bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evidence for variable precipitation and discharge from Upper Cretaceous–Paleogene fluvial deposits of the Raton Basin, Colorado–New Mexico, U.S.A.
Authors: Schwartz Theresa M. , Dechesne Marieke , Zellman Kristine L.
Published: June 2021

The Raton Basin of Colorado–New Mexico, USA, is the southeasternmost basin of the Laramide intraforeland province of North America. It hosts a thick succession (4.5 km or 15,000 ft) of Upper Cretaceous to Paleogene marine and continental strata that were deposited in response to the final regression of the Western Interior Seaway and the onset of Laramide intraforeland deformation. The Upper Cretaceous–Paleogene Raton and Poison Canyon formations were previously described as meandering river and braided river deposits that represented distal and proximal members of rivers that drained the basin-bounding Sangre de Cristo–Culebra uplift. We present new observations of fluvial-channel architecture that show that both formations contain the deposits of sinuous fluvial channels. However, fluvial channels of the Raton Formation formed in ever-wet environments and were affected by steady discharge, whereas channels of the overlying Poison Canyon Formation formed in drier environments and were affected by variable discharge. The apparent transition in fluvial discharge characteristics was coeval with the progradation of fluvial fans across the Raton Basin during the Paleocene, emanating from the ancestral Sangre de Cristo–Culebra uplift. The construction of fluvial fans, coupled with the sedimentary features observed within, highlights the dual control of Laramide deformation and early Cenozoic climatic patterns on the sedimentary evolution of the Raton Basin.
Critical global citizenship
Authors: Mansouri Fethi , Johns Amelia , Marotta Vince
Published: June 2021

This introductory paper to our first issue provides reflection on the concept of critical global citizenship at both theoretical and practical levels. We maintain that ‘citizenship’, irrespective of its level of articulation (i.e. national, international, global, etc.) remains an issue that reflects a status, a feeling and practices that are intrinsically interlinked. As a legal status, formal citizenship allows individuals to form a sense of belonging within a political community and, therefore, empowers them to act and perform their citizenship within the spatial domains of the nation-state. Critical global citizenship, asks these same individuals not so much to neglect these notions of belonging and practice to a particular locale, but to extend such affinities beyond the territorial boundaries of their formal national membership and to think critically and ethically about their local, national and global relationship with those who are different from themselves. Making a case for a critical global citizenship, however, also requires acknowledging material inequalities that affect the most vulnerable (i.e. migrants, asylum seekers, those experiencing poverty, etc.) and which mean that efforts to cultivate global citizenship orientations to address social injustice are not enacted on an even playing field. As such, a critical global citizenship approach espouses a performative citizenship that is at once democratic and ethical, as well as being aimed at achieving social peace and sustainable justice, but which is also affected by material conditions of inequality that require political solutions and commitment from individuals, states, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil society organisations.1

1 This article is based on F. Mansouri (2014), ‘The Global Citizenship Project: From Words to Action’, published by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. © UNESCO, Paris
Religion and culture in Europe
Authors: Morris Paul
Published: June 2021

Is religion simply a part of culture? Can religious diversity be managed as a subset of intercultural diversity? This article explores intercultural dialogue and its relationship to “religion’ in the policies, documents and debates of the European Community. The argument is advanced that religious realities and concerns are misconstrued when religion is subsumed into culture. Religion needs to be historically and conceptually rethought and that for cultural and religious diversities to be skillfully managed in the interests of social solidarity and positive intercommunal relations both need to be addressed discretely and in tandem.1

1An earlier version of this paper appeared in Mansouri (2017), 145-170
Historical Narratives of Sinophobia – Are these echoed in contemporary Australian debates about Chineseness?
Authors: Tsolidis Georgina
Published: June 2021

Historically, Australianness has been defined in contradistinction to its location – a British bastion in the Asia-Pacific region.A fear of being swamped by the Chinese – the ‘yellow peril’ – prompted federation, and a restrictive migration policy aimed at making Australia white. Thus, sinophobia has been significant in the national imaginary. This paper discusses how contemporary representations of Chineseness may be echoing this historic narrative of fear about being overrun. This is explored in the context of China’s shifting global significance and Australia’s growing economic relationship with China.
The Mechanical Analysis of Dynamic Disturbance and Static Stress under Different Mining Methods
Authors: Yang Zengqiang , Liu Chang
Published: June 2021

In order to study the occurrence mechanism of rock-burst accidents under different mining methods, the overburden structural characteristics during long-wall face mining period were studied in detail, and the Elastic Foundation Beam theory was used to analyze the dynamic disturbance and static stress under different mining methods. The results show that, the deflection of the main roof and the composite beam can be calculate and then the energy of them contained; due to the difficult for gangues to support the fractured main roof, the scope of caved overburden is largest and the coal seam share the largest volume of the hanging overburden; the large cutting height mining have the max the concentration coefficient and the thin seam or the top slice mining have the min the concentration coefficient; the structural characteristics of near field key strata largely depend on caving height of the gob, and the deflection and the weighting interval of the main roof changes with variation of mining methods, and then their energy released. Above all, it can be conclude that mining method has large impact on dynamic disturbance induced by the main roof, and further analysis indicate that the structural characteristics of both far field and near field key strata under different mining methods lead to this difference; the mining depth, the proportion coefficient, the tensile strength of the main roof, the main roof’s thickness have large impact on the deflection of the beam and energy released by the main roof and the composite beam, and the elasticity modulus of the main roof, the blank space height in a voussior beam structure have little impact on the deflection and energy released.
High-sensitivity temperature sensor based on photonic crystal fiber fully coated with gold and PDMS films.
Authors: feng yuhui , li shuguang , li hongyu , meng xiaojian , li mengqiang
Published: June 2021

