bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Codifying an Approach to Remote Practicals
Authors: Garrard Andrew , Bates Joanna , Beck Stephen , Funnell Adam
Published: June 2020

Multidisciplinary Engineering Education (MEE) at the University of Sheffield is dedicated to delivering, at scale, practical teaching to students in the Faculty of Engineering. The COVID-19 pandemic initiated the sudden suspension of face to face teaching required MEE to translate over 600 in-lab practicals to a remote delivery format. With little opportunity to coordinate, academic staff independently adopted a variety of tactics to ensure practical learning outcomes were maintained. Following the reactive response, a proactive reflection was conducted and six categories of tactics for remote practicals have been established. These categories are Provide digital artefacts; Simulated practicals; Synchronous remote participation; Asynchronous participation by proxy; Perform procedure in alternative environment; Remote staff support. The advantages and drawbacks of each of these categories is discussed and it is suggested which tactics are appropriate for particular learning outcomes or operational and environmental outcomes of equivalent in-lab practicals. Further work to comprehensively align outcomes to tactics is proposed and lasting benefit from the analysis can be realized by adopting a principle of Remote Enhanced Practicals.
منهج عرض القراءات في كتاب معالم التنزيل، روايتي ورش وحفص في سورتي الكهف والإسراء أُنموذجًا
Authors: EID İsraa
Published: June 2020

يعد الإمام البغوي من أبرز المفسرين الذين اهتموا بعلم القراءات في تفسيره المسمى بمعالم التنزيل، فجاءت هذه الدراسة لتبين منهجه رحمه الله في عرضه للقراءات وعنايته بها، والاحتجاج لها.
ولكون روايتي حفص وورش رحمهما الله أكثر الروايات القرآنية تلاوة في هذا العصر وانتشاراً، ولَمّا كان لاختلاف الراويتين في القراءة من أثر في توجيه المعاني بينت هذه الدراسة الفرق في القراءة والأثر المترتب عليه؛ معتمدة على ما بينه الإمام البغوي في كتابه معالم التنزيل من فرق في القراءة وتوجيه منه لهذا الاختلاف في سور الإسراء والكهف، مُضيفة إليها توجيهات بعض المفسرين وعلماء القراءات إن وجدت.
Sözleşme Aracı Olarak Dinsel ve Dinsel Olmayan Yemin İfadelerine Sosyolojik Bakış
Authors: YALÇIN Abdulkerim
Published: June 2020

ÖZET
Bu çalışmanın amacı sözleşme aracı olarak dinsel ve dinsel olmayan yeminleri din sosyolojisi bağlamında incelemektir. Bu kapsamda Iğdır’da hayvan ticareti yapan yaklaşık 300 kişilik bir evrene sahip olan cambazlar hedef kitle olarak belirlenmiştir. Gözlem tekniğinin yanı sıra Weber’in “anlamacı”-“yorumcu” tekniği kullanılmış ve 12 kişiyle görüşme gerçekleşmiştir. Makalemizde yemin kavramının tanımı, Kur’an-ı Kerim’de yemin ve Hadis-i Şeriflerde yemin hususuna değinilmiş, yanı sıra yemin kavramının din sosyolojisi ile fıkıh ilmi bağlamında nerede durduğuna bakılmış ve katılımcı olarak seçilen cambazlara ilişkin bir takım açıklama ve tahlillere yer verilmiştir. Nihayetinde, çalışmamızın sonunda bir takım çıkarımlarda bulunulmuştur. Nitekim bunlardan biri, dinsel yeminlerin dinsel olmayan yeminlere göre toplumsal bir sözleşme bağlamında çok daha ikna edici olduğu yönünde olmuştur.
Anahtar Kelimeler: Cambaz, Dinsel yeminler, Dinsel olmayan yeminler, Yemin.
Manisa, Demirci Merkez Hacı Mehmed Ağa Camii Duvar Resimleri
Authors: ÖZGÜR YILDIZ Şenay , ERYILMAZ Halil İbrahim
Published: June 2020

Lale Devri’nden itibaren Avrupa mimarisinin barok ve rokoko üsluplarının ülkemize girmesiyle sanatımızda yenileşme süreci başlamıştır. Batılılaşma hareketleri ilk olarak saray ve çevresinde başlamış, zamanla Anadolu’nun pek çok yerinde özellikle camilerde kendini göstermiştir.
Osmanlı Devleti’nde Batılılaşma döneminde yaygınlaşan sanat dallarından biri de duvar resimleridir. 18. yüzyıldan itibaren Türk mimari süsleme sanatında görülmeye başlanan duvar resimleri sivil ve dini birçok yapıda karşımıza çıkmaktadır. Manisa ilinin Demirci ilçesi merkezinde bulunan Ağa Camii’nin iç mekânları da yeni bir üslup anlayışını yansıtan duvar resimleriyle bezenmiştir. Deniz ve kır manzaraları ile manzara içerisine serpiştirilmiş çeşme, cami, ev, kale gibi mimari ögeler içeren kompozisyonlar ile natürmort resimleri seçilen konular arasındadır. Bu resimler Geç Dönem Anadolu Tasvir Sanatının konu ve üslup özelliklerini yansıtmaktadır.
Bu makaleyle de, Batılılaşma etkisiyle yaygınlaşan duvar resimlerine sahip Ağa Camii’nin taşradaki diğer dini yapı örnekleriyle karşılaştırılması yapılarak, yapının benzer örnekler içindeki yeri ve Türk mimari süsleme tarihine kattığı anlam ve önemin ortaya konulması amaçlanmıştır.
Mısırlı Neo-Klasik Şair Veliyyüddin Yeken’in Eserlerinde Sultan II. Abdülhamid
Authors: GÖÇEMEN Yakup
Published: June 2020

