bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serial Lipocalin 2 and Oncostatin M levels reflect inflammation status and treatment response in axial spondyloarthritis
Authors: Tsui Florence W.L. , Lin Aifeng , Sari Ismail , Zhang Zhenbo , Tsui Hing Wo , Inman Robert D.
Published: February 2021

Background: Informative serum biomarkers for monitoring inflammatory activity and treatment responses in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) are lacking. We assessed whether Lipocalin 2 (LCN2) and Oncostatin M (OSM), both have roles in inflammation and bone remodeling, may accurately reflect chronic inflammation and treatment response in axSpA. Previous reports in animal models showed involvement of LCN2 and OSM in gut inflammation. We asked whether they also play a role in human axSpA.Methods. Analysis of a longitudinal observational axSpA cohort (286 patients) with yearly clinical assessments and concurrent measurements of serum LCN2 and OSM (1204 serum samples) for up to 12 years. Biomarkers levels were correlated with MRI scoring and treatment response. Results. Persistent and transient elevation of LCN2 and OSM were observed in axSpA patients. Persistent elevation of LCN2 or OSM, but not CRP, was correlated with sacroiliac joint MRI SPARCC scores (Pearson’s correlation p = 0.0005 and 0.005 for LCN2 and OSM respectively). We observed both concordant and discordant patterns of LCN2 and OSM in relationship to back pain, the cardinal clinical symptom in axSpA. 26% (73/286) of the patients remained both clinically and serologically active (CASA). 14% (40/286) of them remained clinically active with back pain, but were serologically quiescent (CASQ). 60% (173/286) of the patients became clinically quiescent, with back pain resolved, but 53% (92/173) of them were serologically active (CQSA). With respect to treatment responses, transient elevation of LCN2 or OSM over time was predictive of better response to all treatments. The data suggest that failure to normalize LCN2 and OSM indicates persistent chronic inflammation, as reflected by positive MRI imaging of the sacroiliac joints. Prevalence of severe ankyloses is comparable in CQSA and CASA patients, indicating that disease progresses even when back pain may be controlled (CQ)Conclusion. In axSpA, persistent LCN2 and/or OSM elevation reflects chronic SIJ inflammation and suboptimal treatment response. In our cohort, half of the currently deemed clinically quiescent patients with back pain resolved, continued to demonstrate chronic inflammation. LCN2 and OSM profiling outperforms CRP as a predictive measure and provides an objective assessment of chronic local inflammation in axSpA patients.
Sexual Needs and Sexual Health in the Elderly Population in Eastern China: Findings From a Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: xie tiansheng , Yan Haibo , Wang Guohua , Jiang Guojun
Published: February 2021

Objective: To investigate the sexual activity of older adults, to understand their knowledge attitude and practice(KAP) regarding sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and to perform correlation analyses of STD symptoms in this population.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 585 subjects from counties in eastern China. Data was collected from unified questionnaires; descriptive statistics were used for demographic characteristics and sexual activity, which used student t test, to compare the different groups, and multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify the dependence of influential factors.Results: 24.62% of participants were reported as sexually active. The subjects still work and the main income from personal salary was higher than other individuals . Furthermore, when participants monthly income or expenses was more than 1000 RMB, they seemed to have a higher sexual activity. Gender and monthly income were dependent on influential factors related to sexual activity. 54.7% showed good awareness of STD, but only 7.96% of them consistently and correctly used condoms; moreover, 21.03% report to have previously suffered from any STD symptoms. Sexual behavior, use of condoms and commercial sexual behavior were dependent on influential factors of sexual activity.Conclusions: Sexual needs and sexual health of older adults should not be neglected, effective strategies should be drafted for such population.
Percutaneous Transhepatic Flexible Ureteroscope-Guided Frequency-Doubled Dual Pulse ND:YAG Laser Lithotripsy for Refractory Choledocholithiasis
Authors: Wang Wei , Wang Wujie , Jia Yunming , Chen Chao , Tian Shilin , Shao Chunchun , Wang Yongzheng , Li Yuliang
Published: February 2021

ObjectivesTo evaluate the safety and efficiency of percutaneous transhepatic flexible ureteroscope-guided frequency-doubled dual pulse ND:YAG laser lithotripsy (PTFU-FREDDY) for refractory choledocholithiasis.MethodsFrom December 2017 to October 2018, 24 refractory choledocholithiasis patients with large common bile duct stones, anatomic variations, multiple stones or stones at difficult locations (impacted, above a biliary stricture) were admitted to two centers. Four patients were considered intolerant to surgery or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), and 2 had ERCP failure, the others refused. All patients underwent PTFU-FREDDY. Clinical success rate, recurrence of calculus, laser safety, and related complications, such as fever, haematoma, and local thermal damage were recorded. ResultsPatients’ mean age was 66.0±12.1 (43-89) years. Sex ratio was 1:1.2 (male: female). The mean diameter of stones was 21.8±2.4 mm. All stones were successfully broken and pushed into the duodenum. The mean lithotripsy frequency and procedure time of Bilirubin stones was higher than cholesterol stones, and the mixed were in middle，P<0.01. One patient（4.2%）had haemobilia, requiring immediate transarterial embolisation with 100mg 300-500um gelatin sponge particles. No pancreatitis, sepsis, or serious local thermal damage, such as bile duct perforation, was observed. The rates of Grade A/B of fever, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting were 12.5%, 12.5%, 8.3%, and 4.2% during follow-up, respectively. The recurrence was none at the endpoint of 12 months.Conclusion PTFU-FREDDY is a safe and effective alternative treatment for refractory choledocholithiasis, especially when traditional treatments fail or are difficult to perform.
A simple pressure-assisted method for MicroED specimen preparation
Authors: Zhao Jingjing , Xu Hongyi , Lebrette Hugo , Carroni Marta , Taberman Helena , Högbom Martin , Zou Xiaodong
Published: February 2021

