bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-throughput Screening of Stable and Efficient Double Inorganic Halide Perovskite Materials by DFT
Authors: Diao Xinfeng , Diao Yongxin , Tang Yanlin , Zhao Gangling , Gu Qinzhong , Xie Yu , Shi Yebai , Zhang Liang , Zhu Ping
Published: April 2022

In this paper, the photoelectric conversion properties and stability of 42 inorganic double perovskite materials were studied based on density functional theory (DFT). Starting from the construction of double perovskite crystal structures, the data mining algorithm in informatics was introduced into the analysis of high-throughput computing data. The results show that the tolerance factors of 39 crystals are between 0.8 and 1.10, indicating that these crystals have a stable perovskite structure. Then, the important parameters such as dielectric function, PDOS, elastic modulus, shear modulus and Poisson's ratio of the crystal were analyzed. Considering the band gap structure and absorption spectrum, it is found that the light absorption curves of Cs2SeI6，Cs2SeBr6 Rb2SeI6，Rb2SeBr6，and Rb2SeCl6 fall in a relatively large range in the visible light region.Further considering the stability factor Cs2SeI6, Rb2SeI6, Cs2SeBr6 and Rb2SeBr6 can be considered as ideal candidates for light absorbing materials, providing a basis for the industrial application of solar cells.PACS: 78.56.-a 81.05.Fb 42.50.Nn
Synthesis of Flavonoids using ZnCr2O4 nanoparticle catalyst
Authors: Amiri Behnam , Nazarpour Roya , Mohave Fouad , Ghaemi Arezoo , Tavakkoli Haman
Published: April 2022

ZnCr2O4 nanoparticles with a high specific surface area has been fabricated using a hydrothermal synthetic process and was used as an effective catalyst to synthesize flavonoid derivatives. The textural and structural properties of the spinel were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field Emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), nitrogen sorption techniques, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). XRD confirmed the formation of cubic Zinc Chromite spinel with an average crystallite size of 5.04 nm. While textural analysis by N2 sorption revealed a disordered mesoporous system with a high specific surface of 215 m2/g for ZnCr2O4. Moreover, all desired flavonoids obtained in high yields under solvent-free conditions with the aid of the ZnCr2O4 catalyst. Structures of all flavonoid derivatives were confirmed by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, FT-IR and their melting points.
A scalable and real-time system for disease prediction using big data processing
Authors: ED-DAOUDY Abderrahmane , Maalmi Khalil , ouaazizi Aziza El
Published: April 2022

The growing chronic diseases patients and the centralization of medical resources cause significant economic impact resulting in hospital visits, hospital readmission, and other healthcare costs. This paper proposes a scalable, big data, real-time health status prediction and analytical system to filter, manage, process, predict and store streaming health data. The proposed system uses Twitter as data source, Apache Kafka as ingestion tool, Apache Spark as computing engine, Apache Cassandra as storage engine and Apache Zeppelin as analytical tool. Proposed Spark Parallel Random Forest (SPRF) is used as data classifier. The idea is to use Twitter as a communication channel to transmit data generated by IoT medical devices to a system to perform analytics in a real-time fashion, using streaming. Thus, Twitter users tweet attributes related to health, Kafka streaming receives all desired tweets attributes and ingest them to Spark streaming. Here, a machine learning algorithm model is applied to predict health status and send back a response message through Kafka. The result will be saved into distributed database for historical data analysis and visualization. The system has been tested with a Heart disease dataset from UCI. RF classification performances are compared to other machine learning classifiers of Apache Spark MLlib library. To test the system scalability, a comparative study between execution time of RF on Spark environment and on WEKA for both training and application stages. The results show significant better performances of Spark cluster in terms of scalability and computing times.
The association between iron deficiency anemia at infancy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Yackobovitch-Gavan Michal , Ben-Hefer Daniel , Meyerovitch Joseph
Published: April 2022

Purpose: To examine the association between iron deficiency anemia (IDA) at age 9-18 months and attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) during childhood.Methods: This case-control study included all the children insured by Clalit Health Services, aged 9-18 months between June 1, 2004 and December 30, 2013 (aged 6-18 years at data collection) with documented hemoglobin (Hb) and mean cell volume levels (MCV). The analysis comprised 19,467 children diagnosed with ADHD based on medical documentation of at least two consecutive stimulant prescriptions. The control group comprised 39,004 children without a record of receiving any prescriptions for ADHD. IDA was defined as Hb<10.5gr/dl and 60fl<MCV<75fl. Moderate anemia was defined as Hb<10gr/dl. The prevalence of IDA was compared by Pearson Chi-Square test and by logistic regression, adjusted to age, sex, cultural background and socioeconomic status.Results: IDA prevalence was 0.6% lower in the ADHD than the control group: n=667 (3.4%) vs. n=1,541 (4.0%) (P=0.002), adjusted OR=0.863 (95%CI: 0.816–0.910). The prevalence of moderate ID anemia (Hb<10gr/dl) was similar in the ADHD and the control groups (0.9% vs. 1.0%, P=0.149) (adjusted OR=0.877; 95%CI: 0.725–1.047). Hb at age 9-18 months was clinically similar in the ADHD and control groups (11.965±0.880 and 11.921±0.889 gr/dl, respectively); however, this difference was statistically significant (P<0.001), apparently due to the large sample size. Conclusions: IDA in infants 9-18 months old was not found to be associated with an increased risk of ADHD during childhood. Other etiological factors for ADHD, such as genetics and environmental factors should be further studied.
Spectrum-effect relationship between GC-MS fingerprints and antidepressant-like effect of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. essential oil
Authors: Tan Liang , Yang Yunfang , Peng Jing , Zhang Yue , Wu Bo , He Bosai , Jia Ying , Yan Tingxu
Published: April 2022

