bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Workplace and Health: A Survey of Classical Orchestral Musicians in the United Kingdom and Germany
Authors: Harper Beatrice S
Published: February 2021

This article presents the results of a survey that was carried out among UK and German professional classical musicians between November 2000 and April 2001. The UK Musicians’ Union and the German musicians’ union, the Deutsche Orchester Vereinigung (DOV), assisted
greatly with the duplication and distribution of the questionnaires. Selected results have been disseminated to the respondents via the UK Musicians’ Union journal, Musician. A full report will appear in Cultural Trends, to be published in 2002 by the Policy Studies Institute,
London. The survey covered many aspects of musicians’ perceptions of occupational health and safety, the provision of appropriate information, their general working conditions, and their health. One of the main aims was to bring to the forefront a discussion of musicians’ working
conditions and to raise awareness of the range of problems that exist. Key findings identify areas of concern to the respondents, in particular, regarding the environmental conditions of their workplaces. Additionally, findings indicate the use and effectiveness of the measures used by musicians
to ameliorate a range of occupational hazards. This article also reports the respondents’ hearing problems, and which medical and alternative practitioners the sample consulted in cases of work-related ill health. The contrasting structure of the profession determined the choice of the
United Kingdom and Germany for this study. The UK classical music workforce is predominantly freelance, whereas in Germany there are relatively few freelance musicians, and most orchestral musicians have the status of local government employees. One of the aims of the survey was to elicit
information that might indicate whether such different conditions of employment affect the working lives of musicians. This article is organized in two parts. The first part places this survey in context and discusses the particular range of health problems highlighted by the respondents.
The second part presents the survey and its findings.
Medical Problems of Brass Instrumentalists: Prevalence Rates for Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, and Low Brass
Authors: Chesky Kris , Devroop Karendra , Ford James
Published: February 2021

This study examined the medical problems of musicians who primarily perform on a brass instrument. Data for this study (n = 739) were extracted from the University of North Texas Musician Health Survey data set. Subjects were included if they indicated either trumpet, trombone, French
horn, or low brass as their primary instrument. Prevalence rates for one or more musculoskeletal problems were determined for the whole group and by instrument. For those subjects who reported problems at specific sites, average severity levels were derived from responses to a five-point grading
scale. Additional prevalence rates for non-musculoskeletal problems were established for the whole group and by instrument. About 60% of the brass musicians reported having one or more musculoskeletal problems. The trombone group reported the highest rate (70%), followed by French horn and
low brass (62%), and then trumpet (53%). Results suggest unique physical performance requirements and risks across the four main brass instrument groups and that future studies should examine each brass instrument group individually.
Upper-extremity Problems Caused by Playing Specific Instruments
Authors: Dawson William J
Published: February 2021

This study was undertaken to obtain information on the prevalence of music-related upper-extremity problems peculiar to a specific instrument or group of closely-related instruments, and to help determine what problem types are most common or characteristic for players of specific instruments.
Music-related problems in 167 performers from a hand surgical practice were reviewed retrospectively. The musicians ranged in age from 9 to 83 years; 41.9% were males. Nearly 90% were professional performers, teachers, collegiate music students, or dedicated amateurs. More than 75% played
strings or keyboard instruments. Multiple diagnoses were found in 37.7% of musicians. Data from the six largest instrumental groups revealed that muscle-tendon strain diagnoses were most common, occurring principally among pianists, violinists and violists, guitarists, and reed instrumentalists.
Other common diagnoses included inflammatory disorders (tenosynovitis and the like), hypermobility, masses, and arthritic problems. Of the pianists, 54.7% developed strains, 17.4% inflammatory conditions, and 12.8% nerve problems. Violinists and violists as a group had 64.4% strains and 6.7%
inflammatory conditions. Guitarists presented with 37.5% strains, 21.9% inflammatory conditions, and 15.6% nerve problems. Flutists had 25% strains and 45% inflammatory conditions. Other woodwind musicians developed 68.2% strains and 13.6% inflammatory conditions. Percussionists had 36.4%
strains and 36.4% inflammatory conditions. Only one musician developed an upper-extremity problem that could be considered unique to playing a specific instrument. Statistically significant occurrence rates were found only in pianists under age 30 with strain diagnoses and in those above age
30 with inflammatory problems. These categories seem to be related to repetitive and/or forceful upper-extremity movements, and the resulting specific pathological processes.
Comparison of Biomechanical Forces Generated during Trumpet Performance in Contrasting Settings
Authors: Devroop Karendra , Chesky Kris
Published: February 2021

The primary aim of this study was to investigate how mouthpiece forces may vary as a function of the setting in which the musicians are asked to perform. Ten college-level trumpet players were assessed while playing the same pieces of music in a jazz big band rehearsal and a controlled
laboratory/clinical setting. Trumpet force was measured using a custom Trumpet Sensor System that measures mouthpiece forces and angular position. Overall, the results from this study indicate that mouthpiece forces generated in the research laboratory were similar to those in the rehearsal
venue. The data indicate no significant differences between the two conditions that warrant concern for collecting performance data in an experimental setting.
Modelling and Numerical Solution of the Problem with Unilateral Constraints and Friction under Dynamic Action of the Load
Authors: Lukashevich A. A. , Lukashevich N. K. , Ostrovskaya N. V.
Published: February 2021