Micro-crystal electron diffraction (MicroED) has shown great potential for structure determination of macromolecular crystals too small for X-ray diffraction. However, specimen preparation remains a major bottleneck. Here, we report a simple method for preparing MicroED specimens, named Preassis, in which excess liquid is removed through an EM grid with the assistance of pressure. We show the ice thicknesses can be controlled by tuning the pressure in combination with EM grids with appropriate hole sizes. Importantly, Preassis can handle a wide range of protein crystals grown in various buffer conditions including those with high viscosity, as well as samples with low crystal contents. Preassis is a simple and universal method for MicroED specimen preparation, and will significantly broaden the applications of MicroED.
Assessment of the subclinical myocardial dysfunction with preserved left ventricle ejection fraction in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with global myocardial work
Authors: Wang Tao , Huang Jun , Yan Zi-ning , Fan Li
Published: February 2021

To assess the subclinical left ventricle(LV) myocardial dysfunction in preserved left ventricle ejection fraction(LVEF) in type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM) patients by global myocardial work(MW). 60 untreated T2DM patients and 60 normal controls were enrolled for this study. Apical 4-, 3- and 2- chamber views were acquired by two-dimensional echocardiography. Peak systolic myocardial layer-specific global longitudinal strain(GLS), peak strain dispersion(PSD), global myocardial work index(GWI), global constructive work(GCW), global wasted work(GWW), and myocardial work efficiency(GWE) were generated by speckle-tracking echocardiography(STE). The values of GLS in T2DM patients were significantly lower than normal controls(p < 0.05). GWW in T2DM patients was significantly larger than normal controls, while GWE was significantly lower(p < 0.05). In T2DM patients, fasting plasma glucose positively correlated with GWW, while negatively correlated with GWE, respectively. ROC analysis showed GWE was superior to other values with a highest AUC of 0.688. Logistic regression analysis indicated that GLSEndo (OR = 1.196, 95% CI: 1.012–1.414, p = 0.036), and GWE (OR = 0.585, 95% CI: 0.414–0.825, p = 0.002) were independent risk factors associated with LV function in T2DM patients. From the research, the subclinical LV myocardial dysfunction was detected by GLS and global MW in T2DM patients. Global MW is a sensitive predictor to demonstrate the subclinical LV myocardial dysfunction in T2DM patients.
Effect of Benzophenone-3 to Acetylcholinesterase and Antioxidant System in Zebrafish (Danio Rerio) Embryos 
Authors: Sandoval-Gío Juan José , Noreña-Barroso Elsa , Escalante-Herrera Karla , Rodriguez-Fuentes Gabriela
Published: February 2021

Benzophenone-3 (BP-3) is one of the most used UV filters. This study aimed to evaluate the toxic effects of BP-3 during embryo stages of zebrafish, four hours post-fertilization (4hpf). Embryos were exposed to 0, 1, and 10 µg L-1 of BP-3, for 72 hours. We investigated biochemical and molecular biomarkers of neurotoxicity (AChE) and the antioxidant system (gene expression of catalase, CAT, superoxide dismutase, SOD, glutathione peroxidase, GPX, the concentration of total glutathione, GSH, and lipid hydroperoxides, LPO). Results indicated that the acute exposure to BP-3 in zebrafish embryos did not show significant differences in survival, hatching rate, or in the biomarkers of antioxidant system. In contrast, there were significant differences associated with AChE gene expression and activity.
Research on Gradient Additive Remanufacturing of Ultra-large Hot Forging Die Based on Automatic Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing Technology
Authors: Hong Xiaoying , Xiao Guiqian , Zhang Yancheng , Zhou Jie
Published: February 2021

In this paper, an automatic WAAM technology are proposed to realize the gradient additive remanufacturing of ultra-large hot forging dies. Firstly, a vertical additive manufacturing strategy and a normal additive manufacturing strategy are proposed to meet different additive manufacturing demands. Secondly, the basic principle of layering design of ultra-large hot forging dies is developed, and the wear resistance of Ni-based, Co-based and Fe-based alloys at room temperature and high temperature is analyzed. The Co-based alloy has the best high temperature wear resistance, which can be used on the surface of the hot forging die to strengthen the die. In order to control the forming quality of additive manufacturing, the relationship between welding parameters and weld shape was discussed, and the reverse system of welding process parameters was built. Finally, a typical aviation ultra-large hot forging die is selected as the research object. According to different stress and temperature distribution in different regions of the ultra-large hot forging die in service, materials with different properties are used in corresponding regions to improve the service life of the die, reduce the remanufacturing costs and improve the remanufacturing efficiency. The experimental results show that the service life of the hot forging die repaired by the automatic gradient function WAAM technology is significantly increased, the material is reduced by more than 50% and the production efficiency is increased by more than 50%.
The role of radiotherapy and chemotherapy in adult optic nerve gliomas: a SEER-based analysis
Authors: Huang Rong , Huang Yanlin , Su Jinyun , Li Heng , Liu Zhong , Tian Xinhua , Lin Xiaoning
Published: February 2021

