bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detecting Tropical Forest Degradation Using Optical Satellite Data: An Experiment in Peru Show Texture at 3 M Gives Best Results
Authors: Aquino Chiara , Mitchard Edward T. A. , McNicol Iain M. , Carstairs Harry , Burt Andrew , Puma Vilca Beisit Luz , Mayta Sylvia , Disney Mathias
Published: February 2022

Forest degradation is known to be widespread in the tropics, but is currently very poorly mapped, in part because there is little quantitative data on which satellite sensor characteristics and analysis methods are best at detecting it. To improve this, we used data from the Tropical Forest Degradation Experiment (FODEX) plots in the southern Peruvian Amazon, where different numbers of trees had been removed from four 1 ha forest plots, carefully inventoried by hand and Terrestrial Laser Scanning before and after the logging to give a range of biomass change (ΔAGB) values. We conducted a comparative study of six multispectral optical satellite sensors (WorldView-3, SkySat, SPOT-7, PlanetScope, Sentinel-2 and Landsat 8) at 0.3 – 30 m spatial resolution, to find the best combination of sensor and remote sensing indicator for change detection. Spectral reflectance, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and texture parameters were extracted after radiometric calibration and image preprocessing. The strength of the relationships between the change in these values and field-measured ΔAGB (computed in % ha−1) was analysed. The results demonstrate that: (a) texture measures correlates more with ΔAGB than simple spectral parameters; (b) the strongest correlations are achieved for those sensors with spatial resolutions in the intermediate range (1.5 - 10 m), with finer or coarser resolutions producing worse results, and (c) when texture is computed using a moving square window ranging between 9 - 14 m in length. Maps predicting ΔAGB showed very promising results using a NIR-derived texture parameter for 3 m resolution PlanetScope (R2 = 0.97 and RMSE = 1.80 % ha−1), followed by 1.5 m SPOT-7 (R2 = 0.74 and RMSE = 5.25 % ha−1) and 10 m Sentinel-2 (R2 = 0.71 and RMSE = 5.55 % ha−1). Texture models derived from 0.3 m WorldView-3 improved with increasing window size, with highest R2 of 0.62 and RMSE = 6.35 % ha−1 for a window of 14 m in length. The degradation in our field plots is invisible to the 30 m resolution Landsat data. Our findings imply that, at least for lowland Peru, low-medium intensity disturbance can be detected best in optical wavelengths using a texture measure derived from 3 m PlanetScope data. That such data are being collected daily, and currently released free as monthly mosaics over tropical forests as part of the Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI), is excellent news for monitoring such degradation.
Evaluation of Research Universities’ Third Mission in Turkey
Authors: GÜNAY Aslı , DULUPÇU Murat Ali
Published: February 2022

This study aims to evaluate the efficiency performance of third mission activities of research universities in Turkey regarding their social dimension, which has become prominent in recent years. Data Envelopment Analysis was used to evaluate the efficiency of the third mission of universities for 2019. The findings show that the number of relatively efficient research universities is only four out of sixteen, and the overall mean score of universities is 0.422. Thus, in total, universities are inefficient regarding their third mission activities as of 2019. Besides, in order to get reasonable results, a Tobit model was applied to examine the extent to which exogenous factors influence the third mission efficiencies of research universities in Turkey. The results indicate that only the foundation year has a significantly positive impact on university efficiency; in other words, the possibility of third mission efficiency is greater for the older ones, which were founded before 1981. The university ranking was used as a proxy for external factors affecting both the research mission and the third mission of research universities. No significant linkage between the performance of the third mission activities conducted within the scope of social dimension and the research mission of research universities is determined for Turkey.
Engelsiz Parkların Erişilebilirliği: Eskişehir ve Diyarbakır Örnekleri
Authors: KOÇ Canan , KOÇ Ahmet
Published: February 2022

Çoğunlukla, göz ardı edilen bir grup olan engelliler, erişilebilirlik standartlarının sağlanamaması sebebiyle sınırlandırılmakta, ulaşmak istediklerine ulaşamamakta ve yapmak istedikleri birçok faaliyete ya da aktiviteye katılamamaktadır. Erişilebilirliğin sağlanamaması çok sayıda sorunu beraberinde getirmektedir. Kent ölçeğinden bina ölçeğine kadar tüm alanların erişilebilir olması engelli bireylerin toplumsal katılımını kolaylaştırmaktadır. Engelli bireyler de engelli olamayanlar gibi haklara sahiptir. Kamusal dış mekanlardan biri olan açık yeşil alanlardan yararlanmak da bu haklar arasında sayılmaktadır. Engelsiz parkların ülkemizde giderek yaygınlaşması ile engelli çocuklar ve bireyler için kısmen oyun, dinlenme, eğlenme, gezme olanağı sunulmaktadır. Bu bağlamda çalışmada, Eskişehir ve Diyarbakır’da bulunan engelsiz parkların karşılaştırılması yapılmakta ve erişilebilirlik açısından uygunluğu değerlendirilmektedir. Engelsiz parkların farklı engel gruplarına hizmet edecek nitelikte olması ve engelli çocukların diğer çocuklar ile birlikte oyun oynamalarına olanak verecek şekilde düzenlenmesi gereklidir. Ülke genelinde engelli sayısı ve nüfusu dikkate alan yeterli büyüklükte engelsiz parklara ihtiyaç duyulmaktadır. “Herkes için tasarım” prensibi açık ve yeşil alanlar başta olmak üzere tüm alanlarda yaygınlaştırılmalıdır. Böylelikle engelsiz parkların erişilebilirliği sağlanarak engelli bireylerin yaşam kalitesi artırılmış olacaktır.
POST-PRIVATIZATION RESTRUCTURING OF AGRICULTURE OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA
Authors: Stratan А.
Published: February 2022