Problems with unilateral constraints are not uncommon in the practice of calculating  building construction and structures. Certain difficulties in solving them arise during contact friction, as well as the dynamic action of the load. It is known that such problems from a mathematical point of view s are not correct enough, their solution becomes more complicated and depends on the history of loading and deformation of the structure. At the same time, the ability to take into account the complex working conditions of the structure makes its calculation more complete and accurate. The paper considers the solution of  a dynamic contact problem on the basis of the finite element method and the step-by-step loading method. Unilateral constraints with Coulomb friction are modeled using contact finite elements of a frame-rod type. The method of compensating loads is applied in order to comply with the limitations under ultimate friction-sliding conditions. Based on the considered discrete contact model and the step-by-step analysis method, a numerical algorithm has been developed, which allows in one step-by-step process to integrate simultaneously the equations of motion and implement contact conditions with Coulomb friction. With the help of the proposed approach, numerical solutions of the problem pertaining to a structure contact with the base have been obtained and analyzed at various parameters of dynamic load. Comparison of the results with the solution obtained by the well-known iteration method on the ultimate friction forces allows to conclude about the efficiency and reliability of the developed algorithm under complex contact conditions and dynamic loading.
Solvent-free autocatalytic supramolecular polymerization
Authors: Chen Zhen , Suzuki Yukinaga , Imayoshi Aymui , Ji Xiaofan , Rao Kotagiri , Omata Yuki , Miyajima Daigo , Sato Emiko , Nihonyanagi Atsuko , Aida Takuzo
Published: February 2021

Solvent-free chemical manufacturing is one of the awaited technologies for addressing an emergent issue of serious environmental pollution. Here, we report "solvent-free autocatalytic supramolecular polymerization (SF-ASP)", where a phthalonitrile derivative with hydrogen-bonding side chains as the monomer is autocatalytically transformed into the corresponding phthalocyanine in an exceptionally high yield (> 80%). The target phthalocyanine, if any is produced, nucleates and initiates supramolecular polymerization via a hydrogen-bonding interaction, affording one-dimensional single-crystalline fibers. These crystalline fibers possibly preorganize the precursor phthalonitrile monomer at their cross-sectional edges and autocatalytically convert them into the phthalocyanine under out-of-equilibrium conditions. In the presence of metal oleates, SF-ASP autocatalytically affords single-crystalline fibers of metallophthalocyanines again in exceptionally high yields. In these cases, such fibers grow in both directions without terminal coupling until the precursor phthalonitrile is completely consumed. By taking advantage of this quasi-living character of polymerization, multistep SF-ASP without/with metal oleates affords multi-block supramolecular copolymers.
Transcriptome Profiling Reveals The Developmental Regulation of NaCl-Treated Forcipomyia Taiwana Eggs
Authors: Chen Mu-En , Tsai Mong-Hsun , Huang Hsiang-Ting , Tsai Ching-Chu , Chen Mei-Ju , Yang Da-Syuan , Wang John , Huang Rong-Nan
Published: February 2021

Background: The biting midge, Forcipomyia taiwana, is one of the most annoying blood-sucking pests in Taiwan. Current chemical control only targets the adult, not the immature stages (egg to pupa) of F. taiwana. Discovering new or alternative tactics to enhance or replace existing methods are urgently needed to improve the effectiveness of F. taiwana control. The egg is the least understood life stage in this pest species but may offer a novel point of control as addition of NaCl to the egg environment inhibits development. Thus, the objective of this study was to use RNA profiling to better understand the developmental differences of wild-type melanized and NaCl-induced un-melanized and infertile F. taiwana eggs. Results: After de novo assembly with Trinity, 112,959 non-redundant transcripts (Ft-nr) with an N50 of 1,044 were obtained. Of these, 28,455 (24.8%) transcripts were predicted to have long open reading frames (ORFs, defined here as ≥300 nt) and 17,791 (15.8%) transcripts have at least one predicted functional domain. A comparison between the melanized (control) and un-melanized eggs revealed 15,996 differentially expressed genes (DEGs; 56.2% of the transcripts with long ORFs) with ≥2-fold difference. Of these, 8,865 were annotated to a Gene Ontology biological process and along with gene expression patterns can be separated into 5 clusters. KEGG pathway analysis revealed that 6,888 transcripts could be assigned to 102 significantly enriched pathways in 3 main categories (metabolism, genetic information processing, environmental information processing). As expected, most (78.24%) of these DEGs were down-regulated in un-melanized eggs. Surprisingly, the majority of genes associated with the pigmentation GO term were up-regulated in the pink egg samples; however, two key terminal genes, laccase2 and DCE/Yellow, were significantly down-regulated, and further verified by qPCR. Conclusion: We have assembled and annotated the first egg transcriptome for F. taiwana, a biting midge. We found that down-regulation of laccase2 and DCE/Yellow genes might be the mechanism responsible for the NaCl-induced inhibition of melanization of F. taiwana eggs.
Traceless enzymatic protein synthesis without ligation sites constraint
Authors: Li Ruifeng , Schmidt Marcel , Zhu Tong , Yang Xinyu , Feng Jing , Yue Tian , Cui Yinglu , Nuijens Timo , Wu Bian
Published: February 2021