Bu çalışmada, son dönem Osmanlı aydınlarından olan Mısırlı neo-klasik şair ve yazar Veliyyüddîn Yeken’in eserlerinde Sultan II. Abdülhamid’e bakış açısı ele alınmıştır. Edebî çalışmaları incelenecek Yeken, kökeni itibariyle Türk olup, Osmanlı coğrafyasının en önemli kültür merkezlerinden biri kabul edilen Mısır’da yetişmiştir. Yeken, Mahmûd Sâmî el-Bârûdî’nin öncülüğünü yaptığı neo-klasik şiir olarak da bilinen modern Arap şiirinin en önemli temsilcilerindendir. Bu akımda yer alan şairler, Osmanlı padişahı Sultan II. Abdülhamid’e yaklaşımları ve bakış açılarında ikiye ayrılmışlardır. Akımın sembol isimlerinden olan Mahmûd Sâmî el-Bârûdî, Ahmed Şevkî, Hafız İbrâhîm gibi büyük şairler Sultan ve Osmanlı hilâfeti lehine şiirler kaleme alırken, Abdülhamid karşıtlığıyla bilinen Yeken, şiir ve yazılarıyla Abdülhamid’i hedef almıştır. Etnik kökenleri, yetiştikleri ailelerin sosyo-ekonomik statüleri, yerel otoriteye yakınlıkları, yüksek bürokratik makamlara ulaşmaları, şiir yetenekleri gibi pek çok ortak noktaları bulunan Ahmed Şevkî ve Veliyyüddin Yeken, Sultan Abdülhamid hakkında birbirine tamamen zıt kanaatlere sahip olmuşlardır. Sultan Abdülhamid’in 27 Nisan 1909 tarihinde tahttan indirilmesine derinden hüzünlenen Ahmed Şevkî, “Yıldız Sarayı” veya “Osmanlı İnkılabı ve Sultan Abdülhamid’in Devrilmesi” adlı bir kaside kaleme almıştır. Yeken ise, Şevkî’nin kasidesine öfkelenerek bu kasideyle aynı vezin ve kafiyeye sahip “Zamanın Gözyaşları” anlamına gelen “ʻAbratu’d-Dehr” başlıklı nazire mahiyetinde bir kaside nazmetmiştir. Yeken, Abdülhamid karşıtı olmakla birlikte etnik kökeni ve Osmanlı mensubu olmaktan duyduğu gururu her fırsatta dile getirmiştir. Sultan Abdülhamid’in tahttan indirilmesinden sonraki süreçte özellikle devletin içinde bulunduğu olumsuz koşullara hüzünlenen şairin, Abdülhamid’e karşı tutumu ve hakkındaki düşüncelerinde yumuşamalar olmuştur. Sultan’ın dönemini arar hale geldiğini belirten kendi duygularını itiraf etmekten çekinse de bu duyguları, insanların o günleri arar hale geldiklerini ifade ederek dile getirmiştir.
Do the Positives Through Life Decrease Later-life Frailty?: Positive Psychosocial Resources and Health Status in Older Adult, a Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Gregorevic Kate , Hubbard Ruth E , Peel Nancye M , Lau Wei Tong , Wu Jethro , Crammond Bradley , Lim Wen Kwang
Published: June 2020

Background: Frailty is a known predictor of poorer outcomes for hospitalised older adults, but does not account for all variation in outcomes. Health Assets, which include positive psychosocial factors, have been associated with improved outcomes in the hospital setting. Methods: A prospective cohort study from adults aged 70 and older with an unplanned admission to general medical, orthogeriatric and subacute wards of two hospitals in Australia. 298 participants were recruited with an average age of 84.7. The Health Assets Index (HAI), frailty, functional status and covariates were measured at the time of recruitment. Outcomes were mortality at 30 days and functional decline at the time of discharge. Results: 56.4% of participants had functional decline on discharge from hospital with 30 day mortality of 5.7%. People with a higher number of health assets were less likely to be frail (OR 0.36(95%CI 0.19-0.68)). At 30 days, odds of mortality were highest amongst those with high frailty/high-HAI and low frailty/low-HAI. At low levels of health assets, odds of mortality decreased with increasing frailty but this reversed at high levels of health assets where frailty was associated with increased mortality. Conclusions: Health assets and frailty combine to predict the odds of mortality for older people entering hospital. This highlights the need to consider psychosocial factors in conjunction with health status for older adults.
QTL-seq Analysis of Seed Size Trait in Grape Provides New Molecular Insight on Seedlessness
Authors: Wang Li , Zhang Songlin , Jiao Chen , Li Zhi , Liu Chonghuai , Wang Xiping
Published: June 2020

Background: Seedlessness in grape (Vitis vinifera) is an important commercial trait for both the fresh and drying markets. However, despite numerous studies, the mechanisms and key genes regulating grape seedlessness are mostly unknown.Results: In this study, we sequenced the genomes of the V. vinifera seeded cultivar ‘Red Globe’, the seedless cultivar ‘Centennial’, as well as the derived hybrids. Nonsynonymous SNPs were identified by genome sequencing and analyzed with published transcriptome data. Nonsynonymous SNPs were found in genes which were differential expressed during seeded and seedless grape ovule development, and corresponding Gene Ontology and pathway enrichment were conducted. A potential QTL region associated with seed size was characterized based on SNP-index for both seedless and seeded progeny. Expression analysis of SNP associated candidate genes during ovule development in multiple seeded and seedless grape cultivars were conducted and 3 SNP were further subjected to SNaPshot analysis in 40 progeny for validation.Conclusion: In summary, nonsynonymous SNPs happened in genes related seed development, which identified to be protein kinase, transcription factors, cytochrome P450 and showed differential expression during seeded and seedless grape ovule development. These nonsynonymous SNP associated genes were mainly involved in biological processes like hormone balance, seed coat and endosperm development, reproductive organ development, oxidation and reduction, senescence and cell death. Based on SNP-index and expression pattern analysis, candidate genes in the QTL region were identified and a SNP in G8 showed 67.5% efficiency in the grape progeny validation. Overall, the data cast light on the differences of seed development between seeded and seedless progeny in genomic level, which provides valuable resources for future functional study and grape breeding.
Effect of mesenchymal stem cells combined with chondroitin sulfate in an osteoarthritis in vitro model
Authors: Pérez-Castrillo Saúl , González-Fernández María Luisa , Álvarez-Suárez Jessica , Sánchez-Lázaro Jaime , Esteban-Blanco Marta , Gutiérrez-Velasco Laura , González-Cubero Elsa , VILLAR-SUÁREZ VEGA
Published: June 2020

Introduction: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease which affects the whole joint structure. Many authors have focused on the factors responsible for the development of inflammatory processes involved in OA. Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) represent a promising alternative of cell-based therapy strategy in the treatment of OA which could be combined with any other drug. Chondroitin sulfate plays a protective role in the joint based on the decrease of pro-inflammatory cytokines, thus having an important role in activating and inhibiting the metabolic pathways in chondrocytes. Aims: The effectiveness of chondroitin sulfate and ASCs combined in an in vitro model of OA has been evaluated in this study. Materials: Cytokines and factors which are involved in OA as well as specific cartilage gene expression after adding ASCs and chondroitin sulfate have been discussed in detail. Results: Our results show a decrease in the expression of all genes related to the pro-inflammatory cytokines analysed. Although there was no increase in the expression of the specific genes of the cartilage matrix, such as collagen type II and aggrecan. Conclusions: This study shows the effectiveness of association of ASCs and chondroitin sulfate for the treatment of OA.
Contribution to the Knowledgment of Feeding Habbits of Lutzomyia (Lutzomyia) Longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) in Association to Natural Infection by Leishmania (Leishmania) Infantum Chagasi (Cunha & Chagas, 1937)
Authors: Afonso Margarete dos Santos Afonso , Chaves Sérgio Augusto de Miranda , Pereira Daniela de Pita , Rangel Elizabeth Ferreira
Published: June 2020

Background: Brazil faces the expansion and urbanization of American Visceral Leishmaniasis. The presence of the vector in the urban area is one of the major challenges of the Brazilian Program for Control of Visceral Leishmaniasis, which refers the need for a better understanding the behavior of Lutzomyia longipalpis, as well as the factors of its adaptation to new habitats. The aim of the study was to combine diagnostic molecular tools capable to identifying natural infection by Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi and the origin of food sources in L. longipalpis.Methods: The specimens were captured in the municipalities of Araguaína/Tocantins, Fortaleza/Ceará, Sobral/Ceará, and Rio de Janeiro/Rio de Janeiro. Molecular diagnoses were performed through Polymerase Chain Reaction using primers that amplify kinetoplast deoxyribonucleic acid in Leishmania sp. and the cacophony gene in phlebotomines for the diagnosis of natural infection, primers that amplify the cytochrome b gene, in addition to the sequencing technique, for the study of alimentary habit.Results: Among the analyzed females, 28.6% were diagnosed in the food evaluation. Among the total of 141 samples that were analyzed, showed a higher positivity for the human food source (62.5%), followed by dogs (27.5%) and birds (10%). In Araguaína, the samples showed positivity for human blood (61.5%) and dogs (38.5%). In Fortaleza and Sobral, specimens showed a positive percentage for human blood (54.5% and 66.7%), followed by dogs (27.3% and 20.0%) and birds (18.2% and 13.3%). In the females of Rio de Janeiro was detected exclusive feeding of human blood. In the natural infection, a general index of positivity was obtained equal to 4.3%. When associated, detection of the power source and natural infection, two infected specimens were found in Araguaína, with dog and human feeding; and in Sobral, 3 specimens infected and positive for human blood.Conclusions: The results corroborate with studies that demonstrate the eclecticism and food opportunism of L. longipalpis, as well as their occurrence in several environments, which are determinant factors of the important process of domiciliary vectorization. The low positivity feeding on human blood may suggest that other mammals, possibly rodents, would be acting as a food source.
Access to Health Care Services by Individuals Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (Dhh) in Botswana: Francistown and Tati
Authors: Chinkonono Gorgeous Sarah , Namuli Vivian , Atuhaire Catherine , Massaquoi Hamida , Mukhopadhyay Sourav , Cumber Samuel Nambile
Published: June 2020

