bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differences in P-glycoprotein activity in human and rodent blood–brain barrier assessed by mechanistic modelling
Authors: Verscheijden Laurens F. M. , Koenderink Jan B. , de Wildt Saskia N. , Russel Frans G. M.
Published: July 2021

Variation in the efficacy and safety of central nervous system drugs between humans and rodents can be explained by physiological differences between species. An important factor could be P-glycoprotein (Pgp) activity in the blood–brain barrier (BBB), as BBB expression of this drug efflux transporter is reportedly lower in humans compared to mouse and rat and subject to an age-dependent increase. This might complicate animal to human extrapolation of brain drug disposition and toxicity, especially in children. In this study, the potential species-specific effect of BBB Pgp activity on brain drug exposure was investigated. An age-dependent brain PBPK model was used to predict cerebrospinal fluid and brain mass concentrations of Pgp substrate drugs. For digoxin, verapamil and quinidine, in vitro kinetic data on their transport by Pgp were derived from literature and used to scale to in vivo parameters. In addition, age-specific digoxin transport was simulated for children with a postnatal age between 25 and 81 days. BBB Pgp activity in the model was optimized using measured CSF data for the Pgp substrates ivermectin, indinavir, vincristine, docetaxel, paclitaxel, olanzapine and citalopram, as no useful in vitro data were available. Inclusion of Pgp activity in the model resulted in optimized predictions of their brain concentration. Total brain-to-plasma AUC values (Kp,brain) in the simulations without Pgp were divided by the Kp,brain values with Pgp. Kp ratios ranged from 1 to 45 for the substrates investigated. Comparison of human with rodent Kp,brain ratios indicated ≥ twofold lower values in human for digoxin, verapamil, indinavir, paclitaxel and citalopram and ≥ twofold higher values for vincristine. In conclusion, BBB Pgp activity appears species-specific. An age-dependent PBPK model-based approach could be useful to extrapolate animal data to human adult and paediatric predictions by taking into account species-specific and developmental BBB Pgp expression.
Beantwortung epidemiologisch-rheumatologischer Fragestellungen durch Kooperation mit der bevölkerungsbasierten SHIP-Kohorte – Erkenntnisse für die Diagnostik der axialen Spondyloarthritis (axSpA)
Authors: Braun J. , Richter A. , Schmidt C. , Baraliakos X.
Published: July 2021

In diesem Artikel wird dargestellt, wie sich Fragestellungen hinsichtlich der rheumatischen Erkrankung axiale Spondyloarthritis (axSpA) in Zusammenhang mit der Verfügbarkeit neuer bildgebender Verfahren und neuer Medikamente über mehr als zwei Jahrzehnte in einer rheumatologischen Forschungsgruppe entwickelt haben. Insbesondere in den letzten Jahren ergaben sich durch die Kooperation mit der SHIP („Study of Health in Pomerania“)-Kohorte neue grundlegende Aspekte. Dabei bestand eine intensive Kooperation zwischen der Ruhr-Universität Bochum (Rheumazentrum Ruhrgebiet) und der Universitätsmedizin Greifswald (Forschungsverbund „Community Medicine“). Das Design der SHIP-Kohorte ist schon vor 10 Jahren veröffentlicht worden und der Kohortenansatz wurde im Bundesgesundheitsblatt dargestellt, wobei zentrale methodische Fragen ausführlich erörtert wurden. Im Jahr 2014 wurde ein Kooperationsprojekt des Rheumazentrums Ruhrgebiet/Ruhr-Universität Bochum mit der Abteilung Klinisch-Epidemiologische Forschung (KEF) von SHIP vereinbart, aus dem bereits interessante Ergebnisse hochrangig publiziert wurden. Um das Potenzial solcher Kooperationen zu betonen, werden wesentliche Inhalte mit Fokus auf die Magnetresonanztomographie (MRT) im Folgenden, auch unter historischen Aspekten, dargestellt.
Diffusion MRI data, sulcal anatomy, and tractography for eight species from the Primate Brain Bank
Authors: Bryant Katherine L. , Ardesch Dirk Jan , Roumazeilles Lea , Scholtens Lianne H. , Khrapitchev Alexandre A. , Tendler Benjamin C. , Wu Wenchuan , Miller Karla L. , Sallet Jerome , van den Heuvel Martijn P. , Mars Rogier B.
Published: July 2021

Large-scale comparative neuroscience requires data from many species and, ideally, at multiple levels of description. Here, we contribute to this endeavor by presenting diffusion and structural MRI data from eight primate species that have not or rarely been described in the literature. The selected samples from the Primate Brain Bank cover a prosimian, New and Old World monkeys, and a great ape. We present preliminary labelling of the cortical sulci and tractography of the optic radiation, dorsal part of the cingulum bundle, and dorsal parietal–frontal and ventral temporal-frontal longitudinal white matter tracts. Both dorsal and ventral association fiber systems could be observed in all samples, with the dorsal tracts occupying much less relative volume in the prosimian than in other species. We discuss the results in the context of known primate specializations and present hypotheses for further research. All data and results presented here are available online as a resource for the scientific community.
New Perspectives on Green Energy Defaults
Authors: Mundaca L. , Moncreiff H.
Published: July 2021

This paper is an attempt to provide new perspectives on green energy defaults (GED) that promote the purchase of renewable energy electricity (REe) among consumers. We aim to complement existing studies and improve the understanding of GED, particularly when they are less, or unexpectedly, effective. To that end, we run a randomized controlled experiment and take the UK as a case study. We replicate the research design of previous lab experiments for comparative reasons. We also expand the analytical framework, identify key determinants and compare stated versus revealed preferences. Initial results indicate a lack of effectiveness across all treatment groups. This seems to challenge most of the existing lab experimental evidence and questions external validity claims. In addition to the actual treatments, current tariff agreements appear as significant determinants of choices. Nevertheless, when stated and revealed preferences are analysed, statistical tests revealed positive and significant differential effects, suggesting that the sole provision of an explicit, simple decision framework can trigger a greater adoption of REe, even in an opt-in treatment scenario. We thus argue that GED can still influence consumer decision-making in the desired policy direction. However, outcomes are likely to be context-specific so policy generalisations are not advisable. Building upon existing knowledge and our experimental results, we propose various motivational and contextual issues affecting consumer behaviour and thus the effectiveness and suitability of GED. They can offer guidance for future GED studies, particularly in countries in which market and consumer policy conditions for REemay be less advanced or certain.
Transformation and digital literacy: Systematic literature mapping
Authors: Farias-Gaytan Silvia , Aguaded Ignacio , Ramirez-Montoya Maria-Soledad
Published: July 2021

The advancements of technology have allowed digital transformation to reach all productive sectors, including the education sector and its members. This transformation is linked to emerging technologies, the digitalization of processes and resources, and the demand for users to upgrade to the latest technological updates. This research aims to analyze digital transformation and media literacy publications that impact higher education. Its purpose is to identify the types of research and topics they address and explore the scope of digital transformation in higher education institutions. The systematic mapping method was used to analyze 298 articles published in two databases, Scopus and Web of Science (WoS). Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to select the articles that could be included in this research. The results show that the largest proportion of articles were found in Scopus, and used both qualitative and quantitative empirical research methods, followed by theoretical-conceptual methods and, to a lesser extent, mixed methods. Likewise, the publications originated in five continents, and theJournal of Adolescent and Adult Literacyhad the largest number of publications, with 14. Forty-two percent of the studies were classified in the strategy category, with the most mentioned topic being digital pedagogies. This research provides a perspective on digital transformation studies in higher education institutions and their internalization approaches. This research may be of value to trainers, students, decision-makers, and researchers interested in transformation, educommunication, and educational innovation.
The Relationship Between Firm Productivity, Wage Level and Employees’ Age: A Sectoral Perspective
Authors: Børing Pål
Published: July 2021

We examine how a firm’s productivity level, wage level and productivity–wage gap are related to the age composition of its employees. Panel data of Norwegian firms in the following three sectors are used: the manufacturing sector, the WRT (wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles) sector, and the PST (professional, scientific and technical activities) sector. Three hypotheses are formulated: a firm’s productivity level is negatively affected by its proportion of the oldest workers (H1), a firm’s wage level is negatively affected by its proportion of the youngest workers, and positively affected by its proportion of the oldest workers (H2), and a firm’s productivity–wage gap is positively affected by its proportion of the youngest workers, and negatively affected by its proportion of the oldest workers (H3). Based on GMM regression in first differences, the estimation results give some support for (a) the hypothesis H1 for the WRT sector, but no support for the manufacturing and PST sectors, (b) H2 for the manufacturing and PST sectors, but little support for the WRT sector, and (c) H3 for the PST sector, but no support for the manufacturing and WRT sectors. The GMM results show that a firm’s productivity–wage gap is positively affected by the proportion of the youngest age group in the PST sector, while there is a non-significant effect in the manufacturing and WRT sectors. The proportion of the oldest age group has a non-significant effect on this gap in each of the three sectors. The results indicate that there is no clear evidence of an age-related productivity–wage gap.
Zika virus infection of the placenta alters extracellular matrix proteome
Authors: Borges-Vélez Gabriel , Rosado-Philippi Julio , Cantres-Rosario Yadira M. , Carrasquillo-Carrion Kelvin , Roche-Lima Abiel , Pérez-Vargas Jean , González-Martínez Andrea , Correa-Rivas María S. , Meléndez Loyda M.
Published: July 2021

