bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bağımlılıkta Eş Bağımlılık Faktörü (BEŞF) Ölçeği’nin Geçerlik ve Güvenilirlik Çalışması
Authors: ŞİMŞEK Melike , ÖNCÜ Fatihcan , KABİL Melekcan
Published: March 2021

Bu çalışmanın amacı alkol-madde kullanım bozukluğu olan bireylerin yakınlarında eş bağımlılığı değerlendiren bir ölçek geliştirmek, bu ölçeğin geçerliliğini ve güvenilirliğini saptamaktır. Literatür bilgileri ve uzman görüşleri değerlendirilerek bir soru havuzu ve taslak form oluşturulmuştur. Oluşturulan taslak form rastgele seçilen 10 olguya uygulanmıştır. Bu uygulama sonucunda elde edilen bilgiler doğrultusunda 14 maddelik bir ölçek geliştirilmiştir, bu ölçeğe Bağımlılıkta Eş Bağımlılık Faktörü (BEŞF) Ölçeği adı verilmiştir. Yapılan literatür taraması sonucunda bağımlılık tedavisinde bağımlı yakınlarının eş bağımlılık durumunu değerlendiren Türkçe geçerlik ve güvenilirliği yapılmış bir ölçeğe rastlanmaması sebebiyle geliştirilen BEŞF Ölçeği bağımlı olmayan vakalarda eş bağımlılığı değerlendiren Codependency Assessment Tool (CODAT Ölçeği) ile karşılaştırması yapılarak uygulanmıştır. Uygulama, Yeşilay Danışmanlık Merkezi (YEDAM)’ne Ağustos 2018 ile Aralık 2018 tarihleri arasında bağımlılık tedavisi için başvuran alkol, madde ve hem alkol hem madde kullanıcılarının yakınları olan 143 olgu ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Tüm ölçeğin iç tutarlılık Cronbach alfa katsayısı 0.76 olarak bulunmuştur. Görüşmeciler arası korelasyonun 0,82 olduğu görülmüştür. CODAT Ölçeği ile korelasyonun 0,46 olduğu görülmüştür. Açıklayıcı faktör analizinde öz değeri 1’den büyük 5 faktör elde edilmiştir ve toplam varyansın %45,4’ünü açıklamaktadır. Faktörler sırasıyla Diğerkamlık, Kaygı, Ses Çıkarmama, Kaçınma ve Suçluluk olarak adlandırılmıştır. BEŞF Ölçeği’nin alkol-madde bağımlısı bireylerin yakınlarında eş bağımlılığı değerlendirebilen, klinik pratikte ve araştırmalarda kullanılabilecek, geçerli ve güvenilir bir ölçek olduğu saptanmıştır.
High-Leverage Instructional Practices for Students with Autism and Mild Disabilities in Traditional and Remote Learning Settings
Authors: K McKeithan Glennda
Published: March 2021

Meeting the needs of students with autism and mild disabilities effectively in traditional and remote settings must be an individualized, purposeful, and data-driven process [1]. Learning to implement a core foundation of easy-to-use evidence-based instructional practices can help teachers across content areas develop a core foundation of “go to” practices which can potentially benefit all students with and without disabilities [2]. The High-Leverage Practices (HLPs) recently identified by the Council for Exceptional Children and the CEEDAR Center at the University of Florida [3] can help educators to target their students’ most significant skill deficits and, subsequently, develop and deliver instructional programming that may help students develop to their fullest potential. The 22 identified HLPs are multifaceted, evidence-based practices.
CURRÍCULO FUNCIONAL E MULTI-DEFICIÊNCIAS
Authors: Scardini Menegazzo Nunes Beverly , Lima-Rodrigues Luzia Mara
Published: March 2021

As escolas devem respeitar as habilidades e diversidades dos seus educandos, oferecendo um currículo flexível ou adaptado. Na década de 1970, pesquisadores da Universidade do Kansas propuseram o Currículo Funcional Natural (CFN) e influenciaram na sistematização de objetivos dos programas educativos numa perspectiva funcional. Em 2001, a Organização Mundial de Saúde apresentou a Classificação Internacional de Funcionalidade, Incapacidade e Saúde (CIF) propondo uma análise biopsicossocial do indivíduo com deficiência ou necessidades educativas especiais (NEE). Esta investigação objetiva indicar um modelo curricular apropriado ao desenvolvimento das habilidades individuais e diferenciadas dos alunos com NEE e deficiências, além de apresentar as contribuições da CIF para a implementação de um currículo mais inclusivo. Este é um estudo teórico, reflexivo, que tem na pesquisa bibliográfica seu recurso de investigação. Documentos legais educacionais nacionais e internacionais indicam que no centro da atividade da escola estão o currículo e as aprendizagens dos alunos. Ao se construir o PEI (programa educativo individual), este pode integrar os indicadores de funcionalidade, mediante a CIF, bem como os fatores ambientais que funcionam como facilitadores ou como barreiras à atividade e participação do aluno na vida escolar. A CIF não deve ser usada para categorização, mas é útil na organização da informação, em clarificar a avaliação realizada e facilitar a comunicação entre os envolvidos. Através dos indicadores da CIF é possível orientar a seleção de intervenções e respostas educativas, especialmente sobre o CFN, para os alunos com NEE e deficiências.
RELAÇÃO ENTRE O DESENVOLVIMENTO COGNITIVO E A ORGANIZAÇÃO DO TRABALHO PEDAGÓGICO NA EDUCAÇÃO INFANTIL
Authors: Silva Simone de Oliveira Andrade
Published: March 2021

