bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental Study of Co-combustion of Water Hyacinth Biomass and Anthracite and Kinetics Analysis
Authors: Wang Junhua , Meng Junquan , Liu Zhenrong , Gao Chengjun , Hu Yuwei , Chen Rong , Xu Jianxin , Wang Hua
Published: July 2022

Water hyacinth, a common aquatic plant, has excellent combustion performances. Co-combustion of water hyacinth with coals will complement for the disadvantages of the two materials, and improve their combustion performances and energy use efficiency. In this study, co-combustion of water hyacinth and anthracite at varying mixing ratios and heating rates were tested via thermogravimetric analysis, and the co-combustion was characterized. The ignition temperature, burnout temperature, and comprehensive parameters of the co-combustion under different conditions were detected, and interactions between the two materials were discussed using the Flynn-Wall-Ozawa method and the Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose method. The mixed fuels at different mixing ratios integrated the combustion characteristics of water hyacinth and anthracite. The comprehensive combustion index rose from 0.15 to 2.22 when the ratio of water hyacinth increased. The difference in derivative thermogravimetry curves of the mixed fuels all showed peaks at the volatile combustion stage and the fixed carbon combustion stage, indicating interactions occurred between water hyacinth and anthracite in the co-combustion. This study offers a basis for the optimized co-combustion of aquatic biomass and coals with lower coal dosage and higher combustion efficiency.
Crossover randomized multicentre clinical trial comparing the efficacy and tolerability of fixed-combinations of 0.1% brimonidine/0.5% timolol versus 1% dorzolamide/0.5% timolol as adjunctive therapies to prostaglandin analogues: Aibeta Crossover Study
Authors: Inatani Masaru , Orii Yusuke , Iwasaki Kentaro , Arimura Shogo , Sunagawa Hiromi , Shiokawa Minako , Inoue Kenji , Sakono Takuto , Sakono Takato , Kuwamura Rika , Yoshida Akiko , Oi Junko , Kuwayama Yasuaki , Kano Kiyoshi , Kido Noriaki , Matsuyama Akiko , Ozaki Mineo , Abe Hideki , Inoue Chizuru , Nakagawa Satoko , Musashi Kunihiro , Kanamori Akiyasu , Lee Jinhee , Otani Shinichiro , Aoki Ryota , Tanabe Hirotaka , Nakakura Shunsuke , Suzuki Katsuyoshi , Sagara Takeshi , Saito Yoshiaki , Sameshima Motoyasu , Urahashi Mai , Watanabe-Kitamura Fumika , Inoue Toshihiro , Kagaya Fumie , Murai Yusuke , Mori Sotaro , Ueda Kaori , Kurimoto Takuji , Yamada-Nakanishi Yuko , Nakamura Makoto , Yamashita Takehiro , Ishiyama Sosuke , Manabe Shinichi , Takaki Keiko , Hayashi Ken , Ishida Akiko , Tsutsui Aika , Manabe Kaoru , Tanito Masaki
Published: July 2022

This multicentre, randomized, comparative, and investigator-masked crossover clinical trial sought to compare the efficacy and tolerability of fixed-combinations 0.1% brimonidine/0.5% timolol (BTFC) versus 1% dorzolamide/0.5% timolol (DTFC) as adjunctive therapies to prostaglandin analogues. A total of 110 patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension previously treated with prostaglandin analogue monotherapy were randomized to receive either BTFC or DTFC as adjunctive therapy for eight weeks. These patients were then crossed over to the alternative treatment arm for another eight weeks. The intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction (primary outcome), adverse event occurrence, ocular discomfort after instillation, and patient preference (secondary outcomes) were recorded through patients’ interviews. BTFC instillation for eight weeks resulted in IOP reduction by 3.55 mmHg, demonstrating non-inferiority to DTFC instillation (3.60 mmHg; P <0.0001, mixed-effects model). Although adverse effects were rare with both combinations, patients reported greater discomfort with DTFC than with BTFC instillation (P <0.0001). More patients preferred BTFC (P <0.0001) over DTFC, as the former caused minimal or no eye irritation. As BTFC offers better tolerability than DTFC with comparable IOP reduction, we recommend it as an alternative in patients who experience ocular discomfort with DTFC-prostaglandin analogue combination therapy.
Tracheobronchial tooth and dental prosthesis aspirations: 15 cases
Authors: Eliçora Aykut , Sezer Hüsseyin Fatih , Topçu Salih , Çardaközü Tülay
Published: July 2022

Background
Tracheobronchial foreign body is uncommon in adults. Among foreign body aspirations, tooth and dental prosthesis aspiration is a very rare condition. In the literature, dental aspiration is generally found as a case report and there is no single-center case series. In this study, we aimed to present our clinical experience in 15 cases with tooth and dental prosthesis aspiration
Methods
Data from 693 patients who presented to our hospital for foreign body aspiration between the years 2006 and 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. Fifteen cases who aspirated tooth and dental prostheses as foreign bodies were included in our study.
Results
Foreign bodies were removed by rigid bronchoscopy in 12 (80%) cases and fiberoptic bronchoscopy in 2 (13.3%) cases. When evaluated in terms of foreign body, partial upper anterior tooth prosthesis in 5 (33.3%) cases, partial anterior lower tooth prosthesis in 2 (13.3%) cases, dental implant screw in 2 (13.3%) cases, lower molar crown in 1 (6.6%) case, lower jaw bridge prosthesis in 1(6.6%) case, upper jaw bridge prosthesis in 1(6.6%) case, broken tooth fragment in 1(6.6%) case, upper molar tooth crown coating in 1(6.6%) case and upper lateral incisor tooth in 1(6.6%) case were observed.
Conclusion
Dental aspirations can also occur in healthy adults. Anamnesis is the most important factor in diagnosis and diagnostic bronchoscopic procedures should be performed in cases where adequate anamnesis cannot be obtained.
Interventions in the first 1000 days to prevent childhood obesity: a systematic review and quantitative content analysis
Authors: Pérez-Muñoz Celia , Carretero-Bravo Jesús , Ortega-Martín Esther , Ramos-Fiol Begoña , Ferriz-Mas Bernardo , Díaz-Rodríguez Mercedes
Published: July 2022

