bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RETRACTED - Excess mortality among patients with severe mental disorders and effects of community-based mental healthcare: a community-based prospective study in Sichuan, China
Authors: Li Yaxi , Yan Lijing L. , Ronsmans Carine , Wen Hong , Xu Jiajun , Wang Dan , Yang Min
Published: April 2021

Background

High-quality primary care reduces premature mortality in the general population, but evidence for psychiatric patients in China is scarce.

Aims

To confirm excess mortality in patients with severe mental illness (SMI), and to examine the impact of community-based mental healthcare and other risk factors on their mortality.

Method

We included 93 655 patients in 2012 and 100 706 in 2013 from the national mental health surveillance system in Sichuan, China to calculate the standardised mortality ratio (SMR). A total of 112 576 patients were followed up from 2009 to 2014 for model analyses. We used growth models to quantify the patterns of change for community management measures, high-risk behaviour, disease stability and medication adherence of patients over time, and then used multilevel proportional hazard models to examine the association between change patterns of management measures and mortality.

Results

The SMR was 6.44 (95% CI 4.94–8.26) in 2012 and 7.57 (95% CI 5.98–9.44) in 2013 among patients with SMI aged 15–34 years, and diminished with age. Unfavourable baseline socioeconomic status increased the hazard of death by 38–50%. Positive changes in high-risk behaviour, disease stability and medication adherence had a 54% (95% CI 47–60%), 69% (95% CI 63–73%) and 20% (4–33%) reduction in hazard of death, respectively, versus in those where these were unchanged.

Conclusions

High excess mortality was confirmed among younger patients with SMI in Sichuan, China. Our findings on the relationships between community management and socioeconomic factors and mortality can inform community-based mental healthcare policies to reduce excess mortality among patients with SMI.
Oncology Clinical Trials in Africa: Partnering for Quality
Authors: Shamley Delva , Ezeani Adaora , Okoye Ifeoma
Published: April 2021

Oncology clinical trials are requisite for testing the safety and effectiveness of promising treatments and deciphering new knowledge into concrete benefits for patients. They present opportunities to innovate promising, novel cancer remedies. A dearth of local evidence to guide cancer treatment in Africans is creating an increased interest in oncology clinical trials to improve patient care. This is primarily because of limitations in pathology, surgery, medical oncology, radiation, and palliation that are leading to worse cancer outcomes on the continent.

Investment in oversight of Human Research Ethics committees and Medicines Regulatory Authorities in Africa has improved the potential for many countries to host clinical trials. However, the distribution of cancer trials remains poor across the continent, resulting in inadequate treatment options for patients with cancer.

There are some initiatives aimed at developing research capacity to host trials in Africa. However, there is now a need to establish strategic partnerships whose aim should be to achieve harmonized, accredited Clinical Trials Units capable of running trials to meet Good Clinical Practice standards. This article discusses what has been achieved and proposes a model for quality oversight of Clinical Trials Units in Africa.
Effects of Behavioral Weight Loss and Metformin on IGFs in Cancer Survivors: A Randomized Trial
Authors: Yeh Hsin-Chieh , Maruthur Nisa M , Wang Nae-Yuh , Jerome Gerald J , Dalcin Arlene T , Tseng Eva , White Karen , Miller Edgar R , Juraschek Stephen P , Mueller Noel T , Charleston Jeanne , Durkin Nowella , Hassoon Ahmed , Lansey Dina G , Kanarek Norma F , Carducci Michael A , Appel Lawrence J
Published: April 2021

Context

Higher levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) are associated with increased risk of cancers and higher mortality. Therapies that reduce IGF-1 have considerable appeal as means to prevent recurrence.

Design

Randomized, 3-parallel-arm controlled clinical trial.

Interventions and Outcomes

Cancer survivors with overweight or obesity were randomized to (1) self-directed weight loss (comparison), (2) coach-directed weight loss, or (3) metformin treatment. Main outcomes were changes in IGF-1 and IGF-1:IGFBP3 molar ratio at 6 months. The trial duration was 12 months.

Results

Of the 121 randomized participants, 79% were women, 46% were African Americans, and the mean age was 60 years. At baseline, the average body mass index was 35 kg/m2; mean IGF-1 was 72.9 (SD, 21.7) ng/mL; and mean IGF1:IGFBP3 molar ratio was 0.17 (SD, 0.05). At 6 months, weight changes were -1.0% (P = 0.07), -4.2% (P < 0.0001), and -2.8% (P < 0.0001) in self-directed, coach-directed, and metformin groups, respectively. Compared with the self-directed group, participants in metformin had significant decreases on IGF-1 (mean difference in change: -5.50 ng/mL, P = 0.02) and IGF1:IGFBP3 molar ratio (mean difference in change: -0.0119, P = 0.011) at 3 months. The significant decrease of IGF-1 remained in participants with obesity at 6 months (mean difference in change: -7.2 ng/mL; 95% CI: -13.3 to -1.1), but not in participants with overweight (P for interaction = 0.045). There were no significant differences in changes between the coach-directed and self-directed groups. There were no differences in outcomes at 12 months.

