bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Severe Acute Hepatitis B, Caused by High Viral Load: A Case Report
Authors: Razdar Sara , Hosseini Seyed Javad , Abyazi Mohammad Ali , Raei Mehdi , Gholizadeh Hamed , Heiat Mohammad
Published: June 2022

Acute hepatitis B cases with very high viral load are rare in communities. This study presents an experience of treating a patient suffering from severe acute hepatitis B with a very high viral load. A 38-year-old Iranian male was diagnosed with acute hepatitis B with early and progressive liver dysfunction and a very high viral load. Treatment with Tenofovir was started. The complete response to treatment was achieved with multidisciplinary management; the patient was discharged after a week. A history of not being vaccinated against the hepatitis B virus and the job conditions could be the main causes of increased risks for his illness. However, the high viral load can be considered as the cause of severe acute hepatitis B development. The prompt and accurate diagnosis followed by suitable treatment choice led to the most favorable outcome.
Assessing the willingness of patients’ companions to disclose bad news to cancer patients
Authors: Zardoui Arshia , Yekaninejad Mir Saeed , Kazemian Ali , Parsa Mojtaba
Published: June 2022

Breaking bad news to patients is an essential aspect of the physician-patient relationship, but in Iran, this relationship is often disrupted by patients’ families. This study investigates the views of patients' companions on breaking cancer news. In this descriptive-analytic cross-sectional study, we conducted research on 170 cancer patients’ companions and 170 non-cancer patients’ companions. We designed a questionnaire to investigate the subjects’ opinions and used CVI, CVR, Cronbach's alpha and ICC for evaluation. In order to compare groups, we used Mann- Whitney, Kruskal Wallis, Chi-square tests and Spearman’s correlation. Most participants believed that patients should be informed of their diagnosis. Cancer patients' companions were more willing to learn the bad news in case they were diagnosed with cancer and were less. likely to choose “despair” as the reason for non-disclosure (71% vs. 44%).There was no difference between the two groups in willingness to break the cancer news to patients, choosing who should be informed first, and the reasons for non- disclosure. Most participants believed the family should be the first to know the diagnosis. In this study, most participants believed that patients should be informed of their diagnosis. However, they preferred to learn about the diagnosis before the patient, which confirms the importance of educating the families about autonomy.
Pollution Removal Performance of Chemically Functionalized Textile Waste Biochar Anchored Poly(vinylidene fluoride) Adsorbent
Authors: GÜMÜŞ Hüseyin , BÜYÜKKIDAN Bülent
Published: June 2022

Preparation of adsorbent materials in powder and polymeric composite form was achieved by controlled carbonization of ZnCl2 pretreated textile waste at low temperatures. Structural and surface properties of carbonized textile waste samples (CTW) and polymeric composites were prepared by the addition of CTW to PVDF-DMF solution at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 mass% ratios analyzed by FT-IR, XRD, SEM, and BET analysis. Adsorption performances of powder and composite adsorbents were investigated for MO dye removal from an aqueous solution. Zn-CTW obtained with carbonization of ZnCl2 treated textile waste at 350 °C presented 117.5 mg/g MO removal. Those were higher than CTW-350 and CTW-400. The presence of 1545 cm-1 band at the IR spectrum of Zn-CTW proved the formation of functional groups that increase dye adsorption performance with honeycomb-like pores on the surface. Zn-CTW reflected its properties onto the PVDF matrix. Improved porosity percentage, BET surface, and dye adsorption of Pz20 were recorded as 105.3, 15.22 m2/g, and 41 mg/g, respectively, compared with bare PVDF. Disposal of textile waste and preparation of functional activated carbon were achieved in a low-cost and easy way. Zn-CTW loaded PVDF composites are promising materials to use as a dye removal adsorbent from water or filtration membranes.
Factors influencing water conservation behaviour amongst low-income communities in South Africa
Authors: Thakur Rookmoney , Onwubu Stanley , Harris Geoffrey , Thakur Surendra
Published: June 2022

While economic incentives, technical developments, and government policies and regulations can all contribute to reduce residential water use, householders, on the other hand, can also help lessen overall water demands by using less water. In this study, we look at how to modify people's behaviour to conserve water at home. Using the theory of reasoned action which suggest human behaviour is a construct of subjective norms, and attitude, this study aimed to identify the factors that influences water conservation behaviour in low-income households in South Africa South Africa.   The study focused on the Waterloo Township, which is located north of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. This study followed a positive paradigm and employed a descriptive cross-sectional research design and a quantitative survey design with a sample of (n=305). Both descriptive and inferential analysis was used to analyze and present the data. Path analysis using regression coefficient was performed to establish the factors that predict water conservation behaviour. The results suggest that although the knowledge of water conservation was high among the respondents, there was however a negative gap difference (-20.3) between their knowledge (94.4%) and actual behaviour (74.1%) towards water saving techniques.  The regression analysis conducted revealed that subject norms were the strongest predictor towards water conservation intentions in the Waterloo LCH.  This conclusively suggest that the conceptualisation of water conservation behaviour as a function of attitude and subjective norm may be appropriate in the context of the low-cost housing areas within South Africa.
Tobacco, air pollution, environmental carcinogenesis, and thoughts on conquering strategies of lung cancer
Authors: Zhou Guangbiao
Published: June 2022

