bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Targeted Gene Sequencing, Bone Health, and Body Composition in Cornelia de Lange Syndrome
Authors: Matute-Llorente Ángel , Ascaso Ángela , Latorre-Pellicer Ana , Puisac Beatriz , Trujillano Laura , Llorente Elena , Puente-Lanzarote Juan José , Ayerza-Casas Ariadna , Arnedo María , Moreno Luis A. , Ramos Feliciano , Pié Juan , Casajus José A. , Bueno-Lozano Gloria
Published: January 2021

The aim of this study was to evaluate bone health and body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in individuals with Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS). Overall, nine individuals with CdLS (five females, all Caucasian, aged 5–38 years) were assessed. Total body less head (TBLH) and lumbar spine (LS) scans were performed, and bone serum biomarkers were determined. Molecular analyses were carried out and clinical scores and skeletal features were assessed. Based on deep sequencing of a custom target gene panel, it was discovered that eight of the nine CdLS patients had potentially causative genetic variants in NIPBL. Fat and lean mass indices (FMI and LMI) were 3.4–11.1 and 8.4–17.0 kg/m2, respectively. For TBLH areal bone mineral density (aBMD), after adjusting for height for age Z-score of children and adolescents, two individuals (an adolescent and an adult) had low BMD (aBMD Z-scores less than –2.0 SD). Calcium, phosphorus, 25-OH-vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, and alkaline phosphatase levels were 2.08–2.49 nmol/L, 2.10–3.75 nmol/L, 39.94–78.37 nmol/L, 23.4–80.3 pg/mL, and 43–203 IU/L, respectively. Individuals with CdLS might have normal adiposity and low levels of lean mass measured with DXA. Bone health in this population seems to be less of a concern during childhood and adolescence. However, they might be at risk for impaired bone health due to low aBMD in adulthood.
“Perfect” Terahertz Vortex Beams Formed Using Diffractive Axicons and Prospects for Excitation of Vortex Surface Plasmon Polaritons
Authors: Knyazev Boris , Cherkassky Valery , Kameshkov Oleg
Published: January 2021

Transformation of a Bessel beam by a lens results in the formation of a “perfect” vortex beam (PVB) in the focal plane of the lens. The PVB has a single-ring cross-section and carries an orbital angular momentum (OAM) equal to the OAM of the “parent” beam. PVBs have numerous applications based on the assumption of their ideal ring-type structure. For instance, we proposed using terahertz PVBs to excite vortex surface plasmon polaritons propagating along cylindrical conductors and the creation of plasmon multiplex communication lines in the future (Comput. Opt. 2019, 43, 992). Recently, we demonstrated the formation of PVBs in the terahertz range using a Bessel beam produced using a spiral binary silicon axicon (Phys. Rev. A 2017, 96, 023846). It was shown that, in that case, the PVB was not annular, but was split into nested spiral segments, which was obviously a consequence of the method of Bessel beam generation. The search for methods of producing perfect beams with characteristics approaching theoretically possible ones is a topical task. Since for the terahertz range, there are no devices like spatial modulators of light in the visible range, the main method for controlling the mode composition of beams is the use of diffractive optical elements. In this work, we investigated the characteristics of perfect beams, the parent beams being quasi-Bessel beams created by three types of diffractive phase axicons made of high-resistivity silicon: binary, kinoform, and “holographic”. The amplitude-phase distributions of the field in real perfect beams were calculated numerically in the approximation of the scalar diffraction theory. An analytical expression was obtained for the case of the binary axicon. It was shown that a distribution closest to an ideal vortex was obtained using a holographic axicon. The resulting distributions were compared with experimental and theoretical distributions of the evanescent field of a plasmon near the gold–zinc sulfide–air surface at different thicknesses of the dielectric layer, and recommendations for experiments were given.
Effect of Osteoporosis on Well-Integrated Bone Implants
Authors: Basudan Amani M. , Shaheen Marwa Y. , Niazy Abdurahman A. , van den Beucken Jeroen J.J.P. , Jansen John A. , Alghamdi Hamdan S.
Published: January 2021

