bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Regulated Deficit Irrigation On Yield and Quality of Isatis Indigotica in a Cold and Arid Environment
Authors: Wang Yucai , Zhang Hengjia , Li Fuqiang , Xiao Rang , Deng Haoliang , Wang Zeyi , Huang Caixia , Ba Yuchun , Lei Lian , Zhang Changlong 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted to study the effects of regulated deficit irrigation on net photosynthetic rate, yield, water use and quality of Isatis indigotica under mulched drip irrigation in Hexi oasis region, which can theoretically guide researches on efficient water saving of Isatis indigotica planting. In 2016 and 2017, the experiments of regulated deficit irrigation of Isatis indigotica were carried out at Yimin Irrigation Experimental Station, Minle County, of Gansu Province, China. Except for sufficient irrigation at seedling and maturity of fleshy roots, Isatis indigotica in vegetative stage and fleshy root growth stage were subjected to mild, moderate and severe water deficit respectively, and their photosynthetic physiological indexes, yield and water use were measured. The results showed that the moderate and severe water deficits in vegetative and fleshy root growth stage significantly decreased the net photosynthetic rate and the amounts of dry matter accumulation of Isatis indigotica leaves (P<0.05), and with the increase of water deficit degree, the decrease of the net photosynthetic rate was greater; while the difference between mild water deficit and control group was not significant (P>0.05). The yield and water use efficiency of Isatis indigotica subjected to mild water deficit in vegetative and fleshy root growth stage marked the highest, reaching 8,239.56 kg/hm2 and 8,390.80 kg/hm2, 24.11 kg/hm2 and 23.62 kg/hm2·mm, respectively; other water deficit treatments were reduced, which was significantly different from the control group (P<0.05). Mild and moderate water deficit could increase the content of effective components ((R, S) - Goitrin, indirubin and indigo), and improve the quality of Isatis indigotica, but severe water deficit was not conducive to the accumulation of effective components. Therefore, the optimal water regulation treatment of Isatis indigotica is the mild water regulation deficit in vegetative and fleshy root growth stage, which can reduce the water consumption of Isatis indigotica and effectively improve the quality and its water use efficiency without reducing its yield.
Significance of the Prostate Central Gland and Total Gland Volume Ratio in the Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer Patients in the PSA Gray Zone
Authors: Guo Zhuifeng , Yang Fan , Lu Xuwei , Wu Jiawen , He Chang , Han Conghui 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Objective: To explore the significance of the prostate central gland to total gland volume ratio in the diagnosis of PSA 4-10ng/ml prostate cancer (PCa) patients. Method: A retrospective analysis was performed on patients who had undergone prostate biopsy in our hospital from July 2015 to December 2020.The anteroposterior, transverse and axial diameters of the prostate and the central prostate gland were measured using multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI). The differences in PSA, f/tPSA, PSAD and PVc/PV between the PCa group and the non-PCa group were compared. ROC curves for PCa and clinically significant PCa (csPCa) diagnosis were drawn according to PSA, f/tPSA, PSAD and PVc/PV respectively. Corresponding PSA was used as the reference standard for comparison.Results: There was no statistically significant difference in PSA and f/tPSA between the two groups (P>0.05), while there were statistically significant differences in PSAD and PVc/PV between the two groups (P<0.05). By comparing the AUC values of the ROC curve for any PCa or csPCa, the AUC value of PVc/PV was 0.876 and 0.933, and PSAD was 0.705 and 0.790. This is significantly different from that of the PSA curve (P<0.05), whereas f/tPSA was 0.589 and 0.692 showing no significant difference from the PSA curve (P>0.05).Conclusion: Low volume ratio of central prostate gland PVc/PV has a higher incidence of PCa and csPCa, which can be used as an important reference index for the diagnosis of PCa in PSA 4-10 ng/ml patients.
Molecular Imaging of Myogenic Stem/Progenitor Cells With [18F]-FHBG PET/CT System in SCID Mice Model of Post-Infarction Heart.
