley-PS, respectively. The resolution of vertigo and nystagmus on the Dix-Hallpike test at a 1-week follow-up after treatment was the main outcome measurement to assess the efficacy of treatment.Results. Forty-one patients diagnosed with PC-BPPV were enrolled in this study. Twenty-one patients were assigned to group A and 20 were assigned to group B. The success rate at 1 week after treatment was 85.7% in group A and 80.0% in group B. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P=0.697).Conclusion. The therapeutic efficacy of the mEpley-PS was comparable to that of the standard mEpley. The use of the pillow modification may be an excellent alternative if a patient cannot tolerate the head-hanging position, and it is helpful for patients who have anxiety about the head-hanging position. The mEpley-PS can be performed on a bed with or without a headboard. It is both a patient-friendly and a clinician-friendly maneuver.
Nontraumatic Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head: Where Do We Stand Today?
Authors: Mont Michael A. , Salem Hytham S. , Piuzzi Nicolas S. , Goodman Stuart B. , Jones Lynne C.
Published: April 2020

➢ Clinicians should exercise a high level of suspicion in at-risk patients (those who use corticosteroids, consume excessive alcohol, have sickle cell disease, etc.) in order to diagnose osteonecrosis of the femoral head in its earliest stage.

➢ Nonoperative treatment modalities have generally been ineffective at halting progression. Thus, nonoperative treatment is not appropriate in early stages when one is attempting to preserve the native joint, except potentially on rare occasions for small-sized, medially located lesions, which may heal without surgery.

➢ Joint-preserving procedures should be attempted in early-stage lesions to save the femoral head.

➢ Cell-based augmentation of joint-preserving procedures continues to show promising results, and thus should be considered as an ancillary treatment method that may improve clinical outcomes.

➢ The outcomes of total hip arthroplasty in the setting of osteonecrosis are excellent, with results similar to those in patients who have an underlying diagnosis of osteoarthritis.
A Review of State Guidelines for Elective Orthopaedic Procedures During the COVID-19 Outbreak
Authors: Sarac Nikolas J. , Sarac Benjamin A. , Schoenbrunner Anna R. , Janis Jeffrey E. , Harrison Ryan K. , Phieffer Laura S. , Quatman Carmen E. , Ly Thuan V.
Published: April 2020

Background:

The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in widespread cancellation of elective orthopaedic procedures. The guidance coming from multiple sources frequently has been difficult to assimilate as well as dynamic, with constantly changing standards. We seek to communicate the current guidelines published by each state, to discuss the impact of these guidelines on orthopaedic surgery, and to provide the general framework used to determine which procedures have been postponed at our institution.

Methods:

An internet search was used to identify published state guidelines regarding the cancellation of elective procedures, with a publication cutoff of March 24, 2020, 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Data collected included the number of states providing guidance to cancel elective procedures and which states provided specific guidance in determining which procedures should continue being performed as well as to orthopaedic-specific guidance.

Results:

Thirty states published guidance regarding the discontinuation of elective procedures, and 16 states provided a definition of “elective” procedures or specific guidance for determining which procedures should continue to be performed. Only 5 states provided guidelines specifically mentioning orthopaedic surgery; of those, 4 states explicitly allowed for trauma-related procedures and 4 states provided guidance against performing arthroplasty. Ten states provided guidelines allowing for the continuation of oncological procedures.

Conclusions:

Few states have published guidelines specific to orthopaedic surgery during the COVID-19 outbreak, leaving hospital systems and surgeons with the responsibility of balancing the benefits of surgery with the risks to public health.
Fatty acid composition and tocopherol content of processed marine fish and contribution of omega-3 fatty acids
Authors: Devadason Chandravathany , Jayasinghe C.V.L. , Sivaganehsan R. , Gotoh Naohiro
Published: April 2020