The installation of dental implants has become a common treatment for edentulous patients. However, concern exists about the influence of osteoporosis on the final implant success. This study evaluated whether an ovariectomy (OVX)-induced osteoporotic condition, induced eight weeks postimplantation in a rat femoral condyle, influences the bone response to already-integrated implants. The implants were inserted in the femoral condyle of 16 female Wistar rats. Eight weeks postimplantation, rats were randomly ovariectomized (OVX) or sham-operated (SHAM). Fourteen weeks later, animals were sacrificed, and implants were used for histological and histomorphometric analyses. A significant reduction in the quantity and quality of trabecular bone around dental implants existed in OVX rats in comparison to the SHAM group. For histomorphometric analysis, the bone area (BA%) showed a significant difference between OVX (34.2 ± 4.3) and SHAM (52.6 ± 12.7) groups (p < 0.05). Bone–implant contact (BIC%) revealed significantly lower values for all implants in OVX (42.5 ± 20.4) versus SHAM (59.0 ± 19.0) rats. Therefore, induction of an osteoporotic condition eight weeks postimplantation in a rat model negatively affects the amount of bone present in close vicinity to bone implants.
On the Redundancy in the Rank of Neural Network Parameters and Its Controllability
Authors: Lee Chanhee , Kim Young-Bum , Ji Hyesung , Lee Yeonsoo , Hur Yuna , Lim Heuiseok
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we show that parameters of a neural network can have redundancy in their ranks, both theoretically and empirically. When viewed as a function from one space to another, neural networks can exhibit feature correlation and slower training due to this redundancy. Motivated by this, we propose a novel regularization method to reduce the redundancy in the rank of parameters. It is a combination of an objective function that makes the parameter rank-deficient and a dynamic low-rank factorization algorithm that gradually reduces the size of this parameter by fusing linearly dependent vectors together. This regularization-by-pruning approach leads to a neural network with better training dynamics and fewer trainable parameters. We also present experimental results that verify our claims. When applied to a neural network trained to classify images, this method provides statistically significant improvement in accuracy and 7.1 times speedup in terms of number of steps required for training. Furthermore, this approach has the side benefit of reducing the network size, which led to a model with 30.65% fewer trainable parameters.
Validation of Lumbar Compressive Force Simulation in Forward Flexion Condition
Authors: Xiang Xiaohan , Yamada Yoji , Akiyama Yasuhiro , Tao Ziliang , Kudo Naoki
Published: January 2021

Safety standard requirements must be implemented for lumbar support robots, which are mainly used for preventing low back pain (LBP) in caregivers. Usually, simulations are used to mimic actions that are not allowed for a real person. However, a comprehensive validation of a simulator in dynamic conditions has not been conducted. In this study, an ergonomic simulator is validated through forward flexion invasive experiments. The correspondence between the simulated and experimental compressive force (CF), as well as the CF obtained using two existing models about the unified angle, is investigated. The results show that the CF error between the measurements and the simulator at a flexion angle of 30∘ is 11.8% and is lower than those obtained for the other two models (16.8% and 20.6%). Linear regression shows that the invasive data and estimated CF are close (slope = 1) in Merryweather’s model and CF simulator but not for Potvin’s model. We evaluate the precision of the simulator by using intraclass correlation coefficient method. Merryweather’s model is moderately consistent with invasive measurements, with R–0.685 and 0.627 at 0 and 30∘, while the CF simulator shows good consistency with Merryweather’s model with R–0.879 and 0836 at 0 and 30∘.
Reversible and Plausibly Deniable Covert Channels in One-Time Passwords Based on Hash Chains
Authors: Keller Jörg , Wendzel Steffen
Published: January 2021

Covert channels enable stealthy communications over innocent appearing carriers. They are increasingly applied in the network context. However, little work is available that exploits cryptographic primitives in the networking context to establish such covert communications. We present a covert channel between two devices where one device authenticates itself with Lamport’s one-time passwords based on a cryptographic hash function. Our channel enables plausible deniability jointly with reversibility and is applicable in different contexts, such as traditional TCP/IP networks, CPS/IoT communication, blockchain-driven systems and local inter-process communications that apply hash chains. We also present countermeasures to detect the presence of such a covert channel, which are non-trivial because hash values are random-looking binary strings, so that deviations are not likely to be detected. We report on experimental results with MD5 and SHA-3 hash functions for two covert channel variants running in a localhost setup. In particular, we evaluate the channels’ time performance, conduct statistical tests using the NIST suite and run a test for matching hash values between legitimate and covert environments to determine our channels’ stealthiness.
Spray and Aerosolised pH-Neutral Electrochemically Activated Solution Reduces Salmonella Enteritidis and Total Bacterial Load on Egg Surface
Authors: Tenzin Sangay , Ferro Sergio , Khan Samiullah , Deo Permal , Trott Darren J.
Published: January 2021

The effectiveness of sprayed and aerosolised pH-neutral electrochemically activated solutions (ECAS) containing 150 mg/L of free available chlorine in reducing total bacteria load and artificially inoculated Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis 11RX on eggs surfaces was investigated. Treatment groups included untreated control, sodium hypochlorite (positive control), sprayed and aerosolised water and sprayed and aerosolised ECAS. Sprayed ECAS (150 mg/L, 45 s) showed a significant reduction in total bacterial load (2.2 log reduction, p < 0.0001) and S. Enteritidis (5.4 log reduction, p < 0.0001) when compared with the untreated control. Aerosolised ECAS (120 s) was effective in reducing both the total bacterial load (1.4 log reduction, p < 0.01) and S. Enteritidis (4.2 log reduction, p = 0.0022). However, aerosolised ECAS (60 s) only significantly reduced S. Enteritidis counts (2.8 log reduction, p < 0.0008), indicating that a longer time for bacterial reduction during fogging sanitisation is needed. Tests performed with one egg per oscillating tray were more effective in reducing both the total bacterial load and the S. Enteritidis counts than those with three eggs per oscillating tray. Sprayed ECAS (45 s) and aerosolised ECAS (120 s) did not deteriorate the egg cuticle integrity (ΔEab*), which was evaluated using Cuticle Blue dye solution and colour intensity measurement. Overall, both the reduction in total bacteria counts and S. Enteritidis from the egg surface and retention of cuticle integrity suggest that sprayed and aerosolised ECAS could be used as alternative sanitising approaches to improve the food safety aspect of table eggs.
Predictive Model of Nail Consistency Using Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy-Dispersive X-Ray
Authors: Mingorance Álvarez Esther , Martínez Quintana Rodrigo , Pérez Pico Ana Mª , Mayordomo Raquel
Published: January 2021

