bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Covid-19: Why Herd Immunity was not Approached Anywhere? Ultrametric Diffusion Modeling of Virus Spread in Hierarchically Clustered Population
Authors: Khrennikov Andrei
Published: June 2021

In spite of numerous predictions, the natural herd immunity for covid-19 visru had not been approahed anywhere in the world. Thus, the traditional mathematical models of disease spread demonstrated their inability to describe adequately the covid-19 pandemic. In author's works, the novel model of the disease spread was developed. This model reflects the basic features of the covid-19 pandemic: a) the social clustering character of virus spread, b) . Social clustering is mathematically modelled with ultrametric spaces having the treelike geometry encoding hierarchy of the regulation constraints. The virus spread is described by ultrametric diffusion or random walk on the hierarchic energy landscape. In contrast to the standard models which are characterized by the exponential decrease of the probability to become infected - at the stage of approaching of the herd immunity, the ultrametric model is characterized by the power law. Moreover, the model gives the possibility to quantify the influence of restriction measures up to the lockdown. Our main result is that the play with restrictions, including lockdowns, is counterproductive and leads to the essential slowdown of approaching the herd immunity or even makes this impossible.
Silverleaf (Chondrostereum purpureum) Effects on Japanese Plum (Prunus salicina)
Authors: Grinbergs Daina , Chilian Javier , Hahn Carla , Reyes Marisol , Isla Mariana , France Andrés , Börve Jorunn
Published: June 2021

Silverleaf is an important trunk disease of fruit crops, like Japanese plum. It is known that Chondrostereum purpureum produces wood discoloration, leaves silvering and tree decline, however, the information about the effects on fruit production is scarce. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine C. purpureum pathogenicity on Prunus salicina and effects on physiology, fruit yield and quality, in Chile, in 2019 and 2020. Wood samples from affected plum trees were collected in the Chilean plum productive area. Fungi were isolated plating wood sections from the necrosis margin on culture media. Isolates colonies morphological and molecular characteristics accorded to C. purpureum (98%). Representative isolates were inoculated on healthy plum plants and after 65-d incubation, wood necrotic lesions and silver leaves were visible. Fungi were reisolated, fulfilling Koch’s postulates. To determine Silverleaf effects, water potential, and fruit yield and quality were measured in healthy and Silverleaf diseased plum plants cv. ‘Angeleno’. Water potential was altered on diseased trees, and their yield was reduced in 51% (2019) and 41% (2020), compared to fruit from healthy plants. Moreover, cover-colour, equatorial-diameter and weight were reduced, and fruit were softer, failing to meet the criteria to be properly commercialized and exported to demanding markets.
Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy Immunological Planning – Road to Abscopal Effect by Design
Authors: Swamy Kumara
Published: June 2021

This review highlights normal and tumor tissue vasculature, immunological changes, and phenotypic alterations (VIP model) as fundamental in abscopal interaction. In the stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and immunotherapy era, we are moving toward “immunological radiation planning,” i.e., radiation scheduling with abscopal effect as a vital endpoint as well. Towards this end, this manuscript presents specific diagrammatic tumor models to optimize the outcome of abscopal response in SBRT, based on the principle of the four R’s - Repair, Redistribution, Repopulation, and Reoxygenation of radiotherapy. The article highlights the importance of restricting the dose of SBRT to < 10 Gy per fraction, appropriate use of dose painting, and concomitant/delayed SBRT boost potential. Current literature indicates that immunotherapy should not precede but follow SBRT within seven days. Included is the review of integrating “cyclical” antiangiogenics, immune adjuvants/immune-metabolites as abscopal effect enhancers with SBRT. The importance of proton, carbon-ion SBRT is dealt with briefly. Proposed six fundamental requirements for augmentation of the abscopal cascade are listed. The existing exploratory results need to develop a definitive strategy amidst complex interactions in SBRT, immunotherapy, immune-adjuvants, & abscopal effects. We now have enough literature evidence to convert “abscopal by chance” to “abscopal by design” by harmonized combinatorial approach.
Pastel Tutup Daging Ayam dan Daun Kelor sebagai Pemberian Makanan Tambahan Balita Stunting di Puskesmas Dinoyo Kota Malang: Kajian Nilai Gizi, Mutu Protein dan Daya Terima
Authors: Kurniawati Fitria , Komalyna I Nengah Tanu
Published: June 2021

Stunting is a growth problem caused by insufficient intake of nutrients for a long time. Casserole as supplementary feeding expected to be able handle stunting. Objective of this study was to examine the characteristics of the nutritional fact, protein quality and acceptance of casserole using Completely Randomized Design. There were 15 semi-trained panelists involved in the organoleptic tests. There were 5 stunted toddlers as the result of purposive sampling that tested to the acceptance of casserole as supplementary feeding. The research was conducted at the Dinoyo Puskesmas, Ketawanggede Village, Malang City, from 15 to 21 September 2020. The parameters were organoleptic test, best treatment, nutritional fact and acceptability. The data were analyzed with Microsoft Office Excel 2007. The treatments were P1 (95% chicken and 5% Moringa oleifera) and P2 (85% chicken and 15% Moringa oleifera). The results of the test organoleptic hedonic showed that P1 and P2 had a faded yellow color, the taste of P1 was savory and P2 was very tasty, the aromas of P1 and P2 were less pleasant and unpleasant, the textures of P1 and P2 were rather soft and tender. The hedonic organoleptic test results showed the color, taste, aroma and texture P1 and P2 in the average of panelists like. The conclusion the average acceptance of casserole as supplementary feeding is 65% due to the taste and texture that is less liked the toddlers.
Budidaya Terung Ungu di Pekarangan di Desa Ciawijapura Kecamatan Susukan Lebak Kabupaten Cirebon
Authors: Trisnaningsih Umi , Wahyuni Siti , Wachdijono Wachdijono
Published: June 2021

