bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on spatiotemporal evolution of farmland abandonment and its influencing factors in the developed county of China
Authors: Wang Cheng , Su Yue , He Shan , Xie Yan , Xia Panpan , Cui Yanglin
Published: October 2022

The protection of farmland resources is related to world food security, as well as the smooth realization of the goals of UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and China's Rural Revitalization Plan. As the most active region in the global economic development and one of the main grain producing areas, the problem of farmland abandonment in the Yangtze River Delta gradually appears with the rapid development of urbanization. Therefore, Based on the interpretation data of remote sensing images and field survey data of three periods in 2000, 2010 and 2018, this study used Moran’s I and Geographical barycenter model to reveal the spatiotemporal evolution law of farmland abandonment in Pingyang County of the Yangtze River Delta. And then, this study selected 10 indicators covering four categories: geography, proximity, distance and policy, and used random forest model to reveal the main influencing factors of farmland abandonment in the study area. The results showed that the abandoned farmland increased from 441.58 hm2 in 2000 to 5797.40 hm2 in 2018. The hot spot and barycenter of land abandonment gradually shifted from the western mountainous areas to the eastern plain areas. Altitude and slope were the main factors affecting the farmland abandonment. The high the altitude and the great the slope, the farmland abandonment in mountainous areas were serious. The proximity factors had a greater impact on the expansion of farmland abandonment from 2000 to 2010, and then the impact weakened. In view of the above analysis, the countermeasures and suggestions for maintaining food security were finally put forward.
Phase-locked photon-electron interaction without a laser
Authors: Taleb Masoud , Hentschel Mario , Rossnagel Kai , Giessen Harald , Talebi Nahid
Published: October 2022

Ultrafast electron-photon spectroscopy in electron microscopes commonly requires ultrafast laser setups. Photoemission from an engineered electron source is used to generate pulsed electrons, interacting with a sample that is excited by the ultrafast laser pulse at a specified time delay. Thus, developing an ultrafast electron microscope demands the exploitation of extrinsic laser excitations and complex synchronization schemes.
Here, we present an inverse approach based on cathodoluminescence spectroscopy to introduce internal radiation sources in an electron microscope. Our method is based on a sequential interaction of the electron beam with an electron-driven photon source (EDPHS) and the investigated sample. An electron-driven photon source in an electron microscope generates phase-locked photons that are mutually coherent with the near-field distribution of the swift electron. Due to their different velocities, one can readily change the delay between the photons and electrons arriving at the sample by changing the distance between the EDPHS and the sample. We demonstrate the mutual coherence between the radiations from the EDPHS and the sample by performing interferometry with a combined system of an EDPHS and a WSe2 flake. We assert the mutual frequency and momentum-dependent correlation of the EDPHS and sample radiation, and determine experimentally the degree of mutual coherence of up to 27%. This level of mutual coherence allows us to perform spectral interferometry with an electron microscope.
Our method has the advantage of being simple, compact and operating with continuous electron beams. It will open the door to local electron-photon correlation spectroscopy of quantum materials, single photon systems, and coherent exciton-polaritonic samples with nanometric resolution.
Specific miRNAs associated with treatment response during hospitalization for suicidal ideation
Authors: Kosten Thomas , Ye An , Nielsen David , Patriquin Michelle , Palat Asha , Rezaei Hengameh , Salas Ramiro , Harding Mark , Haile Colin , Gunaratne Preethi , Swann Alan
Published: October 2022

Brain epigenetic microRNAs (miRNA) can provide integrated and rapid brain regulation during recovery from suicidal ideation (SI), and because brain miRNA enter the circulation, plasma miRNA may be markers for SI recovery. Therefore, we used genome-wide miRNA expression profiling to measure plasma miRNA changes during resolution of SI and assessed mRNA-targets using functional annotation analyses. We correlated plasma miRNA with Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scores (C-SSRS), depression and anxiety in 42 SI and 26 non-SI inpatients at admission and 4–6 weeks later in recovery (C-SSRS = 0). The 42 SI patients showed down-regulation of four miRNAs (hsa-miR-424-5p, hsa-miR-378i, hsa-miR-6724-5p, and hsa-miR-10b-5p) after recovery from SI, while these four miRNAs showed no change for non-SI patients. We validated these differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs by qRT-PCR, and luciferase assays confirmed miRNA functional activity in Clusterin for miR-424-5p and in SDC1 for miR-10b-5p. Depression and anxiety improved and correlated with changes in miR-6724-5p and miR-378i, respectively. The serum protein Clusterin also increased in the plasma of the 42 recovered patients. mRNA target prediction for miR-378i, miR-10b-5p, and miR-424-5p yielded 37 hub genes. KEGG analyses showed enrichment in 5 to 15 hub genes within six neuronal pathways previously identified as critical in depression and suicidality: MAPK, ErbB, AMPK, Ras, p53, and PI3K-Akt. Thus, these four plasma miRNA changes and the associated modulation of six depression and suicidality pathways in brain may reflect brain-related epigenetic changes specifically involved in recovery from SI rather than reflecting non-specific changes in miRNA also found among non-SI inpatients.
Effect of cadmium in the gonads of mussel (Mytilus coruscus): A ionomics and proteomics study
Authors: Meng Chunying , Wang Kuiwu , Zhang Xiaojun , Zhu Xinyue
Published: October 2022

