bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Forest Management with Reduced-Impact Logging in Amazonia: Estimated Aboveground Volume and Carbon in Commercial Tree Species in Managed Forest in Brazil’s State of Acre
Authors: Romero Flora Magdaline Benitez , Jacovine Laércio Antônio Gonçalves , Torres Carlos Moreira Miquelino Eleto , Ribeiro Sabina Cerruto , de Morais Junior Vicente Toledo Machado , da Rocha Samuel José Silva Soares , Romero Richard Andres Benitez , Gaspar Ricardo de Oliveira , Velasquez Santiago Ivan Sagredo , Staudhammer Christina Lynn , Ferreira Neto José Ambrosio , Vidal Edson , Fearnside Philip Martin
Published: April 2021

Tropical forest management has both positive and negative effects on climate change, and quantifying these effects is important both to avoid or minimize negative impacts and to reward net positive effects. This study contributes to this effort by estimating the aboveground volume and carbon present in commercial tree species in a managed forest in the forest harvest stage in Brazil’s state of Acre. A total of 12,794 trees of commercial species were measured. Trees were categorized and quantified as: “harvested trees” (“harvest or cut”), which were felled in the harvest stage, and “remaining trees” (“future cutting,” “trees in permanent protection areas or APPs,” “seed trees,” “rare trees” and “trees protected by law”) that remained standing in the forest post-harvest. Aboveground volume and carbon stocks of the 81 commercial species (diameter at breast height [DBH] ≥ 10 cm) totaled 79.19 m³ ha−1 and 21.54 MgC ha−1, respectively. The category “harvested trees” represents 44.48% and “remaining trees” 55.49% of the aboveground volume stocks. In the managed area, the category “harvested trees” is felled; this is composed of the commercial bole that is removed (19.25 m³ ha−1 and 5.32 MgC ha−1) and the stump and crown that remain in the forest as decomposing organic material (15.97 m³ ha−1 and 4.41 MgC ha−1). We can infer that the 21.54 MgC ha−1 carbon stock of standing commercial trees (DBH ≥ 10 cm) represents 13.20% of the total aboveground carbon in the managed area. The commercial boles removed directly from the forest represent 3.26% of the total aboveground carbon, and the stumps and crowns of the harvested trees represent the loss of an additional 2.70%. For sustainability of the management system in terms of carbon balance, growth in the 35-year management cycle must be sufficient to replace not only these amounts (0.27 MgC ha−1 year−1) but also losses to collateral damage and to additional logging-related effects from increased vulnerability to forest fires. Financial viability of future management cycles will depend on replenishment of commercial trees of harvestable size (DBH ≥ 50 cm).
The Human Dimensions of Spatial, Pre-Wildfire Planning Decision Support Systems: A Review of Barriers, Facilitators, and Recommendations
Authors: Colavito Melanie
Published: April 2021

Decision support systems (DSSs) are increasingly common in forest and wildfire planning and management in the United States. Recent policy direction and frameworks call for collaborative assessment of wildfire risk to inform fuels treatment prioritization using the best available science. There are numerous DSSs applicable to forest and wildfire planning, which can support timely and relevant information for decision making, but the use and adoption of these systems is inconsistent. There is a need to elucidate the use of DSSs, specifically those that support pre-wildfire, spatial planning, such as wildfire risk assessment and forest fuels treatment prioritization. It is important to understand what DSSs are in use, barriers and facilitators to their use, and recommendations for improving their use. Semi-structured interviews with key informants were used to assess these questions. Respondents identified numerous barriers, as well as recommendations for improving DSS development and integration, specifically with respect to capacity, communication, implementation, question identification, testing, education and training, and policy, guidance, and authorities. These recommendations can inform DSS use for wildfire risk assessment and treatment prioritization to meet the goals of national policies and frameworks. Lastly, a framework for organizing spatial, pre-wildfire planning DSSs to support end-user understanding and use is provided.
Life-Threatening Malnutrition in Very Severe ME/CFS
Authors: Baxter Helen , Speight Nigel , Weir William
Published: April 2021

Very severe Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), (also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) can lead to problems with nutrition and hydration. The reasons can be an inability to swallow, severe gastrointestinal problems tolerating food or the patient being too debilitated to eat and drink. Some patients with very severe ME will require tube feeding, either enterally or parenterally. There can often be a significant delay in implementing this, due to professional opinion, allowing the patient to become severely malnourished. Healthcare professionals may fail to recognize that the problems are a direct consequence of very severe ME, preferring to postulate psychological theories rather than addressing the primary clinical need. We present five case reports in which delay in instigating tube feeding led to severe malnutrition of a life-threatening degree. This case study aims to alert healthcare professionals to these realities.
Patient Satisfaction with Oncological Care during the SARS-CoV-2 Virus Pandemic
Authors: Konieczny Magdalena , Cipora Elżbieta , Sawicka Jolanta , Fal Andrzej
Published: April 2021