Yard land can be used as a family food barn. One of the efforts to overcome the limitations of land is by cultivating in a limited place (bag culture system) such as polybags, pots or used buckets. In Ciawijapura Village, Susukan Lebak Sub-district, Cirebon Regency, purple eggplant is commonly cultivated in dry land, as well as in yards. This Community Service Program (Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat/PKM) is aimed at increasing the knowledge of Family Welfare Building Motivation Team (Tim Penggerak Pembinaan Kesejahteraan Keluarga/TP-PKK) cadres and members of Farmer Women Group (Kelompok Wanita Tani/KWT) Al Istiqomah about cultivating purple eggplant in a bag culture system. The methods used are training and mentoring. The evaluation results showed that there was a significant increase in knowledge between before and after the training, that is, from 73% to 89% of the total expected value. The participants were able to understand the difference between cultivating purple eggplant on land and in a bag culture system.
Objective-Driven Solid-Surface-Roughness Characterization for Enhanced Nuclear-Magnetic-Resonance Petrophysics
Authors: Ma Shouxiang Mark , Singer Gabriela , Chen Songhua , Eid Mahmoud
Published: June 2021

Typically, smooth solid surfaces of reservoir rocks are assumed in formation evaluation, such as nuclear-magnetic-resonance (NMR) petrophysics and reservoir-wettability characterization through contact-angle measurements. Measuring the degree of surface roughness (R), or smoothness, and evaluating its effects on formation evaluation are topics of much research. In this paper, we primarily focus on details in characterizing solid-surface roughness and its applications in NMR pore-size analysis.

R can be measured by contact techniques and noncontact techniques, such as stylus profilometer, atomic-force microscopy, and different kinds of optical measurements. Each technique has different sensitivities, measurement artifacts, resolutions, and field of view (FOV). Intuitively, although a finer resolution measurement provides the closest account of all surface details, the correspondingly small FOV might compromise the representativeness of the measurement, which is particularly challenging for charactering heterogeneous samples such as carbonates. To balance the FOV and measurement representativeness, and to minimize artifacts, laser scanner confocal microscopy (LSCM) is selected in this study.

Results for the more than 27 rock samples tested indicate that rocks of similar rock types have similar R-values. Grainy limestones have relatively higher R-values compared with dolostones, consistent with the dolostone’s crystallization surface features. Muddy limestones have smoother surfaces, resulting in the lowest R-values among the rocks studied. For sandstones, R varies with clay types and content. For rocks containing two distinct minerals, two R-values are observed from the R profiles, which for these rock types justifies the use of two NMR surface relaxivity (ρ2) parameters for determining the pore-size distribution (PSD) from the NMR T2 distribution.

The novelty here is the integration of LSCM and NMR to obtain an NMR PSD relevant for permeability, capillary pressure, and other petrophysical parameters. Typically, ρ2 is calibrated using the total surface area from Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET; Brunauer et al. 1938) gas adsorption, but this underestimates the NMR pore size because of surface-roughness effects. In our novel approach, we use R measured from LSCM to correct ρ2 for surface-roughness effects, and thereby obtain the NMR pore size more relevant for permeability and other petrophysical parameters. We then compare the roughness-corrected NMR PSD against pore size from microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) scanning (which is roughness independent). The good agreement between roughness-corrected NMR and micro-CT pore sizes in the micropore region validates our new technique, and highlights the importance of surface-roughness characterization in NMR petrophysics.
Influence of socio-economic status on financial stability of the general public during the Covid-19 pandemic: prospective cross-sectional study
Authors: Kanduri Tharun , B Swarna Priya , Devulapalli Chaitanya , M Yugapriya , J Heeba Begum , Mukhopadhyay Debraj
Published: June 2021

Covid 19 pandemic has not only led to disruption of public health but it has also resulted in massive economic shock across the world due to business interruptions and shutdowns form social distancing measures. Different communities are facing varying consequences but daily wage workers and farmers remain the most effected groups. This has also led to risk of unemployment, which has worst impact on livelihood of common man. According to WHO, nearly half of the world’s 3.3 billion global workforce are at risk of losing their live hood. These economic crises have shown effect on the psychological and social well being of individual. The research agenda includes accessing the current socioeconomic status of general public. Their financial stability in global crisis and whether they can recover their loss.The current article will be carried out to assess the socioeconomic status of general public and their financial stability or loss incurred with pandemic.
Extreme Climatic Characteristics Near the Coastline of the Southeast Region of Brazil in the Last 40 Years
Authors: de Oliveira Marilia Mitidieri Fernandes , de Oliveira Jorge Luiz Fernandes , Fernandes Pedro José Farias , Gilleland Eric , Ebecken Nelson Francisco Favilla
Published: June 2021

