bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
USE OF ANYFLIP BEKEL LONGAN E-BOOK TO IMPROVE LITERATION SKILLS OF V-GRADE STUDENTS IN KEDUNGREJO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 2 IN PANDEMIC
Authors: Indah Martin
Published: August 2021

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which students' language literacy skills, especially the reading skills of students, using E-Book Anyflip with Local Wisdom in Lamongan during the pandemic. This type of research is classroom action research adopting the Kemmis and Mc. Taggart. This research uses 3 types of data (learning implementation data, student learning outcomes data, and data on constraints encountered in learning activities). The research was conducted in class V SDN 2 Kedungrejo, Modo District, Lamongan Regency. This research was conducted in two cycles, the research subjects were the fifth grade students of SDN 2 Kedungrejo in the second semester of the 2019/2020 academic year with a total of 13 students (8 male and 5 female) . The results of this study were 100% learning implementation cycle I and II. The achievement of teacher activities in learning in cycle I was 75, while in cycle II it was 87.5. The class average value of student literacy learning outcomes in the first cycle was 67.5. Meanwhile, in cycle II the average value of student literacy learning outcomes increased to 78.8. Classical learning completeness of students' literacy learning outcomes in the first cycle obtained a percentage of 69.23% and was included in the high category. Meanwhile, classical learning completeness in cycle II obtained a percentage of 92.3%. The conclusion of this study is the reading skills of students in using E-Book Anyflip with Local Wisdom in Lamongan during the pandemic are very good based on the 3 types of data used.
TALKING STICK : A LEARNING MODEL TO IMPROVE STUDENT'S MATHEMATICS LEARNING INTEREST AND ACHIEVEMENT IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Authors: Wulandari Rika
Published: August 2021

The purpose of this study was to determine how the steps of the talking stick type of cooperative learning model assisted with question cards that can improve student learning outcomes and interest. The research was conducted using this type of classroom action research. The stages of classroom action research carried out include: plan, act, observe, reflect. The research was conducted at SDN Kara I, Sampang to 9 Grade III students. The results of the study indicate that the steps of the talking stick type of cooperative learning model assisted with question cards that can improve learning outcomes and student interest are: the teacher organizes students into several groups, each group consisting of four students heterogeneously. The teacher explains the rules of the game, namely the game is done by running a stick while singing, if the teacher says "stop" then the last one holding the stick gets a question by taking a question card containing the question, but if the student cannot answer it can be helped by a group of friends. Likewise so on ". After finishing the teacher asks students to conclude the material that has been studied then divides the evaluation questions. The percentage of classical completeness of learning outcomes reached 77.77% with an average learning outcome also increased from 66.1 to 77.77. Likewise with students' interest in learning, on average the results of filling out the interest questionnaire were in the category of very fond of the cooperative learning model type talking stick assisted question card that was done.
Centring Gender and Power in Evaluation and Research: Sharing experiences from Oxfam GB's quantitative impact evaluations
Authors: Barakat Sarah , Pretari Alexia , Vonk Jaynie
Published: August 2021

Bringing a feminist intent to research, monitoring and evaluation practices leads to defining these as tools to contribute to transforming the lives of women, girls and non-binary people, and to bringing about social justice. This has meant putting gender and power at the centre of our practice, which has in turn shaped the technical choices made specifically in quantitative impact evaluations. This paper focuses on describing how these technical choices, as well as ethical considerations, are changed by this feminist intent. The paper also presents the lessons learned and questions raised along the way, which may be useful for MEAL and research practitioners, as well as programme managers. How can we bring intersectionality to the fore? What does it mean to go beyond the gender binary? How can this work be transformative?
Tracing tumor evolution and subtype specification in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Rajbhandari Nirakar , Hamilton Michael , Quintero Cynthia , Ferguson L. Paige , Fox Ray , Schurch Christian M. , Wang Jun , Nakamura Mari , McDermott Matthew , Pettit Hannah , Kritzik Marcie , Han Haiyong , Cridebring Derek , Tsai Susan , Lowy Andrew M. , Wechsler-Reya Robert J. , Von Hoff Daniel D. , Newman Aaron M. , Reya Tannishtha
Published: August 2021

Identifying the cells from which cancers arise, and the paths they take towards malignancy, is critical for understanding the molecular basis of tumor initiation and progression. To understand if stem and progenitor cells can serve as cells of origin for cancer, we created a model in which the CreERT2 recombinase was knocked into the endogenous locus of the stem cell determinant Msi2. When crossed to a conditional CAG-LSL-MycT58A model, Msi2-CreERT2 mice developed a diversity of tumors across tissues, including multiple pancreatic cancer subtypes: pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), adenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas (ASCP), acinar cell carcinoma (ACC), and rare anaplastic tumors. Using single cell analysis, we traced the temporal changes that occurred as normal Msi2+ cells evolved through a pre-cancerous stage to PDAC, ASCP or ACC. These results revealed that Msi2+ cells were present predominantly in pancreatic ducts and exhibited heterogeneous differentiation states in the normal pancreas. At initiation, Myc triggered oncogenic transformation in the most undifferentiated subset leading to the rise of pre-cancer cells with multi-lineage properties. Subsequently, these pre-cancer cells were driven along different fates by epigenetically activated transcriptional programs with genomic changes amplifying the progression into distinct pancreatic cancer subtypes. Finally, integrating transcriptomic and functional genomic approaches in this new model allowed us to define Ifne, Ifitm3, Atf3, Hmmr, and Raet1e as novel functional dependencies of ASCP, giving us unique insight into the most lethal of pancreatic malignancies. These data show that multiple pancreatic cancer subtypes can arise from a common pool of pre-malignant cells and provide a powerful molecular framework to understand the programs that shape divergent fates in pancreas cancer and develop approaches for early detection and interception.
Affine connection representation of gauge fields
Authors: Man Zhao-Hui
Published: August 2021

