bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Electronic Medical Record Implementation for Supporting Hospital Performance: A Comparative Investigation of Selected Public and Private Hospitals in Ethiopia
Authors: Tarekegn Berhanemeskel , Ketema Girum , Bedaso Muktar
Published: August 2022

BackgroundHealth is not only significant for individuals, but also for governments because it plays a fundamental role in realizing supportable financial progress and development by way of fine as effective practice of capitals. This study aimed to assess the availability, productivity and extent of utilization; contributions for quality of health service; impact on the workflow; and challenges in the use of EMR system in public and private hospitals of Ethiopia.MethodologyThe study followed descriptive and exploratory research design and mixed research approach. The study area was clustered both in the regional/ rural (Jimma) area of the country and the capital city/ urban (Addis Ababa) area of the country, these were Jimma University Medical Center (public, rural) and Oda Hulle Primary hospital (private, domestic), St. Paul Specialized hospital (public, urban) and MCM Korea Hospital (private, foreign) to enhance the representativeness of the result. The sample respondents of the study, which were selected using non-probability purposive sampling technique, were 151 health professionals, ICT technicians and managers among which 147 samples were participated in the data collection session. The data were collected using questionnaire and semi-structured interview methods. The quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS v.25 software package and the qualitative data were analyzed by thematic analysis technique.ResultThe result of this study revealed that private hospital health professionals are satisfied with the facilities in their hospital's electronic medical record better than the public hospital health professionals. Therefore, private hospital health professionals are better than public health professionals in terms of the use of private electronic medical record resources. On the other hand, higher percentage of the health professional’s agreeing that electronic medical records resources utilization and availability of electronic medical records systems and adequate resources play an important role to achieve better performance in both private and public hospitals. The result of the study also revealed that the health professional’s’ performance of private hospitals is better than health professional’s’ performance of public hospitals because of electronic medical record system resource availability and effective utilization of resources available in their hospitals.ConclusionFinally, the study forwarded the recommendations to government that developing effective electronic medical record system to minimize the gap between public and private hospitals resources and to improve the health service performance of the health professionals with respect to integrated electronic medical record system.
Urban Sprawl Analysis and LULC change assessment in Bengaluru Rural, Karnataka, India
Authors: Ashwathappa Bharath , Maddikeari Manjunath , Das Bhumika , Vishweshwaraiah Reshma , Tangadagi Ranjitha B
Published: August 2022

Urban regions have grown and developed more quickly around the world. The amount of productive land is significantly reduced by the expansion of the urban perimeter. To ensure sustainable urban growth, research in urban sprawl analysis and land use land cover (LULC) change assessment is crucial. Bengaluru is one of the fastest growing metropolitan cities across the world, and its growth has a significant impact on neighbouring regions. Hence an attempt is made to evaluate the influence of urban sprawl on LULC in the Bengaluru rural district, which surrounds the Bengaluru urban region. In this study, temporal changes in LULC over two decades are assessed by employing remote sensed data and GIS tools. The study area is categorized into five LULC classes: settlement, waterbody, vegetation, agriculture, and barren land. Landsat images of two different timescales are classified using the supervised image classification technique in ERDAS software. The maximum likelihood technique is used for classifying the image, and the accuracy of the classified image is evaluated by accuracy assessment. The study revealed that urban sprawl significantly influenced the LULC classes study area.
Experimental Study on the Effect of Load and Air+gas/fuel Ratio on the Performances, Emissions and Combustion Characteristics of Diesel-LPG Fuelled Single Stationary CI Engine
Authors: yotchou Giovani Vidal Tchato , BANTA Nelson Junior ISSONDJ , KARANJA Samuel KABINI , ABBE Claude Valery NGAYIHI
Published: August 2022

Due to the issue of the combustion stability when using natural gas and the problem of knocking when using both natural gas and hydrogen, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is then a good candidate to use for the dual fuel concept since it’s been proven to be a good solution to limit the pollutants and the excessive use of fossil resources. In this paper, the effect of load as well as the Air + Gas/fuel ratio on the performance, emission, and combustion characteristics of a dual fuel diesel-LPG engine, single-cylinder, four-stroke, direct injection diesel engine with a rated power of 3.5 kW at a speed of 1500 rpm has been carried out. Experiments have been performed in dual fuel mode for a range of load from 0 to 12 kg and a range of mass flow of LPG from 1 to 5.5 L/min, and the results were compared with those obtained from the single fuel mode. Results show that dual fuel mode gives better performances and fewer pollutants than single fuel mode and the highest performances, as well as the fewest pollutants in the dual fuel mode, were observed regardless of the load for the mass flow of LPG of 5.5 L/min. Brake thermal efficiency, indicated thermal efficiency, and mechanical efficiency increased by 32.97%, 60.4%, and 16.66% respectively when we move from the single fuel mode to the dual-fuel mode. The smoke, the carbon monoxide, and the NOx decreased by 62.4%, 3381 ppm, and 31.8 ppm respectively when we move from the single fuel mode to the dual-fuel mode. The net heat release rate and the cylinder pressure (the peak) were also evaluated and were higher at 5 L/min in the dual-fuel mode. And, no knocking came up during this research as compared to natural gas or hydrogen dual-fuel engines.
Human model of primary carnitine deficiency cardiomyopathy reveals ferroptosis as a novel disease mechanism
Authors: Loos Malte , Klampe Birgit , Schulze Thomas , Yin Xiaoke , Theofilatos Konstantinos , Ulmer Bärbel , Schulz Carl , Behrens Charlotta , Bergen Tessa Van , Adami Eleonora , Maatz Henrike , Schweizer Michaela , Brodesser Susanne , Skryabin Boris , Rozhdestvensky Timofey , Bodbin Sara , Christ Torsten , Denning Chris , Huebner Norbert , Mayr Manuel , Eschenhagen Thomas , Hansen Arne
Published: August 2022