The present study analysed fatty acid composition and tocopherol content of raw, curried and fried fish. Of the saturated fatty acids, C12:0, C14:0 and C16:0 had significant increase in fried and curried fish than raw fish. Of monounsaturated fatty acids, C18:19c significantly increased in fried and cooked form whereas polyunsaturated fatty acids, C20: 5n3 (EPA) and C22:6n3 (DHA) showed significant decrease in fried and curried fish. In cooked and fried fish there was significant reduction of tocopherol content. There was increase in hypocholesterolaemic and hypercholesterolaemic fatty acid (HH) ratio in fried and curried fish. Fish fried in coconut oil and fish curry in coconut cream were not found to be healthy processing methods and both processing methods lead to significant reduction in potential health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in the fishes.
Population structure of Sind sardinella Sardinella sindensis (Day, 1878) in northern Persian Gulf and Oman Sea, Iran
Authors: Salarpouri Ali , Kamrani Ehsan , Kaymaram Farhad , Najafabadi Rasool Mahdavi , Ghanbarzadeh Mehrnaz
Published: April 2020

The population dynamics of Sardinella sindensis (Day, 1878) was studied from samples in the commercial fishery in the coastal waters of the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea. A total of 12,898 specimens were collected through monthly sampling of boat purse seine and beach seine catches. Total length of the sampled fishes ranged from 5.0 to 19.9 cm. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters determined using monthly length frequency distribution were asymptotic length (L∞ = 21 cm), growth coefficient (K = 1.2 year-1) and age at zero length (t0 = -0.14 year). The estimated value for longevity (tmax) was 2.5 years. The probability of capture was calculated as Lc25=10.2 cm, Lc50=10.9 cm and Lc75=11.8 cm total length. Four cohorts with mean lengths of 7.2, 11.7, 15.7 and 18.6 cm were discerned in a year, with two recruitment peaks. The calculated length-weight equation was W= 0.0078 L3.02. The instantaneous rates of mortality (Z) was estimated as 4.02, with natural mortality M=2.19 and fishing mortality F=1.83 year-1. The exploitation rate (E) was 0.46, which was found to be reasonable for current fishing effort. From the yield-per-recruit analysis, Emax was estimated as 0.79, confirming that the stock is under optimum exploitation.
Effect of pulsed light on shelf life of chill stored yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) steaks
Authors: Ananthanarayanan T.R. , Nithin C.T. , Joseph Toms C. , Bindu J. , Srinivasa Gopal T.K.
Published: April 2020

In this study, the effect of pulsed light (PL) treatment on the shelf life extension of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) steaks was investigated. Tuna steaks of 1 cm thickness weighing 80 g packed in 300 gauge cast polypropylene pouches were subjected to PL treatment using Xenon pulse light machine RC-847. The samples were stored at 2±1OC and analysed at specific time intervals. Shelf life studies were carried out in terms of reduction of aerobic flora as inferred from the total plate count (TPC) and the psychrophilic count. The samples were also evaluated in terms of colour (L*, a* and b*), biochemical and sensory parameters. The initial reduction as well as lower rate of increase in the microbial count on the PL treated samples clearly highlighted the efficiency of PL technology as a novel non-thermal preservation technique. Low values of chemical indicators of spoilage and better values of sensory and colour values of PL treated samples also suggested the efficacy of PL treatment in microbial inactivation. An overall extension of 13 days of shelf life was achieved for PL treated samples whereas control samples were rejected on 13th day
Species delineation of lizardfishes, Saurida pseudotumbil Dutt and Sagar, 1981 and Saurida tumbil (Bloch, 1795) using multivariate tools
Authors: Mohanchander P. , Lyla P.S. , Ajmal Khan S. , Ashiq Ur Rahman M. , Premdass K.
Published: April 2020

Morphometric characters of two species of lizardfishes viz.,Saurida pseudotumbil Dutt and Sagar, 1981 and Saurida tumbil (Bloch, 1795), were studied to delineate the species using multivariate techniques. Specimens were collected from Parangipettai and Cochin waters, southern India, for recording data on 21 morphometric characters. Principal component analysis (PCA) was done after log transformation and the first three components explained 93.36% of the total variation. The most important morphometric characters determined using the eigenvectors (coefficients) of these components were post-orbital length, snout to pectoral, snout to pelvic, snout to anal, anal fin base and dorsal fin base, which showed high loading (≥0.8) in the three components. The overlapping ratio between these species ranged from 42.59 to 89.28%. The PCA data cloud of S. pseudotumbil and S. tumbil also reflected the same trend. Therefore, canonical analysis of principal coordinates (CAP) was done which clearly separated the species with maximum case allocation success (100%) for both S. pseudotumbil and S. tumbil, which clearly showed that both the species are different.
Partial replacement of fishmeal with Spirulina platensis and Chlorella vulgaris and its effect on growth and body composition of African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822)
Authors: Raji Ameenat Abiodun , Junaid Olawale Quazim , Milow Pozi , Mohd. Taufek Norhidayah , Fada Adamu Misau , Kolawole Asiata Adekilekun , Alias Zazali , Razak Shaharudin Abdul
Published: April 2020