The southeastern Brazilian coast is a vulnerable region to the development of severe storms, mainly caused by the passage of cold fronts and extratropical cyclones. In the last decades, there has been an increase in the occurrence of subtropical cyclones. This study investigates trends and climatic variations, analyzing surface meteoceanographic series at six grid points from the reanalysis databases of ERA-Interim and ERA5 (European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts-ECMWF) from 1979 to 2018 over the ocean region bounded, approximately, at 18°S, 25°S and 37ºW, 45ºW (between the states of Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo). Non-parametric statistical tests and the generalized extreme value distribution are employed for annual, seasonal and daily maxima/minima. The numbers of occurrence of extreme values, as well as the extremal index are also estimated in order to better understand the behavior of extremes. Annual maximum sea-surface temperature anomalies of the ERA-Interim databases show very low negative values, mainly at the beginning of measurements (between 1979 and 1982), leading to high positive trend values. The results are compared to the updated data from ERA5 which have anomalies that are more homogeneous with positive trends but without statistical significance. The other meteorological series of the ERA-Interim does not present discrepancies. Only the maximum anomalies of air temperature have significant annual and seasonal positive trends at grid points near the coast of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Despite that the analyses for pressure and wind speed anomalies do not indicate significant trends, they present increases in the interdecadal pattern of the numbers of occurrence of extreme percentiles for almost every grid point. Return levels for 10, 25, 50, 75, and 100 years are estimated at each grid point and many maximum/minimum peaks are close to the return levels for 100-year return periods. The extremal index suggests average cluster sizes associated with no predominance of clustering for the extreme percentiles, which represents weak dependence between the exceedances. These results characterize some independence between extreme meteorological events such as the event that has been taking place in the region. The occurrence of maximum daily wind speed peaks calculated in austral spring, whose values exceeded the previous ones, is identified at three grid points near the southeast Brazilian coast, caused by the passage of the subtropical cyclone “Deni,” which occurred in November 2016.
Long-term variation in dissolved inorganic carbon and ocean acidification indices in the Northwest Pacific from 1993 to 2018: A study of a biogeochemical model with an operational ocean model product and observational evidence
Authors: Ishizu Miho , Miyazawa Yasumasa , Guo Xinyu
Published: June 2021

The multi-decadal variation in ocean acidification indices in the Northwest Pacific was examined using a biogeochemical model with an operational ocean model product for the period 1993–2018. We found that ocean acidification varied regionally in the Northwest Pacific. The surface ocean (above 100 m depth) underwent acidification that progressed more quickly in the subtropical region and the Kuroshio extension than in the subarctic region due to vertical mixing of the dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) supply exceeding DIC release by air–sea exchange. Below 100 m depth, acidification and alkalinization occurred in the subtropical and subarctic regions, respectively. We attribute these regional differences in acidification and alkalinization to spatially variable biological processes in the upper layer and physical redistribution of DIC, both horizontally and vertically.
Pichia kudriavzevii – A potential soil yeast candidate for improving soil physical, chemical and biological properties
Authors: Ramya P. , V Gomathi , devi Parimala , D Balachandar
Published: June 2021

Soil yeasts exhibit an array of beneficial effects to plants viz., plant growth promotion, phosphate solubilization, nitrogen and sulphur oxidation, etc. Yeasts remain as poorly investigated group of microorganisms that represent an abundant and dependable source of bioactive/chemically novel compounds and potential bioinoculants. Hence this study holds the key concept of assessing the performance of soil yeasts with potential plant growth promoting ability in soil quality improvement. Sixteen soil yeast isolates with plant growth promoting traits were assessed for biofilm forming potential and five potential soil yeast isolates were selected and identified through molecular technique. Soil incubation study was performed with these isolates to assess their impact on soil physical, chemical and biological properties. Due to inoculation of soil yeasts, notable changes were observed in soil physical, chemical and biological properties. Among the soil yeast isolates, Pichia kudriavzevii gave better results in soil incubation study.
Variability in the zooplankton assemblages in relation to environmental variables in the tidal creeks of Sundarban estuarine system, India
Authors: Basu Sanghamitra , Gogoi Pranab , Bhattacharyya Subarna , K. Lohith Kumar , Das Sanjoy Kumar , Das Basanta Kumar
Published: June 2021

The present study illustrates a holistic account of zooplankton community dynamics in relation to physico − chemical variables in the tidal creeks of Indian Sundarbans estuarine system. Out of 11 water parameters, seven parameters (Temp., salinity, DO, turbidity, PO4 − P, NO3 − N and NO2 − N) differed significantly (p ≤ 0.05) among seasons. A total of 63 zooplankton taxa were recorded with the predominance of Copepoda, varying in ranges from 59.55 to 73.13% of the total zooplankton population. PERMANOVA design depicted the significant variations of zooplankton population both spatially (F = 2.313; p = 0.001) and temporally (F = 6.107; p = 0.001). Out of 41 species of Copepoda recorded, 14 species (Paracalanous parvus, Parvocalanous dubia, Bestiolina similis, Acrocalanous gibber, A. gracilis, Acartia erythraea, A. spinicauda, Pseudodiaptomus serricaudatus, P. annandalei, P. aurivilli, Oithona brevicornis, O. similis, Longipedia weberi and Microsetella norvegica) indicated as ‘characterizing species’ in the creek environment, and highlighted the euryhaline nature as well as broad range of thermal tolerance of these species. β – diversity index (Index of Multivariate dispersion) reflected higher values (β = >1) in the creeks (S4, S2 and S6), those are experienced with high anthropogenic pressure. On the whole, the calculated mean value of α − diversity (dʹ=4.07; H'=2.31) indicated ‘good’ zooplankton diversity. Water parameters viz., Temp., salinity, DO, turbidity, PO4 − P and NO3 − N were found to have influence on the distribution, abundance and diversity of zooplankton in the creeks. More specifically, the linear model (DistLM) exhibited two variables viz., temperature and salinity were the primary controlling factors in shaping the zooplankton community compositions in the creek environment.
Stargrazing: Trophic ecology of sea stars in the Galápagos rocky subtidal zone
Authors: Tickell Sofia Castelló y , Low Natalie H.N. , Lamb Robert W. , Brandt Margarita , Witman Jon D.
Published: June 2021

Sea stars (class Asteroidea) can play powerful and wide-ranging roles as consumers of algae and prey items in benthic ecosystems worldwide. In the Galápagos rocky subtidal zone, sea stars are abundant and diverse but their distribution, feeding habits and ecological impacts have received little attention. We compared diets and distributions across the six most abundant sea star species to examine functional roles of this important group. Bi-annual censuses carried out between 2006–2014 at two depths (6-8m, 12-15m) at 12 sites in Galápagos identified two abundance “hotspots” and revealed higher densities at locations with more heterogeneous benthic topographies. Field surveys revealed a high incidence of feeding (35–68% of individuals across species) and distinct diets were evident for each species in terms of food items and dietary breadth, suggesting niche partitioning. Most species can be classified as facultative herbivores, with diets dominated by crustose and turf algae supplemented by a small proportion of sessile invertebrates. The two most abundant species (Pentaceraster cumingi and Nidorellia armata) had the narrowest diets. Field prey selectivity experiments identified P. cumingi as a size-selective predator of the pencil urchin Eucidaris galapagensis. In field caging experiments, N. armata reduced biomass of unbleached crustose coralline algae and macroalgae by 72% and 52%, respectively. In the context of emerging threats such as disease, ocean acidification and climate change, a deeper understanding of distinct functional roles can inform ecological models and management plans.
Monsoonal rainfall characteristics in the context of climate adaptation planning for rain-fed agriculture in the Sudano-Sahelian area of Northwestern Nigeria
Authors: Umar Abdullahi , Dankani Ibrahim Mustapha , Ishiaku Ibrahim , Kaoje Ismail Usman , Wali Saadu Umar
Published: June 2021

This study was aimed at assessing monsoonal rainfall real onset dates (RODs), real cessation dates (RCDs) and extent of association between cumulative rainfall (CR) and length of growing season (LGS) in the context of climate adaptation planning for sustainable rain-fed agriculture in the Sudano-Sahelian area of Northwestern Nigeria. Daily rainfall data of four stations purposively selected namely: Gusau, Kano, Katsina and Sokoto for the period 1981–2018 were collected from Nigerian Meteorological Agency. The data were analyzed and the Intra-seasonal Rainfall Monitoring Index (IRMI) was generated. IRMI was used in determining the RODs and RCDs of rainfall and LGS and CR. The Mann–Kendall test was used to detect trends in rainfall characteristics. Findings revealed that RODs, unlike RCDs of rainfall in the study area, show extensive variations from one station to another. There is a very low correlation (0.07 coefficient) between latitudes and early onsets (EOs). There is however a strong positive correlation (0.8 coefficient) between meridians and EOs of rains. Late onsets (LOs) recognize latitudinal differences to the extent that there is strong positive correlation (0.7 coefficient) between lines of parallels and LOs of rains. The three types of onsets interchanged with one another annually without a clear trend in the RODs and RCDs phases. We conclude that non-definite trends in RODs and RCDs pose a strong challenge to long term adaptation planning. The recommendations of the study are geared towards enhancing climate change adaptation in the context of complicated rainfall characteristics of the study area.
A State-scaling Design for Prescribed-time Stabilization of High-order Nonlinear Systems with Input Quantization
Authors: Zhang Wenhui , Gao Fangzheng , Huang Jiacai , Wu Yuqiang
Published: June 2021

This article considers global stabilization problem for a kind of uncertain high-order nonlinear systems (HONSs). Two distinct characteristics of this study are that the considered system possesses the input-quantized actuator, and the prescribed time convergence of the system states is wanted. To address these, a novel state-scaling transformation (SST) is firstly introduced to convert the aboriginal prescribed-time stabilization (PTS) to the asymptotic stabilization of the transformed one. Then, under the new framework of equivalent transformation, a quantized state feedback controller that achieves of the performance requirements is developed with the aid of the technique of adding a power integrator (API). Finally, simulation results of a liquid-level system are provided to confirm the efficacy of the proposed approach.
Isolation And Characterization Of 38 SNP Markers For The Black Rockfish, Sebastes Schlegelii By Next-Generation Sequencing
Authors: Gao Xianggang , Bao Xiangbo , Sun Wei , Li Yunfeng , Liu Zongying , Liu Weidong
Published: June 2021