Background: Childhood obesity poses a global health challenge. Despite efforts to reverse this situation in recent years, the figures remain high. In recent years, there has been an increase in interventions that begin in pregnancy, putting the concept of early programming into practice. The present study aims to update the findings regarding interventions in the first 1000 days of life. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was carried out in PubMed, WoS, Scopus and CINAHL to obtain the articles to be analysed. We included those studies published between 2016 and 2021. Human interventions that started within the first 1000 days of life and acted on at least one programming factor were included. Once selected, coding and quantitative content analysis was carried out to obtain a profile of the interventions during the first 1000 days. Results: From all screened articles, 51 unique interventions, which met the selection criteria, were included. The majority of interventions (81%) take place in developed areas. Almost all (86%) are targeted at the general population. The majority (54%) start in the second trimester of pregnancy. A clear majority (61%) end at the time of birth. 44% of the interventions include all pregnant women. Only 48% of these interventions are focused on improving the nutritional status of the offspring in the short term. Most interventions collect the baby's weight at birth (68%). Conclusions: It can be concluded that current interventions are not covering as many aspects as they should. Future research should be conducted more frequently in developing countries and target disadvantaged groups. These interventions should include all pregnant women, aiming to cover as many programming factors as possible and extending through the first 1000 days of life, with BMI or skinfolds as measures of effectiveness during this period.
A moment in time: multidisciplinary evidence of an isolated Neanderthal occupation in Abric del Pastor (Alcoi, Iberian peninsula)
Authors: Sossa-Ríos Santiago , Mayor Alejandro , Hernández Cristo M. , Bencomo Mariel , Pérez Leopoldo , Galván Bertila , Mallol Carolina , Vaquero Manuel
Published: July 2022

Testing Neanderthal behavioural hypotheses requires a spatial-temporal resolution to the level of a single human occupation episode. Yet, most of the behavioural data on Neanderthals has been obtained from coarsely dated, time-averaged contexts affected by the archaeological palimpsest effect and a diversity of postdepositional processes. This implies that time-resolved Neanderthal behaviour remains largely unknown. In this study, we performed archaeostratigraphic analysis on stratigraphic units ive, ivf, ivg, va, vb and vc from Abric del Pastor (Alcoi, Iberian peninsula). Further, we isolated the archaeological remains associated with the resulting archaeostratigraphic unit and applied raw material, technological, use-wear, archaeozoological and spatial analyses. Our results show a low-density accumulation of remains from flintknapping, flint tool-use and animal processing around a hearth. These data provide a time-resolved human dimension to previous high-resolution environmental and pyrotechnological data on the same hearth, representing the first comprehensive characterisation of a single Neanderthal occupation episode. Our integrated, multidisciplinary method also contributes to advance our understanding of archaeological record formation processes.
CBR and Durability Characteristics of Cementitious High- Plasticity Graded Gravel Soils by Curing Methods
Authors:   1. Chandra Sekar Ganja,   2. Prof.Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Pasalapudi
Published: July 2022

The suitability of cement-treated high plasticity graded gravel soils for road base and sub-base layers is discussed in this paper. Selected high plasticity gravel soils are classified into several levels based on their size, i.e., G50-50& G50-50*, G35-65& G35-65*, G25-75& G25-75*, respectively, to explore the effect of gradation on their strength and durability. The CBR test determines the improved CBR percentage for each gradation when the cement admixture is increased using the partial curing method (3 days wet gunny bags and 4 days water curing). To measure the durability of the mixture, wet and dry tests were performed on all high plasticity cementitious graded gravel mixtures. According to the test results, the gravel level, plasticity, and curing process directly affect the mixture's strength and durability. According to the test results, high plasticity soils, gradations G50-50& G50-50*, have CBR percent values of 112 to 128& 102 to 116, respectively, with 7-8 percent cement addition by partial curing method, which is more than enough for the base and sub-base layers of road construction as per MoRTH specifications. Scanning electronic microscope (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) analysis yielded a large amount of ettringite and a higher Si / Ca ratio for high plasticity graded gravel mixes than the cement-treated high plasticity graded gravel mixes.
Bos Taurus (A-2) Urine Assisted Bioactive Cobalt Oxide Anchored ZnO: A Novel Nanoscale approach
Authors: Karvekar Omkar S. , Vadanagekar Apurva S. , Sarvalkar Prashant , Jadhav Sarita , Singhan Richa , Suryawanshi Suresh , Jadhav Jyoti , Sharma Kiran Kumar , Prasad Neeraj
Published: July 2022

