bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Circ_USP36 Silencing Attenuates Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein-Induced Dysfunction in Endothelial Cells in Atherosclerosis Through Mediating miR-197-3p/ROBO1 Axis
Authors: Zhang Yixin , Li Wenhua , Li Hui , Zhou Min , Zhang Jian , Fu Yongli , Zhang Chunhui , Sun Xiaozhu
Published: August 2021

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are reported to play pivotal regulatory roles in atherosclerosis progression. In the present study, we explored the biological role of circRNA ubiquitin-specific peptidase 36 (circ_USP36; hsa_circ_0003204) in oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced dysfunction of endothelial cells (ECs). RNA and protein levels were determined by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot assay, respectively. Cell proliferation was analyzed by 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine assay and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Flow cytometry was conducted to analyze cell cycle progression and cell apoptosis. The release of tumor necrosis factor α in the supernatant was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Cell death was evaluated by lactate dehydrogenase assay. Intermolecular interaction was verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Circ_USP36 expression was significantly up-regulated in the serum of atherosclerosis patients and ox-LDL-stimulated HUVECs than that in their corresponding controls. ox-LDL exposure inhibited the proliferation ability and cell cycle progression and triggered the apoptosis and inflammation of HUVECs, and these effects were largely overturned by the knockdown of circ_USP36. microRNA-197-3p (miR-197-3p) was a target of circ_USP36, and circ_USP36 knockdown-mediated protective role in ox-LDL-induced HUVECs was largely counteracted by the silence of miR-197-3p. miR-197-3p interacted with the 3′ untranslated region of roundabout guidance receptor 1 (ROBO1). Circ_USP36 knockdown reduced ROBO1 expression partly by up-regulating miR-197-3p in HUVECs. ROBO1 overexpression reversed miR-197-3p accumulation-mediated effects in ox-LDL-induced HUVECs. In conclusion, circ_USP36 interference alleviated ox-LDL-induced dysfunction in HUVECs by targeting miR-197-3p/ROBO1 axis.
Introducing the importance and difficulties of a three-step approach to improve nonadherence to antihypertensive drugs: a case series
Authors: Peeters Laura E.J. , van der Net Jeroen B. , Schoenmakers-Buis Kathy , van der Meer Irene M. , Massey Emma K. , van Dijk Liset , van Gelder Teun , Koch Birgit C.P. , Versmissen Jorie
Published: August 2021

Nonadherence to antihypertensive drugs is an important reason for not reaching blood pressure goals. A possible method to improve nonadherence involves three essential steps: identification of nonadherent patients (step 1), determination of underlying causes (step 2) and a personalized solution (step 3). We present three unique cases to show the importance and difficulties of this three-step approach.

Patients participated in a randomized controlled trial to improve nonadherence to antihypertensive drugs (RHYME-RCT, Dutch Trial Register NL6736). Drug level measurements were used to identify nonadherence to antihypertensive drugs and communication on drug levels was supported by a tailored feedback tool in these patients. These cases showed that a three-step approach of identifying nonadherence and determination of the underlying cause, can lead to a personalized solution to improve therapy even when nonadherence was excluded. Open communication with patients remains an essential part when improving nonadherence.
Neurocognitive Effects of Ketamine and Esketamine for Treatment-Resistant Major Depressive Disorder: A Systematic Review
Authors: Souza-Marques Breno , Santos-Lima Cassio , Araújo-de-Freitas Lucas , Vieira Flávia , Jesus-Nunes Ana Paula , Quarantini Lucas C. , Sampaio Aline S.
Published: August 2021

Learning objective

After participating in this activity, learners should be better able to:

• Analyze the effects of ketamine and esketamine on individuals with treatment-resistant depression

Introduction

Cognitive impairment is commonly present in individuals with treatment-resistant depression, especially in attention, memory, and executive functions. These deficits are related to symptom severity, remission rates, and functional impairments during and after the acute phase of the disorder. Ketamine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist previously used as an anesthetic, brings promising antidepressant results. This study systematically reviews the neurocognitive effects of ketamine and esketamine in patients with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder.

Methods

Systematic searches were conducted at Embase, PubMed, and PsycINFO using the terms depression, ketamine, and cognition. Title, abstract, and full-text reading were conducted independently by two of the authors (BSM and CSL). Risk of bias, study design, neuropsychological outcomes, and neuroimaging data were recorded.

Results

From a total of 997 hits, 14 articles were included. One study reported cognitive impairment after ketamine treatment for processing speed and verbal memory. Five studies reported improvements in processing speed, verbal memory, visual memory, working memory, or cognitive flexibility. The esketamine study suggested no changes to performance. Lower attention, slower processing speed, and higher working memory are reported as predictors of antidepressant response. Brain areas for emotional and reward processing, including the amygdala, insula, and orbitofrontal cortex, show a normalizing tendency after ketamine.