O objetivo deste texto é discorrer sobre a relação entre o desenvolvimento cognitivo da criança e o trabalho pedagógico na educação infantil. Trata-se de uma pesquisa documental, de revisão de literatura, que relaciona textos políticos e acadêmicos. Para isto, levantaram-se questões relacionadas às pesquisas científicas na área de Educação Infantil levando em conta as políticas públicas educacionais e assistenciais. Tais conhecimentos indicam o contexto social e histórico do tema, considerando para essa discussão autores sobre desenvolvimento infantil e pesquisadores sobre a educação infantil. Os resultados indicam que o estudo sobre a criança pequena começam no início do século 20, embora só final deste século se tenha dado atenção a essa faixa etária, principalmente quanto ao atendimento educacional. No entanto, pesquisas revelam que há benefícios para o desenvolvimento da criança quando são considerados os estudos sobre seu desenvolvimento no planejamento pedagógico do professor para a construção de uma educação de qualidade.
Diet of an Eastern Grass Owl Tyto longimembris in northern New South Wales
Authors:   School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD 4072, Australia., Kearney Stephen
Published: March 2021

A single Eastern Grass Owl Tyto longimembris was observed in Bundjalung National Park, New South Wales, in September 2019. Pellets (n = 17) collected from its roost contained the remains of House Mouse Mus musculus, Grassland Melomys Melomys burtoni, Black Rat Rattus rattus, Swamp Rat R. lutreolus, Fawn-footed Melomys Melomys cervinipes, Common Planigale Planigale maculata, Eastern Blossom Bat Syconycteris australis and honeyeater Phylidonyris sp. The most interesting findings were the Eastern Blossom Bat (the first published record of a bat in the diet of an Eastern Grass Owl in Australia) and that one of the Grassland Melomys specimens had pink bones.
Thioredoxins o1 and h2 Show Different Subcellular Localizations and Redox-Active Functions, but Cooperatively Affect NADPH Redox Poise and Photosynthetic Performance in Fluctuating Light
Authors: Hou Liang-Yu , Lehmann Martin , Geigenberger Peter
Published: March 2021

Arabidopsis contains eight different h-type thioredoxins (Trx) being distributed in different cell organelles. Although Trx h2 is deemed to be localized in mitochondria, its subcellular localization and function remains a matter of debate. Here, Trx h2 localization and function were investigated using cell fractionation studies and reverse genetics. Differential centrifugation and immunodetection showed the Trx h2 protein to be distributed to the microsomal fraction rather than to mitochondrial preparations. To analyze whether Trx h2 has different roles than mitochondrial Trxs, Arabidopsis mutants lacking Trx h2 were compared with mutants deficient in mitochondrial Trx o1 and double mutants with joint deficiencies in both Trxs. Under constant medium light, trxh2 grew as the wild type, while trxo1 and trxo1h2 mutants showed impaired growth. This was accompanied by differences in the metabolite profiles. The trxo1 and trxo1h2 mutants clustered differently from the wild type during the night, revealing a decrease in ascorbate and glutathione redox states. In fluctuating light intensities, genotypic differences in growth rates were attenuated. Compared to the wild type, the fluctuating-light induced decrease in the NADPH/NADP ratio was diminished in the mutants, with the trxo1h2 double mutant showing the strongest effect. This was accompanied by an increase in the photosynthetic efficiency of the trxo1h2 mutant, specifically in the high light phases of fluctuating light. Conclusively, these results support the view that Trxs o1 and h2 are localized in different subcellular compartments, and have different effects on ascorbate and glutathione redox states and growth in medium light, but cooperatively affect NADP(H) redox state and photosynthetic efficiency in fluctuating light.
Analytical and Semi-Analytical Solutions for the Self and Mutual Inductances of Concentric Coplanar Ordinary and Bitter Disk Coils
Authors: Babic Slobodan
Published: March 2021

In this paper, closed and semi-closed form solutions are presented for the self - and mutual inductance of ordinary and Better disk coils which lie concentrically in a plane. The solutions are given as the combination of the elliptic integral of the first kind and a simple integral or only as the second elliptic integral of the second kind. All formulas or obtained in remarkably simple form and give extremely accurate results with significantly neglectable computational time. All cases either regular or singular (disks in contact or overlap) are covered. The formulas for the mutual inductances can be directly used to calculating the self-inductance of the ordinary disk coil or the Bitter disk coil, respectively. Many presented examples show the excellent numerical agreement with previous publish methods.
Automated Screwing of Fittings in Pneumatic Manifolds
Authors: Antonelli Michele Gabrio ,   Department of Industrial and Information Engineering and Economics (DIIIE), University of L’Aquila P.le Pontieri Monteluco di Roio, L’Aquila 67100, Italy, Zobel Pierluigi Beomonte
Published: March 2021

The task of screwing is based on a set of actions with no added value, requiring precision, attention, and repeatability. These set of actions could consist of alienating and demanding activity for a human operator. Collaborative robotics can facilitate the performance of such tasks. This investigation focuses on the development of a smart station for the automated screwing of fittings in pneumatic manifolds. The collaborative robot Sawyer produced by Rethink Robotics is equipped with an appropriate end-effector and was utilized to receive the fittings from a vibrating feeder towards the end-effector. This facilitated centering of the fittings on the threaded holes, and the performance of the screwing task on a set of manifolds placed on a rotating station. The design of the end-effector and its prototype is described. In addition, the proposed automated process was experimentally tested and its effectiveness was validated.
MSCV-based retroviral plasmids expressing 3xFLAG-Sp-dCas9 for enChIP analysis
Authors: Yuno Miyuki , Fujita Toshitsugu , Fujii Hodaka
Published: March 2021