More than two decades after the completion of the mass privatization of land and other types of fixed assets, the agriculture of the Republic of Moldova is still inadequately structured, characterized by relatively low labor productivity and productivity of agricultural land, as well as a poorly developed livestock sector. Incomes of rural residents also remain relatively low, as a result of which a significant part of former workers of agricultural industry, primarily young people, emigrate to the cities of the republic and even beyond its borders in search of more decent and better paid jobs. Based on the results of a detailed and systematic analysis of the agrarian sector at the initial stage of its post-privatization development, the scientists of our institute have identified a number of specific features, the essence of which can be expressed as follows – "privatization is complete, the reform continues." We are talking about structural changes in the agriculture, about transferring its productive forces to an intensive, competitive framework, based on new economic realities, new production relations, first of all, qualitatively new property relations.
Snap freezing of environmental microbial samples in liquid
Authors: Shen Jiaxian , Hartmann Erica M.
Published: February 2022

This protocol describes the snap freezing process for liquid-phase environmental microbial samples. Compared with standard freezing, it better maintains the integrity of microbial cells.
Exploring Different Interaction Among Features For CTR Prediction
Authors: Yang Leilei , Zheng Wenguang , Xiao Yingyuan
Published: February 2022

Click-through rate (CTR) prediction occupies a very important position in recommendation systems and computational advertising. Accurate prediction of the click-through rate can help advertisers make more detailed advertising and marketing planning and can also help the media in defining their service audience and recommend more popular content to users more clearly. In this paper, we propose a model to make full use of the explicit feature interactions to improve the click-through rate of advertising. In the second-order feature interactions, our model not only considers the fact that the same feature uses different latent vectors when interacting with other features but also adds the latent vectors of each feature to form the embedding vector of the whole feature and then carries out explicit high-order interaction, to learn more nonlinear relations. We, inspired by the Squeeze-and-Excitation Networks (SENet), give different weights to different feature interactions. Extensive experimentation has been done on Avazu and Criteo to show that our model is better than the existing advanced models.
Identification of TARDBP Gly298Ser as a Founder Mutation for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in Southern China
Authors: Xu Fanxi , Huang Sen , Li Xu-Ying , Lin Jianing , Feng Xiuli , Xie Shu , Wang Zhanjun , Li Xian , Zhu Junge , Lai Hong , Xu Yanming , Huang Xusheng , Yao Xiaoli , Wang Chaodong
Published: February 2022

Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by predominant impairment of upper and lower motor neurons. Over 50 TARDBP mutations have been reported in both familial (FALS) and sporadic ALS (SALS). Some mutations in TARDBP, e.g. A382T and G294V, have genetic founder effects in certain geographic regions. However, such prevalence and founder effect have not been reported in Chinese. Methods: Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed in 16 Chinese FALS patients, followed by Sanger sequencing for the TARDBP p.Gly298Ser mutation (G298S) in 798 SALS patients and 1,325 controls. Haplotype analysis using microsatellites flanking TARDBP was conducted in the G298S-carrying patients and noncarriers. The geographic distribution and phenotypic correlation of the TARDBP mutations reported worldwide were reviewed. Results: WES detected the TARDBP G298S mutation in 8 FALS patients, and Sanger sequencing found additional 8 SALS cases, but no controls, carrying this mutation. All the 16 cases came from Southern China, and 7 of these patients shared the 117-286-257-145-246-270 allele for the D1S2736-D1S1151-D1S2667-D1S489-D1S434-D1S2697 markers, which was not found in the 92 non-carrier patients (0/92) (p <0.0001). The A382T and G298S mutations were prevalent in Caucasians and Eastern Asians, respectively. Additionally, carriers for the M337V mutation are dominated by bulbar onset with a long survival, whereas those for G298S are dominated by limb onset with a short survival.Conclusions: Some prevalent TARDBP mutations are distributed in a geographic pattern and related to clinical profiles. TARDBP G298S mutation is a founder mutation in the Southern Chinese ALS population.
Engineering POLYTAC Nanoparticles for Bioorthogonal Click Reaction-Enforced Protein Degradation and Breast Cancer Therapy
Authors: Yu Haijun , gao jing , Zhu Qiwen , Hou Bo , Yang Lei , Jiang Xingyu , Zou Zhifeng , Li Xutong , Xu Zhiai , Xu Tianfeng , Zheng Mingyue , Xu Huixiong
Published: February 2022

PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras (PROTACs) have been extensively explored for targeted protein degradation and cancer therapy. However, clinic translation of the conventional small molecular PROTACs is challenged by their unfavorable pharmacokinetic profiles and the systemic toxicity due to on-target but off-tumor protein degradation. Herein we presented a tumor microenvironment-activatable polymeric PROTAC (namely POLYTAC) nanoplatform for tumor-specific PROTAC delivery and combinatory cancer therapy. The POLYTAC nanoparticles were engineered by integrating metalloproteinase-liable poly(ethylene glycol) shell, intracellular acidity-responsive hydrophobic core and reduction-activatable PROTACs into one nanoplatform. The resultant POLYTAC nanoparticles can specifically accumulate at the tumor site and release the PROTACs inside the tumor cells for protein degradation. The POLYTAC nanoparticles can be further engineered for bioorthogonal click reaction-enforced tumor-specific delivery of the PROTACs. In combination with photodynamic therapy, we demonstrated that the bioorthogonal POLYTAC nanoparticles remarkably suppressed tumor growth by synergistically inducing cellular apoptosis of the tumor cells in mouse model of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer. The POLYTAC approach might pave the way for tumor-targeted protein degradation and translation of PROTAC-based cancer therapy.
Individual and regional characteristics associated with changes in mental health before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea
Authors: Min Jieun , Kwon Dohoon , Lee Whanhee , Kang Cinoo , Park Chaerin , Heo Seulkee , Bell Michelle , Kim Ho
Published: February 2022

Mental health has been a major public health concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigated the effects of COVID-19 on mental health and whether individual and regional characteristics are associated with the changes in mental health. We estimated district-specific changes in the prevalence of moderate stress, extreme stress, and depression before and during the COVID-19 pandemic after adjusting for the time trend of mental health outcomes. Then, a meta-regression was conducted to examine the associations between district-level characteristics and changes in mental health due to the pandemic. The prevalence of moderate stress, extreme stress, and depression increased during the pandemic and the increases were more prominent in districts with high population density and in individuals aged 19–59 years, with a high education level, and with high household income. The % with reduced physical activity due to the pandemic were positively associated with increases in stress; while, the % that have mutual trust among neighbors and the number of sports facilities were negatively associated with increases in stress. Local tax per person had a positive association with increase in depression. Our study provides epidemiological evidence into the mental health consequences of the pandemic, which can inform the priority of resource allocation for managing mental health.
Hazard Ranking of Wastewater Sources in a Highly Polluted River in Northern Taiwan by Using Positive Matrix Factorization With Metal Elements
Authors: Hsieh Peiyuan , Lin Huan-Chun , Wang Gen-Shuh , Hsu Yuan-Jeng , Chen Yi-Ju , Wang Tzu-Hui , Wang Ren-De , Kuo Chun-Yu , Wang Di-Wen , Liao Ho-Tang , Wu Chang-Fu
Published: February 2022

Improving water quality is a critical issue worldwide. However, the general parameters (i.e., temperature, pH, turbidity, total solids, fecal coliform, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, phosphates, and nitrates) used in water quality index estimations are unable to identify pollution from industrial wastewater. This study investigated pollution sources at a river pollution hotspot by using the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model. A two-phase sampling collection along a highly polluted river in northern Taiwan was designed. The sampling spots were distributed along the river in Phase I to monitor the spatial variation of river pollutants. A pollution hotspot was determined based on two indices, namely the summed concentrations of elements and a metal index (MI). In Phase II, the river water samples were collected from the hotspot twice daily over 30 consecutive days to monitor the temporal variation of river pollutants. Source profiles of metal elements were obtained during the monitoring period. The Phase II samples were then factorized using the PMF model. Factor profiles retrieved from the PMF model were further assigned to industrial categories through Pearson correlation coefficients and hierarchical classification. The results indicated that the main pollution source was bare printed circuit boards (BPCB), which contributed up to 92% of the copper in the pollution hotspot. In terms of MI apportionment of 11 metals related to health effects, BPCB contributed 91% of the MI in high pollution events. Overall, the MI apportionment provides linkages between pollution level and human health. This is an evidence for policymakers that the regulation of the effluents of BPCB is an effective means to controlling copper concentrations and thus improving water quality in the study area.
Integrated analysis of the whole-transcriptome of sheep skeletal muscle reveals the ceRNA regulation network related to muscle fiber formation in sheep
Authors: Fang Meiying , Cui Ran , Kang Xiaolong , Liu Yufang , Li Zhen , Liu Ximing , Chan Shuheng , Wang Yubei
Published: February 2022