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection has been associated with fetal abnormalities by compromising placental integrity, but the mechanisms by which this occurs are unknown. Flavivirus can deregulate the host proteome, especially extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. We hypothesize that a deregulation of specific ECM proteins by ZIKV, affects placental integrity. Using twelve different placental samples collected during the 2016 ZIKV Puerto Rico epidemic, we compared the proteome of five ZIKV infected samples with four uninfected controls followed by validation of most significant proteins by immunohistochemistry. Quantitative proteomics was performed using tandem mass tag TMT10plex™ Isobaric Label Reagent Set followed by Q Exactive™ Hybrid Quadrupole Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry. Identification of proteins was performed using Proteome Discoverer 2.1. Proteins were compared based on the fold change and p value using Limma software. Significant proteins pathways were analyzed using Ingenuity Pathway (IPA). TMT analysis showed that ZIKV infected placentas had 94 reviewed differentially abundant proteins, 32 more abundant, and 62 less abundant. IPA analysis results indicate that 45 of the deregulated proteins are cellular components of the ECM and 16 play a role in its structure and organization. Among the most significant proteins in ZIKV positive placenta were fibronectin, bone marrow proteoglycan, and fibrinogen. Of these, fibrinogen was further validated by immunohistochemistry in 12 additional placenta samples and found significantly increased in ZIKV infected placentas. The upregulation of this protein in the placental tissue suggests that ZIKV infection is promoting the coagulation of placental tissue and restructuration of ECM potentially affecting the integrity of the tissue and facilitating dissemination of the virus from mother to the fetus.
Synthetic algal-bacteria consortia for space-efficient microalgal growth in a simple hydrogel system
Authors: Martin Noah , Bernat Tatum , Dinasquet Julie , Stofko Andrea , Damon April , Deheyn Dimitri D. , Azam Farooq , Smith Jennifer E. , Davey Matthew P. , Smith Alison G. , Vignolini Silvia , Wangpraseurt Daniel
Published: July 2021

Photosynthetic microalgae are an attractive source of food, fuel, or nutraceuticals, but commercial production of microalgae is limited by low spatial efficiency. In the present study we developed a simple photosynthetic hydrogel system that cultivates the green microalga, Marinichlorella kaistiae KAS603, together with a novel strain of the bacteria, Erythrobacter sp. We tested the performance of the co-culture in the hydrogel using a combination of chlorophyll-a fluorimetry, microsensing, and bio-optical measurements. Our results showed that growth rates in algal–bacterial hydrogels were about threefold enhanced compared to hydrogels with algae alone. Chlorophyll-a fluorimetry–based light curves found that electron transport rates were enhanced about 20% for algal–bacterial hydrogels compared to algal hydrogels for intermediate irradiance levels. We also show that the living hydrogel is stable under different environmental conditions and when exposed to natural seawater. Our study provides a potential bio-inspired solution for problems that limit the space-efficient cultivation of microalgae for biotechnological applications.
Early Balkan Metallurgy: Origins, Evolution and Society, 6200–3700 BC
Authors: Radivojević Miljana , Roberts Benjamin W.
Published: July 2021

This paper analyses and re-evaluates current explanations and interpretations of the origins, development and societal context of metallurgy in the Balkans (c. 6200–3700 BC). The early metallurgy in this region encompasses the production, distribution and consumption of copper, gold, tin bronze, lead and silver. The paper draws upon a wide range of existing archaeometallurgical and archaeological data, the diversity and depth of which make the Balkans one of the most intensively investigated of all early metallurgical heartlands across the world. We focus specifically on the ongoing debates relating to (1) the independent invention and innovation of different metals and metal production techniques; (2) the analysis and interpretation of early metallurgical production cores and peripheries, and their collapses; and (3) the relationships between metals, metallurgy and society. We argue that metal production in the Balkans throughout this period reflects changes in the organisation of communities and their patterns of cooperation, rather than being the fundamental basis for the emergence of elites in an increasingly hierarchical society.
The importance of spatial configuration of neighbouring land cover for explanation of surface temperature of individual patches in urban landscapes
Authors: Zawadzka J. E. , Harris J. A. , Corstanje R.
Published: July 2021

Context

Relationships between spatial configuration of urban form and land surface temperature (LST) in the excess heat mitigation context are studied over larger tracts of land not allowing for micro-scale recommendations to urban design.

Objectives

To identify spatial configuration descriptors (SCDs) of urban form and the size of zone of influence conducive to the formation of the coldest and hottest land cover (LC) patches of different types (buildings, grass, paved and trees) from 2 m resolution LC and 2 and 100 m resolution LST maps at two time-steps in the summer.

Methods

Random Forest regression models were deployed to explain the LST of individual LC patches of different types based on SCDs of core LC patches and patches in their neighbourhoods. ANOVA was used to determine significantly different values of the most important SCDs associated with the coldest and hottest LC patches, and analysis of quartiles informed specification of their ranges.

Results

Urban form in the immediate neighbourhood to the core LC patches had a strong influence on their LST. Low elevation, high proximity to water, and high aggregation of trees, being important to the formation of the coldest patches of all types. High resolution of LST contributed to a higher accuracy of results. Elevation and proximity to water gained in importance as summer progressed.