Conclusions

Ketamine and esketamine do not seem to exert significant deleterious neurocognitive effects in the short or long term in individuals with treatment-resistant depression. Results suggest neuropsychological functions and brain areas commonly impaired in treatment-resistant depression may especially benefit from subanesthetic ketamine infusions. Key questions that remain unanswered are discussed.
Clinical, Morphological, and Optical Correlates of Visual Function in Patients With Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy
Authors: Okumura Naoki , Padmanaban Vasanthi , Balaji Janarthanam Jothi , Srinivasan Bhaskar , Hanada Naoya , Komori Yuya , Yoshii Kengo , Srinivas Sangly P. , Koizumi Noriko , Padmanabhan Prema
Published: August 2021

Purpose:

The purpose of this article was to study the clinical, optical, and morphological correlates of visual function in patients with Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD).

Methods:

The case records were analyzed for patients diagnosed with FECD between September 2019 and March 2020. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was recorded as decimal visual acuity and converted to the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution units. Contrast sensitivity was measured with the Pelli–Robson contrast sensitivity test. Corneal alterations, including central corneal thickness, depression of the posterior cornea, and corneal densitometry values, were evaluated using Scheimpflug images. Corneal epithelial thickness was measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography.

Results:

A total of 107 eyes of 61 patients (18 male and 43 female) with FECD were retrospectively investigated. The Spearman rank correlation coefficient showed moderate correlation between BCVA and contrast sensitivity (ρ = −0.66, P < 0.001), with some patients maintaining relatively good BCVA but having reduced contrast sensitivity. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that age, central corneal thickness, depression of the posterior cornea, and epithelial thickening were negatively associated with contrast sensitivity but not with BCVA.

Conclusions:

Contrast sensitivity is a useful tool for assessing visual dysfunction and should be incorporated into the assessment protocol of patients with FECD. Alterations in the cornea, including central corneal thickness, depression of the posterior cornea, and epithelial thickening, might be objective parameters that can help the clinician in grading the severity of the disease and tracking its progression.
Recent advances in the use of ultrasound and related techniques in diagnosing and predicting outcomes in biliary atresia
Authors: Dike Peace N. , Mahmood Nadia , Harpavat Sanjiv
Published: August 2021

Purpose of review

Biliary atresia (BA) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease and the most common indication for pediatric liver transplantation. The use of ultrasound (US) and related techniques continues to evolve to help diagnose BA as well as potentially to help predict outcomes after treatment with the Kasai portoenterostomy (KP).

Recent findings

There are no US findings that are definitive for BA; however, signs which are consistent with BA include gallbladder abnormalities, the triangular cord sign, presence of hepatic subcapsular flow, and hilar lymphadenopathy. Elastography techniques to measure liver stiffness may also increase the diagnostic accuracy of detecting BA, particularly in older infants or without other US findings. In addition, both US and elastography are still being studied as potential methods to predict outcomes after KP such as the development of portal hypertension and the need for liver transplant.

US findings in the diagnosis of BA are well characterized. Future studies will help determine the utility of elastography in diagnosing BA, as well as both US and elastography in monitoring and predicting disease outcomes after KP.
Success factors for abdominal wall diversions, including ureterocutaneostomy
Authors: Cicione Antonio , Lombardo Riccardo , D’Annunzio Simone , De Nunzio Cosimo , Tubaro Andrea
Published: August 2021

Purpose of review

To review the most recent data on urinary diversions (UD) surgical outcomes performed at time of radical cystectomy (RC).

Recent findings

Looking at the recent specific literature, the most recent factors introduced in the field of UDs are the preoperative assessment of patient's frailty and the use of the robotic system. According to the available evidence, frailty status is a good preoperative predictor of surgical outcomes and patient recovery. Several questionaries measuring patient's frailty status have been evaluated as a proxy to prevent RC complications and to improve the choice of the UDs.

Robot-assisted RC has gained popularity and both continent and incontinent UD are now performed through an intra-corporeal technique. Studies on Robot-assisted UDs showed that both intra-corporeal and extra-corporeal approaches (ICUD and ECUD, respectively) are safe and feasible. Compared to the open techniques, they improve intraoperative blood loss and postoperative recovery. However, accessibility to the Da-Vinci System and the need of robotic skills limit the application of these techniques to high-volume institutes.

Patient's frailty status and the use of robotic surgery are the most recent factors introduced to improve the choice of UD and surgical outcomes.
Suffering and Attitudes Toward Death of Patients With Heart Failure in Japan
Authors: Higashitsuji Asahiko , Matsudo Madoka , Majima Tomoko
Published: August 2021