The study examined the effect of partial replacement of fishmeal with Spirulina platensis (SP) and Chlorella vulgaris (CL) powder in the diets of African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822) fingerlings on growth performance and body composition. Nine diets (45.14-48.45% crude protein) consisting SP or CL as fishmeal replacement at zero (control), 12.5, 25, 50 and 75%, were fed to triplicate groups of 10 fingerlings (7.82±0.08 g) each for 56 days. The results showed statistically higher weight gain, specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio, relative growth rate, Fulton’s condition factor (K) and a corresponding lower feed conversion ratio when the replacement of C. vulgaris was at 75%. Proximate analysis revealed a significantly greater carcass protein in the SP12.5% and the highest flesh lipid and gross energy in SP75% groups. Flesh lipid increased with increasing SP and CL levels. Polynomial curve estimation regression analysis revealed the optimum fishmeal replacement levels for best growth are at 68.5 and 69.4% for SP and CL, respectively. CL was found to be more efficient in terms of growth and effective feed utilisation than SP.
Prediction of Multilateral Inflow Control Valve Flow Performance Using Machine Learning
Authors: (Jabs) Aljubran Mohammad (Jabs) , Horne Roland
Published: April 2020

Intelligent multilateral well completions provide downhole flow rate, pressure, and temperature measurements at multiple well segments, which allows for a continuous spatiotemporal data stream. Such an extensive data input poses a challenging task to decide on the optimal strategy of manipulating the inflow control valve (ICV) settings over time for best performance. In this study, we investigate using machine learning to analyze and predict well performance given different ICV settings to ultimately maximize the well output.

A commercial reservoir simulator was used to generate two synthetic reservoir models: homogeneous (Case A) and heterogeneous (Case B). These synthetic data were used to train, validate, and test machine learning models. The reservoir cases were generated on the basis of a segmented, trilateral producer completed with three ICV devices installed at tie-in segments. The data used were measurements of wellhead and downhole flow rates across ICV segments over a period of 4,000 days. A total of 1,330 experiments were conducted with an 8-day timestep, generating a total of 667,660 sample data points for each of Case A and Case B. Fully connected neural networks were used to fit the data, while model generalizability was enhanced using regularization techniques, namely L2 regularization and early stopping.

Both random sampling and Latin hypercube sampling (LHS) methods were evaluated in constructing the training, validation, and testing splits. Trained with different sample sizes drawn from the 1,330 simulated data histories for the two reservoir models, the proposed neural network showed excellent results. Given only 10 simulated choices of ICV settings for training, the network proved capable of predicting oil/water production profiles at surface for both homogeneous and heterogeneous reservoir models with greater than 0.95 coefficient of determination (R2) when evaluated at unseen, test ICV settings. Extending the problem to downhole flow performance prediction, approximately 40 training simulated settings were necessary to achieve 0.95 R2. We observed that LHS was superior to random sampling in both R2 average and confidence interval. We also found that increasing the training and validation sample sizes increased the test R2 when testing against unseen cases. Study results suggest the applicability of machine reinforcement learning to estimate the well output at different ICV settings, where the neural network model depends fully on the real-time well feedback and production measurements.

By using a machine learning approach during the operation of a well with multiple ICV settings, it would be feasible to estimate the lateral-by-lateral output at unseen scenarios. Hence, it becomes possible to maximize the well output by using an optimization algorithm to determine the optimal ICV settings.
Investigation of Countercurrent Imbibition in Oil-Wet Tight Cores Using NMR Technology
Authors: Liu Junrong , Sheng James J.
Published: April 2020