This paper presented a high-sensitivity temperature sensor based on photonic crystal fiber fully coated with gold and PDMS films. For the convenience of production, gold film is coated outside the fiber cladding, and it is used to excite the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect. In addition, the temperature response has been effectively improved by depositing poly-dimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layer outside the gold film. This fully coated structure on the outside of PCF enables temperature-sensitive medium to be in direct contact with the environment, which reduces the difficulty of internal coating and filling. The influences of the parameters on the sensing characteristics are investigated by using the finite element method (FEM). Simulation results show that the average temperature sensitivity is up to 9.287 nm/℃ in the range of -20℃-40℃. Moreover, compared with other designs, the optimized process of structure in this study provides an effective method, which shows a wide application prospect to overcome the difficulty of filling liquid in the air holes.
In silico analysis to link insulin resistance, obesity, and ageing with Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Sarkar Priyanka , Jayaraj Premkumar , Patwardhan Ketaki , Yeole Samiksha , Das Sourajit , Somaiya Yash , Desikan Rajagopal , Thirumurugan Kavitha
Published: June 2021

The process of ageing accompanies several metabolic diseases. With ageing, fats accumulate to increase the visceral and abdominal adiposity leading to hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, obesity and several other diseases. Drosophila melanogaster is often used to study the ageing process and its related disorders. Therefore in this study, we performed an in silico analysis to relate the process of ageing and insulin resistance. We analyzed data of insulin resistant drosophila from GEO database and compared it with the data from the literature survey. We observed that 98 genes were common in both the models, and they showed gene modulations related to metabolic pathways, fatty acid metabolism, insulin resistance, and neural receptor-ligand binding pathways. Analysis of the REACTOME database against human data revealed that TRKB signalling pathway is commonly affected. TRKB mediated BDNF pathway is a major regulator of memory loss. We further analyzed the common genes in Alzheimer's disease and compared the fly data with human data to identify the diseases related to these common genes. Then we performed a literature survey to provide protective mechanisms for TRKB signalling pathway activation, mediated through polyphenols. We treated the flies with sesamol conjugated lipoic acid derivative (a phenolic compound) at hormetic doses to evaluate its effect on the memory of flies.
Archaeal and bacterial diversity and distribution patterns in Mediterranean vernal pools of Mexico and the western USA
Authors: Montiel-Molina Jorge A Mandussi , Sexton Jason P , Frank A Carolin , Beman Michael J
Published: June 2021

Biogeographic patterns in microorganisms are poorly understood, despite the importance of microbial communities for a range of ecosystem processes. Our knowledge of microbial ecology and biogeography is particularly deficient in rare and threatened ecosystems. We tested for three ecological patterns in microbial diversity and community composition within ephemeral wetlands—vernal pools—located across Baja California (Mexico) and California (USA): 1) habitat filtering; 2) a latitudinal diversity gradient; and 3) distance-decay in community composition. Paired water and soil samples were collected along a latitudinal transect of vernal pools, and bacterial and archaeal communities were characterized using 16S rDNA sequencing. We identified two distinct microbial communities, with one community present in the soil matrix that included archaeal and bacterial soil taxa, and another community present in the overlying water that was dominated by common freshwater bacterial taxa. Aquatic microbial communities were more diverse in the north and displayed a significant but inverted latitudinal diversity pattern. Aquatic communities also exhibited a significant distance-decay pattern, with geographic proximity explaining 9%, and precipitation explaining 16% of community variation. Collectively these results indicate greater sensitivity to spatial and environmental variation in vernal pool aquatic microbial communities than in soil microbial communities. We conclude that vernal pool aquatic microbial communities can display distribution patterns similar to those exhibited by larger organisms, but differ in some key aspects, such as the latitudinal gradient in diversity.
Efficacy and Safety of Telbivudine in Preventing Mother-to-Child Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus
Authors: Chen Tongtong , Xiao Yunlei , Zhao Chun , Chen Xiaoxian , Liu Shourong
Published: June 2021