Early palliative care is needed for patients with heart failure (HF). However, little is known about the suffering and attitudes toward death of these patients before they reach end-stage HF. This study aimed to identify the suffering and attitudes toward death of patients with early- and intermediate-stage HF. Our qualitative research process was guided with a grounded theory approach and consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research. Participants were selected through theoretical sampling. Data were collected through semistructured interviews, participant observations, and medical records examination. The study included 10 patients. Analysis of the data revealed the core category of “evaluating whether HF hinders the current and future self.” From this core category, 6 categories of causal conditions and 3 categories of consequences emerged. Participants with HF evaluated the causal conditions and suffering in the context of how they hindered the ideal state. After recognizing their own suffering, they expressed specific attitudes toward death. The 10 categories revealed in this study elucidate the process by which patients with HF form their attitudes toward death based on suffering. Health care professionals should consider these findings to help facilitate early palliative care interventions.
Low-pressure Pneumoperitoneum With Abdominal Wall Lifting Versus Standard Pressure Pneumoperitoneum in Laparoscopic Fundoplication for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Propensity Score–matched Analysis
Authors: Yu Zhen , Yu Lei , Wu Ji-xiang , Yu Tao , Yang Xing-guo , Zhang Bao-xun , Du Xin
Published: August 2021

Objective:

The objective of this study was to compare the treatment results of low-pressure pneumoperitoneum with abdominal wall lifting (AWL+LP, 6 mm Hg) versus standard pressure pneumoperitoneum (SP, 12 mm Hg) during laparoscopic fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), using propensity score matching (PSM).

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective analysis was made of 362 patients, 123 in the AWL+LP group and 239 in the SP group, who underwent laparoscopic fundoplication for GERD from January 2010 to December 2017. Perioperative and prognostic outcomes were compared after PSM with 1:1 match.

Results:

After PSM, 107 matched pairs were obtained. Compared with the SP group at 30 and 60 minutes after pneumoperitoneal initiation, the AWL+LP group showed significantly lower end-tidal carbon dioxide value (P<0.001, <0.001, respectively), lower partial pressure of carbon dioxide value (P<0.001, 0.016, respectively) and significantly higher pH value (P<0.001, <0.001, respectively). However, postoperative shoulder pain, abdominal pain, and arrhythmia in the AWL+LP group were less than those in SP group (P=0.01, 0.017, 0.005, respectively). There was no significant difference in operative time (106.54±27.80 vs. 107.38±24.78 min), blood loss [15 mL (interquartile range: 12.5 to 20 mL) vs.15 mL (interquartile range: 10 to 20 mL)], length of stay (4 vs. 4 d), the wound ecchymosis [2 (1.87%) vs. 3 (2.80%)] and rates of recurrence [8 (7.48%) vs. 5 (4.67%)] between AWL+LP group and SP group.

Conclusion:

AWL+LP resulted in comparable perioperative and prognostic outcomes with less impact on changes in cardiorespiratory function compared with SP approaches of laparoscopic fundoplication for GERD.
Post-weaning shifts in microbiome composition and metabolism revealed by over 25 000 pig gut metagenome-assembled genomes
Authors: Gaio Daniela , DeMaere Matthew Z. , Anantanawat Kay , Chapman Toni A. , Djordjevic Steven P. , Darling Aaron E.
Published: August 2021

Using a previously described metagenomics dataset of 27 billion reads, we reconstructed over 50 000 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) of organisms resident in the porcine gut, 46.5 % of which were classified as >70 % complete with a <10 % contamination rate, and 24.4 % were nearly complete genomes. Here, we describe the generation and analysis of those MAGs using time-series samples. The gut microbial communities of piglets appear to follow a highly structured developmental programme in the weeks following weaning, and this development is robust to treatments including an intramuscular antibiotic treatment and two probiotic treatments. The high resolution we obtained allowed us to identify specific taxonomic ‘signatures’ that characterize the gut microbial development immediately after weaning. Additionally, we characterized the carbohydrate repertoire of the organisms resident in the porcine gut. We tracked the abundance shifts of 294 carbohydrate active enzymes, and identified the species and higher-level taxonomic groups carrying each of these enzymes in their MAGs. This knowledge can contribute to the design of probiotics and prebiotic interventions as a means to modify the piglet gut microbiome.
Accessory Genomes Drive Independent Spread of Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Clonal Groups 258 and 307
Authors: Shropshire William C , Dinh An Q , Earley Michelle , Komarow Lauren , Panesso Diana , Rydell Kirsten , Gómez-Villegas Sara I , Miao Hongyu , Hill Carol , Chen Liang , Patel Robin , Fries Bettina C , Abbo Lilian , Cober Eric , Revolinski Sara , Luterbach Courtney L , Chambers Henry , Fowler Vance G , Bonomo Robert A , Shelburne Samuel A , Kreiswirth Barry N , van Duin David , Hanson Blake M , Arias Cesar A
Published: August 2021

Background

Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKp) are urgent public health threats. Worldwide dissemination of CRKp has been largely attributed to the clonal group (CG) 258. However, recent evidence indicates the global emergence of a CRKp CG307 lineage. Houston, Texas is the first large city in the US with co-circulation of both CRKp CG307 and CG258. We sought to characterize the genomic and clinical factors contributing to the parallel endemic spread of CG258 and CG307.

