This study aims to identify common contaminants in well water linked to an increase in colorectal cancer(CRC)incidence rates in North Dakota(ND)counties.County-specific incidence rates for CRC were obtained from the N...This study aims to identify common contaminants in well water linked to an increase in colorectal cancer(CRC)incidence rates in North Dakota(ND)counties.County-specific incidence rates for CRC were obtained from the ND Statewide Cancer Registry.Corresponding demographic,agricultural,and geophysical data were obtained from population-based sources.Associations between well water contaminants and CRC incidence were examined for 16 counties in ND with complete well water profiles between 1997-2019.Data were analyzed by multiple linear regression.Iron in well water exhibited a significant positive association with CRC incidence(4.75,P=0.001),and barium exhibited a small,but significant negative association(-0.06907,P=0.01).Residents in counties in ND with prevalent well water usage contaminated with iron may be at higher risk for CRC.展开更多
γ-Secretase,called“the proteasome of the membrane,”is a membrane-embedded protease complex that cleaves 150+peptide substrates with central roles in biology and medicine,including amyloid precursor protein and the ...γ-Secretase,called“the proteasome of the membrane,”is a membrane-embedded protease complex that cleaves 150+peptide substrates with central roles in biology and medicine,including amyloid precursor protein and the Notch family of cell-surface receptors.Mutations inγ-secretase and amyloid precursor protein lead to early-onset familial Alzheimer’s disease.γ-Secretase has thus served as a critical drug target for treating familial Alzheimer’s disease and the more common late-onset Alzheimer’s disease as well.However,critical gaps remain in understanding the mechanisms of processive proteolysis of substrates,the effects of familial Alzheimer’s disease mutations,and allosteric modulation of substrate cleavage byγ-secretase.In this review,we focus on recent studies of structural dynamic mechanisms ofγ-secretase.Different mechanisms,including the“Fit-Stay-Trim,”“Sliding-Unwinding,”and“Tilting-Unwinding,”have been proposed for substrate proteolysis of amyloid precursor protein byγ-secretase based on all-atom molecular dynamics simulations.While an incorrect registry of the Notch1 substrate was identified in the cryo-electron microscopy structure of Notch1-boundγ-secretase,molecular dynamics simulations on a resolved model of Notch1-boundγ-secretase that was reconstructed using the amyloid precursor protein-boundγ-secretase as a template successfully capturedγ-secretase activation for proper cleavages of both wildtype and mutant Notch,being consistent with biochemical experimental findings.The approach could be potentially applied to decipher the processing mechanisms of various substrates byγ-secretase.In addition,controversy over the effects of familial Alzheimer’s disease mutations,particularly the issue of whether they stabilize or destabilizeγ-secretase-substrate complexes,is discussed.Finally,an outlook is provided for future studies ofγ-secretase,including pathways of substrate binding and product release,effects of modulators on familial Alzheimer’s disease mutations of theγ-secretase-substrate complexes.Comprehensive understanding of the functional mechanisms ofγ-secretase will greatly facilitate the rational design of effective drug molecules for treating familial Alzheimer’s disease and perhaps Alzheimer’s disease in general.展开更多
This study analyzed how impressions are formed online depending on the type of social media and the implications that may come from the over-disclosure of information. Using a Qualtrics survey, 97 participants viewed ...This study analyzed how impressions are formed online depending on the type of social media and the implications that may come from the over-disclosure of information. Using a Qualtrics survey, 97 participants viewed the profile of a female teaching assistant on Twitter and Facebook. While there was little difference between the two social media, the use of self-disclosure on Twitter seemed slightly more inappropriate for sharing personal information.展开更多
Introduction: Vaccination faces several obstacles in the fight against COVID-19, yet it has been identified as one of the most effective means of preventing new epidemics of COVID-19. The aim was to contribute to impr...Introduction: Vaccination faces several obstacles in the fight against COVID-19, yet it has been identified as one of the most effective means of preventing new epidemics of COVID-19. The aim was to contribute to improving vaccination coverage against COVID-19 in the Kindu health zone. Method: We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study with an analytical focus, using a questionnaire that enabled us to carry out a survey from October 03 to 30, 2022. Our target study population was residents of the Kindu health zone. A total of 420 subjects participated in our study, including 42 per site. Results: The study revealed a low proportion of vaccinated subjects (38.3%) and a high proportion of non-vaccinated subjects (61.70%). Non-belief in the efficacy of vaccines (p = 0.001), infodemia (p = 0.001) and respect for ethnic norms (p = 0.001) were identified as perceived barriers to vaccination. Fear of being branded with the “666” beast badge (p = 0.004) as the perceived severity. Respondents’ perceptions of mass vaccination against COVID-19 are mixed, and their opinions and expectations of COVID-19 vaccination in the town of Kindu are divided. Conclusion: In order to increase the proportion of people vaccinated against COVID-19, it is suggested here to increase the population’s ability to detect false information through a well-structured communication and health education program.展开更多
AIM:To report the incidence of epiretinal membrane(ERM)formation following panretinal photocoagulation(PRP)as the treatment for diabetic retinopathy(DR).METHODS:Retrospective cross-sectional study of patient charts be...AIM:To report the incidence of epiretinal membrane(ERM)formation following panretinal photocoagulation(PRP)as the treatment for diabetic retinopathy(DR).METHODS:Retrospective cross-sectional study of patient charts between January 1^(st),2010 to January 1^(st),2017 with at least 1y follow-up data.All 809 patients treated with PRP for DR were evaluated for exclusion criteria and 73 eyes remained after exclusion for confounding variables related to ERM formation such as other procedures or diseases.Outcomes were determined through medical record review and masked review of optical coherence tomography(OCT)images.Cohen’s kappa was completed to determine if there was an agreement between masked retinal specialists on OCT evaluations.Univariate logistic regression was used to determine the unadjusted odds ratio for patient and procedural characteristics on the formation of ERMs.Multiple logistic regression was then completed on select variables that met the cutoff of 0.25 for a statistically significant contribution by the Wald test with the sequential addition of clinical variables that contributed positively to the model.RESULTS:Among the 73 eyes studied,9.6%formed an ERM with an average time to formation of 1.4y.The minimum power uses during PRP was found to be statistically significant between non-ERM formers and ERM formers(P=0.044).When adjusting for all selected variables aside from minimum power used,multiple logistic regression determined that for every 10 mW increase in minimum power used during PRP,there is an increase in log odds of 1.009(SE:0.003,P=0.014).CONCLUSION:The incidence of ERM formation in 2y following treatment of DR with PRP is roughly 1 in every 10 eyes treated.展开更多