Background: To define the best timing for the treatment of high maternal viral DNA levels in order to block the mother-to-child transmission (MTCT).Methods: From a total of 820 HBsAg-positive pregnant women, 229 who satisfied the selection criteria were enrolled for the final analysis. These patients were divided into thress groups: Group A: 62 patients received telbivudine (LdT) (600 mg/day, orally) treatment before pregnant; Group B: 101 patients received LdT treatment at 24-28 weeks of gestation; and Group C: 66 patienst with high viral load received LdT at the third trimester. All infants born to the enrolled women were vaccinated with 100 IU of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) and 10 μg of hepatitis B vaccine within 2 hours of birth. The second and third does of recombinant HBV vaccine were administered at 1 and 6 months of age, respectively.Results: LdT can effectively reduce serum HBV DNA and normalize ALT levels before delivery (p<0.001). The HBsAg positivity rate in infants in Groups A, B and C after delivery was 1.6%, 7.9% and 3.0%, respectively. The serum HBV DNA positivity rate in infants in Groups A, B and C after delivery was 4.8%, 5.0% and 0%, respectively. After 28 weeks of follow up, all infants remained HBV DNA and/or HBSag negative. No serious adverse events were found in the mothers or their infants treated with LdT.Conclusions: Telbivudine (LdT) given at the 28-32 weeks of gestation can effectively reduce mother-to-child transmission in HBV-infected women with good safety.
Resource Utilization of Agricultural Residues: One-Step Preparation of Biochar Derived From Pennisetum Giganteum For Efficiently Removing Chromium From Water In A Wide pH Range
Authors: Chen Yao , C Ping Ning , Miao Rongrong , He Liang , Guan Qingqing
Published: June 2021

Biochars derived from agricultural residues, Pennisetum giganteum, were prepared by a one-step activation method after impregnated with H3PO4. The effects of activation temperature and H3PO4 impregnation method on the structure and performance of biochar were investigated. Characterizations such as XPS, FTIR, and N2 adsorption-desorption curves showed that the P-containing biochar prepared by one-step method had a large specific surface area, large pores, and abundant surface functional groups. And, C-P, O-P, C-O, and other groups participated in the adsorption and removal of Cr(VI). Moreover, the target adsorbent has a good effect on Cr removal in a wide range of pH (the removal rate was more than 55.92%, at pH≤9). Interestingly, the changing trend of pH value in the reaction process under different initial pH values proved that the adsorbent itself could regulate the pH of the external solution by providing acid groups, thus keeping the adsorption equilibrium solution in a narrow pH range. In addition, the target adsorbent had excellently selective adsorption capacity and good removal capacity (≥77.4%) after five times of reuse. This work should permit for providing a convenient utilization of Pennisetum giganteum agricultural residues and confirmed that the biochar treated with H3PO4 can remove chromium in a wider pH range through self-regulation.
P38α Deficiency in Macrophages Ameliorates Murine Experimental Colitis by Regulating Inflammation and Immune Process
Authors: Chen Wei , Liang Rui , Yi Youcai , Chen Xiaoyu , Fan Huining , Zhu Jinshui , Zhang Jing
Published: June 2021

Introduction: P38α is a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) that mediates inflammatory responses. P38α alterations have been associated with the inflammation-related diseases. However, the role of macrophages-derived p38α in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced murine experimental colitis remains unclear.Objectives: We characterized the role of macrophages-derived p38α in DSS-induced colitis.Methods: The expression of macrophage-derived p38α in human colitis and normal tissues was measured by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis. Macrophage-specific p38α knockout (p38αΔMφ) and wild type (WT) mice administrated by 3% DSS were used to establish experimental colitis. The alterations in inflammatory cytokines, intestinal epithelial barrier, cell proliferation and cell apoptosis between p38αΔMφ and WT groups were determined by IHC, immunofluorescence (IF), TdT-mediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL) and Western blot analyses. The enriched pathways between p38αΔMφ and WT groups were identified by RNA-seq and KEGG analysis. SB203580 and BIRB796 as the p38 MAPK inhibitors were used to treat DSS-induced colitis. Results: p38α was co-localized with CD68 in the cytoplasm and their co-expression indicated an increased level in colitis tissues as compared with the normal tissues. P38α deficiency in macrophages was sufficient to suppress the exacerbated clinical symptoms and inflammation responses in experimental colitis, followed by reducing cytokine release, increasing MUC-2 and Claudin-2 secretion and promoting colonic mucosa repair. Further investigations validated that the immune process-related factors such as Lgals9, Rtp4, Ddx60, Nlrp1b, Hsh2d, Oas2 and Oas3 were upregulated in colon tissues from p38αΔMφ group as compared with the WT group. Inhibition of p38 MAPK attenuated DSS-induced colitis. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that p38α deficiency in macrophages ameliorated murine experimental colitis by regulating inflammation and immune process.
RBM45 Promoted HCC Growth and Metastasis by Stabilizing BCL2 and Twist1 mRNA
Authors: Han Lili , Wang Lin , Wu Fei
Published: June 2021

The post-transcriptional of mRNA expression involved in the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) pathogenesis and progression need to be further explored. RBPs, the main undertaker of post-transcriptional regulatory process, has been shown to impact HCC carcinogenesis and progression. However, the role of RBP, RNA-binding motif 45 (RBM45) in hepatocarcinogenesis and its interaction with its potential target mRNA remains entirely unknown. The expression of RBM45 was significantly increased in HCC and was associated with poor clinicopathological features and clinical outcome of HCC patients. RBM45 promoted HCC cells growth, invasion, migration and EMT in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (RIP-seq) approach was utilized to screen the important differentially expressed RBM45 genes in HCC. Furthermore, RIP assay, pull-down assay and mRNA decay assay were carried out to uncover the effect of RBM45 on its downstream genes. And the results revealed that RBM45 mediated the stabilization of BCL2 and Twist1 mRNA via respectively binding to their 3`UTR. Further assay results suggested RBM45 promoted HCC growth and metastasis upon BCL2 and Twist1. In short, we unveiled a novel role of RBM45 in promoting hepatocarcinogenesis via the post-transcriptional regulation of BCL2 and Twist1 expression. The results proposes that RBM45 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for HCC.
Exploring the Optimal Design for and Experimentation on a Bowl-Based Mechanism for Transplanting Potted Strawberry Seedlings
Authors: Daqing Yin , Yuchao Yang , Maile Zhou , Mingxu Wei , Jinwu Wang
Published: June 2021