Biomimetic nanotechnology is a fast-growing technology with far-reaching implications in a variety of therapeutic applications. The goal of this research is to develop green, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective strategies for producing cobalt oxide (Co3O4) nanoparticles from Bos Taurus Indicus (A-2) urine and zinc oxide nanorods from the hydrothermal process. A solid-state reaction process is used to make nanocomposite materials. The synthesized nanomaterials and composites were characterized using advanced characterization techniques such as XRD, FE-SEM with EDS, DLS, Zeta potential, FT-IR, Raman spectroscopic analysis, and TGA with DSC analysis. The anti-bacterial, Anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of the synthesized nanomaterials and composites were investigated. This implies that they might be beneficial in medicine and drug administration.
Efficacy and safety linear ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation: PVI plus linear ablation of mitral isthmus and posterior box isolation
Authors: li xi , Liu Tao , Cui Bo , Zhang Jinlin , Chen Yanhong , Wu Gang
Published: July 2022

For patients with persistent atrial fibrillation(PAF), whether linear ablation should be performed remains controversial, and the efficacy and safety for ablation index༈AI༉guided high energy linear ablation of mitral isthmus (MI) and left atrial (LA) posterior wall is still unclear. The aims of the this study were to assess the feasibility and clinical success rate of pulmonary veins isolation (PVI) combined with AI-guided high‐power linear ablation of LA roof and posterior inferior༈LA posterior wall isolation༉and MI for PAF patients. 200 consecutive PAF patients were enrolled. PVI combined with linear ablation of left atrial posterior wall isolation༈LAPWI༉ and MI were performed in all patients using AI-guided high-power pattern (ablation power was set to 45 W, targeting AI 400–500). The confirmation of the MI linear conduction block and LAPWI were performed after ablation. The procedure-related complication rate was 2.0%. During an average follow-up period of 24 months, freedom from atrial fibrillation or atrial tachycardia was achieved in 87.5% of the patients. Our ablation strategy of linear ablation was feasible and safe for PAF patients.
Host Species and Habitat Shape Fish- associated Bacterial Communities: Phylosymbiosis between Fish and their Microbiome
Authors: Sadeghi Javad , Chaganti Subba Rao , Johnson Timothy B. , Heath Daniel D.
Published: July 2022

BackgroundWhile many studies have reported that the structure of the gut and skin microbiome is driven by both species-specific and habitat-specific factors, the relative importance of host-specific versus environmental factors in wild vertebrates remains poorly understood. The aim of this study was to determine the diversity and composition of fish skin, gut, and surrounding water bacterial communities (BCs) and assess the extent to which host habitat and phylogeny predict BC similarity. Skin swabs and gut samples from 334 fish belonging to 17 species were sampled in three Laurentian Great Lakes (LGLs) habitats (Detroit River, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario). We also collected and filtered water samples at the time of fish collection. We analyzed BC composition using 16S metabarcoding and tested for community variation. ResultsWe found that the water BC was distinct from the fish microbiome BCs, although the skin BC more closely resembled the water BC. We also found that environmental (sample location), habitat, fish diet and host species factors shape and promote divergence or convergence of the fish BCs. Since host species significantly affected both gut and skin BC (separately from host species effects), we tested for phylosymbiosis using pairwise host species phylogenetic distance versus BC dissimilarity. We found significant phylogenetic effects on BC dissimilarity, consistent with phylosymbiosis for both the fish skin and gut BCs, perhaps reflecting the longstanding co-evolutionary relationship between the host species and their microbiomes. ConclusionsAnalyzing the gut content and skin mucus BCs across diverse fish species in complex natural ecosystems such as the LGLs provides insights into the potential for habitat and species-specific effects on the microbiome, and ultimately the health, of the host.
Multi-state Data Storage in a Two-dimensional Stripy Antiferromagnet Implemented by Magnetoelectric Effect
Authors: Gu Pingfan , Wang Cong , Su Dan , Dong Zehao , Wang Qiuyuan , Han Zheng , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Ji Wei , Sun Young , Ye Yu
Published: July 2022

A promising approach to the next generation of low-power, functional, and energy-efficient electronics relies on novel materials with coupled magnetic and electric degrees of freedom. In particular, stripy antiferromagnets often exhibit broken crystal and magnetic symmetries, which may bring about the magnetoelectric (ME) effect and enable the manipulation of intriguing properties and functionalities by electrical means. The demand for expanding the boundaries of data storage and processing technologies has led to the development of spintronics toward two-dimensional (2D) platforms. This work reports the ME effect in the 2D stripy antiferromagnetic insulator CrOCl down to a single layer. By measuring the tunneling resistance of CrOCl on the parameter space of temperature, magnetic field, and applied voltage, we verified the ME coupling down to the 2D limit and unraveled its mechanism. Utilizing the multi-stable states and ME coupling at magnetic phase transitions, we realize multi-state data storage in the tunneling devices. Our work not only advances the fundamental understanding of spin-charge coupling, but also demonstrates the great potential of 2D antiferromagnetic materials to deliver devices and circuits beyond the traditional binary operations.
The Effects of HCL Concentration and Ultrasound- Assisted on the Fabrication of Cellulose Nanocrystal Derived from Sugarcane Bagasse
Authors: Fathana Haya , Rahmi Rahmi , Lubis Surya , Adlim Muhammad , Muktaridha Omar , Iqhramullah Muhammad
Published: July 2022