The present study aimed to evaluate the antidepressant-like effect of essential oils from Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. (SEO) and its possible mechanisms of SEO. Behavioral despair mouse model in vivo and H2O2-induced PC12 cells model in vitro were employed. And the potential effective components were identified by the spectrum-effect relationships analysis. SEO significantly decreased the immobility time in the forced swimming test and tail suspension test, which indicated a promising antidepressant-like effect of SEO in depressed mice. The decreased levels of SOD, GSH, and CAT, and increased levels of MDA were significantly reversed by SEO treatment, which showed good antioxidant activities both in vitro and in vivo. Besides, SEO significantly promoted the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and the expression of HO-1 in depressed mice and H2O2-induced PC12 cells. The histopathological examination results showed a potential neuronal protective effect of SEO in the hippocampus and cortex. Furthermore, the upregulation of PI3K/AKT/GSK3β signaling was observed after SEO treatment. Additionally, based on the spectrum-effect relationship analysis, 9 peaks were identified positively correlated with the antioxidant activity of SEO. These results suggested that SEO upregulated the PI3K/AKT/GSK3β signaling, and then promoted Nrf2/HO-1 pathway to improve the oxidative stress status and exerted the antidepressant-like effects.
Multinomial classification to predict the most effective adjuvant combination therapies for breast cancer patients
Authors: ERTEL Merouane , AMALI Said , Faddouli Nour-eddine El
Published: April 2022

Accurately predicting effective treatment methods based on personalized tumor genetic profiles is a major goal of precision cancer medicine. Because people with breast cancer at comparable stages respond differently to treatment, it is essential to gain insight into the variables that influence treatment success. This study presents a supervised multinomial logistic regression model for predicting the best adjuvant therapy for breast cancer patients to lower the probability of metastatic recurrence. This model will assist health professionals (physicians) in making judgments about which medicinal regimens to suggest to patients. In addition, this article presents a comparison of several multinomial machine learning methods (Logistic Regression (LR), Naive Bayes (NB), Random Forest (RF), Decision Tree (DT), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Neural Network (ANN)). The results reveal that the Random Forest classifier is more effective in terms of adjuvant therapy combination prediction accuracy.
Long term effects of crop rotation and fertilization on crop yield stability in southeast China
Authors: Zhang Licheng , Yuan Jie , Zhang Mingqing , Zhang Yongchun , Wang Liming , LI Juan
Published: April 2022

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of different fertilization programs and crop rotations on crop yield stability. A 9 y field experiment was conducted from 2013 to 2021 to evaluate the effects of combinations of two annual crop rotations and two methods of applying fertilizer on crop yield stability. Crop rotations were kidney bean–mustard–rice (P-B-O) and kidney bean–mustard–cowpea (P-B-V) each year. Fertilization methods were recommended fertilization (RF) and conventional fertilization (CF). The indexes Wi2 (Wricke ecovalance), coefficient of variation (CV), and sustainable yield index (SYI) were used to quantify the long term effects of crop rotation and fertilization on crop yield stability, and a yield change trend model was used to predict future production. For fertilization program RF, average kidney bean and mustard yields in rotation P-B-O increased respectively by 7.47% and 19.37% over P-B-V in the 9 years of the project. For CF, average kidney bean and mustard yields for P-B-O increased respectively by 14.99% and 18.33% over P-B-V. Wi2 indexes of kidney bean and mustard for P-B-O (respectively 116 and 956) were significantly less than for P-B-V (respectively 147.87 and 1259.67). SYI for kidney beans and mustard in P-B-O (respectively 0.63 and 0.57) were significantly greater than for P-B-V (respectively 0.50 and 0.42). The trends of crop average yields for RF and CF show that the average yield trends of kidney bean in P-B-O (respectively 32.41 and 32.34) were greater than in P-B-V (respectively 29.56 and 27.45). The trends of average yields of mustard for RF and CF in P-B-O (respectively 64.18 and 60.87) were greater than in P-B-V ( respectively 51.74 and 51.87). The preceding results led to the conclusion that long term annual P-B-O rotation combined with RF has a considerable advantage in increasing yield and maintaining yield stability, thus establishing the sustainability of this crop system.
Comprehensive characterization of flavonoid derivatives in young leaves of core-collected soybean (Glycine max L.) cultivars based on high-resolution mass spectrometry
Authors: Lee Suji , Kim Heon-Woong , Lee So-Jeong , Kwon Ryeong Ha , Na Hyemin , Kim Ju Hyung , Choi Yu-Mi , Yoon Hyemyeong , Kim Yong-Suk , Wee Chi-Do , Yoo Seon Mi , Lee Sang Hoon
Published: April 2022