Each year there will be an estimated 2.1 million new lung cancer cases and 1.8 million lung cancer deaths worldwide. Tobacco smoke is the No.1 risk factors of lung cancer, accounting for > 85% lung cancer deaths. Air pollution, or haze, comprises ambient air pollution and household air pollution, which are reported to cause 252,000 and 304,000 lung cancer deaths each year, respectively. Tobacco smoke and haze (hereafter, smohaze) contain fine particles originated from insufficient combustion of biomass or coal, have quite similar carcinogens, and cause similar diseases. Smohaze exert hazardous effects on exposed populations, including induction of a large amount of mutations in the genome, alternative splicing of mRNAs, abnormalities in epigenomics, initiation of tumor-promoting chronic inflammation, and facilitating immune escape of transformed cells. Tackling smohaze and development of multi-targets-based preventive and therapeutic approaches targeting smohaze-induced carcinogenesis are the key to conquer lung cancer in the future.
The Role of SME’s Focused Tech Startup on Indonesian SME’s Adoption of Industry 4.0
Authors: Tama Ishardita Pambudi , Nugroho Willy Satrio , Mahmudy Wayan Firdaus , purnami Purnami
Published: June 2022

ASEAN SME has a role as the regional socioeconomic stabilizer. This particular role is inseparable from endogenous multi-sector collaboration. Although, Indonesian SMEs were struggled in adopting Industry 4.0 correspond to digital infrastructure and digital literacy problems. This study evaluates Indonesian SME collaboration dynamics with government and technology startup (TS). The integration of agent-based model and causal loop simulation were employed to assess the TS collaboration impact on SME Industry 4.0 adoption and SME competition with larger competitors. The simulation results imply the SME collaboration with TS can lead to early adoption of Industry 4.0 which balances the business competition environment. The model also shows rising the government aid exponentially can help the SME to late adoption of Industry 4.0 which unable to sustain the SME in business competition. Thus, the developed integrative simulation model is a state-action planning model with each state result bounded to the previous state result that determined by initial input parameters. Conclusively, the model can be used as a resiliency planner for SME Industry 4.0 adoption.
Studies on the Effects of Process Conditions on Separation of B1, B2 and B3 Vitamin Mixture Using HILIC and RPLC Chromatography
Authors: Chutkowski Marcin , Ziobrowski Piotr , Przywara Mateusz , Kamińska Justyna , Zapała Wojciech
Published: June 2022

In this work a series of experiments on the retention of B1 (riboflavin), B2 (thiamine) and B3 (nicotinic acid) vitamins in the HILIC and RPLC conditions have been performed involving the effects of organic modifier type and content, pH of the eluent, and buffering salt (ammonium acetate) concentration in the mobile phase, as well as temperature of the system. For the needs of this studies three columns of different features have been chosen: Acclaim™ Mixed-Mode HILIC-1 (Dionex), Eurospher II 100-5 HILIC (Knauer) and the RPLC column Nucleodur® C18 Gravity – SB (Macherey –Nagel). The influence of acetonitrile and methanol content in the eluent and process temperature have been tested and basing on that the most promising systems have been selected regarding the possible separation of the vitamins mixture. Both pH and buffering salt concentrations in the eluent have been adjusted in order to indicate the most effective system which turned out to be the one involving the Nucleodur column and the eluent with 90% methanol, at pH 6 and Cbuff = 20 mmol/dm3 that enables separation of the mixture within the time as short as 2.5 minutes at 1.0 mL/s flowrate in isocratic conditions.
Consciousness and Life after Death in the Evolution of Intelligence
Authors: Kande Lekamalaya Senarath Dayathilake
Published: June 2022

No scientific study has been able to find evidence of an afterlife, and consciousness is still one of the most challenging questions. Here, I show a hypothesis for consciousness and the probability of an afterlife through three simple thought experiments and theoretical evidence, yet I do precisely understand the mechanism. I found that consciousness might discuss from three fundamental theories: quantum-level particles of neuronal function according to quantum mechanics; the brain, neurons, and molecules behave to general relativity, and a new theory needs for ultraquantum particles. Simultaneously, a person or animal's death selection of a new neuronal system's quality of contemporary life might depend on the state of the finally evolving ultraquantum genome in the natural evolution of intelligence. Ultraquantum particles might emit and bond simultaneously with the suitable early nervous system or embryo when a brain dies
Indonesia and Conservation Outside Forests: An Option to Untangle Authority Dualism in the Implementation of the Essential Ecosystem Area
Authors: Merdekawati Agustina , Triatmodjo Marsudi , Nurvianto Sandy , Hasibuan Irkham Afnan Trisandi , Purnamawati Vivin , Agung I Gusti Putu
Published: June 2022