Background: The different muscle fiber types are closely related to meat quality. Tan sheep is famous for the fur breed of China, and the meat quality is among the best in various sheep breeds. The mutton of Tan sheep have many characteristics including tender, juicy, nutritious and unique flavor. In this study, the high-throughput RNA sequencing was used to identify the expression profiles of coding and non-coding RNAs from longissimus dorsi and biceps femoris samples obtained from Tan sheep, Dorper sheep and their hybrid Dutanhan sheep. Results: The results of immunofluorescence staining showed that the proportion of slow-twitch fibers in longissimus dorsi tissue in Tan sheep (about 11.247%) was significantly higher than that in Dorper sheep (about 5.408%) (P<0.05). A total of 819 difference expression (DE) lncRNAs, 354 DE circRNAs, 139 DE mRNAs, and 36 DE miRNAs were identified in high and low slow-twitch fiber ratio groups. Several key genes involved in signaling pathways that form different types of muscle fibers, including protein kinase AMP-activated catalytic subunit alpha 2 (PRKAA2), EF-hand domain family member B (EFHB), folliculin interacting protein 2(FNIP2) and L-lactate dehydrogenase A chain (LDHA), had significantly different levels of expression in the two muscle tissues. Functional analysis suggested that the differentially expressed transcripts are involved in biological processes such as FoxO signaling pathways, AMPK signaling pathway and Ca2+ signaling pathway. There were 26 lncRNAs, 115 circRNAs, 21 miRNAs and 4 genes formed 70 mRNA-miRNA, 31 lncRNA-miRNA, and 158 circRNA-miRNA interaction relationships, suggesting that complex regulatory networks of coding and non-coding genes underlie the muscle fiber formation in Tan sheep. The functional prediction results showed that many of these DE circRNAs, such as novel_circ_0017336, novel_circ_0007039, novel_circ_0017132, competing to bind with miR-23a, might act as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) to control PRKAA2, EFHB and FNIP2 level, respectively. RT-qPCR validation for randomly selected 4 DEGS (PRKAA2, EGR1, MYL3 and FBXL5), 5 DEMs (miR-26a, miR-308-3p, miR-409-3p, miR-495-3p and miR-23a), and 4 DECs (circ_0017336, circ_0017132, circ_0017430, and circ_0007039) expression patterns were highly consistent with those obtained by RNA-Seq.Conclusion: Our study provides a foundation for understanding how lncRNA, circRNA, miRNA and genes interact to regulate muscle fiber formation in Tan sheep, Dorper sheep and their hybrid. We also constructed lncRNA/circRNA–miRNA–gene interaction networks to elucidate the complex molecular mechanisms underlying muscle fiber formation. The results extend our knowledge about the diversity of meat trait among different domestic animals and provide a foundation for studying novel mechanisms that control meat trait in Chinese indigenous sheep.
Rediscovering one’s identity: A qualitative meta-synthesis study on the resilience experiences of family caregivers of patients with dementia
Authors: Chang Sung Ok , Kim Eun Young
Published: February 2022

Aims: To integrate the results of qualitative research on the resilience experiences of family caregivers for patients with dementia.Design: A qualitative meta-synthesis study was conducted. Methods: Five electronic bibliographic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Web of Science) were used in a comprehensive literature search. We used meta-ethnography methods and systematically reviewed. Results: Through the process, three themes emerged: ‘Seeing life as a caregiver as one’s duty’, ‘Setting boundaries in life’, ‘Moving forward toward a developing life.’ These themes illustrated how family caregivers of patients with dementia overcome the adversities they encounter. Conclusion: This study shows the positive power of family caregivers of patients with dementia possess for overcoming their difficult situation. The results of this study suggest an important direction that can lead to positive ways to solve the problems of caring for dementia patients while reducing the suffering of caregivers and improving their quality of life.
Investigating Health Service Availability and Readiness for Antenatal Testing and Treatment for HIV and Syphilis in Papua New Guinea
Authors: Saweri Olga PM , Batura Neha , Pulford Justin , Khan M.Mahmud , Hou Xiaohui , Pomat William S , Vallely Andrew J , Wiseman Virginia
Published: February 2022

