bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Transferability of Physical Activity Type Detection Models: Influence of Age Group Is Underappreciated
Authors: Allahbakhshi Hoda , Röcke Christina , Weibel Robert
Published: October 2021

Increasing the amount of physical activity (PA) in older adults that have shifted to a sedentary lifestyle is a determining factor in decreasing health and social costs. It is, therefore, imperative to develop objective methods that accurately detect daily PA types and provide detailed PA guidance for healthy aging. Most of the existing techniques have been applied in the younger generation or validated in the laboratory. To what extent, these methods are transferable to real-life and older adults are a question that this paper aims to answer. Sixty-three participants, including 33 younger and 30 older healthy adults, participated in our study. Each participant wore five devices mounted on the left and right hips, right knee, chest, and left pocket and collected accelerometer and GPS data in both semi-structured and real-life environments. Using this dataset, we developed machine-learning models to detect PA types walking, non-level walking, jogging/running, sitting, standing, and lying. Besides, we examined the accuracy of the models within-and between-age groups applying different scenarios and validation approaches. The within-age models showed convincing classification results. The findings indicate that due to age-related behavioral differences, there are more confusion errors between walking, non-level walking, and running in older adults’ results. Using semi-structured training data, the younger adults’ models outperformed older adults’ models. However, using real-life training data alone or in combination with semi-structured data generated better results for older adults who had high real-life data quality. Assessing the transferability of the models to older adults showed that the models trained with younger adults’ data were only weakly transferable. However, training the models with a combined dataset of both age groups led to reliable transferability of results to the data of the older subgroup. We show that age-related behavioral differences can alter the PA classification performance. We demonstrate that PA type detection models that rely on combined datasets of young and older adults are strongly transferable to real-life and older adults’ data. Our results yield significant time and cost savings for future PA studies by reducing the overall volume of training data required.
Traumatic Brain Injury: Mechanisms of Glial Response
Authors: Mira Rodrigo G. , Lira Matías , Cerpa Waldo
Published: October 2021

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a heterogeneous disorder that involves brain damage due to external forces. TBI is the main factor of death and morbidity in young males with a high incidence worldwide. TBI causes central nervous system (CNS) damage under a variety of mechanisms, including synaptic dysfunction, protein aggregation, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation. Glial cells comprise most cells in CNS, which are mediators in the brain’s response to TBI. In the CNS are present astrocytes, microglia, oligodendrocytes, and polydendrocytes (NG2 cells). Astrocytes play critical roles in brain’s ion and water homeostasis, energy metabolism, blood-brain barrier, and immune response. In response to TBI, astrocytes change their morphology and protein expression. Microglia are the primary immune cells in the CNS with phagocytic activity. After TBI, microglia also change their morphology and release both pro and anti-inflammatory mediators. Oligodendrocytes are the myelin producers of the CNS, promoting axonal support. TBI causes oligodendrocyte apoptosis, demyelination, and axonal transport disruption. There are also various interactions between these glial cells and neurons in response to TBI that contribute to the pathophysiology of TBI. In this review, we summarize several glial hallmarks relevant for understanding the brain injury and neuronal damage under TBI conditions.
Predicting Fusarium Head Blight Resistance for Advanced Trials in a Soft Red Winter Wheat Breeding Program With Genomic Selection
Authors: Larkin Dylan L. , Mason Richard Esten , Moon David E. , Holder Amanda L. , Ward Brian P. , Brown-Guedira Gina
Published: October 2021