Protein synthesis and semisynthesis offer immense promise for life science and have impacted pharmaceutical innovation. Nevertheless, the absence of a generally applicable method for traceless peptide conjugation with flexible choices of junction sites remains a bottleneck to accessing many important synthetic targets. Here we introduce the protein activation and ligation with multiple enzymes (PALME) platform designed for the sequence-unconstrained synthesis and modification of biomacromolecules. The upstream activating modules accept and process easily accessible synthetic peptides and recombinant proteins, avoiding the challenges associated with the preparation and manipulation of activated peptide substrates. Cooperatively, the downstream coupling module provides comprehensive solutions for sequential peptide condensation, cyclization, and protein N/C-terminal or internal functionalization. This methodology’s practical utility was showcased by synthesizing a series of bioactive targets, ranging from pharmaceutical ingredient to synthetically challenging protein. Together, the modular PALME platform exhibits unprecedented broad accessibility for the traceless protein synthesis and functionalization and holds enormous potential to extent the scope of protein chemistry and synthetic biology.
Analysis of viral load change in Case of HIV/AIDS Patients under ART Follow-up in Arba Minch General Hospital
Authors: Erango Markos , Gergiso Kabtamu , Hebo Sultan
Published: February 2021

Background: Monitoring human immunodeficiency virus plasma viral load over time is critical to identify virologic treatment failure in patients taking antiretroviral therapy. The aim of this study was to determine whether the overtime viral load changes depends on patient characteristic measured at baseline of human immunodeficiency virus patients at Arba Minch General Hospital.Methods: This prospective follow up study was conducted using data obtained from medical records, patient interviews, and laboratory workup for six months. The study was employed among 152 adult patients that were selected by systematic random sampling. Longitudinal data analysis that accounts for the correlated nature of the data handled through linear mixed effect models were used to fit the data set in this study.Result: The mean viral load declines over time for each of the adherence level groups. The estimates of linear (p = 0.0006) and quadratic visit time (p=0.0256) effects and the baseline characteristics sex, age, adherence level, and Isoniazid preventive therapy had significant effects on change of viral load of patients over time. Conclusion: In order to improve the status of the patient’s viral load over time, considering the patients’ differences in adherence to antiretroviral therapy, sex, age, and Isoniazid preventive therapy are important.
The Risk Factors of the Progression of Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment on Patients with the Fourteen-day Quarantine in the Early Period of COVID-19 Outbreak
Authors: Zhao Meng , Li Jipeng , She Haicheng , Liu Ningpu
Published: February 2021

Backgrounds: The COVID-19 pandemic has great impact on hospitals and patients. The fourteen-day quarantine caused surgery of RRD postponed. To explore the risk factors of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) progression in a group of patients whose surgery was postponed during the top-level emergency response of COVID-19.Methods: Retrospective case series study. The information on RRD patients who received surgeries in Beijing Tongren Hospital's retina service from February 16, 2020, to April 30, 2020 has been collected retrospectively. The history, manifestation on presentation and admission, and progression of RRD were recorded. RRD progression was defined as the presence of either choroidal detachment (CD) or proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) progression during the quarantine period. Risk factors were analyzed using the Cox proportional hazards model, survival analysis, and logistic regression.Results: There were 79 cases enrolled in this study. The median time from the patients' presentation at the clinic to admission for surgery was 14 days (3–61 days). There were 70 cases (88.6%) who did not present to the hospital within one week of the onset of visual symptoms. There were 69 (87.3%) macular-off cases at the presentation. There were 27 (34.2%) cases combined with choroidal detachment. There were 49 (62.0%) cases with PVR B, 22 (27.8%) cases with PVR C, 4 (5.1%) cases with PVR D, and 4 (5.1%) cases with PVR A. After the 14-day quarantine, 21 (26.6%) cases showed RRD progression, and 9 cases showed RD regression at the time of surgery. Neither the time of onset of the visual symptom (p=0.46) nor the time between presentation and admission (p=0.31) was significantly different between the patients with RRD progression and patients without RRD progression. The combination of CD (3.61, 1.86-6.99, p=0.001) and retinal breaks located posterior to the equator (3.78, 1.25-11.45, p=0.02) were factors related to the progression of RRD. Conclusions: In the cases enrolled in our study during the COVID-19 outbreak period, the RRD progression risk factors included a combination of CD and retinal breaks posterior to the equator. Ophthalmologists should schedule the surgeries for RRD patients with these signs as soon as possible.
Efficacy of Systemic Oncological Treatments in Patients With Advanced Esophageal or Gastric Cancers at High Risk of Dying in the Middle and Short Term: An Overview of Systematic Reviews
Authors: Santero Marilina , Pérez-Bracchiglione Javier , Acosta-Dighero Roberto , Meade Adriana Gabriela , Martín Alba Antequera , Auladell-Rispau Ariadna , Quintana Maria Jesús , Requeijo Carolina , Rodríguez-Grijalva Gerardo , Dorantes-Romadía Rosario , Salazar Josefina , Solà Ivan , Gerard Urrútia , Bonfill-Cosp Xavier , Salas-Gama Karla
Published: February 2021

Background

Esophageal and gastric cancers are a significant public health problem worldwide, with most patients presenting with advanced-stage disease and, consequently, poor prognosis. Systemic oncological treatments (SOT) have been widely used over more conservative approaches, such as supportive care. Nevertheless, its effectiveness in this scenario is not sufficiently clear. This paper provides an overview of systematic reviews that assessed the effectiveness of SOT compared with the best supportive care (BSC) or placebo in patients with advanced esophageal or gastric cancers in an end-of-life context.
Methods

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, Epistemonikos, and PROSPERO for eligible systematic reviews (SRs) published from 2008 onwards. The primary outcomes were overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), functional status, and toxicity. Two authors assessed eligibility and extracted data independently. We evaluated the methodological quality of included SRs using the AMSTAR-2 tool and the overlap of primary studies (corrected covered area, CCA). Also, we performed a de novo meta-analysis with data reported for each primary study when it was possible. We assessed the certainty of evidence using the GRADE approach.
Results

We identified 16 SRs (19 included trials) for inclusion within this overview. Most reviews had a critically low methodological quality, and there was a very high overlap of primary studies. It is uncertain whether SOT improves OS and PFS over more conservative approaches due to the very low certainty of evidence.
Conclusions

The evidence is very uncertain about the effectiveness of SOT for advanced esophageal or gastric cancers. High-quality SRs and further randomized clinical trials that include a thorough assessment of patient-centered outcomes are needed.
Registration:
Open Science Framework, DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/7CHX6.
Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Aralia Cachemirica Decne.: A Comparative Study
Authors: Majid Neelofar , Nissar Saduf , Raja Weekar Younus , Nawchoo Irshad A. , Bhat Zulfikar Ali , Rashid Sufiya
Published: February 2021

Background: Aralia cachemirica Decne. is an important medicinal plant species of Kashmir Himalaya. Regardless of having enormous medicinal importance little information exists on the biological activities of the species. For this reason, present work was carried out for providing comprehensive details on the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of different parts of A. cachemirica.Methods: In this connection, different parts (leaves, stem and root) of the plant were examined following standard methodologies. Antioxidant potential of the plant was determined by three different standard methodologies viz. DPPH radical scavenging activity, reducing power activity and metal chelating activity. For anti-inflammatory activities two different standard methods viz. human RBC membrane stabilization method and protein denaturation method were followed.Results: The extracts exhibited concentration dependent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities but were weaker than the standards. Also, the highest activities were recorded in the root and least in the leaves. Also, the highest activities were recorded in the leaves and least in the stem.Conclusion: This is the first study providing information regarding antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of different parts of the species. The antioxidant activity of the extract could have great importance as therapeutic agents in preventing or slowing the progress of aging and age associated, oxidative stress related degenerative diseases. Plant derived anti-inflammatory agents are competent cure for inflammation caused by a range of agents, which shows the way to their soaring requirement. Exploitation of these agents requires to be regulated in order, to be sustainable and keep up with demands.
A Route Pruning Algorithm for an Automated Geographic Location Graph Construction
Authors: Schweimer Christoph , Geiger Bernhard C. , Wang Meizhu , Gogolenko Sergiy , Mahmood Imran , Jahani Alireza , Suleimenova Diana , Groen Derek
Published: February 2021

Automated construction of location graphs is instrumental but challenging, particularly in logistics optimisation problems and agent-based movement simulations. Hence, we propose an algorithm for automated construction of location graphs, in which vertices correspond to geographic locations of interest and edges to direct travelling routes between them. Our approach involves two steps. In the first step, we use a routing service to compute distances between all pairs of L locations, resulting in a complete graph. In the second step, we prune this graph by removing edges corresponding to indirect routes, identified using the triangle inequality. The computational complexity of this second step is σ(L3), which outperforms the complexity of σ(L4 log L) to enable computation of location graphs for all towns and cities on the road network of an entire continent. To illustrate the utility of our algorithm in an application, we constructed location graphs for four regions of different size and road infrastructures and compared them to manually created ground truths. Our algorithm simultaneously achieved precision and recall values around 0.9 for a wide range of the single hyperparameter, suggesting that it is a valid approach to create large location graphs for which a manual creation is infeasible.
Performance of a Score to Characterize Adequate Contact among the Social Network of Persons with Tuberculosis
Authors: Castellanos Maria Eugenia , Zalwango Sarah , Quach Trang , Kakaire Robert , Martínez Leonardo , Ebell Mark H. , Dobbin Kevin K. , Kiwanuka Noah , Whalen Christopher C.
Published: February 2021