As a country rich in biodiversity, Indonesia has realised the importance of conducting conservation efforts beyond the designated conservation areas, where most of the biodiversity elements are located. In fact, the country has adopted the concept of Essential Ecosystem Areas (EEAs) into various statutory instruments. However, the implementation of EEA policies has faced various obstacles stemming from the dualism of authority between the central and regional governments in establishing and managing EEA. Act No. 23 of 2014 on Regional Government delegates the implementation to the provincial governments. At the same time, Government Regulation No. 28 of 2011 mandates that the exercise of EEA protection be integrated with conservation efforts conducted by the central government. Therefore, this study aims to analyse the legal implications of the dualism of authority in EEA implementation and provide recommendations for a regulatory scheme. The problem may be mitigated by considering the factors relevant to the regulatory implementation aspects. The results revealed that the existence of dualism of authority has had implications in several aspects, including the authority in establishing, managing and financing EEAs, which have prevented authorities from achieving the objectives of establishing EEAs. Thus, this study also recommends the integrated and modified implementation of EEA policies in several ways
Autocratic Legalism: the Making of Indonesian Omnibus Law
Authors: Mochtar Zainal Arifin , Rishan Idul
Published: June 2022

The Indonesian House of Representatives’ approval of the Omnibus Law on Job Creation marks a significant enhancement of the business climate and a step forward for labor market flexibility, which should, over time, improve the country’s international competitiveness. But, the Constitutional Court delivered shocking news by declaring that the omnibus Job Creation Law, is partly unconstitutional on November 2021. This study aims to reveal two things. First, procedural injustice in the making of Indonesian Omnibus Law on Job Creation. Second, the root of autocratic legalism and its prevention. The study is a doctrinal legal research with qualitative analysis. It has identified that (1) five violations of procedural justice in the making of the omnibus law reflect autocratic legalism in Indonesia; and (2) three factors contribute to the phenomenon. The three contributing factors are (i) the co-optation of the ruling party in the parliament, (ii) the violations of the law and constitution, and (iii) the undermined judicial independence. Indeed, the cartelization in political parties should be ended. Therefore, citizens need to conduct strengthened collective control. In addition, the independence of the Constitutional Court should be preserved.
NORMATIVITY IN LEGAL SOCIOLOGY: Methodological Reflection on Law and Regulation in Late Modernity
Authors: Hermawan Sapto , Surya Kusuma Febrian Indar
Published: June 2022

Debates on the discussion of the law limits began to emerge along with the development of science. For some circles, interdisciplinary discussions are considered essential because they can complement a mature legal study. This concept also gave rise to legal studies carried out together with other scientific groups such as social sciences. In this context, the combination of the scope of social science and law has contributed to studying the prevailing social conditions by applying the rule of law. The limitations of the extra-legal aspects that appear in the socio-legal study are what then raise and require confirmation to be said as a study that results from the legal study space.
Women and the Way of Buddha in 19th Maki of Konjaku monogatari-shū
Authors:   Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences, Babkova Maya V.
Published: June 2022

19th maki of Konjaku monogatari-shū contains about 40 tales, almost a half of which are dedicated to shukke (taking monastic vows). The act of becoming a monk is considered by the compilers as the central point of the life of a Bud­dhist devotee. Despite the existence of different opinions about the life of practi­tioners in Japanese Buddhism, it was agreed that men and women are not in equal positions. Although according to the Mahayana Buddhism, women were also able to take vows, to become nuns and to attain enlightenment, in the 13th century Japan they were not considered to be made for this way of life. Overall, there are several types of women in 19th maki. Young, beautiful and sensitive women, al­beit unintentionally, hinder men in their attempts to follow the Buddha way. How­ever, their death makes men aware of the fragility and futility of the world, lead­ing them to becoming monks. Some older women, the wives or mothers of the main characters, remain strongly attached to this world, being interested in gaining posses­sions and raising children. They don’t want to break any ties or leave the secular life. Finally, there are women who succeeded in leading a happy life. Having accom­plished their duties, they can take vows and focus on the salvation.
The Image of the Future and Scenarios for the Development of Science as a Cultural Phenomenon
Authors:   Institute of Philosophy, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pirozhkova Sofia V.
Published: June 2022

Designing an image of the future is not amusement of futurologists and visionaries, but a necessary tool for organizing social life. Today, the construction of such an im­age is formed around the question of the future of science. The article deals with this issue through the analysis of the current state of science, which uses the concept of technoscience explicated not only as a modern form of scientific knowledge pro­duction, but as a new form of existence science as cultural phenomenon. Based on this analysis author generates and discusses four scenarios for the possible devel­opment of technoscience in the long-term (5–20 years) and strategic perspective. Two scenarios are negative, since they are fraught with the actual abolition of science as a cultural phenomenon. The first is associated with the strengthening of applied re­search and the formation of an artificial intellectual environment that radically re­duces the need for developed theoretical knowledge. The second scenario assumes the continuation of the trend of commercialization of science and the commodifica­tion of scientific knowledge, affecting both the field of applied and basic research. The analysis of the directions combined under the name “Megascience” allows to speak about the possibility of two positive scenarios, one of which is inertial and as­sumes the preservation of the ideal of pure science as an activity motivated by the search for truth, and the second demonstrates the possibility of humanizing oper­ationally oriented cognition and softening the contradiction between the discovery of truth and the mastery of new possibilities of action in the world.
Rate-Pseudopressure Deconvolution Enhances Rate-Time Models Production History-Matches and Forecasts of Shale Gas Wells
Authors: Ruiz Maraggi L. M. , Lake L. W. , Walsh M. P.
Published: June 2022

Physics-based and empirical rate-time models inherently assume constant bottomhole flowing pressure (BHP), an assumption that may not hold for many unconventional wells. Hence, applying these models without accounting for BHP variations might lead to inaccurate (a) flow regime identification, (b) estimation of the parameters of these models, and (c) estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) and drainage volumes. This study evaluates and compares the predictions of rate-time relations including and ignoring corrections for time-varying BHP for both synthetic and shale gas wells.