Methods

CRKp isolates were collected as part of the prospective, Consortium on Resistance Against Carbapenems in Klebsiella and other Enterobacterales 2 (CRACKLE-2) study. Hybrid short-read and long-read genome assemblies were generated from 119 CRKp isolates (95 originated from Houston hospitals). A comprehensive characterization of phylogenies, gene transfer, and plasmid content with pan-genome analysis were performed on all CRKp isolates. Plasmid mating experiments were performed with CG307 and CG258 isolates of interest. An inverse-probability weighted Desirability of Ordinal Outcome Ranking (DOOR) analysis was conducted to determine if patients infected/colonized with CG307 had differences in overall clinical outcomes from patients infected/colonized with CG258.

Results

Dissection of the accessory genomes suggested independent evolution and limited horizontal gene transfer between CG307 and CG258 lineages. CG307 contained a diverse repertoire of mobile genetic elements harboring carbapenemases, which were shared with other non-CG258 K. pneumoniae isolates. Three unique clades of Houston CG307 isolates contained a diverse repertoire of mobile genetic elements harboring carbapenemases and clustered distinctly from other global CG307 isolates. CG307 were often isolated from the urine of hospitalized patients, likely serving as important reservoirs for genes encoding carbapenemases and extended-spectrum beta-lactamases. The DOOR probability estimate (64%; 95% CI: 48, 79) of our Houston-based cohort suggested that there was a general trend for patients infected/colonized with CG307 to have more favorable outcomes than patients infected/colonized with CG258.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest parallel co-circulation of high-risk lineages with potentially divergent evolution. CG307 is widely circulating CRKp clone in the Houston region with the potential to transfer major resistance determinants to other non-CG258 CRKp lineages. Our findings provide major insights into the mechanism of epidemic spread of CRKp.
Segmentation of vestibular schwannoma from MRI — An open annotated dataset and baseline algorithm
Authors: Shapey Jonathan , Kujawa Aaron , Dorent Reuben , Wang Guotai , Dimitriadis Alexis , Grishchuk Diana , Paddick Ian , Kitchen Neil , Bradford Robert , Saeed Shakeel R , Bisdas Sotirios , Ourselin Sébastien , Vercauteren Tom
Published: August 2021

Automatic segmentation of vestibular schwannomas (VS) from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could significantly improve clinical workflow and assist patient management. We have previously developed a novel artificial intelligence framework based on a 2.5D convolutional neural network achieving excellent results equivalent to those achieved by an independent human annotator. Here, we provide the first publicly-available annotated imaging dataset of VS by releasing the data and annotations used in our prior work. This collection contains a labelled dataset of 484 MR images collected on 242 consecutive patients with a VS undergoing Gamma Knife Stereotactic Radiosurgery at a single institution. Data includes all segmentations and contours used in treatment planning and details of the administered dose. Implementation of our automated segmentation algorithm uses MONAI, a freely-available open-source framework for deep learning in healthcare imaging. These data will facilitate the development and validation of automated segmentation frameworks for VS and may also be used to develop other multi-modal algorithmic models.
Comparison of two highly-effective mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 during periods of Alpha and Delta variant prevalence
Authors: Puranik Arjun , Lenehan Patrick J. , Silvert Eli , Niesen Michiel J.M. , Corchado-Garcia Juan , O’Horo John C. , Virk Abinash , Swift Melanie D. , Halamka John , Badley Andrew D. , Venkatakrishnan A.J. , Soundararajan Venky
Published: August 2021

Although clinical trials and real-world studies have affirmed the effectiveness and safety of the FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines, reports of breakthrough infections and persistent emergence of new variants highlight the need to vigilantly monitor the effectiveness of these vaccines. Here we compare the effectiveness of two full-length Spike protein-encoding mRNA vaccines from Moderna (mRNA-1273) and Pfizer/BioNTech (BNT162b2) in the Mayo Clinic Health System over time from January to July 2021, during which either the Alpha or Delta variant was highly prevalent. We defined cohorts of vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals from Minnesota (n = 25,589 each) matched on age, sex, race, history of prior SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing, and date of full vaccination. Both vaccines were highly effective during this study period against SARS-CoV-2 infection (mRNA-1273: 86%, 95%CI: 81-90.6%; BNT162b2: 76%, 95%CI: 69-81%) and COVID-19 associated hospitalization (mRNA-1273: 91.6%, 95% CI: 81-97%; BNT162b2: 85%, 95% CI: 73-93%). In July, vaccine effectiveness against hospitalization has remained high (mRNA-1273: 81%, 95% CI: 33-96.3%; BNT162b2: 75%, 95% CI: 24-93.9%), but effectiveness against infection was lower for both vaccines (mRNA-1273: 76%, 95% CI: 58-87%; BNT162b2: 42%, 95% CI: 13-62%), with a more pronounced reduction for BNT162b2. Notably, the Delta variant prevalence in Minnesota increased from 0.7% in May to over 70% in July whereas the Alpha variant prevalence decreased from 85% to 13% over the same time period. Comparing rates of infection between matched individuals fully vaccinated with mRNA-1273 versus BNT162b2 across Mayo Clinic Health System sites in multiple states (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Arizona, Florida, and Iowa), mRNA-1273 conferred a two-fold risk reduction against breakthrough infection compared to BNT162b2 (IRR = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.39-0.64). In Florida, which is currently experiencing its largest COVID-19 surge to date, the risk of infection in July after full vaccination with mRNA-1273 was about 60% lower than after full vaccination with BNT162b2 (IRR: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.24-0.62). Our observational study highlights that while both mRNA COVID-19 vaccines strongly protect against infection and severe disease, further evaluation of mechanisms underlying differences in their effectiveness such as dosing regimens and vaccine composition are warranted.
Primary glia cells from bank vole propagate multiple rodent-adapted scrapie prions
Authors: Schwenke Karla A. , Wälzlein Joo-Hee , Bauer Agnieszka , Thomzig Achim , Beekes Michael
Published: August 2021