Primary carnitine deficiency (PCD) is an autosomal recessive monogenic disorder caused by mutations in SLC22A5. This gene encodes for OCTN2 which transports the essential metabolite carnitine into the cell. PCD patients suffer from muscular weakness and dilated cardiomyopathy. Detailed molecular disease mechanisms remain unclear. Two OCTN2-defective human induced pluripotent stem cell lines were generated from a healthy control line, carrying a full OCTN2-knockout and a homozygous OCTN2 (N32S) loss of function mutation. OCTN2-defective genotypes showed lower cardiac differentiation efficiency, lower force development, and resting length in engineered heart tissue format compared to isogenic control. Force was sensitive to fatty acid-based media and associated with lipid accumulation, mitochondrial alteration, higher glucose uptake, and metabolic remodelling, replicating findings in animal models. Importantly, genome wide analysis and pharmacological inhibitor experiments identified ferroptosis, an iron- and lipid-dependent cell death pathway linked to fibroblast activation as a novel PCD cardiomyopathy disease mechanism.
Escherichia coli metabolites promote Enterococcus avium growth by accelerating aerobic metabolic processes
Authors: Liu Yuejiao , Hou Fengyi , Sun Yifan , Chang Yuxiao , Zhou Yazhou , Wang Likun , Tan Yafang , Zhi Fachao , Yang Ruifu , Pan Zhiyuan , Bi Yujing
Published: August 2022

Background & AimsCooperation between species in the same ecosystem is the core function of microbial communities. We found that in cocultures of Escherichia coli and Enterococcus avium isolated from the gut, the former promoted the growth of the latter. Hence, we investigated the mechanisms by which Escherichia coli promoted the growth of Enterococcus avium.MethodEnterococcus avium was cultured in growth medium supplemented with E. coli metabolites. The physical and chemical properties of the growth-promoting substances were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Transcriptomics and metabolomics analyses were performed to determine the possible mechanisms underlying the accelerated growth of Enterococcus avium.ResultsHigher concentrations of Escherichia coli metabolites accelerated the growth of Enterococcus avium in the logarithmic phase but not in the plateau phase. A group of small molecules with high polarity and thermal stability were found to promote the growth of Enterococcus avium. The Escherichia coli metabolites upregulated ribosome expression and oxidative phosphorylation and accelerated several aerobic metabolic processes in Enterococcus avium.ConclusionSome metabolites secreted by Escherichia coli may accelerate aerobic metabolism in Enterococcus avium, thereby increasing its growth rate. This study provides a meaningful insight for understanding the symbiosis between intestinal bacteria and its possible mechanisms.
Self-Managing Symptoms of Long COVID: an Education and Strategies Research Protocol
Authors: Green Robin , Rybkina Julia , Jacob Nithin , Colella Brenda , Gold David , Stewart Donna , Ruttan Lesley , Meusel Liesel-Ann , McAndrews Mary Pat , Abbey Susan
Published: August 2022

Post-acute sequelae of SARS-COV-2 (PASC) is growing in prevalence, and involves symptoms originating from the central neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, autonomic nervous, or immune systems. There are non-specific symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, and brain fog, which cannot be ascribed to a single system/organ. PASC places a notable strain on our healthcare system, which is already laden with a large number of acute-COVID-19 patients. Furthermore, it impedes social, academic and vocational functioning, and impacts family life, relationships, and work/financial life. The treatment for PASC needs to target this non-specific etiology and wide-ranging sequelae. In conditions similar to PASC, such as “chemo brain”, and prolonged symptoms of concussion, the non-specific symptoms have shown to be effectively managed through education and strategies for self-management and Mindfulness interventions. However, such interventions have yet to be empirically evaluated in PASC to our knowledge. In response to this gap, we have developed a virtual education intervention synthesized by psychiatrists and clinical psychologists for the current study. We will undertake a two-phase randomized controlled trial to determine the feasibility (Phase 1; N = 90) and efficacy (Phase 2; sample sized based on phase 1 results) of the novel 8 week education and self-management strategies group compared to a mindfulness skills program, both delivered virtually. Main outcomes include confidence/ability to self-manage symptoms, quality of life, and healthcare utilization. This study stands to mitigate the deleterious intrusiveness of symptoms on everyday life in patients with PASC, and may also help to reduce the impact of PASC on the healthcare system.
Detection and Location of Microaneurysms in Fundus Images Based on Improved YOLOv4
Authors: Weiwei GAO , Bo FAN , FANG Yu , Mingtao SHAN , SONG Nan
Published: August 2022