There are two ways to unify gravitational field and gauge field. One is to represent gravitational field as principal bundle connection, and the other is to represent gauge field as affine connection. Poincaré gauge theory and metric-affine gauge theory adopt the first approach. This paper adopts the second. In this approach: (i) Gauge field and gravitational field can both be represented by affine connection; they can be described by a unified spatial frame. (ii) Time can be regarded as the total metric with respect to all dimensions of internal coordinate space and external coordinate space. On-shell can be regarded as gradient direction. Quantum theory can be regarded as a geometric theory of distribution of gradient directions. Hence, gauge theory, gravitational theory and quantum theory obtain the same geometric foundation and a unified description of evolution. (iii) Coupling constants, chiral asymmetry, PMNS mixing and CKM mixing can appear spontaneously as geometric properties in affine connection representation. It is remarkable that PMNS mixing and CKM mixing can be interpreted as a spontaneous geometric consequence of symmetry reduction, so they are not necessary to be regarded as direct postulates in the Lagrangian anymore. (iv) The unification theory of gauge fields that are represented by affine connection can avoid the problem that a proton decays into a lepton in theories such as SU(5). (v) There exists a possible geometric interpretation to the color confinement of quarks. In the affine connection representation, we can get better interpretations of the above physical properties, therefore, to represent gauge fields by affine connection is probably a necessary step towards the ultimate theory of physics.
Spatiotemporal Analysis of Drought by CHIRPS Precipitation Estimates
Authors: Aksu Hakan , Cavus Yonca , Eris Ebru , Aksoy Hafzullah , Akgul Mehmet Ali , Turker Seyhmus
Published: August 2021

Drought is one of the most devastating worldwide natural hazards that can occur in all climatic zones and cause considerable losses affecting many water-needing sectors. It is also one of the most complex and least understood hazards due to its high heterogeneity in space and variability in time. Therefore, for a proper spatial and temporal drought analysis, spatially dense and uniformly distributed ground-based precipitation data are needed. In practice, such data are generally lacking either due to missing data or to the nonuniform and scarce spatial distribution of ground stations. This gives a great potential to the Climate Hazards Group Infrared Precipitation with Station (CHIRPS) data with a long period and high resolution for using in drought studies. The CHIRPS data also allow to tackle with the problem of sparse, unevenly distributed and erratic ground stations. Based on the CHIRPS data, the study aims to assess the drought condition over Kucuk Menderes River Basin in the western part of Turkey. The analysis was performed considering the seasonality as well as the spatial and temporal change in the drought characterization based on the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) calculated at 3-month (seasonal) time scale. Results showed that the CHIRPS and ground stations were highly correlated except for summer despite the overall good performance in the basin. The CHIRPS can properly capture drought characteristics. Droughts have a within-year variability in time and an insignificant variability in space over the basin while the over-year variability shows a significant decreasing trend which could be a signal for more severe droughts after being accumulated over years in the future. The study demonstrates the usefulness of CHIRPS in drought analysis due to the fact that ground-based data are still not at a level dense and long enough to understand the process precisely both in time and space.
Early Changes in Gene Expression Profiles in AML Patients During Induction Chemotherapy
Authors: Jakobsen Ingrid , Sundkvist Max , Björn Niclas , Gréen Henrik , Lotfi Kourosh
Published: August 2021

Background: Elucidation of the genetic mechanisms underlying treatment response to standard induction chemotherapy in AML patients is warranted, in order to aid in risk-adapted treatment decisions as novel treatments are emerging. In this pilot study, we explored the treatment-induced expression patterns in a small cohort of AML patients by analyzing differential gene expression (DGE) over the first two days of induction chemotherapy.Methods: Blood samples were collected from ten AML patients at baseline (before treatment initiation) and during the first two days of treatment (Day 1; approximately 24 h, and Day 2; approximately 48 h after treatment initiation, respectively) and RNA was extracted for subsequent RNA sequencing. DGE between time points were assessed by pairwise analysis using the R package edgeR version 3.18.1 in all patients as well as in relation to treatment response (complete remission, CR, vs non-complete remission, nCR). Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (Qiagen) software was used for pathway analysis and visualization.Results: After initial data quality control, two patients was excluded from further analysis, resulting in a final cohort of eight patients with data from all three timepoints. DGE analysis demonstrated activation of pathways with genes directly or indirectly associated with NF-κB signaling. Significant activation of the NF-κB pathway was seen in 50% of the patients two days after treatment start, while iNOS pathway effects could be identified already after one day. nCR patients displayed activation of pathways associated with cell cycle progression, oncogenesis and anti-apoptotic behavior, including the STAT3 pathway and Salvage pathways of pyrimidine ribonucleotides. Notably, a significant induction of cytidine deaminase, an enzyme responsible for the deamination of Ara-C, could be observed between baseline and Day 2 in the nCR patients but not in patients achieving CR.Conclusions: In conclusion, we show that time-course analysis of gene expression represents a feasible approach to identify relevant pathways affected by standard induction chemotherapy in AML patients. This poses as a potential method for elucidating new drug targets and biomarkers for categorizing disease aggressiveness and evaluating treatment response. However, more studies on larger cohorts are warranted to elucidate the transcriptional basis for drug response.
Modification of Breast Cancer Milieu with Chemotherapy Plus Dendritic Cell Vaccines: An Approach to Select Best Therapeutic Strategies
Authors: Mejías Luis , López-Janeiro Álvaro , Córdoba Alicia , Sala Pablo , Solans Belén Pérez , Inogés Susana , de Cerio Ascensión López-Díaz , Hato Laura , Guillén-Grima Francisco , Fernández-Hidalgo Óscar , Cruz Susana De La , Lozano María Dolores , Idoate Miguel A. , Santisteban Marta
Published: August 2021