The black rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii) is an economically important species. However, wild S. schlegelii resources have declined sharply in recent years as a result of human disturbance and habitat destruction. Thus, it is crucial to protect the current resources of S. schlegelii. In this study, 38 novel single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers were developed based on restriction-site associated DNA sequencing. The results showed that the observed heterozygosity and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.1400 to 0.6400 and 0.1487 to 0.4978, respectively. The minor allele frequency raged from 0.1429 to 0.4694. Polymorphic information content ranged from 0.174 to 0.365. Four SNPs were found to be deviated significantly from the HWE (P<0.05). These SNP markers will serve as a useful tool for genetic studies and population evaluation aimed at the conservation of S. schlegelii.
Active Hexose Correlated Compound For Patients With Resectable/Borderline Resectable Pancreatic Cancer Treated By Neoadjuvant Therapy: A Study Protocol For A Double-Blind Randomized Phase II Trial
Authors: Hashimoto Daisuke , Satoi Sohei , Ishikawa Hideki , Kodera Yasuhiro , Kamei Keiko , Hirano Satoshi , Fujii Tsutomu , Uemura Kenichiro , Tsuchida Akihiko , Yamada Suguru , Yamamoto Tomohisa , Hirota Kiichi , Sekimoto Mitsugu
Published: June 2021

Background: The prognosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma remains very poor. One possible reason for the short survival of patients with this disease is malnutrition, which can be present at the initial diagnosis, and continue after pancreatectomy. Then, it is important to improve nutritional status and to decrease adverse events during neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy. Active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) is a standardized extract of cultured Lentinula edodes mycelia, and is considered a potent biological response modifier in the treatment of cancer. To evaluate the survival impact of AHCC on the patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, we plan to perform this trial.Methods: This is a prospective multicenter phase II trial in patients with resectable/borderline resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma to investigate the efficacy of AHCC regarding survival. Patients will begin taking AHCC or placebo on the first day of neoadjuvant therapy. AHCC or placebo will be continued until 2 years after surgery. The primary endpoint will be 2-year disease-free survival. The secondary endpoints are the completion rate, dose intensity, and adverse event profile of preoperative chemotherapy; response rate to preoperative chemotherapy; rate of decrease in tumor marker (carbohydrate antigen 19-9, carcinoembryonic antigen) concentrations during preoperative chemotherapy; entry rate, completion rate, dose intensity, and adverse event profile of adjuvant chemotherapy; safety of the protocol therapy (adverse effect of AHCC); 2-year overall survival rate; and nutrition score before and after preoperative chemotherapy, and before and after adjuvant chemotherapy. We will enroll 230 patients, and the study involves eight leading Japanese institutions that are all high-volume centers in pancreatic surgery.Discussion: AHCC is expected to function as a supportive food in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, and to reduce the proportion of severe adverse events related to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and to increase the completion proportion of multimodal treatments, resulting in improved survival. Trial registration: The trial protocol has been registered in the protocol registration system at the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (Trial ID: jRCTs051200029). At the time of the submission of this paper (October 2020), the protocol version is 2.0. The completion date is estimated to be November 2024.
Bilateral Varicocele Co-Existing With Sub-Acute Appendicitis : A Case Report
Authors: Onwuasoanya Uzodimma Ejike
Published: June 2021

IntroductionThe diagnosis of bilateral varicocele and sub-acute appendicitis co-existing in the same patient is rare and we report the management of a patient who presented to Lily Hospitals Limited, Warri, Delta State, Nigeria with both recurrent right iliac fossa pain and scrotal pain.Case presentation A 27 year old male who presented with recurrent scrotal pain of 3 years duration and recurrent right iliac fossa pain of 2 years duration. Following evaluation, the diagnosis of bilateral varicocele and sub-acute appendicitis was made and he subsequently had open bilateral inguinal varicocelectomy and open appendicectomy at the same sitting under regional anaesthesia. He had uneventful post-operative recovery and was subsequently discharged.ConclusionA thorough evaluation of patients presenting with scrotal and right iliac fossa pains is invaluable to avoid missing the diagnosis of both bilateral varicocele and appendicitis when they co-exist in the same patient.
Increased Seed Size Mediated by Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Big SEEDS LIKE Silencing Is Positively Co-related to Galactomannan Content, Phytochemical Biosynthesis and Anti-diabetic Potential of Guar
Authors: Thakur Omika , Prasad Ramasare
Published: June 2021

In higher plants, seed size is an important agronomic trait that determines the crop yield and evolutionary fitness. Guar is an economically important legume crop because of the presence of galactomannan in its seed endosperm which is used as a stabilizer and thickener in pharmaceutical, paper, cosmetic and textile industries. The current study demonstrate the role of CtBSL, in regulation of seed size, weight and galactomannan content in two independent BSL12-25-15-31-3 and BSL70-21-25-4-16 T4 transgenic lines of guar, via. pCMKCtBSL mediated post transcriptional CtBSL silencing approach. The upregulation of CtCYCA2;4, CtCYCD3;2, CtCDKE-1, CtCYCT1;5, CtH2A, CtH2B, CtH3, CtH4, CtERF, CtWRKY43, CtGRF5 and CtGIF1 genes in transgenic lines of guar contributed to enhanced cell proliferation and final seed size which was further strongly and positively correlated to phytochemical biosynthesis and their anti-diabetic, anti-AGEs and lipase inhibitory potential against α-glucosidase, α-amylase, AGEs and lipase enzymes, respectively. Therefore, here we conclude the potential role of CtBSL silencing in improving the crop yield and therapeutic treatment of diabetes and obesity by positive regulation of seed size and phytochemical biosynthesis, respectively, in guar.
A new tool to simulate ground shaking and earthquake losses
Authors: Hidalgo Fernando López , Navarro Manuel , Molina Sergio
Published: June 2021