Authors: Wargocka-Matuszewska Weronika , Fiedorowicz Katarzyna , Rugowska Anna , Bednarowicz Karolina , Zimna Agnieszka , Cheda Łukasz , Hamankiewicz Paulina , Kilian Krzysztof , Fiedorowicz Michał , Drabik Monika , Rozwadowska Natalia , Rogulski Zbigniew , Kurpisz Maciej 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Preclinical and clinical studies have shown that stem cells can promote the regeneration of damaged tissues, but therapeutic protocols need better quality control to confirm the location and number of transplanted cells. This study describes in vivo imaging while assessing reporter gene expression by its binding to a radiolabelled molecule to the respective receptor expressed in target cells. Five mice underwent human skeletal-derived stem/progenitor cell (huSkMDS/PC EF1-HSV-TK) intracardial transplantation after induction of myocardial infarction (MI). The metabolic parameters of control and post-infarction stem progenitor cell-implanted mice were monitored using 2-deoxy-18F-fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]-FDG) before and after double promotor/reporter probe imaging with 9-(4-18F-fluoro-3-[hydroxymethyl]butyl)guanine ([18F]-FHBG) using positron emission tomography (PET) combined with computed tomography (CT). Standardized uptake values (SUVs) were then calculated based on set regions of interest (ROIs). Experimental animals were euthanized after magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Molecular [18F]-FHBG imaging of myogenic stem/progenitor cells in control and post-infarction mice confirmed the survival and proliferation of transplanted cells, as shown by an increased or stable signal from the PET apparatus throughout the 5 weeks of monitoring. huSkMDS/PC EF1-HSV-TK transplantation improved cardiac metabolic ([18F]-FDG with PET) and haemodynamic (MRI) parameters. In vivo PET/CT and MRI revealed that the precise use of a promotor/reporter probe incorporated into stem/progenitor cells may improve non-invasive monitoring of targeted cellular therapy in the cardiovascular system.
Title Page Title: The role of DNA methylation in the accumulation of iridoid glycosides in Rehmannia glutinosa
Authors: Dong Tianyu , Wei Xiaoyan , Qi Qianting , Chen Peilei , Zhou Yanqing , Liu Yongkang , Lu Cuihong , Duan Hongying 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Epigenetic regulation plays a significant role in the accumulation of plant secondary metabolites. The terpenoids are the most abundant in the secondary metabolites of plants, iridoid glycosides belong to monoterpenoids which is one of the main medicinal components of R.glutinosa. At present, study on iridoid glycosides mainly focuses on its pharmacology, accumulation and distribution, while the mechanism of its biosynthesis and the relationship between DNA methylation and plant terpene biosynthesis are seldom reports. Results: The research showed that the expression of DXS, DXR, 10HGO, G10H, GPPS and accumulation of iridoid glycosides increased at first and then decreased with the maturity of R.glutinosa, and under different concentrations of 5-azaC, the expression of DXS, DXR, 10HGO, G10H, GPPS and the accumulation of total iridoid glycosides were promoted, the promotion effect of low concentration (15μM-50μM) was more significant, the content of genomic DNA 5mC decreased significantly, the DNA methylation status of R.glutinosa genomes was also changed. DNA demethylation promoted gene expression and increased the accumulation of iridoid glycosides, but excessive demethylation inhibited gene expression and decreased the accumulation of iridoid glycosides. Conclusion: The analysis of DNA methylation, gene expression, and accumulation of iridoid glycoside provides insights into accumulation of terpenoids in R.glutinosa and lays a foundation for future studies on the effects of epigenetics on the synthesis of secondary metabolites.
Triglyceride to HDL-Cholesterol Ratio and the Incident Risk of Ischemic Heart Disease Among Koreans Without Diabetes: A Prospective Study Using National Health Insurance Data
Authors: Park Byoungjin , Jung Dong-Hyuk , Lee Hye Sun , Lee Yong-Jae 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background

Early insulin resistance without diabetes can cause cardiovascular disease, which is a public health challenge. This study aimed to investigate the longitudinal effects of the triglyceride to high-density lipid (HDL)-cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL-C), which could reflect insulin resistance from the beginning, on the incident risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD).