BackgroundThe addition of Dendritic cell vaccines (DCV) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) could induce immune biomarker changes in those patients with residual disease (RD) by transforming tumor microenvironment.MethodsCore-diagnostic biopsies and surgical specimens from 80 patients (38 in the Vaccinated Group plus NAC (VG) and 42 in the Control Group (CG) treated only with NAC) were selected. We quantify TILs (CD8, CD4 and CD45RO) using Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and the Automated Cellular Imaging System (ACIS III) in the core-diagnostic biopsies and in the surgical specimen, to compare the amount of TILs in each group.ResultsA CD8 rise in TNBC samples was observed after NAC plus DCV, changing from 4.48% in the biopsy to 6.70% in the surgical specimen, not reaching statistically significant differences (p = 0.11). TNBC patients in the CG showed a TILs drop from 2.71% in the biopsy to 0.18% in the surgical specimen (p = 0.5). We also found that a 66.7% (4/6) of TNBC patients from VG registered an increase in TILs after treatment as compared with 20% (1/5) of TNBC patients in the CG (p=0.24). This phenomenon is not observed in the other biologic subtypes.An association between before NAC CD8 TILs (4% cut-off point ) and pathological complete response in VG was found in univariate and multivariate analysis (OR=1.41, IC95% 1.05-1.90; p=0.02, and OR=2.0, IC95% 1.05-3.9; p=0.03, respectively).ConclusionOur findings suggest that patients with TNBC especially benefit from the stimulation of the antitumor immune system by using DCV pulsed with tumor antigens.Trial registration: NCT01431196. Registred 19 May 2016. EudraCT 2009- 017402-36.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Patients With Congenital Heart Disease (CHD)
Authors: Shahri Hassan Mottaghi Moghaddam , Eslamzadeh Mahboubeh , Yazdi Aazam Sadat Heydari
Published: August 2021

BackgroundIt is established that children with congenital heart disease (CHD) are more susceptible for suffering deficiencies in intellectual functioning, developmental problems, and academic performance difficulties. Neurodevelopmental disabilities, particularly executive function impairments, are currently the most prevalent long-term morbidity in the population with CHD. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children with CHD. MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study, which was performed between 2002-2018 in patients with CHD referred to Imam Reza hospital, Mashhad, Iran. Using the census method, all files for which ADHD diagnosis has been made according to DSM-IV or DSM-V criteria should be included in the study. Diagnosis of CHD was performed clinically and using an echocardiographic machine by an experienced pediatric cardiologist. Heart diseases were divided into two important (major) and non-important (minor) categories based on the need for follow-up and intervention. Demographic, clinical and para-clinical data of patients as well as the type of heart intervention were collected and analyzed.Results136 patients were enrolled in the study. The mean age of participants in the study was 59.12± 45.84 months at the time of diagnosis. Abnormal electroencephalogram (EEG) was reported in three cases (2.2%). There was significant correlation between prematurity and developmental delay (P=0.01). The mean of age was significantly different in patients with minor rather than patients with major cardiac disorders (P<0.05). The prevalence of ADHD in CHD population was high (31.6%).ConclusionThis study demonstrated that children born with CHD are at increased risk of suffering from ADHD.
Terahertz Waveguide-Based Pulse-Shaper System Analysis and Modeling
Authors: razavizadeh seyed mohammadreza , Sadeghzadeh Ramezanali , kashani Zahra Ghattan
Published: August 2021

In this paper, the transfer function of a passive waveguide-based terahertz pulse shaper is achieved using the time domain data provided by

the full-wave simulation of the structure. The fractional order of the transfer function is determined based on the time response resulting from an arbitrary excitation of the proposed pulse shaper. The full-wave electromagnetic numerical analyses are applied to attain the time-domain output data of the helical gold-ribbon dielectric-lined waveguide as the terahertz pulse shaper. In order to verify the simulation results, the proposed device has been examined using two different numerical methods which are the Finite Element Method (FEM) and the Finite Integral Technique (FIT). A good agreement was found between the results of FIT and FEM methods. The use of the system transfer function to analyze the structure is preferable to the full-wave simulation because of saving the execution time. Once the transfer function is determined, one could apply it for the subsequent time-domain analysis of the pulse shaper with various inputs.
Do Anomalous Stillbirths Have Risk To Be Delivered Preterm? A Cross-Sectional Study Conducted in Kandy, Sri Lanka
Authors: Alahakoon A. M. S. S. , Ratnayake C. J. , Karunakaran K. E. , Tennakoon S. U. B.
Published: August 2021