Microaneurysms (MA) are the initial symptoms of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Eliminating these lesions can effectively prevent DR at an early stage. However, due to the complex retinal structure and the different brightness and contrast of fundus images due to different factors, such as patients, environment, and acquisition equipment, it is difficult for existing detection algorithms to achieve accurate detection and location of the lesion. Therefore, the detection algorithm of improved YOLOv4(YOLOv4-Pro) was proposed. An improved Fuzzy C-Means (IFCM) clustering algorithm was proposed to optimize the anchor parameters of the target samples to improve the matching degree between the anchors and the feature graphs. The SENet attention module was then embedded in the backbone network to enhance the key information of the image and suppress the background information of the image to improve the confidence of MA. The spatial pyramid pooling (SPP) module was added to the neck to enhance the acceptance domain of the output characteristics of the backbone network to help separate important context information, and the model was verified on the Kaggle DR dataset and compared with other methods. The experimental results showed that, compared with other YOLOv4 network models with various structures, the improved YOLOv4 network model could significantly improve the automatic detection result. Compared with other network models and methods, the automatic detection accuracy of the improved YOLOv4 network model was better and an accurate position could be realized. Therefore, the proposed method of improved YOLOv4 performs better and can accurately and effectively detect and locate microaneurysms in fundus images.
AlphaCluster: Coevolutionary driven residue-residue interaction models enable quantifiable clustering analysis of de novo variants to enhance predictions of pathogenicity
Authors: Shen Yufeng , Obiajulu Joseph , Kuang Ranger , Zhong Guoije , Hagen Jake , Shu Chang , Chung Wendy
Published: August 2022

Missense variants have highly variable effects and effect size, which often makes it challenging to distinguish pathogenic and non-pathogenic variants and subsequently implicate new genes for disease association in studies of de novo and inherited rare variants. Importantly, missense variants can be the sole molecular mechanism for some genetic disorders, and so statistical approaches tailored for the analysis of missense variants are critical. Analysis of the clustering of missense variants is a promising approach which leverages the fact that missense variants in protein domains often have similar effects on function. Here we describe a new clustering analysis approach, AlphaCluster, a statistical method which quantifiably analyzes the spatial clustering of de novo variants by mapping missense residues onto the protein tertiary structure. We show that our approach can quantify the evidence supporting pathogenic missense variants and increase the power to detect clustering when compared to available genomic clustering tools. Using AlphaCluster, we identified genes newly implicated in autism spectrum disorder and neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD). We also apply AlphaCluster to protein complexes and detect an association between the gamma aminobutyric acid receptor complex (GABA-A 𝛼1𝛽2𝛾2 receptor).
Gender estimation using discriminant analysis of hand dimensions among adult participant1s
Authors: Shukla Kamlesh Kumar , Rahman Syed Azizur
Published: August 2022

Background: The estimation of gender using hand dimensions is crucial role in forensic investigation and legal sciences. Objectives: In this study, mean score of hand measurements have been derived and linear discriminant analysis has been applied to predict gender from hand dimensions. Independent t-test has been employed to know discrimination between male and female. Accuracy of gender estimation has been derived and checked by ROC curve. Data & Methods: A sample of 150 participants has been collected for the completion of this study, where 78 males and 72 females were found aged between 18 and 24 years. The breadths and lengths of left and right hands of the participants have been measured. Results: Mean score of length and breadth of left hand of respondents were found 17.69±1.30 and 7.56±1.17 respectively. It was found significantly different in mean score of male and female of the respondents. Conclusions: Hand dimensions of male were found higher than female. Prediction of number of females and males were 76 and 74 respectively, and its accuracy was observed 0.87. This study as beginner research and further it can be applied for larger sample and would be helpful in prediction of gender discrimination among adults through hand dimensions.
High-throughput absolute quantification sequencing reveals that high organic fertiliser use increased bacterial abundance and metabolic function in reddish paddy soil
Authors: Cui Xinwei , Gao Peng , Lu Yaoxiong , Long Shiping , Peng Fuyuan
Published: August 2022

Rational application of organic and chemical fertilizers is beneficial to improve crop yield and quality. However, the effect of combining these fertilizers on bacterial community structure and metabolic functions remains unclear, especially in reddish paddy soil. In the present study, absolute quantification 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing technology (AQS) was used to study the responses of soil bacterial community composition and its absolute abundance to environmental factors under different application ratios of organic and chemical fertilisers for two consecutive years in reddish paddy soil. The results showed that replacing the chemical fertiliser with organic fertiliser significantly increased the total nitrogen (TN), total potassium, hydrolysed nitrogen, and soil organic carbon (SOC), and significantly decreased the soil bulk density. These effects were more prominent in the treatment with 60% of organic fertilizer (60M). More importantly, AQS revealed that different fertilization treatments non-significantly affected soil bacterial diversity (Shannon) and richness (Chao1) but significantly changed the composition and abundance of bacterial communities. SOC, TN, and available potassium were the key factors shaping bacterial community structure under different fertilization regimes. The bacterial absolute abundance in the 60M treatment was 25.30% and 56.58% higher than that in the NPK and 30M treatments, respectively. Functional prediction analysis with PICRUSt2 revealed that the 60M treatment increased the abundance of species involved in xenobiotic biodegradation and metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and lipid metabolism, and further improved metabolic functions to a certain degree.
On Asymmetric Internal Hemispheric Variability in the Ocean in 2005-2015
Authors: Rathore Saurabh , Bindoff Nathaniel , Philllips Helen , Feng Ming
Published: August 2022