The main purpose of SISMOTOOL suite is Planning and Management of Seismic Emergencies face to a future earthquake. This tool is written in ARCGIS software executing a fast and efficient determination of the estimated damage scenarios (pre-process) and a correlation with the observed damage results (post-process).
First of all, the tool allows to select the earthquake source parameters through a defined database; moreover, several attenuation laws can be chosen and they can be combined according to the study area features. In addition, the local site effects are characterized from Vs30 values, which have been achieved by: i) topographic slope as a proxy obtained from Digital Elevation Model; ii) considering Vs30 values acquired from active and/or passive empirical methods; iii) a combination of both procedures through empirical local correlation laws. In the second place, the elements exposed to risk are incorporated by an automatic extraction from the cadastral database after inputs has been refined. Thirdly, vulnerability and estimated losses can be determined either empirically (EMS98 scale and Vulnerability Index, Iv) or analytically (Capacity spectrum). Additionally, a vulnerability modifier is implemented to account soil-structure resonance. Finally, SISMOTOOL quantifies the epistemic uncertainties in the input parameters using a logic tree.
Last, but not least, SISMOTOOL results have been validated through a representative seismic scenario: the 1910 Adra earthquake (southern Spain) with moment magnitude (Mw) 6.3 and macroseismic intensity VIII (EMS98 scale) proves the reliability of SISMOTOOL program.
The Pre-Diabetes Interventions and Continued Tracking to Ease-out Diabetes (Pre-DICTED) Program: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Yeung Kar-Fu , Gandhi Mihir , Lam Amanda Yun Rui , Julianty Selly , Chia Alvin Yeow Meng , Tan Gilbert Choon Seng , Goh Su-Yen , Ho Emily Tse Lin , Koh Angela Fang Yung , Tan Gavin Siew Wei , Shum Eugene Jin Wen , Finkelstein Eric A. , Jafar Tazeen H. , Teoh Yee Leong , Dam Rob M. van , Whitton Clare , Bee Yong Mong
Published: June 2021

BackgroundCommunity-based diabetes prevention programs varied widely in effectiveness, and the intervention strategy consisting of lifestyle interventions, stepwise addition of metformin and financial incentives has not been studied in real-world clinical practice settings. The Pre-Diabetes Interventions and Continued Tracking to Ease-out Diabetes (Pre-DICTED) trial is a pragmatic trial that aims to compare the effectiveness of a community-based stepwise diabetes prevention program with added financial incentives (intervention) versus the standard of care (control) in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes over 3 years among overweight or obese individuals with pre-diabetes. MethodsThis is an open-label, 1:1 randomized controlled trial which aims to recruit 846 adult individuals with isolated impaired fasting glucose (IFG), isolated impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), or both IFG and IGT from Singapore. Intervention arm participants attend 12 group-based sessions (2 nutrition workshops, 9 exercise sessions and a goal-setting workshop) delivered at community sites (weeks 1 to 6), receive weekly physical activity and nutrition recommendations delivered by printed worksheets (weeks 7 to 12), and receive monthly health tips delivered by text messages (months 4 to 36). From month 6 onwards, intervention arm participants who remain at the highest risk of conversion to diabetes are prescribed metformin. Intervention arm participants are also eligible for a payment/rewards program with incentives tied to attendance at the group sessions and achievement of the weight loss target (5% of baseline weight). All participants are assessed at baseline, month 3, month 6, and every 6 months subsequently till month 36. The primary endpoint is the proportion of participants with diabetes at 3 years. Secondary endpoints include the mean change from baseline at 3 years in fasting plasma glucose, 2-hour plasma glucose, HbA1c, body weight, body mass index, physical activity and dietary intake. DiscussionThe Pre-DICTED trial will provide evidence of the effectiveness and feasibility of a community-based stepwise diabetes prevention program with added financial incentives for individuals with pre-diabetes in Singapore. The study will provide data for a future cost-effectiveness analysis, which will be used to inform policymakers of the value of a nationwide implementation of the diabetes prevention program.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03503942; April 20, 2018 retrospectively registered; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03503942Protocol version: 5.0 Date: 1 March 2019
Antigen Similarity In Hydatid Cyst Wall And Human Bone Tumours: A Short Report
Authors: Hajizadeh Maryam , Amni Fariba , Sahlolbei Maryam , Tavakoli-yaraki Masoumeh , Mamaghani Amirreza Javadi , Sefiddashti Raheleh Rafiei , Rezaee Hanieh
Published: June 2021