Many studies have evaluated the effectiveness of genomic selection (GS) using cross-validation within training populations; however, few have looked at its performance for forward prediction within a breeding program. The objectives for this study were to compare the performance of naïve GS (NGS) models without covariates and multi-trait GS (MTGS) models by predicting two years of F4:7 advanced breeding lines for three Fusarium head blight (FHB) resistance traits, deoxynivalenol (DON) accumulation, Fusarium damaged kernels (FDK), and severity (SEV) in soft red winter wheat and comparing predictions with phenotypic performance over two years of selection based on selection accuracy and response to selection. On average, for DON, the NGS model correctly selected 69.2% of elite genotypes, while the MTGS model correctly selected 70.1% of elite genotypes compared with 33.0% based on phenotypic selection from the advanced generation. During the 2018 breeding cycle, GS models had the greatest response to selection for DON, FDK, and SEV compared with phenotypic selection. The MTGS model performed better than NGS during the 2019 breeding cycle for all three traits, whereas NGS outperformed MTGS during the 2018 breeding cycle for all traits except for SEV. Overall, GS models were comparable, if not better than phenotypic selection for FHB resistance traits. This is particularly helpful when adverse environmental conditions prohibit accurate phenotyping. This study also shows that MTGS models can be effective for forward prediction when there are strong correlations between traits of interest and covariates in both training and validation populations.
AllPlay Dance: Two Pilot Dance Projects for Children With Disability, Developed and Assessed With a Dance Studies Approach
Authors: Millard Olivia , Lindor Ebony , Papadopoulos Nicole , Sivaratnam Carmel , McGillivray Jane , Rinehart Nicole
Published: October 2021

AllPlay Dance is founded on a collaborative approach to research between the School of Psychology and the School of Communication of Creative Arts, both of Deakin University. The research is also undertaken in partnership with professional ballet company, Queensland Ballet. This paper describes the development and execution of two pilot projects for children with disability, utilizing a dance studies methodology. The projects were conducted in 2018 and 2019 for children with cerebral palsy (CP) and autism spectrum disorder, as part of the AllPlay Dance program. Participants with disabilities ranged in age from 7 to 12 years. As well as describing the approach to the program development, we discuss the involvement of older and more experienced buddies who were included as a method to support the participation in dance of children with disabilities. We will also describe the diffusion of authorship in the making of group dances as a tool for inclusion and the premise of dance as a social practice in which participants inter-subjectively generate meaning and sense making. The AllPlay Dance projects were developed as a series of dance classes in which participants worked with set or learned movement material, dance improvisation, and tasks for movement generation in order to collectively generate a dance for performance. This paper focuses on the aim of developing inclusive approaches to dance classes that challenge “ableist” notions of dance as spectacle to enable to work toward building transferable programs to allow all children who so desire and to participate in dance in their communities.
Adaptation and Implementation of an Intervention Programme on Spanish Carers and Adolescent Patients With an Eating Disorder: Study Protocol of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Quiles Yolanda , Quiles María José , León Eva María , Roncero María , Ruiz Álvaro , España Maite , Romero Cristina , Elvira Vicente
Published: October 2021

Introduction:One of the major problems with inpatient treatment of adolescent girls with an eating disorder (ED) is that the strategies learned during their hospital stay are not easily applied or maintained in their daily lives, and this has been related to high rates of relapse and readmission. The ECHOMANTRA programme was developed to optimize outcomes during and following inpatient or day-patient treatment. ECHOMANTRA is based on interventions for carers (Experienced Carers Helping Others, ECHO) and patients (Maudsley Model of Anorexia Nervosa Treatment for Adults, MANTRA) and is developed from the cognitive interpersonal model of anorexia (Schmidt and Treasure, 2006;Treasure and Schmidt, 2013). This study aims to describe the study protocol of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) for evaluating the efficacy of an adaptation of a novel intervention for patients and carers (ECHOMANTRA) to be implemented as an add-on to treatment-as-usual (TAU).

Method:In a multi−center pilot RCT, 80 female adolescent patients with a DSM-5 diagnosis of an ED and their carers will be invited to participate in the study. They will then be randomized to receive either the ECHOMANTRA intervention as an add-on to TAU or TAU alone. A repeated measures design will be conducted across four time points. Primary outcomes will be patient psychological well-being and eating disorder symptoms, and secondary outcomes will include body mass index, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, perfectionism, motivation to change and psychosocial adjustment. For carers, outcome variables will include psychological well-being, expressed emotion, accommodation and enabling behaviors, burden, and care skills.