Engineered DNA-binding molecule–mediated chromatin immunoprecipitation (enChIP) is a technology for purifying specific genomic regions to facilitate identification of their associated molecules, including proteins, RNAs, and other genomic regions. In enChIP, the target genomic region is tagged with engineered DNA-binding molecules, e.g., a variant of the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) system consisting of a guide RNA (gRNA) and a catalytically inactive form of Cas9 (dCas9). In this study, to increase the flexibility of enChIP and expand the range of target cells, we generated murine stem cell virus (MSCV)-based retroviral plasmids for expressing dCas9. We constructed MSCV-based retroviral plasmids expressing Streptococcus pyogenes dCas9 fused to a 3xFLAG-tag (3xFLAG-Sp-dCas9) and various drug resistance genes. We showed that by using these plasmids, it is feasible to purify target genomic regions with yields comparable to those reported using other systems. These systems might give enChIP users greater flexibility in choosing optimal systems for drug selection of transduced cells.
Stable Isotopic Characterization of Nitrate Wet Deposition in the Tropical Urban Atmosphere of Costa Rica
Authors: Villalobos-Forbes Mario , Esquivel-Herna Germain , Sánchez-Murillo Ricardo , Sánchez-Gutiérrez Rolando , Matiatos Ioannis
Published: March 2021

Increasing energy consumption and food production worldwide results in anthropogenic emissions of reactive nitrogen into the atmosphere. To date, however, little information is available on tropical urban environments where inorganic nitrogen is vastly transported and deposited through precipitation on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. To fill this gap, we present compositions of water stable isotopes in precipitation and atmospheric nitrate (δ18O-H2O, δ2H-H2O, δ15N-NO3-, and δ18O-NO3-) collected daily between August 2018 and November 2019 in a tropical urban atmosphere of central Costa Rica. Rainfall generation processes (convective and stratiform) were identified using stable isotopes in precipitation combined with air mass back trajectory analysis. A Bayesian isotope mixing model forced with δ15N-NO3- values corrected for potential 15N fractionation effects reveal the predominant contribution of biomass burning and lightning to nitrate wet deposition. δ18O-NO3- values in Caribbean convective rainfall reflect the oxidation chemistry of NOx sources whereas δ15N-NO3- values in Pacific stratiform rainfall indicate the transport of nitrogen sources contributing to nitrate in atmospheric deposition. These findings provide necessary baseline information about the combination of water and nitrogen stable isotopes with atmospheric chemistry and hydrometeorological techniques to better understand wet deposition processes and to characterize the origin of inorganic nitrogen loadings in tropical regions.
Two Patented Probiotics Mitigated the Haematological Alterations Induced by a Very Virulent Infectious Bursal Disease Virus in Chicks
Authors: Andamin Aliyu Danlami , Abdu Paul Ayuba , Akade Felix Tersua , Orakpoghenor Ochuko , Aluwong Tagang
Published: March 2021

The study investigated the mitigating effects of two probiotics on blood parameters of ISA Brown chicks inoculated with a very virulent infectious bursal disease virus (vvIBDV). Two hundred chicks were assigned into four groups of 50 birds each. Groups A and B were administered Antox® in water and Bactofort® in feed daily from 1 to 42 days of age and inoculated with a vvIBDV at 28 days and C and D served as positive and negative controls, respectively. Blood samples were examined for changes in packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), red blood cell (RBC), total white blood cell (TWBC), heterophil and lymphocyte counts seven days post inoculation. The PCV between groups A and C differed (P < 0.05) and in group B it was higher (P < 0.05) than that of group C. The Hb concentration between groups A, B and C differed (P < 0.05). There was a difference (P < 0.05) in RBC counts between groups A, B, C. Differences in TWBC between group A and C were significant (P < 0.05) and TWBC in group B was higher (P < 0.05) than that of group C. There was a significant difference in heterophil (P < 0.05) and lymphocyte (P < 0.05) count between group A and C, and B and C. Heterophil/lymphocyte ratio was significantly higher in positive control compared to groups A, B, C. Antox® and Bactofort® mitigated the deleterious effects of vvIBDV on blood parameters and can assist in the control of IBD.
Two-Way Impacts Between Macrophages on Vascular Endothelium and Characteristics of TCM Syndromes in Dyslipidemic Mice with the Phlegm-Dampness Retention syndrome and the Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiency syndrome Using RNA-Seq
Authors: Chen Jing , Ye Chao , Yang Zheng , Wang Tieshan , Xu Bing , Li Pengyang , Zhang Shan , Xue Xiaolin
Published: March 2021