Since the beginning prion research has been largely dependent on animal models for deciphering the disease, drug development or prion detection and quantification. Thereby, ethical as well as cost and labour-saving aspects call for alternatives in vitro. Cell models can replace or at least complement animal studies, but their number is still limited and the application usually restricted to certain strains and host species due to often strong transmission barriers. Bank voles promise to be an exception as they or materials prepared from them are uniquely susceptible to prions from various species in vivo, in vitro and in cell-free applications. Here we present a mainly astrocyte-based primary glia cell assay from bank vole, which is infectible with scrapie strains from bank vole, mouse and hamster. Stable propagation of bank vole-adapted RML, murine 22L and RML, and hamster 263K scrapie is detectable from 20 or 30 days post exposure onwards. Thereby, the infected bank vole glia cells show similar or even faster prion propagation than likewise infected glia cells of the corresponding murine or hamster hosts. We propose that our bank vole glia cell assay could be a versatile tool for studying and comparing multiple prion strains with different species backgrounds in a single cell assay.
Early-life telomere length covaries with life-history traits and scales with chromosome length in birds
Authors: Pepke Michael Le , Ringsby Thor Harald , Eisenberg Dan T.A.
Published: August 2021

Telomeres, the short DNA sequences that protect chromosome ends, are an ancient molecular structure, which is highly conserved across most eukaryotes. Species differ in their telomere lengths, but the causes of this variation are not well understood. Here, we demonstrate that mean early-life telomere length is an evolutionary labile trait across 58 bird species (representing 35 families in 12 orders) with the greatest trait diversity found among passerines. Among these species, telomere length is significantly negatively associated with the fast-slow axis of life-history variation, suggesting that telomere length may have evolved to mediate trade-offs between physiological requirements underlying the diversity of pace-of-life strategies in birds. Curiously, within some species, larger individual chromosome size predicts longer telomere lengths on that chromosome, leading to the suggestion that telomere length also covaries with chromosome length across species. We show that longer mean chromosome length or genome size tends to be associated with longer mean early-life telomere length (measured across all chromosomes) within a phylogenetic framework constituting up to 32 bird species. Combined, our analyses generalize patterns previously found within a few species and provide potential adaptive explanations for the 10-fold variation in telomere lengths observed among birds.
Cell-Type Specific Responses to Associative Learning in the Primary Motor Cortex
Authors: Lee Candice , Harkin Emerson , Naud Richard , Chen Simon X.
Published: August 2021

The primary motor cortex (M1) is known to be a critical site for movement initiation and motor learning. Surprisingly, it has also been shown to possess reward-related activity, presumably to facilitate reward-based learning of new movements. However, whether reward-related signals are represented among different cell types in M1, and whether their response properties change after cue-reward conditioning remains unclear. Here, we performed longitudinal in vivo two-photon Ca2+ imaging to monitor the activity of different neuronal cell types in M1 while mice engaged in a classical conditioning task. Our results demonstrate that most of the major neuronal cell types in M1 showed robust but differential responses to both cue and reward stimuli, and their response properties undergo cell-type specific modifications after associative learning. PV-INs’ responses became more reliable to the cue stimulus, while VIP-INs’ responses became more reliable to the reward stimulus. PNs only showed robust response to the novel reward stimulus, and they habituated to it after associative learning. Lastly, SOM-IN responses emerged and became more reliable to both conditioned cue and reward stimuli after conditioning. These observations suggest that cue- and reward-related signals are represented among different neuronal cell types in M1, and the distinct modifications they undergo during associative learning could be essential in triggering different aspects of local circuit reorganization in M1 during reward-based motor skill learning.
Learning Orientations: a Discrete Geometry Model
Authors: Dabaghian Yuri
Published: August 2021

In the mammalian brain, many neuronal ensembles are involved in representing spatial structure of the environment. In particular, there exist cells that encode the animal’s location and cells that encode head direction. A number of studies have addressed properties of the spatial maps produced by these two populations of neurons, mainly by establishing correlations between their spiking parameters and geometric characteristics of the animal’s environments. The question remains however, how the brain may intrinsically combine the direction and the location information into a unified spatial framework that enables animals’ orientation. Below we propose a model of such a framework, using ideas and constructs from algebraic topology and synthetic affine geometry.
The role of fucose-containing glycan motifs across taxonomic kingdoms
Authors: Thomès Luc , Bojar Daniel
Published: August 2021