Conclusions

Spatial configuration of urban form in the nearest proximity to individual LC patches and the use of fine resolution LST data are essential for issuing heat mitigation recommendations to urban planners relevant to micro-scales.
Self-Organised Collision-Free Flocking Mechanism in Heterogeneous Robot Swarms
Authors: Ban Zhe , Hu Junyan , Lennox Barry , Arvin Farshad
Published: July 2021

Flocking is a social animals’ common behaviour observed in nature. It has a great potential for real-world applications such as exploration in agri-robotics using low-cost robotic solutions. In this paper, an extended model of a self-organised flocking mechanism using heterogeneous swarm system is proposed. The proposed model for swarm robotic systems is a combination of a collective motion mechanism with obstacle avoidance functions, which ensures a collision-free flocking trajectory for the followers. An optimal control model for the leader is also developed to steer the swarm to a desired goal location. Compared to the conventional methods, by using the proposed model, the swarm network has less requirement for power and storage. The feasibility of the proposed self-organised flocking algorithm is validated by realistic robotic simulation software.
Genetic Predisposition and its Heredity in the Context of Increased Prevalence of Dermatophytoses
Authors: Gnat Sebastian , Łagowski Dominik , Nowakiewicz Aneta
Published: July 2021

Dermatophytosis is a widespread disease with high prevalence and a substantial economic burden associated with costs of treatment. The pattern of this infectious disease covers a wide spectrum from exposed individuals without symptoms to those with acutely inflammatory or non-inflammatory, chronic to invasive, and life-threatening symptoms. Moreover, the prevalence of cutaneous fungal infections is not as high as might be expected. This curious disparity in the dermatophyte infection patterns may suggest that there are individual factors that predispose to infection, with genetics as an increasingly well-known determinant. In this review, we describe recent findings about the genetic predisposition to dermatophyte infections, with focus on inheritance in families with a high frequency of dermatophyte infections and specific host–pathogen interactions. The results of studies indicating a hereditary predisposition to dermatophytoses have been challenged by many skeptics suggesting that the varied degree of pathogenicity and the ecological diversity of this group of fungi are more important in increasing sensitivity. Nonetheless, a retrospective analysis of the hereditary propensity to dermatophytoses revealed at least several proven genetic relationships such as races, CARD9 deficiency, HLA-DR4 and HLA-DR8 type and responsible genes encoding interleukin-22, β-defensin 2 and 4 as well as genetic defects in dectin-1, which increased the prevalence of the disease in families and were involved in the inheritance of the proneness in their members. In future, the Human Genome Diversity Project can contribute to elucidation of the genetic predisposition to dermatophytoses and provide more information.
Using Artificial Intelligence in Fungal Lung Disease: CPA CT Imaging as an Example
Authors: Angelini Elsa , Shah Anand
Published: July 2021

This positioning paper aims to discuss current challenges and opportunities for artificial intelligence (AI) in fungal lung disease, with a focus on chronic pulmonary aspergillosis and some supporting proof-of-concept results using lung imaging. Given the high uncertainty in fungal infection diagnosis and analyzing treatment response, AI could potentially have an impactful role; however, developing imaging-based machine learning raises several specific challenges. We discuss recommendations to engage the medical community in essential first steps towards fungal infection AI with gathering dedicated imaging registries, linking with non-imaging data and harmonizing image-finding annotations.
Synoptic conditions and potential causes of the extreme heavy rainfall event of January 2009 over Mindanao Island, Philippines
Authors: Olaguera Lyndon Mark Payanay , Caballar Michelle Español , De Mata Joseph Cabacungan , Dagami Loida Ann Torres , Matsumoto Jun , Kubota Hisayuki
Published: July 2021

This study investigates the synoptic conditions that led to the heavy rainfall/flood (HRF) event in Mindanao Island, Philippines (122 −127°E; 5 −10°N), on January 2009 (JAN2009 HRF) that are less emphasized in previous works. Extensive flooding was reported over Cagayan de Oro City in the northern part of Mindanao, where the rainfall on January 10, 11, and 13, 2009, exceeded the 99th percentile of daily rainfall records of all January of the city from 1979 to 2017 by almost two times. A similar exceedance was also felt in Hinatuan station over the eastern coast of Mindanao Island on January 15, 2009. The interaction of a cold surge shearline over the northern Mindanao Island and the warm tropical easterlies led to enhanced moisture convergence. The warmer air mass is forced to ascend by the advancing colder air mass because it has lower density than the colder air mass. The enhanced moisture convergence and buoyancy difference by the air masses led to enhanced ascent and consequently rainfall along the cold surge shearline. Further analysis shows that enhanced anomalous easterly and northerly winds at 925 hPa are apparent over the Philippines. The anomalous easterly winds sustained the supply of warmer easterlies and collaboratively interacted with the northerly winds that supplied colder temperature air mass.