Most previous studies have been focused on isoflavone profile with biological activities from soybean seed and its related products. However, in the present study, eighty-three flavonoid derivatives (55 flavonols, 9 flavones and 19 isoflavones) were comprehensively identified and quantified from young leaves of 21 core-collected soybean cultivars based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector with quadrupole time of flight/mass spectrometry (UPLC-DAD-QToF/MS). Among total content (342.5-992.7 mg/100 g, dry weight) of 83 derivatives found in these soybean leaves (SLs), the abundant flavonols (83.6%, 275.1–854.0) were primarily composed of 26 di- and 23 tri- glycosides combined to the aglycones (K, kaempferol; Q, quercetin; I, isorhamnetin), and distributed in the order of K, Q and I. Particularly, K-rich SLs (yellow coated seed), Nongrim 51 (breeding line) and YJ208-1 (landrace) contained mainly kaempferol 3-O-(2"-O-glucosyl-6"-O-rhamnosyl)galactoside and 3-O-(2",6"-di-O-rhamnosyl)galactoside, and were expected to be superior cultivars by their higher flavonoids. Besides, the new tri-I-glycosides (soyanins Ⅰ~Ⅴ) were presented as predominant components in Junyeorikong (landrace, black). Thus, these detailed profiles will support breeding of superior varieties with excellent biological activities as well as relationship with seed anthocyanins production, and suggest that the SLs can be considered as a valuable edible resource due to their rich flavonoids.
How Experienced Wound Care Nurses Conceptualize What to Do in Pressure Injury Management
Authors: Lee Ye-Na , Chang Sung Ok
Published: April 2022

Background: Conceptual understanding of the perceptions that wound care nurses use to determine how to manage pressure injuries (PI) may provide information for improving their PI care competency. The aim of this study is to explore and describe the way wound care nurses experience and perceive PI management. Methods: A qualitative, phenomenographic approach was used in this study. Semi-structured interviews were used for data collection with twenty wound care nurses. The eight steps of qualitative data analysis for a phenomenographic study were employed to develop an understanding of participants’ experience of pressure injury management.Results: The analysis resulted in an assessment domain and an intervention domain, each containing three descriptive categories based on five identified conceptions. The categories were as follows: ”comparison”, “consideration”, and “monitoring” in assessment, and “creation”, “conversation” and “judgement” in intervention.Conclusions: This study has created a framework for understanding PI management based on practical knowledge. These findings could potentially be applied to improve nurse PI care competency and patient safety.
An Improved Algorithm Based on Game Theory to Detecting Overlapping Community
Authors: Mei WanTing , Zhang Sheng , Liu Rui
Published: April 2022

Aiming at the problem that the community discovery algorithms based on game theory have the disadvantage of node update strategy sequence and the complexity of node strategy space, an improved algorithm for overlapping community discovery based on game theory is proposed, which regards the formation of communities as the game of nodes in the network. First, get the initial community of the node through a label propagation algorithm, and get the set of bridge nodes; then, sort these nodes from large to small according to the aggregation of the nodes, choose to join the community, convert the community, and leave the community strategy to improve own profit; when all nodes participating in the game cannot increase their profit by changing strategies, the algorithm ends; finally, experiments and analysis on artificially generated networks and real-world networks have proved the feasibility of the algorithm, and it is comparable to other similar compared with the algorithm, the algorithm proposed in this paper effectively reduces the running time and improves the accuracy.
Effects of postoperative delirium on parents’ illness uncertainty and quality of life in children after ventricular septal defect repair
Authors: Huang Jiang-shan , Chen Yu-kun , lin Shi-hao , Lin Wen-hao , Chen Qiang , Zheng Yi-Rong
Published: April 2022

Objective
The purpose of this study was to investigate the illness uncertainty and quality of life of parents of children with postoperative delirium.
Methods
178 patients were enrolled and assigned to POD (n = 77) and no-POD (n = 101) based on evaluation of delirium. Delirium was assessed by a CPAD. Chinese version of the Parents' Perception of Uncertainty Scale (PPUS) was used to evaluate the Parents' illness uncertainty. Quality of life was assessed with the SF-36 scale at discharge and third postoperation months.
Results
In terms of clinical data, there were no significant differences in gender and size of ventricular septal defect between the two groups, but significant differences in age, operation time, CPB time, mechanical ventilation time and ICU time between the two groups. In terms of the illness uncertainty scores, there are statistically significant differences between the two groups on ambiguity, lack of clarity, lack of information and unpredictability. In terms of the parents' quality of life, at discharge, there were no significant differences in PH, SF, RP, BP, and GH between the POD group and the no-POD group. There was no statistical significance in PH, SF, RP, BP, GH and RE at third postoperation months. In terms of the relationship between Parents' illness uncertainty and quality of life, there was a negative correlation between illness uncertainty and quality of life in POD and no-POD group.
Conclusion
Parents of children with delirium after ventricular septal defect repair had significantly higher levels of illness uncertainty than parents of children without delirium. Moreover, the higher the illness uncertainty, the worse the quality of life.
Clinical and sociodemographic determinants of disease-specific health-related quality of life in long-term breast cancer survivors
Authors: Doege Daniela , Thong Melissa S.Y. , Koch-Gallenkamp Lena , Bertram Heike , Eberle Andrea , Holleczek Bernd , Nennecke Alice , Pritzkuleit Ron , Waldmann Annika , Zeissig Sylke R. , Brenner Hermann , Arndt Volker
Published: April 2022