The extraordinary diversity of glycans leads to large differences in the glycomes of different kingdoms of life. Yet, while most monosaccharides are solely found in certain taxonomic groups, there is a small set of monosaccharides with widespread distribution across nearly all domains of life. These general monosaccharides are particularly relevant for glycan motifs, as they can readily be used by commensals and pathogens to mimic host glycans or hijack existing glycan recognition systems. Among these, the monosaccharide fucose is especially interesting, as it frequently presents itself as a terminal monosaccharide, primed for interaction with proteins. Here, we analyze fucose-containing glycan motifs across all taxonomic kingdoms. Using a hereby presented large species-specific glycan dataset and a plethora of methods for glycan-focused bioinformatics and machine learning, we identify characteristic as well as shared fucose-containing glycan motifs for various taxonomic groups, demonstrating clear differences in fucose usage. Even within domains, fucose is used differentially based on an organism’s physiology and habitat. We particularly highlight differences in fucose-containing motifs between vertebrates and invertebrates. With the example of pathogenic and non-pathogenic Escherichia coli strains, we also demonstrate the importance of fucose-containing motifs in molecular mimicry and thereby pathogenic potential. Finally, we also confirm and extend the role of fucosyltransferase-coding genes (FUT) in several important biological processes that include development, immunity, and diseases, especially cancer. We envision that this study will shed light on an important class of glycan motifs, with potential new insights into the role of fucosylated glycans in symbiosis, pathogenicity, and immunity.
Systematic design of multi-objective enhanced genetic algorithm optimized fractional order PID controller for sensorless brushless DC motor drive
Authors: Kumarasamy Vanchinathan , Ramasamy Valluvan KarumanchettyThottam , Chinnaraj Gnanavel
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The puspose of this paper, a novel systematic design of fractional order proportional integral derivative (FOPID) controller-based speed control of sensorless brushless DC (BLDC) motor using multi-objective enhanced genetic algorithm (EGA). This scheme provides an excellent dynamic and static response, low computational burden, the robust speed control.

Design/methodology/approach

The EGA is a meta-heuristic-inspired algorithm for solving non-linearity problems such as sudden load disturbances, modeling errors, power fluctuations, poor stability, the maximum time of transient processes, static and dynamic errors. The conventional genetic algorithm (CGA) and modified genetic algorithm (MGA) are not very effective in solving the above-mentioned problems. Hence, a multi-objective EGA optimized FOPID (EGA-FOPID) controller is proposed for speed control of sensorless BLDC motor under various conditions such as constant load conditions, varying load conditions, varying set speed (Ns) conditions, integrated conditions and controller parameters uncertainty.

Findings

This systematic design of the multi-objective EGA-FOPID controller is implemented in MATLAB 2020a with Simulink models for optimal speed control of the BLDC motor. The overall performance of the EGA-FOPID controller is observed and evaluated for computational burden, time integral performance indexes, transient and steady-state characteristics. The hardware experiment results confirm that the proposed EGA-FOPID controller can precisely change the BLDC motor speed is desired range with minimal effort.

Research limitations/implications

The conventional real time issues such as nonlinearity characteristics, poor controllability and stability.

Practical implications

It is clearly evident that out of these three intelligent controllers, the EGA optimized FOPID controller gives enhanced performance by minimizing the time domain parameters, performance Indices error and convergence time. Also, the hardware experimental setup and the results of the proposed EGA-FOPID controller are presented.

Originality/value

It shows the effectiveness of the proposed controllers is completely verified by comparing the above three intelligent optimization algorithms. It is clearly evident that out of these three intelligent controllers, the EGA optimized FOPID controller gives enhanced performance by minimizing the time domain parameters, performance Indices error and convergence time. Also, the hardware experimental setup and the results of the proposed EGA-FOPID controller are presented.
Knowledge sharing and self-efficacy in an EFL context: the mediating effect of creativity
Authors: Parhamnia Farshad , Farahian Majid , Rajabi Yusef
Published: August 2021

Purpose

As demonstrated in the literature, teachers’ knowledge sharing, self-efficacy and creativity display certain levels of cause-and-effect and correlational connections from different perspectives. Nonetheless, few studies, if any, have been reported on the interplay of these three concepts in the context of the language classroom. As such, this study aims to test a structural model of English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers’ knowledge sharing, self-efficacy and creativity and specifically to examine the hypothesis that creativity mediates the relationship between EFL teachers’ knowledge sharing and self-efficacy.

Design/methodology/approach

The participants were 384 EFL teachers from different language institutes across Iran. The EFL teachers were selected based on random stratified sampling method. To verify the research hypotheses, a quantitative correlational design was used in the present study. The quantitative data was collected using three questionnaires, and then descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Therefore, we used the EFL teachers’ creativity questionnaire developed by Khany and Boghayeri (2014), knowledge sharing behavior scale by Ramayahet al.(2014) and teachers’ self-efficacy questionnaire by Tschannen-Moran and Hoy (2001). To analyze the data, Pearson correlation and multiple regression were run.