Discussion:The results from this trial will establish the effectiveness of ECHOMANTRA and may reveal whether and to what extent this novel intervention can optimize outcomes during and following inpatient treatment. This study will also provide the adaptation of the ECHOMANTRA in the Spanish context for inpatient/day-care treatment.
Visual Perception Supports Adults in Numerosity Processing and Arithmetical Performance
Authors: He Xinyao , Zhou Xinlin , Zhao Jin , Zhang Yiyun
Published: October 2021

Previous studies have found a correlation between numerosity processing and arithmetical performance. Visual perception has already been indicated as the shared cognitive mechanism between these two; however, these studies mostly focused on children. It is not clear whether the association between numerosity processing and arithmetical performance still existed following the development of individual arithmetical performance. Consequently, the underlying role of visual perception in numerosity processing and arithmetical performance has not been sufficiently studied in adults. For this study, researchers selected a total of 205 adult participants with an average age of 22years. The adults were administered arithmetic tests, numerosity comparison, and visual figure matching. Mental rotation, choice reaction time, and nonverbal intelligence were used as cognitive covariates. Results showed that numerosity comparison of adults correlated with their arithmetical performance, even after controlling for age and gender differences as well as general cognitive processing. However, after controlled for visual figure matching, the well-established association between numerosity comparison and arithmetic performance disappeared. These results supported the visual perception hypothesis, that visual perception measured by visual figure matching can account for the correlation between numerosity comparison and arithmetic performance. This indicated that even for adult populations, visual perceptual ability was the underlying component of numerosity processing and arithmetic performance.
An Empiric Experience Implementing a Methodology to Improve the Entrepreneurial Support System: Creating Social Value Through Collaboration and Co-creation
Authors: Cearra Jokin , Saiz-Santos María , Barrutia Jon
Published: October 2021

Entrepreneurs are considered an important source of innovation, acting as agents of change in developed societies. For entrepreneurs to develop, entrepreneurial ecosystems are required. These environments are complex heterogeneous systems. However, the atomization of the subsystem of agencies and organisms supporting entrepreneurial activity can cause problems. To solve this governance problem, a social experiment was designed to test the value of a solution based on a technological platform. The methodology is based on a dynamic scheme, seeking the involvement and collaboration of all the stakeholders. This method uses a co-creative process inspired by design thinking. The theoretical framework included literature on entrepreneurial ecosystems and governance theory and took into account the need to involve all the stakeholders to improve the previous situation and achieve sustainable development goals. Based on the application and an ad-hoc methodology seeking the involvement and collaboration of all stakeholders, a social network supported by an ICT-based platform was formally created, contributing to alleviate the atomization problem and generating social value at the same time. This social experiment, carried out in the Spanish province of Biscay in the Basque Country, was a pilot test and could be extended to other entrepreneurial ecosystems with similar casuistic frameworks.
Implementation and Application of an Intelligent Pterygium Diagnosis System Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Xu Wei , Jin Ling , Zhu Peng-Zhi , He Kai , Yang Wei-Hua , Wu Mao-Nian
Published: October 2021

Objective: This study aims to implement and investigate the application of a special intelligent diagnostic system based on deep learning in the diagnosis of pterygium using anterior segment photographs.

Methods: A total of 1,220 anterior segment photographs of normal eyes and pterygium patients were collected for training (using 750 images) and testing (using 470 images) to develop an intelligent pterygium diagnostic model. The images were classified into three categories by the experts and the intelligent pterygium diagnosis system: (i) the normal group, (ii) the observation group of pterygium, and (iii) the operation group of pterygium. The intelligent diagnostic results were compared with those of the expert diagnosis. Indicators including accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, kappa value, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), as well as 95% confidence interval (CI) and F1-score were evaluated.

Results: The accuracy rate of the intelligent diagnosis system on the 470 testing photographs was 94.68%; the diagnostic consistency was high; the kappa values of the three groups were all above 85%. Additionally, the AUC values approached 100% in group 1 and 95% in the other two groups. The best results generated from the proposed system for sensitivity, specificity, and F1-scores were 100, 99.64, and 99.74% in group 1; 90.06, 97.32, and 92.49% in group 2; and 92.73, 95.56, and 89.47% in group 3, respectively.