Purpose: It is important to monitor disease-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in breast cancer (BC) survivors to identify potential unmet supportive care needs. However, previous studies were characterized by small samples of mostly short-term survivors and were limited to certain age ranges, stages and/or treatments.Methods: We used data from 3045 long-term BC survivors (5-15 years post-diagnosis) recruited in a German multi-regional population-based study. We assessed disease-specific HRQoL with the EORTC QLQ-BR23, scoring from 0-100. Differences in functioning and symptoms according to age at survey, self-reported treatments, stage, and disease status (disease-free vs. active disease) were assessed with multiple regression. Active disease was defined as any self-report of recurrence, metastasis or second primary cancer after the index cancer.Results: Older BC survivors reported a higher body image and a better future perspective, but lower sexual functioning. Survivors aged 30-49 years who had breast-conserving therapy or mastectomy with breast reconstruction reported a better body image compared to those who had mastectomy only. We also found differences in symptoms according to treatments in some age groups. Stage at diagnosis was not associated with HRQoL overall and in most age subgroups. Disease-free BC survivors aged 30-79 years reported a better future perspective and less systemic therapy side effects than those with active disease.Conclusion: Several treatment-associated symptoms and functioning detriments were found 5-15 years after diagnosis. The results emphasize the need of a comprehensive, individualized survivorship care, recognizing differential needs of long-term BC survivors according to age, treatment modalities, and disease status.
Impacts of shrub encroachment on soil quality in the native Monte rangelands of Southwestern Buenos Aires, Argentina
Authors: Ambrosino Mariela Lis , Torres Yanina , Lucero Cinthia Tamara , Lorda Graciela Susana , Ithurrart Leticia Soledad , Martínez Juan Manuel , Armando Lorena Vanesa , Garayalde Antonio , Busso Carlos Alberto
Published: April 2022

Purpose
Shrub encroachment has been associated with changes in the spatio-temporal distribution of soil nutrient and vegetation. We determined the effect of shrub cover on chemical and biochemical indicators of soil quality (SQ) in a semiarid Monte rangeland of Argentina.
Methods
In spring 2017 and 2018, 6 paddocks were selected and 10 m transects were placed in an area with (Sh) and without shrubs (WSh). Within each transect, composite soil samples (0–10 cm depth; n = 6) were taken from sites with bare ground-litter (BL), grass (G) and shrub (S) cover. Soil samples were analyzed to determine chemical and biochemical parameters associated with the efficient use of water, nutrients, functionality and activity of microbial communities.
Results
When these indicators were evaluated individually, Sh-G and Sh-S sites presented high values of soil organic matter (SOM), soil organic nitrogen (SON), particulate organic matter (POM) and cellulase activity (CA); the shrub effect was not consistent for the other parameters related to nitrogen and phosphorus cycle. In multivariate analysis, values of POM, SON, CA and anaerobic nitrogen were positively correlated between them in both years; Sh-G and WSh-G sites were associated with different SQ parameters, and BL soils of Sh and WSh transects behaved similarly.
Conclusions
We demonstrated that shrubs do not have a negative effect on SQ. Moreover, in the context of appropriate grazing management and moderate shrub cover presence of woody species has a beneficial effect on POM, SON and CA with direct impacts on organic matter decomposition, nutrient availability and microbial activity.
Prognostic value of functional SMAD4 localization in extrahepatic bile duct cancer
Authors: Takayama Hirotoshi , Kobayashi Shogo , Gotoh Kunihito , Sasaki Kazuki , Iwagami Yoshifumi , Yamada Daisaku , Tomimaru Yoshito , Akita Hirofumi , Asaoka Tadafumi , Noda Takehiro , Wada Hiroshi , Takahashi Hidenori , Tanemura Masahiro , Doki Yuichiro , Eguchi Hidetoshi
Published: April 2022

Background. SMAD4 is a key mediator of TGFβ signaling and one of the mutated genes in extrahepatic bile duct cancer (eBDC). SMAD4 has dual functions, in carcinogenesis via silencing and in tumor invasion/metastasis via signaling, depending on tumor stage. We investigated the localization of functional SMAD4 (e.g., invasion or metastasis) and its association with chemo-radiation therapy. Methods. We performed SMAD4 immunostaining on 98 resected eBDC specimens and evaluated the presence of the functional form of nuclear SMAD4 at the central lesion, invasion front, and metastatic lymph node. We also examined the influence on chemotherapy after recurrence (n=33) and neoadjuvant chemo-radiation therapy (NAC-RT, n=21) and the prognostic value of using retrospective data. Results. In 73 patients without NAC-RT, 8.2% had loss of SMAD4 expression and 23.3% had heterogeneous expression. Patients without SMAD4 expression at any site had significantly poorer overall survival (OS) than other patients (P=0.014). Expression of SMAD4 at the invasion front was related to survival (recurrence-free survival [RFS] P=0.033; OS P=0.047), and no SMAD4 expression at the metastatic lymph node was related to poorer OS (P=0.011). The patients who had high SMAD4 expression had poorer prognosis after recurrence (RFS P=0.011; OS P=0.056). At the residual cancer in the resected specimen, SMAD4 was highly expressed after NAC-RT (P=0.039). Conclusions. Loss of SMAD4 protein expression was a poor prognostic factor in resectable eBDC. However, the intensity of functional SMAD4 in eBDC is a marker of resistance to chemotherapy and malignant potential at advanced stages.
How to reduce fear, risk, and uncertainty in scientific knowledge? Risk communication of endocrine-disrupting chemicals: surveying the general public perceptions and knowledge
Authors: Lee Yong Jin , Lim Young Wook
Published: April 2022