We generate a real gas synthetic case with errors in the time-varying BHP. First, we convert pressures into pseudopressures. Second, we deconvolve the pseudopressure history by applying the regularized exponential basis function inverse scheme to obtain an equivalent rate—the unit-pseudopressure-drop rate at standard conditions—at constant BHP. Third, we history match the production using the scaled single-phase compressible fluid physics-based model for three different approaches: (a) using rate-time-pressure data with rate-pseudopressure deconvolution, (b) using rate-time-pressure data using just rate-pressure deconvolution, and (c) using only rate-time data. Finally, we compare the results in terms of their history matches and estimated reservoir parameters. We conclude by illustrating the application of this procedure to shale gas wells.

For the synthetic case, the fit of the single-phase compressible fluid rate-time model using rate-pseudopressure deconvolution can accurately estimate the original gas in place, characteristic time, gas permeability, and fracture half-length. In contrast, considerable errors are noted when either using rate-pressure deconvolution or failing to account for variable BHP. Regarding the shale gas examples, the rate-pseudopressure deconvolution scheme accurately identifies the flow regimes present in the well, which can be difficult to detect by only analyzing rate-time data. For this reason, the fits of the scaled single-phase compressible fluid model using only rate-time result in unreasonably large estimates of the reservoir parameters and EUR. In contrast, the application of rate-pseudopressure deconvolution constrains the fits of the single-phase compressible fluid model yielding more realistic estimates of the time of end of transient flow, and EUR.

This paper illustrates the application of a workflow that accounts for variable BHP by estimating an equivalent constant unit-pseudopressure-drop gas rate (at standard conditions). We illustrate the workflow for a particular decline-curve model, but the workflow is general and can be applied to any rate-time model. The approach history matches and forecasts the production of unconventional gas reservoirs using rate-time models more accurately than assuming constant BHP.
Persistence of residual SARS-CoV-2 viral antigen and RNA in tissues of patients with long COVID-19
Authors: Goh Denise , Lim Jeffrey Chun Tatt , Fernández Sonia Bilbao , Lee Justina Nadia , Joseph Craig Ryan , Neo Zhen Wei , Guerrero Sílvia , Lau Mai Chan , Sheng Joe Yeong Poh
Published: June 2022

The World Health Organization has defined long COVID-19 (LC) as a condition where patients exhibit persistent symptoms over time after its acute phase, which cannot be explained by alternative diagnosis. Since we have previously reported residual viral antigens in tissues of convalescent patients, we now aim to assess the presence of such antigens in post-convalescent tissues. Here, we established the presence of residual virus within the appendix and breast tissue of 2 patients who exhibited LC symptoms, 175 to 462 days upon positive diagnosis, using immunohistological techniques. We observed positive staining for viral nucleocapsid protein (NP) in the appendix, and tumour-adjacent region of the breast, but not within the tumour via multiplex immunohistochemistry. Notably, with RNAscope, both positive-sense and negative-sense (replicative intermediate) viral RNA were detected. As a single-stranded virus, SARS-CoV-2, have to produce a replicative intermediate as a template to synthesize new genomic RNAs. Thus, the detection of negative-sense viral RNA suggests ongoing viral replication. While viral RNA and antigen from gastrointestinal and stool samples of convalescent patients has been extensively reported, we believe this is the first study to detect viable virus. Furthermore, our positive finding in the breast tissue also corroborated with recent reports that immunocompromised patients had also experienced LC symptoms and persistent viral replication. Overall, our findings, along with emerging LC studies, raises the possibility of the gastrointestinal tract functioning as a reservoir.
Integration of COVID-19 and TB screening in Kampala, Uganda - Healthcare provider perspectives.
Authors: Semitala Fred C , Katwesigye Rodgers , Kalibbala Dennis , Mbuliro Mary , Opio Rejani , Owachi Darius , Atine Edgar , Nassazi Josephine , Turyahabwe Stavia , Sekadde Moorine
Published: June 2022