PurposeOptic nerve gliomas (ONGs) are uncommon tumors of the central nervous system in adults. The aim of this study was to define their characteristics, prognostic factors, and the impacts of adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy on outcomes.MethodsAdult patients (age ≥ 18 years) with ONGs from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database were included. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were utilized to analyze the factors associated with survival. Kaplan-Meier method was used to evaluate the impacts of adjuvant therapies on overall survival (OS).ResultsA total of 179 adult patients diagnosed with ONGs were identified between 1991 and 2016, with a median follow-up period of 64.0 months. The median age at diagnosis was 41.0 years. After excluding 18 patients with unknown information, the remaining patients included 142 (88.2%) low-grade tumors and 19 (11.8%) high-grade tumors. Multivariate analysis showed age at diagnosis, tumor grade, adjuvant chemotherapy were significant factors for OS. The 5-year OS rates for patients with low- and high-grade ONGs were 85.5% and 10.5%, respectively. The employment of adjuvant RT or chemotherapy would significantly shorten OS time in the low-grade group and could not prolong OS time in the high-grade group.ConclusionsThis is the largest retrospective study of adult ONGs up to date. The overall prognosis of high-grade ONGs in adult patients is still poor despite multi-modality treatments. Adjuvant RT or chemotherapy might not be considered in adult patients with low-grade ONGs unless the malignant transformation or aggressive progression has been confirmed.
Visualizing the drivers of an effective health workforce: A detailed, interactive logic model
Authors: Sonderegger Serena , Bennett Sara , Sri Veena , Lalani Ummekulsoom , Hariyani Shreya , Roberton Tim
Published: February 2021

Background
A strong health workforce is a key building block of a well-functioning health system. To achieve health systems goals, policymakers need information on what works to improve and sustain health workforce performance. Most frameworks on health workforce planning and policymaking are high-level and conceptual, and do not provide a structure for synthesizing the growing body of empirical literature on the effectiveness of strategies to strengthen human resources for health (HRH). Our aim is to create a detailed, interactive logic model to map HRH evidence and inform policy development and decision-making.
Methods
We reviewed existing conceptual frameworks and models on health workforce planning and policymaking. We included frameworks that were: (1) visual, (2) comprehensive (not concentrated on specific outcomes or strategies), and (3) designed to support decision-making. We compared and synthesized the frameworks to develop a detailed logic model and interactive evidence visualization tool.
Results
Ten frameworks met our inclusion criteria. The resulting logic model allows for visualization of high-level linkages as well as a detailed understanding of the factors that affect health workforce outcomes. HRH data and governance systems interact with the context to affect how human resource policies are formulated and implemented. These policies affect HRH processes and strategies that influence health workforce outcomes and contribute to the overarching health systems goals of clinical quality, responsiveness, efficiency, and coverage. Unlike existing conceptual frameworks, this logic model has been operationalized in a highly visual, interactive platform that can be used to map the research informing policies and illuminating their underlying mechanisms.
Conclusions
The interactive logic model presented in this paper will allow for comprehensive mapping of literature around effective strategies to strengthen HRH. It can aid researchers in communicating with policymakers about the evidence behind policy questions, thus supporting the translation of evidence to policy.
A systematic literature review of pharmacists in general practice in supporting the implementation of shared care agreements (SCA) in primary care
Authors: Iqbal Naveed , Huynh Chi , Maidment Ian
Published: February 2021

Background Rising demand for healthcare continues to impact on all sectors of the health service. As a result of the growing ageing population and the burden of chronic disease, healthcare has become more complex, the need for more efficient management of specialist medication across the healthcare interface is of paramount importance. With the rising number of pharmacists working in primary care in clinical roles, is this a role that pharmacist could support to ensure the successful execution of Shared Care Agreement (SCA) in primary care for these patients?Aim of the review Systematic review to identify activities and assess interventions provided by pharmacists in primary care on SCA provision and how it affects health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for patients.MethodThe following electronic databases were systematically searched from the date on inception to January 2020: AMED®, CINAHL®, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR), EMBASE®, EMCARE®, Google Scholar, HMIC®, MEDLINE®, PsycINFO®, Scopus, Web of Science® and grey literature sources were also searched. The search was adapted according to the respective database-specific search tools. It was searched using a combination of medical subject heading terms (MeSH), free-text search terms and Boolean operators.ResultsA total of 6,489 titles/abstracts were screened, and 59 full articles were assessed for eligibility. On examination of full text, no studies met the inclusion criteria for this reviewConclusionThis review highlights the need for further research to evaluate how pharmacists in general practice can support the safe and effective integration of specialist medication in primary care with the use of SCA.
Research on Ultrasonic-Assisted CNC Cutting of Honeycomb Cores Based on UG
Authors: Mu Dongfang , Hu Xiaoping , Yu Haofeng , Yu Baohua
Published: February 2021

Compared with traditional milling, ultrasonic-assisted cutting of honeycomb cores has the advantages of good surface quality and low cutting force. Because the ultrasonic cutter and chip shapes used in ultrasonic machining are significantly different from traditional machining methods. This study is based on UG CAM for process planning, which will be converted into codes that can be recognized by six-axis CNC machine tools through post-processing, and verify the feasibility through VERICUT simulation.
Synthesize and Thermal Treatment of PdCr@carbon for Efficient Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Proton-exchange Membrane Fuel Cells 
Authors: Mebed Abdelazim M. , Zeid E. F. Abo , Abd-Elnaiem Alaa
Published: February 2021

A nanostructured PdCr@carbon catalyst is deposited on a supported carbon surface using the modified polyol reduction method for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) for the application in the proton exchange membrane fuel cell. The crystal structure and feature nanostructure of the PdCr@carbon were established using the XRD and TEM, while their catalytic activity was studied using the cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical polarization techniques. The estimated average crystallite size of PdCr is increased with the calcination temperature from 9.66 to 37.54 nm as the calcination temperature increased to 973 K, while the annealing time slightly affects the crystallite size. The TEM examination reveals the uniform distribution of the PdCr nanoparticles upon the carbon surface. The calcination temperature and time play an important factor in controlling the structural and morphology parameters of PdCr@carbon and the optimum activity and chemical stability were observed for samples calcined at 573 K for 3 h.
Numerical simulation of magma intrusion on the thermal evolution of low rank coal
Authors: Jiang Jingyu , Zhao Ke , Cheng Yuanping , Zheng Shaojie , Zhang Shuo , Wang Ran
Published: February 2021

To study the effect of magma intrusion on the thermal evolution of low-rank coal with high water content, the mathematical relationship between water content variation and thermal conductivity of low-rank coal was analyzed by COMSOL Multiphysics numerical simulation and field validation. Taking Daxing Mine in Tiefa coalfield as the research background, the effects of magma finite time intrusion mechanism and water volatilization in coal on thermal evolution and organic maturity of coal seam are investigated in this paper. The results show that as the sill thickness increases, the thermal evolution temperature of the coal seam increases, the required thermal evolution time increases and the final retention temperature increases after the coal seam is cooled down. Approaching the magma, the maximum temperature that the coal seam can reach increases, the maximum temperature lasts longer, and the final temperature retained by the coal seam becomes higher. The increase of water content of coal makes the thermal conductivity increase, and the rate of heat transfer from coal seam is accelerated, and more heat is transferred to distant places in the same time. At the same time, the heat lost by the magma in the same time increases, the time required for the cooling of the magma decreases, and the maximum temperature reached by the underlying coal seam is significantly lower. The presence of moisture weakens the thermal evolution of the magma to the coal seam and reduces the expected maturity of the coal. The results of average random vitrinite reflectance (Ro) and moisture examination of coal samples collected at the Daxing Mine site verified the numerical simulation results of magma thermal evolution.
Effects of non-thermal plasma treatment on the geopolymerization of kaolin clay
Authors: SOP-TAMO Berthelot , TARKWA Jean Baptiste , Alomayri Thamer , ASSAEDI HASAN , MOGO Jean Paul KAMSEU , Baenla Jean , KAMGANG-YOUBI Georges , Noumbissié Leonel Tchadjié
Published: February 2021

Cameroonian kaolin samples were used to produce geopolymer cements. Prior to its application, the raw kaolin samples were activated trough the gliding arc plasma treatment in both spatial post-discharge and direct mode. A mixture of sodium hydroxide and silicate was used as the alkaline solution. The materials produced were tested by X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimeter and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in order to study the influence of the modifications generated by the gliding arc plasma treatment on the geopolymerization process. The scanning electron microscopy analyses, nitrogen physisorption analyses and compression tests were also carried out on the materials produced for assessing and understanding their mechanical performance. The results showed that the geopolymerization process remained partial at the curing temperature of 90 °C. Plasma spatial post-discharge mode treated kaolin led to 20.48% increase in compressive strength when compared with the geopolymer prepared from raw kaolin.
An edge-cloud collaborative computing platform for building AIoT applications efficiently
Authors: Rong Guoping , Xu Yangchen , Tong Xinxin , Fan Haojun
Published: February 2021

The convergence of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), i.e. the Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT), is a very promising technology that redefines the way people interact with the surrounding devices. Practical AIoT applications not only have high demands on computing and storage resources, but also desire for high responsiveness. Traditional cloud-based computing paradigm faces the great pressure on the network bandwidth and communication latency, hence the newly emerged edge computing paradigm gets involved. Consequently, AIoT applications can be implemented in an edge-cloud collaborative manner, where the model building and model inferencing are offloaded to the cloud and the edge, respectively. However, developers still face challenges building AIoT applications in practice due to the inherent heterogeneity of the IoT devices, the declining accuracy of once trained models, the security and privacy issues, etc. In this paper, we present the design of an industrial edge-cloud collaborative computing platform that aims to facilitate building AIoT applications in practice. Furthermore, a real-world use case is presented in this paper, which proved the efficiency of building an AIoT application on the platform.
Realization of Visible Light Integrated Circuits for All-Optical Haar Transform
Authors: Fashi Ali Azimi , Samiei Mohammad Hashem Vadjed , Teixeira Antonio
Published: February 2021