Conclusion: The intelligent pterygium diagnosis system based on deep learning can not only judge the presence of pterygium but also classify the severity of pterygium. This study is expected to provide a new screening tool for pterygium and benefit patients from areas lacking medical resources.
Effects of Defense Suppliers’ Practice of Online Character Education on the Employees’ Learning Motivation and Perception of Integrity During COVID-19
Authors: Hsiao Hong-Chin
Published: October 2021

The 21st century marks a period where the pursuit of innovation, the advance of information media, and diverse values have gained great significance. In the face of information, economic impacts, and other challenges, developed countries in particular have come to emphasize online character education, as cultivating the people’s character to have a positive attitude toward life. Teaching people desirable core values and moral thinking to cultivate pleasant character could enhance personal happiness and social harmony, boost national competitiveness, and be the key to a more harmonious society in the future. Education is the stable rock of ethics and morality, and like the foundation upon which to build a house, an unstable rock would result in the danger of collapse. People’s sense of propriety, justice, integrity, and honor, as well as morality, is in decline. In such a social climate, online character education plays an extremely important role. Taking employees of defense suppliers for the Ministry of National Defense, Taiwan, as empirical subjects, 226 employees proceeded with our 20-week (4 h per week, for a total of 80 h) experimental teaching research. The research results reveal that: (1) online character education would affect learning motivation, (2) online character education would affect the perception of integrity, and (3) learning motivation presents significantly positive effects on the perception of integrity. Our results suggest that online character education and discussion is expected to help defense suppliers cultivate good social interaction skills and character to build harmonious interpersonal relationships.
The Role of Experiential Learning on Students’ Motivation and Classroom Engagement
Authors: Kong Yangtao
Published: October 2021

Due to the birth of positive psychology in the process of education, classroom engagement has been flourished and got a remarkable role in the academic field. The other significant determining factor of success in education is motivation which is in line with classroom engagement. Moreover, based on the constructivist approach, experiential learning (EL) as a new method in education and a learner-centric pedagogy is at the center of attention, as a result of its contributions to improving the value of education which centers on developing abilities, and experiences. The current review makes an effort to consider the role of EL on students’ classroom engagement and motivation by inspecting its backgrounds and values. Subsequently, the efficacy of findings for academic experts in educational contexts is discussed.
Effectiveness of TES and rTMS for the Treatment of Insomnia: Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression of Randomized Sham-Controlled Trials
Authors: Ma Haixia , Lin Jingxia , He Jiali , Lo Dilys Hoi Ting , Tsang Hector W. H.
Published: October 2021

Objectives: Transcranial electric stimulation (TES) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) have experienced significant development in treating insomnia. This review aims to examine the effectiveness of randomized sham-controlled trials of TES and rTMS in improving insomnia and examine potential moderators associated with the effect of the treatment.

Methods: Nine electronic databases were searched for studies comparing the effects of TES/rTMS with sham group on insomnia from the inception of these databases to June 25, 2021, namely, Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PubMed, ProQuest Dissertation and Thesis, and CNKI. Meta-analyses were conducted to examine the effect of TES and rTMS in treating insomnia. Univariate meta-regression was performed to explore potential treatment moderators that may influence the pooled results. Risk of bias was assessed by using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool.

Results: A total of 16 TES studies and 27 rTMS studies were included in this review. The pooled results indicated that there was no significant difference between the TES group and the sham group in improving objective measures of sleep. rTMS was superior to its sham group in improving sleep efficiency, total sleep time, sleep onset latency, wake up after sleep onset, and number of awakenings (all p < 0.05). Both TES and rTMS were superior to their sham counterparts in improving sleep quality as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index at post-intervention. The weighted mean difference for TES and rTMS were −1.17 (95% CI: −1.98, −0.36) and −4.08 (95% CI: −4.86, −3.30), respectively. Gender, total treatment sessions, number of pulses per session, and length of treatment per session were associated with rTMS efficacy. No significant relationship was observed between TES efficacy and the stimulation parameters.