The nail plate is made up of tightly packed keratin-rich cells. Factors such as the special distribution of the intermediate filaments in each layer (dorsal, intermediate, and ventral), the relative thickness of the layers, and their chemical composition define the characteristics of each nail. The main objective of this study is to determine nail consistency by calculating a predictive model based on elemental composition analysis using scanning electron microscopy. Nail consistency was determined in 57 participants (29 women and 28 men) in two age groups (young people and adults). Elemental composition was analysed in each layer using scanning SEM-EDS, and nail plate thickness was measured by image analysis. A total of 12 elements were detected in nail plates, of which carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur, and calcium showed significant differences between layers (p-values ≤ 0.01). The level of calcium in the dorsal layer was the main predictive variable in calculating the predictive model of consistency, with 75.4% correctly classified cases. Elemental analysis in each layer of the nail plate by SEM-EDS can be used to develop a predictive model of nail consistency that will help health professionals to objectively determine nail consistency.
Research Progress of a Potential Bioreactor: Duckweed
Authors: Yang Gui-Li , Feng Dan , Liu Yu-Ting , Lv Shi-Ming , Zheng Meng-Meng , Tan Ai-Juan
Published: January 2021

Recently, plant bioreactors have flourished into an exciting area of synthetic biology because of their product safety, inexpensive production cost, and easy scale-up. Duckweed is the smallest and fastest-growing aquatic plant, and has advantages including simple processing and the ability to grow high biomass in smaller areas. Therefore, duckweed could be used as a new potential bioreactor for biological products such as vaccines, antibodies, pharmaceutical proteins, and industrial enzymes. Duckweed has made a breakthrough in biosynthesis as a chassis plant and is being utilized for the production of plenty of biological products or bio-derivatives with multiple uses and high values. This review summarizes the latest progress on genetic background, genetic transformation system, and bioreactor development of duckweed, and provides insights for further exploration and application of duckweed.
Photocatalytic H2 Production from Naphthalene by Various TiO2 Photocatalysts: Impact of Pt Loading and Formation of Intermediates
Authors: Al-Madanat Osama , AlSalka Yamen , Dillert Ralf , Bahnemann Detlef
Published: January 2021

This work presents a comparative study of the efficiency of two commercial TiO2 photocatalysts, Aeroxide P25 (ATiO2) and Sachtleben Hombikat UV100 (HTiO2), in H2 production from an aqueous solution of naphthalene. The TiO2 photocatalysts were platinized by the photodeposition method varying the platinum content of the suspension to 0.5, 1.0, and 5.0 wt%. A full physicochemical characterization for these materials was performed, showing no structural effects from the deposition method, and confirming a well dispersion of nanosized-Pt0 particles on the surface of both photocatalysts. Pristine ATiO2 shows around 14% higher photocatalytic fractional conversion of naphthalene than pristine HTiO2 after 240 min of irradiation, while both materials exhibit negligible activity for H2 formation. The 0.5 wt% Pt- HTiO2 increases the photocatalytic fractional conversion of naphthalene from 71% to 82% and produces 6 µmol of H2. However, using a higher Pt content than the optimal platinization ratio of 0.5 wt% dramatically inhibits both processes. On the other hand, regardless of the fractional ratio of Pt, the platinization of ATiO2 results in a decrease in the fractional conversion of naphthalene by 4% to 33% of the pristine value. Although the presence of Pt islands on the surface of the ATiO2 is essential for the H2 evolution, no dependency between the Pt ratio and the H2 formation rate was observed since all the platinized materials show a similar H2 formation of around 3 µmol. Based on the EPR results, the higher photocatalytic activity of the Pt-HTiO2 is attributed to the efficient charge carrier separation and its larger surface area. The recyclability test confirms that the inhibition of the photocatalytic process is related to the deactivation of the photocatalyst surface by the adsorption of the photoformed intermediates. A strong relationship between the photocatalytic activity and the kind of the aromatic compounds was observed. The H2 evolution and the photooxidation of the aromatic hydrocarbons exhibit higher photonic efficiencies than that of their corresponding hydroxylated compounds over the Pt-HTiO2.
Parallel Multiphysics Simulation of Package Systems Using an Efficient Domain Decomposition Method
Authors: Wang Weijie , Liu Yannan , Zhao Zhenguo , Zhou Haijing
Published: January 2021