Methods

We assessed 16,455 individuals (8,426 men and 8,029 women) without diabetes in a community-dwelling Korean cohort using National Health Insurance data. Participants were classified based on the TG/HDL-C quartiles. Using multivariate Cox proportional-hazards regression models, we prospectively examined the hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for IHD over 50 months after baseline enrolment.
Results

During the follow-up period, 321 (2.0%) participants developed IHD. After adjusting for potential confounding variables, the HRs of IHD for TG/HDL-C quartiles were 1.00, 1.61 (95% CI, 1.05–2.48), 1.85 (95% CI, 1.21–2.81), and 2.29 (95% CI, 1.50–3.51), respectively. Compared with men, women showed higher HRs for the risk of incident IHD in the fourth quartile [HR (95% CI) = 2.98 [1.50–5.88] and 1.80 [1.02–3.17], respectively). Compared with metabolic syndrome, TG/HDL-C had a more powerful predictive value for IHD.
Conclusions

In Koreans without diabetes, an increased TG/HDL-C precedes future IHD. Additionally, sex differences may merit serious consideration when interpreting TG/HDL-C for assessing cardiovascular risks in clinical practice.
Design of Electro-optic Mach-zehnder Interferometer Based All-optical Binary Half Adder and Half Subtractor
Authors: kaur sehajpal , Singh Maninder Lal , . Priyanka , Singh Mandeep 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
By exploiting the phenomena of optical switching, different logic functions for all-optical digital signal processing has been projected. This paper presents the application of optical switching to design of all-optical half adder and half subtractor by Mach-Zehnder interferometer. All-Optical half adder and half subtractor are designed with the optimized structure of 2 × 2 Mach-Zehnder interferometer switch by electro-optic effect in lithium niobate. Numerical simulations of the proposed structure have been conducted to verify the suitability of the designed structure using Opti-BPM software. The implementation of proposed structures is simulated in MATLAB software along with the mathematical description. It is interesting to analyze that the proposed structures are useful to generate combinational and sequential logic circuits in high-speed optical signal processing and switching network.
Impacts of Climate Change on River Flows in the Upper Indus Basin and Its Subbasins
Authors: Baig Sohaib , Sayama Takahiro , Yamada Masafumi 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The upper Indus river basin (UIB) has a cold climate and generates vital runoff annually. This runoff is very important for sustainable water supply and agriculture in the region. Runoff in UIB consists of rainfall, snow and glacier melt. Winter precipitation in the basin is essential for the replenishment of glaciers which is the most dominant runoff source. Climate change may alter the runoff generation in the basin and affect the availability of water for consumption. This study employs a hydrologic model and a fine resolution MRI-AGCM (0.1875°) to quantify the impacts of climate change on river flows in UIB and its sub-basins. The simulations of river flows have shown satisfactory results when compared with observed ones. Furthermore, simulated snow-cover is compared with estimated snow-cover by MODIS and has shown good agreement. According to simulation results glaciers alone contribute two-third in the annual river flows at UIB while rainfall and snow contributes 19 and 11% respectively. Future (2075-2099) temperature will increase in every season across the UIB, highest increase is projected to take place in September-October with approximately 8 °C. While, on annual basis the temperature will increase by 5 °C. Likewise, precipitation will increase every month across UIB, specifically the increase in July-August period is very significant. Albeit the precipitation increase is highly variable on spatial scale i.e. decreasing/increasing at same time in different regions. This variable behavior of future precipitation will result in verities of hydrographs in UIB and its sub-basins. Overall in UIB the annual river flows will decrease by 16% with significant seasonal variations. Summer flows will decrease and spring flows will increase because of glacier retreat and higher precipitation. Sub-basins’ response is mixed with increasing and decreasing because of different topography, climate and other factors. These changes necessitate a more holistic approach in mitigating the changes in the water availability.