Background: ‘Treating the same disease with different methods’ is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapeutic concept. That means although patients are diagnosed with the same disease, they may have different syndromes that require distinct drug administrations. This study aimed to identify the differentially expressed genes and related biological processes in dyslipidemia with the Phlegm-Dampness Retention (PDR) syndrome and the Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiency (SKYD) syndrome using transcriptomic analysis.Methods: Ten ApoE knockout (ApoE-/-) mice were used for the establishment of dyslipidemic disease-syndrome models via multifactor-hybrid modeling, with 5 in the the PDR group and 5 in the SKYD group. Five C57BL/6J mice were employed as normal controls (NC) group. Test model quality. Aortic endothelial macrophages in mice were screened using flow cytometry. Transcriptomic analysis was performed for macrophages using RNA-Seq.Results: ①The quality assessment of the disease-syndrome model showed that TG, TC, and LDL-C levels significantly increased in the PDR and SKYD groups versus the NC group (P < 0.05). Combined with HE staining of aorta, the disease model was successfully established. ②The quality assessment of the syndrome models showed that mice in the PDR group presented with typical manifestations of the PDR syndrome, and mice in the SKYD group had the related manifestations of the SKYD syndrome, indicating that the syndrome models were successfully constructed. ③After comparing the differentially expressed gene (DEG) expressions in macrophages in dyslipidemia mice with different syndromes, 4142 genes were identified with statistical significance (P < 0.05). The Gene Ontology (GO) analysis for the DEGs showed that biological process of difference between PDR group and SKYD group include both adverse and protective processes were included.Conclusion: The DEGs between the PDR syndrome and the SKYD syndrome indicate different biological mechanisms between the onset of the two syndromes. They have distinctive biological processes, including adverse and protective processes, corresponding to the invasion of pathogenic factors into the body and the fight of healthy qi against pathogenic factors, respectively, in the TCM theory. Our results have demonstrated the biological evidence behind ‘treating the same disease with different treatments’ in TCM.
Garlic extract diallyl sulfide protects against dilated cardiomyopathy through inhibition of oxidative stress and apoptosis in mice
Authors: Pang Shuo , Dong Wei , Liu Ning , Gao Shan , Zhang Xu , Lu Dan , Zhang Lianfeng
Published: March 2021

Background: Diallyl sulfide (DAS) is an active ingredient in garlic that is induced when the garlic is chopped and ground. DAS has been found to act as a competitive inhibitor of CYP2E1, which is a member of the cytochrome P450 enzyme family and catalyses the metabolism of various substrates.CYP2E1 is upregulated in multiple heart diseases and causes damage mainly through the production of ROS. In mice, increased CYP2E1 expression induces cardiac myocyte apoptosis, and CYP2E1 knockdown can attenuate the pathological development of DCM. Nevertheless, Targeted inhibition of CYP2E1 for the treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) remain limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of DAS on cardiomyopathy and its possible molecular mechanisms, and provide new clues and approaches for the clinical treatment of cardiomyopathy and heart failure.Methods: Echocardiography were performed to identify mouse heart function and structure. histological analysis and RT-PCR were conducted to investigate that improved Myocardial morphology and fibrosis and measurement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and tunel Assay were used to detected DAS inhibit ROS production and myocyte apoptosis in cTnTR141W DCM mice. Western Blot were performed to investigate the mechanism of apoptosis pathway.Results: Diallyl sulfide (DAS), a competitive inhibitor of CYP2E1, improves the typical DCM phenotype, including chamber dilation, wall thinning, fibrosis, poor myofibril organization and decreased ventricular blood ejection, by inhibiting ROS production and myocyte apoptosis in cTnTR141W DCM mice.Conclusions: Our results suggest that inhibition of CYP2E1 might be a valuable therapeutic strategy to control the development of heart diseases associated with CYP2E1 overexpression. Moreover, the development of DAS analogues with superior inhibitory properties and lower substrate potential for CYP2E1 might be beneficial for patients with heart disease.
A New Three Dimensional Dissipative Boussinesq Equation for Rossby Waves and Its Multiple Soliton Solutions☆
Authors: Chen Liguo , Yang Liangui
Published: March 2021

A new three dimensional nonlinear dynamic theoretical model is derived from fluid mechanics system. In this paper, From the quasi-geostrophic barotropic potential vorticity equation, we obtain a three dimensional dissipative Boussinesq equation by the reduced perturbation method, i.e.utt +e1uxx +e2(u2)xx + e3utxy + e4uxxxx + e5uxxyy = 0. It is emphasized that the new equation is different from the existing Boussinesq equations, which describe the three dimensional nonlinear Rossby waves in the atmosphere. Moreover, we explore the dispersion relation of the linear wave through the new equation. Using the trial function and auxiliary equation method, the two kinds of soliton solutions of the equation are obtained successfully. Finally, the formation mechanism of Rossby waves is discussed by multiple soliton solutions.
Effect of Functional Oils or Probiotics on Performance and Microbiota Profile of Newly Weaned Piglets
Authors: Vieira Alexandre Maciel , Sessin Amanda Pires , Soratto Tatiany Aparecida Teixeira , Pires Paula Gabriela Silva , Cardinal Kátia Maria , Wagner Glauber , Hauptli Lucélia , Lima André Luis Ferreira , Dahlke Fabiano , Netto Diego Peres , Moraes Priscila de Oliveira
Published: March 2021