The mussel Mytilus coruscus is an important and very popular seafood in China and widespread along the eastern coast of China. In this study, we investigated the molecular response of mussel gonads to cadmium hyperaccumulation at two concentrations (80 and 200 µg/L) for 30 days using ionomics and proteomics techniques. The shrinkage of the cells and moderate hemocytic infiltration were observed in the Cd-treated groups. The strontium, selenium (Se), and zinc contents were significantly altered, and the relationships between iron, copper, Se, manganese, calcium, sodium, and magnesium were also significantly altered. Label-free quantitative proteomics analysis revealed a total of 227 differentially expressed proteins. These proteins were associated with multiple biological processes, including the tricarboxylic acid cycle, structural reorganization of cells, biosynthesis of amino acids, inflammatory response of cells and tumorigenesis. Nonetheless, our ionomics and proteomics analysis revealed that mussels could partly alleviate the adverse effects of Cd by altering the metal contents and correlations between minerals, thereby enhancing the biosynthesis of some amino acids and activity of antioxidant enzymes. Overall, this study provides insight into the mechanism underlying Cd toxicity in mussel gonads from a metal and protein perspective.
Effect of estrogen supplementation in the first trimester on pregnancy outcome of pregnant women with low serum estrogen level
Authors: Yang Zhengyi , Zheng Jie , Liu Jie , Lei Yalan , Sun Hong , Wen Xiaofeng , Xia Ming , Wang Xinxin , Ye Zhaoyang , Li Ling , Zhu Yanyan , Jing Zhichun
Published: October 2022

Background: Endocrine factors are one of the main causes of miscarriage, and estrogen and progesterone are hormones necessary for pregnancy and act in multiple settings of pregnancy, while clinical attention to estrogen levels is insufficient. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of estrogen supplementation on pregnancy outcomes in patients with low estrogen levels in early pregnancy .Methods: 279 pregnant women whose estrogen was below the optimal cut-off value for the diagnosis of adverse outcome corresponding to 4-6 weeks weeks were screened among those who underwent pregnancy monitoring at Hubei Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital from January 2021 to January 2022, and randomly divided into experimental group (149 cases) and control group (130 cases), and the experimental group was given progesterone + estrogen preparation + proprietary Chinese medicine to preserve fetus. The control group was given progesterone + proprietary Chinese medicine for fetal preservation.Results: In the study of estrogen supplementation on pregnancy outcome, the experimental group had a higher The success rate of fetal preservation was higher than that of the control group and was statistically significant (P<0.05).Conclusion: Dynamic monitoring of blood E2 values in early pregnancy ，before the placenta is fully formed, combined with a comprehensive analysis of their weekly optimal cut-off values, is important for clinical diagnosis and clinical intervention. Estrogen supplementation in pregnant women with low hormone levels may be beneficial to embryonic development and has implications for improving pregnancy outcomes. Estrogen acts in several aspects of pregnancy, and more in-depth studies on estrogen are necessary.
Organic/Inorganic phosphorus forms and transformation in long-term paddy cultivation in the Pearl River Delta, China
Authors: Tang Xian , Liu Hongyi , Jia Chongjian , Qin Hailong , zhao jianrong , wang hong , Lu Ying , li bo
Published: October 2022

Soil P availability in subtropical regions is often limited due to depletion as well as immobilization by abundant Fe minerals. Identification and quantification of different soil phosphorus (P) fractions is important for improving agricultural productivity and developing sustainable management practices in these agricultural soils under long-term cultivation due to limited P efficiency. However, few studies have been conducted to investigate P composition and transformation in these soils. This study was conducted to characterize P fractions as affected by different paddy cultivation ages (200, 400 and 900 years) among soils of the Pearl River Delta Plain in China. A sequential chemical fractionation scheme was employed as well as enzyme assay and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P NMR) to quantify various P fractions and species. Results showed Total P (TP) and available P (AP) increased with cultivation age, ranging from 0.60–2.12 g kg− 1 and 3.67-224.17 mg kg− 1, respectively. Easily-labile, moderately-labile and non-labile P had similar relationship in topsoils (Ap1, Ap2 horizon) with TP and AP, and inversed relationships in the subsoil (Br3, G horizons). Analysis with 31P NMR spectroscopy revealed that inorganic P including orthophosphate (Ortho-P) and pyrophosphate (Pyro-P) increased with cultivation age, while organic species monoester phosphate (Mono-P) and diester phosphate (Diester-P) decreased. Moreover, acid phosphatase (AcP) and neutral phosphatase (NeP) activities increased with cultivation age and positively correlated with P fractions (p < 0.05). NeP, AcP, exchangeable Ca and sand content are the main factors of affecting soil P composition, however, non-labile P (Dil.HCl-Pi) and Pyro-P made a significant contribution to P availability. Therefore, long-term paddy cultivation, influenced by these soil parameters including NeP, AcP, exchangeable Ca and sand, accelerated the transformation of soil organic to inorganic P.
Image recognition of mine water inrush based on bilinear convolutional neural network with few-shot learning
Authors: Zhang Shuai , Qiang Wu , Xu hua , zhao yingwang , Du yuanze
Published: October 2022