With the continuing downscaling in feature sizes, the thermal impact on material properties and geometrical deformations can no longer be ignored in the analysis of the electromagnetic compatibility or electromagnetic interference of package systems, including System-in-Package and antenna arrays. We present a high-performance numerical simulation program that is intended to perform large-scale multiphysics simulations using the finite element method. An efficient domain decomposition method was developed to accelerate the multiphysics loops of electromagnetic–thermal stress simulations by considering the fact that the electromagnetic field perturbations caused by geometrical deformation are small and constrained in one or a few subdomains. The multi-level parallelism of the algorithm was also obtained based on an in-house developed parallel infrastructure. Numerical examples showed that our algorithm is able to enable simulation with multiple processors in parallel and, more importantly, achieve a significant reduction in computation time compared with traditional methods.
Infinity Shell Shaped MIMO Antenna Array for mm-Wave 5G Applications
Authors: Kamal Mian Muhammad , Yang Shouyi , Ren Xin-cheng , Altaf Ahsan , Kiani Saad Hassan , Anjum Muhammad Rizwan , Iqbal Amjad , Asif Muhammad , Saeed Sohail Imran
Published: January 2021

In this paper, a novel single layer Multiple Input–Multiple Output (MIMO) antenna for Fifth-Generation (5G) 28 GHz frequency band applications is proposed and investigated. The proposed MIMO antenna operates in the Ka-band, which is the most desirable frequency band for 5G mm-wave communication. The dielectric material is a Rogers-5880 with a relative permittivity, thickness and loss tangent of 2.2, 0.787 mm and 0.0009, respectively, in the proposed antenna design. The proposed MIMO configuration antenna element consists of triplet circular shaped rings surrounded by an infinity-shaped shell. The simulated gain achieved by the proposed design is 6.1 dBi, while the measured gain is 5.5 dBi. Furthermore, the measured and simulated antenna efficiency is 90% and 92%, respectively. One of the MIMO performance metrics—i.e., the Envelope Correlation Coefficient (ECC)—is also analyzed and found to be less than 0.16 for the entire operating bandwidth. The proposed MIMO design operates efficiently with a low ECC, better efficiency and a satisfactory gain, showing that the proposed design is a potential candidate for mm-wave communication.
Hexanal as a Predictor of Development of Oxidation Flavor in Cured and Uncured Deli Meat Products as Affected by Natural Antioxidants
Authors: Bak Kathrine Holmgaard , Richards Mark P.
Published: January 2021

Effectiveness of commercial natural antioxidants from rosemary and green tea were investigated in deli-style meat products via headspace hexanal by solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography and sensory oxidation flavor by a trained panel at weeks 1, 7, and 13 of refrigerated storage. A water/oil-soluble rosemary extract at 400 mg/kg proved the most effective antioxidant in cured deli turkey (CDT). In chicken fillet (CF), a water-soluble rosemary extract at 400 mg/kg was most efficient, especially in combination with phosphate. In pulled pork (PP), none of the antioxidants were as efficient as phosphate, though all three tested antioxidants were moderately effective in PP without phosphate. Nitrite was such an efficient antioxidant on its own in CDT that hexanal levels were so low that it was not possible to build correlation models between headspace hexanal and sensory oxidation flavor throughout the storage period. Phosphate also proved very efficient on its own in both CF and PP. It was possible to build good correlation models throughout storage for both CF and PP. Hence, hexanal was found to satisfactorily predict development of oxidation flavor in different types of uncured deli meat products both with and without added phosphate.
Variability of Chemical Profile in Almonds (Prunus dulcis) of Different Cultivars and Origins
Authors: Beltrán Sanahuja Ana , Maestre Pérez Salvador E. , Grané Teruel Nuria , Valdés García Arantzazu , Prats Moya María Soledad
Published: January 2021

Almonds show a great variability in their chemical composition. This variability is a result of the existence of a diverse range of almond cultivars, the self-incompatibility of most almond cultivars, and the heterogeneous harvesting conditions found around the different locations where almons are grown. In the last years, the discrimination among almond cultivars has been the focal point of some research studies to avoid fraud in protected geographical indications in almond products and also for selecting the best cultivars for a specific food application or the most interesting ones from a nutritional point of view. In this work, a revision of the recent research works related to the chemical characterization and classification of almond cultivars from different geographical origins has been carried out. The content of macronutrients, tocopherols, phytosterols, polyphenols, minerals, amino acids, and volatile compounds together with DNA fingerprint have been reported as possible cultivar and origin markers. The analysis of the results showed that no individual almond compound could be considered a universal biomarker to find differences among different almond cultivars. Hence, an adequate selection of variables or the employment of metabolomics and the application of multivariate statistical techniques is necessary when classification studies are carried out to obtain valuable results. Meanwhile, DNA fingerprinting is the perfect tool for compared cultivars based on their genetic origin.
Estimation of Fatty Acids in Intramuscular Fat of Beef by FT-MIR Spectroscopy
Authors: Beriain María José , Ibañez Francisco C. , Beruete Edurne , Gómez Inmaculada , Beruete Miguel
Published: January 2021