Conclusions

In cancer survivors with obesity, metformin may have a short-term effect on IGF-1 reduction that wanes over time.
Clinical Presentation and Perioperative Management of Pheochromocytomas and Paragangliomas: A 4-Decade Experience
Authors: Uslar Thomas , San Francisco Ignacio F , Olmos Roberto , Macchiavelo Stefano , Zuñiga Alvaro , Rojas Pablo , Garrido Marcelo , Huete Alvaro , Mendez Gonzalo P , Cortinez Ignacio , Zemelman José Tomás , Cifuentes Joaquín , Castro Fernando , Olivari Daniela , Domínguez José Miguel , Arteaga Eugenio , Fardella Carlos E , Valdés Gloria , Tagle Rodrigo , Baudrand Rene
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Latin American reports on pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) are scarce. Recent studies demonstrate changes in clinical presentation and management of these patients. Herein, we assessed the main characteristics of PPGL patients in our academic center over the past 4 decades.

Methods

Demographic, clinical, biochemical, and perioperative data from 105 PPGL patients were retrospectively and prospectively collected over the 1980–2019 period. Data were organized into 4 periods by decade.

Results

Age at diagnosis, gender, tumor size and percentage of bilaterality, percentage of paragangliomas, and metastases remained stable across the 4 decades. The proportion of genetic testing and incidentalomas increased in recent decades (all P < 0.001). Therefore, we compared PPGLs diagnosed as incidentalomas (36%) with those clinically suspected (64%). Incidentalomas had fewer adrenergic symptoms (38 vs. 62%; P < 0.001) and lower rates of hypertension (64% vs. 80%; P = 0.01) and hypertensive crisis (28% vs. 44%; P = 0.02); also, they had lower functionality (79% vs. 100%; P = 0.01) and lower catecholamines levels (8.4-fold vs. 12.5-fold above upper cutoffs; P = 0.04). Regarding management of all PPGLs over the decades, we observed significant increases in both perioperative doxazosin dose (P = 0.003) and laparoscopic approach rates (P < 0.001), along with a decrease in the length of hospital stays (P = 0.007).

Conclusions

We observed a change in the clinical presentation of PPGL in recent decades, with a marked increase in incidental cases and milder symptoms. The implementation of a multidisciplinary program for adrenal disorders in our institution has translated into more timely diagnoses, more genetic testing, and improvements in perioperative management.
The control of root, vegetative shoot and flower morphogenesis in tobacco thin cell-layer expiants (TCLs)
Authors: Mohnen Debra , Eberhard Stefan , Marfà Victôria , Doubrava Nancy , Toubart Patrick , Gollin David J. , Gruber Teresa A. , Nuri Walid , Albersheim Peter , Darvill Alan
Published: April 2021

Thin cell-layer explants (TCLs) have been proposed as favorable tissues for the study of root, vegetative shoot and flower formation. We tested the effects of pH, light quality, light quantity, and IBA and kinetin concentrations on the morphogenesis of TCLs cultured individually on a liquid medium. Alterations of the amounts of exogenously supplied IBA and kinetin were sufficient to induce the formation of roots, vegetative shoots and flowers on TCLs cultured on otherwise identical media. The type and number of organs formed were sensitive to the intensity of light (55, 75, 100 and 120μEinsteins m-2sec-1) under which TCLs were grown. Evidence was obtained that the effects of light on TCL morphogenesis were associated with photochemical degradation of IBA in the medium. Evaluation of the organogenesis that occurred in TCLs cultured on a medium containing a range of IBA and kinetin concentrations showed that the number and type of organs formed, and overall growth, were dependent upon the initial concentrations of auxin and cytokinin. We have developed the TCL culture system into a sensitive and reproducible bioassay for the study of morphogenesis. The advantages of using the TCL morphogenesis bioassay for the identification and study of molecules (e.g. cell wall oligosaccharides) that may regulate morphogenesis are discussed.
Naturally O-N-S Co-Doped Carbon with Multiscale Pore Architecture Derived from Lotus Leaf Stem for High-Performance Supercapacitors
Authors: Liu Huan , Chen Wei , Zhang Rongli , Ren Yiming
Published: April 2021

Lotus leaf stem is successfully exploited as a sustainable biomass to fabricate multi-heteroatom co-doped carbon with multiscale pore architecture by a readily scalable and effective strategy of pre-carbonization and KOH activation. By taking advantage of 3D hierarchical structure with high surface area and optimized pore size distribution, naturally O-N-S co-doping and nanosized graphitic structure (contributing to large accessible surface for charge storage, short ion diffusion distance, rapid charge transfer and low internal resistance), as-produced carbon is demonstrated as a promising electrode for supercapacitors with a high capacitance of 425 F/g at 0.5 A/g in a three-electrode system and 295 F/g at 0.1 A/g with superb rate capability (84% retention from 0.2 to 20 A/g) and outstanding recyclability (97.8% retention after 10000 charge-discharge cycles at 10 A/g) in a two-electrode system with KOH solution. The excellent recyclability of 93.3% is also achieved after 10000 cycles at 10 A/g for the symmetric supercapacitor using Na2SO4 electrolyte. These values may boost the commercial application of biomass-derived carbon for energy storage.
Preparation and Catalytic Performance of Highly Stable Silica-Coated Gold Nanorods Supported on Alumina
Authors: Imura Yoshiro , Fukuda Kunihiro , Saito Haruna , Maniwa Motoki , Kurihara Yusuke , Morita-Imura Clara , Kawai Takeshi
Published: April 2021