Background: Individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) face a lot of challenges when accessing health care services. The main barrier that they face is communication. Despite this, not much research had been carried out in Africa to understand how individuals who are DHH access healthcare services. This study sought to explore experiences of individuals who are DHH in Botswana when accessing healthcare services to propose recommendations towards improving their situation.Methods: This is a qualitative research study using phenomenological approach. Participants were observed at one point in time. Face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted with 22 DHH individuals living in Francistown and Tati, using a semi-structured interview guide and an interpreter. Participants age range was between 18years to 40years. Purposive sampling and snowballing sampling techniques were used to select the participants.Results: The main challenge that individuals who are DHH in Botswana face is communication barrier which has culminated in their reception of poor healthcare services as the healthcare professionals fail to effectively attain to their health needs. This is evident through wrong prescriptions and treatment; poor counselling services, lack of confidentiality; poor maternal health services especially during child delivery; and limited health information. However, individuals who are DHH in Botswana continues to utilise healthcare services.Conclusion: Poor communication between healthcare professionals and individuals who are DHH act as an impediment to acquiring proper healthcare services by individuals who are DHH. This can lead to poor health outcomes for the DHH population as they are not well informed about health issues that they are at risk of and at times do not know where to seek specific healthcare services pertaining to the health problems they are experiencing. Therefore, there is a need to provide sign language interpreters in the healthcare centres to reduce the impact of this problem.
Public Awareness of Coronavirus (COVID-2019) in Qassim Region Saudi Arabia.
Authors: AL-Rasheedi Mabrouk , Alhazmi Yasir , Ali ALreshidi Mateq , ALrajhi Maha , Alharbi Nayef Samah , Alsuhaibani Somayah , Alrashidi Mohammed , Alharbi Ghaleb
Published: June 2020

Background The rapid and extensive spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has become a major cause of concern for both general public and healthcare profession. Aim of this study is to analyze and evaluate the awareness of both the general public and healthcare providers in Qassim region in Saudi Arabia. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted randomly in different shopping malls in the Qassim region from 10th of February to 10th of March, 2020. The structured questionnaire was used to gather information from participants.Result 130 participants have answered the designed questionnaire, out of which 67participants were males(58.5% ) and 54 were females(41.5% ).Overall, 129 (99%) out of the 130 participants are aware of COVID-19, and 116 (90%) have recognize it as a respiratory disease and all of them (100 %) have recognized it as a contagious disease. Participants of the age group 20-40 showed higher awareness level than other age groups (P = 0.005). Significant positive correlation between high risk groups recognition, reliable source of information, infection symptoms, disease spread prevention and COVID_19 available treatments. While the reliable source of information awareness was positively correlated with all other questions, except for the long-term complications..Conclusion General public and health care professionals from Qassim Region showed adequate awareness of COVID-19. However, there is a strong need to implement periodic educational interventions and training programs on infection control practices .
Diminishing toxicity of P25 TiO2 NPs during continuous exposure to freshwater algae Chlorella
Authors: Zhang Yanyan , Li Xuankun , Du Juan , Pu Lihui , Chen Sihao
Published: June 2020

Nano-titanium dioxide (Nano-TiO2) has been widely used in industrial manufacture and life science field due to its excellent physical and chemical properties in the past few decades, which makes it inevitably released into the aquatic environment. In freshwater ecosystem, Chlorella is the most commonly used species to study the effect brought by metal oxide nanoparticles. In this work, both the short term and long term effect of P25 TiO2 on Chlorella were investigated. Here, we found that Nano-TiO2 would cause serious damage to chlorella in a short period of time, as confirmed by oxidative stress and algal cell morphology. However, different from the short-term condition, the damaging effect was gradually weakened along with the prolongation of exposure time of chlorella to Nano-TiO2 and the final observed inhibition rate of biomass was nearly zero. In addition, the other important finding of this work is that extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) has remarkably protective effect on algae cells. Algae cells with EPS removed were more vulnerable to nano titanium dioxide and exhibited more difficulties in returning back to normal growth compared with normal algae cells, which might be related to the attachment of nanoparticles to the cell surface.
Complementary Feeding and Associated Factors Among Mothers Having Children 6-23 Months in Yaya Gulale District, Oromia, Ethiopia from June 15 to June 30/2019
Authors: Arero Godana , Zewdie Mesay
Published: June 2020

BackgroundComplementary feeding is the provision of nutrient containing foods or liquids other than breast milk that includes both solid foods and semisolid foods. There is limit study conducted in this area, so to know existing gap the topic was selected.ObjectiveTo study complementary feeding and associated factors among mothers who had children 6–23 months in Yaya Gulele district, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2019.MethodA cross-sectional study design was conducted among 558 mothers who had children with 6–23 months of age. Simple random sampling was used to select the required sample size. Pretest was conducted on 5% sample size. Data were cleared using Epi-Info version 7 & analyzed by SPSS version 20. Result was presented by using percent, frequency, tables and graphs. Crude & adjusted odds ratio were done along with 95% CI and level of statistical significance was declared at p-value < 0.05.ResultA total 558 individuals were participated in study with 98.2% response rate. Level of knowledge on complementary feeding was (79.57%). Maternal educations: primary, secondary and above (AOR = 3.59,95%CI:1.264–8.93, AOR = 3.109,95%CI:1.12–8.62), antennal care status: 1–2 visit,3 & above (AOR = 2.4,95%CI:1.13–5.3, AOR = 4.78,95%CI:2.197–10.42) respectively, place of delivery (AOR = 8.5,95%CI:4.41–16.50), post-natal care:1,2 and above visit (AOR = 2.6,95%CI:1.12–6.49,AOR = 3.6,95%CI:1.72–7.74); watching TV (AOR = 3.19, 95%CI:1.1–9.45) and listening radio (AOR = 2.32,95%CI:1.17–4.57) were independent predictor of level of good maternal knowledge on complementary feeding.Conclusion and recommendation:Educating the mothers through mass media and house to house by health extension workers is recommended to enhance knowledge of complementary feeding.
Pan-Genome Analysis of Mycobacterium Africanum: Insights to Dynamics and Evolution.
Authors: Olawoye Idowu , Frost Simon D.W. , Happi Christian T.
Published: June 2020

