bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Function Overcomes Taxonomy for Organella Genes Triplet Composition
Authors: Sadovsky Michael , Senashova Maria Yu , Mutovina Olga , Molyavko Anna A , Fedotovskaya Viktoria D , Shpagina Tatiana , Nedorez Yana , Putintseva Yulia
Published: January 2022

A comprehensive presentation of a variety of biologically sounding properties of genomes is present; chloroplast genomes are used as a biological matter. Triplet frequency composition is the general issue standing behind the properties. Besides, the new alignment-free error-tolerant method of sequences comparison highly efficient for in/del mismatches is present, for transposons search. Triplet frequency dictionaries determined for a genome, or for a part of that latter were studied through various clustering techniques. The interplay between triplet composition and function reveals on tRNA genes unambiguously shows the prevalence of the function encoded in tRNA gene over the phylogeny: the genes gather into the clusters comprising the genes encoding the same amino acid; more exactly, few gene families exhibit fine cluster pattern corresponding the synonymous codons of amino acid. Previously reported symmetry in chloroplast genomes is shown for a set of gymnosperm: that is mirror symmetry, rotational symmetry, and the second Chargaff's parity rule asymmetry. A family of transposons was found in gymnosperm chloroplast genomes. This family is revealed through the novel comparison method based on convolution calculation, for a set of DNA sequences.
Evolutionary Coalitional Game Based Cooperative Localization in Vehicular Network
Authors: Yin Ting , Zou Decai , Lu Xiaochun , Bi Cheng
Published: January 2022

Cooperative localization under complex urban environments has become a solution to replace the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) positioning. Due to utilizing distance measured and information exchanged between vehicles, cooperative localization results in high computational complexity and heavy communication overhead. This paper proposes a cooperative localization method based on evolutionary coalitional game theory, which implements vehicles' location estimation with less communication cost. We select the neighboring vehicles to form a coalition based on the node's square position error bound and communication cost. The location is obtained via exchanging information between vehicles. It is evident from the simulations and results that the proposed method holds low communication overhead while maintaining localization accuracy.
Mobile Phone Indoor Scene Recognition Location Method Based on Semantic Constraint of Building Map
Authors: Jianhua Liu , Guoqiang Feng , Jingyan Luo , Danqi Wen , Zheng Chen , Nan Wang , Baoshan Zeng , Xiaoyi Wang , Xinyue Li , Botong Gu
Published: January 2022

At present, indoor localization is one of the core technologies of location-based services (LBS), and there exist numerous scenario-oriented application solutions. Visual features, as the main semantic information to help people understand the environment and thus occupy the dominant part, many techniques about indoor scene recognition are widely adopted. However, the engineering application problem of cell phone indoor scene recognition and localization has not been well solved due to insufficient semantic constraint information of building map and the immaturity of building map location anchors (MLA) matching positioning technology. To address the above problems, this paper proposes a cell phone indoor scene recognition and localization method with building map semantic constraints. Firstly, we build a library of geocoded entities for building map location anchors (MLA), which can provide users with "immersive" real-world building maps on the one hand and semantic anchor point constraints for cell phone positioning on the other. Secondly, using the improved YOLOv5s deep learning model carried on the mobile terminal, we recognize the universal map location anchors (MLA) elements in building scenes by cell phone camera video in real-time. Lastly, the spatial location of the scene elements obtained from the cell phone video recognition is matched with the building MLA to achieve real-time positioning and navigation. The experimental results show that the model recognition accuracy of this method is above 97.2%, and the maximum localization error is within the range of 0.775 m, and minimized to 0.5 m after applying the BIMPN road network walking node constraint, which can effectively achieve high positioning accuracy in the building scenes with rich MLA element information. In addition, the building map location anchors (MLA) has universal characteristics, and the positioning algorithm based on scene element recognition is compatible with the extension of indoor map data types, so this method has good prospects for engineering applications.
Регуляризованная разностная схема для решения задач гидродинамики
Authors: Сухинов Александр Иванович , Sukhinov Alexander Ivanovich , Чистяков Александр Евгеньевич , Chistyakov Alexander Evgenjevich , Кузнецова Ирина Юрьевна , Kuznetsova Irina Yur'evna , Атаян Ася Михайловна , Atayan Asya Mikhaylovna , Никитина Алла Валерьевна , Nikitina Alla Valerevna
Published: January 2022

Приведено описание трехмерной гидродинамической модели движения водной среды, включающей в себя уравнения движения Навье-Стокса, в том числе регуляризированное уравнение неразрывности, учитывающее влияние примеси на плотность водной среды. Аппроксимация уравнений для расчета поля скорости движения водной среды по пространственным переменным выполнена на основе схем расщепления по физическим процессам с учетом коэффициентов заполненности контрольных областей, что позволило учесть сложную геометрию береговой линии и дна водоема, а также повысить точность моделирования. Расчет поля давления с применением регуляризатора в уравнении неразрывности позволил повысить точность моделирования: в разработанной модели давление не может распространяться быстрее скорости ударного фронта (в линейном приближении скорости звука). Применение данного подхода позволяет также уменьшить вычислительную трудоемкость решения сеточных уравнений для задачи расчета давления за счет наличия диагонального преобладания в матрице коэффициентов. Проведены численные эксперименты по моделированию движения водной среды в устьевом районе и процесса смешения вод при наличии существенного градиента плотности водной среды.
The Strategy of Taiwan Government to Build Muslim Friendly Environment
Authors: Mahendra Zulfan Fakhri , Surwandono Surwandono
Published: January 2022