Background: Following the first wave of COVID-19 outbreak, Uganda experienced a 40% drop in Tuberculosis (TB) screening by June 2020. We sought to identify barriers to and facilitators of integrated COVID-19 and TB screening from the perspective of healthcare providers (HCP) at a National Referral Hospital in Kampala, Uganda.Design/Methods: We conducted a cross sectional study using in-depth interviews with 12 HCP involved in TB activities in the outpatient and emergency departments at Kiruddu National Referral hospital Kampala, Uganda. We explored the HCP experiences at work in the setting of COVID-19, HCP perceived effect of COVID-19 on TB screening activities at the Hospital, and perceptions about social and contextual factors that might influence the willingness of HCP to integrate screening of COVID-19 and TB. We analyzed the data using an inductive thematic approach and the emergent themes were denoted as barriers to and facilitators of COVID-19-TB integrated screening. We then mapped the themes to the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation and Behavior (COM-B) model. Results: The facilitators to integrated COVID-19 and TB screening included; HCP knowledge of how to separately screen for TB and COVID-19, availability of TB focal persons and interest in learning how to provide integrated screening for TB and COVID-19. The barriers included; HCP inadequate knowledge on how to integrate screening of TB and COVID-19, absence of simple standard operating procedures and data collection tools for integrated screening, inconsistent supply of personal protective equipment (PPE), under staffing, and fear of contracting COVID-19 infection. The identified intervention functions to address the facilitators or barriers included education, persuasion, enablement, and training.Conclusions: These findings provide a basis for designing contextually appropriate interventions targeting factors that are likely to influence HCP decisions and willingness to conduct TB screening in the context of COVID-19.
Cloning and characterization of thermophilic cellulase and its application in the transformation of ginsenosides
Authors: Zheng Fei , Zhao Huanxi , Wang Nan , Zhong Peng , Zhou Kailu , Yu Shanshan
Published: June 2022

A novel cellulase (BcelFp) was identified from Fervidobaterium pennivorans DSM9078 which had biotransformation activity for PPD-type ginsenosides. Sequence analysis of BcelFp revealed that it could be classified into glycoside hydrolase family 5 (GH5). The gene encoding a 323-amino acid protein was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant enzyme was purified, and its molecular weight was approximately 37 kDa. The recombinant BcelFp exhibited an optimal activity at 95 oC and pH 5.5 and showed high thermostability. The cellulase had high selectivity for cleaving the outer glucose moiety at the C3 carbon of ginsenoside Rb1, Rb2, Rc and Rd, which produced the more pharmacologically active gypenoside XVII (GypXVII), Compound O (CO), Compound Mc1 (CMc1) and F2, respectively. The Km values for Rb1, Rb2, Rc and Rd were 3.66 ± 0.04 µM, 4.02 ± 0.12 µM, 5.95 ± 0.03 µM, 0.67 ± 0.006 µM, respectively. The kcat/Km value of BcelFp for ginsenoside Rd was 27.91 mM-1s-1, which was much higher than the previously enzymes. This study was the first report of the highly efficient and selective transformation of GypXVII, CO, CMc1 and F2 from Rb1, Rb2, Rc and Rd by a GH5-family thermophilic cellulase.
Lactation Performance of Dairy Cows on Feeding Rumen Protected Choline
Authors: Lunagariya Pravin Mohan , SHAH SHAILESH V , PATEL YOGESH G , PATEL JIGAR H
Published: June 2022

The experiment was planned to assess the supplemental feeding of 40 g/day (35% w/w choline) rumen protected choline (T2) in total mixed ration from − 21 to 120 days of calving to dairy cows on lactation performance of 294 days compared to control TMR (T1). Total sixteen cows were allotted in two groups having six multiparous and two primiparous cows. The multiparous cows allocated based on previous standard lactation yield and lactation number. The primiparous cows allocated based on the first standard lactation yield of dam. An intake, milk production was calculated at 21 biweekly period of lactation. The milk composition assessed four times during lactation. The daily intake of dry matter, total digestible nutrients was significantly lower by 2.44 kg and 1.46 kg, respectively in T2 group of cows compared to control. The cows of T2 group produced significantly (P < 0.05) higher residual whole milk yield (9–21 Bi-weekly period) and 4% FCM yield compared to T1 and increased was 1.69 and 1.19 kg/day, respectively. The cows of T2 groups has also significant (P < 0.05) less artificial insemination/conception (0.429) and service period (69.25 days). The cows of T2 group consumed less dry matter and total digestible nutrients to produce one each kg of whole and 4% fat corrected milk with better feed economic compared to T1. The supplemental feeding of rumen protected choline resulted in significant lower nutrient intake, higher residual whole and 4% FCM milk yield, improved reproductive performance as well as improved feed efficiency in dairy cows.
CvkR, a novel MerR-type transcriptional regulator, is a repressor of class 2 type V-K CRISPR-associated transposase systems
Authors: Ziemann Marcus , Reimann Viktoria , Liang Yajing , Shi Yue , Xie Yuman , Li Hui , Zhu Tao , Lu Xuefeng , Hess Wolfgang
Published: June 2022