Findings

The findings revealed the hypothesized model of relationships among the study variables. The results also confirmed the mediator role of creativity. The implications of the findings in relation to creativity, knowledge sharing and self-efficacy are discussed.

Originality/value

The bulk of research on teacher self-efficacy has concentrated fairly adequately on its relationship with factors such as teachers’ reflective practice, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, personality and student achievement. What seems to be rather missing in this line of research has to do with the exploration of the possible links among knowledge sharing, self-efficacy and creativity as interacting variables, especially in the context of Iran where teachers’ knowledge sharing is lower than expected. More importantly, no previous investigation has tapped into the mediating effect of creativity on the connection between English teachers’ knowledge sharing and self-efficacy.
Site selection and system sizing of desalination plants powered with renewable energy sources based on a web-GIS platform
Authors: Koutroulis Eftichios , Petrakis George , Agou Vicky , Malisovas Athanassios , Hristopulos Dionissios , Partsinevelos Panagiotis , Tripolitsiotis Achilleas , Halouani Nabila , Ailliot Pierre , Boutigny Marrie , Monbet Valerie , Allard Denis , Cuzol Anne , Kolokotsa Denia , Varouchakis Emmanouil , Kokolakis Konstantinos , Mertikas Stelios
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The combination of desalination technology with renewable energy sources (RES) provides a sustainable approach for increasing potable water availability without imposing negative environmental effects. This paper aims to present the development of a platform, which is an internet-based tool integrating the design optimization of desalination systems with spatial modeling based on a geographic information system (GIS).

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed platform assists decision-makers to select the optimal location and configuration of both the energy- and water-related subsystems of desalination plants that are power-supplied by RES, such that the lifetime cost of the overall desalination plant is minimized. It enables to optimize the desalination plant site selection and sizing with various hybrid power supply (solar, wind, wave and electrical grid power systems) and desalination technologies combinations, while simultaneously exploiting spatial technologies in an internet-based GIS platform.

Findings

A pilot study for the optimal design of stand-alone and grid-connected desalination plants powered by RES is presented, which demonstrates the functionality and features of the proposed platform. It is also shown that a grid-connected desalination plant designed by the proposed software design tool exhibits significantly lower lifetime installation and maintenance costs compared to its stand-alone counterpart.

Originality/value

The proposed platform combines technological, scientific and industrial knowledge with information about societal/political conditions and geo-spatial technologies in a user-friendly graphical interface. Therefore, it provides a design tool enabling its users to secure water supply in a sustainable and economically viable manner.
Enterprising profile and career development of Kuwaitiyouth community
Authors: Zainal Mohammad
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to measure the impact of entrepreneurial profile dimensions on the career development of the youth community in Kuwait. Further, this study aims to measure the moderating effect of entrepreneurial education on entrepreneurial profile dimensions and entrepreneurial career development (ECD) relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The study will use a quantitative research methodology. This study is focussed on measuring the impact of these eight entrepreneurial profiles, namely, self-efficacity; opportunity detector abilities; creativity; persistence; risk-taking propensity; sociability; planning abilities and leadership skills as independent variables on the ECD as a dependent variable. Entrepreneurship education is considered as moderating variable. A structured questionnaire is distributed to 200 students who study at the College of Business Administration, Kuwait University (KU), where 170 students responded positively and the response rate was 85%. The evaluation of the proposed model was done through structural equation modelling analysis.

Findings

The results will show how these dimensions impact the decision on the ECD.

Research limitations/implications

This research is conducted only in one college of KU and the findings cannot be used to generalise the impact of these dimensions on the career development of all young people of Kuwait.

Originality/value

There are very few studies about entrepreneurship in general in Kuwait and this research will be an additional value and contribution in this field for a particular context. It is the first effort to measure the impact of entrepreneurial profile dimensions on career development in Kuwait, and this research will be a good base for similar studies in other Gulf Cooperation Council Countries and beyond.
Digital twin: a state-of-the-art review of its enabling technologies, applications and challenges
Authors: Hu Weifei , Zhang Tongzhou , Deng Xiaoyu , Liu Zhenyu , Tan Jianrong
Published: August 2021