The fabrication of Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) from sugarcane baggasse (SCB) using acid hydrolysis at various concentrations (5, 10, 20, 25, and 30%) and ultrasound-assisted is presented in this paper. The fabricated CNCs were also thoroughly analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) to investigate surface functional groups and X-ray diffraction (XRD) to investigate structural properties. The particle size distribution following the ultrasonication procedure was also measured using a particle size analyzer (PSA) in this investigation. The content of hemicellulose and lignin will decrease as the concentration of HCl in the hydrolysis process increase. On the other hand, the α-cellulose content was increasing. The best concentration of HCl is 20%. FTIR data shows that a sharper increase in intensity can be seen in the HCl 10% and HCl 20% samples. XRD data revealed that the crystal size was 2.732 nm and the index crystallinity of CNCs was 63,57%, while PSA analysis revealed that the average particle size was 125.1 nm.
ADAMTS5 modulates breast cancer development as a diagnostic biomarker and potential tumor suppressor, regulating by BAIAP2-AS1, VTI1B, CRNDE, and hsa-miR-135b-3p: integrated systems biology and experimental approach
Authors: Tavousi Najmeh , Taqizadeh Qazal , Nasiriyan Elnaz , Tabaeian Parastoo , Rezaei Mohammad , Azadeh Mansoureh
Published: July 2022

Background: A disintegrin and metalloproteinases (ADAMs) are a novel gene family of proteins that share the metalloproteinase domain with matrix metalloproteinases and have sequence similarities to the reprolysin family of snake venomases (MMPs). They are divided into two classes based on their structural similarities: membrane-anchored ADAM and ADAM with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS). These molecules have a role in a number of biological processes, including membrane protein shedding, proteolysis, cell adhesion, cell fusion, and cell migration. Method: In this study, the RNA interaction analysis (miRWalk, lncRRisearch, ENCORI, and lncBase3) and protein interaction analysis (STRING) was performed. Survival, expression, and correlation analyses was performed by ENCORI and GEPIA2. Expression analysis also performed by microarray analysis. GSEA analysis was performed to find top up and down-regulated genes and relevant signaling pathway. Gene ontology analysis was performed by g: Profiler and clusterprofiler. Pathway enrichment was performed by GSEA analysis.ResultsADAMTS5 has a significant low-expression, based on ENCORI (Fold Change: 0.12, FDR < 0.0001), microarray analysis (logFC: -3.791881, adj. P. Val < 0.0001), and qRT-PCR experiment (logFC: -1.975, FC: 0.025, p. value < 0.0001, patients under 40). ADAMTS5 is a potential diagnostic biomarker of BC, based on ROC curve (AUC: 0.75, p. value: 0.0007). mRNA VTI1B, lncRNAs CRNDE and BAIAP2-AS1, and hsa-miR-135a-3b have interaction with ADAMTS5. VTI1B has a significant low-expression (FC: 0.65, FDR: 0.0001). BAIAP2-AS1 is significantly up-regulated (FC: 1.37, FDR: 0.0001). CRNDE is significantly up-regulated (FC: 1.30, FDR: 0.0001). BAIAP2 (log-Rank p: 0.0017, Hazard Ratio: 0.59) and CRNDE (log-Rank p: 0.34, Hazard Ratio: 1.17) are the two potential BC survival predictor.ConclusionIn this study, we performed a differential expression analysis on the expression level of ADAMTS5, VTI1B, and BAIAP2-AS1 in the BC patients for the first time. ADAMTS5 and its correlated oncogene and tumor suppressor RNAs and proteins are the hub therapeutic target of BC. DEGs of the GSE42568 dataset are involve in PPAR and cell cycle checkpoint signaling pathways and during the regulation of mentioned pathway, regulate the BC development. Targeting the expression and interaction of mentioned RNAs can be helpful for the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of BC.
Relationship between perfusion index and central temperature before and after induction of anesthesia in laparoscopic gastrointestinal surgery: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Hara Kentaro , Kaneko Shohei , Ishioka Taichi , Tobinaga Shohei , Urabe Shigehiko , Nakao Akiha , Hamada Kozue , Nagaoka Kyoko , Taniguchi Miwa , Yamaguchi Michiko , Takeshita Hiroaki , Tanaka Junichi , Kuroda Hiromi , Matsuura Emi , Ishimatsu Yuji , Honda Sumihisa , Sawai Terumitsu
Published: July 2022