The study aimed to evaluate a commercial blend of functional oils based on liquid from the cashew nutshell and castor oil as a growth promoter in newly weaned piglets. A total of 225 piglets, castrated males and females with 28 days of age were randomly distributed in pens with 15 animals composing three treatments and five repetitions. The treatments were: control (without the inclusion of additive), probiotics, or functional oils. The performance was evaluated. At 50 days of age, a pool of fresh feces from 3 animals/repetition was collected to perform the sequencing of microbiota using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Supplementation with functional oils improved the piglets' daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05) in the first weeks of the experiment, which resulted in higher final live weight (P < 0.05) in the phase when compared to the control treatment. The animals that received probiotics showed intermediate performance. Both additives were effective in modulating groups central to intestinal health, such as Ruminococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae. The functional oils were more effective in reducing pathogenic bacteria, such as Campylobacter and Escherichia coli. In conclusion, the use of functional oils optimized performance and effectively modulated the microbiota of newly weaned piglets.
Signatures of selection and genomic diversity of Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) from two populations in North America.
Authors: Chinchilla-Vargas Josue , Meerbeek Jonathan , Rothschild Max F. , Bertolini Francesca
Published: March 2021

Background Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) is the largest and most prized game fish for anglers in North America. However, little is known about Muskellunge genetic diversity in Iowa’s propagation program. We used whole genome sequence from 12 brooding individuals from Iowa and publicly available RAD-seq of 625 individuals from Saint-Lawrence river in Canada to study the genetic differences between populations, analyze signatures of selection that might shed light on environmental adaptations, and evaluate the levels of genetic diversity in both populations. Given that there is no reference genome available for Muskellunge, reads were aligned to the genome of Pike (Esox lucius), a closely-related species.ResultsVariant calling produced 7,886,471 biallelic variants for the Iowa population and 16,867 high quality SNPs that overlap with the Canadian samples. The Ti/Tv values were 1.09 and 1.29 for samples from Iowa and Canada, respectively. PCA and Admixture analyses showed a large genetic difference between Canadian and Iowan populations. Moreover, PCA showed a clustering by sex in the Iowan population although widow-based Fst did not find outlier regions. Window based pooled heterozygosity found 6 highly heterozygous windows containing 244 genes in the Iowa population and Fst comparing the Iowa and Canadian populations found 14 windows with Fst values larger than 0.9 containing 641 genes. One enriched GO term (sensory perception of pain) was found through pooled heterozygosity analyzes. Although not significant, several enriched GO terms associated to growth and development were found through Fst analyses.Inbreeding calculated as Froh was 0.03 on average for the Iowa population and 0.32 on average for the Canadian samples. The Canadian inbreeding rate appears is presumably due to isolation of subpopulations.ConclusionsThis study is the first of its kind in Muskellunge from Iowa in which captured brood stock showed marked genetic differences with the Canadian population. Additionally, despite genetic differentiation based on sex has been observed, no major locus has been detected. Inbreeding does not seem to be an immediate concern for Muskellunge in Iowa, but apparent isolation of subpopulations has caused levels of homozygosity to increase in the Canadian Muskellunge population.These results prove the validity of using genomes of closely related species to perform genomic analyses when no reference genome assembly is available.
Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor, Panobinostat Exerts Anti-proliferative Effect with Partial Normalization from Aberrant Epigenetic States on Granulosa Cell Tumor Cell Lines
Authors: Hazama Yukiko , Tsujioka Takayuki , Sakamoto Arisu , Miyaji Yuka , Kitanaka Akira , Tohyama Kaoru , Shimoya Koichiro
Published: March 2021

The prognosis of the patients with inoperable or advanced granulosa cell tumors (GCTs) is still poor, and therefore it is important to establish a novel treatment strategy. Here we investigated the in vitro effects of a histone deacetylase inhibitor, panobinostat (PS) on two GCT cell lines (KGN and COV434). GCT cell lines were found to be susceptible to PS treatment and it inhibited cell growth mainly by apoptosis. In cell cycle analysis, PS reduced only the ratio of S phase in GCT cell lines. Combined treatment of PS with a deubiquitinases inhibitor, VLX1570 exerted an additive anti-proliferative effect on KGN and COV434. The gene set enrichment analysis revealed that PS treatment suppressed DNA replication- or cell cycle-related gene expression which led to chemotherapeutic cell death and in addition, this treatment induced activation of the gene set of adherens junction towards a normalized direction as well as activation of neuron-related gene sets that might imply unexpected differentiation potential due to epigenetic modification by a HDAC inhibitor in KGN cells. In the present study, we indicate a basis of a novel therapeutic availability of a HDAC inhibitor for the treatment of GCTs and further investigations will be warranted.
Genome-wide Development of Insertion-deletion (InDel) Markers Database for Cannabis and its uses for Genetic Structure Analysis of Chinese Germplasm and Identification of Sex-linked Marker
Authors: Pan Gen , Li Zheng , Huang Siqi , Tao Jie , Shi Yaliang , Chen Anguo , Li Jianjun , Tang Huijuan , Chang Li , Deng Yong , Li Defang , Zhao Lining
Published: March 2021

Background: Cannabis sativa L., a dioecious plant, derived from China, demonstrates important medicinal properties and economic value worldwide. Cannabis properties were usually harnessed depending on the sex of the plant. To analyze the genetic structure of Chinese cannabis and identify sex-linked makers, the genome-wide insertion-deletion (InDel) markers were designed and used. Results: In this study, a genome-wide analysis of insertion–deletion (InDel) polymorphisms was performed based on the recent genome sequences. In total, 47558 InDels were detected between the two varieties, and the length of InDels ranged from 4 bp to 87 bp. The most common InDels were tetranucleotides, followed by pentanucleotides. Chromosome 5 had the highest number of InDels among the cannabis chromosomes, while chromosome 10 had the lowest number. Additionally, a total of 47558 InDel markers were designed, and 84 primers evenly distributed in the cannabis genome were chosen for polymorphism analysis. A total of 38 primers exhibited polymorphisms among three accessions, and of the polymorphism primers, 14 biallelic primers were further used to analyse the genetic structure. A total of 39 fragments were detected, and the PIC value ranged from 0.1209 to 0.6351. According to the Indel markers as well as the flowering time, the 115 Chinese germplasms were divided in two subgroups, which were mainly composed of cultivars from the most north and south regions, respectively. Additional, the marker “ I1-10” was found to amplify two bands (398bp and 251bp) in the male plants, while a 389bp bands in female plants. Using this marker, the feminized and dioecious varieties can also be distinguished.Conclusion: This study will facilitate the genetic improvement and germplasm conservation of cannabis in China, and the sex-linked InDel markers will provide accurate sex identification strategies for cannabis breeding and production.
Amyloid-like amelogenin nanoribbons template mineralization via a low energy interface of ion binding sites
Authors: Akkineni Susrut , Zhu Cheng , Chen Jiajun , Song Miao , Hoff Samuel , Bonde Johan , Tao Jinhui , Heinz Hendrik , habelitz Stefan , Yoreo James De
Published: March 2021

Protein scaffolds direct the organization of amorphous precursors that transform into mineralized tissues, but the templating mechanism remains elusive. Inspired by a model of tooth enamel, wherein amyloid-like amelogenin nanoribbons guide apatite mineralization, we investigated the impact of nanoribbon structure and chemistry on amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) nucleation. Using amelogenin sub-segments including an amyloid-like domain, nanoribbon conformation and function were determined by in situ atomic force microscopy and molecular dynamics simulations. All sequences substantially reduce nucleation barriers by creating low-energy interfaces, while phosphorylation dramatically enhances kinetic factors associated with ion binding. Furthermore, the predicted distribution of hydrophilic residues in the amyloid domain matches the structure of the multi-ion clusters comprising ACP. These findings provide crucial insights into structure-function relationships underlying amelogenin biomineralization and a generalizable system for synthesizing hybrid materials for various applications.
Evaluating the total factor productivity spillovers from FDI: Experience of South Asia
Authors: Saha Sanjoy Kumar , Jeong Se Eun
Published: March 2021

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Ag@Co nanomaterials: Preparation and application in the purification of Yellow River water
Authors: Zhao Yingying , Lai Yanjun , He Shuai , Gao Qi , Zhang Yunchao , Song Xiaoxia , Zhang Guochao
Published: March 2021

Background

In recent years, nanomaterials have attracted much more attention because of their potential broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. However, finding biofunctional nanomaterials is still challenging. Therefore,we prepared a new type of recyclable Ag@Co nanomaterials with a very simple method named displacement reaction.
Methods

Ag@Co nanomaterials were prepared in AgNO3 solution with cobalt nanomaterials as the core, while the surface was coated with silver nanomaterials. Ag@Co nanomaterials were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and oscillating sample magnetometer (VSM).In order to evaluate the bacteriostatic effect of Ag@Co nanomaterials, we used qualitative and quantitative methods to assess the bacteriostatic effect of these materials on standard strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC27853, Gram - negative bacterium), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923, Gram-positive bacterium), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922, Gram-negative bacterium) and Candida albicans (ATTC 90029, yeast) in Yellow River water in vitro.
Results

We found that the diameter of the Ag@Co nanomaterials was about 100nm, which was exhibited in form of elemental elements and obvious magnetic properties.The results show that Ag@Co nanomaterials have excellent antibacterial effects on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and the bacteria in the water of the Yellow River.
Conclusions

Ag@Co nanomaterials have a significant antibacterial effect and can be recycled through an external magnetic field to reduce environmental pollution. Interestingly, the reclaimed Ag@Co nanomaterials can still have antibacterial activity and can be reused. These results indicate that Ag@Co nanomaterials may have potential application as disinfectants for water.
TNFɑ-induced LDL cholesterol accumulation involve elevated LDLR cell surface levels and SR-B1 downregulation in human arterial endothelial cells
Authors: Okoro Emmanuel Ugochukwu
Published: March 2021

Background
Excess lipid droplets are frequently observed in arterial endothelial cells at sites of advanced atherosclerotic plaques. The mechanism or implication of this observation is unknown.
Methods
The role of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFɑ) in modulating low density lipoprotein (LDL) content in confluent primary human aortic endothelial cells (pHAECs) was investigated.
Results
TNFɑ promoted up to 2 folds increase in cellular cholesterol, which was resistant to ACAT inhibition. The cholesterol increase was associated with increased 125I-LDL surface binding. Using the non-hydrolysable label, Dil, TNFɑ could induce a massive increase in Dil-LDL by over 200 folds. The elevated intracellular Dil-LDL was blocked with excess unlabeled LDL and PCSK9, but not oxidized LDL (oxLDL), RAP, or apoE depletion. Moreover, TNFɑ-induced increase of LDL-derived lipids was elevated through lysosome inhibition. Using specific LDLR antibody, the Dil-LDL accumulation was reduced by over 99%. Effects of TNFɑ included LDLR cell surface increase by 138%, and very large increases in ICAM-1 total and surface proteins, respectively. In contrast, that of scavenger receptor B1 (SR-B1) was reduced. Additionally, LDLR antibody bound rapidly in TNFɑ-treated cells by about 30 folds, inducing a migrating shift in the LDLR protein. The effect of TNFɑ on Dil-LDL accumulation was inhibited by the antioxidant tetramethythiourea (TMTU) dose-dependently, but not by downstream cascade inhibitors against NF-κB, stress kinases, ASK1, JNK, p38, or apoptosis caspases. Grown on transwell inserts, TNFɑ did not enhance apical (AP) to basolateral (BL) LDL cholesterol or Dil release.
Conclusions
It is concluded that TNFɑ promotes LDLR functions through combined increase at the cell surface and SR-B1 downregulation. This may have important implications on progression of atherosclerosis.
The Impact of a Dedicated Sedation Team on the Incidence of Complications in Paediatric Procedural Analgosedation
Authors: Apostolidou Sofia , Kintscher Mirna , Schoen Gerhard , Singer Dominique , Ebenebe Chinedu Ulrich , Bartz Hans-Jürgen , Zöllner Christian , Roeher Katharina
Published: March 2021