With the increasingly widespread application of deep-learning technology in the field of coal mines, the image recognition of mine water inrush has become a hot research topic. Underground environments are complex, and images have high noise and low brightness. Additionally mine water inrush is accidental, and few actual image samples are available. Therefore, this paper proposes an algorithm that recognizes mine water inrush images based on few-shot deep learning. According to the characteristics of images with coal wall water seepage, A bilinear neural network was used to extract the image features and enhance the network's fine-grained image recognition. First, features was extracted using a bilinear convolutional neural network. Second, the network was pre-trained based on cosine similarity. Finally, the network was fine-tuned on the predicted image. For single-line feature extraction, the method is compared with big data and few-shot learning. According to the experimental results, the recognition rate reaches 95.2% for few-shot learning based on bilinear neural network, thus demonstrating its effectiveness.
Assessment of effect and feasibility of Sphagnum planting on soil carbon sink in paddy field
Authors: Ding Haifeng , Mu Yanyan , Wu Qimei , Wang Zhihui , Zhang Zhaohui
Published: October 2022

Aims
Slowing or reducing the increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has become an international focus. Agricultural emissions, one of the most important sources of atmospheric carbon, are also a concern. How to increase agricultural carbon capture without hindering the development of agriculture has become an urgent matter.
Methods
This study was carried out in a mountainous area of southwest China. The carbon sinks of paddy fields were calculated by the sample plot inventory method, and the feasibility of replanting paddy fields in the study area and similar areas with Sphagnum was discussed from various aspects based on the actual local conditions.
Results
The results showed that the total soil organic carbon of 0-10cm in this study area was 15739.58t, about 35.18t/hm2. The soil organic carbon of 0-10cm in paddy field was about 12.34 t/hm2, and the carbon content of peat was more than three times that of paddy soil. Without the planting cost, the output value of Sphagnum planting in the study area can reach 9–10 times of that of rice. Moreover, Sphagnum planting in the study area had low requirements on soil nutrients and requires almost no manual management, the planting cost was much lower than that of rice planting.
Conclusion
In this study area, Sphagnum cultivation can take into account both economic and ecological benefits, which is an ideal agricultural model at present. However, due to its great environmental limitations, further research is needed to promote it.
IOX-1 suppresses metastasis of osteosarcoma by upregulating histone H3 lysine trimethylation
Authors: Chang Li , Lee Chiang-Wen , Yang Chen-Yu , Lin Zih-Chan , Peng Kuo-Ti , Liu Shih-Chia , Wang Shih-Wei , Tsai Hsiao-Chi , Fong Yi-Chin , Lai Chao-Yang , Huang Yuan-Li , Tsai Chun-Hao , Ko Chih-Yuan , Liu Ju-Fang , Tang Chih-Hsin
Published: October 2022

New therapeutic approaches are needed for metastatic osteosarcoma (OS), as survival rates remain low despite surgery and chemotherapy. Epigenetic changes, such as histone H3 methylation, play key roles in many cancers including OS, although the underlying mechanisms are not clear. In this study, human OS tissue and OS cell lines displayed lower levels of histone H3 lysine trimethylation compared with normal bone tissue and osteoblast cells. Treating OS cells with the histone lysine demethylase inhibitor 5-carboxy-8-hydroxyquinoline (IOX-1) dose-dependently increased histone H3 methylation and inhibited cellular migratory and invasive capabilities, suppressed matrix metalloproteinase expression, reversed epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition by increasing levels of epithelial markers E-cadherin and ZO-1 and decreasing the expression of mesenchymal markers N-cadherin, vimentin, and TWIST, and also reduced stemness properties. An analysis of cultivated MG63 cisplatin-resistant (MG63-CR) cells revealed lower histone H3 lysine trimethylation levels compared with levels in MG63 cells. Exposing MG63-CR cells to IOX-1 increased histone H3 trimethylation and ATP-binding cassette transporter expression, potentially sensitizing MG63-CR cells to cisplatin. In conclusion, our study suggests that histone H3 lysine trimethylation is associated with metastatic OS and that IOX-1 or other epigenetic modulators present promising strategies to inhibit metastatic OS progression.
Assessment and characterisation of hydrometeorological droughts in the Upper Mzingwane sub-catchment of Zimbabwe using station data
Authors: Chisadza Bright , Gwate Onalenna , Ncube France , Mpofu Nkululeko
Published: October 2022

Analysis of frequency and severity of droughts is critical for assessing the availability of surface water in ecosystems and for water resource planning. This study investigated hydrometeorological drought in the Upper Mzingwane sub-catchment using the standardised precipitation index (SPI) and reconnaissance drought index (RDI). Precipitation, minimum and maximum temperature data from three stations in the sub-catchment were used to calculate RDI and SPI for the period 1990–2020. Two-tailed Mann-Kendall and Pettitt tests were conducted to identify trends and breaks in the RDI and SPI values. The results showed that the sub-catchment was mainly affected by mild (62%) and moderate (20%) droughts. Significant increasing trends were observed for the calculated 6- and 12-month SPI and RDI values (p < 0.05), indicating a decreasing trend in long-term hydrological droughts. No trend was observed for the 3- and 6-month SPI and RDI values (p > 0.05). The Pettit test did not detect any breaks in the RDI and SPI values. SPI and RDI showed strong correlation coefficients (0.93–0.99) over similar time periods. Thus, both indices behaved in the same manner across multiple time intervals (3, 6, 9 and 12 months), but RDI was more sensitive to climatic conditions because of potential evapotranspiration. Approximately 14–16 droughts of varying severity occurred in the sub-catchment from 1990–2020. Despite increasing precipitation pattern, the catchment was still vulnerable to drought and this could undermine the ability of the catchment to deliver requisite ecosystem services such as water provision. Thus, drought forecasting, and information dissemination will be crucial to help stakeholders better prepare for future droughts in the sub-catchment.
Water Quality Assessment for Organic Matter Load in Urban Rivers Considering Land Use Dynamics
Authors: Leithold Juliana , Fernandes Cristovao Vicente Scapulatempo , Azevedo Júlio César Rodrigues , Kaviski Eloy
Published: October 2022