Background
The cut-off value of perfusion index (PI) before the induction of anesthesia and the ratio of PI variation after the induction of anesthesia, which is effective in preventing redistribution hypothermia, have not been clarified to date. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between PI and central temperature during the induction of anesthesia and PI potential for individualized and effective control of redistribution hypothermia.
Methods
This prospective observational single-center study analyzed 100 cases of general anesthesia gastrointestinal surgery in the operating room from August 2021 to February 2022. PI was measured as peripheral perfusion, and the relationship between central and peripheral temperature values was investigated. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to identify the baseline PI before anesthesia that predicts the decrease in central temperature 30 min after anesthesia induction and the rate of change in PI that predicts the decrease in central temperature 60 min after anesthesia induction.
Results
PI had a significant association with peripheral (p < 0.01) and central temperatures (p < 0.01). In cases where the central temperature decreased by ≥ 0.6℃ after 30 min, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.744, Youden’s index was 0.456, and cut-off value of baseline PI was 2.30. In cases in which the central temperature decreased by ≥ 0.6℃ after 60 min, the AUC was 0.857, Youden’s index was 0.693, and cut-off value of the ratio of variation in PI after 30 min of anesthesia induction was 1.58.
Conclusions
Our results indicate that if baseline PI is 2.30 or lower and the PI 30 min after induction of anesthesia is at least 1.58 times the PI ratio of variation, there is a high probability of the central temperature decreasing by at least 0.6℃ within 30 min after each timepoint.
Clinical and quality of life outcomes following reduction mammoplasty for symptomatic macromastia among Sri Lankan women: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Wijesinghe Kanchana , Jayarajah Umesh , Mallawaarachchi Malllawaarchchige Gayan Ranjan , De Silva Sumali Hirunika , De Silva Thathya Thamarasie Wardana , Krishnamoorthy Ananthmoorthy , Rubeka Dissanayaka Mudiyanselage Shihanie , De Silva Ajith
Published: July 2022

Background
The impact of macromastia is unfortunately underestimated among the developing South Asian countries. The resulting distress can make it challenging for patients to be physically active and affect their quality of life (QoL). Reduction mammoplasty is a standard treatment option for people suffering from symptomatic macromastia. Therefore we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of reduction mammoplasty in alleviating symptoms of macromastia and its impact on quality of life among Sri Lanka females.
Methods
A prospective study was conducted among 48 patients who underwent reduction mammoplasty in a surgical unit at National Hospital of Sri Lanka from 2016 January to 2021 January. SF-36 questionnaire which is validated in Sri Lanka was used to assess the quality of life. To assess pain related to macromastia, a visual analogue scale was used from 0 to 10 according to the level of intensity. The outcomes were assessed one week prior to surgery and at 2 weeks and 6 months after surgery.
Results
Median age was 43 years and median BMI was 26.8 kg/m2. The commonest presentation was breast and musculoskeletal pain (100%), shoulder grooving (81.3%) and sub-mammary intertrigo (37.5%). The average duration of symptoms was 2 years. All patients initially being reluctant to seek medical advice. Only 10.4 % of patients were aware of availability of treatment. Wise pattern reduction mammoplasty was performed in 79.2%. The commonest complications were wound dehiscence (4/48) followed by surgical site infection (2/48) and nipple necrosis (1/48). There was a significant improvement in satisfaction with breast aesthetics and reduction in pain following surgery. There was also an improvement in all 8 domains of the quality of life following surgery in comparison to the pre-operative scores especially in general health, pain and physical functions.
Conclusion
Our study clearly demonstrated that reduction mammoplasty caused a significant improvement in the overall quality of life and psychological wellbeing with significant reduction in pain for patients suffering from macromastia. Creating more awareness among the public to encourage women to openly discuss about breast related symptoms and to overcome socio cultural taboos and barriers is a timely necessity.
An Assessment of the performance of the National Health Research System in Mauritius to accelerate progress towards Universal Health Coverage
Authors: Musango Laurent , Nundoochan Ajoy , Kirigia Joses Muthuri , Ramful Yogendranath
Published: July 2022

Background: The goal of universal health coverage (UHC) is that every individual has access to quality health services without running the consequences of financial hardship. The World health report 2013 "Research for universal health coverage" states a performant National Health Research Systems (NHRS) can contribute by providing solutions to challenges encountered in advancing towards UHC by 2030. The WHO Regional Committee for Africa adopted a resolution in 2015 urging member states to strengthen their NHRS to facilitate production and utilization of evidence in policy development, planning, product development, innovation, and decision-making. This study aimed to calculate NHRS barometer score for Mauritius in 2020, identify the gaps in NHRS performance, and recommend interventions for boosting the Mauritius NHRS in the pursuit of UHC.Methods: The study used a cross-sectional survey design. A semi-structured NHRS questionnaire was administered and complemented with a review of documents archived in pertinent Mauritius Government Ministries, universities, research-oriented departments and non-governmental organizations websites. The African NHRS barometer developed in 2016 for countries to monitor the RC resolution implementation was applied. The barometer consists of four NHRS functions (leadership and governance, developing and sustaining resources, producing and utilizing research, financing research for health [R4H]), and 17 sub-functions.Results: In 2020, Mauritius had an overall average NHRS barometer score of 60.84%, a 38.27% improvement compared to a score of 44.0% in 2018. The four NHRS functions average indices were 50.0% for leadership and governance, 77.0% for developing and sustaining resources, 52.0% for producing and utilizing R4H, and 58.2% for financing R4H. The overall NHRS barometer score improvements are attributed to the underlying performance growth of 50.0% in leadership and governance, 29.0% in developing and sustaining resources, and 16.4% in financing R4H. Conclusion: The performance of NHRS could be improved further through the development of a national R4H policy, strategic plan, prioritized agenda, and national multi-stakeholder health research management forum. Furthermore, increased funding for the NHRS may nurture the human resources for health research capacities, hence the number of pertinent publications and health innovations.
A case of idiopathic unilateral calcification of the optic nerve, chiasm and optic tract.
Authors: Piashko Yauhen A. , Zhurauliou Vladimir , Kramarenko Aleksandra N. , Bayramova Ayya
Published: July 2022