Digital twin (DT) is an emerging technology that enables sophisticated interaction between physical objects and their virtual replicas. Although DT has recently gained significant attraction in both industry and academia, there is no systematic understanding of DT from its development history to its different concepts and applications in disparate disciplines. The majority of DT literature focuses on the conceptual development of DT frameworks for a specific implementation area. Hence, this paper provides a state-of-the-art review of DT history, different definitions and models, and six types of key enabling technologies. The review also provides a comprehensive survey of DT applications from two perspectives: (1) applications in four product-lifecycle phases, i.e. product design, manufacturing, operation and maintenance, and recycling and (2) applications in four categorized engineering fields, including aerospace engineering, tunneling and underground engineering, wind engineering and Internet of things (IoT) applications. DT frameworks, characteristic components, key technologies and specific applications are extracted for each DT category in this paper. A comprehensive survey of the DT references reveals the following findings: (1) The majority of existing DT models only involve one-way data transfer from physical entities to virtual models and (2) There is a lack of consideration of the environmental coupling, which results in the inaccurate representation of the virtual components in existing DT models. Thus, this paper highlights the role of environmental factor in DT enabling technologies and in categorized engineering applications. In addition, the review discusses the key challenges and provides future work for constructing DTs of complex engineering systems.
Residents’ perceptions of policing and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Nouri Seyvan , Kochel Tammy Rinehart
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic has raised unique challenges for police. Reductions in manpower due to officer illness and the need to social distance to suppress spread of the disease restricts the ability of police to fully engage with the public and deliver full services. Changes to policing strategies may affect residents’ feelings of safety and their relationships with police. The purpose of this study is to understand high crime area residents’ experiences with police and safety during the pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

The current study draws on household surveys of residents across three high crime, disadvantaged neighborhoods in St. Louis County, Missouri. We implemented three methods. First, we synthesized qualitative feedback about the impact on safety and policing. Second, Wilcoxon Signed Ranks tests compared pre-pandemic assessments of policing and safety measures to measures collected during the pandemic. Finally, we employed multinomial regression to examine how perceived changes in policing affected residents’ change in safety during the pandemic.

Findings

Residents saw police less and engaged with police less during the pandemic. They reported hearing gunshots more often. Reduced police presence in neighborhoods led to mixed effects on safety, largely decreasing residents’ feelings of safety. However, two factors that consistently improved safety were positive encounters with police and police being less involved with minor offenses.

Originality/value

This is the first study that assesses the pandemic impact on residents’ perceptions of safety and police in disadvantaged, high crime contexts.
Relative valuation of food and non‐food risks with a comparison to actuarial values: A best–worst approach
Authors: Ajewole Kayode , Dennis Elliott , Schroeder Ted C. , Bergtold Jason
Published: August 2021

This study empiricallytests the relative importance that U.S. consumers place on immediate and long‐term food and non‐food risks. We use a best–worst survey method to elicit relative rankings and weights for each risk in terms of its perceived cost and likelihood. Immediate food risks are perceived to be more costly but less likely than long‐term food risks. Immediate non‐food risks are perceived to be both more costly and likely than long‐term non‐food risks. Overall, food risks are perceived to be less expensive than non‐food risks. The combination of perceived cost and likelihood is used to define a measure of relative risk value. Immediate food, immediate non‐food, and long‐term non‐food risks generally have greater relative risk values than long‐term food risks. On average, individuals overperceive the likelihoods, costs, and risk values of both food and non‐food risks relative to actuarial data. These results are consistent across different parametric and non‐parametric estimation methods. The results have important implications for insurance rate setting, food and non‐food risk interventions, and public health campaigns.
Risk of health status worsening in primary infertile men: A prospective 10‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Boeri Luca , Ventimiglia Eugenio , Cazzaniga Walter , Pederzoli Filippo , Fallara Giuseppe , Pozzi Edoardo , Belladelli Federico , Baudo Andrea , Frego Nicola , Capogrosso Paolo , Alfano Massimo , Montorsi Francesco , Salonia Andrea
Published: August 2021

Background

A severe male infertility factor has been associated with both lower health status and increased mortality in infertile men.

Objectives

To investigate reproductive factors associated with health status impairment in infertile men over a 10‐year time frame since the first clinical evaluation.

Materials and methods

Data from 899 infertile men were analysed at baseline between 2003 and 2010. Health‐significant comorbidities were scored with the Charlson Comorbidity Index. Patients were followed up yearly recording any worsening in their health status until 2019. Cox regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals of Charlson Comorbidity Index score increase.

Results

At a median follow‐up of 136 months (Interquartile range: 121, 156), 85 men (9.5%) depicted an increase of their baseline Charlson Comorbidity Index score of at least one point. The most frequent reason for Charlson Comorbidity Index upgrade was cancer (34%), cardiovascular diseases (29%) and diabetes mellitus (22%). Compared to patients without a Charlson Comorbidity Index increase, patients with a Charlson Comorbidity Index increase presented with higher body mass index and follicle‐stimulating hormone values, a higher rate of baseline Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥ 1 (all p < 0.01) and a greater proportion of non‐obstructive azoospermia (p < 0.001). In the Cox regression model, the patient's BMI (p < 0.001), baseline Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥ 1 (p < 0.01) and azoospermia status (p = 0.001) were found to be independently associated with Charlson Comorbidity Index increases.

Conclusions

Almost 10% of men presenting for primary infertility had a decrease of the overall health status already in the relatively short 10‐year time frame after the first presentation. Non‐obstructive azoospermic men showed the worst health status impairment and should be strictly followed‐up regardless of their fertility status.