Background: Papua New Guinea (PNG) has one of the highest burdens of HIV and syphilis in pregnancy in the Asia-Pacific region. Timely and effective diagnosis can alleviate the burden of HIV and syphilis and improve maternal and newborn health. Supply-side factors related to implementation and scale up remain problematic, yet few studies have considered their impact on antenatal testing and treatment for HIV and syphilis. This study explores health service availability and readiness for antenatal HIV and/or syphilis testing and treatment in PNG.Methods: Using data from two sources, we demonstrate health service availability and readiness. Service availability is measured at a province level as the average of three indicators: infrastructure, workforce, and antenatal clinic utilization. The readiness score comprises 28 equally weighted indicators across four domains; and is estimated for 73 health facilities. Bivariate and multivariate robust linear regressions explore associations between health facility readiness and the proportion of antenatal clinic attendees tested and treated for HIV and/or syphilis.Results: Most provinces had fewer than one health facility per 10 000 population. On average, health worker density was 11 health workers per 10 000 population per province, and approximately 22% of pregnant women attended four or more antenatal clinics. Most health facilities had a composite readiness score between 51% and 75%, with urban health facilities faring better than rural ones. The multivariate regression analysis, when controlling for managing authority, catchment population, the number of clinicians employed, health facility type and residence (urban/rural) indicated a weak positive relationship between health facility readiness and the proportion of antenatal clinic attendees tested and treated for HIV and/or syphilis.Conclusion: This study adds to the limited evidence base for the Pacific region. There is a need to improve antenatal testing and treatment coverage for HIV and syphilis and reduce healthcare inequalities faced by rural and urban communities. Shortages of skilled health workers, tests, and medicines impede the provision of quality antenatal care. Improving service availability and health facility readiness are key to ensuring the effective provision of antenatal care interventions.
Impact of COVID-19 symptoms on social aspects of life among female long haulers: A qualitative study
Authors: Aghaei Atefeh , Zhang Ran , Taylor Slone , Tam Cheuk-Chi , Yang Chih-Hsiang , Li Xiaoming , Qiao Shan
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Persistent COVID-19 symptoms (long COVID) may bring numerous challenges to long haulers' social lives. Women may have to endure more profound impacts given their social roles and existing structural inequality. This study aims to explore the impacts of long COVID on various aspects of social life among female long haulers.Methods: We conducted 15 semi-structured interviews with female long haulers in the United States purposely recruited from Facebook groups, Slack group, and organization websites. The interviews were audio recorded after appropriate consent and transcribed verbatim. Inductive approach was applied in thematic analysis, which consists of six stages: becoming familiar with data, developing initial codes, extracting themes, refining themes, labeling themes, and reporting. The MAXQDA software was used in data analysis.Results: Participants reported persistent symptoms that negatively affected their social lives in many ways. The main impacts included physical limitation, financial hardship, social relationship, conflict of social roles, and social stigma. Negative effects of long COVID hindered female long haulers’ recovery process. Social isolation, COVID-19 associated stigma, and conflicts of social roles cause tremendous stress. Employers’ support and social media usage may play positive role in their coping with impacts of long COVID on their social life.Conclusion: Existing policies and intervention programs need to be adapted to address the challenges and barriers that long haulers face in returning to normal social life, especially for females. Tailored social life-related recommendations and social support are needed for female long haulers.
Insulin resistance in people living with HIV is associated with exposure to thymidine analogues and/or didanosine and prior immunodeficiency
Authors: Nielsen Susanne Dam , Høgh Julie , Hove-Skovsgaard Malene , Gelpi Marco , Jensen Anne Marie Reimer , Gerstoft Jan , Benfield Thomas , Storgaard Heidi
Published: February 2022

Background: As people living with HIV (PLWH) are growing older, there is increased incidence of metabolic diseases, including diabetes, for which insulin resistance (IR) is a key determinant. In this study, we aimed to investigate risk factors associated with insulin resistance in PLWH.Methods: We included well-regulated PLWH without hepatitis co-infection, and with available fasting serum insulin and plasma glucose (n=643) from the Copenhagen Comorbidity in HIV Infection Study. Insulin resistance was calculated using the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). We investigated the association between risk factors and high HOMA-IR in a logistic regression model adjusted for age, sex, abdominal obesity, smoking status, and origin. When including use of thymidine analogues and/or didanosine in the model, we also adjusted for time with HIV.Results: Median [IQR] age of PLWH was (IQR) age was 52 years (46-61), 87% (n=557) were male. Median [IQR] insulin resistance was 1.86 [1.23-3.14] mmol/L x mU/L. Risk factors significantly associated with insulin resistance included age, BMI ≥25, abdominal obesity, use of thymidine analogues and/or didanosine, duration of treatment with antiretroviral therapy, and CD4+ nadir < 200.Conclusions: Insulin resistance in PLWH is associated with both use of thymidine analogues and/or didanosine and prior immunodeficiency suggesting that increased attention on blood glucose in these patients could be beneficial.
Muscle Oxygenation and Time to Task Failure of Submaximal Holding and Pulling Isometric Muscle Actions and Influence of Intermittent Voluntary Muscle Twitches
Authors: Dech Silas , Bittmann Frank N. , Schaefer Laura V.
Published: February 2022

Background: Isometric muscle actions (IMA) can be performed either by initiating the action, e.g., pulling on an immovable resistance (PIMA), or by reacting to an external load, e.g., holding a weight (HIMA). In the present study, it was mainly examined if these forms could be differentiated by oxidative variables as well as by time to task failure (TTF). Furthermore, it was analyzed if variables are changed by intermittent voluntary muscle twitches during weight holding (Twitch). It was assumed that twitches during a weight holding task turn the character from reacting (≙ HIMA) to acting (≙ PIMA). Methods: Twelve subjects (two drop outs) performed HIMA and randomly PIMA or Twitch with the elbow flexors at 60% of maximal torque maintained until muscle failure with each arm. Capillary venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) and relative hemoglobin amount (rHb) were measured by white light spectrometry. Results: Within subjects, no significant differences were found between tasks regarding the behavior of SvO2 and rHb, the slope and extent of deoxygenation, SvO2 level at global rHb minimum, and time to SvO2 steady states. The TTF was significantly longer during Twitch and PIMA (incl. Twitch) compared to HIMA (p = 0.043 and 0.047, respectively). There was no substantial correlation between TTF and maximal deoxygenation independently of the task (r = –0.13). Conclusions: HIMA and PIMA seem to have a similar microvascular oxygen and blood supply. The supply might be sufficient, which is expressed by homeostatic steady states of SvO2 in all and increases in rHb in most of the trials. Intermittent muscle twitches might not serve as a further support but extend the TTF. A changed neuromuscular control is discussed as possible explanation.
Impact of In-store music on Customers, Owners, and Employees in India
Authors: Bandwal Lovish , Tripathi Sarvesh , Singh Tripti
Published: February 2022