Purpose
We present a rare case of unilateral calcification of the optic nerve, half of the chiasm, and optic tract.
Methods
Observational case report.
Results
The patient has no traumatic history or metabolic disorders which we can associate with this disease. Complete blindness of the left eye noted from the age of 3. We detected nerve calcification at 36 after removing the tuberculum sellae meningioma.
Conclusion
Our clinical case isn’t a consequence of a meningioma since blindness developed. At this age, the appearance of meningiomas is extremely unlikely, which is confirmed by absence of sings of a tumor on neuroimaging from 2014.
Full Surface Defect Detection of Spherical Fruit Based on Hyperspectral Online Sorting Technology
Authors: SHANG Mengmeng , XUE Long , ZHANG Yifan , LIU Muhua , LI Jing
Published: July 2022

The whole surface hyperspectral image acquisition of spherical fruit is particularly important for the detection and quality classification of fruit surface defects. Because the light intensity at the edge of the spherical fruit is lower than that in the middle, the defects on the surface of the fruit cannot be effectively identified. In this paper, a hyperspectral online sorting device for the whole surface of spherical fruits is proposed. The correction of light intensity of spherical fruits is realized by using spectral characteristic peaks and the Non-uniformity Correction based on Quadratic Curve Fitting (QCF). First of all, the image data of navel orange was collected by online detection sorting equipment and the spectral image of the characteristic wave peak of 1655.72 nm was extracted. Then, the light intensity at the edge of the spherical fruit is enhanced by Non-uniformity Correction. Finally, the corrected image is segmented by the threshold to obtain surface defects. Ultimately, the online sorting test is carried out, and the detection accuracy is 100%. For defective navel oranges, the number of defect pixels after light intensity enhancement is effectively improved compared with that before light intensity enhancement. This indicates that this method not only overcomes the defect of the uneven light intensity distribution of spherical fruit surface images, but also effectively improves the sensitivity of defect detection. At the same time, the dimensionality reduction of hyperspectral data is also carried out, which is conducive to improving the efficiency of online detection.
RDMA Based Congestion Control Strategy for DML Training Optimization in Data Center Networks
Authors: Wu Jiagui , Qin Yang , Yang Weihong , Li Ruonan
Published: July 2022

Distributed Machine Learning (DML) is one of the important means to accelerate the training of machine learning models. However, the Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) technology applied in the data center network cannot well support the communication of DML during parameter synchronization, and there will be relatively large communication overhead. The TMDML (Traffic Management for DML) proposed in this paper records and maintains the state of the data stream by the network nodes, and allocates the bandwidth according to the network state. TMDML achieves higher communication efficiency while reducing the total time to complete DML tasks by alleviating the slow flow lag problem. On this basis, we design TMDML-NIC and TMDML-Switch to meet the deployment requirements of different network equipment. At the same time, we propose the fluid model of TMDML, and the experiments show that the fluid model is in good agreement with the realization method. Through the fluid model, we can not only visually see the changes of important indicators such as flow rate, but also predict these indicators to a certain extent, and can also use it to better optimize the protocol parameters. We conduct simulation experiments on DCQCN and TMDML for different deep learning models and different topologies, respectively. The experimental results show that, compared with DCQCN, TMDML reduces the number of ECNs per switch, which indicates that TMDML can better alleviate the congestion state in the network. The communication overhead caused by parameter synchronization is all reduced in our training tasks. Especially in the Fat-Tree model, there is at least a 32% reduction. This ratio will be higher on more time-consuming models and topologies with more nodes.
Predicting the structure of large protein complexes using AlphaFold and Monte Carlo tree search.
Authors: Elofsson Arne , Bryant Patrick , Pozzati Gabriele , Zhu Wensi , Shenoy Aditi , Kundrotas Petras
Published: July 2022

AlphaFold can predict the structure of single- and multiple-chain proteins with very high accuracy. However, the accuracy decreases with the number of chains, and the available GPU memory limits the size of protein complexes which can be predicted. Here we show that one can predict the structure of large complexes starting from predictions of subcomponents. We assemble 91 out of 175 complexes with 10–30 chains from predicted subcomponents using Monte Carlo tree search, with a median TM-score of 0.51. There are 30 highly accurate complexes (TM-score ≥ 0.8, 33% of complete assemblies). We create a scoring function, mpDockQ, that can distinguish if assemblies are complete and predict their accuracy. We find that complexes containing symmetry are accurately assembled, while asymmetrical complexes remain challenging. The method is freely available and accesible as a Colab notebook https://colab.research.google.com/github/patrickbryant1/MoLPC/blob/master/MoLPC.ipynb.
Vapor-phase (p, ρ, T ) Behavior of Difluoromethane (R32)+ Trifluoroiodomethane (R13I1), Pentafluoroethane(R125) + R13I1, and R32 + R125 + R13I1 mixtures: Experimental Measurements Based on the IsochoricMethod and Verification with a Generalized VirialEquation of State
Authors: Akasaka Ryo , Kayukawa Yohei , Higashi Yukihiro
Published: July 2022