There has been an increasing number of global model studies that relate water quality to the watershed land use. The strategy of considering a model that is comparable to the Soil Conservation Service Curve-Number method that employs land use maps to estimate the effects of land use on the water quality, has considerable potential for application. In this context, this paper presents the LUPC (Land Use Pollutant Contribution) Model that relates pollutant loads originated by several types of coverage and a weight function which determines the load decay through water basin. It makes an estimate of the watershed features that are produced by conducting an analysis of the river profile, which is shown here in terms of the labile and refractory organic matter (OM), differentiated by its percentage of aromaticity. The initial results which were obtained by applying the model in a river basin located in the south of Brazil, suggest that the model can estimate the load of OM at a point of interest in the river and has proved to be a valuable tool for enabling managers to make decisions about the use planning land use and its impacts for water resources planning and management.
Stenting the unprotected left main coronary artery without invasive imaging techniques
Authors: Rafla Samir , Zaki Amr , Loutfi Mohamed , Sadaka Mohamed , Shebl Moataz
Published: October 2022

Background
New imaging modalities such as IVUS had improved results of stenting of the unprotected left main coronary artery (UPLM). The results of stenting UPLM without these new modalities but with meticulous care need to be studied more.
Methods
We analyzed data from 120 patients with UPLMD of > 50% subjected to stenting. All were stented by drug-eluting stents and followed for six months.
Results
92 patients (77.3%) presented with ACS, of which 65 patients (54.6%) had no Previous Intervention, and 27 patients (22.7%) had a previous PCI. Left ventricular ejection fraction significantly correlates with complication, at 6 months follow up; all 16 patients with reported complications (100%) had baseline LVEF of < 40% (P-value = 0.023). Syntax score: 11 patients (55%) with a high score of more than 32 had adverse events, P = 0.004. Residual syntax shows a less significant correlation with a mean value of 7.3 in the complication group versus 4.9 in the other group (P = 0.016). Final kissing balloon inflation shows no statistically significant difference.
Conclusions
PCI in UPLM is a safe, feasible option with a high technical success rate and acceptable outcome at follow-up even without the utilization of IVUS
Study of Metal Ion Absorption Capacity of Palygorskite by Computer Simulation
Authors: Liu Chuan-Wen , Liu Min-Hsien , Wang To-Mai , Chen Cheng-Lung , Ting Tzu-Hao
Published: October 2022

Palygorskite is a magnesium-rich aluminosilicate clay mineral with a unique chain-layered structure. Owing to this structure, palygorskite has a large specific surface area and interesting physical properties. Many researchers have investigated the applications of palygorskite in various fields including heavy metal adsorption, petroleum and chemical industries, building materials, medicine, and agriculture. In this study, molecular dynamic simulations were used to explore the heavy metal adsorption ability of palygorskite. The results showed that polyacrylic acid (PAA) had heavy metal adsorption ability. In terms of the ability of the substrate to adsorb Pb2+, Ni2+, and Cr3+, palygorskite (attapulgite, ATP) was more effective than SiO2 or clay. Based on this study, the same phenomenon reported in the literature was confirmed, and it was demonstrated that molecular dynamics can properly simulate the filtration of heavy metal ions in water using novel materials. Moreover, H+ ions were found to play an important role in assisting PAA/ATP in capturing heavy metal ions. Using this method, we were able to observe the details of the heavy-ion adsorption.
Assessing optimal medical therapy adherence following acute coronary syndrome utilising telehealth cardiology pharmacist clinics
Authors: Livori Adam C. , Pol Derk , Levkovich Bianca , Oqueli Ernesto
Published: October 2022

Background:

Optimal medical therapy (OMT) following acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a predictor of future major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Underutilisation of OMT is associated with higher risk of MACE within Australian populations.

Aims:

Effects of a telehealth cardiology pharmacist clinic (TCPC) on patient adherence to OMT and MACE in patients who received PCI for ACS.

Methods:

Retrospective matched cohort study within a large regional health service comparing patient populations before and after implementation of post-PCI TCPC with twelve-month follow up. Patients who received PCI for ACS were consulted by the pharmacist at one, three- and twelve-months’. Matching criteria included age, sex, presence of left ventricular dysfunction and ACS type. Primary outcome was difference in adherence to OMT at twelve months post PCI. Secondary outcomes included 4-point MACE at twelve months and validation of self-reported adherence using medication possession ratios from pharmacy dispensing records.

Results:

There were 156 patients in this study (78 matched pairs). Analysis of adherence to OMT at twelve months demonstrated an absolute increase in adherence to OMT by 13% (31 vs. 44%, p = 0.038). Furthermore, sub-optimal medication therapy (less than ACS medication groups at twelve months) reduced by 23% (31–8%, p = 0.004). MACE at twelve months reduced by 23% (31 vs.8% p = 0.004).