CRISPR-associated transposons (CASTs) exist in different groups of bacteria, including certain cyanobacteria, which contain type V-K CAST systems. These systems contain genes encoding Tn7-like transposase subunits and a divergent number of cargo genes. How the activity of these systems is controlled in situ has remained largely unknown but possibly regulatory genes within these elements are prime candidates. Deletion of the respective regulator gene alr3614 in the cyanobacterium Anabaena (Nostoc) sp. PCC 7120 led to the overexpression of CRISPR tracrRNA, precursor crRNAs and mRNAs encoding the Cas12k effector protein (all3613) and Tn7-like transposase subunits. Upon complementation, these same genes were repressed again. DNase I footprinting and electrophoretic mobility shift assays verified the direct interaction between Alr3614 and the promoter of cas12k and identified a widely conserved binding motif. Structural analysis of Alr3614 at 1.5 Å resolution revealed that it belongs to the MerR-type transcription factor family but with distinct dimerization and effector-binding domains. This protein assembles into a homodimer interacting with DNA through its N-terminal winged helix-turn-helix (wHTH) domain and binds an effector molecule through a C-terminal α-helical domain lacking a conserved cysteine. These results identify Alr3614 as a transcriptional repressor of the CAST system in Anabaena sp. PCC 7120. We suggest naming this family of repressors CvkR for Cas V-K repressors, which are at the core of a widely conserved regulatory mechanism that controls type V-K CAST systems.
Morpho-molecular characterization of ethnic Bora rice for conservation and breeding
Authors: Panja Suraj , Biswas Raju , Kar Rup Kumar , Dey Pradip Chandra , Dey Narottam
Published: June 2022

Glutinous Bora rice plays an important role in socio-economic and cultural livelihood of Boro tribes of Assam. However, neither systematic survey had been done, nor databanks are available on their detailed morpho-molecular characterization essential for breeding programme. Present study attempts to prepare a morphological database with molecular signature using a total of 22 Bora rice lines collected from upper Brahmaputra basin of Assam, which were phenotyped with 27 popular agro-morphological traits followed by marker based genotyping, sequence diversity study and expression profiling for selected genetic loci associated with low amylose content. Long day flowering and less number of tillers and panicles are the main discouraging traits of Bora rice that showed negative association with tiller length. Among the 8 different phenotypic markers established, anthocyanin pigment in different parts of the plant and availability of awn may be used as identifying criteria for selection of the hybrid lines introgress with “komal” trait. In marker based genotyping, all the studied marker loci were reported to be polymorphic with variable number of allelic forms and RM241 showed highest PIC value. In case of expression study, 5 days (after anthesis) old developing grains of selected Komal genotype (Aghani Bora) showed 90.9-fold down regulation of GBSSI (loci associated with amylose deposition in rice grain) with respect to the commonly grown popular rice (IR36). Phylogenetic relationship study with 5 different genomes (O rufipogon, O glaberima, O sativa japonica group, O sativa Indica group and IR36) based on sequence diversity of six major genetic loci (associated with starch deposition in endosperm) showed distinct relationship. Selected morpho-molecular markers (polymorphic between Bora and normal rice) were subjected to validation on hybrid population developed from selected Bora rice (Vogali Bora) and normal rice (IR36), which showed a promising response for use in marker assisted breeding program.
An Optimized Tuning of Pid Controller for Photonics and Optics Using Bio-Inspired Algorithm for Controlling Voltage and Current for Enhancement of Robustness
Authors: S Swaminathan , N.R Raajan
Published: June 2022

Optics and photonics are applied in vast range of application for information transmission between the Internet. In automated control system optics and photonics characteristics is important for automated processing. Automatic control demand for a vast range of applications such as food processing, aerospace and chemical industries. The issue with the automated control is the design of optimal controllers for off-line and on-line applications with reduced cost as the optics function. Renewable energy system gains the attention of the recent research for electricity generation especially in photovoltaic model robustness is major constraints. To mke use of the automated model for the photovoltaic system it needs to provide robustness. To achieve the desire robustness with minimized disturbance elimination physical and operating constraints need to be considered as multi-optics function. In this paper, developed a Multi-Optics Particle Swarm Optimization (MoPSO) algorithm for reduced complexity and improved ease of use. The proposed MoPSO provides the artificial intelligence-based metaheuristics approach for desire robustness in the PID controller. The designed MoPSO computation technique validated with the Phase Locked Loop system (PLL) and Magnetic Levitation System (MLS) for improved robustness in PID controller. The performance of proposed MoPSO is evaluated for the designed parameters to evaluate the output response. The measured output response of proposed MoPSO exhibits desire performance parameter for the RGA algorithm. The comparative analysis of the proposed MoPSO exhibits improved performance than the conventional PSO and DE. It is concluded that the design parameters of the proposed MoPSO is effective than the RGA and PSO.
Comparative Wavelet and MFCC Speech EmotionRecognition Experiments on the RAVDESS Dataset
Authors: Bajaj Aayush , Tripathi K.C.
Published: June 2022