Countercurrent spontaneous imbibition is one of the most significant mechanisms for the mass transfer between fractures and matrixes in tight reservoirs. Adding surfactants and pressurization are two common methods to enhance the imbibition. In this study, we used the low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) instrument to monitor the dynamic imbibition processes with surfactants added and fluid pressure applied. The T2 relaxation distribution and corresponding water saturation profiles during the imbibition process were obtained by analyzing NMR responses. We found that sodium alpha-olefin sulfonate (AOS) could improve the oil recoveries of laboratory-scale cores to 22.31 and 29.59% with different concentrations (0.1 and 0.5 wt%). The surfactant addition not only expands the imbibition area, but also reduces the residual oil saturation in the imbibition profile. However, the actual maximum imbibition distances are only approximately a centimeter long (0.9412 and 1.1372 cm), which is insignificant for field scale. Due to the minimal imbibition distance, high-quality hydraulic fracturing is required to generate a large number of fractures for imbibition to ensure considerable oil recovery at the field scale. In addition, surfactant is consumed during spontaneous imbibition of oil-wet rocks and increasing surfactant concentration facilitates the imbibition process. However, arbitrarily increasing the concentration does not achieve the expected oil recovery because of the high adsorption capacity resulting from the high concentration. We need to consider economic efficiency to optimize a reasonable surfactant concentration. It was found that traditional dimensionless scaling models are not applicable in the complicated surfactant-enhanced imbibition. Hence, we proposed a new scaling group for scaling laboratory date to the field in fractured oil-wet formations. Moreover, we compared the imbibition process under different pressure conditions (7.5 and 15 MPa) and found that the effect of fluid pressure on countercurrent imbibition is not obvious.
Retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor α reduces lipid droplets by upregulating neutral cholesterol ester hydrolase 1 in macrophages
Authors: MATSUOKA Hiroshi , TOKUNAGA Riki , KATAYAMA Miyu , HOSODA Yuichiro , MIYA Kaoruko , SUMI Kento , OHISHI Ami , KAMISHIKIRYO Jun , SHIMA Akiho , MICHIHARA Akihiro
Published: April 2020

Background: Neutral cholesterol ester hydrolase 1 (NCEH1) catalyzes the hydrolysis of cholesterol ester (CE) in macrophages. Genetic ablation of NCEH1 promotes CE-laden macrophages and the development of atherosclerosis in mice. Dysregulation of NCEH1 levels is involved in the pathogenesis of multiple disorders including metabolic diseases and atherosclerosis; however, relatively little is known regarding the mechanisms regulating NCEH1. Retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor α (RORα)-deficient mice exhibit several phenotypes indicative of aberrant lipid metabolism, including dyslipidemia and increased susceptibility to atherosclerosis. Results: In this study, inhibition of lipid droplet formation by RORα positively regulated NCEH1 expression in macrophages. In mammals, the NCEH1 promoter region was found to harbor putative RORα response elements (ROREs). Electrophoretic mobility shift, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and luciferase reporter assays showed that RORα binds and responds to ROREs in human NCEH1. Moreover, NCEH1 was upregulated through RORα via a phorbol myristate acetate-dependent mechanism during macrophage differentiation from THP1 cells. siRNA-mediated knockdown of RORα significantly downregulated NCEH1 expression and accumulated lipid droplets in human hepatoma cells. In contrast, NCEH1 expression and removal of lipid droplets were induced by RORα agonist treatments and RORα overexpression in macrophages. Conclusion: These data strongly suggested that NCEH1 is a direct RORα target, defining potential new roles for RORα in the inhibition of lipid droplet formation through NCEH1.
Exploring transcriptomic landscapes in red blood cells, in their extracellular vesicles and on a single-cell level
Authors: Kerkelä Erja , Lahtela Jenni , Larjo Antti , Impola Ulla , Mäenpää Laura , Mattila Pirkko
Published: April 2020