Conclusions:

This novel intervention significantly improved adherence at to OMT at twelve months; a demonstrated contributor to clinical outcomes. Primary and secondary outcomes in the intervention group were both statistically significant. Pharmacist-led follow up is both cost effective and improves patient outcomes.
Comparison of SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequencing using tiled amplicon enrichment and bait hybridization
Authors: von Sydow Anita Koskela , Lindqvist Carl Mårten , Naveed Asghar , Johansson Magnus , Sundqvist Martin , Mölling Paula , Stenmark Bianca
Published: October 2022

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) worldwide pandemic has led to extensive virological monitoring by whole genome sequencing (WGS). Investigating the advantages and limitations of different protocols is key when conducting population-level WGS. SARS-CoV-2 positive samples with Ct values of 14–30 were run using three different protocols: the Twist Bioscience SARS‑CoV‑2 protocol with bait hybridization enrichment sequenced with Illumina, and two tiled amplicon enrichment protocols, ARTIC V3 and Midnight, sequenced with Illumina and Oxford Nanopore Technologies, respectively. Twist resulted in better coverage uniformity and coverage of the entire genome, but has several drawbacks: high human contamination, laborious workflow, high cost, and variation between batches. The ARTIC and Midnight protocol produced an even coverage across samples, and almost all reads were mapped to the SARS-CoV-2 reference. ARTIC and Midnight represent robust, cost-effective, and highly scalable methods that are appropriate in a clinical environment. Lineage designations were uniform across methods, representing the dominant lineages in Sweden during the period of collection. This study provides insights into methodological differences in SARS‑CoV‑2 sequencing and guidance in selecting suitable methods for various purposes.
Influence of cementite coarsening on the corrosion resistance of high strength low alloy steel
Authors: Liu Chao , Li Qinglin , Li Xuan , Yang Shufeng , Liu Zhiyong , Cheng Xuequn
Published: October 2022

A detailed study was carried out on how heat treatment affects the initiation and evolution of localized corrosion on E690 steel in a simulated marine environment. Localized corrosion was mainly induced by the inclusions and initiated by dissolution of the distorted matrix surrounding the inclusions. In this early corrosion initiation stage, localized corrosion induced by inclusions is the main form of corrosion. The chemical and electrochemical processes of matrix deformation and localized corrosion induced by inclusions are explained in detail. With the immersion time increased, galvanic contributions at the ferrite-austenite interfaces and the coarsened carbides reduced the polarization resistance in the annealed specimen and therefore accelerated corrosion compared to the as-received specimen. Hence, the heat-treated specimen showed a lower charge transfer resistance than the one without heat treatment. This promoted a shift from localized to uniform corrosion. Lastly, a corrosion initiation and evolution model has been established to explain the corrosion process of E690 steel in the marine environment.
Estimation of optimal tilt angles for photovoltaic panels in Egypt with experimental verifications
Authors: Abdelaal Ashraf , El-Fergany Attia
Published: October 2022

The principal target of this work is to compute the optimal tilt angle (OTA) for Photovoltaic (PV) panels. To perform this task, comprehensive simulations are done starting from altering the tilt angle (TA) daily, to use one fixed TA for all the year. The mathematical models for extra-terrestrial radiation (ETR) of both horizontal and inclined surfaces are presented firstly. At a later stage, the optimization formulation for the maximizing the solar radiation (SR) is adapted, and then the daily, monthly, seasonally, half-yearly and optimal fixed TAs are obtained. Although, the daily OTA produces the maximum SR, it is costly and impractical. It is found that altering the TA twice a year at optimal values that are computed as 5o and 50o for Suez city, gives the best results that are very near to the daily altering of the OTA. The difference between the two methods is 1.56% which is very small. Also, the two OTAs has SR better than that of the fixed OTA which is 28o by 7.77%. Also, it is found that the yearly fixed OTA (28o) is nearly equal to the latitude angle of Suez city which is 30o. The two OTAs method of this paper is different from the commonly used method that suggests two TAs. The first TA is used for winter months which is obtained by adding 15o to the latitude angle while the second TA is obtained by subtracting 15o from the latitude angle for the summer months. This commonly used method produces lesser SR than the two OTAs method of this paper. The theoretical work has been proved by an experimental work on two PV systems constructed at 25o and 30o TAs. The results of the experimental work agree with the theoretical results.
A Retrospective Study of the Contraceptive Use and Pregnancy Outcome of Women With Familial Mediterranean Fever in Turkey
Authors: Bilge Nazife Sule Yasar , Kilic Seda , Bilge Ugur , Balcioglu Huseyin , Kasifoglu Timucin
Published: October 2022

Background: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autoinflammatory disease. Because FMF commonly affects people of childbearing ages, the effect of the disease and its treatment on fertility and pregnancy outcomes is under consideration. This study aimed to evaluate pregnancy outcomes and contraception methods of FMF patients.
Results: The records of 62 female FMF patients were retrospectively evaluated. Intrauterine devices and tubal ligation are the most common contraception methods. Of the 62 patients, 25 patients had 39 pregnancies. Of the 39 pregnancies, miscarriages were miscarriage, two had abortus, one was ectopic, and the remaining 26 were delivered. Two of the deliveries were preterm and the remaining were term. All patients received colchicine treatment, and the dose of colchicine had no effect on the pregnancy results (chi-square: 5.475, p = 0.708).
Conclusion: Colchicine treatment is safe during pregnancy. Furthermore, having FMF or receiving colchicine therapy does not affect the contraception habits of patients.
Ppe.CR.1 DNA test for predicting chilling requirement in peach
Authors: Demirel Gizem , Calle Alejandro , Lawton John Mark , Atagul Omer , Fu Wanfang , Gasic Ksenija
Published: October 2022