The aim of this research was to estimate the fatty acid (FA) content of intramuscular fat from beef by Fourier transform mid-infrared (FT-MIR) spectroscopy. Four diets were supplemented in 10% linseed (LS) and/or 2% conjugated linoleic acid (CLA): CON (without L or CLA), LS, CLA, and LS+CLA. For each diet, 12 young Holstein bulls were allocated. The spectral response of the beef samples was analyzed applying FT-MIR spectroscopy (from 400 to 4000 cm−1) and predictive models were developed using partial least square regression with cross-validation. The obtained coefficients (R2) for some FA, such as α-linolenic acid with a R2 = 0.96 or n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) with R2 = 0.93, demonstrate that FT-MIR spectroscopy is a valid technique to estimate the content of FA. In addition, samples were correctly classified according to the animal diet using discriminant analysis in the region 3000–1000 cm−1. The obtained results suggest that the FT-MIR spectroscopy could be a viable technique for routine use in quality control because it provides fast and sustainable analysis of FA content. Furthermore, this technique allows the rapid estimation of the FA composition, specifically n-3 PUFA and CLA, of nutritional interest in meat. It also allows the classification of meat samples by the animal diet.
Mineralogical and Microstructure Analysis for Characterization and Provenance of Ceramic Artifacts from Late Helladic Kastrouli Settlement, Delphi (Central Greece)
Authors: Xanthopoulou Vayia , Iliopoulos Ioannis , Liritzis Ioannis
Published: January 2021

The present study deals with the characterization of a ceramic assemblage from the Late Mycenaean (Late Helladic III) settlement of Kastrouli, at Desfina near Delphi, Central Greece using various analytical techniques. Kastrouli is located in a strategic position supervising the Mesokampos plateau and the entire peninsula and is related to other nearby coeval settlements. In total 40 ceramic sherds and 8 clay raw materials were analyzed through mineralogical, petrographic and microstructural techniques. Experimental briquettes (DS) made from clayey raw materials collected in the vicinity of Kastrouli, were fired under temperatures (900 and 1050 °C) in oxidizing conditions for comparison with the ancient ceramics. The petrographic analysis performed on thin sections prepared from the sherds has permitted the identification of six main fabric groups and a couple of loners. The aplastic inclusions recognized in all fabric groups but one confirmed the local provenance since they are related to the local geology. Fresh fractures of representative sherds were further examined under a scanning electron microscope (SEM/EDS) helping us to classify them into calcareous (CaO > 6%) and non-calcareous (CaO < 6%) samples (low and high calcium was noted in earlier pXRF data). Here, the ceramic sherds with broad calcium separation are explored on a one-to-one comparison on the basis of detailed mineralogical microstructure. Moreover, their microstructure was studied, aiming to estimate their vitrification stage. The mineralogy of all studied samples was determined by means of X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), permitting us to test the validity of the firing temperatures revealed by the SEM analysis. The results obtained through the various analytical techniques employed are jointly assessed in order to reveal potters’ technological choices.
Developing a Transnational Health Record Framework with Level-Specific Interoperability Guidelines Based on a Related Literature Review
Authors: Lee Ah Ra , Kim Il Kon , Lee Eunjoo
Published: January 2021

With the advent of digital healthcare without borders, enormous amounts of health information are captured and computerized. As healthcare quality largely depends on the reliability of given health information, personal health records should be accessible according to patients’ mobility, even as they travel or migrate to other countries. However, since all the health information is scattered in multiple places, it is an onerous task to carry it whenever people move to other countries. To effectively and efficiently utilize health information, interoperability, which is the ability of various healthcare information technologies to exchange, to interpret, and to use data, is needed. Hence, building a robust transnational health information infrastructure with clear interoperability guidelines considering heterogeneous aspects is necessary. For this purpose, this study proposes a Transnational Health Record framework, which enables access to personal health records anywhere. We review related literature and define level-specific interoperability guidelines, business processes, and requirements for the Transnational Health Record system framework.
Telemedicine for Pre-Employment Medical Examinations and Follow-Up Visits on Board Ships: A Narrative Review on the Feasibility
Authors: Sagaro Getu Gamo , Di Canio Marzio , Talevi Emanuele , Amenta Francesco
Published: January 2021