Taiwan as a country which is nicknamed the country of Formosa or beauty has the potential to increase its capacity in tourism. Seeing the projection of the number of Muslims that has continued to increase. Taiwan developed its new south bound policy to attract Muslim people to travel and apply in Taiwan. Muslim Friendly Environment is a new breakthrough from Halal Tourism that many Muslim minority countries have conveyed. Through the Global Muslim Travel Index, Taiwan is in position 3 in the world as a Muslim Friendly region. Taiwanese strategies in their public diplomacy efforts in coordination with non-government actors such as the Muslim community. starting to continue to develop development to manage halal information that is able to bind more and more Muslims.
Virginia Tech, Land Grant University 1872-1997: History of a School, a State, a Nation, Second Edition
Authors: Wallenstein Peter
Published: January 2022

The first edition of this book was published in 1997, at the time of Virginia Tech’s 125th anniversary. Wallenstein, a professor of history at Virginia Tech, situates the story of Virginia Tech firmly in the context of both American history and Virginia’s checkered history of higher education. One reviewer wrote that the book “may well be the most un-parochial history of a college or university that has ever been written.” The new edition features a lengthy new preface as well as other changes in text and images throughout. The book will interest historians, educators, students, and just about anyone who wants to know more about the history of higher education in America.
Motivations of the Participants Who Post a Message in an Online Health Forum : A Qualitative and Quantitative Descriptive Study of the French Health Forum Doctissimo
Authors: Benazeth Ambre-Laure , Montané Valentin , Adam Christophe , Blanc-Bisson Christèle , Dzeraviashka Palina , Vincent Yves-Marie
Published: January 2022

Background : For over 20 years and despite the development of new social networks, health forums have remained a privileged place for patients to exchange around health issues. This study researches the participants’ motivations to post a message in an online French Health Forum (called ‘Doctissimo’).Method : Between 1st January 2017 and 31st December 2019, the first posts were recorded on the ‘Doctissimo’ health forum, in their initial format by a crawler. The transcripts were imported in the qualitative analysis software Nvivo. Two researchers codified the data until a theoretical saturation was obtained. Results : Four categories of motivations were identified : 1) 'Requesting' allows the exchange of mainly medical information, or a feedback on experiences with the disease : 44 .81%, 1722 codes ; 2) ‘Worrying, need for reassurance’ : 27.74%, 1066 codes; 3) ‘Self-expressing’ mainly enables catharsis leading to emotional liberation : 19.88%, 764 codes; 4) Community spirit is a central element to create an emotional support group : 7.57%, 291 codes. The relationship and the obstacles to a medical consultation are described. When mentioned, the relationship with a healthcare professional is generally marked by doubts, confusion, or a lack of information.Conclusion : Patients log in to confront a community, they feel free and legitimate. Resorting to the information offered by the Internet is a way of reassuring themselves or of being confirmed in their own hypothesis/ provided by a health professional. Patients are looking for an immediate response.
Formulation of Huangqin Decoction influence immune function and fecal microbiome of chicks suffered Escherichia coli O78 challenge
Authors: Zhang Xichun , Chen Shuming , Wang Junyan , Li Rui , Liu Yong , Gu Chensheng , Wang Haili , Feng Jianjian , Bao Linjie , Wu Yihe
Published: January 2022

Huangqin Decoction (HQD), a traditional Chinese medicine formula from the Shang Han Lun written by Zhang Zhongjing, has been used in China for nearly two thousand years. According to traditional Chinese medicine and a previous literature, HQD has the effect of clearing heat and removing toxin, antidiarrhea, and relieving pain. Therefore, HQD were used to prevent or cure many diseases, such as inflammation, diarrhea, malaria, and other acute or chronic gastrointestinal diseases.HQD supplementation showed higher ADG and reduced the mortality rate caused by E. coli O78 challenge, decreased the heart index and liver index, and increased the bursal index and spleen index. HQD supplementation decreased the serum LZM, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-10, IL-6 levels, down-regulated the mRNA expression of TLR4, TLR5 and TLR15 in the spleen in E. coli O78 challenged chicks, and up-regulated the mRNA expression of TLR4, TLR5 and TLR15 in the bursal in that. At the phylum levels, HQD supplementation reversed the increased of OTUs, decreased the relative abundance of harmful bacteria Proteobacteria, increased the relative abundance of probiotics Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. At the genus levels, HQD decreased the relative abundance of harmful bacteria Escherichia-Shigella and Pseudomonas. It means that HQD reversed the change of the gut microbiota structure. Compared with HQD, HQD-DZ and HQD-HQ increased the mortality rate. HQD-HQ decreased the ADG and liver index. HQD-GC decreased the spleen index. HQD-DZ, HQD-HQ, HQD-SY and HQD-GC increased the serum TL-6, but only the HQD-HQ and HQD-SY increased the serum TNF-α. All herb absent HQD did not activate the toll-like receptors signaling pathways in spleen and bursal of chicks. HQD-DZ and HQD-HQ increased the harmful bacteria Escherichia-Shigella, and HQD-DZ increased the harmful bacteria Proteobacteria levels.In a word, dietary supplementation with HQD, by down-regulating the mRNA expression of TLR4, TLR5 and TLR15 in the spleen, further decreasing the serum LZM and IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-10, IL-6 levels, improves the immune function and reverse the change of fecal microbiome in chicks challenged with E. coli O78. About herb absent groups, the results shown that SY and DZ play a key role in reducing the level of inflammatory factors and keeping fecal microbiome balance respectively. what’s more, we highlighted that HQ is indispensable in HQD, HQ not only play a key role in reducing the level of inflammatory factors, but also keep the balance of fecal microflora.
Syphilis Trigram: a domain-specific visualisation to combat syphilis epidemic and improve the quality of maternal and child health in Brazil
Authors: de Morais Cleber Matos , Teixeira Igor Vitor , Endo Patricia Takako , Kelner Judith
Published: January 2022