Hemispheric asymmetry in global ocean warming was observed during 2005–2015. Previously, we showed that 92% of net global ocean heat gain during this period was in the southern hemisphere and that this period represented one extreme of an asymmetric mode of internal ocean variability that is independent of anthropogenic warming. We now identify for the first time, the asymmetric mode’s consistent spatial pattern between its phase of southern hemisphere dominance in observations and CMIP5 pre-industrial simulations. The southern hemisphere dominance of this intensity (≥ 2 × 1022 J decade− 1 ) observed in the first decade of the global Argo profiling array occurs 1% of the time in 10,000 CMIP5 years. The opposite phase, the northern hemisphere dominating heat uptake, occurs with similar frequency. We show that the asymmetric mode in 2005–2015 was associated with changes in the global overturning circulation, causing anomalous warming of 0.2×1015 W south of 40oS and convergence of heat in southern mid-latitudes. The asymmetric mode is uncorrelated with common climate modes.
GNAS mutations suppress the cell invasion through regulating EMT by activating the MEG3/Wnt/β-catenin pathway in growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenoma
Authors: Tang Chao , Zhong Chunyu , Zhu Junhao , Yuan Feng , Yang Jin , Cai Xiangming , Xu Yong , Ma Chiyuan
Published: August 2022

Background: Approximately 30–40% of growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenoma (GHPA) harbor somatic mutations in the GNAS (α subunit of the stimulatory G protein) gene. However, the latent functional role of the mutations and relative molecular mechanism in GHPA remain unknown. Methods: The GNAS gene mutations were detected in GHPAs using a standard PCR-sequencing procedure. The mutation-associated MEG3 expression was measured by RT-qPCR. MEG3 was manipulated in GH3 cells using a lentiviral expression system. Alterations in mRNA profiles in the MEG3-overexpressed cells were analyzed by RNA-seq. The cell invasion ability was measured using a Transwell assay, and the EMT-associated proteins were quantified by immunofluorescence and western blot. Finally, a tumor cell xenograft mouse model was applied to verify the effect of MEG3 on tumor growth and invasiveness. Results: The percentage of invasive tumors was significantly declined in GNAS-mutated GHPA tumors with the GNAS mutations compared to those tumors with the wild-type of GNAS. Consistently, the GH3 cell invasion capacity was decreased by expressing the mutant GNAS. MEG3 is uniquely expressed at high levels in GHPA harboring the mutated GNAS gene. Accordingly, the upregulation of MEG3 resulted in inhibiting cell invasion; and vice versa, the downregulation of MEG3 led to enhancing cell invasion. Mechanistically, the high level of MEG3 in mutated GNAS cells prevented the cell invasion via inactivation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which was further validated in vivo. Conclusion: The GNAS mutations inhibit the invasiveness of GHPA cells via inactivation of the MEG3/Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
Spatial distribution, pollution levels, and ecological risks of trace elements in topsoil along an urbanization gradient in the city of Urumqi, China
Authors: Sidikjan Nazupar , Eziz Mamattursun , Kasimu Alimujiang , Xinguo Li
Published: August 2022

Urbanization processes affect the accumulation of trace elements in urban soils. Due to the rapid urbanization, trace elements are continuously emitted into urban soil and generate serious risk to human health and urban ecosystem. Therefore, the effects of urbanization on environmental quality of soil along an urbanization gradient has emerged as an important frontier in environmental research. We carried out this study to assess the distribution, pollution, and potential ecological risk of trace elements in topsoil along a typical urbanization gradient in Urumqi city, NW China. We collected a total of 77 topsoil samples from urban, suburban, and rural gradient zones and analyzed their concentrations of nine trace elements: cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), antimony (Sb), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn). To estimate pollution and the ecological risk from trace elements, we employed the pollution load index (PLI) and ecological risk index (RI). The results we obtain indicated that the concentrations, spatial distributions, pollution levels, and ecological risk degrees of trace elements investigated in this study were closely correlated with urbanization process. The spatial distribution of Cd, Co, Ni, Pb, Sb, V, and Zn concentrations and PLI showed a zonal distribution pattern along the urbanization gradient. The PLI values decreased in the order of urban > suburban > rural, whereas the RI values decreased in the order of urban > rural > suburban. Furthermore, trace elements showed a considerable risk in urban gradient, moderate risk in suburban and rural gradient zones, and Hg poses the most significant ecological risk among the investigated trace elements. Overall, analysis of trace elements in topsoil is useful to identify the effects of urbanization.
Coupled hydrogeological modeling and nitrate transport modeling to assess vulnerability pollution in an anthropized watershed, case study of the lower Soummam valley (Bejaia Northeast ofAlgeria)
Authors: Benabbes Dounyazad , Kessasra Fares , Foughalia Amal , Kerouaz Moussa , Abdellouch El Amine , Khemissa Zeyneb
Published: August 2022