To improve the mechanization of strawberry planting integration and the efficiency of fetching and transplanting seedlings, an integrated transplanting mechanism with protruding, fetching and planting is designed. This new device can realize rapid fetching and pushing bowl movements. The working principle of the slewing mechanism is analyzed, a kinematics model of the mechanism is established, and the optimization goal is established. Visual auxiliary analysis software is developed, optimized parameters are established, and the corresponding theoretical trajectory is provided. A three-dimensional model is established and a virtual simulation design analysis is performed to obtain a simulation trajectory. Three-dimensional printing technology is used to manufacture the test prototype, and the actual working trajectory of the test prototype is extracted using high-speed photography technology, which verifies the consistency of the actual trajectory with the theoretical and simulated trajectories. A prototype transplanting experiment is performed, showing that the success rate of seedling extraction is 91.2% and the rate of excellent planting is 82.8%, which meet the requirements for integrated strawberry harvesting, planting and transplanting and verify the correctness and feasibility of the mechanism design.
The Health Risks Of Dysphagia For Patients With Head And Neck Cancer: A Multicentre Prospective Observational Study.
Authors: Cristofaro Maria Giulia , Barca Ida , Ferragina Francesco , Novembrea Daniela , Ferro Yvelise , Pujia Roberta , Montalcini Tiziana
Published: June 2021

It is well known that malnutrition is a frequent co-morbidity in cancer patients, especially in those with head and neck neoplasms. This may be due both to the presence of dysphagia symptoms and to the appearance of adverse effects on Chemotherapy and / or Radiotherapy. The aim of this retrospective observational multicentric study is to evaluate the nutritional status between dysphagia cancer patients and non-dysphagia cancer patients. Data from 60 patients were analysed, 31 of which without dysphagia and 29 with dysphagia. Results highlight that patients with dysphagia had higher involuntary body weight loss than non-dysphagia ones (p < 0.001). By analysing the entire population, it stands out a weight loss rate of 12 ± 9% compared to the usual weight was observed and a prevalence of moderate / severe malnutrition diagnosis of 53%. Furthermore, 76% of the population who manifested the symptom of dysphagia presented severe malnutrition already at the first visit, compared to 32% of non-dysphagia subjects.
Negative Potential Energy Content Analysis in Cracked Rotors Whirl Response
Authors: AL-Shudeifat Mohammad , Alhammadi Fatima
Published: June 2021

Appearance of fatigue cracks in rotor systems mainly affects their stiffness content. The stability of such systems at steady-state running is usually analyzed by using the Floquet’s theory. Accordingly, the instability zones of rotational speeds are dominated by negative stiffness content in the whirl response in the vicinity of critical rotational speeds. Consequently, an effective stiffness measure is introduced here to analyze the effect of the crack and the unbalance force vector orientation on the intensity of negative potential and stiffness content in the whirl response. The effective stiffness expression is obtained from the direct integration of the equations of motion of the considered cracked rotor system. The proposed effective stiffness measure is applied for steady-state and transient operations using the Jeffcott rotor model with open and breathing crack models. The intensity of negative potential and stiffness content in the numerical and experimental whirl responses is found to be critically depending on the propagation level of the crack and the unbalance force vector orientation. Therefore, this can be proposed as a crack detection tool in cracked rotor systems that either exhibit recurrent passage through the critical rotational speeds or steady-state running.
Resecting the Dominant Lesion: Patient Outcomes after Surgery and Radiosurgery vs Stand-Alone Radiosurgery in the Setting of Multiple Brain Metastases
Authors: Punchak Maria , Miranda Stephen P , Gutierrez Alexis , Brem Steven , O'Rourke Donald , Lee John YK , Shabason Jacob E. , Petrov Dmitriy
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUND: Brain metastases are the most common central nervous system (CNS) tumors, occurring in 300,000 people per year in the US. The benefit of surgical resection, over radiosurgery, for dominant lesions remains unclear. METHODS: The University of Pennsylvania Health System database was retrospectively reviewed for patients presenting with multiple brain metastases from 1/1/16 to 8/31/18 with one dominant lesion > 2 cm in diameter, who underwent initial treatment with either resection of the dominant lesion or Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKS). Inclusion criteria were age > 18, >1 brain metastasis, and presence of a dominant lesion (>2 cm). We analyzed factors associated with mortality. RESULTS: 129 patients were identified (surgery=84, GKS=45). The median number of intracranial metastases was 3 (IQR: 2-5). The median diameter of the largest lesion was 31 mm (IQR: 25-38) in the surgery group vs 21 mm (IQR: 20-24) in the GKS group (p<0.001). Mortality did not differ between surgery and GKS patients (69.1% vs 77.8%, p = 0.292). In a multivariate survival analysis, there was no difference in mortality between the surgery and GKS cohorts (aHR: 1.35, 95% CI: 0.74-2.45 p=0.32). Pre-operative KPS (aHR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.95-0.99, p=0.004), CNS radiotherapy (aHR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.19-0.56 p<0.001), chemotherapy (aHR: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.15-0.47, p<0.001), and immunotherapy (aHR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.25-0.68, p=0.001) were associated with decreased mortality. CONCLUSION: In our institution, patients with multiple brain metastases and one symptomatic dominant lesion demonstrated similar survival after GKS when compared with up-front surgical resection of the dominant lesion.
Interactive Analysis Between Gastrointestinal Bacteria and Immune Capacities of Yellow-Feathered Chickens to Flavonoids Supplement
Authors: Xue Fuguang , Wan Gen , Xiao Yunsen , Chen Chuanbin , Qu Mingren , Xu Lanjiao
Published: June 2021