The climatology of this HRF event was examined for all January from 1979 to 2017. The authors identified 15 other cases that are similar to the JAN2009 HRF event and performed lag composite analyses. The results show that the occurrence of these HRF events is facilitated by the southward expansion of the high-pressure system to the north of the Philippines, enhanced cold and warm temperature advections, and enhanced moisture convergence along the cold surge shearline. The results of this study have important implications for disaster mitigation during the northeast monsoon season when rainfall activities are, in general, less intensive over this region.
Meta-analytic Gaussian Network Aggregation
Authors: Epskamp Sacha , Isvoranu Adela-Maria , Cheung Mike W.-L.
Published: July 2021

A growing number of publications focus on estimating Gaussian graphical models (GGM, networks of partial correlation coefficients). At the same time, generalizibility and replicability of these highly parameterized models are debated, and sample sizes typically found in datasets may not be sufficient for estimating the underlying network structure. In addition, while recent work emerged that aims to compare networks based on different samples, these studies do not take potential cross-study heterogeneity into account. To this end, this paper introduces methods for estimating GGMs by aggregating over multiple datasets. We first introduce a general maximum likelihood estimation modeling framework in which all discussed models are embedded. This modeling framework is subsequently used to introduce meta-analytic Gaussian network aggregation (MAGNA). We discuss two variants: fixed-effects MAGNA, in which heterogeneity across studies is not taken into account, and random-effects MAGNA, which models sample correlations and takes heterogeneity into account. We assess the performance of MAGNA in large-scale simulation studies. Finally, we exemplify the method using four datasets of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and summarize findings from a larger meta-analysis of PTSD symptom.
Evaluation of inter- and intra-operator reliability of manual segmentation of femoral metastatic lesions
Authors: Ataei Ali , Eggermont Florieke , Baars Milan , van der Linden Yvette , de Rooy Jacky , Verdonschot Nico , Tanck Esther
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Accurate identification of metastatic lesions is important for improvement in biomechanical models that calculate the fracture risk of metastatic bones. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the inter- and intra-operator reliability of manual segmentation of femoral metastatic lesions.

Methods

CT scans of 54 metastatic femurs (19 osteolytic, 17 osteoblastic, and 18 mixed) were segmented two times by two operators. Dice coefficients (DCs) were calculated adopting the quantification that a DC˃0.7 indicates good reliability.

Results

Generally, rather poor inter- and intra-operator reliability of lesion segmentation were found. Inter-operator DCs were 0.54 (± 0.28) and 0.50 (± 0.32) for the first and second segmentations, respectively, whereas intra-operator DCs were 0.56 (± 0.28) for operator I and 0.71 (± 0.23) for operator II. Larger lesions scored significantly higher DCs in comparison with smaller lesions. Of the femurs with larger mean segmentation volumes, 83% and 93% were segmented with good inter- and intra-operator DCs (> 0.7), respectively. There was no difference between the mean DCs of osteolytic, osteoblastic, and mixed lesions.

Conclusion

Manual segmentation of femoral bone metastases is very challenging and resulted in unsatisfactory mean reliability values. There is a need for development of a segmentation protocol to reduce the inter- and intra-operator segmentation variation as the first step and use of computer-assisted segmentation tools as a second step as this study shows that manual segmentation of femoral metastatic lesions is highly challenging.
Screening of cultivars for tissue culture response and establishment of genetic transformation in a high-yielding and disease-resistant cultivar of Theobroma cacao
Authors: Jones Jesse , Zhang Elaine , Tucker Dominick , Rietz Daniel , Dahlbeck Douglas , Gomez Michael , Garcia Claudia , Marelli Jean-Philippe , Livingstone Donald , Schnell Ray , Staskawicz Brian , Cho Myeong-Je
Published: July 2021

A highly efficient transformation protocol is a prerequisite to developing genetically modified and genome-edited crops. A tissue culture system spanning culture initiation from floral material to conversion of embryos to plants has been tested and improved inTheobroma cacao. Nine cultivars were screened for their tissue culture response and susceptibility toAgrobacteriumtransfer-DNA delivery as measured through transient expression. These key factors were used to determine the genetic transformability of various cultivars. The high-yielding, disease-resistant cultivar INIAPG-038 was selected for stable transformation and the method was further optimized. Multiple transgenic events were produced using two vectors containing both yellow fluorescent protein andneomycin phosphotransferaseII genes. A two-fold strategy to improve both T-DNA delivery and secondary somatic embryogenesis rates was conducted to improve overall transformation frequency. The use ofAgrobacteriumstrain AGL1 and cotyledon tissue derived from secondary somatic embryos ranging in size between 4 to 10 mm resulted in the highest T-DNA delivery efficiency. Furthermore, the use of higher concentrations of basal salts and cupric sulfate in the medium increased the frequency of explants producing greater than ten embryos by five-fold and four-fold during secondary somatic embryogenesis, respectively. Consequently, an optimal combination of all these components resulted in a successful transformation of INIAPG-038 with 3.7% frequency at the T0plant-level. Grafting transgenic scions with undeveloped roots to non-transgenic seedlings with healthy roots helped make plantlets survive and facilitated quick transplantation to the soil. The presented strategy can be applied to improve tissue culture response and transformation frequency in otherTheobroma cacaocultivars.
Digital Hazards for Feeding and Eating: What We Know and What We Don't
Authors: Ioannidis Konstantinos , Chamberlain Samuel R
Published: July 2021

Purpose of Review

We aimed to accrue recent evidence exploring effects of modern online activities (e.g., Internet use) on feeding and eating disorder symptoms, and related traits. We examined available evidence to ascertain any direct influences from online activities on feeding and eating disorders, thereby shedding light on putative mechanisms by which those influences may occur.