Background: Telemedicine has already been applied to various medical specialties for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up visits for the general population. Telemedicine has also proven effective by providing advice, diagnosis, and treatment to seafarers during emergency medical events onboard ships. However, it has not yet been applied for pre-employment medical examinations and follow-up visits on board ships. Objective: This review aimed to assess the possibility of using telemedicine during periodic visits between one pre-employment medical examination and others on board ships, and to recommend necessary medical examination tests with screening intervals for seafarers. Methods: Various databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library were explored using different keywords, titles, and abstracts. Studies published between 1999 and 2019, in English, in peer-reviewed journal articles, and that are conference proceedings were considered. Finally, the studies included in this review were chosen on the basis of the eligibility criteria. Results: Out of a total of 168 studies, 85 studies were kept for further analysis after removing the duplicates. A further independent screening based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria resulted in the withdrawal of 51 studies that were not further considered for our analysis. Finally, 32 studies were left, which were critically reviewed. Out of 32 accepted studies, 10 studies demonstrated the effectiveness of the electrocardiogram (ECG) in monitoring and managing remote patients with heart failure, early diagnosis, and postoperative screening. In 15 studies, telespirometry was found to be effective in diagnosing and ruling out diseases, detecting lung abnormalities, and managing patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. Seven studies reported that telenephrology was effective, precise, accurate, and usable by non-medical personnel and that it reduced sample analysis times and procedures in laboratories. Conclusion: using new technologies such as high-speed internet, video conferencing, and digital examination, personnel are able to make the necessary tests and perform virtual medical examination on board ships with necessary training.
Symmetry Dimension in Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder: Prevalence, Severity and Clinical Correlates
Authors: Vellozo Aline P. , Fontenelle Leonardo F. , Torresan Ricardo C. , Shavitt Roseli G. , Ferrão Ygor A. , Rosário Maria C. , Miguel Euripedes C. , Torres Albina R.
Published: January 2021

Background: Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a very heterogeneous condition that frequently includes symptoms of the “symmetry dimension” (i.e., obsessions and/or compulsions of symmetry, ordering, repetition, and counting), along with aggressive, sexual/religious, contamination/cleaning, and hoarding dimensions. Methods: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the prevalence, severity, and demographic and clinical correlates of the symmetry dimension among 1001 outpatients from the Brazilian Research Consortium on Obsessive–Compulsive Spectrum Disorders. The main assessment instruments used were the Dimensional Yale–Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale, the Yale–Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale, the USP-Sensory Phenomena Scale, the Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories, the Brown Assessment of Beliefs Scale, and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders. Chi-square tests, Fisher’s exact tests, Student’s t-tests, and Mann–Whitney tests were used in the bivariate analyses to compare patients with and without symptoms of the symmetry dimension. Odds ratios (ORs) with confidence intervals and Cohen’s D were also calculated as effect size measures. Finally, a logistic regression was performed to control for confounders. Results: The symmetry dimension was highly prevalent (86.8%) in this large clinical sample and, in the logistic regression, it remained associated with earlier onset of obsessive–compulsive symptoms, insidious onset of compulsions, more severe depressive symptoms, and presence of sensory phenomena. Conclusions: A deeper knowledge about specific OCD dimensions is essential for a better understanding and management of this complex and multifaceted disorder.
Development and Validation of Quasi-Eulerian Mean Three-Dimensional Equations of Motion Using the Generalized Lagrangian Mean Method
Authors: Nguyen Duoc , Jacobsen Niels , Roelvink Dano
Published: January 2021

This study aims at developing a new set of equations of mean motion in the presence of surface waves, which is practically applicable from deep water to the coastal zone, estuaries, and outflow areas. The generalized Lagrangian mean (GLM) method is employed to derive a set of quasi-Eulerian mean three-dimensional equations of motion, where effects of the waves are included through source terms. The obtained equations are expressed to the second-order of wave amplitude. Whereas the classical Eulerian-mean equations of motion are only applicable below the wave trough, the new equations are valid until the mean water surface even in the presence of finite-amplitude surface waves. A two-dimensional numerical model (2DV model) is developed to validate the new set of equations of motion. The 2DV model passes the test of steady monochromatic waves propagating over a slope without dissipation (adiabatic condition). This is a primary test for equations of mean motion with a known analytical solution. In addition to this, experimental data for the interaction between random waves and a mean current in both non-breaking and breaking waves are employed to validate the 2DV model. As shown by this successful implementation and validation, the implementation of these equations in any 3D model code is straightforward and may be expected to provide consistent results from deep water to the surf zone, under both weak and strong ambient currents.
Land Use Transition and Driving Forces in Chinese Loess Plateau: A Case Study from Pu County, Shanxi Province
Authors: Huang Han , Zhou Yang , Qian Mingjie , Zeng Zhaoqi
Published: January 2021

Land use transition is essentially one of the manifestations of land use/cover change (LUCC). Although a large number of studies have focused on land use transitions on the macro scale, there are few studies on the micro scale. Based on the data of two high-resolution land use surveys, this study used a land use transfer matrix and GeoDetector model to explore the spatial-temporal patterns and driving forces of land use transitions at the village level in Pu County over a ten-year period. Results show that Pu County has experienced a drastic process of land use transition. More than 80% of cropland and grassland have been converted to forest land, and over 90% of the expansion of built-up land came from the occupation of forest land, cropland, and grassland. The driving forces of land use transition and its magnitude depended on the type of land use. The implementation of the policy of returning farmland to forest, or grain-for-green (GFG) was the main driving force for the large-scale conversion of cultivated land to forest land in Pu County. In the context of policy of returning farmland to forests, the hilly and gully regions of China’s Loess Plateau must balance between protecting the ecology and ensuring food security. Promoting the comprehensive consolidation of gully land and developing modern agriculture may be an important way to achieve a win-win goal of ecological protection and food security.
The Effect of Encapsulation on Crack-Based Wrinkled Thin Film Soft Strain Sensors
Authors: Nguyen Thao , Chu Michael , Tu Robin , Khine Michelle
Published: January 2021