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of replacing antibiotics with Kudzu-leaf flavonoids (KLF) on the growth performances, immune capacity, and gastrointestinal health of Yellow-feathered broilers. For this purpose, total of 216 one-day-old male Yellow-feathered chickens with the similar birth weight (31.0±1.0g) were randomly divided into 3 treatments: the control treatment (CON), the kudzu-leaf flavonoids supplement treatment (KLF), and the antibiotics supplementation treatment (AGP). All birds were provided with a 56d-feeding procedure, followed by the measurement of production performances, immune organs, blood anti-oxidant parameters and cecal microbiota. Results showed the feed conversion ratio significantly decreased after KLF supplement compared with CON (P< 0.05), while no significant differences for immune organ indexes among the three treatments (P > 0.05). Further, anti-oxidant activities were partly promoted after KLF supplement on account of the increased activity of Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the decrease content of malondialdehyde (MDA). Cecal microbiota results showed a significant promition of bacterial diversity and partial representative probiotic bacteria (P<0.05) after KLF supplementation. Moreover, correlation analysis indicated that probitics including Bifidobacterium, Butyricimonas, Lactobacillus, and Streptococcus positively correlated with production performances while negatively correlated with immune organs. In conclusion, KLF supplement may promote feed efficiency and benefit the gastrointestinal health through improving gut bacterial diversity and probiotic bacteria. The KLF might be applied as a proper antibiotic alternative.
Clinical Lessons of MSC Therapy Over the Past 15 Years: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wang Yang , Yi Hanxiao , Song Yancheng
Published: June 2021

Background: Despite increasing clinical investigations in emphasizing the safety of MSC therapy in different populations with different diseases, recently, no article overall reviewed the side events in all populations.Aim: To evaluate the safety of MSC therapy in all populations receiving MSC therapy and explore the potential heterogeneities influencing the clinical application of MSC.Methods: The databases of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Scopus were searched from onset until March 1st, 2021. Results: All side events were displayed as odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI (confidential intervals). Totally, 62 randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that enrolled 3546 participants diagnosed with various diseases (about 20 kinds of diseases) treated with intravenous or local implantation vs placebo, or no treatment were included. All studies were high quality, neither serious publication bias nor serious adverse events (such as death and infection) were discovered across included studies. The pooled analysis demonstrated that MSC administration was extremely associated with transient fever [OR, 3.65, 95% CI: 2.05 to 6.49, p<0.01], administration site conditions [OR, 1.98, 95% CI: 1.01 to 3.87, p=0.05], constipation [OR, 2.45, 95% CI: 1.01 to 5.97, p=0.05], fatigue [OR, 2.99, 95% CI: 1.06 to 8.44, p=0.04], and sleeplessness [OR, 5.90, 95% CI: 1.04 to 33.47, p=0.05]. Interestingly, MSC administration trended to lower rather than boost the incidence rate of arrhythmia [OR, 0.62, 95% CI: 0.36 to 1.07, p=0.09]. Conclusions: Conclusively, MSC administration was safe in different populations compared with the other placebo modalities.
Comparison of Diagnostic Performance of Classification Trees and Hematological Discrimination Functions for Differential Diagnosis between the Two Common Hematologic Disorders: An Application of Multidimensional Scaling and Cluster Analysis
Authors: Rahim Fakher , Kazemnejad Anoshirvan , Jahangiri Mina , Malehi Amal Saki , Gohari Kimiya
Published: June 2021

Background: Several hematological indices have been already proposed to discriminate between iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and β‐thalassemia trait (βTT). The aim of the present study was to compare the diagnostic performance of different hematological discrimination indices with statistical methods such as decision trees to discriminate IDA from βTT.Methods: Consisting of 1178 patients with hypochromic microcytic anemia (708 patients with βTT and 470 patients with IDA), this cross-sectional study intended to compare the diagnostic performance of 43 hematological discrimination indices and tree-based methods such as J48, CART, Evtree, Ctree, QUEST, CRUISE as well as GUIDE to discriminate IDA from βTT. Moreover, multidimensional scaling and cluster analysis were used to identify the homogeneous subgroups of discrimination methods with similar performances.Results: All the classification tree algorithms showed acceptable accuracy measures for discrimination between IDA and βTT in comparison with other hematological discrimination indices. The results indicated that CRUISE tree algorithm had better diagnostic performance and efficiency among other discrimination methods. In turn, this tree algorithm showed the high Youden's index (88.03%), accuracy (94.57%), diagnostic odds ratio (311.63) and F-measure (95.54%) in the differential diagnosis of IDA from βTT. In addition, AUC of this algorithm indicated more precise classification with a value of 0.94 and this model was found to have excellent diagnostic accuracy. Also, CRUISE tree algorithm showed that Mean corpuscular volume can be considered as the main variable in discrimination as it extracted six homogenous subgroups of patients.Conclusions: CRUISE tree algorithm as a powerful method in data mining techniques can be used to develop accurate differential methods along with other laboratory parameters to discriminate IDA from βTT.
Female Reproductive Failures in Mouse Adolescent Pregnancy
Authors: Yang Chen , Li Yue , Pan Hai-Yang , Li Meng-Yuan , Pan Ji-Min , Chen Si-Ting , Zhang Hai-Yi , Yang Zhen-Shan , Dou Hai-Ting , Yang Zeng-Ming
Published: June 2021