Recently, the outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected the health situation of the entire society and necessitated reorganization of health care including oncology. The objective of this study was to examine the perception of medical services by cancer patients during the pandemic and to identify the key elements influencing the level of satisfaction with oncological care. Of note, 394 patients diagnosed with cancer treated in inpatient oncology wards participated in the study (Poland). The diagnostic survey method was used. A survey questionnaire developed by the authors was used and validated the EORTC IN-PATSAT32 questionnaire. The calculations were made in Statistica 10.0 (Statsoft; 2011, Dell Inc., Round Rock, TX, USA). The average general level of satisfaction with oncological care in the study group was 80.77 out of a total score of 100, representing the highest level of satisfaction. Levels of satisfaction varied according to time since diagnosis (longer time—greater satisfaction) and were lower where treatment was delayed or perceived as disorganised. Nearly half of the respondents felt the threat of the SARS-CoV-2 infection, despite the fact that most of them believed that the hospital was well prepared to diagnose and treat cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Convincing patients about the proper preparation of health care for diagnostics and therapy is an important element influencing patient satisfaction with oncological care.
Public Preferences in Resource Allocation for Insurance Coverage of Dental Implant Service in South Korea: Citizens’ Jury
Authors: Lee Hwa-Young , Bae Eun-Young , Lee Kyungdo , Kang Minah , Oh Juhwan
Published: April 2021

The Korean government sought to include dental implant services for the elderly in the benefits package of the national health insurance. In 2014, the Citizens’ Jury was held to discuss the topic, during which thirty jurors, randomly selected from the 2665 applicants, participated in a day-long deliberation process after having an information session on the topic by a team of experts. There was a substantial shift in opinion during the deliberation session toward a more cost-conscious view. Most jurors supported limiting the coverage of dental implant to only one tooth per individual given the extent of the financial burden that will be imposed on the population. They opposed covering implant services for the front teeth, given that the implant of front teeth generally serves aesthetic purposes rather than restoring mastication function. The government’s final decision in 2014 was to offer coverage up to two teeth, regardless of tooth location. This scheme based on the jury’s recommendations in 2014 has been implemented without policy failure to date, which shows that the lay public can meaningfully contribute to a decision-making process regarding controversial agendas such as benefits packages for expensive health services.
Analysis of Taiwan’s Mask Collection and Plan Evasion during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Ko Po-Sheng , Lee Jen-Yao
Published: April 2021

This study established a two-stage dynamic game strategy to analyze how the planned quota and price of masks were set and why mask manufacturing firms on the national mask team (NMT) in Taiwan evaded the plan. Plan evasion occurred when the NMT decided to produce less than the quota set by the government, even though they were incentivized and able to produce more. Taiwan’s experience shows that through the collection of masks and the Name-Based Mask Rationing System, the people’s right to procure masks can be guaranteed; however, to promote market transaction efficiency, the government should adopt a lower quota for the collection of masks and allow firms to freely sell them in the market after they complete their plans. The self-interest of the government played a key role in inducing plan evasion.
Allergies, Allergic Comorbidities and the Home Environment in Pediatric Asthma in Southern Florida
Authors: Saif Nadia T. , Kleiner Gary I. , Forster Lourdes Q. , Hershorin Eugene R. , Colin Andrew A. , Mirsaeidi Mehdi , Kumar Naresh
Published: April 2021

Background: Environmental exposure is critical in sensitization to environmental allergens and pediatric asthma morbidity, especially in tropical climates where children are perennially exposed to bioaerosols, such as pollen and mold spores, and endotoxins. Objective: This cross-sectional study examines the association of allergies, associated allergic comorbidities, and the home environment separately and synergistically in pediatric asthma, including in asthma prevalence, severity of asthma, and undiagnosed asthma, in South Florida. Methods: An online survey was administered to the parents of children attending two of the University of Miami pediatric clinics from June to October 2016. Descriptive, factor, and multivariate regression analyses were used to analyze the data. Results: Of 163 children, 22% (36) children had physician-diagnosed asthma; 10% and 32% had allergic rhinitis diagnosis and rhinitis symptoms, respectively, in the past. The allergy diagnosis age was 2.3 years higher than the asthma diagnosis age (p < 0.01). Children with ≥ 2 allergies were 12.8 times more likely to have physician-diagnosed asthma than those without allergies (p < 0.01). Children with allergies and allergic rhinitis were 4.3 (p < 0.05) times more likely to have asthma, and those with asthma were 15 (p < 0.05) times more likely to have an asthma attack than those without known allergies and allergic rhinitis. Conclusion: Allergies and associated comorbidities are risk factors of asthma, asthma persistence, and multiple allergies exacerbate their effects. Early screening for allergies and treatment are warranted to manage asthma. Since the home environment plays an important role in sensitization to allergens, further research is needed to assess home-environment-mediated allergic conditions in the onset and persistence of asthma.
Impact Mechanism of the Ecological Vulnerability of Highly Developed Islands Based on the Bayesian Network Model—Applied to the Changshan Islands
Authors: Qin Keyu , Huang Haijun , Liu Jingya , Yan Liwen , Liu Yanxia , Bi Haibo , Zhang Zehua , Zhang Yi
Published: April 2021

Islands are one of the most sensitive interfaces between global changes and land and sea dynamic effects, with high sensitivity and low stability. Therefore, under the dynamic coupling effect of human activities and frequent natural disasters, the vulnerability of the ecological environment of islands shows the characteristics of complexity and diversity. For the protection of island ecosystems, a system for the assessment of island ecosystems and studies on the mechanism of island ecological vulnerability are highly crucial. In this study, the North and South Changshan Islands of China were selected as the study area. Considering various impact factors of island ecological vulnerability, the geographical information systems (GIS) spatial analysis, field surveys, data sampling were used to evaluate island ecological vulnerability. The Bayesian network model was used to explore the impact mechanism of ecological vulnerability. The results showed that the ecological vulnerability of the North Changshan Island is higher than that of the South Changshan Island. Among all the indicators, the proportion of net primary productivity (NPP) and the steep slope has the strongest correlation with ecological vulnerability. This study can be used as references in the relevant departments to formulate management policies and promote the sustainable development of islands and their surrounding waters
Acupuncture Alleviates Anxiety and 22-kHz Ultrasonic Vocalizations in Rats Subjected to Repeated Alcohol Administration by Modulating the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone Signaling Pathway
Authors: Seo Su Yeon , Bang Se Kyun , Kang Suk Yun , Cho Seong Jin , Choi Kwang Ho , Ryu Yeon Hee
Published: April 2021

The Shenmen point (acupuncture point heart 7: HT7), located in the heart meridian, is frequently used to treat mental disorders, including drug addiction, anxiety, and depression. This study aimed to determine how HT7 regulates anxiety and negative emotions caused by repeated alcohol administration, focusing on the amygdala and paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Repeated administration of alcohol (ETOH; 2 g/kg, i.p. injection, 16% v/v) for 14 days increased the corticosterone (CORT) levels, and HT7 stimulation reduced the plasma CORT levels. HT7 stimulation mitigated anxiety-like behaviors and reduced 22-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations in rats receiving repeated ETOH injections. HT7 stimulation increased the amygdala expression of mature brain-derived neurotropic factor (mBDNF) and phosphorylated tropomyosin receptor kinase B (pTrkB) and decreased the PVN corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) expression. Amygdala microinjections of the TrkB antagonist ANA-12 (0.1 pmol/1 μL) reversed the increase in PVN CRH levels. The reduced PVN CRH levels were regulated by CRH-expressing neurons in the amygdala, and the increased amygdala CRH levels were affected by the HT7-stimulation induced increases in mBDNF. HT7 stimulation alleviates increased stress hormone levels and mitigates anxiety and negative emotions caused by repeated ETOH administration. These results provide scientific support for the clinical use of acupuncture to treat various alcoholism-induced diseases.
The microRNA miR-14 Regulates Egg-Laying by Targeting EcR in Honeybees (Apis mellifera)
Authors: Chen Xiao , Fu Jinluan
Published: April 2021

Honeybees (Apis mellifera) are important pollinators and are commonly used for honey production. The oviposition behavior in honeybees is complex and errors in oviposition could affect the development of the bee colony. Recent studies reported that RNA–RNA cross-talk played a critical role in several biological processes, including reproduction. Ecdysone receptor (EcR) and miR-14 were previously reported to play important roles in egg-laying. Moreover, EcR was predicted to be the target gene of miR-14 and may form miR-14-EcR cross-talk. In this study, knocking down and overexpression of miR-14 and EcR in queen model were implemented. The effect of RNA expression of miR-14 and EcR on the number of eggs laid by honeybee queens were analyzed. Further, luciferase assay was used to confirm the target relation between miR-14 and 3′UTR of EcR. The results showed that the expression of miR-14 and EcR was associated with the number of eggs laid by queens. In specific, inhibition of miR-14 expression enhanced the number of eggs laid, while overexpression of EcR enhanced the number of eggs laid. Lastly, we determined that miR-14 directly targets the mRNA of EcR. These findings suggest that the cross-talk of miR-14-EcR plays an important role in the number of eggs laid by honeybee queens.
Wavelet Scattering and Neural Networks for Railhead Defect Identification
Authors: Jin Yang
Published: April 2021