Demands in procedural sedation and analgesia in children are growing as the number of diagnostic and minor therapeutic procedures performed on paediatric patients outside the operating room setting has increased. We established a specialized interdisciplinary team of paediatric anaesthesiologists and paediatric intensivists (Children’s Analgosedation Team, CAST) for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and aimed to analyse the incidence and risk factors of adverse events. A retrospective analysis of data collected in the first year after implementation of the interdisciplinary CAST at our tertiary care university hospital was conducted. Within one year, 784 procedural sedations were performed by the CAST. 7.4% of the patients were infants < 1 year of age. 53% of the patients were classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) status III or IV. Most children received propofol (79%) and for painful procedures, additional esketamine (48%). Adverse events occurred in 51 patients (6.5%), most frequently apnoea (1.7%), airway obstruction (1%), and problems with the intravenous access (1%). Cancellation of the procedure occurred in four cases (0.5%). Lack of experience (OR 0.60; 95% CI 0.42-0.81) and increasing propofol dosage of 1mg kg-1 (OR 1.33; 95% CI 1.17-1.55) were identified as predictors for adverse events. ASA classification did not reveal a significant difference in complication rates. Conclusion: Increasing dosage of propofol and lack of experience were associated with adverse events in paediatric analgosedation for brief diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Trial registration number: NCT04760249 (retrospectively registered on February 7th, 2021)
Predictors of Visual outcome in Post Fever Retinitis: A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Biswal Suchitra , Gondchawar Ankush , HN Ravishankar , Sagar Pradeep , Shanmugam P Mahesh , Shah Aanal , Tekade Pradeep , Mooss Vidya
Published: March 2021

Purpose: To identify the predictors of final visual outcome in cases with post fever retinitis (PFR).Methods : This is a retrospective study of cases with diagnosis of post fever retinitis. Color fundus photograph and optical coherence tomography (OCT) parameters at presentation and final visit were analysed. Various factors at presentation [age, systemic illness, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), area of retinitis and hard exudates, OCT parameters], at final visit (optic disc pallor, OCT parameters) and the treatment modalities used were correlated with BCVA at final visit.Results : Twenty four eyes of 16 patients with PFR were included in the study. Median BCVA at presentation was 6/60 and at final visit was 6/9. By multiple linear regression after adjusting for other variables, for every 1 unit increase in height of SRF at fovea at presentation, the value of final BCVA decreased by 0.001 unit. For every 1 unit increase in extent of EZ loss and subfoveal deposit height, the value of final BCVA decreased by 0.0001unit and 0.004 unit respectively.Conclusion: Height of SRF at presentation, extent of EZ loss and subfoveal deposit height at final visit were associated with poor final BCVA in PFR.
Human Activity Recognition Using Wearable Sensors, Discriminant Analysis, and Long Short-Term Memory-based Neural Structured Learning
Authors: Uddin Md Zia , Soylu Ahmet
Published: March 2021

Healthcare using body sensor data has been getting huge research attentions by a wide range of researchers because of its good practical applications such as smart health care systems. For instance, smart wearable sensor-based behavior recognition system can observe elderly people in a smart eldercare environment to improve their lifestyle and can also help them by warning about forthcoming unprecedented events such as falls or other health risk, to prolong their independent life. Although there are many ways of using distinguished sensors to observe behavior of people, wearable sensors mostly provide reliable data in this regard to monitor the individual’s functionality and lifestyle. In this paper, we propose a body sensor-based activity modeling and recognition system using time-sequential information-based deep Neural Structured Learning (NSL), a promising deep learning algorithm. First, we obtain data from multiple wearable sensors while the subjects conduct several daily activities. Once the data is collected, the time-sequential information then go through some statistical feature processing. Furthermore, kernel-based discriminant analysis (KDA) is applied to see the better clustering of the features from different activity classes by minimizing inner-class scatterings while maximizing inter-class scatterings of the samples. The robust time-sequential features are then applied with Neural Structured Learning (NSL) based on Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), for activity modeling. The proposed approach achieved around 99% recall rate on a public dataset. It is also compared to existing different conventional machine learning methods such as typical Deep Belief Network (DBN), Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), and Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) where they yielded the maximum recall rate of 94%. Furthermore, a fast and efficient explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) algorithm, Local Interpretable Model-Agnostic Explanations (LIME) is used to explain and check the machine learning decisions. The robust activity recognition system can be adopted for understanding peoples' behavior in their daily life in different environments such as homes, clinics, and offices.
The Neural Economics of Brain Aging
Authors: Kosyakovsky Jacob
Published: March 2021