Mixing R13I1 with flammable or weakly-flammable refrigerants is an approach to reduce both their flammability and global warming potential(GWP); however, thermodynamic property data of mixtures containing R13I1are currently scarce. In this work, experimental measurements were performed for the (p, ρ, T) behavior in the vapor phase of R32 + R13I1, R125 + R13I1,and R32 + R125 + R13I1 mixtures. The measurements were made at temperatures from 300 K to 400 K and pressures up to 6.3 MPa, and 44 data points were obtained for the R32 + R13I1 mixture and 25 data points for theR125 + R13I1 mixture. For the ternary mixture, 25 data points were obtained at the composition of R466A (R32:R125:R13I1 = 49:11.5:39.5 mass%). The validity of the experimental data was verified by comparing to the virial equation of state generalized for nonpolar or weakly polar fluids based on the corresponding states principle. The comparison showed that deviations between the experimental and calculated pressures are generally minor and less scattered; this suggests that the (p, ρ, T) data obtained in this work are reasonable in terms of the law of corresponding states.
Predicting the Need for Intubation Within 3 Hours in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Using a Multimodal Deep Neural Network
Authors: Im Jueng-Eun , Park Seung , Kim Yoo-Jin , Yoon Shin Ae , Lee Ji Hyuk
Published: July 2022

Respiratory distress is a common chief complaint in neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. Despite the increasing use of non-invasive ventilation in neonates with respiratory difficulty, some of them require advanced airway support. Delayed intubation is associated with increased morbidity, particularly in urgent unplanned cases. Early and accurate prediction of the need for intubation may provide more time for preparation and increase safety margins by avoiding the late intubation at high-risk infants. This study aimed to predict the need for intubation within 3 hours in neonates initially managed with non-invasive ventilation for respiratory distress during the first 48 hours of life using a multimodal deep neural network. We developed a multimodal deep neural network model to simultaneously analyze 4 time series data collected at 1-hour intervals and 19 variables including demographic data, physiological parameters, and laboratory values. Evaluating the dataset of 128 neonates with respiratory distress who underwent non-invasive ventilation, our model achieved an area under the curve of 0.917, sensitivity of 85.2%, and specificity of 89.2%. These findings demonstrated that the multimodal model successfully predicted the need for intubation within 3 hours.
Impact of age on the prognosis and decision-making of adjuvant treatment for resectable rectal cancer- a population based analysis
Authors: Wang Lei , Lai Cheng , Zhong Xiaohong , Shao Lingdong , Wu Junxin
Published: July 2022

Background
Different age groups exhibit disparate patterns of epidemiology, clinicopathology, treatment response, and prognosis in relation to rectal cancer (RC), but little is known about the interactions between age and adjuvant treatment (AT) for resectable RC.
Methods
The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (SEER) was used to identify patients who had received surgery but not neoadjuvant treatment for rectal adenocarcinoma between 2010 and 2015. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) was used to identify the optimal cut-off value of age for overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS), and then further analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier (KM) curves and propensity score matching (PSM) stratified by different age groups, pathological stage (pT1 − 2N0, pT3 − 4N0, pT1 − 4N+), and AT modalities including chemotherapy (CT), radiotherapy (RT), and CT + RT.
Results
7951 patients were eligible for this study, and age was found to be an independent risk factor of OS and CSS after adjusted other risk factors (all P < 0.001). 50 years old was identified as the optimal cut-off value for OS and CSS using RCS, and patients aged < 50 years old (early-onset rectal cancer, EORC) have a significantly better prognosis than those aged ≥ 50 years old (late-onset rectal cancer, LORC) before and after PSM (both P < 0.001). Among the EORC patients, only subgroup of pT1 − 4N + was found to be benefited from AT before and after PSM (both P < 0.05), and further analysis showed that this population was only benefited from adjuvant CT in terms of OS (P < 0.05). Among LORC patients, subgroups of pT3 − 4N0 and pT1 − 4N + were both found to be benefited from AT (both P < 0.001). Further analysis showed that adjuvant CT and CT + RT could both significantly improve the OS of these two subgroups (all P < 0.05), but adjuvant RT alone was only found to benefit those staged at pT1 − 4N+ (P < 0.05).
Conclusions
The optimal age threshold for RC patients undergoing direct surgery was 50 years old. Patients with EORC staging at pT1-4N + should receive adjuvant CT + RT. Patients with LORC staging at pT3-4N0 and pT1-4N + should receive adjuvant CT + RT or CT. In addition, adjuvant RT alone could also be an option for selected LORC patients. However, this conclusion deserves further validation by prospective cohorts.
A pilot surveillance report of SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen test results among volunteers in Germany, 1st week of July 2022
Authors: Stemler Jannik , Salmanton-García Jon , Weise Ben , Többen Christina , Joisten Carolin , Fleig Julian , Cornely Oliver
Published: July 2022

PurposeWe hypothesized that reported SARS-CoV-2 infection numbers are underestimated due to high dark figures as only results from polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests are incorporated in governmental statistics and testing capacities were further restricted as of July, 2022MethodsA point prevalence investigation was piloted by rapid antigen testing (RAT) among participants of the VACCELERATE volunteer registry. 2400 volunteers were contacted, of which 500 received a RAT including instructions for self-testing in the first week of July, 2022. Results were self-reported via e-mail.Results419 valid RAT results were collected until July 7th, 2022. Between July-1 and July-7, 2022, 7/419 (1.67%) tests were positive. Compared to reports of the German Federal Government, our results suggest a 2.39-fold higher prevalence. Three out of seven positive individuals did not have a PCR test and are therefore likely not to be displayed in governmental statistics.ConclusionOur findings imply that the actual prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 may be higher than detected by current surveillance systems, so that current pandemic surveillance and testing strategies need to be adapted.
Soil Erosion Risk Assessment using Geospatial Techniques
Authors: Ahad Ummar , Ali Umair , Ali Syed Ahmad
Published: July 2022