Background: There are around 300 million adolescent pregnancies worldwide, accounting for 11% of all births worldwide. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that many adverse perinatal outcomes are associated with adolescent pregnancies. However, how and why these abnormalities occur remain to be defined. Methods: To compare uterine maturity, implantation, decidualization and placental development between 25-30 days old and 3 months old mature female CD-1 strain mice. Both in vivo mouse pregnancy and in vitro cell culture were used. Western blot, real time RT-PCR, immunostaining and immunofluorescence were used to study the progress of pregnancy during two groups.Results: We found the litter size of adolescent pregnancy is significantly decreased from F1 to F3 generations compared to mature pregnancy. On days 8 and 12 of pregnancy, multiple abnormalities in placental and decidual developments appear in F3 adolescent pregnancy. On days 5 and 8, uterine endoplasmic reticulum stress is dysregulated compared to mature pregnancy. Embryo implantation and decidualization are also compromised in adolescent pregnancy. Many genes are abnormally expressed in adolescent estrous uteri. Conclusion: The uterine immaturities and abnormal implantation may cause multiple pregnancy failures in adolescent pregnancy.
Facile Fabrication and Characterization of Sb(III)- Impregnated Magnetic Carbon Nitride Nanosheets: Evaluation of Its Catalytic Activity for Greener Synthesis of Biologically Relevant Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines
Authors: Azhdari Asieh , Azizi N.
Published: June 2021

The magnetic nanoparticle (Fe3O4) and catalytic antimony trichloride (SbCl3) were co-immobilized in the graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets (SbCl3@Fe3O4/g‑C3N4) using a straightforward solvent evaporation process. The designed catalysts showed excellent catalytic activity for the Groebke–Blackburn–Bienaymé multicomponent reaction for the preparation of substituted imidazo[1, 2-a]pyridines at room temperature. This convergent synthetic protocol enabled molecular diversity synthesis under appealingly mild conditions with operational simplicity in a selective, time, and cost‐effective manner. X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopies (FTIR), thermogravimetry (TG), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), indicate the structural integrity of all components. The combination of environmentally benign reaction conditions, effortless composite recyclability offers magnetic carbon nitride economically viable for industrial processes.
The Preparation of Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSC) using Natural dyes Extracted from Terminalia Cattappa Leaves based on Mg doped ZnO as Photoanode.
Authors: E Selva Esakki , L Renuga Devi , S Sarathi , S Meenakshi Sundar
Published: June 2021

We report a novel type of Mg-doped ZnO nanoparticles prepared on solvothermal route nanoparticles at different concentrations (2%,4%,6%, and 8%) and used Mg-ZnO as photoanode for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) fabrication. DSSC using Mg-doped ZnO as a semiconductor material and natural dyes Terminalia cattappa as sensitizer were successfully produced. The structural, optical spectra of Mg-ZnO nanopowder were studied using XRD, FESEM-EDX, TEM, SAED patterns, and UV-Visible Spectra, Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR). The XRD results show that the crystal size also increases by increasing the dopant concentration of the Mg-doped ZnO sample. The optical spectra show the absorption of the samples increases with the increases of concentration using the UV-Visible analysis and the bandgap energy is calculated by Tauc plot. Mg-doped ZnO nanoparticles prepared at different concentrations were used for the fabrication of DSSC. Furthermore, from the J-V graph, 8% concentration is more effective than other concentrations.
Wildfire Smoke Exposure Is Associated With Severe Pulmonary Exacerbation in Adult Cystic Fibrosis Patients
Authors: Cook Lily Amanda , Collins Bethany , Trimble Aaron
Published: June 2021

PurposeBecause pulmonary exacerbations in cystic fibrosis cause a step-wise decline in FEV1 function and contribute significantly to disease progression, it is important to identify potential environmental triggers. Studies have been done on general air quality and its relationship to cystic fibrosis disease activity, but none have examined air pollution caused by wildfire smoke. Our study intends to better understand this relationship. MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted using data collected from people with cystic fibrosis (CF) between 2012 and 2019. Data on pulmonary exacerbations was extracted from the patient registry hosted and maintained by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Exposures were determined using measurements of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from the Environmental Protection Agency. A logistic regression model was created in order to identify both univariate and adjusted odds ratios and their associated confidence intervals.Results82.7% (n = 415) of individuals with CF experienced an exposure to wildfire smoke during the study period. The adjusted odds ratio for a pulmonary exacerbation within one month following an exposure to wildfire smoke was 1.50 (95% CI = 1.13 – 1.99, p = 0.006) for adults and 0.92 (95% CI = 0.69 – 1.23, p = 0.578) for children. ConclusionWildfire smoke exposure is associated with severe pulmonary exacerbation in adults but not in children. This suggests that wildfire smoke may be an environmental risk factor for exacerbation in adults with CF. Further study is needed to understand why and how wildfire smoke exposure affects adult with CF differently than the pediatric population.
Mesoporous Carbonaceous Material From Expanded Polystyrene and Bentonite for Instantaneous Degradation of Mixture of Dyes
Authors: Salini N G , Ismayil K.M. Muhammad , Antony Rosy
Published: June 2021