Accurate and automatic railhead inspection is crucial for the operational safety of railway systems. Deep learning on visual images is effective in the automatic detection of railhead defects, but either intensive data requirements or ignoring defect sizes reduce its applicability. This paper developed a machine learning framework based on wavelet scattering networks (WSNs) and neural networks (NNs) for identifying railhead defects. WSNs are functionally equivalent to deep convolutional neural networks while containing no parameters, thus suitable for non-intensive datasets. NNs can restore location and size information. The publicly available rail surface discrete defects (RSDD) datasets were analyzed, including 67 Type-I railhead images acquired from express tracks and 128 Type-II images captured from ordinary/heavy haul tracks. The ultimate validation accuracy reached 99.80% and 99.44%, respectively. WSNs can extract implicit signal features, and the support vector machine classifier can improve the learning accuracy of NNs by over 6%. Three criteria, namely the precision, recall, and F-measure, were calculated for comparison with the literature. At the pixel level, the developed approach achieved three criteria of around 90%, outperforming former methods. At the defect level, the recall rates reached 100%, indicating all labeled defects were identified. The precision rates were around 75%, affected by the insignificant misidentified speckles (smaller than 20 pixels). Nonetheless, the developed learning framework was effective in identifying railhead defects.
Statistical and Microstructural Analyses of Al–C–Cu Composites Synthesized Using the State Solid Route
Authors: Santos Beltrán Audel , Gallegos Orozco Verónica , Santos Beltrán Miriam , Gómez Esparza Cynthia , Ronquillo Ornelas Iza , Gallegos Orozco Carmen , Ledezma Beng Luz. E. , Martínez Sánchez Roberto
Published: April 2021

Aluminum powder with different C and C–Cu mixtures powders were fabricated by powder metallurgy, using high-energy mechanical milling as a pre-treatment of powders. To evaluate the combined effect of the C–Cu mixture and the process conditions, such as sintering temperature/time and milling time, on the yield stress and hardness, two experimental designs were carried out. The results were analyzed with Minitab Statistical Software using contour plots. From the results, better mechanical properties were found at a Cu/C ratio of 0.33 and samples with high C content (3 wt. %). In samples subject to long sintering time (3 h), the mechanism of precipitation of the second phase was mainly present, resulting in an improvement in mechanical properties. From the difference found between the elastic limit and the microhardness tests, it was found that there was an inefficient sintering process affecting the elastic limit test results. Additionally, X-ray analyses using the Rietveld program, were used for microstructural characterization and mechanical parameters of yield strength and ultimate tensile strength.
Electroosmotic Mixing of Non-Newtonian Fluid in a Microchannel with Obstacles and Zeta Potential Heterogeneity
Authors: Mei Lanju , Cui Defu , Shen Jiayue , Dutta Diganta , Brown Willie , Zhang Lei , Dabipi Ibibia K.
Published: April 2021

This paper investigates the electroosmotic micromixing of non-Newtonian fluid in a microchannel with wall-mounted obstacles and surface potential heterogeneity on the obstacle surface. In the numerical simulation, the full model consisting of the Navier–Stokes equations and the Poisson–Nernst–Plank equations are solved for the electroosmotic fluid field, ion transport, and electric field, and the power law model is used to characterize the rheological behavior of the aqueous solution. The mixing performance is investigated under different parameters, such as electric double layer thickness, flow behavior index, obstacle surface zeta potential, obstacle dimension. Due to the zeta potential heterogeneity at the obstacle surface, vortical flow is formed near the obstacle surface, which can significantly improve the mixing efficiency. The results show that, the mixing efficiency can be improved by increasing the obstacle surface zeta potential, the flow behavior index, the obstacle height, the EDL thickness.
A Microflow Cytometry-Based Agglutination Immunoassay for Point-of-Care Quantitative Detection of SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG
Authors: Qu Jianxi , Chenier Mathieu , Zhang Yushan , Xu Chang-qing
Published: April 2021

A rapid, sensitive and simple microflow cytometry-based agglutination immunoassay (MCIA) was developed for point-of-care (POC) quantitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies. The antibody concentration was determined by using the transit time of beads aggregates. A linear relationship was established between the average transit time and the concentration of SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG, respectively. The limit of detection (LOD) of SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG by the MCIA measurement are 0.06 mg/L and 0.10 mg/L, respectively. The 10 µL sample consumption, 30 min assay time and the compact setup make this technique suitable for POC quantitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.
Light Emitted Diode on Detecting Thin-Film Transistor through Line-Scan Photosensor
Authors: Tzu Fu-Ming , Chen Jung-Shun , Hsu Shih-Hsien
Published: April 2021

This paper explores the effectiveness of the white, red, green, and blue light emitted diodes (LEDs) light sources to detect the third layer of the electrode pixel and the fourth layer of the via-hole passivation on thin-film transistors. The time-delay-integration charge-coupled device and a reflective spectrometer were implemented in this experiment. The optical conditions are the same, as each light source and the digital image’s binary method also recognize the sharpness and contrast in the task. Consequently, the white and the blue LED light sources can be candidates for the light source for the optical inspection, especially for monochromic blue LED’s outperformance among the light sources. The blue LED demonstrates the high spatial resolution and short wavelength’s greater energy to trigger the photosensor. Additionally, the metal material has shown a tremendous responsibility in the photosensor with 150 Dn/nj/cm2 over the sensibility. The mercury 198Hg-pencil discharge lamp emits the stable spectral wavelength to significantly calibrate the spectrometer’s measurement.
Fracture Load of CAD/CAM Fabricated Cantilever Implant-Supported Zirconia Framework: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Alshiddi Ibraheem F. , Habib Syed Rashid , Zafar Muhammad Sohail , Bajunaid Salwa , Labban Nawaf , Alsarhan Mohammed
Published: April 2021

The fracture resistance of computer-aided designing and computer-aided manufacturing CAD/CAM fabricated implant-supported cantilever zirconia frameworks (ISCZFs) is affected by the size/dimension and the micro cracks produced from diamond burs during the milling process. The present in vitro study investigated the fracture load for different cross-sectional dimensions of connector sites of implant-supported cantilever zirconia frameworks (ISCZFs) with different cantilever lengths (load point). A total of 48 ISCZFs (Cercon, Degudent; Dentsply, Deutschland, Germany) were fabricated by CAD/CAM and divided into four groups based on cantilever length and reinforcement of distal-abutment: Group A: 9 mm cantilever; Group B: 9 mm cantilever with reinforced distal-abutment; Group C: 12 mm cantilever; Group D: 12 mm cantilever with reinforced distal-abutment (n = 12). The ISCZFs were loaded using a universal testing machine for recording the fracture load. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and Tukey’s test were used for the statistical analysis (p < 0.05). Significant variations were found between the fracture loads of the four ISCZFs (p = 0.000); Group-C and B were found with the weakest and the strongest distal cantilever frameworks with fracture load of 670.39 ± 130.96 N and 1137.86 ± 127.85 N, respectively. The mean difference of the fracture load between groups A (810.49 + 137.579 N) and B (1137.86 ± 127.85 N) and between C (670.39 ± 130.96 N) and D (914.58 + 149.635 N) was statistically significant (p = 0.000). Significant variations in the fracture load between the ISCZFs with different cantilever lengths and thicknesses of the distal abutments were found. Increasing the thickness of the distal abutment only by 0.5 mm reinforces the distal abutments by significantly increasing the fracture load of the ISCZFs. Therefore, an increase in the thickness of the distal abutments is recommended in patients seeking implant-supported distal cantilever fixed prostheses.
RNA Proximity Labeling: A New Detection Tool for RNA–Protein Interactions
Authors: Weissinger Ronja , Heinold Lisa , Akram Saira , Jansen Ralf-Peter , Hermesh Orit
Published: April 2021

Multiple cellular functions are controlled by the interaction of RNAs and proteins. Together with the RNAs they control, RNA interacting proteins form RNA protein complexes, which are considered to serve as the true regulatory units for post-transcriptional gene expression. To understand how RNAs are modified, transported, and regulated therefore requires specific knowledge of their interaction partners. To this end, multiple techniques have been developed to characterize the interaction between RNAs and proteins. In this review, we briefly summarize the common methods to study RNA–protein interaction including crosslinking and immunoprecipitation (CLIP), and aptamer- or antisense oligonucleotide-based RNA affinity purification. Following this, we focus on in vivo proximity labeling to study RNA–protein interactions. In proximity labeling, a labeling enzyme like ascorbate peroxidase or biotin ligase is targeted to specific RNAs, RNA-binding proteins, or even cellular compartments and uses biotin to label the proteins and RNAs in its vicinity. The tagged molecules are then enriched and analyzed by mass spectrometry or RNA-Seq. We highlight the latest studies that exemplify the strength of this approach for the characterization of RNA protein complexes and distribution of RNAs in vivo.
Exposure to the Great Famine in Early Life and the Risk of Obesity in Adulthood: A Report Based on the China Health and Nutrition Survey
Authors: Jiang Huiru , Yu Yongfu , Li Leah , Xu Wanghong
Published: April 2021

Intrauterine malnutrition has a long-term effect on human health. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between exposure to famine in early life and obesity in adulthood in Chinese adults. A total of 5033 participants (22,132 observations) of the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) in 1991–2015 were classified into three famine exposure groups according to their birth year: unexposed (1963–1966), fetal-exposed (1959–1962) and childhood-exposed (1955–1958). Compared with the unexposed group, the fetal-exposed group had higher levels of body-mass-index (BMI) and waist-circumference (WC), and higher prevalence of overweight and central obesity, whereas the childhood-exposed group had lower levels of the measurements. However, the positive associations of fetal exposure with BMI, WC and prevalence of overweight and central obesity were attenuated by additionally adjusting for age at survey. Stratified analysis showed that the adverse effect of fetal exposure to famine was only observed in subjects at several specific age-groups, and in men living in rural areas and in women living in more severe famine exposed areas (p for interaction < 0.05). Our results provide evidence for the weak effect of fetal exposure to famine on body measurements in adulthood, and suggest the importance of severity of famine exposure and timing of exposure.
Vitamin D and Temporomandibular Disorders: What Do We Know So Far?
Authors: Kui Andreea , Buduru Smaranda , Labunet Anca , Balhuc Silvia , Negucioiu Marius
Published: April 2021

Background and aims. Vitamin D is synthesized in the skin with the aid of ultraviolet-B radiation, playing a variety of roles in the body. Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are a group of pathological conditions involving the temporomandibular joints as well as the masticatory muscles and othersurrounding tissues. In the present narrative review, we investigated the potential role of vitamin D in the etiology of temporomandibular disorders in order todetermine whether the current knowledge supports 25-hidroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) supplementation in temporomandibular disorders associated with insufficient or deficient levels of vitamin D. Methods. A literature research was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases, and a total of 10 articles were included for analysis. Results.Among the observational studies published to date, investigating the role for vitamin D in the etiology of TMDs, six of them suggest that there is a connection between the two aspects. In this context, patients suffering from TMD, with deficient levels of vitamin D (<30 ng/mL), are most likely to benefit from supplementation, whereas individuals with vitamin D level >50ng/mL probably have little benefit from supplementation.Conclusion.Vitamin D might be a safe, simple, and potentially beneficial way to prevent TMDs or to reduce pain; however, more randomized and placebo-controlled trials are required before any firm conclusions can be drawn.
Possible Neuroprotective Effects of l-Carnitine on White-Matter Microstructural Damage and Cognitive Decline in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Ueno Yuji , Saito Asami , Nakata Junichiro , Kamagata Koji , Taniguchi Daisuke , Motoi Yumiko , Io Hiroaki , Andica Christina , Shindo Atsuhiko , Shiina Kenta , Miyamoto Nobukazu , Yamashiro Kazuo , Urabe Takao , Suzuki Yusuke , Aoki Shigeki , Hattori Nobutaka
Published: April 2021

Although l-carnitine alleviated white-matter lesions in an experimental study, the treatment effects of l-carnitine on white-matter microstructural damage and cognitive decline in hemodialysis patients are unknown. Using novel diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) techniques, white-matter microstructural changes together with cognitive decline in hemodialysis patients and the effects of l-carnitine on such disorders were investigated. Fourteen hemodialysis patients underwent dMRI and laboratory and neuropsychological tests, which were compared across seven patients each in two groups according to duration of l-carnitine treatment: (1) no or short-term l-carnitine treatment (NSTLC), and (2) long-term l-carnitine treatment (LTLC). Ten age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled. Compared to controls, microstructural disorders of white matter were widely detected on dMRI of patients. An autopsy study of one patient in the NSTLC group showed rarefaction of myelinated fibers in white matter. With LTLC, microstructural damage on dMRI was alleviated along with lower levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and substantial increases in carnitine levels. The LTLC group showed better achievement on trail making test A, which was correlated with amelioration of disorders in some white-matter tracts. Novel dMRI tractography detected abnormalities of white-matter tracts after hemodialysis. Long-term treatment with l-carnitine might alleviate white-matter microstructural damage and cognitive impairment in hemodialysis patients.
Formulations for Bacteriophage Therapy and the Potential Uses of Immobilization
Authors: Rosner Daniel , Clark Jason
Published: April 2021

The emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens is becoming increasingly problematic in the treatment of bacterial diseases. This has led to bacteriophages receiving increased attention as an alternative form of treatment. Phages are effective at targeting and killing bacterial strains of interest and have yielded encouraging results when administered as part of a tailored treatment to severely ill patients as a last resort. Despite this, success in clinical trials has not always been as forthcoming, with several high-profile trials failing to demonstrate the efficacy of phage preparations in curing diseases of interest. Whilst this may be in part due to reasons surrounding poor phage selection and a lack of understanding of the underlying disease, there is growing consensus that future success in clinical trials will depend on effective delivery of phage therapeutics to the area of infection. This can be achieved using bacteriophage formulations instead of purely liquid preparations. Several encapsulation-based strategies can be applied to produce phage formulations and encouraging results have been observed with respect to efficacy as well as long term phage stability. Immobilization-based approaches have generally been neglected for the production of phage therapeutics but could also offer a viable alternative.
Drug Repurposing for COVID-19 Treatment by Integrating Network Pharmacology and Transcriptomics
Authors: Liu Dan-Yang , Liu Jia-Chen , Liang Shuang , Meng Xiang-He , Greenbaum Jonathan , Xiao Hong-Mei , Tan Li-Jun , Deng Hong-Wen
Published: April 2021

Since coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a serious new worldwide public health crisis with significant morbidity and mortality, effective therapeutic treatments are urgently needed. Drug repurposing is an efficient and cost-effective strategy with minimum risk for identifying novel potential treatment options by repositioning therapies that were previously approved for other clinical outcomes. Here, we used an integrated network-based pharmacologic and transcriptomic approach to screen drug candidates novel for COVID-19 treatment. Network-based proximity scores were calculated to identify the drug–disease pharmacological effect between drug–target relationship modules and COVID-19 related genes. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was then performed to determine whether drug candidates influence the expression of COVID-19 related genes and examine the sensitivity of the repurposing drug treatment to peripheral immune cell types. Moreover, we used the complementary exposure model to recommend potential synergistic drug combinations. We identified 18 individual drug candidates including nicardipine, orantinib, tipifarnib and promethazine which have not previously been proposed as possible treatments for COVID-19. Additionally, 30 synergistic drug pairs were ultimately recommended including fostamatinib plus tretinoin and orantinib plus valproic acid. Differential expression genes of most repurposing drugs were enriched significantly in B cells. The findings may potentially accelerate the discovery and establishment of an effective therapeutic treatment plan for COVID-19 patients.
Synergistic Effect of Doxorubicin and siRNA-Mediated Silencing of Mcl-1 Using Cationic Niosomes against 3D MCF-7 Spheroids
Authors: Pengnam Supusson , Plianwong Samarwadee , Patrojanasophon Prasopchai , Radchatawedchakoon Widchaya , Yingyongnarongkul Boon-ek , Opanasopit Praneet , Charoensuksai Purin
Published: April 2021