Chilling requirement (CR) is an important agronomic trait controlling the floral bud break for proper flowering in peach. Even though it has been widely researched and several peach CR quantitative trait loci (QTLs) have been identified, no diagnostic DNA tests validated in the U.S. peach breeding germplasm are available for this trait. Breeders and growers need a simple DNA test to predict the CR of peach cultivars for their particular environment. Therefore, we developed a quick and reliable Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR (KASP) DNA test using haplotype information from 9K IPSC genotype data of the U.S. peach germplasm integrating four CR-associated SNP markers from the previously reported CR QTL region on linkage group 1. Four KASP assays (Ppe.CR.1–1 to -4) were developed and validated on 77 peach cultivars, and nine accessions from two F2 populations, with 96 and 74% accuracy in predicting correct CR genotype and phenotype, respectively. Furthermore, the Ppe.CR.1 showed 80% accuracy in predicting the precise CR phenotype in the Clemson University peach breeding material. Only one Ppe.CR.1 KASP assay (Ppe.CR.1–1) is needed to distinguish between haplotypes with CR lower and higher than 800 chilling hours, and two Ppe.CR.1 assays (Pp.CR.1–1 and − 4), are capable of distinguishing low, moderate, and high CR alleles. Coupled with the crude DNA extraction, the Ppe.CR.1 DNA test provides a low-cost option for breeders and growers to predict CR in peach material with more than 70% accuracy.
Post-resolution macrophage-derived lipids shapes long-term tissue immunity and integrity
Authors: Feehan Karen , Bridgewater Hannah , Stenkiewicz-Witeska Jan , Ferguson John , Mack Matthias , BROWN JEREMY , Ercoli Giuseppe , Mawer Connar , Akbar Arne , Jalali Parinaaz , Bracken Olivia , Glanville James , Nicolaou Anna , Kendall Alexandra , Sugimoto Michelle , Gilroy Derek
Published: October 2022

Resolving inflammation is thought to return the affected tissue back to homeostasis. However, we show that within days following resolution of Streptococcus pneumonia-triggered lung inflammation there is an influx of antigen specific lymphocytes with a memory and tissue-resident phenotype as well as macrophages bearing an alveolar or interstitial phenotype. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that macrophages are enriched with genes that drive T cell chemotaxis and differentiation as well as prostaglandin biosynthesis.
Therapeutic depletion of post-resolution macrophages or inhibition of PGE2/EP4 signalling reduced numbers of lung CD4+/CD44+/CD62L+ and CD4+/CD44+/CD62L-/CD27+ T cells as well as their expression of the alpha-integrin, CD103. This intervention resulted in a failure of these cells to reappear and reactivate upon secondary challenge up to six weeks following primary infection. Concomitantly, EP4 inhibition caused accumulation of lung macrophages and marked tissue fibrosis.
Hence, resolving inflammation triggers a second wave of immune activity controlled, in part, by PGE2, which through EP4, drives local tissue-resident T cell development on the one hand, whilst limiting tissue injury on the other.
Internet Engagement and its’ Association with Weight Parameters and Academic Performance among Malaysian Adolescents
Authors: MY Nurul Haniza , Majid Hazreen Abdul , Thangiah Nithiah , Jalaludin Muhammad Yazid , Chinna Karuthan , Su Tin Tin
Published: October 2022

BACKGROUND: This study identifies the association of internet engagement with weight-related parameters and academic performance among adolescents in Malaysia.
METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study which collected primary data on academic performance and used secondary data from the second wave of the Malaysian Health and Adolescents Longitudinal Research Team (MyHeARTs) Study cohort. The participants comprised 720 students attending year three public secondary schools from the states of Selangor, Perak and Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. Sampling was done using a two-stage cluster sampling design.
RESULTS: The prevalence of adolescents who engage on the Internet regularly was 85.3% (n=614). Among those who regularly engaged with the Internet, 53.9% (n=331) spent an average of ≥3 hours per day on the Internet while 46.1% (n=283) of them spent an average of < 3 hours per day on the Internet. Of the total participants, 57.6% (n=415) have a mobile phone or tablet with a data plan. Participants who regularly engaged on the internet were more likely to have better overall academic performance (OR=2.319, CI=1.118-4.810) than those who rarely engaged on the internet. However, participants who spent an average of ≥ 3 hours per day on the Internet had less likelihood of getting average in aggregate (overall academic performance) (OR=0.899, CI=0.811-0.996) compared to participants who spent an average of < 3 hours per day on the Internet. Participants who spent an average of ≥ 3 hours per day on the Internet had less likelihood of having excess body fat compared to the participants who spent < 3 hours daily on the Internet (OR=0.701, CI=0.493-0.997).
CONCLUSION: Generally, time spent on the Internet is not associated with all weight-related parameters. It could be said that since majority of participants use mobile phone for internet engagement, thus it may not affect ones’ body composition. On the other hand, regular engagement on the internet was associated to better academic performance but it was found that spending more time on the internet resulted in poorer academic performances. As such, close monitoring, supervision, and guidance on Internet engagement among adolescents is crucial.
The OptiBreech Care Pathway: evaluating the feasibility and acceptability of team care for women seeking to plan a vaginal breech birth (OptiBreech 1) – a mixed methods implementation feasibility study
Authors: Walker Shawn , Spillane Emma , Stringer Kate , Meadowcroft Amy , Dasgupta Tisha , Davies Siân , Sandall Jane , Shennan Andrew , Collaborative OptiBreech
Published: October 2022