Shape-controlled metal nanocrystals such as nanorods are attractive because of their potential novel catalytic properties. It is important to improve the stability of the shape-controlled nanocrystals to be applied as nanocatalysts. In this study, α-Al2O3-supported Au nanorods (AuNR/α-Al2O3) and silica-coated α-Al2O3-supported Au nanorods (SiO2/AuNR/α-Al2O3) were prepared as alcohol oxidation catalysts for the transformation of 1-phenylethyl alcohol to acetophenone. The formation rate of acetophenone over AuNR/α-Al2O3 is higher than that over α-Al2O3-supported spherical Au nanoparticles obtained by calcining AuNR/α-Al2O3. In addition, SiO2/AuNR/α-Al2O3 exhibits higher catalytic performance and thermal stability than those of AuNR/α-Al2O3 in alcohol oxidation.
Efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen combined with escitalopram in depression and its effect on cognitive function
Authors: Mi Kun , Guo Qiang , Xu Bao-yan , Wang Man , Bi Hao
Published: April 2021

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) combined with escitalopram in patients with depression and its effect on cognitive function.

Methods: From 2016 to 2018, seventy patients with depression aged 18-65 years treated in Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University were selected. Seventy patients with depression meeting the diagnostic criteria of ICD-10 were selected and randomly divided into control group and observation group using a random number table, with 35 patients in each group. The control group was treated with escitalopram, while the observation group was additionally treated with HBO on this basis. The patients were assessed using the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA) before treatment and two, four and six weeks after treatment.

Results: Two weeks after treatment, HAMD score showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were found in HAMD score between the two groups four and six weeks after treatment (P > 0.05). Four and six weeks after treatment, MoCA score presented statistically significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Escitalopram combined with HBO in the treatment of depression presents rapid efficacy and a certain effect in improving cognitive function.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.4.3993

How to cite this:Mi K, Guo Q, Xu BY, Wang M, Bi H. Efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen combined with escitalopram in depression and its effect on cognitive function. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(4):1054-1057. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.4.3993

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Εκπαιδευτικές πρακτικές και δυσκολίες κατανόησης χρονικών εννοιών στο πλαίσιο ανάπτυξης του τελετουργικού των ημερολογίων στο νηπιαγωγείο. Μια μελέτη περίπτωσης
Authors: Μουμουλίδου Μαρία
Published: April 2021

Το άρθρο αυτό εστιάζει στις εκπαιδευτικές πρακτικές μιας νηπιαγωγού για τη διδασκαλία χρονικών εννοιών και στις δυσκολίες των νηπίων, όπως εκδηλώνονται στο πλαίσιο του τελετουργικού των ημερολογίων, με μια προσέγγιση που προτάσσει τόσο τη δράση τους όσο και το πλαίσιο της μαθησιακής κατάστασης. Πρόκειται για μελέτη περίπτωσης, που σκοπό έχει την κατανόηση και την εξήγηση των πρακτικών της νηπιαγωγού (λεκτικών και μη) στη πολυπλοκότητά τους, και των δυσκολιών των παιδιών, λαμβάνοντας υπόψη τόσο την ιδιαιτερότητα των διδασκομένων χρονικών εννοιών όσο και αυτήν του υλικού περιβάλλοντος, μέσα από μια κοινωνικο-οικοδομιστική λογική. Η ανάλυση των δεδομένων είναι ποιοτική, η συλλογή τους έγινε με παρατήρηση με χρήση κάμερας, σε μια αίθουσα νηπιαγωγείου με 22 παιδιά ηλικίας 4-6 ετών, και συμπληρώθηκε με συνεντεύξεις με τη νηπιαγωγό. Τα συμπεράσματα δείχνουν ότι οι εκπαιδευτικές πρακτικές δεν έλαβαν υπόψη τα γεγονότα ζωής των παιδιών που συνδέονται με τις έννοιες του χρόνου, ότι ήταν προσανατολισμένες στην αναγνώριση των λέξεων και των συμβόλων των χρονικών εννοιών και όχι στην κατανόησή τους. Κατά συνέπεια, οι δυσκολίες των παιδιών εντοπίζονται στο γνωστικό πεδίο της Γλώσσας και όχι της έννοιας του χρόνου, δυσκολία που ενέτεινε η συλλογική και τελετουργική διαδικασία των ημερολογίων.
Antenatal care providers’ attitudes and beliefs towards maternal vaccination in Kenya
Authors: Chander Subhash , Gonzalez-Casanova Ines , Chaves Sandra S. , Otieno Nancy A. , Widdowson Marc-Alain , Verani Jennifer , Frew Paula , Wilson Andrew , Omer Saad B. , Malik Fauzia
Published: April 2021

Background: Maternal immunization is known to be one of the best strategies to protect both mothers and their infants from infectious diseases. Studies have shown that healthcare providers play a critical role in implementation of maternal immunization. However, little is known about providers’ attitudes and beliefs towards vaccination that can influence their vaccine recommendations, specifically in low to middle income countries (LMIC).

Methods: A self-administrated knowledge, attitude and behavior (KAB) survey was provided to 150 antenatal care providers across four different regions (Nairobi, Mombasa, Marsabit, and Siaya counties) of Kenya. The research staff visited the 150 clinics and hospitals and distributed a quantitative KAB survey.