Recent Findings

Many facets of problematic usage of the Internet correlate cross sectionally with eating disorder and related psychopathology. There is evidence to suggest that significant effects do exist in the direction of specific Internet activities contributing to eating disorder symptoms, viewed dimensionally. Putative mechanisms are discussed. However, a significant number of eating disorder phenotypes and Internet-related activities remain under-researched.

Specific facets of engagement with the online environment appear to confer risk for feeding and eating problems, evidence being strongest for non-clinical studies using dimensional measures. More research is required to rigorously confirm causal effects, including in patients meeting formal diagnostic criteria for eating disorders. We also highlight the need for high-quality evidence to explore how eating disorder phenotypes are commonly as well as uniquely affected by different online activities. Such research is needed in order that scientific understanding in this area can be translated to protect those most at risk of disordered eating, including through changes in public health approaches and clinical practice.
Antitumor activity of Koningic acid in thyroid cancer by inhibiting cellular glycolysis
Authors: Jing Changxin , Li Yanyan , Gao Zhifei , Wang Rong
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Koningic acid (KA), a sesquiterpene lactone, has been identified as an antimicrobial agent. Recent studies have revealed KA’s antitumor activities in colorectal cancer, leukemia, and lung cancer. However, its antitumor effect in thyroid cancer remains largely unknown.

Methods

The effects of KA on proliferation, colony formation, apoptosis in thyroid cancer cells were assessed by MTT assay and flow cytometry. After KA treatment, the glycolysis ability of thyroid cancer cells was detected by ECAR, and the glycolytic products and relative ATP levels were measured by ELISA. The underlying mechanisms of antineoplastic activity of KA in thyroid cancer were detected by Western blot. Finally, the antineoplastic activity in vivo was observed in Xenograft mouse models.

Results

KA inhibited the proliferation, colony formation, and increased cell apoptosis in thyroid cancer cell lines in a dose and time-dependent manner. We verified that the glycolysis ability, ATP production, and lactic acid level in thyroid cancer cells had experienced an extensive decrease after KA treatment. In addition, lactic acid, the metabolite of glycolysis, could weaken the effect of KA on its colony formation ability in C643 thyroid cancer cell line. Our data also showed that KA kills thyroid cancer cells by inhibiting the MAPK/ERK pathway and decreasing Bcl-2 level. By contrast with the control group, the growth of xenograft tumor was dramatically inhibited by KA without obvious drug side effects.

Conclusion

Our data demonstrate that KA kills thyroid cancer cell lines by inhibiting their glycolysis ability, the MAPK/ERK pathway and the Bcl-2 level and suggest that KA has potential clinical value in thyroid cancer therapy.
Geometry and symmetry in biochemical reaction systems
Authors: Mulas Raffaella , Sánchez-García Rubén J. , MacArthur Ben D.
Published: July 2021

Complex systems of intracellular biochemical reactions have a central role in regulating cell identities and functions. Biochemical reaction systems are typically studied using the language and tools of graph theory. However, graph representations only describe pairwise interactions between molecular species and so are not well suited to modelling complex sets of reactions that may involve numerous reactants and/or products. Here, we make use of a recently developed hypergraph theory of chemical reactions that naturally allows for higher-order interactions to explore the geometry and quantify functional redundancy in biochemical reactions systems. Our results constitute a general theory of automorphisms for oriented hypergraphs and describe the effect of automorphism group structure on hypergraph Laplacian spectra.
A Review of Telemedicine Interventions for Weight Loss
Authors: Ufholz Kelsey , Bhargava Daksh
Published: July 2021

Purpose of Review

Telemedicine has become popular as an alternative for in-person weight loss treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. This review focuses on weight loss interventions utilizing real-time telemedicine.

Recent Findings

Telemedicine interventions are usually run as a weekly counseling and educational session or as a complement to a primarily Web-based intervention. A wide variety of healthcare professionals may provide the intervention. Common content includes portion control, increased physical activity, and relapse prevention. Self-monitoring is associated with intervention success. Modalities considered include online chats, text messages, phone calls, and videoconferences. Videoconferencing may be especially useful in capturing the interpersonal connection associated with in-person care but is understudied compared to other modalities. While many interventions show improvements in weight and weight-related outcomes, small sample sizes limit generalizability. Technology access and digital literacy are both necessary.