Chemotherapy is a vital option for cancer treatment; however, its therapeutic outcomes are limited by dose-dependent toxicity and the occurrence of chemoresistance. siRNAs have emerged as an attractive therapeutic option enabling specific interference with target genes. Combination therapy using chemotherapeutic agents along with gene therapy could be a potential strategy for cancer management, which not only improves therapeutic efficacy but also decreases untoward effects from dose reduction. In this study, a cationic niosome containing plier-like cationic lipid B was used to convey siRNA against anti-apoptotic mRNA into MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Mcl-1 silencing markedly decreased the viability of MCF-7 cells and triggered apoptosis. Moreover, computer modeling suggested that the combination of doxorubicin (Dox) and Mcl-1 siRNA exhibited a synergistic relationship and enabled a dose reduction of each agent at 1.71 and 3.91 folds, respectively, to reach a 90% inhibitory effect when compared to single-agent treatments. Synergistic antitumor activity was further verified in a 3D spheroid culture which revealed, in contrast to single-agent treatment, the combination markedly decreased spheroid volume over time. Together, the combination therapy between Mcl-1 silencing and Dox exhibits a synergistic effect that may be exploited for novel breast cancer treatment.
Strength Profile Pattern of FRP-Reinforced Concrete Structures: A Performance Analysis through Finite Element Analysis and Empirical Modeling Technique
Authors: Raza Ali , Shah Syyed Adnan Raheel , Alhazmi Hatem , Abrar Muhammad , Razzaq Samia
Published: April 2021

Limited research work is available in the literature for the theoretical estimates of axial compressive strength of columns reinforced with fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) rebars. In the present work, an experimental database of 278 FRP-reinforced concrete (RC) compression members was established from the literature to recommend an empirical model that can accurately predict the axial strength (AS) of GFRP-RC specimens. An initial assessment of 13 different previously anticipated empirical models was executed to achieve a general form of the AS model. Finally, a new empirical equation for forecasting the AS of GFRP-RC short columns was proposed using the curve fitting and regression analysis technique. The performance of the proposed empirical model over the previous experimental database represented its higher accuracy as related to that of other models. For the further justification of the anticipated model, a numerical model of GFRP-RC columns was simulated using ABAQUS and a wide parametric study of 600 GFRP-RC samples was executed to generate a numerical database and investigate the influence of various parameters using numerical and empirical models. The comparison between theoretical and numerical predictions with R2 = 0.77 indicted that the anticipated empirical model is accurate enough to apprehend the AS of FRP-RC specimens.
A Nonlinear Fractional Viscoelastic-Plastic Creep Model of Asphalt Mixture
Authors: Zhang Yongjun , Liu Xiu , Yin Boyuan , Luo Wenbo
Published: April 2021

The mechanical behavior of asphalt mixture under high stresses presents nonlinear viscoelasticity and permanent deformation. In this paper, a nonlinear fractional viscoelastic plastic (NFVEP) creep model for asphalt mixture is proposed based on the Nishihara model, with a Koeller spring-pot replacing the Newton dashpot. The NFVEP model considers the instantaneous elasticity, viscoelasticity with damage and time-hardening viscoplasticity with damage concurrently, and the viscoelastic response is modeled by fractional derivative viscoelasticity. To verify the model, uniaxial compressive creep tests under various stresses ranging from 0.4 MPa to 0.8 MPa were carried out at room temperature. The NFVEP model predictions are in good agreement with the experiments. The comparison with the modified Nishihara model and the Burgers model reveals the advantages of the NFVEP model. The results show that the NFVEP model, with the same set of parameters, can not only describe the primary and steady-state creep stages of asphalt mixture under low stress levels but also the whole creep process, including the tertiary creep stage, of asphalt mixture under high stress levels.
Counteraction to methods of social engineering as one of the areas of information protection of organizations with varying degrees of state participation
Authors: Ostanina Elena A.
Published: April 2021