AlphaFold[1]has turned everyone into a structural biologist.No need for knowledge of Fourier transforms or spectral density,driven by artificial intelligence(AI),all one needs to do is enter the primary structure of a...AlphaFold[1]has turned everyone into a structural biologist.No need for knowledge of Fourier transforms or spectral density,driven by artificial intelligence(AI),all one needs to do is enter the primary structure of a folded protein,and out pops a tertiary structure nearly as good as one from an experiment-based structure.展开更多
BACKGROUND Since being declared as a pandemic on March 11,2020,coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)has profoundly influenced heart and lung transplant programs,impacting donor availability,patient management,and healthc...BACKGROUND Since being declared as a pandemic on March 11,2020,coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)has profoundly influenced heart and lung transplant programs,impacting donor availability,patient management,and healthcare resources.This study offers a citation-based review of the research output on this subject,seeking to understand how the transplant community has responded to these challenges.Through a review of literature from the beginning of the pandemic to early 2023,we evaluate the shifts in academic emphasis and the emerging trends in heart and lung transplantation during the COVID-19 period.AIM To assess the impact of COVID-19 on heart and lung transplantation research,highlighting key themes,contri-butions,and trends in the literature during the pandemic.METHODS We conducted an extensive search of the Web of Science database on February 9,2023.We employed the terms"transplant"and"transplantation",as well as organ-specific terms like"heart","cardiac",and"lung",combined with COVID-19-related terms such as"COVID-19","coronavirus",and"SARS-CoV-2".The search encompassed public-ations from March 11,2020 to February 9,2023.Data on authors,journals,countries,institutions,and publication types(articles,reviews,conference papers,letters,notes,editorials,brief surveys,book chapters,and errata)were analyzed.The data was visualized and processed with VOSviewer 1.6.18 and Excel.RESULTS We included 847 research items.There were 392 articles(46.3%)and 88 reviews(10.3%).The studies included were referenced 7757 times,with an average of 9.17 citations per article.The majority of the publications(n=317)were conducted by institutes from the United States with highest citations(n=4948)on this subject,followed by Germany,Italy,and France.The majority of papers(n=101)were published in the Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation.CONCLUSION To the fullest extent of our knowledge,this is the first bibliometric study of COVID-19's impact on heart and lung transplantation to offer a visual analysis of the literature in order to predict future frontiers and provide an over-view of current research hotspots.展开更多
The pervasive use of photo editing applications such as Photoshop and FaceTune has significantly altered societal beauty standards, particularly for individuals with skin of color, often leading to unrealistic expecta...The pervasive use of photo editing applications such as Photoshop and FaceTune has significantly altered societal beauty standards, particularly for individuals with skin of color, often leading to unrealistic expectations regarding skin appearance and health. These tools allow users to smooth skin textures, lighten skin tones, and erase imperfections, perpetuating Eurocentric beauty ideals that frequently marginalize the natural diversity of skin tones and textures. Consequently, individuals with skin of color may seek dermatological interventions—such as skin lightening treatments, aggressive acne scar revisions, and other cosmetic procedures—aimed at achieving appearances that align more closely with digitally manipulated images. This pursuit of an unattainable aesthetic can result in increased dissatisfaction with common skin conditions like hyperpigmentation and keloids, which are often misrepresented in edited photos. Additionally, the psychological impact of these alterations can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy, contributing to conditions such as anxiety and body dysmorphic disorder. Dermatologists face the dual challenge of addressing patients’ clinical needs while also managing their expectations shaped by digital enhancements. To combat this, it is essential for dermatologists to integrate patient education that emphasizes the beauty of diverse skin tones and the discrepancies between digital images and authentic skin health. By fostering an understanding of realistic outcomes and promoting the acceptance of natural skin characteristics, dermatologists can empower individuals with skin of color to prioritize authentic skin health over digitally influenced ideals, ultimately leading to more satisfying dermatological care and improved self-image.展开更多
Windthrow plays a critical role in maintaining species diversity in temperate forests. Do large-scale strong wind events(i.e., tropical cyclones, including hurricanes,typhoons and severe cyclonic storms) increase tree...Windthrow plays a critical role in maintaining species diversity in temperate forests. Do large-scale strong wind events(i.e., tropical cyclones, including hurricanes,typhoons and severe cyclonic storms) increase tree diversity in severely damaged forest areas? Do hurricanes(tropical cyclones that occurs in the Atlantic Ocean and northeastern Pacific Ocean) lead to altered relative abundance of shade-tolerant and shade-intolerant species? Did historic hurricanes alter the succession trajectory of the damaged forests? We used nearly 70-year tree demographic data to assess the effects of two major hurricanes on woody species diversity in Piedmont forests, North Carolina, USA. Species richness(S) and Shannon–Wiener's diversity index(H') were used to evaluate the changes in tree diversity. The changes in composition were assessed with Nonmetric Multidimensional Scaling. The pre-hurricane successional phase can strongly influence both the damage severity and subsequent responses. Although there is often an immediate drop in diversity following a hurricane, understory tree diversity quickly increases to levels that exceed those prior to the disturbance. This leads to an increase in diversity in stands that were substantially damaged. Hurricanes significantly decrease the dominance of shade-intolerant canopy species while increasing preestablished, more shade-tolerant species. We conclude that large, and infrequent hurricanes help to maintain local tree diversity, but also accelerate the increase in dominance of understory species such as red maple and beech.展开更多