Anthropogenic activities as waste water discharges and fertilizers use were the main factors controlling nitrate concentration in the lower Soummam valley, situated in the North-East of Algeria. The objectives of this study are to investigate nitrogen pollution, evaluate the groundwater vulnerability using DRASTIC-method and simulate nitrate mass transport coupled with a hydrogeological model. Hydrogeochemical results demonstrate a large seasonal variation between the high water period (May 2019 and 2021) and the low water period (September 2019- November 2020 and 2021). Temperature and electric conductivity were increased in the low-water period. However, pH, dissolved oxygen and nitrate decreased in the high-water period and finally nitrites and ammonium showing irregular fluctuation. DRASTIC vulnerability issues illustrate that the alluvial aquifer of lower Soummam presents high to very high contamination. A hydrogeological model was performed using PMWIN and coupled with a solute transport model. Calibration was achieved under steady state conditions during the period of 2011–2021. It was validated by the comparison with measured piezometric levels and nitrate concentrations in May 2021. Three scenarios were established under transient conditions in order to simulate variation of both groundwater levels and nitrate concentrations from 2011 to 2050. Simulation issues show that river-aquifer exchanges and dependent head boundary present the main terms in water inflow and restituted respectively about 44% and 38% of the total inflow. However the head constant presented approximately 85% of the total outflow. Nitrate model illustrates a slight variation in 27 wells of a total of 29. Substantial increase in Remila well located in the upstream, a raise was observed at 14.6 mg/l when the pumping volumes reached 45.8 Mm3/years, 16.5 mg/l according to a slight increase in pumping volume 49.19 Mm3/years and finally, an increase was calculated at 27.3 mg/l when the pumping volume increases to 98.38 Mm3/years in 2050. In Saidj well situated in the downstream, a significant reduction was observed at 19.9 and 24.4 mg/l respectively in 2021 and 2030, however, a sharp increase was estimated at 16.8mg/l in 2050. The river and groundwater head boundaries are the main factors controlling the hydrodynamic aquifer system and nitrate transport in the alluvial aquifer of the lower Soummam valley.
Changes in Prescribing of Psychotropic Medication in Primary Care through the COVID-19 Pandemic in England: A National Level Prospective Survey
Authors: Waheed Unaiza , Stedman Mike , Davies Mark , Solomon Emma , Taylor David , Heald Adrian
Published: August 2022

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic globally impacted healthcare provision. Prescribing changes of common medications can be used as a marker for new diagnoses.AimTo describe how psychotropic prescribing in England was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsPrimary Care Prescribing data for different classes of drug from March 2017 - February 2022 were considered. To capture the impact during periods of restricted access to health services for new diagnoses/existing conditions, repeat prescriptions/episodic prescribing were included with account taken of historical trend.The pre-pandemic prescriptions issued each month from March 2017 - February 2020 were linearly extrapolated forward to give an expected annual growth (EAG). The monthly average expected prescriptions for the pandemic period (March 2020–February 2022) were compared with this.ResultsPhysical health medications had lower monthly prescriptions during the pandemic with antibiotics down -12.2%(EAG -1.4%). Most repeat prescriptions were for bronchodilators -1.8%(EAG 0%), hypertension and heart failure -1.3%(EAG 1%), and lipid regulating drugs at -0.1%(EAG 2.3%). Mental Health monthly prescribing increased with hypnotics/anxiolytics by 0.6%(EAG -2.4%), antipsychotics by 0.5%(EAG 2.7%) and antidepressants by 0.3% (EAG 4.9%) The three main antidepressant were: Sertraline grew by 21% so its share of total anti-depressants increased from 22.7% to 24.6% (+8%), Mirtazapine grew by 16% so share increased from 13.0% to 13.6% (+5%), Venlafaxine grew by 11% so share stayed at 6.3%(0%).ConclusionThe increase in anxiolytic/hypnotic prescribing above trend links to pandemic effects on anxiety/worry. The slight increase in antipsychotic prescribing may relate to antipsychotic use in care homes.
Analysis of a nonlinear perturbed HLIV model with viral production and multiple latent stages
Authors: Liu Qun
Published: August 2022

In this paper, we establish and analyze a nonlinear stochastically perturbed HLIV model with viral production and multiple latent stages, which is described by a series of stochastic differential equations with nonlinear perturbations. Firstly, we prove that there exists a unique global positive solution to the proposed model for any positive initial value. Then we adopt a stochastic Lyapunov function method to establish sufficient criteria for the existence and uniqueness of an ergodic stationary distribution of positive solutions to the system. Especially, under some mild conditions which are used to ensure the existence and local asymptotic stability of the endemic equilibrium of the deterministic system, we obtain the exact expression of the probability density around the endemic equilibrium of the deterministic system. In addition, we build up sufficient criteria for wiping out of the infected cells and free viruses. Finally, numerical simulations are performed to illustrate our theoretical findings.
Heparin-binding protein as a biomarker of severe sepsis in the pediatric intensive care unit: A multicenter, prospective study
Authors: Liu Pengcheng , Chen Dapeng , Lou Jintu , Lin Jiancheng , Huang Caizhi , Zou Yun , Wong Cai , Wu Haiming , Yan Gangfeng , Liu Jing , Zhou Zhenwen , Gao Fei , Gao Ling , Long Guangfeng , Ma Lijuan , Dai Shuzhi , Qu Wei , Mo Liya , Shang Shiqiang , Xu Jin
Published: August 2022

Background: Heparin-binding protein (HBP) is a promising candidate as a biomarker for sepsis. However, there is limited study on the use of HBP among children with sepsis in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). The aim of this study is to assess HBP as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker of severe sepsis in the PICU.Methods: A multicenter, prospective study was conducted among children with sepsis and severe sepsis in nine different PICUs in China from October 2019 to June 2021. Plasma levels of HBP, procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), lactate, and white blood cell (WBC) count were determined at enrollment and 72 hours after enrollment. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was used to evaluate the ability of biomarkers in diagnosing severe sepsis. Multivariate logistical analysis was performed to assess the association between biomarkers and in-hospital mortality. Spearman's correlation was used to identify the relationship between HBP and other biomarkers.Results: Of 355 included patients, 132 patients were diagnosed with non-severe sepsis (referred to as sepsis), 223 patients had severe sepsis. Patients with severe sepsis had significantly elevated levels of HBP compared with sepsis (median 170.5 vs. 74.1 ng/mL, P<0.001). Adding HBP to a diagnostic model with PCT and lactate could significantly improve the diagnostic capability for severe sepsis (area under the curve (AUC) 0.702 vs. 0.628, p<0.001). The plasma levels of HBP correlated positively with the number of dysfunctional organs. After adjusting for confounding factors, the HBP levels at enrollment could not predict in-hospital mortality. However, declined levels of HBP at 72 hours had a significant association with decreased in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.242, P<0.001). The levels of HBP showed weak positive correlations with PCT, CRP, WBC, and no correlation to lactate.Conclusions: HBP at enrollment can be an independent indicator for severe sepsis and the dynamic changes at 72 hours can be a predictor for in-hospital mortality in PICU.
Permeability Behavior of Tropical Sapric Peat under Isotropic Compression
Authors: Hasan Alsidqi , Ngelambai Walter Janting anak
Published: August 2022

Tropical sapric peat has a distinctive origin, which originates from highly decomposed woods. It consists of organic particles with colloidal microstructure and jelly-like texture. Such feature influences the permeability and the rate of pore water dissipation. This paper discusses the tropical sapric peat permeability behaviour from a series of flexible wall permeameter tests. A special peat specimen preparation method is presented. Each specimen was isotopically compressed under different effective stresses in a modified triaxial apparatus and digitally monitored for 2 days-long permeability tests. The results showed that the permeability decreases with time following a negative power function, which indicated that the flow of liquid progresses gradually from the transient to the steady states. A graphical method is proposed to distinguish the transient state and the steady state flow at which a representative coefficient of permeability can be determined. The time taken to achieve the steady state was found to be correlated with the level of compression. A good linear relationship between the coefficient of permeability and the log of effective stress was found. The tropical sapric peat in this study has lower permeability-to-effective stress ratio when compared to the amorphous sapric peat data from the literature. The present finding provides references for academic and engineers to better understand the permeability behavior of tropical sapric peat.
Efficacy and safety of bevacizumab biosimilar compared with reference bevacizumab in locally advanced and advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients: A retrospective study
Authors: Zhao Zhiting , Zhao Luqing , Xia Guohao , Lu Jianwei , Shen Bo , Zhou Guoren , Feng Jifeng , Hu Xiao , Yu Shaorong
Published: August 2022

PurposeBevacizumab is important in the systemic treatment of patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without gene mutation. Bevacizumab biosimilar has received marketing approval based on the results of phase III clinical studies. It is the first retrospective study to verify the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab biosimilar in clinical application.Methods We identified 946 patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC treated with bevacizumab biosimilar or bevacizumab. Efficacy evaluation was performed according to RECIST v1.1. Adverse events were graded following the CTCAE v5.0. ResultsThe objective response rates (ORRs) were 28.9% in the biosimilar group (n=551) and 30.9% in the reference group (n=395; unstratified ORR risk ratio: 0.934, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.677–1.138). The estimated median progression-free survival (mPFS) were 6.27 (95% CI: 5.53–7.01) and 4.93 (95% CI: 4.24–5.62) months, respectively (p=0.296). The number of treatment lines, combined treatment regimens and with or without radiotherapy were significant factors affecting the PFS of both groups (p<0.001, p=0.001, p=0.039). Different genetic mutations and dose intensity were not the main factors (p=0.627, 0.946). The incidences of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were 76.41% in the biosimilar group and 71.65% in the reference group (p=0.098). The incidences of grade 3 or higher TEAEs were 22.14% and 19.49%, respectively (p=0.324). ConclusionBevacizumab biosimilar is equivalent in efficacy to bevacizumab in patients with locally advanced and advanced NSCLC. It showed acceptable toxicity profile and no new adverse events. Patients who were excluded by clinical trials can also benefit from bevacizumab biosimilar.
Inheritance of Big Bud Mite Susceptibility in Filberts1
Authors: Thompson Maxine M.
Published: August 2022

Susceptibility ratings for big bud mite Phytocoptella avellanae (Nal.) are given for 144 clones of filberts (Corylus sp.) and for 1850 progeny between crosses involving 21 parents. There is genetic resistance as well as different levels of susceptibility. Susceptibility is highly heritable and appears to be determined by multiple genes with predominantly additive gene action.
Clonal Multiplication of Carnation by Micropropagation1
Authors: Davis M. J. , Baker Ralph , Hanan Joe J.
Published: August 2022

Clonal multiplication of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) was accomplished in three stages: 1) shoot tip culture initiation stage, 2) shoot multiplication stage, and 3) rooting stage. The culture medium for the initiation stage was examined by comparing various inorganic salt mixtures, vitamin mixtures, carbohydrates, growth regulators, agars, pH’s, and additional supplements for their effect on growth and development of multiple shoots from shoot tips. When shoot tips (ca. 1 mm high) were grown on a modified Murashige and Skoog medium with 10 µM kinetin and 1 µM NAA, apical dominance was counteracted and morphologically normal shoots proliferated rapidly. Transferring these cultures after 4 wk to 100 ml flasks (one per flask) with 50 ml of same medium without agar and supplements, and with the kinetin concentration reduced to 2.5 µM, resulted in an average per original shoot tip of 28 shoots over 2 cm in height being produced in another 3 weeks. These shoots were rooted in BR-8 blocks or Jiffy-7 peat pellets under intermittent mist. Plantlets rooted in these supports were transferred easily to greenhouse conditions. Incorporation of carnation micropropagation into a pathogen-free propagative stock program should not be difficult, and might prove beneficial even if large scale use is limited by economic considerations.
Growth Responses, Nutrient Leaf Concentrations and Interelement Relationships of Snap Beans as Affected by Fertilizer Treatment1
Authors: Smith Cyril B.
Published: August 2022

‘Bush Blue Lake 283’ beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were grown with 16 fertilizer treatments at 16 commercial sites in Pennsylvania in 1973-74. No treatment gave significantly higher combined yield at one harvest than the NP treatment (28 kg/ha of each). This treatment resulted in increases of 27% in vine weight and 9% in yield while leaf concentration of Ca and Mg were enhanced by 19% and 36% respectively and K concentration was decreased by 17%. Added K which further increased vine weight but not yield, depressed Mg leaf concentration but this was more than compensated for by the NP enhancement. Although added Mg did not affect growth responses, it increased Mg leaf concentration, decreased Mn concentration and tended to decrease P and Ca concentration but did not lower K leaf concentration. When both K and Mg were added, Mg leaf concentration was no higher. Diammonium phosphate had no injurious effects.
A Four-year Study of Single Calcium Chloride and Growth Regulator Tree Sprays to Control Storage Breakdown of ‘Spartan’ Apples1
Authors: Looney Norman E.
Published: August 2022

A single spray of 2.5 or 5% CaCl2 applied 14 days before harvest significantly reduced breakdown of ‘Spartan’ apples (Malus domestica Borkh.) in each of 4 consecutive years and caused no residual tree or crop damage. Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) alone or in combination with CaCl2 led to significant reductions in breakdown in only 1 of the 3 seasons in which it was tested. Ca applied in 1 season did not influence fruit Ca levels the next year. Both 2.5 and 5% CaCl2 applied in 1973 significantly increased Ca in fruit peel, flesh and core tissues. Although IBA did not increase fruit Ca levels, a strong negative relationship between fruit Ca and breakdown susceptibility was evidenced by analyses in 3 crop years.

Fruits located near the top of the trees were lower in flesh Ca than those from the bottom. This, plus inadequate spray coverage in the top of the tree canopies, led to poor control of breakdown in these fruits when the sprays were applied at lx, 3x or 6x concentration with an air-blast orchard sprayer using 3342, 1114, and 557 1 of water per hectare, respectively.
Varietal and Maturity Differences of Apples in Response to Ethylene in Controlled Atmosphere Storage1
Authors: Liu F. W.
Published: August 2022

Five cultivars of apples (Malus domestica Borkh.) each with 2 different harvest dates were stored in continuous flow controlled atmosphere (CA) at 3% O2 and 3% CO2 at 0°C or 3.3° for 3 to 7 months. Ethylene in the CA was maintained at 3 levels: low (mostly below 1 ppm, maximum 3.8 ppm), 10 ppm and 500 ppm. In comparison with low ethylene, 10 ppm and 500 ppm ethylene in CA did not significantly affect the soluble solids, titratable acids, firmness and sensory evaluated ripeness of ‘Delicious’, ‘Golden Delicious’, ‘Indared’ and ‘Cortland’ apples harvested on either date and of ‘McIntosh’ apples harvested after the onset of climacteric. However, ‘McIntosh’ harvested before the onset of climacteric retained higher acids, firmer texture and were sensory evaluated as less ripe when kept in CA with low ethylene than that with 10 or 500 ppm ethylene. ‘Delicious’ apples stored for 7 months in CA with 10 or 500 ppm ethylene developed severe scald but those in CA with low ethylene did not.
Effect of Hydrogen Fluoride and Hydrogen Chloride on Pollen Tube Growth and Sodium Fluoride on Pollen Germination in ‘Tilton’ Apricot1
Authors: Facteau T. J. , Rowe R. E.
Published: August 2022

Fumigations with hydrogen fluoride (HF) decreased in vivo pollen tube growth of ‘Tilton’ apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.). Both tube lengths and percent of styles with pollen tubes that reached the base of the style were adversely affected more by high HF concentration for a short time than by low concentration for a longer time. Pollen germination was unaffected on agar containing sodium fluoride. Fumigations with hydrogen chloride had no effect on pollen tube growth at concentrations from 0.05 to 0.75 mg Cl/m3 and durations of exposure from 8.5 to 72 hours.
Differential Sensitivity of Juglans hindsii, J. regia, Paradox Hybrid, and Pterocarya stenoptera to Waterlogging1
Authors: Catlin P. B. , Martin G. C. , Olsson E. A.
Published: August 2022