Emotion Recognition (ER) from speech is one of the most interesting research domains for the scientific world. The challenge behind ER is essentially the method of speech-feature-extraction that can efficiently encapsulate speaker independent emotional information from speech signals. This paper compares the performance of Window-Fourier Transform Method, Mel-Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCC’s) and Continuous/Discrete Wavelet Transforms from the perspective of constant vs variant localization of time-frequency on The Rayerson audio-visual database of emotional speech and song. Wavelet transform has proven to be a promising non-linear tool for signal analysis that has been successfully applied in image recognition, compression and other tasks. MFCC’s has been a standard in feature extraction for speech. The motive here is to compare both the methods using the Random Forest algorithm with similar hyperparameters.
Significance of postoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen combined with tumor deposition in Stage II-III Colon Cancer Patients: a retrospective multicenter cohort study
Authors: Pu Hongjiang , Pang Xiaolin , Chen Yaxue , Ma Jianguo , Wu Runhong , Li Liyan , Liu Lizhu , You Ruimin , Fu Jiangping , Dong Xingxiang , Xiong Qiuxia
Published: June 2022

Purpose
This study aimed to investigate postoperative CEA combined with tumor deposition for risk stratification of postoperative recurrence of stage II-III colon cancer.
Methods
A retrospective analysis of 761 patients who underwent radical surgery for stage II-III colon cancer from April 2008 to January 2019. Patients were grouped into 3 cohorts: normal postoperative CEA without tumor deposits(TD), normal postoperative CEA with TD, and elevated postoperative CEA. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze the independent recurrence prognostic factors of patients with recurrence-free survival (RFS). The Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw the patient's RFS curve.
Results
The median follow-up period of all patients was 49.73 months. A total of 761 patients (452 [59.4%] male; median [IQR] age, 69 [50–67] years) were identified. The 3-year RFS of 60 patients with normal postoperative CEA and positive TD was 51.1% (95% CI, 39.8%-65.5%), and the 3-year RFS of 103 patients with elevated postoperative CEA was 47.7% (95% CI, 38.5%-58.3%). (Patients with normal postoperative CEA and positive TD vs Patients with elevated postoperative CEA: HR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.67–1.60; P = 0.877). Multivariate analysis of the COX proportional hazards model showed that normal postoperative CEA with TD (HR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.1–3.5) is independently associated with shorter RFS.
Conclusion
Patients with normal postoperative CEA still have a higher risk of recurrence if combined with tumor deposits. It is necessary to incorporate postoperative CEA and tumor deposition into high-risk factors for postoperative recurrence of colon cancer for management.
BDNFIV promoter methylation and antidepressant action: a complex interplay
Authors: Pathak Hansi , Borchert Anton , Garaali Sara , Burkert Alexandra , Frieling Helge
Published: June 2022

Background: BDNFIV promoter methylation is a potential biomarker for treatment response to antidepressants in MDD. We have previously shown CpG-87 methylation as a successful biomarker for prediction of non-response to monoaminergic antidepressants like the SSRI Fluoxetine or the SNRI Venlafaxine. This study aimed to dissect the biological evidence and mechanisms for functionality of CpG-87 methylation in a cell culture model.Results: We observed a significant interaction between methylation and antidepressant mediated transcriptional activity in BDNFIV promoter. In addition, antidepressant treatment increased the BDNFIV methylation in a concentration dependent manner. Further single CpG methylation of -87 did not change the promoter activity, but methylation of CREB domain CpG-39 increased the transcriptional activity in an antidepressant dependent manner. Interestingly, DNMT3a over-expression also increases the BDNFIV transcription and more so in Venlafaxine treated cells.Conclusions: The study strengthens the previously reported association between antidepressant treatment and BDNFIV methylation as well as hints towards the mechanism of action. We argue that potential CpG methylation biomarkers display a complex synergy with the molecular changes at the neighboring CpG positions, thus highlighting the importance of epiallele analyses.
Association of serum vitamin B levels with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Wang Yan , Yang Bing , Zhu Li , Ni Meng-fan , Gan Liang-ying , Wang Mei , Zuo Li
Published: June 2022

Background: Patients on hemodialysis (HD) are prone to having vitamin B metabolic disorders, though impact of changes in serum vitamin B concentrations on patients’ survival remains unknown. This study is to investigate the association of serum vitamin B1, B3, B5, and B6 levels with all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality in HD patients.Methods: This is a prospective observational study conducted in the HD center of Peking University People's Hospital. At baseline, demographic and clinical characteristics of HD patients were collected, and pre-dialysis serum vitamin B1, B3, B5, and B6 levels were measured by high performance liquid chromatography- tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method. Patients were prospectively followed up for the occurrence of endpoint including all-cause and cardiovascular (CV) death. Survival curves were estimated by using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to examine the association of serum vitamin B1, B3, B5, and B6 with all-cause mortality and CV mortality.Results: Seventy-six HD patients were included. The incidences of vitamin B1, B3, B5, and B6 deficiencies were 86.8%, 23.7%, 97.4%, and 35.5%, respectively. The median follow-up time was 99(range 6 to 101) months. During follow-up, 28(36.8%) patients died, 19(25.0%) of them were due to CV diseases. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that baseline vitamin B5＜69.0 nmol/l and vitamin B6＜8.1 ng/ml were associated with a higher risk of CV mortality (P=0.039 and 0.048). However, these associations were nullified after adjustment.Conclusions: Serum vitamin B1, B3, B5 and B6 concentrations were not associated with all-cause mortality or CV mortality in HD patients.
A Magnitude/Phase Bio-Impedance Measurement System with PWM Output
Authors: Zamani Milad , Rezaeiyan Yasser , Koolivand Yarallah , Moradi Farshad , Shoaei Omid
Published: June 2022