Description and Evaluation of a French Grief-Workshop for Children and Adolescents Bereaved of a Sibling or Parent
Authors: Ridley Ashley , Revet Alexis , Raynaud Jean-Philippe , Bui Eric , Suc Agnès 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Childhood bereavement is common, and is associated with elevated symptoms of grief with distress and impairment. However, few developmentally appropriate interventions to support grieving children are available to date. We developed an innovative 4-session group intervention to support grieving families and evaluated its feasibility and acceptability. Methods: The workshop consists of four sessions over four months, open to children bereaved of a sibling or parent, and co-facilitated by two mental health professionals. After an intake assessment, children were placed into closed groups according to age and relation to the deceased. The session content was balanced between creative activities and grief-related discussions. Overall satisfaction was evaluated in March-April of 2020 by an 8-question online survey of children and parents having participated between 2011 and 2019. Freeform commentaries were analysed using thematic synthesis process. Results: Of the 230 emails sent in March 2020, 46 children and 81 parents agreed to participate (55% response rate). The families reported an overall high level of satisfaction regarding the intervention that was rated as good to excellent. A majority of respondents considered their participation in the workshop helpful and in accordance with their expectations. Most would recommend the workshop to a friend, and would participate again in the group if needed. The group intervention helped reduce social isolation, facilitated grief expression, and supported the creation of a sense of community among bereaved families. Conclusions: Encouraging community and mutual support among grieving families is fundamental in bereavement care. Our 4-session workshop held over 4 months and led by mental health professionals aimed to help reduce social isolation and foster coping skills through artistic creation and group discussion. Our results highlight the potential need for family bereavement support over a longer period and a provision of a variety of services. Our intervention model is feasible for families, and further studies examining its efficacy are warranted.
Bioinformatics Analysis and Identification of Genes and Pathways in Ischemic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Cao Jing , Liu Zhaoya , Liu Jie , Li Chan , Zhang Guogang , Shi Ruizheng 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
BackgroundIschemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) is considered to be the common cause of heart failure, which has high prevalence and mortality. This study aimed to investigate the different expressed genes (DEGs) and pathways in the pathogenesis of ICM using bioinformatics analysis.MethodsThe control and ICM datasets GSE116250，GSE46224 and GSE5406 were collected from the gene expression omnibus (GEO) database. DEGs were identified using limma package of R software and co-expressed genes were identified with Venn diagrams. Then, the gene otology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed to explored the biological functions and signaling pathways. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were assembled with Cytoscape software to identify hub genes related to the pathogenesis of ICM.ResultsA total of 844 DEGs were screened from GSE116250, of which 447 up-regulated and 397 down-regulated genes respectively. A total of 99 DEGs were singled out from GSE46224, of which 58 up-regulated and 41 down-regulated genes respectively. 30 DEGs were screened from GSE5406, including 10 genes with up-regulated expression and 20 genes with down-regulated expression. 5 up-regulated and 3 down-regulated co-expressed DEGs were intersected in three datasets. GO and KEGG pathway analyses revealed that DEGs mainly enriched in collagen fibril organization, protein digestion and absorption, AGE-RAGE signaling pathway and other related pathways. Collagen alpha-1(III) chain (COL3A1), collagen alpha-2(I) chain (COL1A2) and lumican (LUM) are the three hub genes in all three datasets through PPI network analysis. The expression of 5 DEGs (SERPINA3, FCN3, COL3A1, HBB, MXRA5) in heart tissues by qRT-PCR results were consistent with our GEO analysis, while expression of 3 DEGs (ASPN, LUM, COL1A2) were opposite with GEO analysis.ConclusionsThese findings from this bioinformatics network analysis investigated key hub genes, which contributed to better understand the mechanism and new therapeutic targets of ICM.