Stillbirths is one of major health issues in Sri Lankan context. This study aimed to explore the distribution of externally identifiable congenital anomalies according to their sex and the period of gestation and to estimate risk of stillbirth with or without congenital anomalies to be born pre-term or term. Sample size was 246. Due to extreme prematurity and maceration, 05 fetuses were excluded. Of 241 stillbirths, 36 (14.9%) had congenital anomalies and majority were females (n=23, 9.5%). The mean period of gestation was 31 weeks (SD=5.3). 12.5% with congenital anomalies were pre-term. 95% confidence interval (0.261-1.170) of risk estimate revealed that there is no statistically significant association between fetal sex and having congenital anomalies. Risk to be preterm stillbirth for the fetuses with congenital anomalies was 2.447 times (OR = 2.447) greater than the non-anomulous. Females were at high risk to acquire congenital anomalies. Congenital anomalies caused preterm stillbirths.
Global Dynamics and Optimal Design of a New Highly Efficient Nonlinear Energy Sink Based on Magnetic-Elastic Impacts with Negative Stiffness
Authors: Li Shuangbao , Wang Tingting , Chen Jianen
Published: August 2021

A new highly efficient elastic-impact bistable nonlinear energy sink (EI-BNES) based on magnetic-elastic impacts with negative stiffness and bistability is proposed and optimized through global dynamical analysis. The EI-BNES has better robustness and higher energy dissipation rates with nearly more than 96.5\% for broadband impulsive excitations than the traditional cubic NESs and single bistable NESs. The structure of negative stiffness impacts is realized by reasonable layout of permanent ring magnets and springs. A two-degree-of-freedom (two-DOF) elastic-impact system is established to describe the coupled nonlinear interaction between the main structure and the attached EI-BNES. A global Melnikov reduction analysis (GMRA) is proposed to study global dynamics and homoclinic bifurcations of the reduced two-dimensional subsystem, which is used to explain the mechanism of nonlinear targeted energy transfer (TET) and detect the threshold of impulsive amplitudes of EI-BNES for in-well and compound motions between in-well and cross-well resonance responses. A special type of saddle-center equilibrium points is also found in the non-smooth system of the EI-BNES and can be used to effectively increase the energy dissipation rates. The optimal design criterion of the tuned EI-BNES for better dissipation performance is also first discussed based on the GMRA and numerical techniques for calculating the Melnikov function of the non-smooth systems. The effectiveness of the analytical GMRA is also verified by numerical simulations.
Uphill energy transfer mechanism for photosynthesis in the Antarctic alga
Authors: Kosugi Makiko , Kawasaki Masato , Shibata Yutaka , Hara Kojiro , Takaichi Shinichi , Moriya Toshio , Adachi Naruhiko , Kamei Yasuhiro , Kashino Yasuhiro , Kudoh Sakae , Koike Hiroyuki , Senda Toshiya
Published: August 2021

Prasiola crispa, a major green alga in Antarctica, forms layered colonies for survival under the severe terrestrial conditions of Antarctica, which include severe cold, drought, and strong sunlight. As a result of these conditions, the surface cells of P. crispa and other Antarctic organisms face high risk of photodamage. Cells of deeper layer escape from photodamage at the sacrifice of photosynthetic active radiation except infrared. P. crispa achieves effective photosynthesis by low energy far-red light for photosystem II excitation with high efficiency similar to that of visible light. Here, we identified a far-red light-harvesting complex of photosystem II in P. crispa, Pc-frLHC, and proposed a molecular mechanism of uphill excitation energy transfer based on its cryogenic electron-microscopy structure. While Pc-frLHC is associated with photosystem II, it is evolutionarily related to the light-harvesting complex of photosystem I. Pc-frLHC forms a ring-shaped homo-undecamer in which all chlorophyll a molecules are energetically connected and contains chlorophyll a trimers. It seems that the trimers are long-wavelength-absorbing chlorophylls for far-red light at 708 nm, and further absorbance extension is accomplished by Davydov-splitting in dimeric chlorophylls. The chlorophyll network should enable a highly efficient entropy-driven uphill excitation energy transfer using far-red light up to 725 nm.
Vigilance in Iranian Nurses Working in Intensive Care Units
Authors: Najafi Mojgan , Ajri Mehdi , Karimollahi Mansoureh
Published: August 2021