Background: less studies have been done on bone cancers which are complex despite lower incidance. Hydatidosis is a parasitic disease that may influence host immunity by mimicking cancer cells antigens. So, this study aimed to elavuate the similarity of the immunogenic antigens between hydatid cyst and different bone cancers.Method: Cyst wall of hydatid cysts were collected and their antigens were separated with SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Serum samples obtained from patients with bone cancers and the anitigenicity of isolated anitgens were evaluated inwith E. granulosus( Larval form )infection and healthy individuals using western-blot approaches. Results: The crude extract of the laminated layer showed two specific antigens, 53 KDa and 70 KDa, after stainging the membrane with Coomassie blue. Both antigens reacted with the serum of different bone cancers but only the 53 KDa band reacted with all sera.Conclusion: It seems people with bone tumours may have extra antibodies in their serum comparing to healthy and hydatidosis which may be an autoantibodies; and the presence of this antibody against 70 KDa band protein in sera of patients with various types of bone cancers, may be helpful in diagnostic test or designing of preventive approaches in future.
Isolation and Molecular Identification of Foot and Mouth Disease Virus Circulating Around Central Ethiopia
Authors: Muchie Bisratgebriel Tesfaye , Wubshet Ashenafi Kiros , Haile Aklilu Feleke , Deyo Hayelom Michael , Tarasiuk Kazimierz , Pejsak Zygmunt , Jie Zhang
Published: June 2021

Background: Foot and mount disease (FMD) is a highly contagious, economically and politically significant transboundary animal disease which specifically affects all cloven-hoofed animals; cattle, pig, goat, sheep and many wild artiodactyls. Five of the seven (O, A, C, SAT1, SAT2, SAT3 and Asia 1) serotypes of FMD virus (O, A, C, SAT1, SAT2) are endemic in Ethiopia; however, limited information on the current FMDV status and the circulating serotype is available in the country. Therefore, this study was conduct to isolate and molecularly identify the FMD viruses using a panel of virological detection assays. Methods: An outbreak-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Addis Ababa and Bishoftu during 2013 and 2014 to isolate and to molecularly identify the circulating serotype of FMDV. A total of 20 samples were collected from clinically infected cattle and pigs during the outbreak and virus isolation and molecular serotype identification was carried out at the National Veterinary Institute (NVI), Bishoftu Ethiopia. Cells were monitored for cytopathic effects (CPE) daily and frozen when CPE were developed. Serotyping of FMD viruses were made by applying classical PCR from cell cultures showing CPE.Results: All tested samples showed cytopathic effect (CPE) on BHK-21 cell culture and serotype O was identified using PCR. The DNA bands were visualized to the expected sizes.Conclusions: Based on these result, a continuous understanding of the molecular epidemiology of the disease along with the proper vaccination matching for the circulating serotype; O is critical for implementation effective control and prevention programs eventually for the eradication of the disease.
Community Structure and Phenology of the Intermittent Treed Swamps of the Paroo, Semi-Arid Inland NSW, Australia.
Authors: Timms Brian Viictor
Published: June 2021

The middle Paroo lowlands in semi-arid western New South Wales support numerous intermittent wetlands of various types. Differences between them are promoted by three ecological drivers: salinity, turbidity and hydroperiod. Community structure and phenology of the two most common types, saline lakes and claypans, and also creek pools are known, but similar ecologies are lacking for the third most common wetland, the treed swamps. These are of six subtypes distinguished by dominant tree species, geomorphology and hydroperiod, all with similar community structure and phenology, but with differing diversities. Summed diversity is not as high as in local creek pools, the shorter hydroperiods and simpler geomorphology of the treed swamps being restrictive so that there is almost no replacement of species during the early dominance of branchiopods and later of insects. Such treed swamps are uncommon in the semi-arid zone, but much more speciose treed swamps are known under similar and seasonally dry Mediterranean climes of the Western Australian Wheatbelt where hydroperiods more stable.
Occurrence and Risk of Organophosphate Flame Retardants in Multiple Urban Water of Beijing, China
Authors: Cui Weihua , Lu Shaoyong
Published: June 2021

Investigating the organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) concentration and attenuation in multiple water of Beijing would provide valuable insight into OPFR management and reduction, thus, 6 OPFRs were determined by solid phase extraction-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to explore the pollution characteristics, and ecological risk of OPFRs. The results showed that 5 OPFRs were detected with a concentration ranging from ND to 394.77 ng/L except for tris(2,3-dibromopropyl) phosphate (PDBP). The chloroalkyl phosphate was the main compound and tris(chloropropyl) phosphate (TCPP) was the most abundant OPFRs with the highest concentration. The concentration of OPFRs in surface water was higher than that in groundwater, and the concentration of chlorinated OPFRs in effluent from sewage treatment plants (STPs) was higher than that in influent. Ecological risk assessment showed that low risk of OPFRs for the organisms (algae, crustacean and fish).
Up-Regulation of VCAN Promotes the Proliferation, Invasion and Migration of HCC and Serves as a Biomarker
Authors: Guangshun Sun , Zheng Wubin , Li Lan , Wu Liangliang , Sun Guoqiang , Li Xiao , Tang Weiwei , Ma Shijie , Liu Li , Hongyong Cao
Published: June 2021