Music has the power to evoke emotional responses and helps to improve humans mental states. Music is mostly thought of more as an entertainment source but it can also be used to accomplish other objectives like enhancing retail experience, making unity, improving psychological behaviour. Background music played in stores can shape customers' sense of how much time they spend in a store, what to purchase, and how much to spend. In this study, the research was focused on how to enhance the customer music listening experience in retail stores. The multi-brand stores and big retail stores have their own music recommendation from music experts or music managers. In many local stores, owners play songs according to their own mood and liking. The wrong music selection affects the experience of customers and employees. For this research, fashion retail stores from multi-brand stores to locally-owned shops in Celebration Mall, Udaipur were selected. In the mall, it was observed that out of 30 fashion stores 24 stores were not playing background music. The purpose of this project is to enhance the retail shop experience in Indian stores through the use of music by following user-centric processes and researching all possible solutions to users' needs.
Impact energy and the risk of injury to motorcar occupants in the front-to side vehicle collision
Authors: Ziubiński Mateusz , Prochowski Leon , Dziewiecki Krzysztof , Szwajkowski Patryk
Published: February 2022

The effects of a road accident where one vehicle hits its front on the side of another one are explored. In such cases, the impacted vehicle’s side is usually significantly deformed, which causes a risk of serious injury to vehicle occupants. An analysis of the front-to-side collision covers many non-linear and highly complex processes, especially when it is based on the collision energy balance. For the analysis, a model of a front-to-side motorcar collision and a dummy representing the impacted vehicle’s driver was prepared. The model simulations carried out were supplemented with important experimental test results. The model validation and the drawing of conclusions from research results were based on crash test results. The shares of major components in the front-to-side collision energy balance were determined. The impact energy has been proposed as an alternative predicate of the road accident effects; as a measure of the effects, the risk of injury to vehicle occupant’s head and torso is considered. The model simulations were found to be in good conformity with experimental test results. The research results enabled determining the relation between the side impact energy and the risk of dummy’s head and torso injuries according to the Abbreviated Injury Scale. The relation obtained was approximated using the logit model. This relation helps to reconstruct road accidents and to improve the car side’s passive safety systems. A discussion of the results obtained has shown good consistence between the results of this work and other comparable research results.
Evaluation of Anti-Quorum Sensing Effect and Biological Activity studies of Novel Synthesized Boron Compounds As An Alternative Portential Against Microbial Resistance
Authors: temel hamdi , Atlan Metin , Ertaş Abdulselam , Erdönmez Demet , Çalışkan Ufuk Koca
Published: February 2022

Boronic acid compounds and natural flavonoid compound quercetin were handled to synthesize novel two ligands encoded as B1(2,2'-(1,4-phenylenebis (benzo [1,3,2] dioxaborole-2,5-diyl)) bis (3,5,7-trihydroxy-4H- chromen-4-one) and B2 (3.3.6. 3,5,7-trihydroxy-2-(2-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)benzo[d][1,3,2]dioxaborol-5-yl)-4H-chromene-4). Antioxidant activities of synthesized compounds were examined in vitro. Antioxidant features of B1 and B2 were investigated by 2,2-diphenyl picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) and CUPRIC reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) methods. Anticholinesterase effects of ligands were determined by acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase methods, cytotoxic effects of ligand (B2) were applied to healthy breast and colon cancer cell lines by MTT method, as well as urease and tyrosinase enzyme activities were determined. Moreover, antibacterial properties of the compounds were analyzed by detecting their anti-QS potentials on Chromobacterium violaceum biosensor system. Both compounds were found to have significant antioxidant effects compared to controls. It was determined that the compound B1 at 1-10 µg / mL was more active than the standards (α-TOC and BHT). It was determined from some enzyme activity studies of B1 and B2 compounds that acetylchoinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase enzyme inhibitions were higher than the standard used. In addition, in vitro antiquorum sensing and antibiofilm tests were performed. As expected, boron derivatives exhibited good activity against the biofilm of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and P. aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). Biofilm analysis proved the inhibitory effect of boron derivatives by disrupting biofilm formation, reducing the thickness of biofilms and the number of viable bacteria. These results demonstrate the potential applicability of boron derivatives in the treatment of biofilm-associated infections and provide a practical strategy for the design of new boron-based antimicrobial materials. It was determined that compound B2 did not show any toxic effect on living cell lines and breast and colon cancer cell lines.
Identification Of New Sources Of Rice Genotypes (Oryza Sativa L.) Tolerant To Cold Stress
Authors: Entele Kidist Tolosa , Edema Richard , Lamo Jimmy , Tilahun Nigat , Abebe Desta , Kebede Worku
Published: February 2022