Background: The Brazilian health system is a large and complex system, specially considering its mixed public and private funding. The amount of syphilis case has been increasing greatly in the last four years, even though it has cheap and simple treatment. The syphilis notification are compulsory by law and the public health surveillance pays great importance to syphilis notification during the pregnancy. Syphilis infection can cause severe newborn conditions, even premature birth and abortion. Methods: The Action Research methodology was applied to deal with the complex syphilis surveillance reality in Pernambuco, Brazil. Iterative learning cycles were used, totaling six cycles with a formal validation of an operational version of the syphilis Trigram visualisation at the end of the process. The original data source was analyzed and prepared to use without any new data or change in the ordinary procedure of the current system. Results: The main result of this work is the Syphilis Trigram, a domain-specific infographic for presenting gestational data and birth data. The second contribution of this work is the Average Trigram, an organized pie chart which synthesizes the Syphilis Trigram relationship in an aggregated way. Both visualization are presented in an Infographic User Interface, a tool that gathers an infographic broad visualization sense to data visualization. This interfaces also gathers selections and filters tools to assist and refine the presented information. The user can experience a specific case-by-case view and an aggregated perspective by any city monitored by the system. Conclusions: The proposed domain-specific visualization amplifies the understanding of each syphilis case and the overall case characteristic of a city. This new information produced by the Trigram can clarify the reinfection/relapse cases, optimize resource allocation and enhance the syphilis healthcare policies without any new data. Thus, the health surveillance professionals can see the broad tendency, understand the key patterns through visualization, and take action in a feasible time.
Estimating the Pollutant Loss Rate Based on the Concentration Process and Landscape Unit Interactions: A Case Study of the Dianchi Lake Basin, Yunnan Province, China
Authors: Wang Minghao , Wang Yong , Duan Lijie , Liu Xiaoyang , Jia Haifeng , Zheng Binghui
Published: January 2022

The landscape analysis model establishes a quantitative relationship between landscape patterns and pollution processes. The spatial heterogeneity within and between landscapes affects the pollutant transmission process and originates from the superposition effect of terrestrial geographical and morphological characteristics. This study aimed to develop a new method to estimate the pollutant loss rate. From the perspective of the flow process of pollutants entering a water body, the interaction between each landscape unit and adjacent unit during pollutant migration was simulated along the pollutant migration flow path. The role of pollutants affected by external forces in the process of migration could be divided into “promoting” and “hindering.” Four indices were proposed to simulate the pollutant loads entering the lake. The linear coefficients between the load of the pollutants chemical oxygen demand (CODCr), ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) entering the lake and the pollutant load emission weighted by the upstream and downstream confluence ratio index were 0.930, 0.835, 0.925, and 0.795, respectively, and the non-linear variance explanation coefficients were 87.70%, 87.50%, 87.60%, and 84.70%, respectively. When the surface resistance was integrated into the index as a parameter, the linear and nonlinear correlation coefficients were significantly improved. The linear coefficients were 0.952, 0.897, 0.919, and 0.939, respectively, and the non-linear variance explanations were 99.00%, 97.30%, 95.10%, and 97.30%, respectively. The spatial distribution of landscape surface resistance reflects the spatial movement trend of pollutants from different sources. The indices characterizing the promoting and hindering effects could be integrated to calculate the loss rate of pollutant load entering the lake from landscape units at different locations in the basin space.
Multilevel Lumbar Fusion And Sacral Fusion Affect Joint Space Narrowing of The Hip
Authors: Ukai Taku , Katoh Hiroyuki , Yokoyama Katsuya , Omura Haruka , Watanabe Masahiko
Published: January 2022

Background: This study aimed to elucidate the effect of lumbosacral fusion on joint space narrowing of the hip. Methods: We retrospectively studied 511 hips of 261 patients who had undergone lumbar fusion. Whole-spine X-ray was performed for all the patients before surgery and at final follow-up. Center edge angle, joint space of the hip, sagittal vertical axis, thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt, and sacral slope were measured. The number of lumbar fusion levels, inclusion of sacral fusion, follow-up duration, and wear of the hip joint (mm/year) were also recorded. Multi regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors for joint space narrowing.Results: The female sex (P=0.04), number of fixed lumbar levels (P=0.002), sacral fusions (P=0.039), and follow-up period (P<0.001) were independent risk factors for joint space narrowing of the hip. The patients who underwent four or more levels of lumbar fusion experienced more rapid wearing of the hip joint space than that experienced by patients with less than three levels of lumbar fusion (P=0.044). Conclusion: Surgeons should pay attention to joint space narrowing of the hip after performing multiple lumbar fusions or sacral fusion in females.
How are hygiene programmes designed in crises? A qualitative study of the perspectives of humanitarians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Iraq
Authors: White Sian , Heath Thomas , Mutula Anna C , Dreibelbis Robert , Palmer Jennifer
Published: January 2022

Background

Hygiene behaviour change programmes are complex to design. These challenges are heightened during crises when humanitarian responders are under pressure to implement programmes rapidly despite having limited information about the local situation, behaviours and opinions – all of which may also be rapidly evolving.
Methods

We conducted in-depth interviews with 36 humanitarian staff involved in hygiene programme design in two crisis-affected settings – one a conflict affected setting (Iraq) and the other amid a cholera outbreak (DRC). Interviews explored decision-making in each phase of the humanitarian project cycle and were thematically analysed.
Results

Participants considered the design and implementation of hygiene programmes in crises to be sub-optimal. Humanitarians faced sector-specific challenges as well as more general constraints associated with operating within the humanitarian system. Programme-design decisions were made naturalistically and relied heavily on the intuitions and assumptions of senior WASH staff. National organisations were often side-lined from programme design processes despite being in a better position to gather situational data. Consequently, programme design and decision-making processes adopted by humanitarians were similar across the two settings studied and led to similar types of hygiene promotion activities being delivered.
Conclusion

Hygiene programming in crises-affected settings could be strengthened by initiatives targeted at supporting humanitarian staff during the pre-implementation programme design phase. This may include rapid assessment tools to better understand behavioural determinants in crisis-affected contexts; the use of a theory of change to inform the selection of programme activities; and funding mechanisms which encourage equitable partnerships, phased programming, regular adaptation and have programmatic components targeted at sustainability and sector capacity building. Initiatives aimed at sector reform should be cognisant of inter and intra-organisational dynamics, the ways that expertise is created and valued by the sector, and humanitarian habits and norms that arise in response to system constraints and pressures. These micro-organisational processes affect macro-level outcomes related to programme quality and acceptability and determine or limit the roles of national actors in programme design processes.
Analysis of the robustness of an optimisation model considering uncertainties in water quality parameters.
Authors: Dey Sayani , Barton Andrew , Bagirov Adil , Kandra Harpreet , Wilson Kym
Published: January 2022

The competing nature of water quality and quantity in a complex water resource system makes water management challenging. The difficulty is exacerbated by the uncertainties inherent with the available data. This study performs analysis of uncertainties in water quality data to identify relative changes in stored water volume. The uncertainty analyses are also aimed to assess impact of climate change on water quality. This work uses multi-objective optimisation approach to achieve optimised storage water volume and water quality in a reservoir. The research outcomes indicate that there are trade-offs associated while optimising water quality and quantity levels. It is found that the trade-off curve is insensitive to water quality changes thereby confirming that the model is resilient to water quality uncertainties, particular to this case study area. Therefore, the decision makers can safely rely on these trade-off curves to make decisions on selective harvesting of water. Through this analysis, robustness of the optimisation model is also confirmed and can be applied to future studies to find optimal values of water quantity and quality parameters.
Exchange rate stability in the emerging economies: Does renewable energy play a role. A panel data analysis.
Authors: Deka Abraham , Ozdeser Huseyin , Cavusoglu Behiye , Seraj Mehdi , Tursoy Turgut
Published: January 2022

The Environmental Kuznets Curve alludes that there is an inverted U-shaped association between the economic growth of a nation and environmental stress. This implies that, as the Gross Domestic Product of a nation rises, environmental stress will initially rise and later decline after a turning point is reached. Rising economic growth together with an increase in environmental degradation necessitates a trade-off situation as nations face a dilemma regarding what to forego as both indicators are equally important. According to the literature, adopting the use of renewable energy helps mitigate this dilemma since it is friendly to the environment and also reduces income inequalities. The current study is aimed at investigating whether renewable energy use helps stabilize the foreign exchange rate of emerging economies. Stability in the foreign exchange rate of a nation is very crucial as this helps to stabilize the inflation rate. This study employs the Fully Modified Ordinary Least and Dynamic Ordinary Least Square methods to analyze panel data of emerging economies. FMOLS and DOLS provide robust results in the presence of cointegration among variables and on panel data that has aa unit root at level and is stationary at first difference. The Pedroni and Kao cointegration tests are employed and the results show that a long-run relationship exists among the variables examined. The study uses the results obtained from the DOLS model for policy recommendations since its results have no autocorrelation and Partial Autocorrelation problems, and the residuals are normally distributed. In this research study, we suggest that renewable energy should be promoted since it helps to stabilize the foreign exchange rate. An increase in Gross Domestic Product is also observed to promote exchange rate stability in the E7 economies, while a high rate of inflation, high population growth and trade are associated with currency depreciation.
Factors of The Childbirth Fear Among Nulliparous Women In Iran
Authors: Kananikandeh Safieh , Shokravi Farkhondeh Amin , Mirghafourvand Mojgan , Jahanfar Shayesteh
Published: January 2022

Background: Fear of childbirth is an anxiety associated with childbirth, which manifests itself in physical and concentration problems. It is often associated with requesting a cesarean section, and it is prevalent in nulliparous women. This is a study aimed to summarize the published research on the factors for fear of childbirth in nulliparous women in Iran.Methods: This study was conducted based on the PRISMA statement. A literature search was performed on nine electronic databases (Web of Sciences, Since Direct, Scopus, PubMed, Cochrane Library, ProQuest, and Persian databases including Scientific Information Database, Irandoc, and Magiran) using keywords related to fear of childbirth, factors, nulliparous, and Iran from 2000 to 2020. This study included cross-sectional studies with full-text in English or Persian in Iran. The quality of the selected studies was evaluated independently by two authors and via the STROBE checklist.Results: In this study, 93 articles were identified,13 duplicate articles were excluded, 80 articles were screened by title and abstract, 62 were excluded, and the full-text of 18 articles was assessed for analysis. Of these, 12 were excluded, and six articles were reviewed. Six studies were conducted in different provinces of Iran. Based on the study results, factors of the fear of childbirth in nulliparous women were: biological (the process of labor and childbirth and labor pain, concern for the baby (harm to the baby and baby infirmity), psychological (painful injections during labor and suturing in childbirth), and individual (loss of control during labor). Conclusions: This study identified four main factors that affect fear of childbirth status in nulliparous women, and concern for the baby was a more common factor in this study. In conclusion, these factors can be reduced by increasing their assurance about child health, training during pregnancy, talking about positive experiences, and holding workshops.
Pristina Longiseta Reproduction Test: Chronic Exposure To Environmental Contaminants
Authors: de Souza Tallyson Tavares Cunha , Borges Gleyson Castro , Bernegossi Aline Christine , Felipe Mayara Caroline , Pinheiro Fernanda Rodrigues , Corbi Vanessa Colombo , Girolli Douglas Aparecido , Gorni Guilherme Rossi , Corbi Juliano José
Published: January 2022

Aquatic worms are considered a suitable group to evaluate the effects of contaminants in the environment, although one of the main challenges is using native species. Recently, Pristina longiseta was suggested to be used in acute bioassays for tropical regions. In this context, the aim of this study was to establish a chronic exposure for ecotoxicological bioassays utilizing the tropical native species P. longiseta. Firstly, we tested three exposure times (96h, 7d, and 10d) in the presence and absence of aeration. After determining the best configuration, we evaluated the effects of the chronic exposures using the standardized reference substance potassium chloride, the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole, the flame retardant tetrabromobisphenol-A, and sugarcane vinasse. Our results showed the suitability for applying the chronic exposure using P. longiseta and indicated the sensitivity of the offspring to KCl (EC50 = 0.51 g/L). Sulfamethoxazole and TBBPA caused a significant reduction in the offspring of P. longiseta (EC50 = 59.9 µg/L and 166.1 µg/L, respectively). Sugarcane vinasse showed high toxicity for the species, and a fraction of 4.26% of vinasse was calculated as EC50. Therefore, the described protocol was successfully applied as an ecotoxicological assessment to evaluate the effects of contaminants on the reproduction rate of the freshwater worm P. longiseta.
Monitoring Urban Carbon Emissions from Energy Consumption Over China with DMSP/OLS Nighttime Light Observations
Authors: Wang Li , Zhang Niyu , Deng Huanguang , Wang Peifa , Yang Fei , Qu John J. , Zhou xiaoxue
Published: January 2022

In order to obtain detailed city-level carbon emission data, this paper constructed a model to estimate the urban CO2 emissions in 2000, 2005 and 2013, using the combined data of DMSP/OLS nighttime light data and the provincial energy statistical yearbook data. It is found that there is a clearly linear correlation between the city nighttime light and the urban CO2 emissions. We then calculated and analyzed the growth of urban built-up areas and carbon emissions in the different time periods at both the national level and the four economic zones in China. It is shown that a good fitting relationship between them with the R2 at 0.6188 in 2000, 0.7132 in 2005 and 0.7195 in 2013. The growth rate of developed land area is 13.4% from 2000 to 2005 and 15.9% from 2005 to 2013. During the same period, the CO2 emissions were also increasing, at an average annual growth rate of 12.2% from 2000 to 2005 and 6.5% from 2005 to 2013. From the spatial point of view, carbon emissions are far greater in the eastern region of China than in western China. The city carbon emissions are the highest in major metropolitan cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. The per capita carbon emissions are also higher in the east, which is consistent with the people's higher living standards. In some cities with large energy and heavy industry concentrations, especially in the northeastern and western regions, the growth rate of carbon emissions has risen faster than other cities.
Optimizing the Hydraulic Properties of Porous Clay Capsules for Providing Soil Moisture in Subsurface Irrigation System
Authors: vaghei Hojjat Ghorbani , Bahrami HoseinAli , Saleh Farzin Nasiri
Published: January 2022