Seedlings of Juglans hindsii Jeps. and J. regia L. reacted similarly and were much more sensitive to waterlogging at root temperatures of 33°C than those of Pterocarya stenoptera DC. At 23°C,J. regia expressed symptoms of waterlogging earlier than J. hindsii. Paradox plants, hybrids between the 2 walnut species, were more tolerant than J. hindsii but are still considered highly sensitive to anaerobiosis. These results support the contention that use of J. regia seedlings as rootstocks to avoid blackline introduces greater potential for damage if soils become saturated. Some plants of each type which demonstrated increased tolerance have been selected. Levels of abscisic acid, or changes therein did not appear to be useful parameters in screening walnut seedlings for tolerance to waterlogging. Phenolic compounds decreased in roots of waterlogged plants. Although the magnitude of change in phenols was the same in Juglans and Pterocarya plants, it occurred over a much longer period with the latter. Phenols lost from roots may be a secondary phenomenon but contribute to hypersensitivity of Juglans to waterlogging.
Radiant Output from Orchard Heaters1
Authors: Perry Katharine B. , Martsolf J. David , Norman John M.
Published: August 2022

The radiant fractions of four currently available orchard heaters (spot, large cone, return stack and auto clean stack) were determined under orchard conditions using observed surface temperatures, emissivity and the Stefan-Boltzmann Law. The contribution of the flame extending above the spot heater stack to its total radiant output was determined. Stack surface temperatures increased with burning rate on the large cone, return stack and auto clean stack heaters but decreased on the spot heater. The position of the highest temperature was near the bottom of the large cone, return stack and auto clean stack heaters and near the top of the spot heater. Surface temperatures were lower in general on the spot heater than on the other three heaters. The radiant fractions of the large cone, return stack and auto clean stack heaters were greater than 20% and relatively constant with burning rate. Even though the flame contribution is purposely overestimated the radiant fraction of the spot heater was less than 16%. For low wind speeds under which most orchard heating occurs the effect of wind speed on the radiant fraction was negligible.
Electrical Conductivity of ‘Shamouti’ Orange Peel during Fruit Growth and Postharvest Senescence1
Authors: Sasson Alegre , Monselise Shaul P.
Published: August 2022

Electrical conductivity (EC) measurements were carried out in orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) peel (with stainless steel electrodes penetrating 2 mm deep), during fruit growth and subsequent prolonged storage on shelf. Values at the equator were quite generally lower than at the stem and especially at the stylar ends. A curve showing two maxima, one at a very young fruitlet stage (late May) and the other two months before maturation was found. The decrease in EC toward maturation continued for some time postharvest while the water content of tissues decreased, but was followed by an increase with progressive tissue senescence. This last part of the curve is tentatively explained by an increased role of symplast conductance due to tissue aging.
The Effects of Bulb Vernalization and Shoot Photoperiod Treatments on Growth and Flowering of Lilium longiflorum Thunb. cv. Nellie White1
Authors: Roh Seung Moon , Wilkins Harold F.
Published: August 2022

Thirty days of night interruptions (4 to 6 hours) or day extensions (4 to 8 hours) were given using incandescent (I), cool white fluorescent (CWF), and BCJ-ruby incandescent (BCJ) light sources to newly emerged shoots from ‘Nellie White’ lily (Lilium longiflorum) bulbs vernalized (4.4°C) for 0, 1, 3, or 6 weeks.

Regardless of light source a 6 hour night interruption (2200 to 0200) was more effective in accelerating anthesis than day extensions (1600 to 2000 or 0400 to 0800). There were no differences in the dates of anthesis between the light treatments when used as a night interruption with shoots from non-vernalized bulbs. Using partially or non-vernalized bulbs a day extension of CWF light delayed flowering when compared to I or BCJ. This delay by CWF was removed when bulbs were fully vernalized.

Leaf and flower bud number were reduced by bulb vernalization and effective shoot light treatments. Plant height was increased by shoot light treatment and was additive to the bulb temperature effect.

We hypothesize that bulb vernalization and shoot photoperiod treatments lead to rapid flowering through 2 inducing mechanisms. These mechanisms are phytochrome and high energy reaction (HER) systems.
Carbon Fluxes in Apple Trees: Use of a Closed System to Study the Effect of a Mild Cold Stress on ‘Golden Delicious’1
Authors: Seeley Earl J. , Kammereck R.
Published: August 2022

A system for monitoring CO2 flux in deciduous fruit trees was developed that allows simultaneous, independent control of climatic variables over a wide range. For such a system to work effectively, attention must be given to proper sealing of the chamber, placement of components within the system and disturbances which may arise from the functioning of control and sampling loops. Using the system described, it was found that the occurrence of a light frost after ‘Golden Delicious’ apple trees (Malus domestica Borkh.) had begun to produce vegetative growth drastically affected the carbon flux within the plant. These changes took place even though the cold stress was not severe enough to cause any discernible visual symptoms. Subsequent exposure of the trees to favorable growing conditions after a light frost resulted in the gradual recovery of the photosynthetic rate to levels approaching but not equal to that occurring in tissues of unstressed trees.