Results: Nearly all of the antenatal care providers (99%) recommended tetanus maternal vaccination. Similarly, 99% of the providers agreed that they would agree to provide additional vaccinations for pregnant women and reported that they always advise their patients to get vaccinated. Between 80 and 90% of the providers reported that religious beliefs, ethnicity, cultural background and political leaders do not affect their attitude or beliefs towards recommending vaccines.

Conclusions: Considering the positive responses of healthcare providers towards vaccine acceptance and recommendation, these results highlight an opportunity to work in partnership with these providers to improve coverage of maternal vaccination and to introduce additional vaccines (such as influenza). In order to achieve this, logistical barriers that have affected the coverage of the currently recommended vaccines, should be addressed as part of this partnership.
Scandal, Social Movement, and Change: Evidence from #MeToo in Hollywood
Authors: Luo Hong , Zhang Laurina
Published: April 2021

Social movements have the potential to effect change in strategic decision making. In this paper, we examine whether the #MeToo movement, spurred by the Harvey Weinstein scandal, leads to changes in the likelihood of Hollywood producers working with female writers on new movie projects. Because #MeToo affected the entire industry, we use variation in whether producers had past collaborations with Weinstein to investigate whether and how #MeToo may spur change. We find that producers previously associated with Weinstein are, on average, about 35% more likely to work with female writers after the scandal than they were before, relative to nonassociated producers, and the size of this effect increases with the intensity of the association. Female producers are the main drivers of our results, perhaps because they are more likely than male producers to resonate with the movement’s cause and face relatively low costs of enacting change. Changes made by other groups, such as production teams with the most intense association with Weinstein and less experienced all-male teams, may be better explained by motivations to mitigate risk. We also find that producers do not sacrifice writer experience by hiring more female writers and that both experienced and novice female writers have benefited from the increased demand. Our study shows that social movements that seek to address gender inequality can, indeed, lead to meaningful change. It also provides perspective for thinking about whether, and to what extent, changes may occur in broader settings.

This paper was accepted by Isabel Fernandez-Mateo, organizations.
Physico-Chemical and Antioxidant Properties of Skimmed Varenets (Slavic Baked Milk Yogurt) Mixed with Enzyme-Modified Potato Starches
Authors: Nikitina Elena V. , Yurtaeva Tatiana A. , Tsyganov Maxim S. , Ezhkova Galina O.
Published: April 2021

The present studies have examined the effect of potato starches treated with amylase B.licheformis (Bl) (laboratory sample) or Amylosubtilin® (AM) (Berdsk Factory of Biological Preparations (now: Sibbiofarm), Russia) in different concentrations on the quality of Slavic skim milk drink Varenets made from baked milk. The baked milk is milk heated to 98 °C for 3 hours, it has a sweet aroma and taste and creamy hue. The presence of enzyme-modified potato starches (Bl or AM) has been found to promote the activation of lactic acid fermentation, the accumulation of exopolysaccharides, and such stabilized products have a higher viscosity, a lower percentage of syneresis compared to the control sample. The antioxidant capacity of the Varents samples after fermentation was evaluated by two assays: analysis of radical capture activity of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH •); and the ability to restore Fe + 3 (Iron Reduction Antioxidant Ability Assay, FRAP). All Varentz samples showed different values for DPPH, FRAP assays depending on the starches used. The Introduction of pre-fermented starches into defatted jam promotes formation of enhanced antioxidant properties of milk product. The use of starches modified with enzymes improves sensory characteristics, in particular, as a fat imitator, formsfull taste of the drink.
Volatile Compounds, Phenolics and Microstructure of Aloe Vera Peel Powder Cells with Maltodextrin as their Capsules and Variations in Drying Temperature
Authors: Narsih Narsih , Agato Agato
Published: April 2021

The purpose of this study was to determine the quantity and quality of active compounds in aloe vera peel powder which was dried by foam mat drying method at a temperature of 60, 70, and 80°C for 6 hours. Aloe vera peel powder in this study came from aloe vera peel extract added with maltodextrin as a filler. The results of the study concluded that the volatile components by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) at each temperature have different types of compounds. Consecutively with drying temperatures of 60, 70, and 80°C detected as 21, 19, and 19 types of compounds, but there are 3 similar dominant compounds, namely menthone, 1-anthrol and anthranol. Analysis using HPLC produce 9 compounds different temperatures, but only 3 that had similarities, namely pyrogallol, β-Coumaric acid, and caffeic acid. Pyrogallol compounds in aloe vera peel powder dried at 60, 70, and 80° C were 513.44, 464.12, 606.76 μg / g respectively. The β-Coumaric acid that has been produced from drying temperatures 60, 70, and 80° C is 605.43, 547.33, and 715.37 μg / g respectively and the caffeic acid compound was resulting from drying temperatures 60, 70, and 80° C is 734.4, 664.00 and 867.85 μg / g. Microstructure analysis was only carried out on powder which is dried at 60oC, there are fine bubbles on the surface of the powder, this concludes that the powder has good solubility as one of the requirements of powdered products.
SUJEITAS DA PRÓPRIA HISTÓRIA: INFLUÊNCIA, ORGANIZAÇÕES E MOVIMENTOS DE MULHERES AFRICANAS (1940-1990)
Authors: Ferreira Thuila Farias
Published: April 2021