Background Circulating human red blood cells (RBCs) consist of mature erythrocytes and immature reticulocytes. Being anucleated, RBCs lack typical transcriptomes, but are known to contain small amounts of diverse long transcripts and microRNAs. However, the exact role and importance of these RNAs is lacking. Shedding of extracellular vesicles (EVs) from the plasma membrane constitutes an integral mechanism of RBC homeostasis, by which RBCs remove unnecessary cytoplasmic content and cell membrane.Results To study this further, we explored the transcriptomes of RBCs and extracellular vesicles (EVs) of RBCs using next-generation sequencing. Furthermore, to understand the dynamics of the RBC transcriptome, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing on RBCs. An analysis of the single-cell transcriptomes revealed that approximately 10% of the cells contained detectable levels of mRNA and fell into three subpopulations based on their transcriptomes. Decrease in the mRNA quantity was observed across the populations. Qualitative changes included the differences in the globin transcripts and changes in the expression of ribosomal genes. A specific short splice form of a long non-coding RNA, Metastasis Associated Lung Adenocarcinoma Transcript 1 (MALAT1), was the most enriched marker in one subpopulation of RBCs, co-expressing with ribosomal structural transcripts. MALAT1 expression was confirmed by qPCR in CD71-enriched reticulocytes, which were also characterized with imaging flow cytometry at single cell level.Conclusions Analysis of the RBC transcriptome shows enrichment of pathways and functional categories required for the maturation of reticulocytes and erythrocyte functions. The RBC transcriptome was detected in their EVs, making these transcripts available for intercellular communication in blood. Our experiments on single cell level revealed that lncRNA MALAT1 is the marker for one of the three RBC populations co-expressing with a group of ribosomal protein transcripts.
Correlation between macular edema recurrence and macular capillary network destruction in branch retinal vein occlusion
Authors: Jang Ji Hye , Kim Yu Cheol , Shin Jae Pil
Published: April 2020

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between changes in the macular capillary network and macular edema (ME) recurrence with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) using swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA).Methods: We reviewed the data for 43 patients with treatment-naïve ME associated with BRVO. Patients who received intravitreal bevacizumab injection were divided into two groups based on ME recurrence at 6 months after edema resolution. The perifoveal capillary morphology and the macular capillary vessel density (VD) were retrospectively analyzed using en face SS-OCTA after ME resolution. Results: A broken the perifoveal capillary ring in the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP) was more common in the ME recurrence group (n=22) than in the no ME recurrence group (p = 0.047 and p = 0.002). Relative to the findings in the no ME recurrence groups, the destruction of the perifoveal capillary ring was more severe in the DCP (30.0° vs 87.3°, p = 0.001) than in the SCP (17.3° vs 69.5°, p = 0.006) in the ME recurrence group. The hemi-VD disparity between the affected and the unaffected areas in the SCP and DCP showed significant differences (p = 0.031 and p = 0.017), while macular VD showed no differences between the groups.Conclusions: Destruction of the perifoveal capillary ring and hemi-VD disparity could be related to ME recurrence in BRVO. Therefore, these factors may be helpful in predicting ME recurrence.
Transcriptome analysis reveals a molecular understanding of nicotinamide and butyrate sodium on meat quality of broilers under high stocking density
Authors: Wu Yuqin , Wang Youli , Yin Dafei , Mahmood Tahir , Yuan Jianmin
Published: April 2020

Background In recent years, increased attention has been focused on breast muscle yield and meat quality in poultry production. Supplementation with nicotinamide and butyrate sodium can improve the meat quality of broilers. However, the potential molecular mechanism is not clear yet. This study was designed to investigate the effects of supplementation with a combination of nicotinamide and butyrate sodium on breast muscle transcriptome of broilers under high stocking density. A total of 300 21-d-old Cobb broilers were randomly allocated into 3 groups based on stocking density: low stocking density control group (L; 14 birds/m 2 ), high stocking density control group (H; 18 birds/m 2 ), and high stocking density group provided with a combination of 50 mg/kg nicotinamide and 500 mg/kg butyrate sodium (COMB; 18 birds/m 2 ), raised to 42 days of age. Results The H group significantly increased cooking losses, pH decline and activity of lactate dehydrogenase in breast muscle when compared with the L group. COMB showed a significant decrease in these indices by comparison with the H group ( P < 0.05). The transcriptome results showed that key genes involved in glycolysis, proteolysis and immune stress were up-regulated whereas those relating to muscle development, cell adhesion, cell matrix and collagen were down-regulated in the H group as compared to the L group. In contrast, genes related to muscle development, hyaluronic acid, mitochondrial function, and redox pathways were up-regulated while those associated with inflammatory response, acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, and glycolysis pathway were down-regulated in the COMB group when compared with the H group. Conclusions The combination of nicotinamide and butyrate sodium may improve muscle quality by enhancing mitochondrial function and antioxidant capacity, inhibiting inflammatory response and glycolysis, and promoting muscle development and hyaluronic acid synthesis.