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) pose a threat to both human health and environment. Since the exact definitions and management systems of EDCs differ between countries and organizations, it is necessary to establish a system for evaluating the basic information and disseminating it appropriately. This study aimed to assess the risk communication of EDCs among the Korean public through a nationwide survey of their perceptions and general knowledge regarding the topic.The survey was conducted on 2000 Korean individuals, including vulnerable populations. The questionnaire included questions on quality of life, general awareness, risk perception, exposure awareness, and health.The findings revealed that the general public had poor awareness of the main components of EDCs and the risks associated with exposure to EDCs. In relation to EDCs, the public’s perceptions of risks were influenced by certain variables such as dangerousness, spontaneity, controllability, fear, familiarity, scientific knowledge, and personal knowledge.Based on these results, this study revealed that it is necessary to establish a harmonized management system for effective risk communication of EDCs.
Incorporating End-Users’ Voices into the Development of an Implant for HIV Prevention: A Discrete Choice Experiment in South Africa and Zimbabwe
Authors: Browne Erica Nicole , Manenzhe Kgahlisho , Makoni Wanzirai , Nkomo Sikhanyisiwe , Mahaka Imelda , Ahmed Khatija , Shapley-Quinn Mary Kate , Marton Tozoe , Luecke Ellen , Johnson Leah , Straten Ariane van der , Minnis Alexandra M.
Published: April 2022

Background. Input from end-users during preclinical phases can support market fit for new HIV prevention technologies. With several long-acting pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) implants in development, we aimed to understand young women’s preferences for PrEP implants to inform optimal design.Methods. We developed a discrete choice experiment and surveyed 800 young women in Harare, Zimbabwe and Tshwane, South Africa between September-November 2020. Women aged 18 to 30 years who were nulliparous, postpartum, or exchanged sex in prior year were eligible. The DCE asked participants to choose between two hypothetical implants for HIV prevention in a series of nine questions. Implants were described by: size, number of rods and insertion sites, duration (6-months, 1-year, 2-years), flexibility, and biodegradability. Random-parameters logit models estimated preference weights.Results. Median age was 24 years (interquartile range 21-27). By design, 36% had used contraceptive implants. Duration of protection was most important feature, with strong preference for a 2-year over 6-month implant. In Zimbabwe, the number of rods/insertion sites was second most important and half as important as duration. Nonetheless, to achieve an implant lasting 2-years, 74% were estimated to accept two rods, one in each arm. In South Africa, preference was for longer, flexible implants that required removal, although each of these attributes were one-third as important as duration. On average, biodegradability and size did not influence Zimbabwean women’s choices. Contraceptive implant experience and parity did not influence relative importance of attributes.Conclusions. While duration of protection was a prominent attribute shaping women’s choices for PrEP implants, other characteristics related to discreetness were relevant. Optimizing for longest dosing while also ensuring minimal detection of implant placement seemed most attractive to potential users.
Atrioventricular coupling and left atrial abnormalizes in type 2 diabetes mellitus with functional mitral regurgitation patients verified by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Yang Zhi-Gang , Zhang Yi , Li Xue-Ming , Shen Meng-Ting , Huang Shan , Li Yuan
Published: April 2022

Background: In type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) patients, blood may flowed back into the left atrium (LA), aggravated the impairment in LA compliance, and then affect the left ventricle (LV) function conversely. This study sought to depict how FMR affects LA compliance and LV function and to investigate the atrioventricular coupling in T2DM with FMR patients.Materials and Methods: A total of 148 patients with T2DM and 49 age- and sex-matched normal control volunteers underwent cardiac magnetic resonance examination. LA function and longitudinal strain indices were compared. Comparison of indices among controls and different T2DM patients. Multivariate analysis was used to identify the independent indicators of LA strain. Results: T2DM without FMR had lower total LA empty fraction (LAEF) in spite of similar LV volume and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) compared with controls (all P < 0.05). T2DM with mild and moderate FMR showed increased LA volume (LAV) and LV volume while decreased LAEF, LA strain, and LVEF (P < 0.05). T2DM with severe FMR showed markedly increased LAV, LV volume while decreased LAEF, LA strain, and LVEF (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that εs was independently correlated with LVEDV (β = -0.334) and regurgitation degree (β = -0.256;). εe was independently correlated with regurgitation degree (β = -0.297). εa was independently correlated with LVESV (β = -0.352) and HbA1c (β = -0.279). Conclusion: FMR may aggravate LA and LV dysfunction in T2DM patients. In T2DM with FMR, regurgitation degree was an independent determinant of εs and εe, LVEDV was an independent determinant of εs, and LVESV was independent determinants of εa.
Phenotypic and Molecular Characterization of Aerobic Bacteria from the Vagina of Apparently Healthy and Infertile Bitches in Zaria, Nigeria
Authors: Mamman Paul Habila , Umar Bala Ningi , Kakudi Abubakar Nafi'u , Ahmed Akeem Olayiwola , Chah Kennedy , Kazeem Haruna Makanjuola
Published: April 2022