Background: Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) consists of seven major lineages with three of them reported to circulate within West Africa: lineage 5 (West African 1) and lineage 6 (West African 2) which are geographically restricted to West Africa and lineage 4 (Euro-American lineage) which is found globally. It is unclear why the West African lineages are not found elsewhere; some hypotheses suggest that it could either be harboured by an animal reservoir which is restricted to West Africa, or strain preference for hosts of West African ethnicity, or inability to compete with other lineages in other locations.We tested the hypothesis that M. africanum West African 2 (lineage 6) might have emigrated out of West Africa but was outcompeted by more virulent modern strains of M. tuberculosis (MTB).Whole genome sequences of M. tuberculosis from Nigeria (n=21), South Africa (n=24) and M. africanum West African 2 from Mali (n=22) were retrieved, and a pan-genome analysis was performed after fully annotating these genomes. Results: The outcome of this analysis shows that Lineages 2, 4 and 6 all have a close pan-genome. We also see a correlation in numbers of some multiple copy core genes and amino acid substitution with lineage specificity that may have contributed to geographical distribution of these lineages.Conclusions: The findings in this study provides a perspective to one of the hypotheses that M. africanum West African 2 might find it difficult to compete against the more modern lineages outside West Africa hence its localization to the geographical region.
Semen quality of Colombian Creole as compared to commercial pig breeds
Authors: Mesa Rafael Suárez , Estany Joan , Rondón-Barragán Iang Schroniltgen
Published: June 2020

Background Colombian Creole pigs are a valuable resource for rural livelihood and research. There are three officially recognized Creole breeds in Colombia (Zungo, ZU; Casco de Mula, CM; and San Pedreño, SP). The phenotypic characterization of these breeds is still very limited, including the reproductive performance of their boars, which is a key issue for developing conservation and dissemination strategies. The aim of this research was to assess the semen quality of Colombian Creole breeds as compared to commonly used international breeds. Results Seven boars for each Colombian Creole (ZU, CM, and SP) and international (Duroc, Belgian Landrace, and Pietrain) breeds were used in the experiment. Two doses of semen per boar were assessed in duplicate for sperm kinetics and membrane and acrosome integrity using computer-assisted sperm analysis and flow cytometry, respectively. On average, the Creole pigs, as compared to international breeds, showed lower (P<0.05) volumeof fluid ejaculated(185.5 mL vs 239.9 mL) as well as sperm concentration (340.5 vs to 395.4, in million sperm/mL), motility (90.9% vs 95.3%) and progressive motility (63.1% vs 67.2%). No relevant differences between breeds for sperm velocity traits were observed, but Creole pigs had lower (P<0.05) proportion of morphologic normal sperm (86.1% vs 90.6%) and of sperm with intact mitochondria plasma membrane and acrosome (76.8% vs 87.5%). Mitochondrial membrane potential did not differ between Creole and international breeds. These results mean that Creole breeds had 60.5% less normal and motile sperm per ejaculate than international breeds. Amongst Creole breeds, SP had larger ejaculates and ZU showed greater proportion of normal and motile sperm, but they did not differ for the amount of normal and motile sperm per ejaculate. Conclusion The semen of Colombian Creole pigs is acceptable but less abundant and rich in normal and motile spermatozoa than that collected from commercial breeds. This fact should be considered in developing recommendations for semen processing in Creole pigs. Findings provided here can give new impetus to the conservation and insemination of Creole pigs.
NK cell receptor NKG2C deletion and HLA-E variants are risk factors for severe COVID-19
Authors: Vietzen Hannes , Zoufaly Alexander , Traugott Marianna , Aberle Judith , Aberle Stephan , Puchhammer-Stöckl Elisabeth
Published: June 2020

Patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 may show mild infection or may develop severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In the present study, we investigated whether there is an association between the severity of COVID-19 and the naturally occurring human genetic variants in the natural killer (NK) cell NKG2C receptor (NKG2Cwt/del) and its cellular ligand HLA-E (HLA-E*0101/0103). Both factors are essential components of the NKG2C+ NK cell response and important parts of the defence against pulmonary viral infection. NKG2Cdel and HLA-E*0101 were significantly overrepresented in hospitalized patients (p=0.0006 and p=0.01, respectively) and particularly in critically ill patients requiring intensive care (p<0.0001 and p=0.01, respectively), compared to patients with mild symptoms or healthy controls. Both genetic variants were found to be independent risk factors for severe COVID-19. The data highlight that specific NKG2C+ NK cell responses play an important role against SARS-CoV-2 and that variations thereof may significantly influence the severity of disease.
Level of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2 is highly elevated in old-aged patients with aortic stenosis: implications for ACE2 as a biomarker for the severity of COVID-19
Authors: Fagyas Miklós , Kertész Attila , Mányiné Ivetta Siket , Bánhegyi Viktor , Kracskó Bertalan , Szegedi Andrea , Szokol Miklós , Vajda Gusztáv , Rácz Ildikó , Csanádi Zoltán , Papp Zoltán , Tóth Attila , Sipka Sándor
Published: June 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has a high mortality in elderly patients with pre- existing cardiovascular diseases. The cellular receptor of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), thereby implicating a link between cardiovascular diseases and SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility. Aortic stenosis (AS) represents a chronic inflammatory state with severe cardiovascular complications in the elderly, a prime condition for COVID-19 mortality. The circulating ACE2 levels were measured in 111 patients with severe AS and compared to patients with hypertension and healthy individuals.About 4-times higher circulating ACE2 activity was found in patients with severe AS than in hypertensives or healthy individuals (103.4±5.4, n=111, 24.4±0.6, n=540 and 17.3±1.3±0.6 mU/L, n=46, respectively). Patients with severe AS were older than patients with hypertension (79±0.7 years vs. 60±0.5 years, P<0.05). Serum ACE2 activity correlated negatively with the left ventricular ejection fraction and positively with the right ventricular systolic pressure in patients with AS. In contrast, circulating ACE2 activity was independent of the blood pressure, characteristics of the stenotic aortic valve (aortic valve area, peak flow velocity), kidney function (GFR) and inflammatory state (CRP). We found no effect of RAAS inhibitory drugs on the serum ACE2 activity in this group of patients.Our results illustrate circulating ACE2 as a potential interface between chronic inflammation, cardiovascular disease and COVID-19 susceptibility. Elderly patients with AS have markedly elevated ACE2 levels together with altered left and right ventricular functions, which may pose higher risks during COVID-19. Our clinical data do not support a role for RAAS inhibitors in regulating circulating ACE2 levels.
ARIMA Models for Predicting the End of COVID-19 Pandemic and the Risk of a Second Rebound
Authors: Zohair  , Elsayed  , Ewis Ashraf , Dagnew Guesh , Reda Ahmad , Elmarhomy Ghada , Elhosseini Mostafa A. , Hassanien Aboul Ella , Gad Ibrahim
Published: June 2020

Globally, many research works are going on to study the infectious nature of COVID-19 and every day we learn something new about it through the flooding of the huge data that are accumulating hourly rather than daily which instantly opens hot research topics for artificial intelligence researchers. However, the public’s concern by now is to find answers for two questions; 1) when this COVID-19 pandemic will be over? and 2) After coming to its end, will COVID-19 return again in what is known as a second rebound of the pandemic?. This research developed a predictive model that can estimate the expected period of time that the virus can possibly stopped and the risk of a second rebound of COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this study considered SARIMA model to predict the spread of the virus on several selected countries and is used for pandemic life cycle and end date predictions. The study can be applied to predict the same for other countries as the nature of the virus is the same everywhere. The advantages of this study are that it helps the governments in making decisions and planning now for the future, reduces anxiety and prepares the mentality of people for the next phases of the pandemic. The most striking finding to emerge from this experimental and simulation study is that the proposed algorithm show that the expected COVID-19 infections for the top countries of highest number of confirmed case will slowdown in October, 2020. Moreover, our study forecasts that there may be a second rebound of the pandemic in a year time, if the current taken precautions are eased completely. We have to consider the uncertain nature of the current COVID-19 pandemic and the growing inter-connected and complex world, what are ultimately required are the flexibility, robustness and resilience to cope up the unexpected future events and scenarios.
Regional Dissemination of a Carbapenemase-encoding Plasmid: Plasmidome analysis Reveals Diverse Adaptations of Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae
Authors: Abe Ryuichiro , Akeda Yukihiro , Sugawara Yo , Takeuchi Dan , Matsumoto Yuki , Motooka Daisuke , Yamamoto Norihisa , Kawahara Ryuji , Tomono Kazunori , Fujino Yuji , Hamada Shigeyuki
Published: June 2020

Background. The global dissemination of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) threatens human health by limiting the range of usable antibiotics even against common bacterial infections. The spread of CRE is primarily due to the transmission of carbapenemase genes located on plasmids. However, few studies have comprehensively identified regionally spreading carbapenemase-encoding plasmids because of the difficulty to determine the complete sequence of a plasmid encoding carbapenemases. In a CRE surveillance study of 1,507 patients from 43 hospitals in northern Osaka, Japan, we previously found that 12% of the patients carried CRE and 95% of CRE isolates were IMP-6 producers. This result suggested a vast horizontal spread of a clonal plasmid carrying blaIMP-6 among Enterobacteriaceae in this region. In the current study, we aimed to describe the dynamics of this regional horizontal plasmid transmission.Results. We systematically analysed the plasmids of 230 CRE isolates carrying blaIMP obtained in our previous surveillance study by using whole genome sequencing and Southern blotting. We detected a major population (187 out of 230 blaIMP-positive CRE isolates, 85.6%) that carried blaIMP-6 on the IncN plasmid pKPI-6, along with diverse minor subpopulations. Among the subpopulations, we identified a novel cluster carrying an IncF plasmid that leads to heteroresistance due to amplification of blaIMP-6, resulting in covert transmission of blaIMP-6 or occasional chromosomal integration of blaIMP-6. In addition, we detected one isolate that harboured blaIMP-1, which is identical to blaIMP-6 except for a single point mutation, on pKPI-6 and thus had acquired a broader range of antimicrobial resistance. Conclusions. Carbapenemase-encoding plasmid tracking revealed the clonal dissemination of pKPI-6 among chromosomally distinct isolates. Focusing on the mode of carbapenemase gene carriage is helpful for monitoring of horizontal spread of CRE isolates that is difficult to trace only by the comparisons of the whole genomes. A seemingly clonal horizontal dissemination of the predominant plasmid had embraced heterogenous subpopulations that contribute to diverse adaptations including covert transmission, stable chromosomal integration of blaIMP-6, or broadened antimicrobial resistance patterns, ultimately leading to treatment failure.
Application of Sample Balance-Based Multi-Perspective Feature Ensemble Learning for Prediction of User Purchasing Behaviors on Mobile Wireless Network Platforms
Authors: Zhang Huibing , Dong Junchao
Published: June 2020