Carbonaceous material (SBC) was prepared from waste expanded polystyrene (EPS) and bentonite clay (BT) by pyrolysis in a tubular furnace under an inert atmosphere. The calculated average crystallite size of SBC was found to be 31.57nm from XRD analysis. FE-SEM studies showed that charring has changed the smooth-surfaced EPS and globular bentonite into uneven, porous flakes structure. The EDAX mapping results proved the co-existence of Al, Si, Fe, O, Na, Mg, Ca, Ti and C in SBC. BET analysis revealed the mesoporous nature of SBC and indicated its type IV isotherm behaviour. The minute loss rate value in water confirmed the water resistance, solidity and stability of the as-prepared carbonaceous material. Photo degradation in UV light for five different dyes showed immediate degradation at a catalyst dosage of 0.01g for 50ml/10ppm dye solution. The instantaneous discolouration of a mixture of organic dyes in the presence of UV light with micro quantities of SBC has become a cost-effective and simple method of up-cycling waste thermocol.
C. elegans monitor energy status to trigger innate immune responses via AMPK pathway against bacterial pathogens
Authors: Peng Donghai , Ju Shouyong , Chen Hanqiao , Wang Shaoying , Lin Jian , Aroian Raffi , Sun Ming
Published: June 2021

Pathogen recognition and triggering pattern of host innate immune system is critical to understanding pathogen-host interaction. Cellular surveillance systems have been reported as an important strategy for the identification of microbial infection. In the present study, using Bacillus thuringiensis-Caenorhabditis elegans as a model, we found a new approach for surveillance systems to sense the pathogens. We report that Bacillus thuringiensis produced Cry5Ba, a classical PFTs, leading mitochondrial damage and energy imbalance by causing potassium ion leakage, instead of directly targeting mitochondria. Interestingly, C. elegans can monitor intracellular energy status through the mitochondrial surveillance system to triggered innate immune responses against pathogenic attack via AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Obviously, it is common that pathogens produce toxins to cause potassium leakage. Our study indicate that the imbalance of energy status is a common result of pathogen infection.Besides. AMPK-dependent surveillance system can act as a new stratege for host to recognize and defense pathogens.
Assessment of Surface Water Quality of River Kali-east: A Tributary of River Ganga in Uttar Pradesh, India
Authors: Rana Vivek
Published: June 2021

River Kali-East, a tributary of river Ganga, is a non-perennial river of India which is highly driven by the discharge of sewage and industrial effluent. Twenty-seven locations on the entire stretch (approx. 550 km) of river Kali-East were monitored which indicated that color varied as 20-200 Hazen, dissolved oxygen (DO) as 0-8.16 mg/l, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) as 6.6-410 mg/l, chemical oxygen demand (COD) as 22-1409 mg/l, total suspended solids as 38-4386 mg/l, total dissolved solids as 180-2536 mg/l and fecal coliform as 4.9 × 102 - 34 × 107 MPN/100 ml. High BOD and COD in the river revealed untreated/partially treated industrial discharge into the river and the self-purification capacity of the river Kali-East has been inhibited for a long distance by heavy and undiminished influx of domestic sewage into the river. Twenty-six drains discharge a total organic load of 148 tonnes per day into the river. Maximum pollution load was contributed by Odean Nala (42%) in Meerut district. This study recommends strict regulatory norms for discharge of industrial effluents by the industries in the catchment area of the river, reduction in sewage treatment gap by utilizing alternative treatment technologies (such as constructed wetlands) and proper dilution of polluted river water to improve the overall quality of the river.
Price Decomposition of Laser Treatment for Port-Wine Stain Using the Hedonic Pricing Model
Authors: Wanitphakdeedecha Rungsima , Jantarakolica Tatre , Yan Chadakan , Ng Janice Natasha C , Sudhipongpracha Tatchalerm
Published: June 2021