Water is a key restricting factor of the economic development and eco-environmental protection in arid inland river basins of Northwest China. Although water supplies are short, the water utilization structure and the...Water is a key restricting factor of the economic development and eco-environmental protection in arid inland river basins of Northwest China. Although water supplies are short, the water utilization structure and the corresponding industrial structure are unbalanced. We constructed a System Dynamic Model for mutual optimization based on the mechanism of their interaction. This model is applied to the Heihe River Basin where the share of limited water resources among ecosystem, production and human living is optimized. Results show that, by mutual optimization, the water utilization structure and the industrial structures fit in with each other. And the relationships between the upper, middle and lower reaches of the Heihe River Basin can be harmonized. Mutual benefits of ecology, society and economy can be reached, and a sustainable ecology-production-living system can be obtained. This study gives a new insight and method for the sustainable utilization of water resources in arid inland river basins.展开更多
A significant number and range of challenges besetting sustainability can be traced to the actions and inter actions of multiple autonomous agents(people mostly)and the entities they create(e.g.,institutions,policies,...A significant number and range of challenges besetting sustainability can be traced to the actions and inter actions of multiple autonomous agents(people mostly)and the entities they create(e.g.,institutions,policies,social network)in the corresponding social-environmental systems(SES).To address these challenges,we need to understand decisions made and actions taken by agents,the outcomes of their actions,including the feedbacks on the corresponding agents and environment.The science of complex adaptive systems-complex adaptive sys tems(CAS)science-has a significant potential to handle such challenges.We address the advantages of CAS science for sustainability by identifying the key elements and challenges in sustainability science,the generic features of CAS,and the key advances and challenges in modeling CAS.Artificial intelligence and data science combined with agent-based modeling promise to improve understanding of agents’behaviors,detect SES struc tures,and formulate SES mechanisms.展开更多
Objective:To investigate the efficacy and effectiveness of albendazole and mebendazole in the treatment of Ascaris lumbricoides(A.lumbricoides) in the North-Western Indonesia.Methods: 229 primary school children who w...Objective:To investigate the efficacy and effectiveness of albendazole and mebendazole in the treatment of Ascaris lumbricoides(A.lumbricoides) in the North-Western Indonesia.Methods: 229 primary school children who were positive for A.lumbricoides in their stool were recruited in the study.123 children received single-dose of 400 mg albendazole and 106 children received single-dose 500 mg of mebendazole.After 1 week,their stools were examined for the cure rate (CR) and egg reduction rate(ERR).Egg culture was also performed and observation was made on week-1,-3,-4.Results:have shown a non-significant difference in CR 96.7%vs.100%:and ERR of 99.3%vs.100.0%for albendazole and mebendazole groups respectively(P】0.05).In-vitro egg culture has shown trends of decrease in the percentage of the unfertilized eggs and in≥2 cell eggs in both treatment groups(P【0.05).The embryonated eggs from the albendazole groups has shown an increase from 7.3%on week-1 to 13.8%on week-4,whilst the mebendazole group has shown a constant increase during the whole 4 weeks of culture from 7.5%to 28.3%(P【0.01). Conclusions:No evidence of drug resistance is noted so far from the area of North-Western part of Indonesia.In addition,although both drugs showed incomplete ovicidal effects,single-dose albendazole is better than mebendazole in sterilizing A.lumbricoides eggs.展开更多
Purpose:This paper aims to examine how the adoption decision of the internet banking in North Cyprus would be affected based on the following dimensions;the technology features,the personal characteristics,the social ...Purpose:This paper aims to examine how the adoption decision of the internet banking in North Cyprus would be affected based on the following dimensions;the technology features,the personal characteristics,the social environment and the expected risk.Design/methodology/approach:A self-administered survey was conducted with 291 participants responded to it.The partial least square approach of the structural equation modeling(PLS-SEM)is employed to investigate the direct effects of the proposed factors on the adoption decision.Additionally,the mediation test is used to examine indirect effects.Findings:Results showed that even though the participants appreciated the benefits of the online banking as the perceived usefulness factor exerts the greatest direct effect,they would rather use clear and easy-to-use websites,adding to that their assessments of the usefulness of these services are significantly influenced by the surrounding people’s views and prior experience.This is demonstrated by the total effects of the perceived ease of use and the subjective norm factors,which are greater than the direct effect of the perceived usefulness factor since both of these factors have significant direct and indirect effects mediated by the perceived usefulness factor.The negative impact of the perceived risk factor is weak compared to the previous factors.While the personal innovativeness factor showed the weakest effect among the proposed factors.展开更多
Within the semi-desert landscape of northern Libya, two sub-humid escarpments occur: Al-Akhdar in the east and Nafusa (Jabal Al-Gharbi) in the west. This study compares plant communities in the two regions, which are ...Within the semi-desert landscape of northern Libya, two sub-humid escarpments occur: Al-Akhdar in the east and Nafusa (Jabal Al-Gharbi) in the west. This study compares plant communities in the two regions, which are along an elevation gradient, in terms of species composition and diversity, frequency of different Raunkiaer life forms, and reproductive phenology. The two regions differed in species composition and life-form frequency between regions and between elevation zones within each region. Patterns were associated with the lower rainfall and lower moisture-holding capacity of soils at Nafusa, resulting in more xeric conditions. Only 13% of species were shared between the two regional landscapes. Species diversity, life-form frequency, and duration of the flowering-fruiting phenophase were all affected by elevation above sea level. The duration of flowering and fruiting in spring and fall was associated with environmental conditions, although there were different thresholds in the two regions. There was both a spring and fall episode of flowering at Nafusa, but only spring flowering at Al-Akhdar. It is anticipated that there will be a gradual shift of plant communities to higher elevations and loss of certain sensitive species in response to ongoing climate change.展开更多
Across North America, forests dominated by Quercus rubra L. (northern red oak), a moderately shade-tolerant tree species, are undergoing successional replacement by shade-tolerant competitors. Under closed canopies, Q...Across North America, forests dominated by Quercus rubra L. (northern red oak), a moderately shade-tolerant tree species, are undergoing successional replacement by shade-tolerant competitors. Under closed canopies, Q. rubra seedlings are unable to compete with these shade-tolerant species and do not recruit to upper forest strata. In Europe, natural regeneration of introduced Q. rubra is often successful despite the absence of fire, which promotes regeneration in the native range. Considering that understorey light availability is a major factor affecting recruitment of seedlings, we hypothesized that Q. rubra seedlings are more shade tolerant in the introduced range than in the native range. Morphological traits and biomass allocation patterns of seedlings indicative of shade tolerance were compared for Q. rubra and three co-occurring native species in two closed-canopy forests in the native range (Ontario, Canada) and introduced range (Baden-Württemburg, Germany). In the native range, Q. rubra allocated a greater proportion of biomass to roots, while in the introduced range, growth and allocation patterns favored the development of leaves. Q. rubra seedlings had greater annual increases in height, diameter and biomass in the introduced range. Q. rubra seedlings in the introduced range were also younger;however, they had a mean area per leaf and a total leaf area per seedling that were five times greater than seedlings in the native range. Such differences in morphological traits and allocation patterns support the hypothesis that Q. rubra expresses greater shade tolerance in the introduced range, and that natural regeneration of Q. rubra is not as limited by shade as in the native range. The ability of Q. rubra seedlings to grow faster under closed canopies in Europe may explain the discrepancy in regeneration success of this species in native and introduced ranges. Future research should confirm findings of this study over a greater geographical range in native and introduced ecosystems, and examine the genetic and environmental bases of observed differences in plant traits.展开更多
Fahliyan Formation(Neocomian) is one of the important hydrocarbon reservoirs of Khami group in southwest of Iran.This Formation has 332 m thickness in typical section and mainly consists of carbonate rocks.In this stu...Fahliyan Formation(Neocomian) is one of the important hydrocarbon reservoirs of Khami group in southwest of Iran.This Formation has 332 m thickness in typical section and mainly consists of carbonate rocks.In this study,the Fahliyan Formation was investigated in subsurface section of AZN#B Well in the north Dezful embayment(with 281 m thickness).The lower boundary of Fahliyan Forma-展开更多
The study area is located in the west of Iran and in the north of Asadabad. This is the range between Eastern lengths of 00', 48° to 15', 48°, and northern latitudes of 45', 34° to 00', ...The study area is located in the west of Iran and in the north of Asadabad. This is the range between Eastern lengths of 00', 48° to 15', 48°, and northern latitudes of 45', 34° to 00', 35°. This range is limited from north to the asphalt road of Hamadan Qorveh, Sanandaj, and from the East and Southeast, to Asadabad of Kermanshah-Hamedan road, and from the West to Chahardoli plain and from the south to the plains and the town of Asadabad. According to the geological map of the study area, intrusive outcropping of diorite-gabbro of Almoqlaq, and quartz syenite is at Almoqlaq mountains. Intrusive rocks of the region, based on the total Alkali oxide, against silica rocks of study area fall within the quartz monzonite, gabbro, granodiorite, granite, and syenite between quartz and alkali granite. And granite in the study area (due to aluminum saturation index), is in the range of metaluminous, and metaluminous to peraluminous. Based on normalized spider diagram with the upper crust, the typical study area belongs to this model, and most of the elements are placed near or on standard line of 1.展开更多
The general purpose of this study is to formulate a portrait of the issue of online lectures on accounting students of the Faculty of Economics and Business during the covid-19 pandemic at the Muhammadiyah University ...The general purpose of this study is to formulate a portrait of the issue of online lectures on accounting students of the Faculty of Economics and Business during the covid-19 pandemic at the Muhammadiyah University of North Sumatra.The research was conducted at the Faculty of Economics and Business.This type of research is survey research.The research sample is Grade 6/B Accounting Student of the Faculty of Economics and Business at the Muhammadiyah University of North Sumatra.Data collection using interviews and question lists.Furthermore,data analysis is used i.e.SPSS statistics.The results showed,The media used by lecturers is very helpful to students in the learning process,related to the learning materials students agree each lecturer provides material following RPS,For every lecturer who conveys the material turns out that students do not understand what has been conveyed,even though students are given regular assignments,some lecturers are less respect for students who have impaired connections or networks,And this online lecture system makes students very complain about data packages.Students are more respect to face-to-face learning,and it turns out that the online lecture system has not been implemented to the maximum.展开更多
Bloodroot distribution and abundance were assessed in the Waynesville watershed in Western North Carolina. This high quality site provides a benchmark for bloodroot populations in the region. Summary data from an inve...Bloodroot distribution and abundance were assessed in the Waynesville watershed in Western North Carolina. This high quality site provides a benchmark for bloodroot populations in the region. Summary data from an inventory of nine stands of bloodroot in the watershed are presented. Analysis of inventory data reveals that both petiole height and petiole diameter are negatively associated with overstory tree DBH, suggesting that there is an optimal overstory structure for bloodroot. In the Waynesville watershed, seven out of nine stands have an average tree DBH between 27.38 cm and 36.17 cm. Allometric equations re-lating belowground biomass to bloodroot petiole height and diameter have strong explanatory power, indicating that harvesters could selectively harvest large rhizomes by targeting plants with larger petioles. These results in combination with natural history, field observations and literature provide insights on the sustainability of bloodroot harvest in Southern Appalachia. Wild bloodroot is likely becoming scarce due to loss of favorable sites, such as rich cove forests, as well as harvest pressure.展开更多
基金Supported by The National Institute of General Medical Sciences(NIGMS),No.1P20GM155890-01 to GGS.