Conclusions: It seems that TES and rTMS have a chance to play a decisive role in the therapy of insomnia. Possible dose-dependent and gender difference effects of rTMS are suggested.
Not One Pandemic: A Multilevel Mixture Model Investigation of the Relationship Between Poverty and the Course of the COVID-19 Pandemic Death Rate in the United States
Authors: Finch Holmes , Hernández Finch Maria E. , Mytych Katherine
Published: October 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic, which began in China in late 2019, and subsequently spread across the world during the first several months of 2020, has had a dramatic impact on all facets of life. At the same time, it has not manifested in the same way in every nation. Some countries experienced a large initial spike in cases and deaths, followed by a rapid decline, whereas others had relatively low rates of both outcomes throughout the first half of 2020. The United States experienced a unique pattern of the virus, with a large initial spike, followed by a moderate decline in cases, followed by second and then third spikes. In addition, research has shown that in the United States the severity of the pandemic has been associated with poverty and access to health care services. This study was designed to examine whether the course of the pandemic has been uniform across America, and if not how it differed, particularly with respect to poverty. Results of a random intercept multilevel mixture model revealed that the pandemic followed four distinct paths in the country. The least ethnically diverse (85.1% white population) and most rural (82.8% rural residents) counties had the lowest death rates (0.06/1000) and the weakest link between deaths due to COVID-19 and poverty (b = 0.03). In contrast, counties with the highest proportion of urban residents (100%), greatest ethnic diversity (48.2% nonwhite), and highest population density (751.4 people per square mile) had the highest COVID-19 death rates (0.33/1000), and strongest relationship between the COVID-19 death rate and poverty (b = 46.21). Given these findings, American policy makers need to consider developing responses to future pandemics that account for local characteristics. These responses must take special account of pandemic responses among people of color, who suffered the highest death rates in the nation.
Nascent Technology Entrepreneurship among Bulgarian STEM Students
Authors: Yordanova Desislava
Published: October 2021

Technology entrepreneurship may contribute significantly to economic development and innovation. Little research has investigated the role of the university in technology entrepreneurship among STEM (science, technology, engineering or mathematics) students. More research into the entrepreneurial intentions–behaviour link is needed. This paper aims to identify university-related factors that may contribute to the translation of technopreneurial implementation intentions into actions in a sample of 200 STEM students. The variables university research excellence and perceptions of business development support significantly influence the likelihood of nascent technopreneurial behaviour. This study contributes to a greater understanding of the technopreneurial process and the drivers of technopreneurial behaviour among STEM students. The results of this study may help to enhance nascent entrepreneurship among Bulgarian STEM students.
Mapping the Risk of Water Soil Erosion in Larrodrigo (Salamanca, Spain) Using the RUSLE Model and A-DInSAR Technique
Authors: Martínez-Graña Antonio , Carrillo Jerymy , Lombana Lorena , Criado Marco , Palacios Carlos
Published: October 2021

The quantification of soil loss are studies driven by the importance of soil as a resource and are mainly due to risks of laminar and/or runoff water erosion. These problems directly affect the daily life of the population and serve as predictors of environmental effects. In this work, the quantification and calculation of the sheet water erosion caused mainly by rainfall has been carried out in a study area located in the municipality of Larrodrigo (Salamanca, Spain), based on the simultaneous application of the RUSLE model with GIS techniques. Thematic cartographies have been generated to determine soil loss in Tm/Ha/year and mm/year based on the use of parameters of the physical environment (lithology, rainfall, slopes…) where the erosive risk is quantified and its applicability to the study area by spatio-temporal extrapolation techniques. Simultaneously, the use of the A-DInSAR technique was implemented to calculate average ground deformation velocities in mm/year associated with water erosion. Two sectors with greater vulnerability to water erosion have been detected within the area of interest: one of them called main, which corresponds to the slopes near the Larrodrigo stream, with soil losses showing values of 0.3- > 12 mm/year, and a secondary sector belonging to the tributaries or channels derived from the mainstream with values of 0.3- > 12 mm/year. This type of study makes it possible to manage and organise human support practicesin order to subsequently establish measures that can prevent, mitigate and/or correct those areas with the greatest damage.
Potential of Persimmon Dietary Fiber Obtained from Byproducts as Antioxidant, Prebiotic and Modulating Agent of the Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Function
Authors: Salazar-Bermeo Julio , Moreno-Chamba Bryan , Martínez-Madrid María Concepción , Saura Domingo , Valero Manuel , