bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Inactivation Gate of the BsYetJ Calcium Channel That Becomes Functional in the Endoplasmic Reticulum Environment
Authors: Lan Yu-Jing , Cheng Chu-Chun , Chu Shu-Chi , Chen Hung-Ying , Li Chieh-Chin , Kao Te-Yu , Chiang Yun-Wei
Published: May 2022

The transmembrane BAX inhibitor-1-containing motif 6 (TMBIM6) is an anti-apoptotic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane protein. The suppression of apoptosis by TMBIM6 is linked to its role in regulating calcium homeostasis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the calcium regulation in the ER remain poorly understood. Using mutagenesis and fluorescence-based functional assays, this study investigates all the highly conserved negatively charged residues in the BsYetJ (a bacterial homolog of TMBIM6) and reveals that the charged residues E49 and R205 cooperatively act as a calcium-selectivity filter determining the channel conductance. This study identifies the conformations of BsYetJ in the ER environment using electron spin resonance and molecular dynamics. Together with the functional data, these previously undescribed structures provide new insights of how BsYetJ regulates calcium-dependent inactivation by interconversion between two coexisting conformations. Overall, this study provides a framework for understanding the non-canonical calcium gated membrane protein, which will facilitate structure-based development of more effective medications for TMBIM6.
RPP-gene Pyramiding Confers Higher Resistance Level to Asian Soybean Rust
Authors: Panho Maiara Cecilia , Fernandes Rogê Afonso Tolentino , Menegazzi Caroline Patrícia , Campagnolli Otavio Ramos , de Quadra Felipe Chade , Madella Laura Alexandra , Meira Daniela , Malone Gaspar , Junior Salvador Lima Brito , Benin Giovani
Published: May 2022

Asian soybean rust (ASR) causes large reductions in soybean yield, affecting the entire grain market. With low fungicide efficiency, the use of resistant cultivars can be an economical, safe, efficient, and sustainable control alternative. However, the great variability and aggressiveness of ASR and the use of Rpp genes are limited. Thus, gene pyramiding is a promising strategy for the development of cultivars with high resistance to a greater number of isolates. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate sister lines with different pyramided Rpp gene for resistance to Phakopsora pachyrhizi and identify which combination of Rpp genes had higher levels of resistance under field conditions. All Rpp-pyramided lines showed higher levels of resistance, with significant reductions in sporulation levels (SL), number of uredinia per lesion (NoU), and frequency of lesions with uredinia (%LU), compared to the resistance sources PI200487 (Rpp5), PI200492 (Rpp1), PI230970 (Rpp2), PI459025A (Rpp4), PI506764 (Rpp3, 5), PI587880A (Rpp1-b), PI594538A (Rpp1-b), and PI594723 (Rpp1-b). Rpp-pyramided lines carrying Rpp1-b + Rpp1-b, Rpp2 + Rpp1-b, Rpp4 + Rpp1-b, and single gene Rpp1-b were classified as “highly resistant”. Furthermore, one sister line, 52117-57 (Rpp2 + Rpp1-b), showed immunity under field conditions. The Rpp-pyramided genes are an alternative for achieving high resistance levels against ASR.
The role of superficial and deep layers in the generation of high frequency oscillations in the human epileptic cortex
Authors: Fabo Daniel , Bokodi Virag , Tóth Emilia , Szabó Johanna-Petra , Salami Pariya , Keller Corey J. , Hajnal Boglárka , Thesen Thomas , Devinsky Orrin , Doyle Werner , Mehta Ashesh , Madsen Joseph , Eskandar Emad , Erőss Lorand , Ulbert István , Halgren Eric , Cash Sydney S.
Published: May 2022

Objective:Describing intracortical laminar organization of high frequency oscillations (HFOs).Methods:We recorded potential gradients with laminar microelectrode arrays (LME) for current source density (CSD) and multi-unit activity (MUA) analysis of interictal discharges (IID) and HFOs in the neocortex and mesial temporal lobe of focal epilepsy patients. Results:Ripples were only observed in 9/29 patients, all within the seizure onset zone (SOZ). Ripples variably (≈50%) coincided with IIDs. CSD analysis revealed slow ripples (<150Hz) to exhibit an alternating sink-source pair in the upper cortical layers. In contrast, fast ripples (>150Hz) were biased to the lower layers, tending to precede the superficial activity (10-30ms).Conclusion: Our findings suggest that cortical slow ripples are generated primarily in upper layers while fast ripples and associated MUA in deeper layers. The dissociation of macro- and microdomains suggests that microelectrode recordings may be more selective for SOZ-linked ripples.Significance:We found a complex interplay between neural activity in the neocortical laminae during ripple formation. We observed a potential leading role of cortical neurons in deeper layers, suggesting a refined utilization of LMEs in SOZ localization.
Comparative study: performance of pesticides hybrid configuration electrical sensors of different types of Si nanocrystallites structures incorporated with gold nanoparticles
Authors: Rashid Rasha B. , Alwan Alwan M. , Mohammed Mohammed S.
Published: May 2022

Four hybrid configuration pesticide electrical sensors were synthesized by incorporating gold nanoparticles AuNPs on pore-like, mud-like, horizontally aligned nanopillars (HA-Si nanopillars), and Si quantum dots (SiQDs) silicon structures. Laser-induced etching; at different power densities, was employed to synthesize the Si nanostructures. The hybrid configurations were produced via an easy, low cost and fast dipping process in an aqueous solution of HAuCl4. Two configurations of pesticide electrical sensors: Al/Si nano/n c-Si/Al and Al/AuNPs/Si nano/n c-Si/Al were prepared and studied. Electrical properties of the sensors with and without chlorpyrifos pesticide were recorded at room temperature. The results displayed sensors’ performance affected by Au nanoparticles' grain size, deposition manner, specific surface area (SSA) of AuNPs, and morphological features of the Si nanostructure. A significant improvement in sensitivity and stability of the hybrid configuration were achieved. The pore-like hybrid configurations sensors showed better performance than the hybrid configuration sensors; due to the higher integrated SSA and the deposition of AuNPs on pore boundaries, in addition to the high pores density.
Limited polynomials and Sendov's conjecture
Authors: Agama Theophilus
Published: May 2022

In this paper we study a particular class of polynomials. We study the distribution of their zeros, including the zeros of their derivatives as well as the interaction between this two. We prove a weak variant of the sendov conjecture in the case the zeros are real and are of the same sign.
Contamination and health risk assessment of heavy metals in surface sediments from the Arabian Gulf, Saudi Arabia
Authors: El-Sorogy Abdelbaset S. , Al-Kahtany Khaled
Published: May 2022

The coastline of the Arabian Gulf attracts people throughout the year for tourism and fishing activities. The present work aimed to document the contamination and human health assessment of heavy metals (HMs) in 34 surface sediment samples collected along the Ras Abu Ali coastline. Enrichment factor (EF), contamination factor (CF), and sediment quality guideline (SQG) were calculated and used to estimate sediment contamination, while the chronic daily intake (CDI), hazard index (HI), cancer risk (CR), and total lifetime cancer risk (LCR) were determined for human health assessment via ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact pathways on both adults and children. The averages of the HMs (μg/g dry weight) were in the following: Fe (4808) > Ni (13.00) > Zn (6.89) > Cr (7.86) > V (6.67) > Pb (3.50) > Cu (4.14) > As (2.47) > Co (1.43). Results of EF indicated minor enrichment with Ni, Pb, and As, and no enrichment with the remaining HMs. Based on CF, the coastal sediments of Ras Abu Ali showed low contamination with HMs. CDI and HI values were higher among children in comparison to adults, suggesting that children were at higher risk of non-carcinogenic exposure than adults. LCR values indicated that that no significant health hazards for people inhabited the study area from the carcinogenic Pb, Cr, and As.
Digital health applications and the fast-track pathway to public health coverage in Germany: Challenges and opportunities based on first results
Authors: Lantzsch Hendrikje , Eckhardt Helene , Campione Alessandro , Busse Reinhard , Henschke Cornelia
Published: May 2022

Objectives
Evidence-based decision-making is the sine qua non for safe and effective patient care and the long-term functioning of health systems. Since Digital Health Applications (DiHA) in Germany have been undergoing a systematic pathway to be reimbursed by statutory health insurance for more than one and a half years, the procedure is also attracting attention in other European countries. We therefore investigate current coverage decisions in Germany and the underlying evidence on care effects for DiHA.
Methods
Based on public available data of the German Institute for Medicines and Medical Devices and further literature, all DiHA that can be reimbursed in Germany were systematically investigated on the basis of predefined criteria (e.g. security, data protection, quality) and presented descriptively. Studies that are used as the evidence base for the decision on reimbursement were examined for their quality. Furthermore, a framework was used to determine potential evidence requirements to be used for DiHA assessments.
Results
By February 2022, 30 DiHA had been included in the DiHA register and can thus be reimbursed by the statutory health insurance. Most DiHA were therapeutic applications for mental illness and were based on cognitive behavioural therapy. One third of all DiHA were permanently included in the benefit basket while two thirds were initially included conditionally. For each of permanently included DiHA, a randomised controlled trial had been conducted to demonstrate positive care effects, with the majority of studies having a high risk of bias.
Conclusions
The so far unique system of evidence-based decision-making on coverage of DiHA in Germany leaves room for improvements both in terms of study reporting and the use of patient-relevant structure and process outcomes to demonstrate the effects of care in addition to the medical benefits. New study designs are needed, which at the same time open up the way for the use of real-world data. With appropriate evidence, DiHA can offers an opportunity in care as an adjunct to existing therapy. However, the risk of bias assessment raises doubts about the evidence and consequently also about the justification of their high costs averaging around € 150 per month.
The safety assessment of irrigation fluid management for shoulder arthroscopy and its effect on postoperative efficacy
Authors: Zhuang Chengyu , Yang Renhao , Xu Yang , Song Yanyan , Zhang Yin , Liu Jingfeng , Yang Fan , Huang Xiaohong , Liu Jia , Wang Xiaoning , Wang Yin , Wang Lei
Published: May 2022

Background context: With the popularity of shoulder arthroscopy, the releted complications have recently studied, among which the excessive fluid extravasation is a potentially dangerous complication. Most relevant studies involve respiratory system, while the reports fouced on the cardiovascular system and postoperative function recovery are rare. The objective is to reveal the effects of the excessive fluid extravasation on cardiovascular system and postoperative functionMethod: A retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 92 patients, in whom 84 cases of rotator cuff injury, 3 cases of shoulder instability, 3 cases of fracture of the greater tuberosity of the humerus, and 2 cases of frozen shoulder. The basic information of the patients, ASES and VAS scores in each period before and after surgery, cardiac index (CI) and pulse pressure variation (PPV) before and after anesthesia, and changes in arm circumference and deltoid muscle circumference before and after surgery were recorded and evaluated. Result: The preoperative CI was affected by changes in anesthesia status and body position, while PPV is not affected by anesthesia and body position. Multivariate mixed-effects model analysis of CI found that there was a statistically significant difference between patients older than 55 years old and those with obesity (BMI>24). After the operation, the retention of irrigation fliud had an effect on the circumference of the deltoid, neck and arm, but the effect on the circumference of the deltoid was statistically significant (P<0.001 (95%CI: [0.30, 1.00]). The multivariate analysis of ASES scores at 3 and 6 months after surgery showed that the fluid retention volume was correlated with the ASES score at 3 months after surgery, especially when the retention volume was greater than 2L (P=0.001 (95%). %CI: [-12.49,-3.22]). Conclusion: The retention of irrigation fliud after shoulder arthroscopic surgery causes swelling of local limbs, and also has a certain effect on peripheral blood vessels, which is mainly reflected in its influence on PPV and the postoperation function. Therefore, the surgeon needs to improve the surgical technique, shorten the operation time and reduce the fluid retention.
Chemical composition, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of Drymaria cordata (Linn.) Willd. against chloramphenicol-resistant Bacillus subtilis and β-lactams-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Arya Atul , Kumar Suresh , Kain Dolly , Ahanger Ab Majeed , Suryavanshi Amrita , Kumar Vandana
Published: May 2022

The current study was done to evaluate the chemical composition, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of Drymaria cordata extract in three solvents i.e. methanol (DCM), hexane (DCH) and water (DCW) against chloramphenicol-resistant Bacillus subtilis and β-lactams-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Phytochemical screening and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) showed the presence of phenols, amines, hydroxy group, and amino-related components. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) depicts the presence of antibacterial compounds such as hexanedioic acid, hexadecanoic acid, nonadecadiene, hexadecen-1-ol, octadecadienoic acid and neophytadiene. DPPH free radicals scavenging assay exhibit maximum percentage inhibition in DCM (71.57 %) at the concentration of 1000μg/ml. The total antioxidant through phosphomolybdate assay was observed in DCM with values 834.44 ± 4.01 mg AAE/g of extract. For antibacterial activities, DCM shows best zone of inhibition (ZOI) (8 mm at 100 µg/ml to 15.17 mm at 1000 µg/ml) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) (75 µg/ml) as compared to other extracts against Bacillus subtilis. Also, DCM shows zone of inhibition (ZOI) (6.83 mm to 13.17 mm) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) (70 µg/ml) as compared to other extracts against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These results indicate that the Drymaria cordata methanol extract possesses good antibacterial and antioxidant properties which justify its use against pathogenic bacteria.
Classification of the Impact of Renewable Energy Resources on Frequency Stability
Authors: Lim SungHoon , Park Jung-Wook
Published: May 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Adaptive Super-Twisting Sliding Mode Control for Nonlinear Dynamic Systems with Unknown Polynomial Perturbations
Authors: Liu Jianghua , Zhu Jiang , Khayati Karim , Zhong Dong , Jiang Jinguang
Published: May 2022

The study focuses on the control of nonlinear dynamic systems in the presence of parameter uncertainties, unmodeled dynamics, and external disturbances. The lumped perturbation is assumed to be bounded within a polynomial in the system state with the polynomial parameters and degrees unknown a priori such that it accommodates a quite wider range dynamic systems. Based on the analyses about the stability issues existed in recent super-twisting algorithm ( STA ) designs and the idea from adaptive sliding mode control ( ASMC ) for nonlinear systems with uncertainties, we propose a novel adaptive super-twisting algorithm with exponential reaching law, exponential super-twisting algorithm ( ESTA ), for the high-stability, chattering-free, and acceptable accuracy control of the aimed nonlinear dynamics. The stability analysis and finite-time convergence are proven using Lyapunov theory and an intuitive analysis of the control behaviour. Simulations are performed to compare the proposed ESTA with the existing STA method and the traditional proportional integral control. The simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed ESTA in terms of the fastest settling time and the smallest overshoot.
Dry machining of nodular cast iron using a YAG-reinforced alumina ceramic cutting tool
Authors: Sousa Leopoldo Ferreira , Simba Bruno Galvão , Souza José Vitor Candido , Ribeiro Marcos Valério , Silva Olivério Moreira Macedo , Santos Claudinei
Published: May 2022

In this work an alumina-yttrium aluminum garnet (Al2O3-YAG) cutting tool was developed and characterized aiming application in dry machining of nodular (spheroidal) cast iron. Ceramic powders containing 85 wt.% Al2O3 and 15 wt.% Y3Al5O12(YAG) were homogenized, compacted, and sintered at 1600 ºC for 2h at a heating rate of 5 °C/min. The sintered ceramic presented relative density of 98.3 ±0.2%. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed α-Al2O3 and YAG as crystal phases, both with equiaxed grains with average sizes of 1-4 𝜇m (Al2O3 phase) and 0.7-1 𝜇m (YAG phase). In addition, this ceramic composite presented Vickers hardness and fracture toughness of 15.2 ±0.2 GPa and 4.6 ±0.3 MPa.m1/2, respectively. The dry machining performance of the Al2O3-YAG cutting tool was compared with that of a commercial cemented carbide cutting tool using cutting speed (VC) of 200 and 500 m/min, feed rate (f) of 0.25 and 0.10 mm/rev, and axial depth of cut (ap) of 0.60 mm. The results showed that the best setting for the cemented carbide cutting tool was obtained at VC=200 m/min and f=0.25 mm/rev, which produced the best machinability with average surface roughness (Ra) of 3.516 μm, cutting length (LC) of 6000 m, and maximum flank wear (VBmax) of 0.58 mm. For the Al2O3-YAG cutting tool, the best setting was achieved at VC=500 m/min and f=0.10 mm/rev, which produced Ra=0.848 μm, LC=12,293 m, and VBmax=0.54 mm.
The effect of vitreomacular interface in neovascular age-related macular degeneration treated with intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF
Authors: Han Fangyuan , Chen Xingwang , Zhao Ruyi , Jin Xin , Tan Wei , Zhang Ying
Published: May 2022

Background: The purpose of this study is to study the effect of repeated intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) drugs on vitreomacular interface.Methods: Neovascular age-related macular degeneration patients who received intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF drugs were included. Eyes with severe vitreous opacity, uveitis, complicated cataract surgery and previous vitrectomy were excluded. vitreomacular interface, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) assessment was performed once a month for at least 3 months. The nature and time of the change event are recorded.Results: Total 87 eyes were evaluated. Vitreomacular interface change event occurred in 9 eyes. Pre-existing vitreomacular interface abnormality (VMIA) was a risk factor for the VMI change (P=0.033, OR=16.518, 95% CI: 1.258 to 216.939). The interface event occurred in the first 3 months of treatment. the final BCVA of eyes with vitreomacular interface unchanged was significantly higher than that at baseline (P=0.001), and the final CRT was also significantly lower than that at baseline (P<0.001 and P=0.001). The final CRT of eyes with vitreomacular interface changed was significantly lower than that at baseline (P=0.015), however, there was no statistical significance in BCVA (P=0.468).Conclusions: Intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF drugs has a certain probability to cause changes in vitreomacular interface, and the risk is higher in eyes with pre-existing vitreomacular interface abnormality. The effect of intravitreal injections on vitreomacular interface was concentrated in the first three injections, and subsequent increases in the number of injections did not significantly increase the risk of vitreomacular interface abnormality. Ophthalmologists should increase attention to the vitreomacular interface in the early stages of anti-VEGF therapy and counsel patients accordingly.
Effect of polyaspartic acid on soil water content, soil microbial diversity, cotton yield and fiber quality
Authors: Liu Wen-long , Zhao Jian-Bo , Zeng Hong , Wan Chuan-xing
Published: May 2022

Purpose Water-saving is one of the most important problems in agricultural development, especially in arid and semi-arid areas. The effects of polyaspartic acid (PASP) on soil water storage, soil microbial community, soil physiochemical properties, cotton yield and fiber quality were studied to find water-saving material utilized in cotton field. Materials and methods The experiment was divided into two parts, the first part concerned the direct application of three different amounts of PASP under field conditions. In the second part PASP was mixed with soil in different proportions and the mixtures were put into bottles, which were then buried in the cotton field. Results and discussion The application of PASP improved the water-holding capacity and thus increased water content available to the cotton root system in the cotton field for a long time, and significantly (p<0.05) increased the content of soil organic matter, available P and ammonium-N. Relative abundances of Methylophaga, Sphingomonas, Cupriavidus, Pseudeurotium, Fusarium and Nectria were significantly affected by applying PASP. Compared to the control group, 15 kg ha−1, 75 kg ha−1 and 150 kg ha−1 of PASP increased seed cotton yield by 3.94%, 8.31% and 7.71%, respectively. The application of PASP also increased reflectance degree, Micronaire and short fiber index of cotton. Conclusion These results suggested that 75 kg ha-1 of PASP can be appropriate to alleviate drought stress in arid and semi-arid areas.
The binding of phthalates with nuclease influences the DNA enzymatic degradation
Authors: Qin Chao , Cheng Hao , Yang Bing , Xu Yanxing , Hu Xiaojie , Gao Yanzheng , Ling Wanting
Published: May 2022

Extracellular DNA (exDNA) degradation determines the persistence and the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes which are the root cause for antibiotic resistance threatened human health. However, the effect of ubiquitous environmental endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as phthalates (PAEs) on this process is unclear. Here, we investigated the DNA degradation in the presence of five typical PAEs [dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP)] via gel electrophoresis experiments, spectroscopic analyses, atomic force microscopy, and molecular dynamics simulations. Results show that the PAEs inhibited DNA enzymatic degradation. PAEs were bound to amino groups in deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I) amino acid residues via van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonding, leading to the decrease of helix structure and structural deformation of DNase I, which in turn caused the decrease of its enzymatic activity. This binding interaction mainly contributed to the inhibition of DNA degradation. The maximum inhibition rates of PAEs on DNase I enzymatic activity were up to 83% (DMP), 64% (DEP), 60% (DBP), 77% (DEHP), 88% (BBP), respectively. This work provides interesting insights into how coexistent toxic organic contaminants affect the environmental fate of genetic macromolecules and further reveals their molecular ecological effects.
Transmissibility of coronavirus and its variants from infected subjects in indoor environments
Authors: Anand S , Krishan Jayant , Sreeka B , Mayya Y S
Published: May 2022