Telemedicine interventions can successfully help patients with obesity lose weight. Telemedicine interventions provide a safe, remote alternative and may expand treatment access to hard-to-reach populations. Further research is needed on telemedicine weight loss treatments for seniors, men, and ethnic minorities, as well as on the impact of long-term interventions.
Effects of Experts’ Annotations on Fashion Designers Apprentices’ Gaze Patterns and Verbalisations
Authors: Coppi Alessia Eletta , Oertel Catharine , Cattaneo Alberto
Published: July 2021

Visual expertise is a fundamental proficiency in many vocations and many questions have risen on the topic, with studies looking at experts and novices differences’ in observation (e.g., radiologists) or at ways to help novices achieve visual expertise (e.g., through annotations). However, most of these studies focus on white-collar professions and overlook vocational ones. For example, observing is uttermost important for fashion designers who spend most of their professional time on visual tasks related to creating patterns and garments or performing alterations. Therefore, this study focuses on trying to convey a professional way to look at images by exposing apprentices to images annotated (e.g., circles) by experts and identifying if their gaze (e.g., fixation durations and gaze coverage) and verbalisations (i.e., images descriptions) are affected. The study was conducted with 38 apprentices that were exposed to sequential sets of images depicting shirts, first non-annotated (pre-test), then annotated for the experimental group and non-annotated for the control group (training 1 and training 2), and finally non-annotated (post-test). Also, in the pre and post-test and in training 2 apprentices had to verbally describe each image. Gaze was recorded with the Tobii X2–60 tracker. Results for fixation durations showed that the experimental group looked longer in the annotated part of the shirt in training 1 and in the shirt’s central part at post-test. However, the experimental group did not cover a significantly larger area of the shirt compared to control and verbalisations show no difference between the groups at post-test.
Failure assessment for drinking water distribution system in the case of Bahir Dar institute of technology, Ethiopia
Authors: Mesalie Roman Abebe , Aklog Dagnachew , Kifelew Mekash Shiferaw
Published: July 2021

In this paper, the issue of failure assessment in the drinking water distribution system was presented. This specific study was conducted on the water distribution system on the campus of Bahir Dar Institute of Technology. The current problem in Bahir Dar institute of technology is that the water infrastructure is aging and has not been spending adequate to repair, replace, or rehabilitate drinking water distribution systems. This develops higher stresses on the water distribution network causing pipes to crack, or rupture permanently while in service. Due to this problem, the whole water supply components in the distribution network led to increased water loss and quality reduction. The general objective of this study is to assess the risk of the water distribution system in the Bahir Dar Institute of technology water supply distribution system. In this study, a structural risk assessment was developed by using ARC GIS 10.5 and Water Cad V8i to get prioritize maps of the water distribution system and hydraulic analysis of the drinking water distribution system of the institute. In developing this assessment, the score was established based on the preset criteria to evaluate customer point risk and structural point risks such as water quality, water availability, pressure head adequacy, the flow rate of water, pipe, storage facility, and pump. Based on the result obtained from an equal weight approach, the score of the drinking water distribution system risk index is a medium level (2.56) with a low level of structural risk (2.5) and a medium level of consumer point risk (2.62). The results evaluated by the AHP method, structural risk has had the highest weight score (76%) which means it needs more priority than consumption point risk (24%), and the result of drinking water distribution system risk index laid at the medium level (2.7), it indicates the institution drinking water distribution system put at the satisfactory condition with the sum up the effect of medium structural risk index (2.65) and medium consumption point risk (2.82). Based on the findings and conclusions of the study, the components of the campus water supply distribution system, particularly parts of the pipe and the majority of the pump, should be replaced before they become obsolete, and suitable preventive measures should be taken.
The Role of Church Support Networks in the Relationship between Discrimination and Psychiatric Disorders among Older African Americans
Authors: Nguyen Ann W. , Wang Fei , Qin Weidi , Hamler Tyrone C.
Published: July 2021

Background

Few studies have examined the effects of discrimination on mental health specifically among older African Americans despite it being a common experience in this population. Further, knowledge on social resources, such as social relationships, that could mitigate the effects of discrimination is limited in this population. Given the historical and contemporaneous importance of the Black church in African American communities, church members are important support network members and a major source of social support for older African Americans.

Purpose

To address these knowledge gaps, this study will (1) examine the association between racial discrimination and psychiatric disorders; and (2) determine whether church relationships moderate the impact of racial discrimination on psychiatric disorders.

Methods

Data from African American respondents aged 55 and older were drawn from the National Survey of American Life ( N = 837). Church relationship variables included receipt of emotional support from, frequency of contact with, and subjective closeness to church members. Regression analyses were used to test the study aims.

Results

Analyses indicated that more frequent experiences of racial discrimination were associated with meeting criteria for any DSM-IV disorder and a greater number of DSM-IV disorders. Significant interactions revealed that frequency of contact with and subjective closeness to church members mitigated the association between discrimination and meeting criteria for any 12-month disorder and number of 12-month disorders.