Rice crop is adversely affected by cold stress which is a common problem in the highland areas of central East Africa (Uganda, Rwanda, north east Tanzania and Kenya) and Madagascar. Cold stress is known to cause 26% to 80% yield loss. Currently, rice production in Uganda is mostly growing to the low altitude areas as there is lack of cold-tolerant varieties that can grow in the higher altitudes of the country. None of the released varieties in Uganda are tolerant cold. The few cold-tolerant lines that have been identified are short-grain types, though Ugandan consumers generally prefer long-grain size. This research aimed at identifying new sources of cold tolerant rice genotypes with preferred traits. A total of 50 lines arranged in a 5x10 alpha lattice design with two replications were used for both stressed and non-stressed experiments. Twenty one (21) days old seedlings were stressed at 10oC in cold air for 10 days and the other remained under normal ambient temperature. IRRI Standard Evaluation System (SES, 2013) was used to score the effect of cold stress on leaf morphology (leaf wilting score) and on leaf color (leaf yellowing score) after 7 day recovery. This study revealed eight highly cold tolerant (SCRID091-20-2-2-4, GIZA 177, NERICA 1, MET P27, MET P23, MET P60, MET P20 and MET P5) in which only GIZA 177 was short grain and fifteen tolerant varieties (MET P32, MET P11, MET P2, MET P17, MET P3, MET P24, MET P16, MET P37, MET P18, MET P9, MET P40, MET P31, MET P39, MET P22, MET P36) were identified.
Measuring the skin microbiome after a 3% aqueous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) dysbiosis using ATP biofluorescence
Authors: Gruber James V , Riemer Jed
Published: February 2022

Background: Since its complete mapping in 2008, the human skin microbiome has become an important area of research related to skin health. The human skin is populated by an environment of microorganisms, fungi, insects, and viruses that is collectively known as the microbiome. Measuring the skin’s microbial diversity can be done but is a sophisticated technique that is performed using expensive instruments that can detect the 16S ribosomal RNA of the microorganisms. Finding more rapid and less costly methods to analyze the changes in the skin’s microbial biome is desirable.Results: A study was conducted on thirty (30) inner volar forearms to determine whether Adenosine Triphospate (ATP) biofluorescence could be employed to examine skin microbial dysbiosis caused by the application of 3% hydrogen peroxide. Fifteen individuals were examined on both arms, both arms having a test site and a control site, for a total of thirty inner volar forearms using a Charm Science NovaLum ATP analyzer [Andover, MA] to examine in a broad sense the skin’s total microbial population and how it is affected after surface treatment with 3% hydrogen peroxide over a 24-hour period. It was found that surface treatment of the skin with three cotton swab applications of 3% hydrogen peroxide five minutes apart was able to statistically significantly suppress the expression of ATP fluorescence compared against non-swabbed sites, and the effects remained significant for six hours following the H2O2 treatment. After 8 hours and 24 hours, the ATP biofluorescence difference returned to nonstatistical significance, indicating the potential return of the stable microbiome.Conclusion: Using ATP biofluorescence to detect possible sanitizer-induced microbial dysbiosis may be a rapid way to examine how skin treatments may impact the return of microbially disrupted skin to its normal state and how surface treatments may impact the rate of return to normal after a disruptive event.
Synthesis, Antitumor Activity and Structure-activity Studies of Novel Pyridoxine-based Structural Analogs of Saccharumoside-B
Authors: Pugachev Mikhail V. , Agafonova Maria N. , Gnezdilov Oleg I. , Romanova Ekaterina I. , Balakin Konstantin V. , Shtyrlin Yurii
Published: February 2022

In this work, a series of novel pyridine- and pyridoxine-based saccharumoside-B derivatives were synthesized, and their antitumor activity on nine human tumor cell lines (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, A-498, SNB-19, M-14, NCI-H322M, HCT-115, HCT-116, PC-3) and cytotoxicity on three conditionally normal cell lines (HEK-293, Chang Liver, MSC) were studied in comparison with camptothecin, doxorubicin and saccharumoside-B. Structure-activity patterns, and in particular the contribution to antitumor activity of the peripheral fragments of the studied pharmacophore were analyzed. Our synthetic explorations also allowed us to propose a new efficient approach to the synthesis of saccharumoside B, which was used as a reference drug.
A randomised, controlled phase 2 study of neoadjuvant eribulin versus paclitaxel in women with operable breast cancer: The JONIE-3 study
Authors: Narui Kazutaka , Miura Daishu , Hasegawa Yoshie , Tachibana Akihiko , Horiguchi Jun , Hayashi Mitsuhiro , Miyashita Masaru , Kubota Tomoyuki , Suzuki Masato , Yamada Kimito , Yamada Akimitsu , Kohno Norio , Ishikawa Takashi
Published: February 2022