Background and aim: Vigilance is an essential element in intensive care nursing. This study was conducted to determine nursing vigilance in nurses working in the intensive care units of educational and medical centers in Ardabil, IranMethods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study with 192 ICU nurses as the participants. The data were obtained through questionnaires regarding demographic characteristics and nursing vigilance. SPSS software version 24 was used for the statistical analysis.Results: The mean total vigilance score was 3.86 ± 0.23 of 5. The mean scores of the timely diagnosis of changes, pattern recognition, and clinical decision-making subscales were 4.07 ± 0.26, 04.04 ± 0.41, and 3.44 ± 0.25, respectively. No significant relationships were observed between the total or subscale vigilance scores and other demographic characteristics.Conclusion: We assessed ICU nurses’ vigilance behaviors and found that their mean vigilance score was higher than the expected average, indicating our participants had a high level of clinical vigilance. These results suggest a need for effective educational interventions to boost clinical decision-making skills in ICU nurses, especially younger nurses.
A data-based multi-algorithm system for an end-to-end intelligent manufacturing process
Authors: Gonçalves Artur Freitas , Reis João , Gonçalves Gil
Published: August 2021

Reducing defects and creating new industrial products are issues addressed in literature, though often separately. This work presents a unique approach combining machine learning and optimization techniques, which could 1) predict and explain ongoing production defects, 2) prescribe solutions to prevent predicted defects, and 3) produce defect predictors for novel products without historical data. By applying it into a melamine-surfaced boards process, task 1) explored SVM, XGBoost and Random Forest algorithms, coupled with an explainable model-agnostic approach. A Powell’s method-based meta-heuristic algorithm handled task 2), while the Hyper-Process Model (HPM) technique was selected in task 3). Defect prediction presented strong results, with a fine-tuned XGBoost with oversampling achieving over 0.8 recall value, and prescriptions significantly reduced prediction scores across most defect scenarios. Although the HPM implementation introduced challenges producing predictors, most generated synthetic data-trained models achieved encouraging performances on recall metrics. Results could serve as baseline for future developments.
Barriers to vasectomy acceptance and uptake in Nigeria: a review of the literature
Authors: Ndu Mary , Wallace Lauren J. , Nouvet Elysee , Odezugo Gertrude , Aminu Amina
Published: August 2021

There is growing support of male involvement in reproductive health and the integration of voluntary vasectomy services into national family planning programs in lower resource contexts; yet, the prevalence of women of reproductive age who rely on vasectomy in African countries such as Nigeria, is less than 1 percent. We conducted this review to gain a broader understanding of current sociocultural and health systems’ conditions that need to be addressed to expand the integration and acceptability of vasectomy as an option for family planning in Nigeria. To explore this, we scoped existing literature on vasectomy in Nigeria between 2009 to 2021. Findings reveal that there is a strong awareness of vasectomy among men in Nigeria. Yet, several factors prevent men from having the same confidence in vasectomy as they have in female biomedical methods. Three significant themes emerged: 1) fear; 2) religious and cultural beliefs, which overlapped with fear; and 3) access to health providers and health facilities. These findings have implications for future family planning policies, strategies and programmes in the country.
Study On Optimization Mechanism of Thermal Recovery Efficiency Under Different Geothermal Well Layout Conditions
Authors: Gao Jun-yi
Published: August 2021

Efficient exploitation of geothermal energy is a hot issue concerned by scientific and engineering circles. The layout of different injection wells and production wells directly affects the temperature field of production wells and rock mass. In order to study the thermal recovery efficiency under different geothermal well layout conditions, based on the conceptual model of two injection wells and two production wells, a 3DEC program is used to calculate and analyze the influence of the different water inlet and water inlet of two injection wells and two production wells on the temperature field of rock mass, geothermal wells and the water temperature of production wells outlet. The results show that: (1) After the model injection wells are switched with the production wells, the temperature gradients of rock mass, production wells and injection wells are almost the same in numerical value and opposite in direction. (2) Production wells are set on the left side and injection wells are set on the right side of the model, and the injection wells and production wells are set at intervals; The temperature field of rock mass on both sides of the edge forms a central symmetry; The temperature gradient of rock mass from the middle to the edge is smaller and smaller, which indicates that the heat transfer speed of rock mass from the middle to the edge is slower and slower. Because the thermal superposition of adjacent injection wells and production wells through the rock mass between them is dominant, the water temperature at the outlet of production wells is the highest; In the interval water injection well and production well, the heat convection between water flow and rock is dominant, which makes the water temperature of production well outlet drops. (3) According to the water temperature at the outlet of production well, the optimal order of the model is working condition 3 > working condition 1 = working condition 2 > working condition 4, and the time to reach a steady state is the shortest in working condition 3 and the longest in working condition 4. The research results can provide important theoretical and practical reference for optimizing the layout of geothermal wells in efficient geothermal exploitation.
A Comprehensive Analysis of the circRNA–miRNA–mRNA Network in Osteocyte-Like Cell Associated with Mycobacterium Leprae Infection
Authors: Gao Zheng-Rong , Liu Qiong , Zhao Jie , Zhao Ya-Qiong , Tan Li , Zhang Shao-Hui , Zhou Ying-Hui , Chen Yun , Guo Yue , Feng Yun-Zhi
Published: August 2021