Background: Port-wine stain (PWS) is a congenital capillary malformation associated with negative effects on the quality of life and psychological health of the patients. Pulsed dye laser (PDL) is the current treatment of choice for PWS, however there is little information on the factors determining the treatment price of PWS. We aim to explore the factors determining the treatment price of PWS.Methods: Data were collected through telephone surveys and self-reported questionnaires from hospitals, chain clinics, and doctor’s offices that offered PWS treatment from February 1 to March 30, 2021. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis using a log-linear regression model.Results: A total of 104 observations were gathered. The estimated base price of the treatment without any additional features is 98.34 USD. Treatment by dermatologists has an additional charge of 28.41 USD or 28.9%. Some private clinics offer a lower price of 28.7% (or 28.27 USD) by illegally having non-medical doctors perform the treatment. Treatment with 595-nm PDL and 585-nm PDL and 1064-nm Nd:YAG lasers have an additional charge of 34% (or 33.45 USD) and 38% (or 37.41 USD), respectively. The location and type of medical facility can also affect the price of the treatment. Conclusion: Many factors determine the base price and shadow price of PWS treatment. By using Factors determining a higher cost of laser fee are non-government facilities, location within the capital city, and higher location cost like clinics in the shopping complexes. Lastly, the type of laser and medical personnel provider can also affect the price of the treatment.
Multiple Climate Change-Driven Tipping Points for Coastal Systems
Authors: Barnard Patrick , Dugan Jenifer , Page Henry , Wood Nathan , Hart Juliette Finzi , Cayan Dan , Erikson Li , Hubbard David , Myers Monique , Melack John M , Iacobellis Sam
Published: June 2021

As the climate evolves over the next century, the interaction of accelerating sea level rise (SLR) and storms, combined with confining development and infrastructure, will place greater stresses on physical, ecological, and human systems along the ocean-land margin. Many of these valued coastal systems could reach “tipping points,” at which hazard exposure substantially increases and threatens the present-day form, function, and viability of communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems. Determining the timing and nature of these tipping points is essential for effective climate adaptation planning. Here we present a multidisciplinary case study from Santa Barbara, California (USA), to identify potential climate change-related tipping points for various coastal systems. This study integrates numerical and statistical models of the climate, ocean water levels, beach and cliff evolution, and two soft sediment ecosystems, sandy beaches and tidal wetlands. We find that tipping points for beaches and wetlands could be reached with just 0.25 m or less of SLR (~2050), with > 50% subsequent habitat loss that would degrade overall biodiversity and ecosystem function. In contrast, the largest projected changes in socioeconomic exposure to flooding for five communities in this region are not anticipated until SLR exceeds 0.75 m for daily flooding and 1.5 m for storm-driven flooding (~2100 or later). These changes are less acute relative to community totals and do not qualify as tipping points given the adaptive capacity of communities. Nonetheless, the natural and human built systems are interconnected such that the loss of natural system function could negatively impact the quality of life of residents and disrupt the local economy, resulting in indirect socioeconomic impacts long before built infrastructure is directly impacted by flooding.
Internet of Things Adoption Among Micropreneurs in Regional Coast of Sabah
Authors: NISTAH NONA M , ISMAIL HADZARIAH , LIKOH JONATHAN , NASIRIN SYED , SURA SUAINI
Published: June 2021

This study aimed to determine the awareness and usage of the internet of things (IoT) technologies in aquafarming within the coastal community of Sabah. The UTAUT approach was applied in identifying the acceptance and usage level among these farmers. In conducting the research, both quantitative and qualitative data were collected during the fieldwork from 4 different coastal locations, which specialize in 4 different aqua-farming products. For this preliminary study, the expected outcome of the research project is a UTAUT framework for Aquafarming for the community. The main objective of the study is to determine the awareness (hearing and seeing) and usage (use, time and purpose) of IoT technologies (smartphones, computers and tablets) in aqua-farming communities in Sabah and the moderating effects of age and experience linked between predictors and behavioral intention based on the multi-group analysis. The result of this research is expected to benefit the community in devising new IoT-based policies, which may assist aqua-farmers in their business.
Lateral Shift of the Femoral Condyle After Total Knee Arthroplasty: Simulation Using 2d-templates of the Medial Pivot Design on Knee Radiographs of Young Japanese Patients
Authors: Nakajima Arata , Sonobe Masato , Akatsu Yorikazu , Yamada Manabu , Yamamoto Keiichiro , Saito Junya , Norimoto Masaki , Koyama Keita , Taniguchi Shinji , Takahashi Hiroshi , Aoki Yasuchika , Suguro Toru , Nakagawa Koichi
Published: June 2021

Background: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is an established surgical treatment for advanced knee osteoarthritis by which patients can expect improvement of knee pain and function. Although many surgeons have investigated limb alignment after TKA, changes in coronal positional relation between the femur and tibia are not known well.Methods: Radiographs of 105 knees of young patients without osteoarthritic changes who received arthroscopic surgeries at our hospital were used in this study. Using 2D-templates of the medial pivot design (the FINE total knee), we simulated TKA on the knee radiographs. First, the femoral component was placed in normal knee alignment and then was merged to the medial concave of the insert where the tibial component was placed in neutral alignment. The length of the mediolateral shift of the femoral component was measured as an estimate of lateral shift of the femoral condyle, of which association with radiographic parameters for the knee was analyzed. Subjects were classified into three groups according to the femoral component size that was chosen in simulation of TKA.Results: The estimated mean lateral shift of the femoral condyle was 5.99 ± 1.98 mm and was greater in males than females (p < 0.05). Also, it was most highly correlated with the medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) (r = -0.553, p < 0.01). A group receiving larger component sizes significantly shifted more laterally compared with a group receiving smaller component sizes (p < 0.01). Conclusions: These results suggest that the coronal positional relation between the femur and tibia is altered and subsequent ligament imbalance may occur after mechanically aligned TKA using the medial pivot design.