Infertility is a major constrain to a successful dog breeding in many developing countries like Nigeria. The aim of this study therefore, was to establish the aerobic microflora of the vagina of Nigerian bitches. Bacteria were isolated and characterized including susceptibility to commonly used antimicrobials. A total of 169 bacteria were isolated; of which 103 (60.9%) were from apparently healthy bitches and 66 (39.1%) from bitches with reproductive anomalies. These include Staphylococcus saprophyticus (27.2%), Streptococcus species (14.8%), and Corynebacterium species (13.6%). Also, Gemella palaticanis (1.8%), and Schaalia canis (1.3%) which are new to the study area were isolated for the first time in Nigeria. Nearly all the infertile bitches (90.1%) had mixed infection which might be responsible for their illness. Gentamicin was the most effective drug. Micrococcus species and Escherichia coli exhibited multiple drug resistance. Thus, screening of dogs for pathogenic bacteria before breeding is recommended.
Optimization of Drying Parameters to Maximize Antioxidant Activity, Total Phenolic and Anthocyanin Content of Purple Carrot Puree Powder
Authors: Demircan Bahar , Velioglu Yakup Sedat
Published: April 2022

Purple carrots are an important source of phenolic compounds and spray drying is the most advantageous method to make purple carrots more stable. Optimization analysis was carried out to determine the effects of inlet temperature, pump rate, and maltodextrin concentration on the process yield, antioxidant activity, total phenolic and anthocyanin content in the purple carrot puree powder. The optimum drying parameters obtained by maximizing the dependent variables (desirability = 0.809) were determined to be 16.51% (w/v) maltodextrin concentration, 180.16°C inlet temperature, and 30.39% pump rate. Process yield was found to be 83.64%. In recommended optimum conditions, the dependent variables were determined to be, 81.20% DPPH scavenging antioxidant activity, 5332.87 ppm total phenolic content as gallic acid equivalent, and 449.71 ppm total anthocyanin content as cyanidin-3-glucoside. These findings indicate that under the recommended conditions, they were preserved at 92.66%, 90.43%, and 83.79%, respectively.
In vitro antagonistic efficacy of a Paenibacillus sp. BTA27 against tea blister blight associated fungal pathogens
Authors: Thakur Debajit , Barman Ananya , Deka Manash Jyoti
Published: April 2022

A bacterial isolate designated BTA27 was isolated from soil samples of Bateli tea estate of Assam, India. Morphological and phylogenetic analysis identified the isolate to be Paenibacillus sp. which shared 86.48% sequence similarity with Paenibacillus xylanisolvens strain X11-1 (NR_112906.1). The isolate showed antagonistic activity against several plant pathogenic fungi including tea blister blight associated fungal pathogens Pestalotiopsis sp. MGA4 (MN5660032), Pestalotiopsis sp. MGA6 (MN565994), Pestalotiopsis sp. MGA22 (MT707211), Pestalotiopsis sp. MGA37 (MN567942), and Nigrospora sp. MGA38 (MN566004). This was confirmed by techniques that included spot inoculation, well diffusion, and disc diffusion methods. The BTA27 isolate produced maximum antifungal metabolites from 8th to 10th day post-inoculation. Additionally, the BTA27 isolate exhibited a possible fungistatic effect against Pestalotiopsis sp. MGA4, Pestalotiopsis sp. MGA6, Pestalotiopsis sp. MGA22, Pestalotiopsis sp. MGA37, and Nigrospora sp. MGA38. Extract preparation of BTA27 was done in ethyl acetate from broth liquid culture following the organic solvent extraction method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the ethyl acetate extract of BTA27 was found in the range 0.912 to 7.42 µg/ml with the lowest MIC being recorded against Nigrospora sp. MGA38 (0.912 µg/ml) and the highest was seen against Pestalotiopsis sp. MGA37 (7.42 µg/ml). Increased concentrations of the ethyl acetate extract of BTA27 caused decreased spore germination of the fungal pathogens. Using GC-MS the chemical composition of the ethyl acetate extract of BTA27 was analyzed and the presence of different chemical compounds was detected having biological activities. Therefore, these results highlight potential suitability of BTA27 isolate for the development of biocontrol agent against blister blight.
Relating compatibility and divisibility of quantum channels
Authors: Duarte Cristhiano , Catani Lorenzo , Drumond Raphael C.
Published: April 2022

We connect two key concepts in quantum information: compatibility and divisibility of quantum channels. Two channels are compatible if they can be both obtained via marginalization from a third channel. A channel divides another channel if it reproduces its action by sequential composition with a third channel. (In)compatibility is of central importance for studying the difference between classical and quantum dynamics. The relevance of divisibility stands in its close relationship with the onset of Markovianity. We emphasize the simulability character of compatibility and divisibility, and, despite their structural difference, we find a set of channels – self-degradable channels – for which the two notions coincide. We also show that, for degradable channels, compatibility implies divisibility, and that, for anti-degradable channels, divisibility implies compatibility. These results provide physical insights and motivate further research on these classes of channels and shed new light on the meaning of these two largely studied notions.
SARS-CoV-2 infection in technology dependent children: a multicenter case series
Authors: Robinson Joan , Dewan Tammie , Morris Shaun K. , Bitnun Ari , Gill Peter , Tal Tala El , Laxer Ronald M. , Yeh E. Ann , Yea Carmen , Ulloa-Gutierrez Rolando , Brenes-Chacon Helena , Yock-Corrales Adriana , Ivankovich-Escoto Gabriela , Soriano-Fallas Alejandra , Mezerville Marcela Hernandez-de , Papenburg Jesse , Lefebvre Marie-Astrid , Nateghian Alireza , Haghighi Behzad , Manafi Ali , Dwilow Rachel , Bullard Jared , Cooke Suzette , Restivo Lea , Lopez Alison , Sandarangani Manish , Roberts Ashley , Lesaux Nicole , Bowes Jennifer , Purewal Rupeena , Lautermilch Janell , Wong Jacqueline , Piche Dominique , Top Karina , Foo Cheryl , Panetta Luc , Merckx Joanna , Barton Michelle
Published: April 2022

Purpose: The objective of this study was to describe the clinical course and outcomes in children with technology-dependence (TD) hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2 infection.Methods: Seventeen pediatric hospitals (15 Canadian and one each in Iran and Costa Rica) included children up to 17 years of age admitted February 1, 2020, through May 31, 2021, with detection of SARS-CoV-2. For those with TD, data were collected on demographics, clinical course and outcome. Results: Of 691 children entered in the database, 42 (6%) had TD of which 22 had feeding tube dependence only, 9 were on supplemental oxygen only, 3 had feeding tube dependence and were on supplemental oxygen, 2 had a tracheostomy but were not ventilated, 4 were on non-invasive ventilation, and 2 were on mechanical ventilation prior to admission. Three of 42 had incidental SARS-CoV-2 infection. Two with end-stage underlying conditions were transitioned to comfort care and died. Sixteen (43%) of the remaining 37 cases required increased respiratory support from baseline due to COVID-19 while 21 (57%) did not. All survivors were discharged home.Conclusion: Children with TD appear to have an increased risk of COVID-19 hospitalization. However, in the absence of end-stage chronic conditions, all survived to discharge.
Prognostic significance of combined α-fetoprotein and CA19-9 for hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy
Authors: Zhang Jie , Qin Shang Dong , Li Yan , Lu Fei , Gong Weng Feng , Zhong Jian Hong , Ma Liang , Zhao Jing Fei , Zhan Guo Hua , Li Peng Zhan , Song Bin , De Xiang Bang
Published: April 2022

Background: The prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) varies considerably among patients with the same disease stage and characteristics, and only about two thirds show high levels of α-fetoprotein (AFP), a common prognostic indicator for HCC. Here, we assessed whether the combination of presurgical serum levels of AFP and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) can predict prognosis of HCC patients after hepatectomy.Methods: The clinicopathological characteristics and post-hepatectomy outcomes of 711 HCC patients were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were classified into three groups based on whether their preoperative serum levels of both AFP and CA19-9 were higher than the respective cut-offs of 400 ng/ml and 37 U/ml [double positive (DP)], the level of only one marker was higher than the cut-off [single positive (SP)], or neither level was higher than the cut-off [negative (N)]. The overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were estimated using Kaplan–Meier curves. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were performed to identify the clinicopathological factors significantly associated with HCC prognosis.Results: The 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year RFS and OS rates in the N group were significantly higher than those in the SP group, while the DP group showed the lowest rates. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that large tumor size (>5 cm), multiple tumors (³2), incomplete tumor capsule, positive microvascular invasion, Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer C stage, and CA19-9 level >37 U/mL were independent risk factors for RFS and OS in HCC patients. Moreover, aspartate aminotransferase levels >40 U/L proved to be an independent prognostic factor for OS.Conclusion: The combination of serum AFP and CA19-9 levels may be a useful prognostic marker for HCC patients after hepatectomy.
Comparison of Pregnancy Outcomes of Letrozole-Induced Frozen-Thawed Embryo Transfer Cycles in PCOS women with two different abnormal ovulation patterns: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Song Jing-Yan , Wang Dan-Dan , Cao Jing-Xian , Jiang Wen-Jing , Hou Jin-Wei , Yan Meng-Han , Sun Zhen-Gao
Published: April 2022

Objective The aim of this study was to compare whether pregnancy outcomes of the letrozole-induced endometrial preparation protocol in frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles differed between oligo-ovulatory and anovulatory women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).Materials and Methods In a retrospective study, women with PCOS who had undergone letrozole-induced FET at a university-affiliated fertility clinic from February 2014 to October 2020 were identified. The primary end point was live birth rate (LBR) per embryo transfer. Propensity score matching (PSM) and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to control for the relevant confounders.Results A total of 652 women with PCOS undergoing letrozole-induced FET were included in the final analysis. 363 of these women had oligo-ovulatory periods, while 289 had anovulatory periods. PSM analysis showed that LBR did not differ between groups (36.8% in oligo-ovulatory group vs. 32.8% in anovulatory group, P=0.431). Meanwhile, after PSM, the anovulatory group used extra gonadotrophin (Gn) for a longer duration (6.5±2.3 vs. 5.4±1.9, p=0.004, after PSM) and experienced a higher cycle cancellation rate (9.2% vs. 3.4%, p=0.028, after PSM) than the oligo-ovulatory group. Additionally, there were significantly lower crude odds of total pregnancy loss per positive pregnancy among oligo-ovulatory women than among anovulatory women (15.4% vs. 38.3%, p=0.001). Nevertheless, after controlling for potential confounding factors, LBR was significantly higher in anovulatory than oligo-ovulatory women [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.57, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08 to 2.29, p=0.018]. Furthermore, the pregnancy loss rate (PLR) among the oligo-ovulatory group remained lower than those among the anovulatory group [aOR 0.23, 95%CI 0.12 to 0.44, p < 0.001].Conclusions PCOS women may experience different effects on pregnancy outcomes depending on their ovulation dysfunction patterns. Despite adjustment for confounding factors, those with oligo-ovulatory PCOS who underwent letrozole-induced FET had a higher LBR and lower PLR compared with those with anovulatory PCOS. This may indicate that when oligo-ovulation is detected, PCOS patients should be intervened in time to conceive as soon as possible. Prospective studies must be conducted in the future to verify our findings.
An Interdependence Model of Comparative Advantage by Network Theory-In the case of dyads in international trade networks-
Authors: YAZAWA Nobuo
Published: April 2022