文摘This study aims to identify common contaminants in well water linked to an increase in colorectal cancer(CRC)incidence rates in North Dakota(ND)counties.County-specific incidence rates for CRC were obtained from the ND Statewide Cancer Registry.Corresponding demographic,agricultural,and geophysical data were obtained from population-based sources.Associations between well water contaminants and CRC incidence were examined for 16 counties in ND with complete well water profiles between 1997-2019.Data were analyzed by multiple linear regression.Iron in well water exhibited a significant positive association with CRC incidence(4.75,P=0.001),and barium exhibited a small,but significant negative association(-0.06907,P=0.01).Residents in counties in ND with prevalent well water usage contaminated with iron may be at higher risk for CRC.
基金supported in part by Award 2121063 from National Science Foundation(to YM)AG66986 from the National Institutes of Health(to MSW).
文摘γ-Secretase,called“the proteasome of the membrane,”is a membrane-embedded protease complex that cleaves 150+peptide substrates with central roles in biology and medicine,including amyloid precursor protein and the Notch family of cell-surface receptors.Mutations inγ-secretase and amyloid precursor protein lead to early-onset familial Alzheimer’s disease.γ-Secretase has thus served as a critical drug target for treating familial Alzheimer’s disease and the more common late-onset Alzheimer’s disease as well.However,critical gaps remain in understanding the mechanisms of processive proteolysis of substrates,the effects of familial Alzheimer’s disease mutations,and allosteric modulation of substrate cleavage byγ-secretase.In this review,we focus on recent studies of structural dynamic mechanisms ofγ-secretase.Different mechanisms,including the“Fit-Stay-Trim,”“Sliding-Unwinding,”and“Tilting-Unwinding,”have been proposed for substrate proteolysis of amyloid precursor protein byγ-secretase based on all-atom molecular dynamics simulations.While an incorrect registry of the Notch1 substrate was identified in the cryo-electron microscopy structure of Notch1-boundγ-secretase,molecular dynamics simulations on a resolved model of Notch1-boundγ-secretase that was reconstructed using the amyloid precursor protein-boundγ-secretase as a template successfully capturedγ-secretase activation for proper cleavages of both wildtype and mutant Notch,being consistent with biochemical experimental findings.The approach could be potentially applied to decipher the processing mechanisms of various substrates byγ-secretase.In addition,controversy over the effects of familial Alzheimer’s disease mutations,particularly the issue of whether they stabilize or destabilizeγ-secretase-substrate complexes,is discussed.Finally,an outlook is provided for future studies ofγ-secretase,including pathways of substrate binding and product release,effects of modulators on familial Alzheimer’s disease mutations of theγ-secretase-substrate complexes.Comprehensive understanding of the functional mechanisms ofγ-secretase will greatly facilitate the rational design of effective drug molecules for treating familial Alzheimer’s disease and perhaps Alzheimer’s disease in general.
文摘This study analyzed how impressions are formed online depending on the type of social media and the implications that may come from the over-disclosure of information. Using a Qualtrics survey, 97 participants viewed the profile of a female teaching assistant on Twitter and Facebook. While there was little difference between the two social media, the use of self-disclosure on Twitter seemed slightly more inappropriate for sharing personal information.
文摘Introduction: Vaccination faces several obstacles in the fight against COVID-19, yet it has been identified as one of the most effective means of preventing new epidemics of COVID-19. The aim was to contribute to improving vaccination coverage against COVID-19 in the Kindu health zone. Method: We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study with an analytical focus, using a questionnaire that enabled us to carry out a survey from October 03 to 30, 2022. Our target study population was residents of the Kindu health zone. A total of 420 subjects participated in our study, including 42 per site. Results: The study revealed a low proportion of vaccinated subjects (38.3%) and a high proportion of non-vaccinated subjects (61.70%). Non-belief in the efficacy of vaccines (p = 0.001), infodemia (p = 0.001) and respect for ethnic norms (p = 0.001) were identified as perceived barriers to vaccination. Fear of being branded with the “666” beast badge (p = 0.004) as the perceived severity. Respondents’ perceptions of mass vaccination against COVID-19 are mixed, and their opinions and expectations of COVID-19 vaccination in the town of Kindu are divided. Conclusion: In order to increase the proportion of people vaccinated against COVID-19, it is suggested here to increase the population’s ability to detect false information through a well-structured communication and health education program.