Human brain aging is a true spectrum across the population, ranging from minimal changes on the microscopic level to full-blown neurodegenerative disease with accumulation of pathology, neuronal loss, dysfunctional large-scale brain networks, and progressive functional decline. Although much is known about the individual mechanisms involved in brain aging, a convincing framework that ties these highly related processes together is lacking. Herein, using mathematical modeling, I sought to understand decline with brain aging by capturing the essential macro-level processes that shape how a brain changes over the lifetime. I develop ABC (Aging Brain Capital), a simple linear simultaneous-equation model that unites aspects of neuroscience, economics, and thermodynamics to explain the evolution of brain pathology and human brain capital, the infrastructure and processes that underlie brain function, over the lifespan. The results of this model suggest that aging-associated decline in brain function is inevitable, driven by the finite nature of the brain’s pathology-clearance capacity. Furthermore, age-related neurodegenerative diseases can be understood as part of this aging process, explaining the spectrum of pathology and neurodegeneration across the population. I demonstrate that several essential aspects of the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease (AD) can be likewise explained in this framework incorporating amyloid-tau interaction, the emerging concept that amyloid pathology accelerates tau pathology. The conception of Alzheimer pathogenesis that I present not only explains and unifies the basis for familial AD, primary-age-related tauopathy (PART), and late-onset AD (LOAD), but also reconciles amyloid-centered, tau-centered, and synergistic models of AD. Finally, I describe the possible implications of these results for future therapeutic development across neurodegenerative disease.
Dynamics of an Array Mechanical Arms Coupled Each to a Fitzhugh-Nagumo Neuron
Authors: Nadine KOUAMI , Bonaventure NANA , Paul WOAFO
Published: March 2021

In this work, an array of electromechanical systems driven by an electrical line of Fitzhugh-Nagumo neuron is analyzed. It is shown that a single electromechanical system can display different dynamical behaviors such as single and multiple pulse generation, transient chaos, permanent chaos, and antimonotonicity according to the system parameters. In the case of an array of the electromechanical system constituted of a series of coupled discrete Fitzhugh-Nagumo neuron, the numerical simulation shows that as the action potential flows in the discrete array, each electromechanical system executes a pulse-like motion coming at each resting state as the electrical signal passes the node. The electromechanical system analyzed can be seen as a model for multi-periodic actuation processes or a leg model in a millipede system. Furthermore, this line can also carry an envelope of action potential and can be useful for various kinds of information processing systems.
Tumor Susceptibility Gene 101 Is Required for the Maintenance of Uterine Epithelial Cells During Embryo Implantation
Authors: Byun Hyunji , Kwon Sojung , Wagner Kay-Uwe , Shin Hyejin , Lim Hyunjung Jade
Published: March 2021

Background: The tumor susceptibility gene 101 (Tsg101), a component of the endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) complex I, is involved in multiple biological processes involving endomembranous structures and the plasma membrane. The role of Tsg101 in the uterine epithelium was investigated in Tsg101 floxed mice crossed with Lactoferrin-iCre mice (Tsg101d/d).Methods: Tsg101d/d mice were bred with stud male mice and the status of pregnancy was examined on days 4 and 6. Histological analyses were performed to examine the uterine architecture. Immunofluorescence staining of several markers was examined by confocal microscopy. Uterine epithelial cells (UECs) were isolated from Tsg101f/f and Tsg101d/d mice, and the expression of necroptosis effectors was examined by RT-PCR, western blotting, and immunofluorescence staining. UECs were also subjected to RNA expression profiling.Results: Tsg101d/d female mice were subfertile with implantation failure, showing unattached blastocysts on day 6 of pregnancy. Histological and marker analyses revealed that some Tsg101d/d day 4 pregnant uteri showed a disintegrated uterine epithelial structure. Tsg101d/d UECs began to degenerate within 18 h of culture. In UECs, expression of necroptosis effectors, such as RIPK1, RIPK3, and MLKL were first confirmed. UECs responded to a stimulus to activate necroptosis and showed increased cell death. Conclusions: Tsg101 deficiency in the uterine epithelium causes implantation failure, which accompanies epithelial defects. This study provides evidence that UECs harbor a necroptotic machinery that responds to death-inducing signals. Thus, Tsg101 expression in the uterine epithelium is required for normal pregnancy in mice.
The use of diversity indices for local assessment of marine sediment quality
Authors: Hosokawa Shinya , Momota Kyosuke , Chariton Anthony , Naito Ryoji , Nakamura Yoshiyuki
Published: March 2021

Diversity indices are commonly used to measure changes in marine benthic communities. Although diversity indices give a good understanding of how biological communities respond to changes in sediment, responses of these indices can vary because of small sample sizes, and insensitive responses can result from an inappropriate choice of test community. This study focused on species density and two indices of community structure and explored how they respond to variations in sediment characteristics in our target region, Japan, and in two local areas within this region. Our analysis of the Japanese regional dataset showed a decrease in species density and the dominance of a few species as sediment conditions degraded. Local case studies showed that species density responded to sediment degradation at sites where the community was variable. However, the indices for community structure sometimes became misleading because of inaccurate estimates with small sample sizes, and could become insensitive because of masking by community variability. We conclude that species density is a sensitive indicator of change for marine benthic communities, but that indices of community structure should only be used when there is a sufficient sample size and a test community is distinguishable from other coexisting communities.