Resumo: ao evitar a reprodução de histórias únicas sobre África e sujeitas(os) africanas(os), devemos considerar em nossos estudos a perspectiva de autoras(es) africanas(os). O presente artigo aborda, numa perspectiva histórica, os movimentos e organizações de mulheres africanas da África subsaariana, em especial mas não exclusivamente em países anglófonos, como agentes que influenciaram rupturas e manutenções na paisagem política em seus países e no continente, no período entre 1940 e 1990. Sob influência de práticas pré-coloniais, as estratégias das mulheres africanas moldaram e foram moldadas pelas políticas de diferentes contextos.Palavras-chave: Mulheres africanas; organizações de mulheres africanas; movimentos de mulheres africanas; história única.
Review on Perimidines: A synthetic Pathways Approach
Authors: Yelmame Ganesh B. , JAGTAP SHRIKANT B.
Published: April 2021

Perimidines are available in an assortment of drugs and general use industrial structures and perimidines are also significant primary theme because of their extraordinary method of physiological activity. Thus the underlying significance of perimidine moiety has evoked a lot of interest in the field of natural blend and compound science to build up some better than ever amalgamation of this atomic skeleton. In this review, we have depicted a modern outline on the new advances in the different manufactured approaches of perimidine. The review covers the essential applied and down to earth synergist blend like, green methodologies, metal catalysed responses, microwave illumination, grinding and so forth which are critical for developing perimidine skeleton. This review will fulfill the assumptions for peruses who are keen on the advancement of the field and searching for an update. It will animate analysts to grow new and innovative manufactured admittance to this heterocyclic framework, which will be instrumental in the headway of perimidine science. This review provides an overview of various synthetic methodologies for the synthesis of a wide range of perimidine derivatives with applications in material chemistry, drug discovery, polymer chemistry, photo sensors, dye chemistry, and other fields.
Evaluation of Statistical Downscaling Methods for Simulating Daily Precipitation Distribution, Frequency, and Temporal Sequence
Authors: Zhang Xunchang , Shen Mingxi , Chen Jie , Homan Joel W. , Busteed Phillip R.
Published: April 2021

Highlights

Nine statistical downscaling methods from three downscaling categories were evaluated.

Weather generator-based methods had advantages in simulating non-stationary precipitation.

Differences in downscaling performance were smaller within each category than between categories.

The performance of each downscaling method varied with climate conditions.

Abstract. Spatial discrepancy between global climate model (GCM) projections and the climate data input required by hydrological models is a major limitation for assessing the impact of climate change on soil erosion and crop production at local scales. Statistical downscaling techniques are widely used to correct biases of GCM projections. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of nine statistical downscaling methods from three available statistical downscaling categories to simulate daily precipitation distribution, frequency, and temporal sequence at four Oklahoma weather stations representing arid to humid climate regions. The three downscaling categories included perfect prognosis (PP), model output statistics (MOS), and stochastic weather generator (SWG). To minimize the effect of GCM projection error on downscaling quality, the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Reanalysis 1 data at a 2.5° grid spacing (treated as observed grid data) were downscaled to the four weather stations (representing arid, semi-arid, sub humid, and humid regions) using the nine downscaling methods. The station observations were divided into calibration and validation periods in a way that maximized the differences in annual precipitation means between the two periods for assessing the ability of each method in downscaling non-stationary climate changes. All methods were ranked with three metrics (Euclidean distance, sum of absolute relative error, and absolute error) for their ability in simulating precipitation amounts at daily, monthly, yearly, and annual maximum scales. After eliminating the poorest two performers in simulating precipitation mean, distribution, frequency, and temporal sequence, the top four remaining methods in ascending order were Distribution-based Bias Correction (DBC), Generator for Point Climate Change (GPCC), SYNthetic weather generaTOR (SYNTOR), and LOCal Intensity scaling (LOCI). DBC and LOCI are bias-correction methods, and GPCC and SYNTOR are generator-based methods. The differences in performances among the downscaling methods were smaller within each downscaling category than between the categories. The performance of each method varied with the climate conditions of each station. Overall results indicated that the SWG methods had certain advantages in simulating daily precipitation distribution, frequency, and temporal sequence for non-stationary climate changes. Keywords: Climate change, Climate downscaling, Downscaling method evaluation, Statistical downscaling.
Inverse AERMOD and SCIPUFF Dispersion Modeling for Farm-Level PM10 Emission Rate Assessment
Authors: Cheng Bin , Shiv Kumar Aditya Padavagod , Wang-Li Lingjuan
Published: April 2021

Highlights

AERMOD and SCIPUFF were employed to back-calculate farm-level PM10 emission rates based on inverse modeling.

Both AERMOD and SCIPUFF did not capture the diurnal and seasonal variations of farm-level PM10 emission rates.

AERMOD modeling results were affected by wind speed, with higher wind speed leading to higher emission rates.

Higher numbers of receptors and PM10 measurements with greater time resolution may be recommended in the future.