The present study emphasized the application of geospatial techniques in measurement of drainage and morphometric parameters. Dudhganga-Shaliganga catchment with 7 sub-basins (coded as DS1-DS7) was analyzed to assess the soil erosion risk using detailed measurement of drainage and morphometric parameters using geospatial techniques. Linear, shape and relief parameters were assessed for every sub-basin and accordingly ranks were assigned on the basis of interrelationship with soil erodibility. The stream order up to 6 has been analyzed with drainage density of 1.881 with sub-parallel drainage pattern. As for as the area of interest is concerned, drainage network is controlled by lithological and geomorphic conditions with effect of subsurface structures dominant in SW sub-basins. The sub-basins were divided into high, medium and low category in terms of priority for soil Management and conservation. Ranking reveals that DS1, DS2 and DS6 come under very high soil erosion susceptibility. Existence of these sub-basins towards Pir-Panjal side having high altitudinal, high slope and deep valley topography enhance soil erosion risk supported by deforestation, unmannered cultivation on hill slopes and changing face of landscape by human activities. Besides, the sub-basins showing higher erosion rick have higher concentration of lineaments which acts as weak planes and allows easy water flow and increases chances of landslides by lubrication. Consecutively, soil erosion during heavy rain fall also gives birth to siltation problems in the plainer low lying areas as said above, which is a very serious problem to eradicate. Thus, morphotectonic and morphometric analysis applied has given an importance inferences related to soil erosion risk assessment in the area.
Long-term treatment outcomes of pediatric low-grade gliomas treated at a university-based hospital
Authors: Jujui-eam Apisak , Sirachainan Nongnuch , Hongeng Suradej , Hansasuta Ake , Boongird Attaporn , Tritanon Oranan , Dhanachai Mantana , Swangsilpa Thiti , Ruangkanchanasetr Rawee , Worawongsakul Rasin , Puataweepong Putipun
Published: July 2022

Purpose
A multimodality approach is generally considered for pediatric low-grade gliomas (LGG); however, the optimal management remains uncertain. The objective of the study was to evaluate treatment outcomes of pediatric LGG, focusing on long-term survival and factors related to outcomes.
Methods
A retrospective review of 77 pediatric LGG cases treated at Ramathibodi Hospital, Thailand between 2000 and 2018 was performed. The inclusion criteria were all pediatric LGG cases aged ≤ 15 years. Diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas and spinal cord tumors were excluded.
Results
The median follow-up time was 8.2 years (range, 0.6–19.7). The median age at diagnosis was 6.2 years (interquartile range, 3.6–11.4). Treatments included surgery (71%), chemotherapy (40%), and radiation therapy (14%). The 10-year overall survival (OS) and 10-year progression-free survival were 94% and 59%, respectively, for the entire cohort. The 10-year OS was 100% in three subgroups of patients: pilocytic subtype, WHO grade 1 tumors, and receipt of gross total resection. After multivariable analysis, older age and no surgery had a significant negative impact on OS.
Conclusions
Excellent outcomes can be achieved in pediatric LGG patients using a multidisciplinary approach. Gross total resection is the standard primary treatment. Chemotherapy is the alternative standard treatment in incomplete resection cases, unresectable patients, or patients with progressive disease. Radiation therapy should be reserved as a salvage treatment option because of late complications that usually affect patients’ quality of life.
Paracoccus marinaquae sp. nov., isolated from coastal water of the Yellow Sea
Authors: Xue Hua-Peng , Fu Zi-Yue , He Wei , Wang Lei , Li Wen-Jun , Zhang Ai Hua , Huang Jian-Ke , Zhang Dao-Feng , Zhao Zhe
Published: July 2022

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile and coccoid bacterial strain, designated XHP0099T, was isolated from coastal water of the Yellow Sea, China. Growth occurred at 20–37°C (optimum, 28°C), pH 5.0–9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0–8.0), and with 0–7.0% NaCl (optimum, 2.0–3.0%). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain XHP0099T was related to members of the genus Paracoccus and shared highest sequence similarity with P. siganidrum M26T (98.2%), followed by P. alkanivorans 4-2T (97.6%) and P. alkenifer DSM 11593T (97.4%). The major cellular fatty acids (＞10%) were summed feature 8 (C18:1 ω7c/C18:1 ω6c), and C18:0. The major isoprenoid quinone was Q-10 and the polar lipids contained diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylcholine (PC), aminolipid (AL) and unidentified polar lipid (L). The average nucleotide identity values between strain XHP0099T and P. siganidrum M26T, P. alkanivorans 4-2T, P. alkenifer DSM 11593T and P. saliphilus DSM 18447T were 81.41%, 80.13%, 75.77% and 78.27%, respectively. The digital DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain XHP0099T with P. siganidrum M26T, P. alkanivorans 4-2T, P. alkenifer DSM 11593T and P. saliphilus DSM 18447T were 24.10%, 23.00%, 20.80 % and 21.20%, respectively. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain XHP0099T was 66.0%. Based on the phenotypic, phylogenetic, biochemical and chemotaxonomic analysis, strain XHP0099T represents a novel species of the genus Paracoccus, for which the name Paracoccus marinaquae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is XHP0099T (=JCM 34661T=GDMCC 1.2414T=MCCC 1K05846T).