bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COVID-19 na assistência ao parto e nascimento
Authors: Silva Liniker Scolfild Rodrigues da , Araújo Tarcísia Domingos de , Freitas Jadson Rodrigo de , Regis Cinthia Ferreira , Jatobá Joana D’Arc Vila Nova , Silva Fernanda da Mata Vasconcelos
Published: October 2021

Introdução: Gestantes e recém-nascidos são considerados pela Organização Mundial da Saúde como vulneráveis para infecção pelo novo coronavírus. Evidências indicam atenção prioritária a esses grupos uma vez que não existe definição científica sobre as formas de contágio, mecanismo de ação viral e potencial patogênico, incluindo nesse contexto as dúvidas sobre a transmissão vertical e amamentação. Objetivo: Sintetizar as evidências disponíveis na literatura científica acerca dos impactos causados pela pandemia da COVID-19 frente a assistência ao parto e nascimento. Métodos: Revisão integrativa da literatura realizada nas bases da Medline/Pubmed, PMC, DOAJ, Medline/BVS, BDEnf, Scielo e Web of Science. Resultados: Dos 54 estudos encontrados, 18 estavam disponíveis na Medline/Pubmed; 16 na PMC; 11 na DOAJ; 7 na Medline/BVS, 2 na BDEnf, 11 na SCOPUS. Após a leitura criteriosa dos artigos, 10 artigos compuseram a amostra. Conclusão: Os artigos explicitaram desenvolvimento de conselhos internacionais para parteiras, outros profissionais de saúde e gerentes de serviços de saúde sobre o cuidado de mulheres e seus bebês durante o parto; adoção de um sistema paternalista de abordagem ao parto somado ao medo das gestantes; esclarecimento às suposições acerca do risco da COVID-19 no terceiro trimestre da gravidez; e estabeleceram um comparativo entre o número de gestantes e não gestantes que testaram positivo identificando de forma precoce de qualquer impacto psicológico que ocorra na gestação.
TRANSIÇÃO AGROECOLÓGICA, AGRICULTURA FAMILIAR E TRABALHO FEMININO: UM ESTUDO DE CASO EM ITUPORANGA-SC
Authors: Kopplel Sirlei Aparecida , BERNARDO MARINA AUGUSTA TAUIL , BERNARDO JANAINA TAUIL , SEBOLD SALETE MARIA , VERGUTZ CRISTINA LUISA BENCKE
Published: October 2021

A proposta da agroecologia como ciência se materializa na integração de todos os seres vivos e restauração das relações ecológicas que as conectam. Nesse sentido, torna-se fundamental a valorização da perspectiva feminina nos processos de mudança ocorridos nas propriedades agrícolas. Com isso, objetivou-se analisar a ocorrência da transição agroecológica em uma propriedade no município de Ituporanga/SC, com enfoque no papel desempenhado pela mulher durante todo o processo. De forma metodológica, foi realizado um estudo de caso único, com a utilização de técnicas de entrevista sem perguntas elaboradas e de forma aberta, com o objetivo de relatar, a partir da escuta da matriarca da família, as etapas da consolidação do modo de produção agroecológico na unidade familiar. De forma conclusiva, a experiência demonstrou a mudança do modo de produção da propriedade e  a importância do trabalho feminino na concretização do processo.
O candeeiro: instrumento de comunicação popular no fortalecimento da agricultura familiar de base agroecológica no Sertão do Pajeú, Semiárido Brasileiro.
Authors: Gonçalves Rosy Kátia Souza , Freitas Helder Ribeiro , Nascimento Júnior Braz José do
Published: October 2021

Este trabalho objetiva analisar como o boletim “O Candeeiro”, instrumento de comunicação da Articulação no Semiárido Brasileiro (ASA Brasil), fortalece a agricultura familiar e a agroecologia noSertão do Pajeú. Trata-se de uma pesquisa bibliográfica e documental na qual se fez o levantamento e análise dos temas e experiências exitosas sistematizadas e publicadas no “site” da ASA Brasil entre os anos 2012 e 2020. Também foi realizada uma entrevista com 17 pessoas que leem e utilizam as informações contidas no periódico analisado. Observou-se que essas práticas e iniciativas envolvem dimensões importantes para o fortalecimento da agricultura familiar no semiárido, com destaque para o acesso à terra e à água, conservação de sementes crioulas e o protagonismo da mulher que demandam ações de políticas públicas de convivência com o semiárido. Conclui-se que “O Candeeiro” promove a troca de saberes e experiências exitosas no Sertão do Pajeú inspirando mudanças
QUALIDADE FITOSSANITÁRIA E GERMINATIVA DE SEMENTES DE FEIJÃO-CAUPI (Vigna unguiculata (L.) WALP.) BIOCONDICIONADAS COM MICRO-ORGANISMO EFICAZES
Authors: DOS SANTOS KELLEN MONIQUE CABRAL , Costa Raoni Ribeiro Guedes Fonseca , DAVINO KARINA SANTOS , ROCHA ANA FLÁVIA DE SOUZA
Published: October 2021