The relevance of this topic is due to the constant improvement of technical means of transmission and processing of information, as well as the creation of new technologies for its processing and storage. At the same time, the growth in the value of information as a resource in the modern world and the transition to electronic document management in the activities of organizations is accompanied by the emergence of new methods of illegal access. The purpose of this study is to analyze the most relevant methods of influence and create a training program for staff that would minimize the risks associated with illegal access to information of organizations. The paper presents and analyzes data characterizing the share of the impact of social engineering methods on individuals and legal entities. The study has confirmed that the most effective way to protect against social engineering is to train workers. It is advisable to organize the process periodically in a distance format, adapting the program to the position occupied by the employee. Training, in addition to theoretical lessons on the study of methods of protection, should contain active methods, discussions on the analysis of current information security incidents and solution of case studies.
Human rights in the context of gender and juvenile policy in different legal systems
Authors: Perezhniak Boris , Melnychuk Olga , Matiiko Mykola , Kotyk Hanna , Mokhd Nargis
Published: April 2021

The study aims to identify the features of gender and juvenile policy in different legal systems and the formation of women's and children's rights. At present, equal rights are one of the main tasks of the modern social and legal state, as equality of rights and non-discrimination have been proclaimed by many constitutions and enshrined at the international level. The implementation of an effective gender and juvenile policy will increase the state's reputation in the international arena and ensure a high degree of trust in the government. Given the differences in the development of this aspect of countries from different legal systems, the analysis of the specifics of ensuring rights within gender and juvenile policy will further improve existing ways of regulating gender and juvenile relations by borrowing the main promising ideas and provisions underlying public policy. To conduct a research the authors used different scientific methods. Among these methods are the analysis and synthesis, the formal-legal and the comparative law method. The result of this work is to identify specific features characteristic of gender and juvenile policy of different legal systems, determine the importance of human rights and non-discrimination, offer effective ways to improve the implementation of gender and juvenile policy on the example of progressive states.
Protection of public interests by narrowing private interests: where is the limit?
Authors: Klepikova Olga , Kachuriner Viktoriia , Makoda Volodymyr , Kryvosheyina Inha , Popeliuk Vadym
Published: April 2021

The coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has posed many challenges to the international community. In a pandemic, governments make complex decisions every day (respond quickly to emerging difficulties), implement effective quarantine measures that affect the public and private interests of the people. Such decisions are also made by such supranational entities as the European Union. With this in mind, it is essential to analyze the interaction and balance of private and public interests in EU law in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. The work aims to analyze the balance between private and public interests in EU law in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. Research methods are such methods as dialectical, historical, idealization, analysis, synthesis, abstraction, system, formalization, comparison, and modeling. As a result of the study, the authors concluded that the search for a balance between public and private interests is in all areas and mostly applies to human rights and, in a pandemic, these powers are enshrined in major international treaties and national regulations, with reservations about their possible limitation under exceptional circumstances. At the same time, ensuring the balance of private and public interests is possible only if the rule of law is fulfilled in the implementation of restrictive measures, proportionality, and public necessity.
The right to a fair trial: conceptual rethinking in an era of quarantine restrictions
Authors: Perezhniak Boris , Balobanova Dariia , Timofieieva Liliia , Tavlui Olena , Poliuk Yuliia
Published: April 2021

One of the most important places among the universally recognized rights is the right to a fair trial. The essence of this right is that any violated right can be restored through a particular procedure. In the absence of an effective method for the protection of rights and interests, the rights and freedoms recognized and enshrined in law are only declarative provisions. Given the significant role of the right to a fair trial and changes in its provision under quarantine restrictions, it is necessary to analyze the content of this right, highlight principal requirements and problematic aspects of implementation given the current conditions of social relations. The purpose of the work is to analyze the content of the right to a fair trial. The subject of the study is the social relations that arise, change, and terminate during the exercise of the right to a fair trial. The research methodology includes such methods as a statistical-mathematical method, method of social-legal experiment, cybernetic method, comparative-legal method, formal-legal method, logical-legal method, and method of alternatives. The study will analyze the content of the right to a fair trial as international law and national law, its impact and interaction with the national legal system of Ukraine, which includes theoretical, applied, and common law aspects and conceptual rethinking in an era of quarantine restrictions.
Conceptual foundations for social media in the restaurant business in the aftermath of the pandemic
Authors: Kuzubov Alexey Alexeyevich , Maksimenko Aleskandr Nikolaevich , Eremenko Igor Anatolievich , Bezuglova Margarita Nikolaevna
Published: April 2021

The article examines the key problems, changes and restrictions in the development of the restaurant business during the coronavirus pandemic. The analysis of the results of a study by European scientists on the use of social networks in the restaurant business is carried out. The essence of social media marketing (SMM) as an effective tool for overcoming the temporary crisis of the restaurant business is characterized. The target market was segmented and the results analyzed. The analysis shows the target market breakdown of restaurant visitors by marital status and by age groups. The main reasons why restaurateurs do not plan to use social networks or have not yet initiated the use of social networks are considered. The study identified the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the restaurant business and presented ways to overcome them. The importance of marketing use in social networks by restaurateurs is justified. Based on the results of the study, the main conclusions are presented on the feasibility of introducing certain measures in the restaurant business to stabilize the financial situation, overcome the crisis and recoup the maximum production costs.