Simultaneous Production of Bioethanol and Bioelectricity in a Membrane Less Single Chambered Yeast Fuel Cell by Saccharomyces Cerevisiae and Pichia Fermentans
Authors: Shrivastava Akansha , Pal Mamta , Sharma Rakesh Kumar 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Production of bioethanol and bioelectricity is a promising approach through microbial electrochemical technology. Sugars are metabolized by yeast to produces ethanol, CO2 and energy. Surplus electrons produced during the fermentation can be transferred through the circuit to generate electricity in a Microbial fuel cell (MFC). In the present study, a membrane less single chambered microbial fuel cell was developed for simultaneous production of bioethanol and bioelectricity. Pichia fermentans along with a well-known ethanol producing yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was allowed to ferment glucose. S. cerevisiae demonstrated maximum open circuit voltage (OCV) 0.287 ± 0.009 V and power density 4.473 mW m− 2 on 15th day, with a maximum ethanol yield of 5.6% (v/v) on 12th day. P. fermentans demonstrated a maximum OCV of 0.318 ± 0.0039 V and power density of 8.299 mW m− 2 on 15th day with ethanol yield of 4.7 % (v/v) on 12th day. Coulombic efficiency (CE) increased gradually from 0.002–0.471 % and 0.012–0.089 % in the case of S. cerevisiae and P. fermentans, respectively, during 15 days of experiment. Thus, the result indicated that Single chambered fuel cell can be explored for its potential applications for ethanol production along with clean energy generation.
Flood Hazards and Farm Based Agricultural Production Risks Management Practices in Flood Prone Areas in Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: Ahmad Dilshad , Afzal Muhammad 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Climate induced disasters more specifically the floods have caused severe damages to agriculture sector in Pakistan. These climatic risks have constrained farming community to adopt numerous risk management strategies to overcoming such risks. This research work attempted to examine the association of risk management tools with farmer’s perception of risk, risk averse attitude and various socioeconomic factors. The study employed the sample data of 398 farmers from flood prone two districts of Punjab, Pakistan. To investigate the association of dependent and independent variables this study used the multivariate probit model. Results of the study illustrated as heavy rains and floods consider not significant source of risk for large farmers in the study area while for small farmer these indicated as high risks as most of small farmers were more risk averse. Estimates of multivariate probit model interpreted as age of farmer, heavy rains risk perception and landholding size were positively relationship with risk management tool of depletion of assets. Farmers education, off-farm income, age and risk averse attitude of farmer were positive whereas experience of farming were negatively linked with reduction of consumption. Furthermore, experience of farming, risk averse attitude, heavy rains and floods risk perception were positively association with diversification adoption. Flood prone farming community of the study area is more vulnerable to these climatic risks and also relying traditional strategies for risk management. There is need of some specific agriculture base measure such as crop insurance, extending formal credit and flood base measure as pre-flood warning system, flood rescue management and post flood rehabilitation to overcome these climatic risks.
Performance Analysis and Design Optimization of Shell and Tube Heat Exchangers
Authors: math praveen 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Shell and Tube heat exchangers are having special importance in boilers, oil coolers, condensers, pre-heaters. They are also widely used in process applications as well as the refrigeration and air conditioning industry. The robustness and medium weighted shape of Shell and Tube heat exchangers make them well suited for high pressure operations. The aim of this study is to experiment, validate and to provide design suggestion to optimize the shell and tube heat exchanger (STHE). The heat exchanger is made of acrylic material with 2 baffles and 7 tubes made of stainless steel. Hot fluid flows inside the tube and cold fluid flows over the tube in the shell. 4 K-type thermocouples were used to read the hot and cold fluids inlet and outlet temperatures. Experiments were carried out for various combinations of hot and cold water flow rates with different hot water inlet temperatures. The flow conditions are limited to the lab size model of the experimental setup. A commercial CFD code was used to study the thermal and hydraulic flow field inside the shell and tubes. CFD methodology is developed to appropriately represent the flow physics and the procedure is validated with the experimental results. Turbulent flow in tube side is observed for all flow conditions, while the shell side has laminar flow except for extreme hot water temperatures. Hence transition k-kl-omega model was used to predict the flow better for transition cases. Realizable k- epsilon model with non-equilibrium wall function was used for turbulent cases. Temperature and velocity profiles are examined in detail and observed that the flow remains almost uniform to the tubes thus limiting heat transfer. Approximately 2/3 rd of the shell side flow does not surround the tubes due to biased flow contributing to reduced overall heat transfer and increased pressure loss. On the basis of these findings an attempt has been made to enhance the heat transfer by inducing turbulence in the shel l side flow. The two baffles were rotated in opposite direction to each other to achieve more circulation in the shell side flow and provide more contact with tube surface. Various positions of the baffles were simulated and studied using CFD analysis and th e results are summarized with respect to heat transfer and pressure loss.