Objetivou-se avaliar o aspecto fisiológico e sanitário de sementes feijão-caupi, biocondicionadas com micro-organismos eficazes. A avaliação da germinação foi feita no método do papel, enquanto a sanitária realizada pelo método “Blotter-Test”. Os resultados indicam a necessidade de cuidados com o armazenamento de 24 meses. A incidência de Aspergillus sp., Rhizopus sp. e um patógeno não identificado, comprometeram 94% das sementes do controle e 99,5% das sementes tratadas com micro-organismos eficazes.
Genetic evidence of farmed straying and introgression in Swedish wild salmon populations
Authors: Palm S , Karlsson S , Diserud OH
Published: October 2021

Escaped farmed Atlantic salmon represent a well-documented and ongoing threat to wild conspecific populations. In Norway, the world-leading producer of farmed salmon, annual monitoring of straying and genetic introgression by farmed escapees in wild salmon rivers has been carried out since the late 1980s. In this study, we applied molecular and statistical methods routinely used in the Norwegian monitoring programme to investigate the magnitude of escaped farmed salmon and genetic introgression in salmon rivers on the west coast of Sweden, where suspected escapees have been observed. Our results confirm that escaped farmed salmon stray, successfully spawn, and produce offspring at levels similar to those observed in neighbouring Norway. These findings raise concerns over population productivity and long-term viability and highlight the need for more permanent monitoring of the presence and consequences of escaped farmed salmon in Swedish salmon rivers. Our results further illustrate that farmed gene flow may constitute a transboundary problem with potential international implications.
A Review on the Carcinogenic Roles of DSCAM-AS1
Authors: Ghafouri-Fard Soudeh , Khoshbakht Tayyebeh , Taheri Mohammad , Ebrahimzadeh Kaveh
Published: October 2021

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a group of transcripts with fundamental roles in the carcinogenesis. DSCAM Antisense RNA 1 (DSCAM−AS1) is an example of this group of transcripts which has been firstly identified in an attempt to find differentially expressed transcripts between breast tumor cells and benign breast samples. The pathogenic roles of DSCAM-AS1 have been vastly assessed in breast cancer, yet its roles are not restricted to this type of cancer. Independent studies in non-small cell lung cancer, colorectal cancer, osteosarcoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, melanoma and cervical cancer have validated participation of DSCAM-AS1 in the carcinogenic processes. miR-577, miR-122-5p, miR-204-5p, miR-136, miR−137, miR−382, miR−183, miR−99, miR-3173-5p, miR-874-3p, miR-874-3p, miR-150-5p, miR-2467-3p, miR-216b, miR-384, miR-186-5p, miR-338-3p, miR-877-5p and miR-101 are among miRNAs which interact with DSCAM-AS1. Moreover, this lncRNA has interactions with Wnt/β-catenin pathway. The current study aims at summarization of the results of studies which focused on the assessment of oncogenic role of DSCAM-AS1.
Ranchers' Perspectives on Participating in Non-lethal Wolf-Livestock Coexistence Strategies
Authors: Bogezi Carol , van Eeden Lily M. , Wirsing Aaron J. , Marzluff John M.
Published: October 2021

Potential impacts to rural livelihoods by large carnivores, such as gray wolves (Canis lupus), increase economic liability and fear among residents, resulting in social conflicts over wildlife issues. Strategies have been developed to promote non-lethal predator management in rural communities, but there is limited understanding of why ranchers choose to participate in such programs. We conducted semi-structured interviews (n= 45) of ranchers in Washington state, United States, asking open-ended questions to explore their perspectives on conflict mitigation. Interviews were analyzed using Grounded Theory. Ranchers mentioned five broad types of mitigation strategies: state agency intervention (i.e., calling the state agency in charge of wolf management to request either compensation or lethal wolf removal), biological measures (e.g., use of guard animals), physical measures (e.g., fences), human interference (cowboys and cowgirls), and indirect measures (e.g., husbandry practices). Motivations for participating in non-lethal mitigation strategies included previous positive interactions with wildlife agency officials, an understanding of the importance of wolves to the ecosystem, and clearly outlined guidelines on how to deal with wolf interactions. Barriers that hindered rancher participation included disdain for regulation both regarding the Endangered Species Act and the state's requirements for accessing damage compensation, which were perceived to be extensive and over-reaching. Negative attitudes toward wolf recovery included fear of wolves and perceived damage that wolves inflict on rural lives and livelihoods. Ranchers' motivations and perceived barriers for participating in mitigation strategies included sociopolitical and economic factors. Thus, we suggest that in addition to mitigating economic loss, wildlife managers address the intangible social costs that deter ranchers' participation in mitigation strategies through continued dialogue.
Low-to-Moderate-Intensity Resistance Exercise Effectively Improves Arterial Stiffness in Adults: Evidence From Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-Regression Analysis
Authors: Zhang Yong , Zhang Ya-Jun , Ye Weibing , Korivi Mallikarjuna
Published: October 2021

Background/Purpose: Resistance exercise (RE) is known to improve cardiovascular health, but the role of RE variables on arterial stiffness is inconclusive. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we investigated the influence of RE and its intensities on arterial stiffness measured as pulse wave velocity (PWV) in young and middle-aged adults.

Methods: Web of Science, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect, CINAHL, Wiley Online Library, and Google Scholar were searched for relevant studies. RE trials that reported PWV data, and compared with respective controls were included. The Cochrane Collaboration tool was used to assess the risk of bias.

Results: Data were synthesized from a total of 20 studies, involving 981 participants from control (n = 462) and exercise (n = 519) trials. The test for overall effect (pooled outcome) showed RE intervention had no effect on arterial stiffness (SMD = −0.09; 95% CI: −0.32, 0.13; P = 0.42), but risk of heterogeneity (I2) was 64%. Meta-regression results revealed a significant correlation (P = 0.042) between RE intensity and PWV changes. Consequently, the trials were subgrouped into high-intensity and low-to-moderate-intensity to identify the effective RE intensity. Subgroup analysis showed that low-to-moderate-intensity significantly decreased PWV (SMD = −0.34; 95% CI: −0.51, −0.17; P < 0.0001), while high-intensity had no effect (SMD = 0.24; 95% CI: −0.18, 0.67; P = 0.26). When trials separated into young and middle-aged, low-to-moderate-intensity notably decreased PWV in young (SMD = −0.41; 95% CI: −0.77, −0.04; P = 0.03) and middle-aged adults (SMD = −0.32; 95% CI: −0.51, −0.14; P = 0.0007), whereas high-intensity had no effect in both age groups.

Conclusions: Our findings demonstrated that RE intensity is the key variable in improving arterial stiffness. Low-to-moderate-intensity can prescribe as an effective non-pharmacological strategy to treat cardiovascular complications in young and middle-aged adults.
Sustained Release of MiR-217 Inhibitor by Nanoparticles Facilitates MSC-Mediated Attenuation of Neointimal Hyperplasia After Vascular Injury
Authors: Yu Hong , Hua Yutao , He Yecheng , Wang Yin , Hu Xingjian , Chen Si , Liu Junwei , Yang Junjie , Li Huadong
Published: October 2021

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been proven capable of differentiating into endothelial cells (ECs) and increasing vascular density in mouse ischemia models. However, the therapeutic potential of MSCs in neointimal hyperplasia after vascular injury is still not fully understood. In this study, we proposed that sustained release of miR-217 inhibitor encapsulated by nanoparticles in MSCs can enhance the therapeutic effects of MSCs on alleviating neointimal hyperplasia in a standard mouse wire injury model. We intravenously administered MSCs to mice with injured arteries and examined neointimal proliferation, endothelial differentiation and senescence. We demonstrated that MSCs localized to the luminal surface of the injured artery within 24 h after injection and subsequently differentiated into endothelial cells, inhibited neointimal proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells. Transfection of MSCs with poly lactic-co-glycolic acid nanoparticles (PLGA-NP) encapsulating an miR-217 agomir abolished endothelial differentiation as well as the therapeutic effect of MSCs. On the contrary, silencing of endogenous miR-217 improved the therapeutic efficacy of MSCs. Our study provides a new strategy of augmenting the therapeutic potency of MSCs in treatment of vascular injury.
A New Scoring System for Predicting In-hospital Death in Patients Having Liver Cirrhosis With Esophageal Varices
Authors: Xu Fengshuo , Zhang Luming , Wang Zichen , Han Didi , Li Chengzhuo , Zheng Shuai , Yin Haiyan , Lyu Jun
Published: October 2021

Introduction: Liver cirrhosis is caused by the development of various acute and chronic liver diseases. Esophageal varices is a common and serious complication of liver cirrhosis during decompensation. Despite the development of various treatments, the prognosis for liver cirrhosis with esophageal varices (LCEV) remains poor. We aimed to establish and validate a nomogram for predicting in-hospital death in LCEV patients.

Methods: Data on LCEV patients were extracted from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III and IV (MIMIC-III and MIMIC-IV) database. The patients from MIMIC-III were randomly divided into training and validation cohorts. Training cohort was used for establishing the model, validation and MIMIC-IV cohorts were used for validation. The independent prognostic factors for LCEV patients were determined using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) method and forward stepwise logistic regression. We then constructed a nomogram to predict the in-hospital death of LCEV patients. Multiple indicators were used to validate the nomogram, including the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), calibration curve, Hosmer-Lemeshow test, integrated discrimination improvement (IDI), net reclassification index (NRI), and decision curve analysis (DCA).

Results: Nine independent prognostic factors were identified by using LASSO and stepwise regressions: age, Elixhauser score, anion gap, sodium, albumin, bilirubin, international normalized ratio, vasopressor use, and bleeding. The nomogram was then constructed and validated. The AUC value of the nomogram was 0.867 (95% CI = 0.832–0.904) in the training cohort, 0.846 (95% CI = 0.790–0.896) in the validation cohort and 0.840 (95% CI = 0.807–0.872) in the MIMIC-IV cohort. High AUC values indicated the good discriminative ability of the nomogram, while the calibration curves and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test results demonstrated that the nomogram was well-calibrated. Improvements in NRI and IDI values suggested that our nomogram was superior to MELD-Na, CAGIB, and OASIS scoring system. DCA curves indicated that the nomogram had good value in clinical applications.

Conclusion: We have established the first prognostic nomogram for predicting the in-hospital death of LCEV patients. The nomogram is easy to use, performs well, and can be used to guide clinical practice, but further external prospective validation is still required.
Quorum Sensing Pseudomonas Quinolone Signal Forms Chiral Supramolecular Assemblies With the Host Defense Peptide LL-37
Authors: Zsila Ferenc , Ricci Maria , Szigyártó Imola Csilla , Singh Priyanka , Beke-Somfai Tamás
Published: October 2021

Host defense antimicrobial peptides (HDPs) constitute an integral component of the innate immune system having nonspecific activity against a broad spectrum of microorganisms. They also have diverse biological functions in wound healing, angiogenesis, and immunomodulation, where it has also been demonstrated that they have a high affinity to interact with human lipid signaling molecules. Within bacterial biofilms, quorum sensing (QS), the vital bacterial cell-to-cell communication system, is maintained by similar diffusible small molecules which control phenotypic traits, virulence factors, biofilm formation, and dispersion. Efficient eradication of bacterial biofilms is of particular importance as these colonies greatly help individual cells to tolerate antibiotics and develop antimicrobial resistance. Regarding the antibacterial function, for several HDPs, including the human cathelicidin LL-37, affinity to eradicate biofilms can exceed their activity to kill individual bacteria. However, related underlying molecular mechanisms have not been explored yet. Here, we employed circular dichroism (CD) and UV/VIS spectroscopic analysis, which revealed that LL-37 exhibits QS signal affinity. This archetypal representative of HDPs interacts with the Pseudomonas quinolone signal (PQS) molecules, producing co-assemblies with peculiar optical activity. The binding of PQS onto the asymmetric peptide chains results in chiral supramolecular architectures consisting of helically disposed, J-aggregated molecules. Besides the well-known bacterial membrane disruption activity, our data propose a novel action mechanism of LL-37. As a specific case of the so-called quorum quenching, QS signal molecules captured by the peptide are sequestered inside co-assemblies, which may interfere with the microbial QS network helping to prevent and eradicate bacterial infections.
Imbalances in Copper or Zinc Concentrations Trigger Further Trace Metal Dyshomeostasis in Amyloid-Beta Producing Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Metaxas Ada
Published: October 2021

Alzheimer's Disease (AD), a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by the buildup of amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques, is believed to be a disease of trace metal dyshomeostasis. Amyloid-beta is known to bind with high affinity to trace metals copper and zinc. This binding is believed to cause a conformational change in Aβ, transforming Aβ into a configuration more amenable to forming aggregations. Currently, the impact of Aβ-trace metal binding on trace metal homeostasis and the role of trace metals copper and zinc as deleterious or beneficial in AD remain elusive. Given that Alzheimer's Disease is the sixth leading cause of adult death in the U.S., elucidating the molecular interactions that characterize Alzheimer's Disease pathogenesis will allow for better treatment options. To that end, the model organism C. elegans is used in this study. C. elegans, a transparent nematode whose connectome has been fully established, is an amenable model to study AD phenomena using a multi-layered, interconnected approach. Aβ-producing and non-Aβ-producing C. elegans were individually supplemented with copper and zinc. On day 6 and day 9 after synchronization, the percent of worms paralyzed, concentration of copper, and concentration of zinc were measured in both groups of worms. This study demonstrates that dyshomeostasis of trace metals copper or zinc triggers further trace metal dyshomeostasis in Aβ-producing worms, while dyshomeostasis of copper or zinc triggers a return to equilibrium in non-Aβ-producing worms. This supports the characterization of Alzheimer's Disease as a disease of trace metal dyshomeostasis.
Offering Psychological Support to University Students in Poland During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons Learned From an Initial Evaluation
Authors: Rudnik Agata , Anikiej-Wiczenbach Paulina , Szulman-Wardal Aleksandra , Conway Paul , Bidzan Mariola
Published: October 2021

This perspective article aims to present insights into an initiative to provide free psychological support to students at the University of Gdańsk (UG) – one of the first universities in Poland to offer such help – during the first major COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in March 2020. We begin by introducing key psychological consequences of the pandemic, with particular emphasis on university students, according to Pandemic Management Theory (PMT). Next, we highlight the most significant challenges reported to us by the students in response to the support initiative and applied psychological interventions (including psychoeducation, relaxation, arranging day plans, taking care of relationships, and “just” talking). We conclude by reflecting on the challenges for mental health posed by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the outcome of our initiative – the creation of the Academic Psychological Support Centre at the University of Gdańsk. These insights and lessons learned from developing our practice can help enhance the effectiveness of future psychological support programs through the pandemic and beyond.
“Developing Capabilities”. Inclusive Extracurricular Enrichment Programs to Improve the Well-Being of Gifted Adolescents
Authors: Casino-García Ana María , Llopis-Bueno María José , Gómez-Vivo María Gloria , Juan-Grau Amparo , Shuali-Trachtenberg Tamar , Llinares-Insa Lucía I.
Published: October 2021

The educational inclusion of gifted students requires not only equity but also emotional accessibility and social participation. However, different studies indicate that gifted students constitute a vulnerable group (for example, the incidence of bullying is higher). Psychosocial variables are determinants for the development and expression of giftedness, particularly during adolescence. This study analyzes the impact of an inclusive extracurricular enrichment program for gifted secondary school students on the well-being of adolescents. The program was based on the enrichment model of Renzulli and Reis (2016). The objective was to develop a cluster to facilitate high-achieving learning in collaboration with teachers, administrators, and guidance counselors from their schools as well as university professors and students that would address their emotions and socialization across the board and benefit or involve their peers in their regular classrooms. The intervention took place over two years: eight sessions, one afternoon per week, for five months during each school year. The sample consisted of 47 students from the first and second years of compulsory secondary education (Educación Secundaria Obligatoria - ESO) (age, mean (M) = 12.57, standard deviation (SD) = 0.82) during the first year and 27 students from the first, second, and third years of ESO (age, M = 13.48, SD = 0.94) during the second year; 61.4% were girls. Participants completed a questionnaire before (T1) and (T3) and after (T2) and (T4) each intervention. The results show better outcomes for psychological and subjective well-being, more positive moods, and a significant reduction in school fears. The results from this study indicate the importance of educational screening and support for gifted students to promote their well-being through collaborative enrichment activities.
A Review of Teachers' Sentiments and Attitudes in Inclusive Education in China
Authors: Yang Min , Yu Chao
Published: October 2021

Students should receive appropriate and comprehensive educational opportunities regardless of their ethnicity, gender, and even probable disabilities or exceptionalities. For this purpose, governments and educational boards have agreed to investigate the concept of inclusive education as a new paradigm where students can benefit from materials and classroom environment whether they are ordinary students or students with special needs. Chinese educational government has also adopted inclusive education within its pedagogic program since the middle of the 1990s. In this regard, some well-known researchers highlighted the impact of teachers' attitudes, sentiments, and concerns in inclusive education as a driving force toward student support and rapport. Moreover, the cultural background has also been emphasized in studies of inclusive education. Hence, it is necessary to employ the proposed and standardized attitude, sentiment, and concern scales, as well as the translated version to measure the factors affecting the proper implementation of inclusive pedagogy. The present study was an attempt to review related studies on teachers' attitudes and sentiments, particularly in China. Findings suggest that cultural differences might not necessarily contribute to the successful implementation of inclusive programs; however, pre-service or in-service teachers have demonstrated that higher levels of sentiment (efficacy), as well as positive attitude, can lead to the efficient provision of materials and building a supportive classroom environment for ordinary students and more importantly student with special needs.
Clinical Lycanthropy, Neurobiology, Culture: A Systematic Review
Authors: Guessoum Sélim Benjamin , Benoit Laelia , Minassian Sevan , Mallet Jasmina , Moro Marie Rose
Published: October 2021

Background: Culture can affect psychiatric disorders. Clinical Lycanthropy is a rare syndrome, described since Antiquity, within which the patient has the delusional belief of turning into a wolf. Little is known on its clinical or therapeutic correlates.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review (PRISMA) on PubMed and Google Scholar, until January 2021. Case reports, data on neurobiological hypotheses, and cultural aspects were included. Language was not restricted to English.

Results: Forty-three cases of clinical lycanthropy and kynanthropy (delusion of dog transformation) were identified. Associated diagnoses were: schizophrenia, psychotic depression, bipolar disorder, and other psychotic disorders. Antipsychotic medication may be an efficient treatment for this rare transnosographic syndrome. In case of depression or mania, the treatment included antidepressants or mood regulators. The neuroscientific hypotheses include the conception of clinical lycanthropy as a cenesthopathy, as a delusional misidentification of the self-syndrome, as impairments of sensory integration, as impairments of the belief evaluation system, and right hemisphere anomalies. Interestingly, there is a clinical overlap between clinical lycanthropy and other delusional misidentification syndromes. Clinical lycanthropy may be a culture-bound syndrome that happens in the context of Western cultures, myths, and stories on werewolves, and today's exposure to these narratives on cultural media such as the internet and the series. We suggest the necessity of a cultural approach for these patients' clinical assessment, and a narrative and patient-centered care.

Conclusions: Psychiatric transtheoretical reflections are needed for complementaristic neurobiological and cultural approaches of complex delusional syndromes such as clinical lycanthropy. Future research should include integrative frameworks.
Romance Scams: Romantic Imagery and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
Authors: Chuang Jie-Yu
Published: October 2021

Love has an enormous effect on mental health. One does not need an actual romantic relationship to be in love. Indeed, romantic love can be built upon without frequent or real-life encounters, such as with a stranger from a matching website. With the advancement of the Internet and the influence of coronavirus disease, it is believed that these distant romantic relationships and related romance scams are burgeoning. Often, the victims of scams keep emotionally attached to the scammer even after the lie is revealed, which is hypothesized to be attributed to the aberrantly exaggerated romantic imagery of the victims. It is observed that many victims suffer from symptoms similar to a post-traumatic stress disorder, and some even consider suicide. However, there is scant literature on this topic. In this article, it is further postulated that the aberrant romantic imagery might be associated with impulsive acts such as suicide once the ideal but fake romantic relationship is dissolved. Thereafter, it is further speculated that manipulation of the visual network, possibly by transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), might be a promising treatment.
How the Innate Immune System Fights for Your Health
Authors: Louwe Mieke C. , Aukrust Pål
Published: October 2021

When your body encounters intruders like viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites, this invasion triggers a complex and amazing process called the immune response. Activation of the body’s immune system is necessary to fight off these intruders, but it must also distinguish them from the body’s own healthy tissues. The goal of the immune response is to keep the body healthy. The earliest responses that occur to protect the body from invading organisms is called the innate immune response. In this article, we explain the components of the innate immune system and how this system helps to keep the body safe from dangerous invaders.
Evaluating the Performance of 193 nm Ultraviolet Photodissociation for Tandem Mass Tag Labeled Peptides
Authors: Zhou Mowei , Lee Ju Yeon , Park Gun Wook , Malhan Neha , Liu Tao , Shaw Jared B.
Published: October 2021

Despite the successful application of tandem mass tags (TMT) for peptide quantitation, missing reporter ions in higher energy collisional dissociation (HCD) spectra remains a challenge for consistent quantitation, especially for peptides with labile post-translational modifications. Ultraviolet photodissociation (UVPD) is an alternative ion activation method shown to provide superior coverage for sequencing of peptides and intact proteins. Here, we optimized and evaluated 193 nm UVPD for the characterization of TMT-labeled model peptides, HeLa proteome, and N-glycopeptides from model proteins. UVPD yielded the same TMT reporter ions as HCD, at m/z 126–131. Additionally, UVPD produced a wide range of fragments that yielded more complete characterization of glycopeptides and less frequent missing TMT reporter ion channels, whereas HCD yielded a strong tradeoff between characterization and quantitation of TMT-labeled glycopeptides. However, the lower fragmentation efficiency of UVPD yielded fewer peptide identifications than HCD. Overall, 193 nm UVPD is a valuable tool that provides an alternative to HCD for the quantitation of large and highly modified peptides with labile PTMs. Continued development of instrumentation specific to UVPD will yield greater fragmentation efficiency and fulfil the potential of UVPD to be an all-in-one spectrum ion activation method for broad use in the field of proteomics.
Inhibition of Membrane-Associated Catalase, Extracellular ROS/RNS Signaling and Aquaporin/H2O2-Mediated Intracellular Glutathione Depletion Cooperate during Apoptosis Induction in the Human Gastric Carcinoma Cell Line MKN-45
Authors: Bauer Georg
Published: October 2021

The human gastric carcinoma cell line MKN-45 is a prototype of bona fide tumor cells, as it is protected from the NADPH oxidase-1 (NOX-1)-driven HOCl- and nitric oxide (NO)/peroxynitrite apoptosis-inducing signaling pathways by a membrane-associated catalase. The use of inhibitors/scavengers shows that inhibition of membrane-associated catalase is sufficient for the activation of NO/peroxynitrite or HOCl signaling. However, this signaling is not sufficient for apoptosis induction, as intracellular glutathione peroxidase/glutathione counteracts these signaling effects. Therefore, intrusion of extracellular tumor cell-derived H2O2 through aquaporins is required for the full apoptosis-inducing effect of extracellular reactive oxygen/nitrogen species. This secondary step in apoptosis induction can be prevented by inhibition of aquaporins, inhibition of NOX1 and decomposition of H2O2. Pretreatment with inhibitors of glutathione synthase or the cysteine-glutamine antiporter (xC transporter) abrogate the requirement for aquaporin/H2O2-mediated glutathione depletion, thus demonstrating that intracellular glutathione is the target of intruding H2O2. These data allow definition of mechanistic interactions between ROS/RNS signaling after inhibition of membrane-associated catalase, the sensitizing effects of aquaporins/H2O2 and the counteraction of the xC transporter/glutathione synthase system. Knowledge of these mechanistic interactions is required for the understanding of selective apoptosis induction in tumor cells through reestablishment of apoptosis-inducing ROS/RNS signaling.
Tegafur-Uracil versus 5-Fluorouracil in Combination with Cisplatin and Cetuximab in Elderly Patients with Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis
Authors: Hsieh Meng-Che , Wang Chih-Chun , Yang Chuan-Chien , Lien Ching-Feng , Wang Chien-Chung , Shih Yu-Chen , Yeh Shyh-An , Hwang Tzer-Zen
Published: October 2021

There are increasing incidences of elderly patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC). However, the treatment is not yet established. We conducted a propensity score matching analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tegafur–uracil versus 5-fluorouracil in combination with cisplatin plus cetuximab in elderly patients with R/M HNSCC. Elderly patients with R/M HNSCC treated with cetuximab-containing chemotherapy were recruited into this study. In order to reduce the selection bias, propensity score matching was performed. Kaplan–Meier curves were plotted for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Toxicities were graded according to the National Cancer Institute’s Common Terminology Criteria V3.0. After propensity sore matching, 54 patients with tegafur–uracil, cisplatin plus cetuximab (UPEx), and 54 patients with 5-fluorouracil, cisplatin plus cetuximab (EXTREME) were identified. The median PFS was 5.4 months in UPEx and 5.8 months in EXTREME (p = 0.451). The median OS was 10.8 months in UPEx and 10.2 months in EXTREME (p = 0.807). The overall response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were insignificant in both arms, accounting for 61% versus 59% (p = 0.680) and 72% versus 70% (p = 0.732) in the UPEx arm and the EXTREME arm, respectively. A multivariate analysis showed that age and ECOG PS were, independently, predictors. Grade 3/4 adverse events were much fewer in UPEx than in EXTREME (p < 0.001). Both cetuximab-containing chemotherapies are effective in elderly patients with R/M HNSCC. Safety profiles are improved when tegafur–uracil is substituted for 5-fluorouracil. Further prospective studies are warranted to validate our conclusions.
The Influence of Adjuvant Chemotherapy Dose Intensity on Five-Year Outcomes in Resected Colon Cancer: A Single Centre Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Lakkunarajah Suganija , Breadner Daniel A. , Zhang Hanbo , Yamanaka Ellen , Warner Andrew , Welch Stephen
Published: October 2021

There is evidence that achieving a dose intensity > 80% in adjuvant colon cancer treatment improves survival. In total, 192 consecutive patients with resected stage III and high-risk stage II colon cancer that received adjuvant chemotherapy were retrospectively analyzed. Patients who received at least 6 weeks of adjuvant therapy were included. The primary objective was to assess the influence of dose index (DI) and relative dose intensity (RDI) on DFS and OS at 3 and 5 years in patients receiving fluorouracil-based doublet therapy with oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) (5-FU and oxaliplatin assessed separately), or capecitabine monotherapy. In the capecitabine group, DFS rates for 3 and 5 years were 66.7% and 57.6%, respectively, while OS rates were 80.3% and 66.7%, respectively. Those who received FOLFOX had DFS rates of 76.9% and 71.2% at 3 and 5 years, respectively. OS rates were 86.4% and 76.7% at 3 and 5 years, respectively. Median RDI was 73.8% for capecitabine and 76.3% and 85.6% for the oxaliplatin and 5-FU components respectively. Based on a multivariate analysis in patients receiving FOLFOX, those with an oxaliplatin DI > 80% had improvements in DFS and OS compared to those with an oxaliplatin DI of ≤80%. Otherwise, there was no significant difference in DFS or OS when comparing patients who achieved an RDI or a DI of above versus below 80% in the patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy for resected colon cancer.
Dual-Domain Fusion Convolutional Neural Network for Contrast Enhancement Forensics
Authors: Yang Pengpeng
Published: October 2021

Contrast enhancement forensics techniques have always been of great interest for the image forensics community, as they can be an effective tool for recovering image history and identifying tampered images. Although several contrast enhancement forensic algorithms have been proposed, their accuracy and robustness against some kinds of processing are still unsatisfactory. In order to attenuate such deficiency, in this paper, we propose a new framework based on dual-domain fusion convolutional neural network to fuse the features of pixel and histogram domains for contrast enhancement forensics. Specifically, we first present a pixel-domain convolutional neural network to automatically capture the patterns of contrast-enhanced images in the pixel domain. Then, we present a histogram-domain convolutional neural network to extract the features in the histogram domain. The feature representations of pixel and histogram domains are fused and fed into two fully connected layers for the classification of contrast-enhanced images. Experimental results show that the proposed method achieves better performance and is robust against pre-JPEG compression and antiforensics attacks, obtaining over 99% detection accuracy for JPEG-compressed images with different QFs and antiforensics attack. In addition, a strategy for performance improvements of CNN-based forensics is explored, which could provide guidance for the design of CNN-based forensics tools.
The Role of Applied Mechanics in Bridging the Gaps in Prior Learning for Aspirants of Engineering Education
Authors: Singamneni Sarat
Published: October 2021

Building a technology-driven world appears to be the main motivational force behind students choosing to undertake engineering studies. The first year of engineering education plays a significant role in demonstrating sufficient mathematical and scientific rigor to satisfy these motivational factors. The common applied mechanics courses play a central role in achieving this. At the same time, a vast majority of students suffer from a lack of the necessary mathematical skills and analytical orientation for various reasons. Due to different educational philosophies and teaching pedagogies, a lack of proper integration between mathematics and applied mechanics is common. Several efforts were made to build better curriculum, teaching, and learning systems, resulting in widely varied solutions, but most of them require drastically different implementation approaches. With sufficient rigor in teaching and assessment, the first-year applied mechanics (common) courses designed for engineering students can solve students’ mathematical and motivational lapses and help bridge the gaps between pre-university and university education endeavours. This paper presents evidence supporting this argument. In particular, datasets collected from the direct experiences delivering the first-year static and dynamics courses to many students over the past decade and a half are analysed to establish the proposition.
Can Lower Carbon Aviation Fuels (LCAF) Really Complement Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) towards EU Aviation Decarbonization?
Authors: Chiaramonti David , Talluri Giacomo , Vourliotakis George , Testa Lorenzo , Prussi Matteo , Scarlat Nicolae
Published: October 2021

The present work provides an analysis of the potential impact of fossil-based Low Carbon Aviation Fuels (LCAF) for the European aviation sector, with a time horizon to 2050. LCAF are a crude-derived alternative to kerosene, offering some Green House Gas (GHG) savings, and have been defined by ICAO as eligible fuels for mitigating the environmental impact of aviation. A methodological framework to evaluate the EU technical potential for LCAF production is developed, based on data on crude utilization for jet fuel production in EU refineries, relevant carbon intensity reduction technologies, market prices, and aviation fuel volumes. Two different baselines for fossil-derived kerosene carbon intensity (CI) are considered: a global figure of 89 gCO2e/MJ and an EU-27-specific one of 93.1 gCO2eq/MJ. Three scenarios considering increasing levels of CI reduction are then defined, taking into account the current and potential commercial availability of some of the most relevant carbon intensity reduction technologies. The analysis demonstrates that, even if LCAF could offer GHG saving opportunities, their possible impact, especially when compared to the ambition level set in the most recent European legislative proposals, is very limited in most of the analysed scenarios, with the exception of the most ambitious ones. At 2030, a non-zero technical potential is projected only in the higher CI reduction scenario, ranging between 1.8% and 14.2% of LCAF market share in the EU-27 (equal to 0.6 to 4.75 Mtoe), depending on the considered Baseline for CI. At 2050, almost all considered scenarios project a larger technical potential, ranging between 6.9% and 22.2% for the global Baseline (2.21 to 7.13 Mtoe), and between 1.8% and 16.2% for the EU-27 Baseline (0.58 to 5.2 Mtoe). LCAF additional costs to current production costs are also discussed, given their relevance in large-scale deployment of these technologies, and are projected to range between 39 and 46.8 USD/toe.
Inertia Effects in the Dynamics of Viscous Fingering of Miscible Fluids in Porous Media: Circular Hele-Shaw Cell Configuration
Authors: Ait Abderrahmane Hamid , Rabbani Shahid , Sassi Mohamed
Published: October 2021