Purpose: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is essential for surgical downstaging of early-stage breast cancer, but taxane administration is associated with neuropathy. We investigated whether eribulin induces less neuropathy than paclitaxel. Methods: In this multicentre, randomised study (UMIN000012817), patients diagnosed with invasive breast cancer between December 2013 and April 2016 were randomly assigned to group E (eribulin followed by fluorouracil, epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide; FEC) or group P (paclitaxel followed by FEC). The primary endpoint was incidence of grade 1 or higher peripheral neuropathy according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE). Secondary endpoints were pathological complete response (pCR), clinical response, breast-conserving surgery, adverse events, disease-free survival (DFS), and patient neurotoxicity questionnaire (PNQ) analysis.Results: One hundred and eighteen cases were analysed for safety and 115 were evaluated for efficacy. Peripheral sensory neuropathy was significantly lower in group E after week 6, while peripheral motor neuropathy in group E was significantly lower at weeks 9, 12, and 15. pCR in groups E and P was 20.7% and 29.8% (P=0.289), respectively, and clinical response was 55.2% and 77.2% (P=0.017), respectively. Three-year DFS was 89.7% in group E and 86.0% in group P (P=0.561). Neutropenia was more frequent and more severe in group E. PNQ was evaluated for 4 years, and item 1 (sensory) was consistently lower in group E.Conclusion: Neuropathy was significantly less frequent and less severe in patients who received eribulin compared with paclitaxel. Thus, eribulin could be a good alternative to paclitaxel in patients suffering severe neuropathy.
Production and Optimization of GLP-HDPE Composite Materials Using the Robust Taguchi Technique
Authors: JATAU Sunday , Yawas Danjuma Saleh , Kuburi Laminu Shettima , Samuel Bassey Okon
Published: February 2022

With the increase in the use of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) products and the serious long-term hazard it poses to the environment, there has been an increasing need to decrease the release of these materials to the environment as waste. This study sets out to develop and optimize the mechanical properties of GLP-HDPE composite, a sustainable material from agro residues (ginger leaves particles (GLP)) and high-density polyethylene waste materials. The Taguchi robust technique, analysis of variance, and regression analysis were employed to optimize, analyze and model the behavior of the composite materials in respect to developmental factors of particle size and particle content. The optimum bending modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR) and impact energy (IE) of the developed composites was 2490MPa, 11.90MPa, and 4.1J at particle size/particle content combination of 710µm/35%, 520µm/35%, and 710µm/45% respectively. Analysis of variance at 95% confidence level showed that the particle content and a significant effect on the MOE, MOR, and IE of the GLP-HDPE composite with a minimum percentage contribution of 71.61%. Equations for predicting the MOE, MOR, and IE of the composites were developed with good prediction accuracy.
Understanding determinants of Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy; an emphasis on the role of religious affiliation and individual’s reliance on traditional remedy
Authors: Defar Hanna , Welde Mengistu , Menebo Mesay Moges
Published: February 2022

Background The damage COVID-19 has caused interms of mortalities, economic breakdown and social disruption is immense. The COVID-19 vaccine has been one of the efficient prevention strategies so far in preventing the pandemic. However, the publics’ hesitancy towards vaccines has enormously affected this task. With emerging research findings indicating that a substantial proportion of adults are hesitant about a vaccine for COVID-19, important work that identifies and describes vaccine hesitant individuals is required to begin to understand and address this problem. Objective This study assessed public attitude towards COVID-19 Vaccine and identified important factors that lead to its hesitancy. Methods A web and paper-based cross-sectional survey study was conducted from July 31 to August 12, 2021. The study participants are staffs and students at Jimma University. A total of 358 participants were selected using stratified simple random sampling and requested to fill a survey questionnaire. Binomial logistic regression analysis was done to identify factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Results Half of the participants were found to be hesitant to Covid-19 vaccine. The odds of becoming vaccine hesitant among middle income was two times more than those with lower income (AOR 2.17, 95% CI 1.05–4.5). Furthermore, respondent’s extent of media exposure was associated with vaccine hesitancy with the odds of becoming vaccine hesitant among those whose source of Covid-19 information is from four media sources (Social Media, Mass Media, Health care worker and Friends/family/Neighbor) being 74% lower (AOR .26, 95% CI .09–.69) than those with one media source. Concern towards vaccine side effect, vaccine effectiveness and having the belief to treat Covid-19 with traditional remedies were found to increase the odds of becoming vaccine hesitant by 31%, 42% and 37% respectively. Moreover, the association between side-effect concern and vaccine hesitancy was moderated by participant’s religious affiliation.
Prediction of turning performances using an equivalent oblique cutting model
Authors: ABDELLAOUI LEFI , KHLIFI Hassen , SAI Wassila BOUZID
Published: February 2022

The main purpose of this paper is to predict the performances of the turning process using an equivalent oblique cutting model. Based on the real tool, an equivalent cut geometry is performed considering the effects of nose and edge radii. Edge direction and normal cutting angles, uncut chip thickness and depth of cut were redefined by their equivalent values and then used as new inputs. Turning performances, such as cutting force components, cutting temperatures and tribology parameters at the tool/chip interface, were predicted over a wide range of cutting conditions. The position of the maximum temperature at the tool/chip interface and its value are determined by solving the heat equation in the chip using the Finite Difference Method (FDM). Different assumptions were concluded, and the thermal problem is simply resolved using Laplace transform. Acceptable agreement was concluded between experimental cutting force components and those predicted from the equivalent oblique cutting model. It can thus be concluded that the equivalent model of cut is highly recommended to predict turning performances and to study crater wear and tool life.