Bone formation and loss are the characteristic clinical manifestations of leprosy, but the mechanisms underlying the bone remodeling with Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae) infection are unclear. Osteocytes may have a role through regulating the differentiation of osteogenic lineages. To investigate osteocyte-related mechanisms in leprosy, we treated osteocyte-like cell with N-glycosylated muramyl dipeptide (N.g MDP). RNA-seq analysis showed 724 differentially expressed messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and 724 differentially expressed circular RNA (circRNAs). Of these, we filtered through eight osteogenic-related differentially expressed genes, according to the characteristic of competing endogenous RNA, PubMed databases, and bioinformation analysis, including TargetScan, Gene Ontology, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. Based on these results, we built a circRNA–microRNA (miRNA)–mRNA triple network. Quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blots analyses confirmed decreased Clock expression in osteocyte-like cell, while increased in bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), implicating a crucial factor in osteogenic differentiation. Immunohistochemistry showed obviously increased expression of CLOCK protein in BMSCs and osteoblasts in N.g MDP–treated mice, but decreased expression in osteocytes. This analytical method provided a basis for the relationship between N.g MDP and remodeling in osteocytes, and the circRNA–miRNA–mRNA triple network may offer a new target for leprosy therapeutics.
3, 5-Di-tert-butylphenol Combat Against Streptococcus Mutans Via Impedes Acidogenicity, Acidurance and Biofilm Formation
Authors: Karuppiah Vijayakumar , Seralathan Muhilvannan
Published: August 2021

Streptococcus mutans is a common pathogen present in oral cavity and it cause dental caries for all aged group of people, in particular, children’s. S. mutans have several virulence factors such as acidogenecity, aciduricity, adhesion and biofilm formation. These virulence factors are working together and lead to initiate development of caries in tooth surface. The present study aimed to investigate the anticariogenic potential of 3, 5-Di-tert-butylphenol (3, 5-DTBP) against S. mutans. 3, 5-DTBP biofilm inhibitory concentration (BIC) was found at 100 µg/ml concentration without any lethal effect on the growth. Moreover, 3, 5- DTBP significantly reduced water soluble and water insoluble glucans production, in concurrence with downregulation of gtfBC genes. Moreover, acidogenicity associated virulence factors such as lactate dehydrogenase and enolase enzymatic production was arrested upon 3, 5-DTBP treatment. In addition, 3, 5-DTBP greatly reduced acidtolerance ability through impedes of F1F0-ATPase. Gene expression analysis unveiled the downregulation of gtfB, gtfC, gtfD, vicRK, comDE, gbpB, smu0630 and relA upon 3, 5-DTBP treatment. The present study paves the way for exhibiting 3, 5-DTBP as a promising therapeutic agent to control S. mutans infections.
Prevalence of Vaginal HPV Infection Among Adolescent Girls in Jos, North-Central Nigeria
Authors: Cosmas Nanma T. , Nimzing Lohya , Egah Daniel , Famooto Ayo , Adebamowo Sally N. , Adebamowo Clement A.
Published: August 2021

Purpose: Knowledge of the prevalence of HPV infection among adolescents is essential to determining the best age for introduction of HPV vaccine, monitoring vaccine efficacy and giving insight into determinants of persistent high-risk HPV infection, a necessary cause of cervical cancer. Yet, there’s been limited studies in low-and-middle-income countries.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we randomly selected 205 girls, aged 9–20 years, from 10 schools. We obtained informed consent and assent, collected data and trained participants who self-collected vaginal samples using swab stick. We genotyped HPV using SPF10-DEIA/LiPA25 and analyzed data using Stata 14®.Results: The mean (SD) age of the girls was 14.9 (2.3) years. We found HPV in 13.2% of vaginal swabs. The earliest age at which anyHPV and hrHPV infections were detected was 10 and 12 years respectively. The prevalence of any HPV peaked at 16 and 17 years, hrHPV at 16 years, lrHPV at 17 and 18 years and multiple hrHPV 18 years of age. The prevalence of hrHPV infection was 1.5% among the 9–12 years age group, 2.9% among 13–16 years and 3.4% among 17–20 years old. The commonest hrHPV types detected were 52 (3.9%), 18 (1.5%) and 51 (2.4%). The most common lrHPV types was 6 (2.9%).Conclusion: The prevalence of HPV infection in these urbanized young girls in Nigeria is high and commences after 9 years of age. HPV vaccination in this population should start at 9 years of age or younger to prevent establishment of persistent HPV infection.
Policy Assistance for Adoption of Residential Solar PV in India: A Stakeholder-centric Approach for Welfare Optimization
Authors: Mohan Vivek , S Harish Ram D , Patil Ganesh , M Jisma , Unni Rohith C , K Nandakumar , Thirumala Karthik , Bu Siqi
Published: August 2021