Background. Exposure to an individual with tuberculosis is necessary for transmission to occur. Previously, we developed a score that measures contact between tuberculosis cases and their social networks in an African urban context. This score was built using exploratory factor analysis and identified contact as the conjunction of two domains – setting and relationship. Now, our aim is to determine whether this score covaries with the presence of tuberculous infection among social contacts of tuberculosis cases.Methods. This was a large cross-sectional study conducted in Kampala, Uganda from 2012-2016. Tuberculous infection was assessed in social contacts of adult tuberculosis cases. We estimated the prevalence of tuberculous infection in this population, overall and according to the setting and relationship domains. We calculated the prevalence ratio (PR) for the association between increasing scores in the setting and relationship domains and tuberculous infection, adjusted by other covariates, using modified Poisson regression models. Results. We enrolled 955 household and community contacts from 119 tuberculosis cases. The overall prevalence of tuberculous infection in the social networks was 52% (95% confidence interval [CI], 48-55). The prevalence of tuberculous infection in very low, low, medium, and high setting-contact quartiles was 44%, 40%, 53%, and 70% respectively (Ptrend<.0001). By the relationship score, the prevalence of tuberculous infection in very low, low, moderate and high-contact groups was 41%, 47%, 53% and 66% respectively (Ptrend<.0001). The effect of the setting score in the prevalence of tuberculous infection was higher among children between 5-14 years (PR=1.26; 95% CI 1.15-1.39) whereas the relationship score was associated with tuberculous infection in children of 0-4 years (PR=1.42; 95% CI 1.10-1.82)Conclusion. In this large observational study from an urban African setting, participants, especially children, with higher setting and relationship scores were more likely infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis among contacts of a tuberculosis case.
Pre-cART Inflammation, Microbial Translocation and Long-Term Probability of Clinical Progression in People Living With HIV 
Authors: Merlini Esther , Cozzi-Lepri Alessandro , Castagna Antonella , Costantini Andrea , Caputo Sergio Lo , Carrara Stefania , Roldan Eugenia Quiros , Ursitti Maria A , Antinori Andrea , Monforte Antonella d'Arminio , Marchetti Giulia C
Published: February 2021

Background. We aimed to investigate the role of pre-cART inflammation and microbial translocation (MT) as predictors of clinical progression in HIV+ patients enrolled in the Icona Foundation Study Cohort.Methods. We included Icona patients with plasma stored within 6 months before cART initiation and at least one CD4 count after therapy available. Circulating biomarker: LPS, sCD14, EndoCab, hs-CRP. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression models were used. We defined the endpoint of clinical progression as the occurrence of a new AIDS-defining condition, severe non-AIDS condition (SNAEs) or death whichever occurred first. Follow-up accrued from the data of starting cART and was censored at the time of last available clinical visit. Biomarkers were evaluated as both binary (above/below median) and continuous variables (logescale).Results. We studied 486 patients with 125 clinical events:10.8 (0.77-14.8)/1000 PYFU new AIDS, 18.3 (14.2-23.3)/1000 PYFU SNAEs, and 5.56 (3.40-8.57)/1000 PYFU deaths. Among morbidity events, the incidence of infectious-related events was 19.4 (15.2-24.5)/1000 PYFU. Hs-CRP seemed to be the only biomarker retaining some association with the endpoint of clinical progression (i.e. AIDS/SNAEs/death p=.056).Conclusions. Circulating pre-cART hs-CRP but not MT seems associated with the risk of disease progression after cART initiation, suggesting that pre-therapy HIV-driven pro-inflammatory milieu might overweight MT and its downstream immune-activation. This result should help guiding the design of interventional studies.
Multi-reference Poly-conformational Computational Methods for De-novo Design, Optimization, and Repositioning of Pharmaceutical Compounds.
Authors: Alexandrov Vadim , Kirpich Alexander , Gankin Yuriy
Published: February 2021

The COVID-19 epidemic, SARS-CoV-2, that began in December of 2019 has drastically altered the aspects of daily life across the global society. Time-effective treatment of those infected has since become a major goal with multiple treatment strategies having been designed to prevent the progression of the disease into severe pneumonia. To date, no drug has been found to be 100% effective against SARS-COV-2, possibly because each candidate drug was targeting only one particular mechanism of action (MoA). Neither proposed up-to-date anti-SARS-COV-2 vaccine are 100% effective. To contribute to the process of finding a more robust small-molecule solution, utilizing several anti-SARS-COV-2 MoAs, a novel framework is presented; where the in silico generated set of virtual library compounds is compared to six known reference drugs: Chloroquine, Favipiravir, Remdesivir, JQ1, Apicidine, and Haloperidol which have been already used for SARS-CoV-2 treatment. The aims were: a) to present a universal search framework for potential candidate compounds based on the comparison of multiple similarities between compounds’ conformers and b) to identify candidate compounds that are simultaneously “close” to each of the six known reference compounds that counteract SARS-CoV-2 via different mechanisms of action.
Optimized Design for Illusion Device by Genetic Algorithm
Authors: yu zhenzhong , Yang Zhong , Wang yizhi , Hu Xingliu , Tian Xiaomin , Zhang Yan
Published: February 2021

The optimized design for the illusion device is studied based on the genetic algorithm. For an electrically small target, a core-shell illusion device by optimizing the material and geometrical parameters of the covering shell can achieve the equivalent scattering, in which the monopolar and dipolar modes are dominant. With the increase of the device size, more scattering terms become obvious, and the ability of the single-layered shell to manipulate the scattering is very limited. For a target with dimension compared with the wavelength, we construct a concentric multi-layered device made of isotropic and homogeneous materials. The full-wave simulations are carried out to demonstrate the illusion performance of the optimized multilayer. The physical explanation is given that all scattering modes of the multi-layered illusion device after optimization approach to that of the target.
Prognostic Factors of Restrictive Myopathy in Thyroid Eye Disease
Authors: Choi Jae Hwan , Noh Hoon , Kim Yoon-Duck , Woo Kyung In
Published: February 2021