文摘AIM:To report the incidence of epiretinal membrane(ERM)formation following panretinal photocoagulation(PRP)as the treatment for diabetic retinopathy(DR).METHODS:Retrospective cross-sectional study of patient charts between January 1^(st),2010 to January 1^(st),2017 with at least 1y follow-up data.All 809 patients treated with PRP for DR were evaluated for exclusion criteria and 73 eyes remained after exclusion for confounding variables related to ERM formation such as other procedures or diseases.Outcomes were determined through medical record review and masked review of optical coherence tomography(OCT)images.Cohen’s kappa was completed to determine if there was an agreement between masked retinal specialists on OCT evaluations.Univariate logistic regression was used to determine the unadjusted odds ratio for patient and procedural characteristics on the formation of ERMs.Multiple logistic regression was then completed on select variables that met the cutoff of 0.25 for a statistically significant contribution by the Wald test with the sequential addition of clinical variables that contributed positively to the model.RESULTS:Among the 73 eyes studied,9.6%formed an ERM with an average time to formation of 1.4y.The minimum power uses during PRP was found to be statistically significant between non-ERM formers and ERM formers(P=0.044).When adjusting for all selected variables aside from minimum power used,multiple logistic regression determined that for every 10 mW increase in minimum power used during PRP,there is an increase in log odds of 1.009(SE:0.003,P=0.014).CONCLUSION:The incidence of ERM formation in 2y following treatment of DR with PRP is roughly 1 in every 10 eyes treated.
基金supported by the U.S.National Natural Science Foundation(CHE-2203505 and MCB-2335137).
文摘AlphaFold[1]has turned everyone into a structural biologist.No need for knowledge of Fourier transforms or spectral density,driven by artificial intelligence(AI),all one needs to do is enter the primary structure of a folded protein,and out pops a tertiary structure nearly as good as one from an experiment-based structure.
文摘BACKGROUND Since being declared as a pandemic on March 11,2020,coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)has profoundly influenced heart and lung transplant programs,impacting donor availability,patient management,and healthcare resources.This study offers a citation-based review of the research output on this subject,seeking to understand how the transplant community has responded to these challenges.Through a review of literature from the beginning of the pandemic to early 2023,we evaluate the shifts in academic emphasis and the emerging trends in heart and lung transplantation during the COVID-19 period.AIM To assess the impact of COVID-19 on heart and lung transplantation research,highlighting key themes,contri-butions,and trends in the literature during the pandemic.METHODS We conducted an extensive search of the Web of Science database on February 9,2023.We employed the terms"transplant"and"transplantation",as well as organ-specific terms like"heart","cardiac",and"lung",combined with COVID-19-related terms such as"COVID-19","coronavirus",and"SARS-CoV-2".The search encompassed public-ations from March 11,2020 to February 9,2023.Data on authors,journals,countries,institutions,and publication types(articles,reviews,conference papers,letters,notes,editorials,brief surveys,book chapters,and errata)were analyzed.The data was visualized and processed with VOSviewer 1.6.18 and Excel.RESULTS We included 847 research items.There were 392 articles(46.3%)and 88 reviews(10.3%).The studies included were referenced 7757 times,with an average of 9.17 citations per article.The majority of the publications(n=317)were conducted by institutes from the United States with highest citations(n=4948)on this subject,followed by Germany,Italy,and France.The majority of papers(n=101)were published in the Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation.CONCLUSION To the fullest extent of our knowledge,this is the first bibliometric study of COVID-19's impact on heart and lung transplantation to offer a visual analysis of the literature in order to predict future frontiers and provide an over-view of current research hotspots.
文摘The pervasive use of photo editing applications such as Photoshop and FaceTune has significantly altered societal beauty standards, particularly for individuals with skin of color, often leading to unrealistic expectations regarding skin appearance and health. These tools allow users to smooth skin textures, lighten skin tones, and erase imperfections, perpetuating Eurocentric beauty ideals that frequently marginalize the natural diversity of skin tones and textures. Consequently, individuals with skin of color may seek dermatological interventions—such as skin lightening treatments, aggressive acne scar revisions, and other cosmetic procedures—aimed at achieving appearances that align more closely with digitally manipulated images. This pursuit of an unattainable aesthetic can result in increased dissatisfaction with common skin conditions like hyperpigmentation and keloids, which are often misrepresented in edited photos. Additionally, the psychological impact of these alterations can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy, contributing to conditions such as anxiety and body dysmorphic disorder. Dermatologists face the dual challenge of addressing patients’ clinical needs while also managing their expectations shaped by digital enhancements. To combat this, it is essential for dermatologists to integrate patient education that emphasizes the beauty of diverse skin tones and the discrepancies between digital images and authentic skin health. By fostering an understanding of realistic outcomes and promoting the acceptance of natural skin characteristics, dermatologists can empower individuals with skin of color to prioritize authentic skin health over digitally influenced ideals, ultimately leading to more satisfying dermatological care and improved self-image.