Clay capsule is one of the porous pipes in sub irrigation system that can release water in near root zone. This paper has attempted to improve the physical and hydraulic properties of clay capsules based on organic matter percent changes in the raw materials. Raw material used for making clay capsules is obtained from calcareous soil of Nasr Abad village of Gorgan, Iran. The ratio of rice bran to calcareous soil as improving hydraulic properties was 1:2, 1:5, 1: 10, 1:15 and 1:20 (kg of rice bran to kg of air-dried soil). The produced clay capsules were named G2, G5, G10, G15 and G20 respectively. The water discharge and soil water distribution of clay capsules were measured at 10, 25, 50, 80, 100 kPa of hydrostatic pressures by discharge-pressure automation instrument. The results showed that a significant relationship between discharges of porous clay capsules and organic matter mixed in raw material. Also, the results show that with increasing organic matter percentage in clay capsule component, the discharge of clay capsules increased. The relationship between discharges of G20 with hydrostatic pressure is linear and in G2, G5, G10, and G15, this relationship becomes non-linear. Meanwhile, soil wetting shape followed a spherical trend due to the slow seepage of clay capsules. But the soil wetting shapes in G15 and G20 was completely spherical, and in G10, G5 and G2 trend to ellipsoid vertically. Finally this is of significance for irrigating plants in arid and semi-arid regions.
Comparison of efficacy of Aspirin plus EOX vs. EOX alone in patients with locally advanced and metastatic gastric cancer: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Jafa Esha , L Charles , Nisha Yadav , Kate Vikram , Kayal Smita , Ganesh Rajesh Nachiappa , V.C Sunitha , Ganesan Prasanth , Penumadu Prasanth , Dubashi Biswajit
Published: January 2022

Introduction: The role of aspirin in cancer prevention has been well defined; the last decade revealed its therapeutic role with Giampieri et al. (2016) showed improved efficacy with aspirin added to capecitabine in heavily pre-treated metastatic colorectal cancer. Aspirin affects tumour growth through the PI3K pathway, which regulates apoptosis and autophagy. The objective of our study was to compare the efficacy of Aspirin plus EOX chemotherapy versus EOX alone in locally advanced and metastatic gastric cancer. Methods: All patients with advanced gastric cancer reporting to the Department of Medical oncology between March 2017 to May 2019 were screened for study eligibility. They were randomly assigned to standard EOX with or without aspirin at a daily dose of 150 mg. Tumor measurements were assessed at baseline and 3-4 cycles by an independent blinded radiologist according to RECIST criteria 1.1. Toxicity profiles were recorded as per CTCAE v 4.03. Per protocol group was identified as 70 patients. The primary endpoint was overall response rates in the per-protocol group defined as patients who received a minimum of 3 cycles and had an evaluable response after randomization. The secondary endpoints included toxicity analysis, Progression-free survival, and Overall survival.Results: Ninety-five patients who fulfilled the study inclusion and exclusion criteria were randomized to group1 EOX (50) or group 2 EOX plus Aspirin(45). Seventy patients were included for the per-protocol analysis. The overall response rate in group1 was 27% compared to group2, which was 42%, P=0.176. The median duration of follow was 29 (18.56-39.45) months. The median overall survival (n=95) of group 1 versus group 2 was 11 (8.58-13.42) months and 10 (6.86-13.14) months, respectively, P=0.90. There was no statistical significance in the overall survival per-protocol analysis (n=70) between group one 12(8.75-15.25) months versus group two 12(6.21-17.79)months, P= 0.50. Conclusions: There was no improvement in the response rates, progression-free survival, and overall survival on adding Aspirin to EOX chemotherapy in locally advanced and metastatic gastric cancer in an unselected population. A further role of PI3K mutation as a biomarker needs to be evaluated in this setting.
Prevalence of microsatellite instability, Lynch syndrome, and PD-L1 expression in patients with Epstein–Barr virus negative gastric carcinoma with lymphoid stroma
Authors: LEE SUN MI , Park Sungjoon
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The prevalence of the Lynch syndrome and microsatellite instability (MSI) among patients with gastric carcinoma with lymphoid stroma (GCLS) is poorly understood. The present study aimed to investigate MSI and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and further evaluate Lynch syndrome in patients with GCLS.
Methods

The study included 104 patients with GCLS (30 EBV-negative and 74 EBV-positive cases) who underwent surgical resection. Immunohistochemistry for mismatch repair proteins and PD-L1 (SP263), along with MSI testing, were performed. Whole-exome sequencing was performed for patients suspected of having Lynch syndrome.
Results

Compared with patients with EBV-positive GCLS, patients with EBV-negative GCLS were more likely to be older, female, and have a higher rate of MSI-high (MSI-H) phenotype incidence, with a primary tumour site predisposition to the distal stomach. They also tended to have a history of metachronous cancers and high expression of the PD-L1 protein. Fifteen (50%) of the 30 cases were of the MSI-H phenotype with loss of MLH1 and PMS2 expression. Among them, two (6.7%) patients were found to have Lynch syndrome with germline mutations in MLH1 and PMS2.
Conclusions