To investigate the prognostic factors of extraocular muscle restriction in patients with thyroid eye disease (TED), sixty-five patients with TED and restrictive myopathy were evaluated. Demographics, clinical activity score (CAS), smoking status, thyroid disease status, thyroid hormone status, thyroid autoantibody status, orbital computed tomography (CT) scan at initial presentation, and treatment regimens were assessed. The movements of the most severely affected extraocular muscles were categorized into five grades. The patients were divided into the improved and the not-improved group based on the improvement in the limitation of the extraocular muscle excursion (LOM) throughout the follow-up, and the groups were compared using clinical factors. The mean LOM significantly improved from 2.3 ± 1.1 to 1.7 ± 1.2 after 1 year of follow-up. The excursion of the most restricted muscle improved in 32 patients but not in 33 patients during the follow-up. The initial concentration of the thyroid-stimulating antibody (TSAb) was significantly lower in the improved than in the not-improved group. Age, sex, smoking status, CAS, thyroid status, and muscle thickness on the CT scan did not significantly differ in the groups. This study showed that the initial concentration of TSAb is a factor affecting the recovery of restrictive myopathy.
High Biodiversity in a Limited Mountain Area Revealed in The Traditional Production of Historic Rebel Cheese By An Integrated Microbiota-Lipidomic Approach.
Authors: Turri Federica , Cremonesi Paola , Battelli Giovanna , Severgnini Marco , Gandini Gustavo , Pizzi Flavia
Published: February 2021

Historic Rebel (HR) cheese is an Italian heritage cheese, produced from raw milk during the summer grazing period in the Alps. The aim of this work was i) to characterize the cheese microbiota, by 16S rRNA gene amplicons sequencing and the volatile and non-volatile lipophilic fraction, by Gas Chromatography and Dynamic Headspace - Extraction Gas Chromatography- Mass Spectrometry, and ii) to evaluate their respective associations. HR cheese was dominated by Firmicutes phylum (99% of the entire abundance), with members of the Streptococcus, Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Leuconostoc and Pediococcus together representing 87.2% - 99.6% of the total abundance. The polyunsaturated fatty acids composition showed a high PUFA n-3, PUFA n-6 and CLA content, two fold higher than typical plain cheeses. A complex volatilome was detected, dominated in terms of abundance by ketones, fatty acids and alcohols. The main terpenes compounds were α-pinene, camphene and β-pinene.The HR cheese showed a great diversity (P<0.05) of bacterial species and lipophilic fractions among producers, despite they belonging to a small alpine area, revealing a scarce cheese standardization and a chemical fingerprint of a typical mountain cheese produced during the grazing period. A deeper knowledge of the variability of HR cheese will be appreciated in particular by elite consumers looking for niche products, adding economic value to farming in these alpine areas.
Movement ecology, breeding, diet and roosting behavior of barn owls (Tyto alba) in a transboundary conflict region
Authors: Rozman Gabriel , Izhaki Ido , Roulin Alexandre , Charter Motti
Published: February 2021

Transboundary frontiers often contain wildlife habitats that are fractured by geopolitical borders, which could have adverse effects on the wildlife that inhabit those areas. We examined the movement, breeding, roosting and diet of 15 GPS-tagged barn owls (Tyto alba) along the Israeli-Jordanian and Israeli-Palestinian Authority borders. Our results showed that 80% of the barn owls hunted across the border. On average, the owls engaged in 5.4 hunting trips per night, 16% of which were cross-border excursions, and they crossed the borders as frequently as expected randomly, highlighting the importance of wildlife protection on all sides. Hunting movement, rather than cross-border activity, had an effect on the annual reproductive success and diet composition. Specifically, female owls that spent more time at the nest and engaged in longer distance hunting trips had higher reproductive success. 80% of the females roosted outside of the nest box at a median distance of 908 m (range = 199 - 4,112 m). Only 13.3% of the owls (2/15 owls) roosted across the border. These results increase our understanding of the movement, breeding, and roosting behavior of a non-migratory avian raptor. However, a serious lack of cooperation and communication between bordering countries hampers our ability to understand the full effects of differing environmental policies on a species that knows no borders.
Chromatic Toxicity Bioassay of Water through Bacterial Ferricyanide Reduction
Authors: Shamim Maheen , Shaikh Parus , Kanwal Zara , Syed Muhammad Noman
Published: February 2021