Background
OptiBreech Care is a care pathway for breech presentation at term, including where chosen, physiological breech birth attended by professionals with advanced training and/or proficiency. We aimed to assess the feasibility of implementing OptiBreech team care to test it in trial-within-a-cohort study.
Methods
Our design was a mixed methods trial feasibility assessment across England and Wales, January 2021 – June 2022. Our objectives were to determine whether Trusts could provide attendants with advanced training (implementation feasibility), who deliver protocol-consistent care (fidelity), in a way acceptable to women and staff (acceptability), within existing resources (costs), while maintaining low neonatal admission rates (safety) and adequate recruitment rates (trial feasibility). Participants were women > 37 weeks pregnant with a breech-presenting fetus, requesting support for a vaginal breech birth following standard counselling, and the staff involved in the study. No randomisation occurred in this first stage of feasibility work.
Results
Thirteen National Health Service sites recruited. A total of 82 women planned births on the study, and 21 staff were interviewed. Sites with a breech specialist midwife and/or dedicated clinic recruited 1 woman/month, while sites without recruited an average of 2 women every 3 months. Referrals into the study came from midwives (46%), obstetricians (34%) and women themselves (20%). Vaginal births were attended by staff with OptiBreech training at 87.5% (35/40) and by staff who met stricter proficiency criteria at 67.5% (27/40). Fidelity criteria were met more consistently by staff who met proficiency criteria. There were four neonatal admissions (4.9%, 4/82), including one serious adverse outcome (1.2%, 1/82); these outcomes compare well with previous breech research. Women found the model of care highly acceptable compared to standard care, and staff providing care generally found the OptiBreech model acceptable. However, staffing shortages throughout the pandemic and persistent negative views of vaginal breech birth outside the teams created challenges.
Conclusions
A large prospective observational cohort of OptiBreech Care, which could potentially support nested or cluster randomisation, appears feasible in sites willing to establish a dedicated clinic and develop further proficient members of staff strategically, with back-up plans for supporting rapidly progressing births. Randomisation procedures remain to be feasibility-tested. Funded by the NIHR (300582).
Defining the Learning Curve of Robotic Portal Segmentectomy in Small Pulmonary Lesions: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Yang Mu-Zi , Tan Zi-Hui , Abbas Abbas , Li Ji-Bin , Xie Chu-Long , Long Hao , Zhang Lan-Jun , Fu Jian-Hua , Lin Peng , Yang Hao-Xian
Published: October 2022

Although robotic segmentectomy has been applied for the treatment of small pulmonary lesions for many years, studies on the learning curve of robotic segmentectomy are quite limited. Thus, we aim to investigate the learning curve of robotic portal segmentectomy with 4 arms (RPS-4) using prospectively collected data in patients with small pulmonary lesions. One hundred consecutive patients with small pulmonary lesions who underwent RPS-4 between June 2018 and April 2021 were included in the study. Da Vinci Si/Xi systems were used to perform RPS-4. The mean operative time, console time, and docking time for the entire cohort were 119.2 ± 41.6, 85.0 ± 39.6, and 6.6 ± 2.8 minutes, respectively. The learning curve of RPS-4 can be divided into three different phases: 1–37 cases (learning phase), 38–78 cases (plateau phase), and > 78 cases (mastery phase). Moreover, 64 cases were required to ensure acceptable surgical outcomes. The total operative time (P < 0.001), console time (P < 0.001), blood loss (P < 0.001), and chest tube duration (P = 0.014) were reduced as experience increased. In conclusion, the learning curve of RPS-4 could be divided into three phases. 37 cases were required to pass the learning phase, and 78 cases were needed to truly master this technique.
Milk-derived exosomes carrying siRNA-KEAP1 promote diabetic wound healing by improving oxidative stress
Authors: Xiang Xuejiao , Chen Jing , Jiang Tao , Yan Chengqi , Kang Yu , Zhang Maojie , Xiang Kaituo , Guo Jiahe , Jiang Guoyong , Wang Cheng , Xu Xiang , Yang Xiaofan , Chen Zhenbing
Published: October 2022

Diabetic wound, as a serious complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), leads to persistent infection, amputation and even death. Prolonged oxidative stress has been widely recognized as the main cause of diabetic wound and is considered as hopeful therapeutic target. In the present study, Keap1/Nrf2 signaling was confirmed to be activated in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice and methylglyoxal (MGO)-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Knockdown of Keap1 by siRNA attenuated the raised Keap1 level, promoted the nuclear transfer of Nrf2, and then facilitated the expression of HO-1, an antioxidant protein. Then the milk-derived exosomes (mEXOs) were developed as a novel, efficient and non-toxic siRNA carrier. SiRNA-Keap1 (siKeap1) was loaded into mEXOs through ultrasonic technique, which promoted HUVEC proliferation, migration and relieved oxidative stress in MGO-treated HUVEC. In the meantime, the injection of mEXOs-siKeap1 significantly accelerated the diabetic wound healing with enhanced collagen formation and neovascularization in mice models. Totally, the present study puts forward a potential treatment for diabetic wound and proved the feasibility of mEXOs as a scalable, biocompatible, and cost-effective siRNA delivery system.
Evolutionary Combination of Subplot Patterns into Meaningful Plots
Authors: Gervás Pablo , Méndez Gonzalo , Concepción Eugenio
Published: October 2022