Background
Domestic solar PV installations in India are yet to become a valuable proposition for both the prosumers and utility because of the deficiencies in the formulation of the policy parameters. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the consumer-centric business model for rooftop solar PV installations in India. We explore areas where potential policy interventions may be introduced to improve collective stakeholder benefits and incentivize more domestic consumers to install rooftop solar panels in their premises. We propose a policy framework that seeks optimal Feed-in Tariff (FiT) rates, PV capacities and Average Billing Rates (ABRs) towards maximizing stakeholder benefits. The stakeholders considered are the consumers/prosumers and the utility.
Results
Case studies with three residential prosumers of different demand and generation profiles (extracted from data provided by Indian utilities) are presented. A multi-objective problem is formulated with the FiT, generation capacity (as a function of demand) and ABR as decision variables, exploring the various welfare trade-offs. The pareto-optimal front is identified for prosumer and utility benefits and suitable points with reasonable tradeoff are selected based on sensitivity analysis of the impact of the decision variables on collective welfare.
Conclusions
The paper provides a workflow to fix tariff, FiT and local PV capacities in active residential distribution systems. The suitability of prevailing tariff and FiT rates of three Indian utilities namely, MSEDCL, TATA POWER (Delhi) and TANGEDCO are studied, and their impact on prosumer savings and utility profits is brought out. The paper recommends optimal installation capacities for prosumers based on their load demand so as to encourage the adoption of roof-top solar without affecting collective benefits. This provides policymakers and prosumers an effective decision-making tool.
Regression Discontinuity of Blood Culture Contamination Rate After Changing of Disinfectants: Retrospective Observational Study
Authors: Ota Koshi , Nishioka Daisuke , Ito Yuri , Hamada Emi , Mori Naomi , Nishii Tomonobu , Ota Kanna , Shibata Yuriko , Takasu Akira
Published: August 2021

Background: Blood cultures are indispensable for detecting life-threatening bacteremia. Little is known about associations between contamination rates and topical disinfectants for blood collection in adults.Objective: We sought to determine whether a change in topical disinfectants was associated with the rates of contaminated blood cultures in the emergency department of a single institution.Methods: This single-center, retrospective observational study of consecutive patients aged 20 years or older was conducted in the emergency department (ED) of a university hospital in Japan between August 1, 2018 and September 30, 2020. Pairs of blood samples were collected for aerobic and anaerobic culture from the patients in the ED. Physicians selected topical disinfectants according to their personal preference before September 1, 2019; alcohol/chlorhexidine gluconate (ACHX) was mandatory thereafter, unless the patient was allergic to alcohol. Regression discontinuity analysis was used to detect the effect of the mandatory usage of ACHX on rates of contaminated blood cultures.Results: We collected 2,141 blood culture samples from 1097 patients and found 164 (7.7%) potentially contaminated blood cultures. Among these, 445 (20.8%) were true bacteremia and 1,532 (71.6%) were true negatives. Puncture site disinfection was performed with ACHX for 1,345 (62.8%) cases and with povidone-iodine (PVI) for 767 (35.8%) cases. The regression discontinuity analysis showed that mandatory ACHX usage significantly reduced the blood culture contamination rate by 9.6% (95% confidence interval (CI): 5.0%–14.2%, P <0.001).Conclusion: Rates of contaminated blood cultures were significantly lower when ACHX was used as the topical disinfectant.
Role of CD68 in Tumor Immunity and Prognosis Prediction: A Pan-Cancer Analysis
Authors: Zhang Jingwei , Li Shuwang , Liu Fangkun
Published: August 2021

CD68 plays a critical role in promoting phagocytosis. However, the function of CD68 in tumor immunity and prognosis remains unknown. This study systematically analyzed CD68 expression among 33 tumor and normal tissues from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) datasets. In addition, the relationship between the expression of CD68 and cancer prognosis, immune infiltration, checkpoint markers, drug response were explored. Upregulated levels of CD68 were observed in various cancer types, which were verified through tumor tissue chips using Immunohistochemistry. High expression of CD68 in tumor samples correlates with an adverse prognosis in GBM, KIRC, LGG, LIHC, LUSC, THCA, and THYM while with a better prognosis in KICH. The top three negatively enriched KEGG terms in the high CD68 subgroup were chemokine signaling pathway, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, cell adhesion molecules cams, and the top negatively enriched HALLMARK terms included complement, allograft rejection, and inflammatory response. Based on CD68 levels, a series of targeted drugs and small molecule drugs with promising therapeutic effects were predicted. The clinical prognosis and immune infiltration of high expression levels of CD68 differ across different tumor types. Inhibiting the CD68-dependent signaling could be a promising therapeutic strategy of immunotherapy in many tumor types.
Evaluation of Anti Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella Pneumonia of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesized by Aspergillus Niger in Vitro and in Vivo
Authors: Rasha Elsayim , Manal Alkhulaifi , Monerah AlOthman , Khalid Ibrahim , Doaa Elnagar , Alaa Khatab , Awad Manal , Mohnad Abdalla
Published: August 2021

Currently, the mortality rate is increasing in Saudi Arabia's ICU, due to the spread of KPC. This project was carried out to evaluate the ability of the biological synthesized of zinc Oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) using Aspergillus niger to overcome Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumonia (KPC) in vitro and in vivo. ZnO-NPs was synthesized via a biological method and characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, Zeta sizer and Zeta potential analyses, X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). In vitro sensitivity of KPC to ZnO-NPs was identified using the well diffusion method, MIC and MBC was determined by macro dilution method. The morphological alteration of KPC cell after ZnO-NPs treatment was showed by SEM. In vivo susceptibility of KPC to ZnO-NPs ointment was evaluated using wound healing in experimental rats. The chemical characterization findings showed the formation, stability, shape and size of the synthesized nanoparticles. The MIC and MBC results was found in 0.7mg\ml and 1.8mg\ml respectively. in vivo results displayed the inflammation reduction and wound healing re-epithelialisation of kpc infected rats. these findings demonstrated that ZnO-NPs has great potential to be developed as antibacterial agents and wound healing.
Dynamics to Enhance the Conservation of Locally Threatened Medicinal Plant Species (Maerua Oblongifolia) Through Phytochemical Analysis and Antibacterial Study
Authors: Ante Mathewos Agize , Woldemariam Zemede Asfaw , Duguma Sileshi Nemomissa , Alemayehu Tizazu Gebre , Alemu Mathewos Anza , Bergene Tizita Lema , Dana Mintiwab Abrham
Published: August 2021