Water quality assessment demands a precise anatomization of specimens that comply with acclaimed water purity standards. Today, the growing number of toxicants and their synergistic consequences make it necessary to develop general toxicity assays able to examine and determine water pollution. Contemporary general toxicity methods hinder specimen analysis due to their prolonged operation protocols. Also, the equipment involved is very expensive that not everyone can afford it. In an effort to resolve these drawbacks, a quick and cost effective toxicity bioassay based on chromatic changes related to bacterial ferricyanide reduction is introduced here. E.coli cells (Model Bacteria) were stably confined on four supports: Cellulose-based Paper Discs, Silica 60, Polystyrene, and Acrylic Beads, which remained useful for a long period at -20ºC. Copper was used as a model toxic agent to perform Bioassay Assessment. Chromatic changes related to bacterial ferricyanide reduction were determined by visual inspection. Cellulose Paper Discs, Polystyrene, and Acrylic beads showed good results and better viability, while Silica 60 proved itself as a weak support and resulted in poor viability.
Blocking GRP/GRP-R Signaling Decreases Expression of Androgen Receptor Splice Variants and Inhibits Tumor Growth in Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Case Thomas C , Merkel Alyssa , Ramirez-Solano Marisol , Liu Qi , Sterling Julie A , Jin Renjie
Published: February 2021

Background: Clinical management of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) resulting from androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) remains challenging. Previously, we have reported that long-term ADT increases the neuroendocrine (NE) hormone – Gastrin Releasing Peptide (GRP) and its receptor (GRP-R) expression in prostate cancer (PC) cells. Further, we demonstrated that activation of GRP/GRP-R signaling increases androgen receptor (AR) splice variants (ARVs) expression through activating NF-κB signaling thereby contributing cancer progression to CRPC. Most importantly, as a cell surface protein, GRP-R is easily targeted by drugs to block GRP/GRP-R signaling. Here, we aim to investigate if blocking GRP/GRP-R signaling by targeting GRP-R using GRP-R antagonist is sufficient to control CRPC progression, including in therapy-induced (t) neuroendocrine prostate cancer (tNEPC). Methods: Bone-growing NEPC cells were generated by treating androgen dependent LNCaP PC cells with anti-androgen (MDV3100) for more than 3 months. RC-3095, a selective GRP-R antagonist, was used for blocking GRP/GRP-R signaling. The NGL vector [a NF-kB responsive reporter vector which has Luciferase and Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) reporter genes] was used to measure NF-kB activity and the ARR2PB-Luc vector (an AR responsive reporter vector) was used to measure AR activity in the PC cells. For in vivo experiments, the effect of RC-3095 on CRPC was observed in subcutaneous CRPC and bone-growing tNEPC tumor models.Results: Our studies show that blocking GRP/GRP-R signal by targeting GRP-R using RC-3095 efficiently inhibits NF-κB activity and ARVs (AR-V7) expression in CRPC and tNEPC cells. In addition, blocking of GRP/GRP-R signaling by targeting GRP-R can sensitize CRPC cells to anti-androgen treatment. Further, preclinical animal studies indicate combination of GRP-R antagonist (targeting ARVs) with anti-androgen [targeting full-length AR (AR-FL)] is sufficient to inhibit CRPC and tNEPC tumor growth.Conclusion: Our findings strongly indicate that blocking of GRP/GRP-R signaling in combination with ADT is a potential new approach to control CRPC tumor growth, including ADT induced tNEPC.
Suspension Parameters Matching Design for Robust Hunting Stability of High-speed Train
Authors: Li Guang , Yao Yuan , Song Yadong , Chen Guosheng , Chen Kang
Published: February 2021

Hunting stability of high-speed train is an important dynamic performance for the design of bogie suspension parameters. An appropriate hunting stability margin is required for high-speed train. Besides, a remarkable ability to weaken the influence caused by the disturbance of bogie suspension parameters and wheel-rail contact parameters on hunting stability is also required. The matching design of bogie passive suspension parameters is an important means to ensure the train comprehensive stability. In this paper, the concept of robust hunting stability is proposed, and the indexes for suspension parameter robustness and wheel-rail contact equivalent conicity robustness are defined and chosen as the dynamic performance indexes for the bogie suspension parameters design. Design of Experiment (DOE) is used to search the suspension parameters to satisfy the defined robust hunting stability indexes. Vehicle linear stability analysis is performed based on a large number of combined random suspension parameters, and then the parameters satisfying the performance requirements are designed, from which the parameter matching rules are concluded based on the discrete statistical analysis. Using this method, the suspension parameters can be designed to satisfy the defined multiple vehicle dynamic performance indexes, instead of engineering experiences.
Effect of Heat Treatment on Structural and Magnetic Properties of Li-Ni Ferrite Prepared via Sol-Gel Auto-Combustion Method
Authors: Song Jiali , Wang Zhi , Gao Yu
Published: February 2021

Nanocrystalline Li 0.35 Ni 0.3 Fe 2.35 O 4 ferrites were prepared at different annealing temperature by sol-gel auto-combustion method. The effects of the annealing temperature on the structure and magnetic properties of the synthesized Li-Ni ferrites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR) and Squid-VSM. Rietveld refinement of the X-ray diffraction data confirmed the occurrence of phase transition from α-spinel to β-spinel, from which the ideal cation occupation and lattice parameter can be obtained. The grain size increased significantly with annealing temperature. The variation of saturation magnetization can be well explained in terms of the occupation of ions in tetrahedron and octahedron. The coercivity initially increased and later decreased significantly from 115 to 37 Oe with the increase of annealed temperature which could be attributed the fact that the 600℃-annealed grain size is close to transition size from single to multidomain region.
Evaluation of GBLUP and Bayes-Alphabet Based on Different Marker Density For Genomic Prediction in Alpine Merino Sheep
Authors: Zhu Shaohua , Guo Tingting , Yuan Chao , Liu Jianbin , Li Jianye , Han Mei , Zhao Hongchang , Wu Yi , Sun Weibo , Wang Xijun , Wang Tianxiang , Liu Jigang , Tiambo Christian Keambou , Yue Yaojing , Yang Bohui
Published: February 2021