Purpose: Many of the stories we are exposed to are built from small patterns of connected events involving a set of characters -- boy meets girl leads to a relationship or crime leads to revenge. The present paper studies the computational constraints that apply to the task of putting together a story by combining a set of such patterns. This approach presents three challenges: how to mix up the elements in the different patterns,how to instantiate the characters across the patterns andhow to tell acceptable combinations from the rest.
Methods: The present paper applies an evolutionary solution that relies on a genetic representation for these combinations of patterns, and applies as fitness functions a set of metrics on compatibility constraints across pattern combinations. Outputs of this procedure are evaluated by human judges in comparison with baseline solutions.
Results: The proposed solution generates a population of story drafts that resemble plot descriptions for simple stories. A comparative evaluation by human judges against baselines based on random gene assignment yields positive results.
Conclusion: The genetic representation of pattern combinations and the metrics on compatibility across pattern pairs provide a valid evolutionary solution for constructing simple plots.
Evaluating the one-time chair stand test for predicting the coronavirus disease severity in patients during hospital admission: A cohort study in Japan
Authors: Ishihara Atsushi , Yoshizane Takashi , Mori Teruki , Sasaki Yui , Hosokawa Takahiro , Suzuki Jun , Tsuzuku Akifumi , Asano Fumihiro , Noda Toshiyuki
Published: October 2022

Background: This study aimed to understand whether the one-time chair stand test (CS-1) is useful for predicting the severity of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in 101 patients admitted to the hospital with acute respiratory failure.
Methods: This single-centered, prospective observational cohort study enrolled 101 critically ill adult patients hospitalized with COVID-19 who underwent the CS-1 as a dynamic evaluation tool in clinical practice between late April 2020 and October 2021. Data on demographic characteristics, symptoms, laboratory values, computed tomography findings, and clinical course after admission were collected. Furthermore, the data was compared and the association between the intubation and non-intubation groups was determined. We also calculated the cut-off point, area under the curve (AUC), and 95% confidence interval (CI) of the change in oxygen saturation (ΔSpO2) during the CS-1.
Results: Thirty-three out of 101 patients (33%) were intubated during hospitalization. There was no significant difference in the resting SpO2 (93.3% versus 95.2%, P=0.22), but there was a significant difference in ΔSpO2 during the CS-1 between the intubation and non-intubation groups (10.8% versus 5.5%, P<0.01). In addition, there was a significant correlation between hospitalization and ΔSpO2 during the CS-1 (ρ=0.60, P<0.01). The generated cut-off point was calculated as 9.5% (AUC=0.94, 95% CI=0.88–1.00).
Conclusion: For COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory failure, the CS-1 performed on admission was useful for predicting the severity of COVID-19. Furthermore, the CS-1 can be utilized as a remote and simple evaluation parameter. Thus, it could have potential clinical application in the future.
Cost-Effective Bio-Synthesis and characterization of Encapsulated Cu, Ag, and Magnetic Cu-Ag Bimetallic Nanoparticles
Authors: Shamim Mahadi Hasan , Kabir Md. Faysal , Ferdousy Jannatul , Ullah A. K. M. Atique , Tareq Rayhan , Islam Razzakul , Rahman Md. Mizanur
Published: October 2022

Since this work's goal is to create magnetic monometallic and magnetic bimetallic nanoparticles will proceed without using any chemicals. This study reports the green synthesis of Cu, Ag, and Cu-Ag nanoparticles at room temperature using Musa paradisiaca (banana) leaf extract. Our current study also focuses on determining how effective the leaf extract of Musa paradisiaca (commonly known as banana) is as a reducing and stabilizing agent. After adding the Musa paradisiaca (banana) leaf extract to the solution containing the metal salt, constant stirring was performed until the reaction was finished. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to examine the synthesized nanoparticles. The major types of equipment for our characterization were Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM). The analyses revealed that Musa paradisiaca (Banana) leaf extract efficiently reduced the Cu, Ag, and magnetic Cu-Ag nanoparticles. Biomolecules from Musa paradisiaca (banana) leaves were adsorbed on nanoparticle surfaces, producing a capping layer and stabilizing the nanoparticles. The average crystalline sizes of Cu, Ag and Ag-Cu nanoparticles were about 19 nm, 13 nm, and 23.15 nm, respectively. Surface morphology and particle size distribution were also observed using a modern FESEM device. ImageJ software was used to compute the average particle size and the distribution of particle sizes. The calculated particle size range was (5nm - 35 nm), (10 nm – 60 nm), and (20 nm – 90 nm) for Cu NPS, Ag NPs, and Cu-Ag NPs, respectively. Simultaneously, the presence of elements in our synthesized nanoparticles was also investigated with the help of EDX tools. Organic functional groups were confirmed using FTIR analysis. In the last part, the magnetic behavior of our synthesis Cu-Ag bimetallic nanoparticles was analyzed using a VSM machine, and we found saturation magnetization (Ms) was 0.58 emu g-1. The coercivity (Hc) was 153 Oe. According to the findings, Musa paradisiaca (banana) leaf extract is a promising reducing and stabilizing agent.