In recent years, with the rapid development of wireless communication network, M-Commerce has achieved great success. Relying on mobile phones, tablets and other wireless communication devices for online shopping has become a mainstream way for users to consume. Users leave a lot of historical behavior data when shopping on the M-Commerce platform. Using these data to predict future purchasing behaviors of the users will be of great significance for improving user experience and realizing mutual benefit and win-win result between merchant and user. Therefore, a sample balance-based multi-perspective feature ensemble learning was proposed in this study as the solution to predicting user purchasing behaviors, specifically including: 1) “Sliding window”-centroid under-sampling was combined with sample balance method was used, while the positive sample size was enlarged using “sliding window”, centroid under-sampling was used to reduce the negative sample size within “sliding window”, so as to acquire user’s historical purchasing behavioral data with sample balance. 2) Influence feature of user purchasing behaviors were extracted from three perspectives—user, commodity and interaction, in order to further enrich the feature dimensions. Meanwhile, feature selection was carried out using XGBSFS algorithm. 3) An ensemble learning model—five-fold cross validation stacking—which could be used to predict user purchasing behaviors was raised. Three prediction models—XGBoost-Logistics, LightGBM-L2 and cascaded deep forest models—so that they could realize mutual collaboration and the overall prediction ability of the ensemble learning model could be improved. 4) Large-scale real datasets were experimented on Alibaba M-Commerce platform. The experimental results show that the proposed method has achieved better prediction effect in various evaluation indexes such as precision and recall rate.
Cerebral Radiation Necrosis Masquerading as Recurrent, High-Grade Meningioma: A Case Report
Authors: AlQooti Ebtesam Abdulla , Luther Harleen , Shah Tejal , Chandran Nisha
Published: June 2020

Background: Cerebral radiation necrosis (CRN) is a complication caused by radiation therapy (RT) used for treating high-grade intracranial neoplasms. It is essential to be aware of this condition as it can be frequently mistaken for tumor recurrence. Herein, we report a case of misdiagnosis of CRN in a young male, which has heavily influenced his clinical history.Case Presentation: We report a 25-year-old male diagnosed with right frontal convexity meningioma based on computerized tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The operation achieved a macroscopically complete tumor resection. The histopathology was an atypical meningioma. Accordingly, the patient received RT. The patient reported new-onset of generalized seizures and worsening of left hemiparesis three months after completion of RT. MRI showed abnormal peripheral enhancement in the right frontal region involving the genu of the corpus callosum and extensive brain edema. Magnetic resonance spectrometry (MRS) changes were suggestive of tumor recurrence. The patient underwent surgery with total resection of the lesion. The histopathology was CRN without evidence of tumor recurrence. Due to refractory progressive brain edema, the patient’s clinical status deteriorated until he expired.Conclusion: CRN carries morbidity and mortality as a complication from brain irradiation. There is no single modality that can reliably distinguish CRN from recurrent tumor. Therefore, a multimodality approach highly recommended.
Ultrasound Microbubbles-mediated Microrna-505 Regulates Cervical Cancer Cell Growth via AKT2
Authors: Xu Leilei , Zhang Qin , Li Changhua , Hua Fu , Liu Xiaoping
Published: June 2020

Background: The gene-loaded microbubbles (MBs) combined with ultrasound resulting in increased delivery efficiency, may be a novel method of gene delivery. We explored the effects of ultrasound and microbubbles (USMB)-mediated microRNA (miR)-505 on cervical cancer (CC) development.Methods: miR-505 mediated by USMB was prepared. The effect of miR-505 on its transfection efficiency was studied by RT-qPCR. The effect of miR-505 on HeLa cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT and colony formation assays. Flow cytometry was used to study cell cycle changes, Hoechst was utilized to detect apoptosis. Through the wound healing and Transwell assay, the migration and invasion ability of HeLa cells were measured. The target gene of miR-505 was predicted, and its expression in CC was detected. The target relationship and the effect of the target gene on HeLa cells were further verified.Results: USMB-miR-505 showed higher transfection efficiency than miR-505 alone. miR-505 inhibited HeLa cell malignant episodes, which were reinforced by USMB treatment. miR-505 targeted AKT2. AKT2 was highly expressed in CC, and overexpression of AKT2 significantly reversed the inhibitory effect of miR-505 mediated by USMB on HeLa cell malignant biological behaviors.Conclusion: USMB-miR-505 inhibited HeLa cell malignant biological behaviors by targeting AKT2.
WITHDRAWN: Large deflection analysis of nanocomposite cylindrical shell subjected to internal pressure
Authors: Rahimi E. , Golmakani M.E. , Sadeghian M.
Published: June 2020