Introduction: For generations, many plants were extracted to find drugs and to discover novel and new chemical structures from extracts. Maerua oblongifolia (Forsk.) A. Rich, “Sangganaa” in Dawuro language is a locally threatened traditional medicinal plant, which is traditionally used to treat diarrhea. The present study aimed to check the chemical contents of the different plant parts for possible shifting of the extensive use of the root to other parts of the plant.Methods: Phytochemical screening tests were carried out by standard procedures to investigate various classes of secondary metabolites. Roots, root bark, stem bark, and leaves were extracted by maceration in aqueous and ethanol to get crude extracts. Antibacterial effect of extracts against Escherichia coli and Salmonella thypi was evaluated by the disc diffusion method. Results: The phytochemical analysis showed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, phenols, carbohydrates, and proteins in the tested parts of the plant. Antibacterial activity displayed the extracts of M. oblongifolia against tested bacteria strains in dose dependent manner. Among tested extracts, roots and stem barks ethanol extracts showed potential antibacterial activity, with zone of inhibitions (19.0 ± 1.15, 17.0 ±1.00) in 100 mg/mL, and (17.3 ± 0.57, 15.0 ± 1.00) in 50 mg/mL, respectively. Conclusion: The finding showed a possibility to shift stem bark instead of roots in the use of traditional medicinal practices to ensure conservation and sustainable use of Maerua oblongifolia. The finding also supports the traditional use of the plant’s root or stem bark for the treatment of diarrhea.
Dynamic Mapping Based on Single Segment Substitution Lines for Plant Height in Rice
Authors: Fu Yu , Zhao Hongyuan , Huang Jiongkai , Zhu Haitao , Luan Xin , Bu Suhong , Liu Zupei , Meng Lijun , liu guifu , Zhang Guiquan , Wang Shaokui
Published: August 2021

Background: Dynamic regulations of QTLs still remain mysterious. Single segment substitution lines and conditional QTL mapping, functional QTL mappings are ideal materials and methods to explore epistatic interactions, expression patterns and functions of QTLs for complex traits.Results: Based on single segment substitution lines five QTLs on plant height in rice were identified first in this paper, and then their epistatic interactions, expression patterns and functions were systemmatically studied by tailing after each QTL. Unconditional QTL mapping showed the five QTLs were with significant effects at one or more stages, all of which increased plant height except QTL1. They interacted each other as homeostatic mechanisms to regulate plant height with negative effects before 72d after transplanting and positive since then. Conditional QTL mapping revealed the expression quantities and periods for the five QTLs and their epistases. Temporal expression pattern was verified again by selective expressions of QTLs in specific periods. QTL1 expressed negatively while QTL2 and QTL4 positively, mainly occurring in the periods from 35 to 42d and from 49 to 56d after transplanting. Epistatic expressions were dispersedly in various periods, mainly with negative effects before 35d while positive since then. Functional QTL mapping discovered the five QTLs brought the inflexion point ahead of schedule, accelerated the growth and the degradation, and changed the peak of plant height, while their interactions had the opposite effects approximately. This paper uncovered the dynamic rules of five QTLs and their interactions on plant height systematically, which will be helpful to understand the genetic mechanism for developmental traits.Conclusions: Five single segment substitution lines were tested with significant additive, dominant and epistatic effects of QTLs on plant height. Additive and dominant expressions were mainly in two periods, while epistasis dispersedly. The five QTLs and their interactions significantly regulated the developmental trajectory of plant height.
Tri-valued Memristor-based Hyper-chaotic System with Hidden and Coexistent Attractors
Authors: Wang Xiaoyuan , Gao Meng , Iu Herbert Ho-Ching , Wang Chunhua
Published: August 2021

Recently, the nonlinear dynamics of memristor has attracted much attention. In this paper, a novel fourdimensional hyper-chaotic system (4D-HCS) is proposed by introducing a tri-valued memristor to the famous L¨u system. Theoretical analysis shows that the 4D-HCS has complex chaotic dynamics such as hidden attritors and coexistent attractors, and it has larger maximum Lyapunov exponent and chaotic parameter space than the original L¨u system. We also experimentally analyze the dynamics behaviors of the 4D-HCS in aspects of the phase diagram, Poincar´e mapping, bifurcation diagram, Lyapunov exponential spectrum, and the correlation coefficient, and the analysis results show the

complex dynamic characteristics of the proposed 4D-HCS. In addition, the comparison with binary-valued memristorbased chaotic system shows that the 4D-HCS has unique characteristics such as hyper-chaos and coexistent attractors. To show the easy implementation of the 4D-HCS, we implement the 4D-HCS in an analogue circuit-based hardware platform, and the implementation results are consistent with the theoretical analysis. Finally, using the 4D-HCS, we design a pseudorandom number generator to explore its potential application in cryptography.