A central issue in understanding the relative rapidity of transmission of different coronavirus variants pertains to linking the viral load in infected subjects to the lung deposition probability in exposed individuals through detailed aerosol dynamics modelling. In this paper, we specifically focus on indoor scenarios and formulate a double Poisson model to estimate the probability that at least one carrier particle containing at least one virion will be deposited in the lungs and infect a susceptible individual. Unlike the hitherto used single Poisson models, the double Poisson model accounts for fluctuations in the number of carrier particles (droplets or their residues) deposited in the lung in addition to the fluctuations in the number of virions per carrier particle. Using the above formulation, the infection risk is evaluated as a function of viral load using a comprehensive droplet evaporation-settling-dispersion model, weighted droplet emissions for expiratory events, and consideration of protection barriers. The model demonstrates that if the viral load changes from 2x108 RNA copies/mL to 2x1010 RNA copies/mL for a 10-minute exposure period in a typical indoor environment, the risk increases rapidly from 1–50%. As the viral load exceeds 109 RNA copies/mL, the model predicts a smooth shift from log-log linear behaviour to that of a saturating function approaching unity. These estimates explain the greater transmissibility observed in the case of Delta and Omicron variants, which produce a higher viral load than older wild SARS-CoV-2 variants. The implications are further discussed.
CircVPRBP Inhibits Nodal Metastasis of Cervical Cancer by Impeding
RACK1 O-GlcNAcylation and Stability
Authors: Yao Shuzhong , Zhang Chunyu , Jiang Hongye , Yuan Li , Liao Yuandong , Liu Pan , Du Qiqiao , pan Chaoyun , Liu Tianyu , Li Jie , Chen Yili , Huang Jiaming , Liang Yanchun , Xia Meng , Xu Manman , Qin Shuhang , Zou Qiaojian , Liu Yunyun , Huang Hua , Pan Yuwen , Li Jiaying , Liu Junxiu , Wang Wei
Published: May 2022

Lymph node (LN) metastasis is one of the most malignant clinical features in patients with cervical cancer (CCa). Understanding the mechanism of lymph node metastasis will provide treatment strategies for patients with CCa. Circular RNAs (circRNA) play a critical role in the development of human cancers. However, the role and mechanism of circRNAs in lymph node metastasis remain largely unknown. Here, it is reported that loss expression of circRNA circVPRBP was closely associated with LN metastasis and poor survival of CCa patients. In vitro and in vivo assays showed that circVPRBP overexpression notably inhibited lymphangiogenesis and LN metastasis, whereas RfxCas13d mediated silencing of circVPRBP promoted lymphangiogenesis and the ability of the cervical cancer cells to metastasize to the LNs. Mechanistically, circVPRBP could bind to RACK1 and shield the S122 O-GlcNAcylation site to promote RACK1 degradation, resulting in inhibition of Galectin-1 mediated lymphangiogenesis and LN metastasis in CCa. Taken together, the results demonstrate that circVPRBP is a potential prognostic biomarker and a novel therapeutic target for LN metastasis in CCa patients.
Response of habitat quality to land use change in urban bulilt-up area of karst mountainous city
Authors: Wei Wen fei , Wang Zhitai , Bao Yu , Chen Xintong , Sun Yuzhen , Zeng Mulin , Mo Yaguo
Published: May 2022

There are a large number of urban remnant mountains (URMs) in the built-up areas of karst mountainous cities, which are the main components of urban habitats and play a variety of irreplaceable ecosystem services functions such as maintaining local biodiversity. Based on InVEST model and Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) model, this study quantitatively analyzed the spatial-temporal evolution characteristics of land use/land cover (LULC), landscape pattern and habitat quality (HQ), and explored the relationship between LULC and HQ in a typical karst mountainous city. Results showed: (1) From 2008 to 2018, LULC change in the study area was intense, with cultivated land and URMs being converted into construction land. Moreover, urban landscape fragmentation was serious and landscape patch spatial heterogeneity was high; (2) The overall level of HQ in the study area was low and the spatial aggregation characteristics were obvious. The high value area was mainly distributed in the area of large urban green space (UGS) and URMs, while the low value area was mainly concentrated in the area of construction land and traffic land;(3) GWR analysis showed that LULC was significantly correlated with HQ change, natural environment determined the overall distribution of HQ, human activities played a leading role in HQ change, and urbanization process had spatial heterogeneity on HQ change; (4) URMs iwas the main contributor of high level HQ, but its encroachment by construction land and the increase of surrounding building density make the quality of URMs habitat degraded obviously. It is urgent to strengthen the management of urban ecological environment and properly deal with the relationship between urban expansion and urban natural environment. This study is helpful to further understand the relationship between LULC and HQ evolution in karst mountainous cities, and is of great significance for urban biodiversity conservation, ecological security protection and high-quality urban development.
Numerical investigation of flow patterns and plug hydrodynamics in a 3D T-junction Microchannel
Authors: SAID Mohammed , BOUDA Noura NAIT , HARMAND Souad
Published: May 2022

A three-dimensional (3D) numerical simulation of two-phase flow liquid/liquid is performed in a rectangular microchannel with a T-junction. The volume of fluid (VOF) method was used under ANSYS Fluent to capture the interface between the two phases. The dynamic mesh adaptation technique together with the assumption of symmetry plane helps us to reduce the computational cost.The study focuses on the flow patterns and hydrodynamics of plugs. So, the influence of the flow rate ratio q , the capillary number Ca , and the viscosity ratio λ on the liquid film, the plug/droplet shape, and velocity are examined here. Particularly, the plug/droplet lengths predicted by the simulation show good agreement with experimental and correlation available in the literature. The results revealed six distinct flow patterns by dispersing water in a continuous phase of silicone oil. By decreasing the flow rate ratio as well as the viscosity ratio, the liquid film thickness increases in the corners and side planes. In turn, this greatly impacts the liquid film velocity and the plug velocity. Furthermore, capillary number (based on two-phase flow velocity UTP) is also shown to have a greater impact than viscosity ratio and flow rate ratio on plug shape, with the tail curvature always larger than the front curvature.
Examination of the impact of strength and velocity of the knee and ankle on gait speed in community-dwelling older adults
Authors: Kanayama Atsuki , Minami Mayuka , Yamamoto Saki , Ohmine Toshimitsu , Fujiwara Minami , Murakami Takayuki , Okuno Shuji , Ueba Ryoga , Iwata Akira
Published: May 2022

Muscle strength of knee extension and ankle plantarflexion plays a crucial role in determining gait speed. Recent studies have shown that no-load angular velocity of the lower limb joints is essential for determining the gait speed. However, no study has compared the extent to which lower limb functions such as knee extension strength, knee extension velocity, plantarflexion strength, and plantarflexion velocity impact gait speed. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the relative importance of maximum strength and no-load angular velocity on gait speed in older adults. Overall, 164 community-dwelling older adults participated in this study. We measured maximum gait speed and lower limb function (strength and velocity of knee extension and plantarflexion). Multiple linear regression analysis was performed with gait speed as the dependent variable and age, sex, and lower-limb function as independent variables. Plantarflexion velocity (standardized β = 0.25) and plantarflexion strength (standardized β = 0.21) were noted to be significant predictors of gait speed. These findings indicate that no-load plantarflexion velocity is more important than the strength of plantarflexion and knee extension as a determinant of gait speed, suggesting that improvement in plantarflexion velocity may be expected to increase gait speed.
Atomically Dispersed Ir Catalysts on Si Photoanode for Efficient Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting
Authors: Jun Sang Eon , Kim Youn-Hye , Kim Jaehyun , Cheon Woo Seok , Choi Sungkyun , Yang Jin Wook , Park Hoon Kee , Lee Hyungsoo , Park Sun Hwa , Kwon Ki Chang , Moon Jooho , Kim Soo-Hyun , Jang Ho Won
Published: May 2022

Stabilizing atomically dispersed single atoms (SAs) on Si photoanodes for photoelectrochemical-oxygen evolution reaction is still challenging due to the scarcity of anchoring sites. Here, we elaborately demonstrate the decoration of Ir SAs on Si photoanodes and assess the role of SAs on the separation and transfer of photogenerated charge carriers. NiO/Ni thin film, an active and highly stable catalyst, is capable of embedding the Ir SAs in its lattices by locally modifying the electronic structure. The isolated Ir SAs enable the effective photogenerated charge transport by suppressing the charge recombination and lower the thermodynamic energy barrier in the potential-determining step. The Ir SAs/NiO/Ni/ZrO2/n-Si photoanode exhibits a benchmarking photoelectrochemical performance with a high photocurrent density of 27.7 mA cm− 2 at 1.23 VRHE and 130 h stability. This study proposes the rational design of SAs on Si photoelectrodes and reveals the potential of the Ir SAs to boost photogenerated charge carrier kinetics.
Extensive pleural metastasis after surgery for pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma misdiagnosed as pyohemothorax: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Zhang Yao , Feng Shiyun
Published: May 2022

Pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma (PSC) is a rare group of poorly differentiated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with sarcomatoid differentiation, accounting for about 0.1-0.4% of all NSCLC [1,2]. Compared with other types of NSCLC, PSC is characterized by low incidence, poor differentiation, strong invasiveness and poor prognosis [3]. Early PSC is mainly treated with surgery, insensitive to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and prone to recurrence and metastasis [4]. We report a 59-year-old male patient with PSC, no smoking history, 6.5cm*4.6cm left lower lobe mass, who underwent thoracoscopic left lower lobe resection and mediastinal lymph node dissection and recovered well. Postoperative patients with 50 days because of high fever, breathing can't lay down to hospital again, combined with the patient's symptoms, signs and auxiliary examination considered due to formation of purulent blood chest infection, postoperative puncture drainage in liquid viscous bloody difficult to elicit, give the left chest probe and pleural biopsy under thoracoscope, confirmed that the transfer of lung sarcomatoid carcinoma pleural widely, instead of pyohemothorax. After operation, the patient was given 12mg/d of anlotinib, but his condition did not improve, and he died due to the deterioration of his condition 12 days later. This is a special case of extensive pleural metastasis after PSC surgery misdiagnosed as pyohemothorax. Through the study of the patient's clinical manifestations, CT and prognosis, we hope to provide certain basis and support for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of PSC.
Clinical characteristics of granulomatosis with polyangiitis with suppurative otitis media as the initial presentation in children
Authors: Guo Lining , Shao Jianbo , Zhang Jie
Published: May 2022

Purpose: To evaluate the specific clinical characteristics of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) especially those involving ear-nose-throat signs in children, suggest approaches for the treatment and emphasize the significance of clinical multidisciplinary management. Methods: Retrospect the diagnosis and treatment process for a case of GPA with suppurative otitis media as the initial presentation; review the literature of this involvement regions; generalize an appropriate multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment plan for such kind of disease in children. Results: A 13-year-old child of GPA initially presented with suppurative otitis media and was prescribed anti-infection therapy for 2 months. Otologic symptoms were recurrent and other systematic presentations including skin rashes, eyelids swelling and pulmonary nodules gradually appeared. She was referred to nearly four different departments (pneumology, rheumatology, otorhinolaryngology and dermatology) and doctors found the level of PR3-ANCA increase remarkably. Undergoing evaluating comprehensively, the diagnosis of GPA was made finally. Conclusions: GPA, a rare immune disease in children, is easily misdiagnosed and missed diagnosed for a long time resulting in delaying treatment. The general presentations and multi-systematic clinical characteristics of GPA are various. It is significant for the specific diagnosis of GPA that paying attention to multidisciplinary discussions and long-term follow up.
Global warming at near-constant relative humidity further supported by recent in situ observations
Authors: Douville Herve , Qasmi Saïd , Ribes Aurélien , Bock Olivier
Published: May 2022

Although global warming is expected to occur at approximately constant relative humidity, the latest IPCC report remains elusive about the magnitude of observed changes in global mean total precipitable water (GTPW) and their attribution. Here we use a novel quality-controlled dataset of in situ observations, global reanalyses, and a long record of global mean surface temperature (GMST) to constrain both recent and future changes in GTPW. Most state-of-the-art global climate models tend to exaggerate the projected atmospheric moistening, in line with their overestimation of global warming and of the GTPW sensitivity to both anthropogenic green-house gases and aerosols across the 20th century. A 39% narrowing in the range of GTPW projections is obtained after applying the observational constraints, with a best-guess estimate of 7% per °C of global warming. This finding provides further evidence of a substantial intensification of the global water cycle as long as GMST is not stabilized.
Temporal Complexity Measure of Reaction Time Series: Operational vs. Chronological Time
Authors: Mahmoodi Korosh , Kerick Scott E. , Grigolini Paolo , West Bruce J. , Franaszczuk Piotr J.
Published: May 2022

Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (DFA) is a well-known method to evaluate scaling indices of time series, categorizing the dynamics of complex systems. In the literature, DFA has been used to study the fluctuations of reaction time RT(n) time series, where n is the trial number. Herein we propose treating each RT(n) as a duration time that changes the representation from operational (trial) time n to chronological (temporal) time t, or RT(t). To do this, we fill each time interval of RT(n) with fixed noise of magnitude 1 and with a randomly determined sign. The fixed noise represents the rigidity (order) and the random change of sign represents the flexibility (randomness) of the generated time series RT(t). Then the DFA algorithm was applied to RT(t) time series to evaluate scaling indices. We show that this new perspective leads to better results in: 1) differentiating scaling indices between low vs. high time-stress conditions and 2) predicting task performance outcomes. The dataset we analyzed is based on a Go-NoGo shooting task which was performed by 30 participants under low and high time-stress conditions in each of six repeated sessions over a three week period.
Investigating nurses' knowledge and attitudes about Delirium in older persons: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Papaioannou Maria , Papastavrou Evridiki , Kouta Christiana , Tsangari Haritini , Merkouris Anastasios
Published: May 2022

Introduction:
Delirium is the most common emergency problem for elderly hospitalized patients, which needs urgent treatment, otherwise it can lead to negative patient outcomes. Nurses through their knowledge and competencies are in a key position for early recognition of delirium facilitating the appropriate treatment and management.
Aim
This study aims to increase the understanding of delirium care by exploring both knowledge and attitudes of nurses toward patients in acute care hospital wards and the possible association between these two variables.
Method
The Nurses Knowledge of Delirium Questionnaire (NKD) and the Attitude Tool of Delirium (ATOD) that was developed for the study purposes, were disseminated to 835 nurses in the four biggest Public Hospitals of the Republic, working in departments with increased frequency of delirium (response rate = 67%).
Results
Nurses' knowledge of acute confusion/delirium is limited. The average of the correct answers was 42.2%. Only 38% of the participants reported a correct definition of delirium, 41,6 correctly reported the tools to identify delirium and 42.5 answered correctly on the factors leading to delirium development. The results of the attitudes questionnaire showed that their attitudes towards patients with delirium weren’t positive. A correlation between the level of nurses’ knowledge and attitudes was also found. Factors found to influence the level of knowledge and attitudes were gender, education, and workplace.
Conclusions
The findings of this study are useful for the international audience since they can be used to develop educational programs that can focus on the specific knowledge deficits and attitudes towards patients with delirium. The development of a valid and reliable instrument for the measurement of attitudes also offers the possibility of assessing nurses’ attitudes further. Nationally, the results are even more important and useful since there are no data on the subject area and this study is the first of this kind in the country.
Motility-induced Phase Separation is Reentrant
Authors: Hou Zhong-Huai , Jiang Huijun , Feng Meng-Kai , Su Jie
Published: May 2022