基金supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation(DEB-97-07551)
文摘Windthrow plays a critical role in maintaining species diversity in temperate forests. Do large-scale strong wind events(i.e., tropical cyclones, including hurricanes,typhoons and severe cyclonic storms) increase tree diversity in severely damaged forest areas? Do hurricanes(tropical cyclones that occurs in the Atlantic Ocean and northeastern Pacific Ocean) lead to altered relative abundance of shade-tolerant and shade-intolerant species? Did historic hurricanes alter the succession trajectory of the damaged forests? We used nearly 70-year tree demographic data to assess the effects of two major hurricanes on woody species diversity in Piedmont forests, North Carolina, USA. Species richness(S) and Shannon–Wiener's diversity index(H') were used to evaluate the changes in tree diversity. The changes in composition were assessed with Nonmetric Multidimensional Scaling. The pre-hurricane successional phase can strongly influence both the damage severity and subsequent responses. Although there is often an immediate drop in diversity following a hurricane, understory tree diversity quickly increases to levels that exceed those prior to the disturbance. This leads to an increase in diversity in stands that were substantially damaged. Hurricanes significantly decrease the dominance of shade-intolerant canopy species while increasing preestablished, more shade-tolerant species. We conclude that large, and infrequent hurricanes help to maintain local tree diversity, but also accelerate the increase in dominance of understory species such as red maple and beech.
基金Key Project of National Natural Science Foundation of China, No.40335049 National Natural Science Foundation of China, No.40471059
文摘Water is a key restricting factor of the economic development and eco-environmental protection in arid inland river basins of Northwest China. Although water supplies are short, the water utilization structure and the corresponding industrial structure are unbalanced. We constructed a System Dynamic Model for mutual optimization based on the mechanism of their interaction. This model is applied to the Heihe River Basin where the share of limited water resources among ecosystem, production and human living is optimized. Results show that, by mutual optimization, the water utilization structure and the industrial structures fit in with each other. And the relationships between the upper, middle and lower reaches of the Heihe River Basin can be harmonized. Mutual benefits of ecology, society and economy can be reached, and a sustainable ecology-production-living system can be obtained. This study gives a new insight and method for the sustainable utilization of water resources in arid inland river basins.
基金The National Science Foundation funded this research under the Dy-namics of Coupled Natural and Human Systems program(Grants No.DEB-1212183 and BCS-1826839)support from San Diego State University and Auburn University.
文摘A significant number and range of challenges besetting sustainability can be traced to the actions and inter actions of multiple autonomous agents(people mostly)and the entities they create(e.g.,institutions,policies,social network)in the corresponding social-environmental systems(SES).To address these challenges,we need to understand decisions made and actions taken by agents,the outcomes of their actions,including the feedbacks on the corresponding agents and environment.The science of complex adaptive systems-complex adaptive sys tems(CAS)science-has a significant potential to handle such challenges.We address the advantages of CAS science for sustainability by identifying the key elements and challenges in sustainability science,the generic features of CAS,and the key advances and challenges in modeling CAS.Artificial intelligence and data science combined with agent-based modeling promise to improve understanding of agents’behaviors,detect SES struc tures,and formulate SES mechanisms.
文摘Objective:To investigate the efficacy and effectiveness of albendazole and mebendazole in the treatment of Ascaris lumbricoides(A.lumbricoides) in the North-Western Indonesia.Methods: 229 primary school children who were positive for A.lumbricoides in their stool were recruited in the study.123 children received single-dose of 400 mg albendazole and 106 children received single-dose 500 mg of mebendazole.After 1 week,their stools were examined for the cure rate (CR) and egg reduction rate(ERR).Egg culture was also performed and observation was made on week-1,-3,-4.Results:have shown a non-significant difference in CR 96.7%vs.100%:and ERR of 99.3%vs.100.0%for albendazole and mebendazole groups respectively(P】0.05).In-vitro egg culture has shown trends of decrease in the percentage of the unfertilized eggs and in≥2 cell eggs in both treatment groups(P【0.05).The embryonated eggs from the albendazole groups has shown an increase from 7.3%on week-1 to 13.8%on week-4,whilst the mebendazole group has shown a constant increase during the whole 4 weeks of culture from 7.5%to 28.3%(P【0.01). Conclusions:No evidence of drug resistance is noted so far from the area of North-Western part of Indonesia.In addition,although both drugs showed incomplete ovicidal effects,single-dose albendazole is better than mebendazole in sterilizing A.lumbricoides eggs.
文摘Purpose:This paper aims to examine how the adoption decision of the internet banking in North Cyprus would be affected based on the following dimensions;the technology features,the personal characteristics,the social environment and the expected risk.Design/methodology/approach:A self-administered survey was conducted with 291 participants responded to it.The partial least square approach of the structural equation modeling(PLS-SEM)is employed to investigate the direct effects of the proposed factors on the adoption decision.Additionally,the mediation test is used to examine indirect effects.Findings:Results showed that even though the participants appreciated the benefits of the online banking as the perceived usefulness factor exerts the greatest direct effect,they would rather use clear and easy-to-use websites,adding to that their assessments of the usefulness of these services are significantly influenced by the surrounding people’s views and prior experience.This is demonstrated by the total effects of the perceived ease of use and the subjective norm factors,which are greater than the direct effect of the perceived usefulness factor since both of these factors have significant direct and indirect effects mediated by the perceived usefulness factor.The negative impact of the perceived risk factor is weak compared to the previous factors.While the personal innovativeness factor showed the weakest effect among the proposed factors.
基金funded by Libyan Missions Department and Cairo University
文摘Within the semi-desert landscape of northern Libya, two sub-humid escarpments occur: Al-Akhdar in the east and Nafusa (Jabal Al-Gharbi) in the west. This study compares plant communities in the two regions, which are along an elevation gradient, in terms of species composition and diversity, frequency of different Raunkiaer life forms, and reproductive phenology. The two regions differed in species composition and life-form frequency between regions and between elevation zones within each region. Patterns were associated with the lower rainfall and lower moisture-holding capacity of soils at Nafusa, resulting in more xeric conditions. Only 13% of species were shared between the two regional landscapes. Species diversity, life-form frequency, and duration of the flowering-fruiting phenophase were all affected by elevation above sea level. The duration of flowering and fruiting in spring and fall was associated with environmental conditions, although there were different thresholds in the two regions. There was both a spring and fall episode of flowering at Nafusa, but only spring flowering at Al-Akhdar. It is anticipated that there will be a gradual shift of plant communities to higher elevations and loss of certain sensitive species in response to ongoing climate change.