Conclusions and Implications

Altogether, these findings support the literature on the detrimental effects of discrimination on the mental health of older African Americans and provide a more nuanced understanding of the role of church members in the lives of older African Americans. The study findings suggest that church relationships are effective stress coping resources for older African Americans dealing with discrimination. Given the importance and relevance of church members, initial clinical assessments should assess clients’ level of religious involvement and relationships with church members.
Horizon Scanning in Cancer Genomics: How Advances in Genomic Medicine Will Change Cancer Care Over the Next Decade
Authors: Seed Lydia M.
Published: July 2021

Purpose of Review

Advances in genomic medicine have the potential to revolutionise cancer patient care by driving forwards the clinical practice of precision oncology. This review aims to outline how genomic medicine advances may alter the care of cancer patients and their families over the next 10 years.

Recent Findings

The translation of oncogenomic advances into the clinical environment will likely be facilitated by the increasing availability of next-generation sequencing technologies and the increasing genomic literacy of healthcare professionals. The implementation of the centralised, nationwide NHS Genomic Medicine Service promises to improve equity of cancer care and to facilitate personalisation of almost every stage of the care pathway, from informing population screening and how we diagnose cancer to delivering prognoses and surveillance. Advances in cancer pharmacogenomics, and other “omics” technologies, have a tremendous potential to optimise patient care. Genomic medicine advances will also enhance the care offered to cancer patients’ families.

Genomic medicine advances are likely to transform almost every aspect of a cancer patient’s care pathway. Cancer care will profoundly improve over the next decade, increasing UK cancer survival rates and improving patient outcomes.
Advances in friction stir welding by separate control of shoulder and probe
Authors: Grätzel M. , Sieber F. , Schick-Witte K. J. , Bergmann J. P.
Published: July 2021

Friction stir welding (FSW) has developed into a reliable and increasing used industrial joining technology. Various tool configurations can be used for FSW, each of which has advantages and challenges. State-of-the-art FSW employs various tool configurations, including the conventional, the stationary shoulder, and the dual-rotational configuration which is characterized by separate control of shoulder and probe. In this study, an innovative method to combine various tool configurations was developed by a novel FSW spindle stack construction. With an additional servomotor, existing FSW systems can be extended by separate control of shoulder and probe so that varying rotational speeds and rotational directions can be set. This allows enhanced possibilities (a) to adjust frictional heat generation and (b) to apply several tool configurations. The main advantages of this enhanced type of FSW are demonstrated in three ways: increased weld penetration depth, reduction of undesirable machine vibrations, and the combination of varying tool configurations such as stationary shoulder and conventional FSW. The investigations were carried out with 2-mm EN AA 5754 H22 sheets and performed on a robotized FSW setup.
Compact homogeneous Leviflat CR-manifolds
Authors: Al-Abdallah A. R. , Gilligan B.
Published: July 2021

We consider compact Leviflat homogeneous Cauchy–Riemann (CR) manifolds. In this setting, the Levi-foliation exists and we show that all its leaves are homogeneous and biholomorphic. We analyze separately the structure of orbits in complex projective spaces and parallelizable homogeneous CR-manifolds in our context and then combine the projective and parallelizable cases. In codimensions one and two, we also give a classification.
Differences and Similarities of Photocatalysis and Electrocatalysis in Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials: Strategies, Traps, Applications and Challenges
Authors: Qian Weiqi , Xu Suwen , Zhang Xiaoming , Li Chuanbo , Yang Weiyou , Bowen Chris R. , Yang Ya
Published: July 2021

Photocatalysis and electrocatalysis have been essential parts of electrochemical processes for over half a century. Recent progress in the controllable synthesis of 2D nanomaterials has exhibited enhanced catalytic performance compared to bulk materials. This has led to significant interest in the exploitation of 2D nanomaterials for catalysis. There have been a variety of excellent reviews on 2D nanomaterials for catalysis, but related issues of differences and similarities between photocatalysis and electrocatalysis in 2D nanomaterials are still vacant. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview on the differences and similarities of photocatalysis and electrocatalysis in the latest 2D nanomaterials. Strategies and traps for performance enhancement of 2D nanocatalysts are highlighted, which point out the differences and similarities of series issues for photocatalysis and electrocatalysis. In addition, 2D nanocatalysts and their catalytic applications are discussed. Finally, opportunities, challenges and development directions for 2D nanocatalysts are described. The intention of this review is to inspire and direct interest in this research realm for the creation of future 2D nanomaterials for photocatalysis and electrocatalysis.
A Discrete Density Approach to Bayesian Quantile and Expectile Regression with Discrete Responses
Authors: Liu Xi , Hu Xueping , Yu Keming
Published: July 2021

For decades, regression models beyond the mean for continuous responses have attracted great attention in the literature. These models typically include quantile regression and expectile regression. But there is little research on these regression models for discrete responses, particularly from a Bayesian perspective. By forming the likelihood function based on suitable discrete probability mass functions, this paper introduces a discrete density approach for Bayesian inference of these regression models with discrete responses. Bayesian quantile regression for discrete responses is first developed, and then this method is extended to Bayesian expectile regression for discrete responses. The posterior distribution under this approach is shown not only coherent irrespective of the true distribution of the response, but also proper with regarding to improper priors for the unknown model parameters. The performance of the method is evaluated via extensive Monte Carlo simulation studies and one real data analysis.