Practical wearable applications of soft strain sensors require sensors capable of not only detecting subtle physiological signals, but also of withstanding large scale deformation from body movement. Encapsulation is one technique to protect sensors from both environmental and mechanical stressors. We introduced an encapsulation layer to crack-based wrinkled metallic thin film soft strain sensors as an avenue to improve sensor stretchability, linear response, and robustness. We demonstrate that encapsulated sensors have increased mechanical robustness and stability, displaying a significantly larger linear dynamic range (~50%) and increased stretchability (260% elongation). Furthermore, we discovered that these sensors have post-fracture signal recovery. They maintained conductivity to the 50% strain with stable signal and demonstrated increased sensitivity. We studied the crack formation behind this phenomenon and found encapsulation to lead to higher crack density as the source for greater stretchability. As crack formation plays an important role in subsequent electrical resistance, understanding the crack evolution in our sensors will help us better address the trade-off between high stretchability and high sensitivity.
Electrical Properties of Membrane Phospholipids in Langmuir Monolayers
Authors: Chachaj-Brekiesz Anna , Kobierski Jan , Wnętrzak Anita , Dynarowicz-Latka Patrycja
Published: January 2021

Experimental surface pressure (π) and electric surface potential (ΔV) isotherms were measured for membrane lipids, including the following phosphatidylcholines (PCs)—1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC); 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC); 1,2-diarachidoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DAPC); and 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC). In addition, other phospholipids, such as phosphatidylethanolamines (represented by 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DPPE)) and sphingolipids (represented by N-(hexadecanoyl)-sphing-4-enine-1-phosphocholine (SM)) were also studied. The experimental apparent dipole moments (μAexp) of the abovementioned lipids were determined using the Helmholtz equation. The particular contributions to the apparent dipole moments of the investigated molecules connected with their polar (μ⊥p) and apolar parts (μ⊥a) were theoretically calculated for geometrically optimized systems. Using a three-layer capacitor model, introducing the group’s apparent dipole moments (calculated herein) and adopting values from other papers to account for the reorientation of water molecules (μ⊥w/εw), as well as the for the local dielectric permittivity in the vicinity of the polar (εp) and apolar (εa) groups, the apparent dipole moments of the investigated molecules were calculated (μAcalc). Since the comparison of the two values (experimental and calculated) resulted in large discrepancies, we developed a new methodology that correlates the results from density functional theory (DFT) molecular modeling with experimentally determined values using multiple linear regression. From the fitted model, the following contributions to the apparent dipole moments were determined: μ⊥w/εw=−1.8±1.4 D; εp=10.2±7.0 and εa=0.95±0.52). Local dielectric permittivity in the vicinity of apolar groups (εa) is much lower compared to that in the vicinity of polar moieties (εp), which is in line with the tendency observed by other authors studying simple molecules with small polar groups. A much higher value for the contributions from the reorientation of water molecules (μ⊥w/εw) has been interpreted as resulting from bulky and strongly hydrated polar groups of phospholipids.
In Vivo Inhibition of Marek’s Disease Virus in Transgenic Chickens Expressing Cas9 and gRNA against ICP4
Authors: Challagulla Arjun , Jenkins Kristie A. , O’Neil Terri E. , Shi Shunning , Morris Kirsten R. , Wise Terry G. , Paradkar Prasad N. , Tizard Mark L. , Doran Timothy J. , Schat Karel A.
Published: January 2021

Marek’s disease (MD), caused by MD herpesvirus (MDV), is an economically important disease in chickens. The efficacy of the existing vaccines against evolving virulent stains may become limited and necessitates the development of novel antiviral strategies to protect poultry from MDV strains with increased virulence. The CRISPR/Cas9 system has emerged as a powerful genome editing tool providing an opportunity to develop antiviral strategies for the control of MDV infection. Here, we characterized Tol2 transposon constructs encoding Cas9 and guide RNAs (gRNAs) specific to the immediate early infected-cell polypeptide-4 (ICP4) of MDV. We generated transgenic chickens that constitutively express Cas9 and ICP4-gRNAs (gICP4) and challenged them via intraabdominal injection of MDV-1 Woodlands strain passage-19 (p19). Transgenic chickens expressing both gRNA/Cas9 had a significantly reduced replication of MDV in comparison to either transgenic Cas9-only or the wild-type (WT) chickens. We further confirmed that the designed gRNAs exhibited sequence-specific virus interference in transgenic chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) expressing Cas9/gICP4 when infected with MDV but not with herpesvirus of turkeys (HVT). These results suggest that CRISPR/Cas9 can be used as an antiviral approach to control MDV infection in chickens, allowing HVT to be used as a vector for recombinant vaccines.
USING VIDEO LEARNING TO IMPROVE STUDENTS’ MATHEMATICAL ABILITY
Authors: Tan Shiwei , Zou Lingjie , Wijaya Tommy Tanu
Published: January 2021