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is the world's most common cause of cancer death. Therefore, more molecular mechanisms need to be clarified to meet the urgent need to develop new detection and treatment strategies. We selected three liver cancer transcriptome database GSE124535, GSE136247, GSE144269, and analyze the overexpressed genes contained in them. The overlapping genes were found by Venn map, and two interacting networks module, were found by Mcode. Module1 is mainly related to mitosis and cell cycle, and module2 is mainly related to EMT, angiogenesis, glycolysis and so on. We found that the seed gene in module2 is VCAN. The purpose of this study is to study the expression characteristics of VCAN gene in HCC, and to explore its role in the occurrence and development of HCC and its possible mechanism. Data from TCGAportal shows that compared with normal tissues, the expression of VCAN is up-regulated in HCC tissues. The patients with high expression of VCAN had shorter distant recurrence-free survival and overall survival. The effects of VCAN expression on cell proliferation, invasion and migration were evaluated in vitro by using gene knockout and overexpression strategies. Multiple possible VCAN interactions have also been identified. These result reveal that the level of VCAN is higher in the subtypes of HCC with higher malignant degree and is connected to the poor prognosis. In addition, the treatment of VCAN with DNA methyltransferase inhibitors and transcription factor inhibitors may improve prognosis of patients with liver cancer.
Brain Metastases in Lung Cancer Patients: Clinical Potential Risk Factors of CYFRA21-1 and CEA
Authors: Tang Jing , Sun Tie , Ge Qian-Min , Liang Rong-Bin , Su Ting , Shu Hui-Ye , Pan Yi-Cong , Zhang Li-Juan , Li Qiu-Yu , Shao Yi
Published: June 2021

Background

At present, little is known about the specific risk factors of brain metastasis in patients with lung cancer. This study aims to explore the risk factors of brain metastasis.
Methods

From April 1999 to July 2017, a total of 1,615 lung cancer patients were included in this retrospective study. The patients were divided into two groups, namely brain metastasis group and non-brain metastasis group. Student's t test, non-parametric rank sum test and chi-square test were used to describe whether there is a significant difference between the two groups. We compared the serum biomarkers of the two groups of patients, including alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Calcium, calcium hemoglobin (HB), alpha fetoprotein (AFP), cancer embryonic antigen (CEA), CA-125, CA-199, CA- 153, CA-724, cytokeratin fragment 19 (CYFRA 21 − 1), total prostate specific antigen (TPSA), squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag) ,and neuron specific enolase (NSE). Binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine its risk factors, and receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis was used to evaluate its diagnostic value for brain metastases in patients with lung cancer.
Results

In the analysis of brain metastases in patients with lung cancer, binary logistic regression analysis showed that CYFRA21-1 and CEA are independent risk factors for brain metastases in patients with lung cancer (both P < 0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of diagnosing brain metastasis were CYFRA21-1, 38.0% and 87.4%, respectively; CEA was 39.7% and 79.3%, respectively.
Conclusion

Serum CYFRA21-1 and CEA have predictive value in the diagnosis of brain metastases in patients with lung cancer.
Understanding The Structure And Composition of Recalcitrant Oligosaccharides In Ammonia Treated Lignocellulosic Biomass Hydrolysate Using High-Throughput Biotin- Based Glycome Profiling And Mass Spectrometry.
Authors: Xue Saisi , Pattathil Sivakumar , Sousa Leonardo Costa , Ubanwa Bryan , Dale Bruce , Jones A. Daniel , Balan Venkatesh
Published: June 2021

Novel Immunological and Mass Spectrometry Methods for Comprehensive Analysis of Recalcitrant Oligosaccharides in AFEX Pretreated Corn Stover Lignocellulosic biomass is a sustainable alternative to fossil fuel and is extensively used for developing bio-based technologies to produce products such as food, feed, fuel, and chemicals. The key to these technologies is to develop cost competitive processes to convert complex carbohydrates present in plant cell wall to simple sugars such as glucose, xylose and arabinose. Since lignocellulosic biomass is highly recalcitrant, it must undergo a combination of thermochemical treatment such as Ammonia Fiber Expansion (AFEX), dilute acid (DA), Ionic Liquid (IL) and biological treatment such as enzyme hydrolysis and microbial fermentation to produce desired products. However, when using commercial fungal enzymes during hydrolysis, only 75-85% of the soluble sugars generated are monomeric sugars, while the remaining 15-25% are soluble recalcitrant oligosaccharides that cannot be easily utilized by microorganisms. Previously, we successfully separated and purified the soluble recalcitrant oligosaccharides using a combination of charcoal and celite-based separation followed by size exclusion chromatography and studies their inhibitory properties on enzymes. We discovered that the oligosaccharides with higher degree of polymerization (DP) containing methylated uronic acid substitutions were more recalcitrant towards commercial enzyme mixtures than lower DP and neutral oligosaccharides. Here, we report the use of several complementary techniques that include glycome profiling using plant biomass glycan specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to characterize sugar linkages in plant cell walls and enzymatic hydrolysate, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) using structurally-informative diagnostic peaks offered by negative ion post-secondary decay spectra, gas chromatography followed by mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to characterize oligosaccharide sugar linkages with and without derivatization. Since oligosaccharides (DP 4-20) are small, it is challenging to immobilize these molecules for mAbs binding and characterization. To overcome this problem, we have developed a new biotin-coupling based oligosaccharide immobilization method that successfully tagged most of the low DP soluble oligosaccharides on to a micro-plate surface followed by specific linkage analysis using mAbs in a high-throughput system. This new approach will help develop more advanced versions of future high throughput glycome profiling methods that can be used to separate and characterize oligosaccharides present in biomarkers for diagnostic applications.