Active Brownian particles (ABPs) with pure repulsion is an ideal model to understand the effect of nonequilibrium on collective behaviors. It has long been established that activity can create effective attractions leading to motility-induced phase separation (MIPS), whose role is similar to that of (inverse) temperature in the simplest equilibrium system with attractive inter-particle interactions. Here, we report both theoretically and numerically that activity can lead to a counterintuitive MIPS reentrance, which is completely different from the phase behavior of equilibrium systems. Our theoretical analysis based on a kinetic theory of MIPS shows that a new type of activity-induced nonequilibrium vaporization is able to hinder the formation of dense phase when activity is large enough. Such nonequilibrium vaporization along with the activity-induced effective attraction thus lead to the MIPS reentrance. Numerical simulations verify such nonequilibrium effect induced solely by activity on phase behaviors of ABPs, and further demonstrate the dependence of MIPS on activity and the strength of inter-particle interaction predicted by our theoretical analysis. Our findings highlight the unique role played by the nonequilibrium nature of activity on phase behaviors of active systems, which may inspire deep insights into the essential difference between equilibrium and nonequilibrium systems.
Fluorescence tagged salivary exosomes as a nano tool in early diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: KUMAR SAROJ , RASTOGI SIMRAN , RANI KOMAL , RAI SANSKRITI , SINGH RISHABH , Sharma Vaibhav , BHARTI PRAHALAD , KAPOOR VRINDA , VISHWAKARMA POORVI , Gholap Shivaji , INAMPUDI KRISHNA , MODI GYAN , RANI NEERJA , TRIPATHI MADHAVI , SRIVAST ACHAL , RAJAN ROOPA , Nikolajeff Fredrik
Published: May 2022

Parkinson’s disease is generally asymptomatic at earlier stages. The pressing need is for the susceptibility risk biomarkers, that can aid in better diagnosis and therapeutics as well can objectively serve to measure the endpoint of disease progression. The role of exosomes in progression of neurodegenerative diseases is already reported and its cargo could be potent in playing a revolutionary role in biomarker discovery. In our study, the salivary exosomes were efficiently isolated by chemical precipitation from subjects (PD = 70, healthy controls = 26 and probable PD = 08) followed by antibody-based validation through CD63, CD9, GAPDH, flotillin 1, L1CAM, and calnexin. Morphological characterization of the isolated exosomes through transmission elcetrom microscopy (TEM). The exosome quantification via fluorescence and antibody-based nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). The total alpha-synuclein (α-syntotal) in salivary exosomal cargo was quantified by ELISA. The disease severity staging confirmation was done by 99mTc-TRODAT-SPECT. We observed a significant increase in total exosome concentration in PD patients than the healthy control (HC) where fluorescence-tagged exosomes were observed to be higher in PD (p < 0.0001) than the HC using NTA with a sensitivity of 94.34%. This results was validated through exosomes tagged with antibody CD63 (p = 0.006) with a similar sensitivity of 94.12%. We further validated our findings with the ELISA-based α-syntotal concentration in exosomes where it was observed to be higher in PD with a sensitivity of 88.24%. The striatal binding ratios in 99mTc-TRODAT-SPECT shown positive correlation with fluorescent exosomes concentration r = 0.3000, α-syntotal concentration r = 0.8000. In this study for the first time we have found that the fluorescence tagged exosomes has potential to screen the progression of disease with clinically acceptable sensitivity and can be a potent early detection method for PD.
Correlation between preoperative body composition and postoperative muscle volume and degeneration after total hip arthroplasty
Authors: Ukai Taku , Yokoyama Katsuya , Watanabe Masahiko
Published: May 2022

Background: Impaired muscle recovery after total hip arthroplasty (THA) may greatly affect gait and activities of daily living. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) may be used to assess body composition and muscle volume and computed tomography (CT) may be used for assessing muscle volume and, using Hounsfield units, fatty degeneration of muscle. This study aimed to assess the correlation between preoperative body composition and postoperative muscle volume and degeneration after THA using BIA and CT. Methods: Thirty-seven patients who underwent THA and had BIA and CT performed both pre- and postoperatively were retrospectively assessed. Body composition measurements, specifically the fat mass index, fat-free mass index, and phase angle, were recorded using BIA. Pre- and postoperative muscle volume and Hounsfield units of the gluteus maximus and quadriceps of the affected hip were measured using CT. The correlation between preoperative body composition measurements and postoperative muscle volume and Hounsfield units of the gluteus maximus and quadriceps was evaluated. Results: Preoperative fat mass index negatively correlated with postoperative muscle volume of the gluteus maximus (P=0.02) and quadriceps (P<0.001) and the Hounsfield units of the gluteus maximus (P=0.03) and quadriceps (P=0.03). Preoperative fat-free mass index positively correlated with postoperative muscle volume of the quadriceps (P=0.02). Preoperative phase angle positively correlated with postoperative muscle volume of the quadriceps (P=0.001) and the Hounsfield units of the gluteus maximus (P=0.03) and quadriceps (P=0.001). Conclusion: In patients who underwent THA, preoperative body composition correlated with postoperative muscle volume and fatty degeneration of the affected lower limb. Preoperative body composition may be useful for predicting postoperative muscle volume and fatty degeneration and thus the extent of postoperative recovery.