BackgroundThe marker density, the heritability level of trait and the statistical models adopted are critical to the accuracy of genomic prediction (GP) or genomic selection (GS). The studies on the impact of the above factors on accuracy of GP are usually focused on the comparison and discussion of simulated datasets. If the potential of GS is to be fully utilized to optimize the effect of breeding and selection, it is essential to incorporate these factors into real data for understanding their impact on GP accuracy, more clearly and intuitively. Herein, we studied the genomic prediction of six wool traits of sheep by two different models, including genomic best linear unbiased prediction (GBLUP), and Bayes-Alphabet. We adopted 5-fold cross-validation to perform the accuracy evaluation based on the genotyping data of Alpine Merino sheep (n=821). ResultsThe GP accuracy of the six traits was found to be between 0.28 and 0.60, as demonstrated by the cross-validation results. We showed that the accuracy of GP could be improved by increasing the marker density, which is closely related to the model adopted and the heritability level of the trait. Moreover, based on two different marker densities, it was derived that the prediction effect of GBLUP model for traits with low heritability was better (GBLUP has the highest accuracy of 28.57% higher than Bayes-Alphabet); while with the increase of heritability level, the advantage of Bayes-Alphabet would be more obvious, therefore, different models of GP are appropriate in different traits. ConclusionThis is the first study of optimization of GP has been applied to the domesticated Alpine Merino sheep populations. The main aim was to study the influence and interaction of different models and marker densities on GP accuracy. These findings indicated the significance of applying appropriate models for GP which would assist in further exploring the optimization of GP.
Photobiomodulation Effects of Single Near-Infrared (825 nm), Green (525 nm) and Combination of Wavelengths on Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Physiology
Authors: Crous Anine , Rensburg Madeleen Jansen , Abrahamse Heidi
Published: February 2021

Photobiomodulation (PBM) has been used as a bio stimulatory tool for adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs). The goal of this in vitro research was to examine the effects of combined and/or single applications of near infra-red (NIR) and green PBM using 5 J/cm2 on ADMSCs. The results indicated that the viability of ADMSCs are not affected by single or combined wavelengths of 525 and 825 nm at 5 J/cm2. However, PBM significantly stimulated cell metabolism seen by an increase in proliferation, it also upregulated intracellular ROS and MMP using 825 nm and 525 nm wavelengths. The combined wavelength irradiation mimicked results found for 825 nm during ATP measurement, cell concentration and migration rate, however significant MMP stimulation and increased ROS production was achieved. In conclusion, results indicate that the combination wavelengths of 525 and 825 nm can be used in the expansion and differentiation of ADMSCs for regenerative purposes.
Gastrocnemius Muscle Flap with Vancomycin/gentamicin-calcium Sulphate and Autogenous Iliac Bone Graft for the Phase Ⅰ Treatment of Localized Osteomyelitis after Tibial Plateau Fracture Surgery
Authors: Ruan Weiwei , Li Menglu , Guo Qiaofeng , Lin Bingyuan
Published: February 2021

Purpose: To investigate the clinical effect of gastrocnemius muscle flaps combined with vancomycin /gentamicin-calcium sulphate combined and autologous iliac bone graft in the phase Ⅰ treatment of traumatic focal osteomyelitis (Cierny-Mader type III) after tibial plateau fracture surgery.Methods: From July 2009 to January 2018, 35 patients with localized osteomyelitis (Cierny-Mader type III) who met the inclusion criteria were followed up and treated. All patients were infected after undergoing internal fracture fixation surgery. Among them, 18 cases were plate-exposed, 14 cases were due to sinus tracts, two were due to skin necrosis, and one was bone-exposed. We treated patients with several measures. All cases were then followed up. The follow-up indicators included: Hospital for Special Surgery knee scores (HSS), the time of laying drainage pipe, bone healing time, infection control rate, and the incidence of nonunion and other complications.Results: All patients were followed up for 24-60 months. None of them underwent amputation. For repairing soft tissue defects, 17 cases were covered with a muscle flap using the medial head of gastrocnemius alone, 15 cases were treated with the lateral head of gastrocnemius muscle, and three cases were covered with the combination of the two heads. Compared to the preoperative score, we found at that the average HSS improved at the one-year and two-year follow up (54 vs. 86 vs. 87).Conclusion: Using a gastrocnemius muscle flap combined with vancomycin/gentamicin-calcium sulfate and autogenous iliac bone was an effective method for the phase Ⅰ treatment of osteomyelitis (Cierny-Mader type III) after tibial plateau fracture surgery. In the primary treatment of focal traumatic osteomyelitis, it can decrease the treatment time, number of surgeries, pain of patients, time of bone healing, postoperative exudation, and infection recurrence rate and increase the healing bone’s strength.