In this work, large deflection behavior of a functionally graded carbon nanotube reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) cylindrical shell under internal pressure is studied. The composite cylindrical shell reinforced along the longitudinal direction and made from a polymeric matrix. Based on first-order shear deformation shell theory (FSDT) and von Kármán geometrical nonlinearity, the set of governing equations are derived. Using the dynamic relaxation (DR) technique, these systems of equations are solved for various boundary conditions and the roles of volume fraction of CNTs, CNTs distributions and geometrical ratios are examined on the responses.
Construction of Patient-level Prediction Model for In-hospital Mortality in Congenital Heart Disease Surgery: Regression and Machine Learning analysis
Authors: Du Xinwei , Wang Hao , Wang Shunming , He Yi , Zheng Jinghao , Zhang Haibo , Yin Lifeng , Chen Yiwei , Xu Zhiwei , Lu Zhaohui
Published: June 2020

Background: Prediction of in-hospital death is important for patient management as well as risk-adjusted evaluation of Congenital heart disease (CHD) surgery performance. Using a large database containing CHD surgery records of 12 years, we aim to establish patient-level in-hospital mortality prediction models.Methods: Patients with congenital heart disease who underwent surgery at Shanghai Children’s Medical Center from January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2017 were included in the study. Each procedure was assigned a complexity score based on Aristotle Score with modification. In-hospital mortalities for various surgery procedures were estimated. In-hospital death prediction models including a procedure complexity score and patient-level risk factors were constructed using logistic regression analysis and machine learning methods. The predictive values of the models were tested. Results: Among 24,684 patients underwent CHD operations, there were 595 (2.4%) in-hospital deaths. The results showed that AUC of the prediction model based on logistic regression is 0.864 (95% CI: 0.833-0.895, P <0.001), the sensitivity is 0.831 and the specificity is 0.786. The AUC of the Gradient boosting model is 0.884 (95 %% CI: 0.858-0.909, P <0.001), the sensitivity and specificity were 0.838 and 0.785 respectively. The feature importance analysis found that the variable (average score) that had the greatest impact on the model's prediction performance was operation score (95.6), and other variables (average scores) were Age (days) (95.5), Ultrasound MV （54.6）, Ultrasound atrial level （54.5）, Palliative operation (45.8), Operation history (38.8), Ultrasound TV2 (32.1), Urgent operation (30.8), Ultrasound ventricular level (30.5), and Spo2 ≤ 90% (30.3).Conclusions: Model constructed using machine learning method and logistic regression containing procedure complexity score and pre-operative patient-level factors had high accuracy in in-hospital mortality prediction. Operation score and age have the greatest impact on model prediction performance.
Privacy Preserving User Authentication Scheme based on Password and Smart Card for Multi-Server Environment
Authors: Mlatho Stanley , Chirwa Prince , Gabriel Yesaya , Kim Hyunsung
Published: June 2020

Advancement in information and communication technology provides a scalable platform for various communication services, where a remote user can access the server from anywhere and anytime. The multi-server environment introduces a scalable platform such that a user can interact with any server using single registration. These services adopt authentication schemes in order to ensure secure and privacy preserving access to the resources. Recently Zhao et al. proposed a user authentication scheme based on password and smart card for the multi-server environment. They argued that their scheme is secure from well-known attacks. In this paper, we first identify that Zhao et al.’s scheme suffers from the denial of service attack and the privacy attack and does not provide user friendliness. After that, we propose a new privacy preserving user authentication scheme as a remedy scheme of Zhao et al.’s scheme. Through the rigorous formal and informal security analysis, we show that our scheme is secure against various known attacks including attacks founded in Zhao et al.’s scheme. Furthermore, we simulate our scheme for the formal security verification using ProVerif tool.
A Study on the Impact of Chinese Family Culture on Citizens' Voluntary Organ Donation
Authors: Luo Aijing , He Haiyan , Xie Wenzhao , Xu Zehua , Ouyang Wei , Xin Zirui , Chen Yang , Yuan Yifeng , Liu Fei
Published: June 2020

Objectives: Family members’ attitude is the key factor in organ donation. This study aimed to analyze the attitude and willingness of families towards organ donation and to explore the impact of Chinese family culture on voluntary organ donation.Methods: Taking the family as a unit, a total of 15 families (59 family members) were interviewed using the semi-structured interviews.Results: Among the 59 participants, 58 had heard of organ donation, 30 were unwilling to donate organs, 25 had an intention to donate, and 13 were very taboo about it. 29 weren’t giving consent for family members’ donation, only 8 supported families to sign up as donors. Particularly, 7 participants could donate their organs but wouldn’t donate organs of family members. The family culture models were divided into the patriarchal family culture model (4 families), independent family culture model (8 families), patriarchal subversion family culture model (3 families). Based on the influence of social and cultural factors (taking national policy as an example) on the willingness to donate organs of relatives, the family culture models were divided into the stubborn family culture model (3 families), swing family culture model(9 families), and selfless dedication family culture model(3 families). Conclusions: Organ donation is still a taboo topic in Chinese families. Although the patriarchal family cultural model is no longer dominant, the father's thoughts and views still play an essential role in the whole family. Most families belong to the swing family culture model, and the willingness to donate is greatly influenced by social and cultural factors.