Abstract. Air pollutant emissions from animal feeding operations (AFOs) have become a serious concern for public health and ambient air quality. Particulate matter with aerodynamic equivalent diameter less than or equal to 10 µm (PM10) is one of the major air pollutants emitted from AFOs. To assess the impacts of PM10 emissions from AFOs, knowledge about farm-level PM10 emission rates is needed but is challenging to obtain through field measurements. The inverse dispersion modeling approach provides an alternative way to estimate farm-level PM10 emission rates. In this study, two dispersion models, AERMOD and SCIPUFF, were employed to back-calculate farm-level PM10 emission rates based on hourly PM10 concentration measurements at four downwind locations in the vicinity of a commercial egg production farm in the southeast U.S. Onsite meteorological data were simultaneously recorded using a 10 m weather tower to facilitate the dispersion modeling. The modeling results were compared with PM10 emission measurements from two layer houses on the farm. Single-area source, double-area source, and double-volume source were used in AERMOD, while only single-point source was used in SCIPUFF. The inverse modeling results indicated that both SCIPUFF and AERMOD did not capture the diurnal and seasonal variations of the farm-level PM10 emission rates. In addition, the AERMOD modeling results were affected by wind speed, and higher emission rates may be predicted at higher wind speeds. The single-point source for SCIPUFF, the plume rise simplification for AERMOD, and insufficient concentration measurement resolution in response to temporal changes in wind direction may have added uncertainties to the modeling results. The results of this study suggest that more receptors covering more representative downwind locations should be considered in future modeling for farm-level emissions assessment. Moreover, ambient data collection with greater time resolution (e.g., less than one hour) is recommended to capture diurnal and seasonal patterns more rigorously. Only in this way can researchers achieve a better understanding of the effectiveness of inverse dispersion modeling for estimation of pollutant emission rates. Keywords: AERMOD, Animal feeding operations, Egg production, Farm-level emission rate, Inverse dispersion modeling, PM10, SCIPUFF.
Keanekaragaman dan Pengelompokan Jenis Ikan di Waduk Mulur Sukoharjo, Jawa Tengah, Indonesia
Authors: Faradiana Rahma , Budiharjo Agung , Sugiyarto Sugiyarto
Published: April 2021

ABSTRAKWaduk Mulur mempunyai luas 151 hektar. Waduk ini memiliki satu  inlet dan dua outlet. Pada kawasan inlet dan outlet mempunyai faktor biotik dan faktor abiotik yang berbeda yang dapat mempengaruhi keanekaragaman jenis ikan. Tujuan penelitian untuk mengetahui tingkat keanekaragaman dan pengelompokan jenis ikan yang ada di Waduk Mulur. Penelitian dilakukan pada bulan Oktober-November 2017 dan proses identifikasi ikan di Universitas Sebelas Maret. Pengambilan sampel ikan menggunakan metode purposive sampling dengan menentukan empat stasiun yang mewakili yakni pada kawasan inlet, tengah waduk dan dua lokasi outlet. Sampling dilakukan pukul 06.00-18.00 WIB dengan membuat plot ukuran sekitar 10x20 meter3. Sampling dilakukan sebanyak tiga kali ulangan pada masing- masing stasiun. Alat yang digunakan untuk menangkap ikan adalah jaring biasa, jala, serok ikan, anco, dan pancing. Identifikasi ikan dengan buku Kottelat et al (1993). Parameter lingkungan perairan yang diukur mencakup suhu, kecepatan arus, penetrasi cahaya, DO, BOD, dan plankton. Perhitungan indeks keanekaragaman dengan menggunakan indeks keragaman Shannon Wiener. Hubungan antara faktor abiotik dan keanekaragaman jenis ikan dianalisis dengan uji korelasi regresi menggunakan SPSS versi 23.0. Ikan yang berhasil ditangkap dan diidentifikasi selama penelitian berjumlah 512 ekor dikelompokkan kedalam 11 familia, 16 genus dan 24 species. Berdasarkan perhitungan indeks diversitas ikan menunjukkan di kawasan inlet dan tengah mempunyai indeks diversitas lebih tinggi yaitu 1,003 dan 1,026 sedangkan pada stasiun outlet I dan II secara berturut-turut yaitu 0,784 dan 0,895. Faktor abiotik yang secara signifikan mempengaruhi keanekaragaman ikan adalah penetrasi cahaya dan kecepatan arus. Habitat yang berbeda menyebabkan perbedaan karakter morfologi pada ikan.Kata Kunci : Keanekaragaman, Ikan, Waduk Mulur
Velocity mismatch effect on the dynamic MTF of a TDI image
sensor
Authors: Li Jun-Lin , Yang Yong-Qiang , Lan Tai-Ji , Tang Yan-Fu , Li Hong-Yu , Li Zhong-Ming
Published: April 2021

By analyzing the process of time delay integration dynamic imaging, we establish a
model of velocity mismatch. Based on this model, we analyze the
influence of different factors on the dynamic imaging process, and a
modulation transfer function (MTF) is used to evaluate imaging
quality. According to the simulation, the velocity mismatch and scan
stage are the main factors for image quality. The MTF of the image
sensor decreases with the velocity mismatch, and the scan stage
increases. In addition, an image with higher contrast can be obtained
in a short integration time. However, a shorter integration time leads
to insufficient sampling. Furthermore, we establish a dynamic MTF
testing system, and evaluate the experiment at different imaging
modes. Through data comparison, the experimental data are consistent
with theoretical data.
Ultraslow Kuznetsov-Ma solitons and Ahkmediev breathers in a cold three-state medium exposed to nanosecond optical pulses
Authors: Wang Wanwan , Bu Lili , Cheng Dandan , Ye Yanlin , Chen Shihua , Baronio Fabio
Published: April 2021