Photonic integrated circuits have been designed, simulated and tested on TriPleXTM platform technology for implementing optical Haar Transform (HT) in the visible spectrum. Optical circuits contain the new building block (BB) designed using the multimode interference (MMI) structure performing optical HT on a pair of the optical signals. The Outputs of the BB demonstrates the sum and subtraction of the input signals according to the HT operation. 1st-order and 2nd-order optical HT achieved for the green light input signals. Simulation and experimental results have successfully validated designed photonic circuits capability in implementing optical HT.
Enhanced the light absorptance of stain-etched black Silicon decorated by TiN nanoparticles
Authors: Wang Kaiqiang , Liu Shuang , Li Jiacheng , Wu Shenglan , Xia Jiankai , Chen Jinping , Tian Chunhui , Liu Yong , Zhong Zhiyong
Published: February 2021

Due to the high energy, narrow distribution and breaking through the absorption limitation, plasmon induced hot electrons has been widely applied to extend the photoresponse spectra of the semiconductor. In order to further enhance the resonance effect of local plasmon based on metallic nanostructures, we used hydrofluoric stain etching method to fabricate nanostructured black silicon (BSi) and deposited titanium nitride (TiN) nanoparticles on its surface by reactive magnetron-sputtering. The results show that the BSi modified by plasmonic TiN nanoparticles has higher absorption in wavelength range from 1100 to 2500 nm compared to that of conventional acid etching of BSi. A PIN photoelectronic detector fabricated by the proposed BSi shows excellent device performance with responsivity of 0.45A/W at 1060 nm in near infrared band.
Long-Term Maize-Legume Intercropping Shifts Structure and Composition of Soil Microbiome with Potential Impacts on Ecosystem Services and Food Safety
Authors: Mwakilili Aneth , Mwaikono Kilaza Samson , Herrera Sebastian Larsson , Midega Charles , Magingo Francis , Alsanius Beatrix , Dekker Teun , Lyantagaye Sylvester Leonard
Published: February 2021

Purpose: Push-pull is an intercropping technology that rapidly spreads among Sub-Saharan smallholder farmers. It intercrops maize with Desmodium to fight off stem borers, eliminate parasitic weeds, and improve soil fertility and yields. The above-ground components of push-pull cropping have been well investigated. However, impact on and from the soil microbiome and its role in diverse ecosystem benefits are unknown. Here we describe the soil microbiome associated with push-pull and compare it with maize monoculture.Methods: Soil samples from long-term maize-desmodium intercropping and maize monoculture plots were analysed using 16S and ITS metagenomics.Results: Maize-desmodium intercropping caused a strong divergence in fungal microbiome, which was more diverse and species rich than monoculture plots. Zooming into genera revealed that intercropping enhanced fungal genera linked to important ecosystem services. These include mycorrhizal and endophytic groups such as Edenia, Acrocalyma and Colletotrichum, saprophytic and decomposer fungi like Pithya and Cristinia and fungi with biocontrol properties, for instance, Talaromyces, Penicillin, Clonostachys and Trichoderma. Fungal genera enriched in monoculture plots were few, and were functionally linked to plant diseases (for example Didymella, Curvularia and Parastagonospora), and human pathogenic taxa (Exserohilum, Curvularia and Aspergillus). Although separating well, bacterial microbiomes did not, except in a few genera, differ between treatments. Conclusion: Maize-desmodium intercropping diversifies fungal microbiomes and favors taxa that are associated with important ecosystem services, including plant health, productivity and food safety. Further studies should increase the resolution of shifts noted above, experimentally ascertain the inferred functions, and translate this knowledge to improve cropping systems.
Feasibility of nanoscale zero-valent iron loaded sediment-based biochar (nZVI-SBC) for simultaneous removal of nitrate and phosphate: high selectivity towards dinitrogen and synergistic mechanism
Authors: Liu Xiaohui , Wei Jia , Hou Liangang , Zhu Yuhan , Wu Yaodong , Xing Luyi , Zhang Yifei , Li Jun
Published: February 2021

In the process of water treatment, excessive nitrogen and phosphorus pollutants are of great concern. Therefore, we prepared nanoscale zero-valent iron loaded on sediment-based biochar (nZVI-SBC) to conduct nitrate and phosphate removal at the same time. The characterization demonstrated that nZVI-SBC was successfully synthesized, which had obvious advantages for larger specific surface area and better dispersion compared with pure nZVI. The batch experiments indicated that the best loading ratio of nZVI to SBC and optimum dosage for nitrate and phosphate were 1:1and 2 g·L-1, respectively. Their removal by nZVI-SBC was an acid-driven process. Anoxic environment was more conducive to the reduction of nitrate while the phosphate removal was fond of oxygen environment. 77.78% of nitrate and 99.21% of phosphate have been successfully removed, mainly depending on reduction and complexation mechanism, respectively. Moreover, nZVI-SBC had higher N2 selectivity and produced less ammonium than nZVI. The interaction between nitrate and phosphate was studied to manifest that they had different degrees of inhibition during the removal of the other. Our research indicated that nZVI-SBC has great potential for remediation of nitrogen and phosphorus polluted water.
Neuroanatomical and Functional Substrates of the Greed Personality Trait
Authors: WANG QIANG , Wei Shiyu , Lm Hohjin , Zhang Manman , Wang Pinchun , Zhu Yuxuan , Wang Yajie , Bai Xuejun , Im Hohjin
Published: February 2021

Greedy individuals often exhibit more impulsive decision-making and shortsighted behaviors. It has been assumed that altered reward circuitry and prospection network is associated with greed personality trait (GPT). In this study, we first explored the morphological characteristics (i.e., gray matter volume; GMV) of GPT combined with univariate and multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) approach. Secondly, we adopted a revised version of intertemporal choice task and independently manipulated the amount and delay time of future rewards. Using brain-imaging design, reward- and prospection-related brain activations were assessed and their associations with GPT were further examined. The MVPA results showed that GPT could be successfully predicted by the GMVs in the right lateral frontal pole cortex, left ventromedial prefrontal cortex, right lateral occipital cortex, and right occipital pole. Additionally, we observed that the amount-relevant brain activations (responding to reward circuitry) in the lateral orbitofrontal cortex were negatively associated with individual’s variability in GPT scores, whereas the delay time-relevant brain activations (responding to prospection network system) in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, superior parietal lobule, and anterior cingulate cortex were positively associated with individual’s variability in GPT scores. These findings not only provide novel insights into the neuroanatomical substrates underlying the human dispositional greed, but also suggest the critical roles of reward and prospection processing on the greed.
Single Phase Cool White Light Emitting Novel Ca9Al(PO4)7: Dy3+ Nanophosphor under NUV excitation
Authors: Dahiya Manju , Kumar Dinesh
Published: February 2021

A series of novel single-phase white light-emitting Dy3+ doped Ca9Al(PO4)7 nanophosphors was successfully synthesized at 1100 ˚C via solution combustion route. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Rietveld refinement analysis of Ca9Dy0.03Al0.97(PO4)7 sample confirmed that this phosphor had a trigonal crystal structure with space group R3c(161). Meanwhile, as-observed from the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study; particles of Ca9DyxAl(1−x)(PO4)7 samples were found to have a quadrilateral shape with crystallite sizes around 40–60 nm which were also confirmed by the Debye Scherrer equation. Under near-ultraviolet (NUV) excitation at 350 nm, photoluminescence (PL) emission spectra of nanocrystalline Ca9Al(PO4)7: Dy3+ phosphors showed two peaks at 481 nm and 572 nm corresponding to 4F9/2→6H15/2 and 4F9/2→6H13/2 transitions, respectively. The optimum concentration was found to be x = 0.03 mol. The critical energy transfer distance was calculated to be 20 and further Huang analysis concluded the exact mechanism i.e. dipole-dipole interactions responsible for concentration quenching in Ca9DyxAl(1−x)(PO4)7 samples. Furthermore, the Commission Internationale de I’Eclairage (CIE) chromaticity coordinates of Ca9Dy0.03Al0.97(PO4)7 nanophosphor was calculated to be (0.260, 0.297) and this nanophosphor had correlated color temperature (CCT) of 11332 K which is located in a cool white area. Existing results indicate that Ca9Dy0.03Al0.97(PO4)7 nanophosphor may be considered as a favorable candidate in NUV based single-phase cool White light-emitting diodes (WLEDs).
Event-triggered model predictive control of positive systems with random actuator saturation
Authors: Zhang Junfeng , Zhang Suhuan , Lin Peng
Published: February 2021

This paper investigates the event-triggered model predictive control of positive systems with actuator saturation. Interval and polytopic uncertainties are imposed on the systems, respectively. First, a new model with actuator saturation obeying Bernoulli distribution is established, which is more general and powerful for describing the saturation phenomenon than the saturation in a certain way. Then, a linear event-triggering condition is constructed based on the state and error signal. An interval estimate approach is presented to reach the positivity and stability of the systems. The saturation part in the controller is technically transformed into a non-saturation part. Thus, a linear programming approach is proposed to compute the event-triggered controller gain and the corresponding domain of attraction gain. A predictive algorithm is introduced for the computation of the event-triggered controller parameters. Finally, an example is provided to illustrate the validity of the design.
Model Difference in the Effect of Cilostazol on the Development of Experimental Pulmonary Hypertension in Rats
Authors: Ito Toshikazu , Zhang Erquan , Omori Ayaka , Kabwe Jane , Kawai Masako , Maruyama Junko , Okada Amphone , Yokochi Ayumu , Sawada Hirofumi , Mitani Yoshihide , Maruyama Kazuo
Published: February 2021

Background: Preventing pulmonary vascular remodeling is a key strategy for pulmonary hypertension (PH). Causes of PH include pulmonary vasoconstriction and inflammation. This study aimed to determine whether cilostazol (CLZ), a phosphodiesterase-3 inhibitor, prevents monocrotaline (MCT)- and chronic hypoxia (CH)-induced PH development in rats.Methods: Fifty-one male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed rat chow with (0.3% CLZ) or without CLZ for 21 days after a single injection of MCT (60 mg/kg) or saline. Forty-eight rats were fed rat chow with and without CLZ for 14 days under ambient or hypobaric (air at 380 mmHg) CH exposure. Mean PAP (mPAP), the right ventricle weight-to-left ventricle+septum weight ratio (RV/LV+S), percentages of muscularized peripheral pulmonary arteries (%Muscularization) and medial wall thickness of small muscular arteries (%MWT) were assessed.Protein expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), phosphorylated eNOS (peNOS), AKT, pAKT and IκB in lung tissue was measured by Western blotting. Monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 mRNA in lung tissue was also assessed.Results: mPAP [35.1±1.7 mmHg (MCT) (n=9) vs.16.6±0.7 (control) (n=9) (p<0.05); 29.1±1.5 mmHg (CH) (n=10) vs. 17.5±0.5 (control) (n=10) (p<0.05)], RV/LV+S [0.40±0.01 (MCT) (n=18) vs. 0.24±0.01 (control) (n=10) (p<0.05); 0.41±0.03 (CH) (n=13) vs. 0.27±0.06 (control) (n=10) (p<0.05)], and %Muscularization and %MWT were increased by MCT injection and CH exposure. CLZ significantly attenuated these changes in the MCT model [mPAP 25.1±1.1 mmHg (n=11) (p<0.05), RV/LV+S 0.30±0.01 (n=14) (p<0.05)]. In contrast, these CLZ effects were not observed in the CH model. Lung eNOS protein expression was unchanged in the MCT model and high in the CH model. Lung protein expression of AKT, phosphorylated AKT, and IκB was downregulated by MCT, which was attenuated by CLZ; the CH model did not change these proteins. Lung MCP-1 mRNA levels were increased in MCT rats but not CH rats.Conclusion: We found model differences in the effect of CLZ on PH development. CLZ might have a preventable effect on PH development in an inflammatory PH model but not in a vascular structural change model of PH preceded by vasoconstriction. Thus, the preventive effect of CLZ on PH development might be dependent on PH etiology.
Impact of gestational weight gain on maternal and neonatal clinical outcomes: A retrospective cohort study.
Authors: Hassan Mahmoud F. , Rund Nancy Mohamed Ali , Yehia Amr Helmy , Alghanimi Salha A. , Abdallah Enas A.A.
Published: February 2021

We aim to explore the association between gestational weight gain and adverse events during pregnancy. A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the perinatal outcomes in singleton women whose weight gain during pregnancy was below, within, or above the 2009 Institute of Medicine's (IOM) guidelines, and delivered between 24 and 42 weeks’ gestation. GWG was derived using weight at delivery minus the pre-pregnancy or first trimester weight. Our results indicated that mothers with low GWG had increased odds of having small-for-gestational-age neonates (adjusted OR 1.202; 95% CI 1.031-1.403), and preterm birth (adjusted OR 2.03; 95% CI 1.769-2.439), but decreased odds of having macrosomia (adjusted OR 0.523; 95% CI 0.24-0.991). Meanwhile, mothers with GWG above the IOM recommendations had higher odds of having hypertensive disease of pregnancy (adjusted OR 2.07; 95% CI 1.314-3.535), gestational diabetes (adjusted OR 1.227; 95% CI 1.038-1.448), cesarean section (adjusted OR 1.34; 95% CI 1.279-1.512), induced labor (adjusted OR 1. 219; 95% CI 1.051-1.409), failure of induced labor (adjusted OR 1.432; 95% CI 1.03-1.992), macrosomia (adjusted OR 1.987; 95% CI 1.384-2.725), and shoulder dystocia (adjusted OR 1.715; 95% CI 1.292-2.18. In conclusion, GWG is an important predictor of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes during pregnancy.
Seeking research questions from implementers: considerations for leveraging ground actors research needs in the fight against malaria in West Africa
Authors: Amouh Tete Sitou , Ekoye Saidou Malam , Ahanhanzo Césaire Damien , Guiguemdé Tinga Robert , Sombié Issiaka
Published: February 2021

BackgroundTo strengthen the fight against malaria, it is imperative to identify weaknesses and possible solutions in order to improve programmes implementation. This study reports experiences gained from collaboration between decision-makers and researchers from a World Bank project (Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases in the Sahel, SM/NTD). The objectives of this paper were to identify bottlenecks in malaria programme implementation as well as related research questions they bring up. MethodsQuestionnaire addressed to National Malaria Control Programme managers and prioritization workshops were used as a medium to identify research questions. The bottlenecks in malaria programme implementation were identified in seven thematic areas namely governance, human resources, drugs, service provision, use of prevention methods, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and public support or buy-in. The first five priority questions were: (1) compliance with drug doses on the second and third days during the seasonal chemoprevention (SMC) campaigns, (2) the contribution of community-based distributors to the management of severe cases of malaria in children under 5 years, (3) the SMC efficacy, (4) artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) tolerance and efficacy according to existing guidelines, and (5) the quality of malaria control at all levels of the health system. Results and ConclusionThis work showed the effectiveness of collaboration between implementers, programmes managers, and researchers in identifying research questions. The responses to these identified research questions of this study may contribute to improving the implementation of malaria control programmes across African countries.
Absence of gut microbiota affects lipid metabolism in the prefrontal cortex of mice
Authors: Chen Jian-Jun , Xie Jing , Zeng Ben-hua , Li Wen-wen , Bai Shun-jie , Zhou Chanjun , Chen Wei , Wei Hong , Xie Peng
Published: February 2021

Objectives: Lipid metabolism is closely associated with many important biological functions. Here, we conducted this study to explore the effects of gut microbiota on the lipid metabolism in the prefrontal cortex of mice. Methods: Germ-free (GF) mice, specific pathogen-free (SPF) and colonized GF (CGF) mice were used in this study. The open field test (OFT), forced swimming test (FST) and novelty suppressed feeding test (NSFT) were conducted to assess the changes in general behavioral activity. The liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to obtain the lipid metabolites. Both one-way analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA) and orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were used to obtain the key differential lipid metabolites.Results: The behavioral tests showed that compared to SPF mice, GF mice had more center distance, more center time, less immobility time and less latency to familiar food. Meanwhile, 142 key differential lipid metabolites between SPF mice and GF mice were identified. These lipid metabolites mainly belonged to glycerophospholipids, glycerolipids, sphingolipids, and saccharolipids. The gut microbiota colonization did not reverse these changed behavioral phenotypes, but could restore 25 key differential lipid metabolites.Discussion: These results showed that the absence of gut microbiota could influence host behaviors and lipid metabolism. Our findings could provide original and valuable data for future studies to further investigate the microbiota-gut-brain axis.
A COMPARATIVE PROSPECTIVE STUDY OF ASTIGMATISM BEFORE AND AFTER PTERYGIUM EXCISION IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE
Authors:   Department of Ophthalmology, Santhiram Medical College Nandyal., Tejaswi M. , Sanjeeva Kumar M.S P. ,   Department of Ophthalmology, Santhiram Medical College Nandyal., Haneesha K. ,   Department of Ophthalmology, Santhiram Medical College Nandyal.
Published: February 2021

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the change in corneal refractive status before and after Pterygium excision. Methodology: 31 patients who underwent Pterygium excision were evaluated pre-operatively and post-operatively for the assessment of astigmatic changes. All the patients having Pterygium more than grade II underwent Pterygium excision with conjunctival autografting. Pre-operative and post- operative assessment of astigmatism was done by objective refraction with Streak Retinoscope. Further, the subjective refraction was calculated and then keratometry was done by using manual Bausch & Lomb Keratometer. Post-operative astigmatism was measured after 1 week, 1month and 3months, to estimate how much astigmatism improvises withtime. Result:All patients who underwent Pterygium excision were analyzed retrospectively, the mean age was 39.04 Â± 9.91 years which ranged from 19-60 years. 70.9% cases were having grade II Pterygium, 25.8% patients were having grade III Pterygium and only one case had grade IV Pterygium. The mean preop astigmatism in grade II Pterygium was 1.10 Â± 0.7, in grade III Pterygium it was 1.5 Â± 1 and in grade IV it was 6. The post op mean astigmatism in grade II Pterygium was 0.21, in grade III it was 0.4 and in grade IV it was 1. There was good correlation between grade of Pterygium and astigmatism with r-0.528. In all the grades of Pterygium the differences between the preoperative astigmatism and postoperative astigmatismwas clinically significant with p value 0.001. Conclusion: In cases of Pterygium, early intervention in the form of Pterygium excision with conjunctival autograft effectively reduces the amount of astigmatism, thus reducing the amount of refractive cylinder and so leads to an improvement in visual acuity.
ORGANOPHOSPHATE POISONING
Authors:   112 Bharpur Garden, Opp Govt Ayurvedic College, Patiala., Jindal Ravi , Pal Singh Harinder ,   Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, Amar Hospital, Income Tax Office Road, Patiala-147001., Singh Jaspreet ,   Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, Amar Hospital, Income Tax Office Road, Patiala-147001., Kaur Navjot ,   Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, Amar Hospital, Income Tax Office Road, Patiala-147001., Jindal Rajiv ,   Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, Amar Hospital, Income Tax Office Road, Patiala-147001., Goyal Somnath ,   Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, Amar Hospital, Income Tax Office Road, Patiala-147001.
Published: February 2021

Organophosphorus compounds are very commonly available substance especially in agriculture based countries. Its use as a suicidal agent is rampant. Early management of the patient is critical in the final outcome. Use of atropine forms the mainstay of management after early decontamination. The role of oximes has been a matter of controversy. Use of Fresh Frozen Plasma and monitoring the patient using cholinesterase levels is amongst one of the developments in the management of the patient.
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT OF EVTOL AIR TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM; THE POSITIVE IMPACTS (POTENTIAL BENEFITS)
Authors:   PhD Program on Technology Assessment, CICS.NOVA, Faculty of Science and Technology,University NOVA Lisbon Portugal., Mete Yazan Abdurrahman , Brandao Moniz Antonio ,   CICS.NOVA, Faculty of Science and Technology, University NOVA Lisbon Portugal.
Published: February 2021

This paper intended to provide a vision on the potential consequences of the introduction of emerging air transportation system which was based on a section of the thesis to contribute to the forming of public and policy opinion.Especially this paper tried to understand whether there were enough positive social and environmental impacts in terms of potential benefits to continue the efforts.The negative impacts are beyond the scope of this paper. Limitations of the current ground and airline transportation systems, increasing congestion, poor block speed, combined with expanding population and demand for affordable on-demand mobility are driving the development of future transportation technology and policy. The third wave of aeronautic,e VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and landing) Air Transportation System, is envisioned as the next logical step in the natural progression and could bring about great new capabilities for society that would bring aviation into a new age of being relevant in daily lives. Considering door to door block time, e VTOL Air Transportation System has the potential to achieve anotherfive-fold increase over the auto today as the auto provided ten-fold increase over the horse, and a daily mobility reach of 125 to 250 miles.The main benefits will be on-demand, point-to-point,safe travel, further and anywhere in less travel time with almost zero environmental impact for general people. Besides, a successful implementation and sustainable transition will depend on overcoming technological hurdles, regulatory frameworks, operational safety, cost competitiveness, and sensibilities of the affected communities.