Evaluation of MSI is highly recommended in patients with EBV-negative GCLS. In patients with MSI-H tumours, selective genetic consultation and testing are required to detect Lynch syndrome. In addition, the rate of PD-L1 positivity in both EBV-negative and EBV-positive GCLS was relatively high (13.3% and 29.7%, respectively). Therefore, patients with GCLS, regardless of EBV infection, can be good candidates for treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Alginate Modified Graphene Oxide for Rapid and Effective Sorption of Some Heavy Metal Ions from Aqueous Solution
Authors: Ibrahim Ahmed , Elgoud E.M. Abu , Aly H.F.
Published: January 2022

Herein, we investigated a facile strategy to modify the graphene oxide (GO) with sodium alginate (SA) through using tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) as binding agent. The GO-SA was highly loaded with carboxylated (-COO−Na+) groups which permitted for fast and efficient interaction with the metal ions. Therefore, the prepared composite was employed as an efficient adsorbent to uptake of some heavy metal from aqueous solution. The as-synthesized GO-SA was characterized with various advanced techniques before and after the removal process. The analysis of the experimental data showed that, the Langmuir model excellent fit the adsorption data with maximum adsorption capacities of 887.21, 161.25 and 139.62 mg g−1 for Pb2+, Zn2+ and Cd2+, respectively. Moreover, the GO-SA presented a good regeneration and reuse ability with enhancing in the removal percent for all the studied metal ions. In addition, the prepared composite showed a suitable selectivity for Pb2+ from Zn2+ and Cd2+ co-existed solution.
Lactobacillus Plantarum -derived extracellular vesicles protect against ischemic brain injury via the microRNA-101a-3p/c-Fos/TGF-β axis cross-species
Authors: yang zhang , Gao Zidan , Zhang Yifan , Chen Hongqun , Yang Xuexia , Fang Xuming , Zhu Yingwu , Zhang Jiayan , Ouyang Fu , Li Jun , Cai Gang , Lin Xiang , Shi Xiaofang , Chu Lan
Published: January 2022

Objective
As nanoscale membrane vesicles, extracellular vesicles (EVs) are actively released by cells and have recently been observed to assume an important role in the treatment of ischemic stroke. However, the source of EVs currently reported for the treatment of ischemic stroke is tightly restricted to mammals. Moreover, these EVs are limited in clinical translation due to the high cost of cell culture. In species other than mammals, Lactobacillus Plantarum culture is low-cost and high-yield. Notwithstanding, it is poorly identified whether Lactobacillus Plantarum-derived EVs (LEVs) can be applied across species for the treatment of ischemic stroke.
Methods
LEVs were injected into mice via the tail vein immediately after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) modeling. Infarct volumes, neurological scores, and neuron apoptosis were examined 3 days following the ischemic episode. The expression of microRNA (miRNA) and the target gene in neurons and peri-infarct regions of the post-ischemic brain were measured for mechanistic analyses.
Results
LEVs crossed the blood-brain barrier and were taken up by neurons both in vitro and in vivo. LEV treatment attenuated neuron apoptosis following oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD). In vivo findings displayed that LEV treatment substantially reduced neurological deficits and brain infarct size in tMCAO mice. High-throughput sequencing exhibited that miR-101a-3p expression was prominently elevated by LEV treatment in OGD-induced neurons, and corroborating findings were detected in tMCAO mice treated with LEVs. Mechanistically, c-Fos was directly targeted by miR-101a-3p. Moreover, c-Fos manipulated ischemia-induced neuron apoptosis in vitro and in vivo through the TGF-β1 pathway. miR-101a-3p inhibition aggravated ischemia-induced neuron apoptosis in vitro and in vivo, and miR-101a-3p overexpression triggered opposite results.
Conclusion
Our results elaborated for the first time that LEVs might inhibit neuron apoptosis and injury across species via the miR-101a-3p/c-Fos/TGF-β axis, which may provide novel ideas and targets for the treatment of ischemic stroke and is also of significance for the clinical translation of EVs.
Nutritional status of children attending schools benefitting from UNICEF’s assisted water, sanitation and hygiene programming in Ogun State, Nigeria
Authors: Mogaji Hammed Oladeji , Omitola Olaitan Olamide , Yaro Clement Ameh , Babalola Ayodele Samuel , Adekunle Oladunni Nimota , Odoemene Simon Nnayere , Adeaga Dorcas Olufunke , Ekpo Uwem Friday
Published: January 2022