We investigate the formation of the Kuznetsov-Ma solitons and Ahkmediev breathers in a cold Λ-type three-level atomic system that interacts with a probe field of nanosecond pulse duration and a strong continuous-wave driving field via an electromagnetically induced transparency process. Within the framework of the Hirota equation, exact explicit analytical solutions of these breathers are obtained, showing different amplitude and oscillatory characteristics. Numerical simulations confirm the stability of both types of breathers against non-integrable perturbations that are caused by the nonvanishing decay rates of atomic states. We show that both breathers thus generated can propagate at a quite low group velocity.
Smoothened transduces Hedgehog signals via activity-dependent sequestration of PKA catalytic subunits
Authors: Arveseth Corvin D. , Happ John T. , Hedeen Danielle S. , Zhu Ju-Fen , Capener Jacob L. , Klatt Shaw Dana , Deshpande Ishan , Liang Jiahao , Xu Jiewei , Stubben Sara L. , Nelson Isaac B. , Walker Madison F. , Kawakami Kouki , Inoue Asuka , Krogan Nevan J. , Grunwald David J. , Hüttenhain Ruth , Manglik Aashish , Myers Benjamin R.
Published: April 2021

The Hedgehog (Hh) pathway is essential for organ development, homeostasis, and regeneration. Dysfunction of this cascade drives several cancers. To control expression of pathway target genes, the G protein–coupled receptor (GPCR) Smoothened (SMO) activates glioma-associated (GLI) transcription factors via an unknown mechanism. Here, we show that, rather than conforming to traditional GPCR signaling paradigms, SMO activates GLI by binding and sequestering protein kinase A (PKA) catalytic subunits at the membrane. This sequestration, triggered by GPCR kinase (GRK)-mediated phosphorylation of SMO intracellular domains, prevents PKA from phosphorylating soluble substrates, releasing GLI from PKA-mediated inhibition. Our work provides a mechanism directly linking Hh signal transduction at the membrane to GLI transcription in the nucleus. This process is more fundamentally similar between species than prevailing hypotheses suggest. The mechanism described here may apply broadly to other GPCR- and PKA-containing cascades in diverse areas of biology.
Unraveling the mechanisms of surround suppression in early visual processing
Authors: Li Yao , Young Lai-Sang
Published: April 2021

This paper uses mathematical modeling to study the mechanisms of surround suppression in the primate visual cortex. We present a large-scale neural circuit model consisting of three interconnected components: LGN and two input layers (Layer 4Ca and Layer 6) of the primary visual cortex V1, covering several hundred hypercolumns. Anatomical structures are incorporated and physiological parameters from realistic modeling work are used. The remaining parameters are chosen to produce model outputs that emulate experimentally observed size-tuning curves. Our two main results are: (i) we discovered the character of the long-range connections in Layer 6 responsible for surround effects in the input layers; and (ii) we showed that a net-inhibitory feedback, i.e., feedback that excites I-cells more than E-cells, from Layer 6 to Layer 4 is conducive to producing surround properties consistent with experimental data. These results are obtained through parameter selection and model analysis. The effects of nonlinear recurrent excitation and inhibition are also discussed. A feature that distinguishes our model from previous modeling work on surround suppression is that we have tried to reproduce realistic lengthscales that are crucial for quantitative comparison with data. Due to its size and the large number of unknown parameters, the model is computationally challenging. We demonstrate a strategy that involves first locating baseline values for relevant parameters using a linear model, followed by the introduction of nonlinearities where needed. We find such a methodology effective, and propose it as a possibility in the modeling of complex biological systems.
Selfish chromosomal drive shapes recent centromeric histone evolution in monkeyflowers
Authors: Finseth Findley R. , Nelson Thomas C. , Fishman Lila
Published: April 2021

Centromeres are essential mediators of chromosomal segregation, but both centromeric DNA sequences and associated kinetochore proteins are paradoxically diverse across species. The selfish centromere model explains rapid evolution by both components via an arms-race scenario: centromeric DNA variants drive by distorting chromosomal transmission in female meiosis and attendant fitness costs select on interacting proteins to restore Mendelian inheritance. Although it is clear than centromeres can drive and that drive often carries costs, female meiotic drive has not been directly linked to selection on kinetochore proteins in any natural system. Here, we test the selfish model of centromere evolution in a yellow monkeyflower (Mimulus guttatus) population polymorphic for a costly driving centromere (D). We show that theDhaplotype is structurally and genetically distinct and swept to a high stable frequency within the past 1500 years. We use quantitative genetic mapping to demonstrate that context-dependence in the strength of drive (from near-100%Dtransmission in interspecific hybrids to near-Mendelian in within-population crosses) primarily reflects variable vulnerability of the non-driving competitor chromosomes, but also map an unlinked modifier of drive coincident with kinetochore protein Centromere-specific Histone 3 A (CenH3A). Finally, CenH3A exhibits a recent (<1000 years) selective sweep in our focal population, implicating local interactions withDin ongoing adaptive evolution of this kinetochore protein. Together, our results demonstrate an active co-evolutionary arms race between DNA and protein components of the meiotic machinery inMimulus, with important consequences for individual fitness and molecular divergence.
Semi-dominant effects of a novel ripening inhibitor (rin) locus allele on tomato fruit ripening
Authors: Ito Yasuhiro , Nakamura Nobutaka , Kotake-Nara Eiichi
Published: April 2021

The tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)ripening inhibitor(rin) mutation completely represses fruit ripening, asrinfruits fail to express ripening-associated genes and remain green and firm. Moreover, heterozygousrinfruits (rin/+) ripen normally but have extended shelf life, an important consideration for this perishable fruit crop; therefore, heterozygousrinhas been widely used to breed varieties that produce red tomatoes with improved shelf life. We previously used CRISPR/Cas9 to produce novel alleles at therinlocus. The wild-type alleleRINencodes a MADS-box transcription factor and the novel allele, named asrinG2, generates an early stop codon, resulting in C-terminal truncation of the transcription factor. Likerinfruits,rinG2fruits exhibit extended shelf life, but unlikerinfruits, which remain yellow-green even after long-term storage,rinG2fruits turn orange due to ripening-associated carotenoid production. Here, to explore the potential of therinG2mutation for breeding, we characterized the effects ofrinG2in the heterozygous state (rinG2/+) compared to the effects ofrin/+. The softening ofrinG2/+fruits was delayed compared to the wild type but to a lesser degree thanrin/+fruits. Lycopene and β-carotene levels inrinG2/+fruits were similar to those of the wild type, whereasrin/+fruits accumulated half the amount of β-carotene compared to the wild type. TherinG2/+fruits produced lower levels of ethylene than wild-type andrin/+fruits. Expression analysis revealed that inrinG2/+fruits, therinG2mutation (likerin) partially inhibited the expression of ripening-associated genes. The small differences in the inhibitory effects ofrinG2vs.rincoincided with small differences in phenotypes, such as ethylene production, softening, and carotenoid accumulation. Therefore,rinG2represents a promising genetic resource for developing tomato cultivars with extended shelf life.
Impairment in facial expression generation in patients with repaired unilateral cleft lip: Effects of the physical properties of facial soft tissues
Authors: Lee Donghoon , Tanikawa Chihiro , Yamashiro Takashi
Published: April 2021

Patients with repaired unilateral cleft lip with palate (UCLP) often show dysmorphology and distorted facial motion clinically, which can cause psychological issues. However, no report has clarified the details concerning distorted facial motion and the corresponding possible causative factors. In this study, we hypothesized that the physical properties of the scar and surrounding facial soft tissue might affect facial displacement while smiling in patients with UCLP (Cleft group). We thus examined the three-dimensional (3D) facial displacement while smiling in the Cleft and Control groups in order to determine whether or not the physical properties of facial soft tissues differ between the Cleft and Control groups and to examine the relationship between the physical properties of facial soft tissues on 3D facial displacement while smiling. Three-dimensional images at rest and while smiling as well as the facial physical properties (e.g. viscoelasticity) of both groups were recorded. Differences in terms of physical properties and facial displacement while smiling between the two groups were examined. To examine the relationship between facial surface displacement while smiling and physical properties, a canonical correlation analysis (CCA) was conducted. As a result, three typical abnormal features of smiling in the Cleft group compared with the Control group were noted: less upward and backward displacement on the scar area, downward movement of the lower lip, and a greater asymmetric displacement, including greater lateral displacement of the subalar on the cleft side while smiling and greater alar backward displacement on the non-cleft side. The Cleft group also showed greater elastic modulus at the upper lip on the cleft side, suggesting hardened soft tissue at the scar. The CCA showed that this hard scar significantly affected facial displacement, inducing less upward and backward displacement on the scar area and downward movement of the lower lip in patients with UCLP (correlation coefficient = 0.82, p = 0.04); however, there was no significant relationship between greater nasal alar lateral movement and physical properties of the skin at the scar. Based on these results, personalizing treatment options for dysfunction in facial expression generation may require quantification of the 3D facial morphology and physical properties of facial soft tissues.
Investigating gene methylation signatures for fetal intolerance prediction
Authors: Zhang Yu-Hang , Li Zhandong , Zeng Tao , Chen Lei , Li Hao , Gamarra Margarita , Mansour Romany F. , Escorcia-Gutierrez José , Huang Tao , Cai Yu-Dong
Published: April 2021

Pregnancy is a complicated and long procedure during one or more offspring development inside a woman. A short period of oxygen shortage after birth is quite normal for most babies and does not threaten their health. However, if babies have to suffer from a long period of oxygen shortage, then this condition is an indication of pathological fetal intolerance, which probably causes their death. The identification of the pathological fetal intolerance from the physical oxygen shortage is one of the important clinical problems in obstetrics for a long time. The clinical syndromes typically manifest five symptoms that indicate that the baby may suffer from fetal intolerance. At present, liquid biopsy combined with high-throughput sequencing or mass spectrum techniques provides a quick approach to detect real-time alteration in the peripheral blood at multiple levels with the rapid development of molecule sequencing technologies. Gene methylation is functionally correlated with gene expression; thus, the combination of gene methylation and expression information would help in screening out the key regulators for the pathogenesis of fetal intolerance. We combined gene methylation and expression features together and screened out the optimal features, including gene expression or methylation signatures, for fetal intolerance prediction for the first time. In addition, we applied various computational methods to construct a comprehensive computational pipeline to identify the potential biomarkers for fetal intolerance dependent on the liquid biopsy samples. We set up qualitative and quantitative computational models for the prediction for fetal intolerance during pregnancy. Moreover, we provided a new prospective for the detailed pathological mechanism of fetal intolerance. This work can provide a solid foundation for further experimental research and contribute to the application of liquid biopsy in antenatal care.