We present a numerical study of viscous fingering occurring during the displacement of a high viscosity fluid by low viscosity fluid in a circular Hele-Shaw cell. This study assumes that the fluids are miscible and considers the effects of inertial forces on fingering morphology, mixing, and displacement efficiency. This study shows that inertia has stabilizing effects on the fingering instability and improves the displacement efficiency at a high log-mobility-viscosity ratio between displacing and displaced fluids. Under certain conditions, inertia slightly reduces the finger-split phenomenon and the mixing between the two fluids.
Sensitivity Analysis for Carbon Emissions of Prefabricated Residential Buildings with Window Design Elements
Authors: Li Simeng , Cui Yanqiu , Banaitienė Nerija , Liu Chunlu , Luther Mark B.
Published: October 2021

Owing to the advantages of high construction efficiency, prefabricated residential buildings have been of increasing interest in recent years. Against the background of global heating, designing low-carbon facades for prefabricated residential buildings has become a focus. The main challenge for this research is in designing windows for prefabricated residential buildings that can lead to the best performance in carbon emissions. The purpose of this paper is to summarize window design advice for prefabricated residential building facades with low-carbon goals. This paper adopts the single control variable research method. Building energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions under different conditions comprise the primary data used in the study. In the process of achieving the research aim, this study firstly extracts the window design elements of prefabricated residential facades. Secondly, objective function formulas are established and a basic model is built for obtaining data. Thirdly, data results are analyzed and window design advice is put forward under the condition of a low-carbon goal. This paper discusses that the optimal window-to-wall ratio (WWR) with a low-carbon orientation is around 0.15, and compares it innovatively with the optimal WWR under an energy-saving orientation at around 0.38. The research results of this paper can deepen the understanding of architectural low-carbon design and play a guiding role for architects.
Barriers and Drivers of Renewable Energy Penetration in Rural Areas
Authors: Streimikiene Dalia , Baležentis Tomas , Volkov Artiom , Morkūnas Mangirdas , Žičkienė Agnė , Streimikis Justas
Published: October 2021

The paper deals with the exposition of the main barriers and drivers of renewable energy usage in rural communities. Climate change mitigation is causing governments, policymakers, and international organizations worldwide to embark on policies, leading to increased use of renewable energy sources and improvement of energy efficiency. Climate change mitigation actions, including the Green Deal strategy in the EU, require satisfying the expanding energy demand and complying with the environmental restrictions. At the same time, the prevailing market structure and infrastructure relevant to the energy systems are undergoing a crucial transformation. Specifically, there has been a shift from centralized to more decentralized and interactive energy systems that are accompanied by a low-carbon energy transition. Smart Grid technology and other innovations in the area of renewable energy microgeneration technologies have enabled changes in terms of the roles of energy users: they can act as prosumers that are producing and consuming energy at the same time. Renewable energy generation that is allowing for deeper involvement of the citizens may render higher social acceptance, which, in turn, fuels the low-carbon energy transition. The collective energy prosumption in the form of energy cooperatives has become a widespread form of renewable energy initiatives in rural communities. Even though renewable energy consumption provides a lot of benefits and opportunities for rural communities, the fast penetration of renewables and energy prosumption encounter several important barriers in the rural areas. This paper analyses the main barriers and drivers of renewable energy initiatives in rural areas and provides policy implications for the low-carbon energy transition in rural areas.
Assessing the Sustainable Development of Micro-Hydro Power Plants in an Isolated Traditional Village West Java, Indonesia
Authors: Isa Muhamad Alhaqurahman , Sudjono Priana , Sato Tatsuro , Onda Nariaki , Endo Izuki , Takada Asari , Muntalif Barti Setiani , Ide Jun’ichiro
Published: October 2021

The sustainable development of micro-hydropower (MHP) plants is a challenge for rural electrification in developing countries, especially in Indonesia, which has diverse ethnic groups, cultures, and traditions in several isolated locations due to its complex terrain. The uniqueness of a social situation in a location can affect the sustainable electrification development. This study aimed to assess the sustainable development of MHP plants in the Kasepuhan Ciptagelar, which has unique traditions and cultural characteristics. The assessment was conducted using the sustainable development indicator (SDI) method, the Ilskog method, which can include social, economic, environmental, technical, and institutional dimensions. Data were collected through field investigations and qualitative dialogs to understand the culture and ways of thinking. The results of the Ilskog method analysis revealed that the environmental dimensions had the highest scores, whereas economic dimensions had the lowest scores, indicating that the cultural background of the Kasepuhan Ciptagelar impacted the SDI scores. This was attributable to the decision of Kasepuhan’s traditional leader, which strengthened the community commitment to renewable energy use. However, the cultural background adversely impacted monetary income to sustain MHP plants. This study proposed that community innovation and microcredit availability could improve productive activities, resulting in better economic conditions to sustain MHP plants.