This paper presents an implantable bio-impedance device for long-term monitoring applications. The proposed magnitude/phase system includes a low-power analog front-end that generates pulse-width-modulated outputs. Additionally, the bio-impedance readout uses a Fibonacci DC-DC converter to convert voltage to time for backscattering communications. The proposed bio-impedance system is designed and simulated in a 0.18 µm CMOS process and occupies 200µm×170µm and measures bioimpedance at 2 kHz over a wide dynamic range of 100 Ω to 4 kΩ with 1.25 Ωrms accuracy while consuming just 4 µA from a 1.8 V supply.
The role of financial stress in mental health trajectories during COVID-19
Authors: Simonse Olaf , Dijk Wilco W. , Dillen Lotte F. , Dijk Eric
Published: June 2022

Using longitudinal data before and during the first six months of the pandemic for a representative sample of Dutch households, we examined the role of financial stress in mental health trajectories during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, we examined possible relations of financial stress and mental health with households' income, financial buffers, and debts. The data revealed that average mental health did not change during the first six months of the pandemic but showed considerable underlying heterogeneity. Results showed that financial stress trajectories significantly explained the heterogeneity in mental health trajectories. While income did not explain financial stress, debts and insufficient buffers related to increased financial stress, which was in turn negatively related to mental health. We discuss the implications of our findings for mental health care and financial security policy and provide suggestions for future research.
Naturalisierung und Verengung von Heterogenität, Diversität und Inklusion im Spezialdiskurs um die Digitalisierung der Hochschullehre
Authors: Stoltenhoff Ann-Kathrin
Published: June 2022

Stoltenhoff entwickelt und diskutiert in diesem Beitrag die These, dass im aktuellen Diskurs um «Diversität» und «Digitalisierung» im Hochschulkontext wichtige Aspekte und Konzepte unsichtbar oder unscharf bleiben. Sie erläutert diese These ausgehend von ersten Ergebnissen einer qualitativen diskursanalytischen Untersuchung von Fachtexten im Hinblick auf das Zusammenspiel von Medien, Wissen, Differenz und Ungleichheit. Die Autorin schliesst mit ihren Ausführungen an Forschungsergebnisse und Überlegungen der rekonstruktiven erziehungswissenschaftlichen Diversitäts-, Heterogenitäts- und Inklusionsforschung an.
The Geopolitical Context of the Rus’ Raid on Seville
Authors:   Ivan Petrovsky Bryansk State University, Shinakov Evgenii A. , Fedosov Andrei V. ,   Ivan Petrovsky Bryansk State University
Published: June 2022

The article offers a possible explanation for the raid of the Rus’ on Seville in 844 and also attempts to compare this event with the embassy of the Rus’ to Constantinople and Ingelheim, and with their raid on Amastris. These events, taken as a part of a complex geopolitical picture of the “long middle” of the 9th century, show the origin and nature of the emerging group of the Rus’ people. This period started with the renewed Muslim onslaught on Europe through the Byzantine holdings in Asia Minor and Italy in the 820s–830s, and finished in the middle of the 860s with the Byzantine victory over the Abbasids. Other important events of this time were the Great Schism; victories of the Byzantine Orthodoxy over Catholicism and heretics in Great Moravia, Bulgaria and Asia Minor; and the first baptism of the Rus’. This geopolitical background was complemented by the collapse of the Carolingian Empire and the beginning of the German Drang nach Osten. During this time, a small group who identified itself as the Rus’ first in 838, came into being. Its main goal was to explore new trade routes to the Muslim world bypassing Khazaria. However, eventually they discovered an opportunity of pillaging Byzantium and its allies in Andalusia. The result of their actions, which were probably coordinated form one center in Southern Denmark, was their acquisition of “homeland” in the North of Eastern Europe: a land that was given its accidentally emerged name “Rus’”.
Prader-Willi Syndrome: clinical case report
Authors: Marta Elisa Gadens  , Octávio Augusto Kowalski  , Gilmar José Begnini²  , João Armando Brancher  , Andréa Paula Fregoneze
Published: June 2022

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a neurobehavioral genetic disease whose cause is failure on chromosome 15. It is considered the primary genetic cause of obesity, since it is characterized by hyperphagia. Although the scientific literature will produce articles on Prader-Willi syndrome, few reported oral conditions of these patients. Objective: This study aimed to describe the oral health status of a patient diagnosed with PWS. Case report:A boy aged 10 years-old, leucoderma, attended the Discipline of Dentistry for Special Care Patients, Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (PUCPR), with all the inherent PWS characteristics such as hyperphagia and obesity. Clinical, radiographic and laboratory tests were performed to verify the oral health conditions which showed the presence of biofilm accumulation, gingivitis and a high DMFT index. It was necessary to adequate oral environment through extractions, restorations, and prophylactic therapy. Conclusion: Considering the information obtained, it was concluded that the motivation to maintain oral health should be constant for this patient and involve family, since hyperphagia, which is a determinant for obesity, decisively contributes to the evolution of oral diseases.