基金supported by the Ontario Centres of Excellence,Nipissing University Internal Research FundOntario/Baden-Württemberg Student Exchange Programthe Ontario/Baden-Württemberg Faculty Research Exchange
文摘Across North America, forests dominated by Quercus rubra L. (northern red oak), a moderately shade-tolerant tree species, are undergoing successional replacement by shade-tolerant competitors. Under closed canopies, Q. rubra seedlings are unable to compete with these shade-tolerant species and do not recruit to upper forest strata. In Europe, natural regeneration of introduced Q. rubra is often successful despite the absence of fire, which promotes regeneration in the native range. Considering that understorey light availability is a major factor affecting recruitment of seedlings, we hypothesized that Q. rubra seedlings are more shade tolerant in the introduced range than in the native range. Morphological traits and biomass allocation patterns of seedlings indicative of shade tolerance were compared for Q. rubra and three co-occurring native species in two closed-canopy forests in the native range (Ontario, Canada) and introduced range (Baden-Württemburg, Germany). In the native range, Q. rubra allocated a greater proportion of biomass to roots, while in the introduced range, growth and allocation patterns favored the development of leaves. Q. rubra seedlings had greater annual increases in height, diameter and biomass in the introduced range. Q. rubra seedlings in the introduced range were also younger;however, they had a mean area per leaf and a total leaf area per seedling that were five times greater than seedlings in the native range. Such differences in morphological traits and allocation patterns support the hypothesis that Q. rubra expresses greater shade tolerance in the introduced range, and that natural regeneration of Q. rubra is not as limited by shade as in the native range. The ability of Q. rubra seedlings to grow faster under closed canopies in Europe may explain the discrepancy in regeneration success of this species in native and introduced ranges. Future research should confirm findings of this study over a greater geographical range in native and introduced ecosystems, and examine the genetic and environmental bases of observed differences in plant traits.
文摘Fahliyan Formation(Neocomian) is one of the important hydrocarbon reservoirs of Khami group in southwest of Iran.This Formation has 332 m thickness in typical section and mainly consists of carbonate rocks.In this study,the Fahliyan Formation was investigated in subsurface section of AZN#B Well in the north Dezful embayment(with 281 m thickness).The lower boundary of Fahliyan Forma-
文摘The study area is located in the west of Iran and in the north of Asadabad. This is the range between Eastern lengths of 00', 48° to 15', 48°, and northern latitudes of 45', 34° to 00', 35°. This range is limited from north to the asphalt road of Hamadan Qorveh, Sanandaj, and from the East and Southeast, to Asadabad of Kermanshah-Hamedan road, and from the West to Chahardoli plain and from the south to the plains and the town of Asadabad. According to the geological map of the study area, intrusive outcropping of diorite-gabbro of Almoqlaq, and quartz syenite is at Almoqlaq mountains. Intrusive rocks of the region, based on the total Alkali oxide, against silica rocks of study area fall within the quartz monzonite, gabbro, granodiorite, granite, and syenite between quartz and alkali granite. And granite in the study area (due to aluminum saturation index), is in the range of metaluminous, and metaluminous to peraluminous. Based on normalized spider diagram with the upper crust, the typical study area belongs to this model, and most of the elements are placed near or on standard line of 1.
文摘The general purpose of this study is to formulate a portrait of the issue of online lectures on accounting students of the Faculty of Economics and Business during the covid-19 pandemic at the Muhammadiyah University of North Sumatra.The research was conducted at the Faculty of Economics and Business.This type of research is survey research.The research sample is Grade 6/B Accounting Student of the Faculty of Economics and Business at the Muhammadiyah University of North Sumatra.Data collection using interviews and question lists.Furthermore,data analysis is used i.e.SPSS statistics.The results showed,The media used by lecturers is very helpful to students in the learning process,related to the learning materials students agree each lecturer provides material following RPS,For every lecturer who conveys the material turns out that students do not understand what has been conveyed,even though students are given regular assignments,some lecturers are less respect for students who have impaired connections or networks,And this online lecture system makes students very complain about data packages.Students are more respect to face-to-face learning,and it turns out that the online lecture system has not been implemented to the maximum.
文摘Bloodroot distribution and abundance were assessed in the Waynesville watershed in Western North Carolina. This high quality site provides a benchmark for bloodroot populations in the region. Summary data from an inventory of nine stands of bloodroot in the watershed are presented. Analysis of inventory data reveals that both petiole height and petiole diameter are negatively associated with overstory tree DBH, suggesting that there is an optimal overstory structure for bloodroot. In the Waynesville watershed, seven out of nine stands have an average tree DBH between 27.38 cm and 36.17 cm. Allometric equations re-lating belowground biomass to bloodroot petiole height and diameter have strong explanatory power, indicating that harvesters could selectively harvest large rhizomes by targeting plants with larger petioles. These results in combination with natural history, field observations and literature provide insights on the sustainability of bloodroot harvest in Southern Appalachia. Wild bloodroot is likely becoming scarce due to loss of favorable sites, such as rich cove forests, as well as harvest pressure.