Background
There has been a growing interest in better understanding and measuring the effect of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) on nutritional outcomes. In this study, we evaluated the nutritional status of children attending schools benefitting from UNICEF’s assisted WASH programming in Ogun State, Southwest Nigeria
Methods
A total of 175 consenting school-aged children across three WASH programming schools participated in the study. The status and conditions of WASH resources were assessed and graded using standardized tools. Anthropometric measures of weight, height and age were obtained and compared with reference data to assess stunting, underweight and thinness. Descriptive and logistic regression analysis were performed to estimate magnitude of association between dependent (malnutrition indices) and independent (demographic and WASH) variables. Significant difference was set at 95%.
Results
WASH scores ranged between 62.5-81.3% across the three schools; School A (68.8%), B (81.1%) and C (62.5%). Optimal scores were recorded for water (100%) and hygiene (60-80%) resources, however sanitation scores (33.3-66.7%) were poor. Overall proportion of stunting, underweight and thinness were 24.0%, 11.3%, and 38.9% respectively. The odds of stunting (5.98, 95% CI: 5.01-6.94) and thinness (5.44, 95% CI: 4.26-6.61) was higher among children above age 11 (p<0.05). Similarly, odds of stunting were high in school B (40.91, 95% CI: 38.7-43.0) and C (28.91, 95% CI: 26.7-31.0). However, thinness was less likely in schools B (0.003, 95% CI: -1.83-1.84) and C (0.014: 95% CI: -1.68-1.71) (p<0.001). Schools accounted for 10.7% variation in underweight, while the combination of age and school accounted for 23.3% of the variation in stunting, and 47.8% of the variation in thinness.
Conclusion
Regardless of WASH programming status, malnutrition indices were significantly influenced by a combination of school clustering and age of children. Our findings support the multicausality model for malnutrition. It is therefore important to complementing existing WASH programming efforts, with additional nutritional program such as provision of free, safe and nutritious food to school children.
Numerical Modeling and Hydrodynamic Analysis of an Offshore Bridge Superstructure
Authors: Zheng Zhaofeng , zhao cunbao , He Yao , Wang Shuaishuai , Bu Jianqing
Published: January 2022

This study deals with the numerical modeling and hydrodynamic analysis of an offshore bridge superstructure. A scaled numerical model is established and numerical analysis with a focus on hydrodynamics is conducted. The numerical model and methods are validated by the comparisons of the model tests in various conditions. Second-order wave loads on the superstructure of the offshore bridge in different motion directions are calculated, and they are compared with the first-order wave loads to quantify the effects of the second-order wave loads. Then, a full-scale numerical model of the offshore bridge substructure is established; the hydrodynamic analysis of the full-scale numerical model is performed. In addition, the experimental results of the full-scale model are estimated based on the model similarity law and model test results of the scaled model. The numerical results calculated based on the two methods for the full-scale model are comprehensively compared in different load cases. The results and findings of this work greatly facilitates the design and numerical analysis of offshore bridge superstructures.
Ivermectin-induced Gene Expression Changes in Adult Parascaris Univalens and Caenorhabditis Elegans- a Comparative Approach to Study Anthelminthic Metabolism and Resistance in Vitro
Authors: Dube Faruk , Hinas Andrea , Roy Shweta , Martin Frida , Åbrink Magnus , Svärd Staffan , Tydén Eva
Published: January 2022

Background: The nematode Parascaris univalens is one of the most prevalent parasitic pathogens infecting horses but anthelmintic resistance undermines treatment approaches. The molecular mechanisms underlying drug activity and resistance remain poorly understood in this parasite since experimental in vitro models are lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of Caenorhabditis elegans as a model for P. univalens drug metabolism/resistance studies by a comparative gene expression approach after in vitro exposure to the anthelmintic drug ivermectin (IVM).Methods: Twelve adult P. univalens worms in groups of three were exposed to ivermectin (IVM, 10-13 M, 10-11 M, 10-9 M) or left unexposed for 24 h at 37 °C, and total RNA, extracted from the anterior end of the worms, were sequenced using Illumina NovaSeq. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in metabolism, transportation, or gene expression with annotated Caernorhabditis elegans orthologues, were identified as candidate genes to be involved in IVM metabolism/resistance. Similarly, groups of 300 adult C. elegans worms were exposed to IVM (10-9 M, 10-8 M and 10-7 M) or left unexposed for 4 h at 20 °C. Quantitative RT-PCR of RNA extracted from the C. elegans worm pools was used to compare against the expression of selected P. univalens candidate genes after drug treatment.Results: After IVM exposure, 1085 DEGs were found in adult P. univalens worms but the relative gene expression changes were small and large variabilities were found between different worms. Fifteen of the DEGs were chosen for further characterization in C. elegans after comparative bioinformatics analyses. Candidate genes, including the putative drug target lgc-37, responded to IVM in P. univalens, but marginal to no responses were observed in C. elegans despite dose-dependent behavioral effects observed in C. elegans after IVM exposure. Thus, the overlap in IVM induced gene expression in this small set of genes was minor in adult worms of the two nematode species.Conclusion: This is the first time a comparative gene expression approach has evaluated C. elegans as a model to understand IVM metabolism/resistance in P. univalens. Genes in P. univalens adults that responded to IVM treatment were identified. However, identifying conserved genes in P. univalens and C. elegans involved in IVM metabolism/resistance by comparing gene expression of candidate genes proved challenging. The approach appears promising but was limited by the number of genes studied (n=15). Future studies comparing a larger number of genes between the two species may result in identification of additional candidate genes involved in drug metabolism and/or resistance.