Since the 1970s, researchers in international relations have asserted that the enhancement of interdependence between nations can reduce conflicts among them (Keohane and Nye 1973). Thus, interdependency between nations is regarded as desirable for the security and stability of the countries' networks. On the other hand, there has been no confirmation of empirical data on the benevolent effects of interdependency on the nations' networks. This article aims to analyze the concept of interdependence into reciprocity and dependence, leading to quantifying both of them. To assess the usefulness of this approach, the empirical analysis of trade relations among five countries, namely, The U.S.., China, Germany, Japan, and Korea from 1992 to 2020 was empirically analyzed with the aid of the reciprocity index (R) and dependency index (D). We proposed a hypothesis that linearity exists between R and D of each pair from 1992 to 2019 and conducted regression analysis between R and D. Consequently, we found that eighteen out of twenty cases supported our hypothesis.
Corneal Clarity Measurements in Patients with Myopia Undergoing Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis and Laser-Assisted Sub-Epithelial Keratectomy
Authors: Alzahrani Khaled , Din Nurlizawati , Brahma Arun , Carley Fiona , Hillarby M. Chantal
Published: April 2022

Aim
This study aimed to compare the preoperative and postoperative corneal densitometry data of patients undergoing either laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) or laser-assisted sub-epithelial keratectomy (LASEK).
Methods
This comparative study was performed at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, UK. Preoperative and postoperative corneal densitometry data were collected using Oculus Pentacam. The data were collected at three corneal depths (anterior, central and posterior) and at three corneal annulus ring diameter ranges (0–2 mm, 2–6 mm and 6–10 mm). Postoperative data were collected at 6 weeks and 3 and 6 months after treatment.
Results
Data was collected from 60 eyes of 16 patients who underwent LASIK and 14 who underwent LASEK only the 30 right eyes reported in the analysis, with mean ages of 37.06 ± 10.0 and 37.7 ± 6.6 years, respectively. A non-statistically significant increase in corneal densitometry values was observed in all concentric zones in all corneal layers at post LASIK treatment (P > 0.0018). A statistically significant increase in densitometry values was observed after LASEK, but only in the central layer at all zones and posterior layers at 2–6 and 6–10 concentric zones (P < 0.0018). Pre- and Post-operative VA did not significantly differ after LASIK but showed a statistically significant difference at 6 weeks after LASEK (P < 0.016). Post-operative VA differed significantly between the groups at 6 weeks (P < 0.01) and 3 months (P = 0.02).
Conclusion
Corneal wound healing plays an important role in determining corneal transparency and may be responsible for an increase in corneal haze following refractive surgery. Corneal densitometry data obtained using Oculus Pentacam may help assess treatment outcomes after laser refractive surgery.
Combined predictors of the long-term Kasai surgery outcomes in infants with biliary atresia
Authors: Degtyareva Anna V. , Isaeva Medan Kh. , Tumanova Elena L. , Filippova Elena A. , Sugak Anna B. , Razumovsky Aleksandr Yu. , Kulikova Nadezhda V. , Albegova Marina B. , Rebrikov Denis V.
Published: April 2022

Purpose: Hepatic portoenterostomy (Kasai surgery) is widely used as the first-line treatment in infants with biliary atresia. Its long-term efficacy is undermined by the profound hepatotoxic damage already in place by the moment of the intervention.This retrospective study aimed at identification and validation of candidate clinical and biochemical markers with regard to long-term Kasai surgery outcomes using logistic regression models.Methods: The retrospective study enrolled 166 infants with biliary atresia subject to Kasai procedure between September 2002 and December 2021. The patients were distributed into two groups depending on long-term surgery outcomes. Descriptive statistics was applied for between-the-group comparison of clinical and laboratory parameters recorded at the time of surgery. The candidate predictors were validated by logistic regression method involving the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.Results: A logistic regression model involving total blood cholesterol and direct bilirubin levels on day 14 after surgery and Desmet score of fibrosis at surgery was estimated to account for 47.3% of the factors that determine the variance of favorable outcome probability.Conclusion: The results implicate blood cholesterol levels below 5.41 mmol/L and direct bilirubin levels below 56.3 µmol/L measured on postoperative day 14±3 as favorable predictors.
X-ray image enhancement based on gradient domain and illumination image estimation for complex castings
Authors: Bai Qiang , Gui Zhiguo , Yi Liu , Zhang Pengcheng , Hou Honghua
Published: April 2022

When X-ray is used to detect a workpiece with a complex structure, the details will be lost due to overexposure or underexposure in some areas which is uneven thickness. To solve this problem, based on gradient field compression, we propose an algorithm to enhance the X-ray image through illumination image estimation enhancement. In gradient domain, we design a new attenuation function through scale the attenuation factor in each layer of the Laplace pyramid, then make the attenuation function a gamma transform to make the information of the workpiece in the compressed image more complete, and then, we use an illumination image estimation method(Lime) to remove the invalid information of the compressed image with the background. Finally, the details of the workpiece are refined by USM sharpening and contrast-limited adaptive histogram equalization (CLAHE). The experimental results show that the proposed method has an obvious enhancement effect on various complex workpieces, and the method is very efficient.