In some traditional large-class classrooms, there are problems such as inactive teaching process and poor teaching pertinence, which makes some students who are easily distracted and have the poor receptive ability cannot keep up with the teaching progress and gradually become students with learning difficulties. This research method using pretest-posttest control group design. The sample of this research is the experimental class method there are 48 students and in the control class 48 students grade 7 junior high school students. based on the results, Micro-classes have the characteristics of short, compact and powerful, which can effectively help students with learning difficulties to learn and master mathematics efficiently within the effective learning time. Based on the characteristics of students with learning difficulties and micro-classes, the author explores the actual improvement effect of micro-classes on the mathematics learning of students with learning difficulties by designing micro-classes in a targeted manner and conducting comparative teaching experiments in the first two parallel classes.
Teaching Derivative Concept Using 6 Questions Cognitive Model
Authors: Lan Xiaofeng , Ying Zhou
Published: January 2021

Derivative is one of the basic concepts of calculus, has an extremely rich practical background and wide application. However, "low exploration" of the limit thought in teaching and learning activities have caused difficulties in future advanced mathematics learning. The purpose of this study is to create a learning model that helps students understand calculus. The method in this research is using research and development method, designing a learning model using 6 questions cognitive model on derivative material. Based on the results of developing a new learning model in this study using the six questions cognitive model to explore mathematics from the six dimensions of "from where", "what ", "why", "how", "what if it changed" and "think about it", The teaching and learning activities when teaching derivative under the cultural background reflects the continuity, naturalness and order of teaching. The results of this study indicate that 6 question cognitive models can help students learn the basic concept of calculus. The results of this study can be implemented by teachers in schools to improve the quality of high school student learning
PENERAPAN MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCE DALAM PEMBELAJARAN MATEMATIKA: ANALISIS PADA KECERDASAN MUSIK
Authors: Suwanto Suwanto , Fatimah Ade Evi
Published: January 2021

Less optimal musical intelligence in students and improper application in mathematics learning is the basis for the preparation of articles. The misunderstanding of applying musical intelligence is quite alarming, for example when students learn to listen to music, they actually don't use their musical intelligence to learn or change their behavior. In this condition, music has a role in arousing motivation, memory and reflexes to learn, not using musical intelligence to learn. The preparation of this article uses the literature review method with the keywords musical intelligence (musical intelligence), learning and learning mathematics in books and journals indexed by Googles choolar. The application of musical intelligence in mathematics learning requires careful consideration and expertise in designing learning to be carried out. Some examples of using musical intelligence in learning mathematics include converting notes into numbers, solving math problems related to scales, designing memorization of mathematical formulas in the form of chants that are fun for students.
Where Were the Voters? A Spatial Analysis of the 2019 Slovak Presidential Election
Authors: Zvada Ľubomír , Petlach Martin , Ondruška Michal
Published: January 2021

This paper endeavours to deliver a comprehensive spatial depiction of Slovakia’s presidential election held on 16th and 30th March 2019. At first, the text briefly considers electoral and institutional framework of presidential elections and its background. Within the context of the first round, the paper subsequently analyses the electoral support of four key candidates who had obtained at least 10 per cent in order to clarify the overall electoral support. At the municipal level, the analysis of aggregated data then brings a complex mapping of regional electoral support towards the presidential candidates. Our negative binomial regression models, based on socio-economic variables and the results of the 2016 parliamentary election, yield no satisfactory results. Nonetheless, among others, it was revealed that the final two contenders did not lose their voters from the previous round. In comparison to Šefčovič, Čaputová succeeded in acquiring lower levels of new electoral support (up to 20 per cent) but across the whole country. Afterwards, the Hungarian minority was proved a determinative factor for the win, contrarily to the socio-economic indicators as explicative variables of which the university degree and age were found the most significant.
The Contemporary Challenges of Measuring Political Participation
Authors: Sairambay Yerkebulan
Published: January 2021

The multifaceted nature of political participation has led to various ways of measuring it. This, in turn, has led to conflicting outcomes (even when applied to the same problem) in the research field. What are the contemporary challenges of measuring political participation? The main objective of this paper is to identify current challenges of measuring political participation that are common in the existing literature and empirical findings. This review paper examines different methods of measuring both online and offline political participation and shows current problems that are crucial to deal with methodological challenges in the emerging era of Web 3.0. Drawing from a careful analysis of 86 published (2012–2019) empirical research on new media and political participation, the present study finds that self-reported measures, different question-wordings, misuse of Likert scales and time frames, and the lack of clear concept of political participation are current problems of measuring political participation. In so doing, it contributes to research on political participation (1) attempting to gather various measurements and their common problems as well as (2) urging the importance of these challenges.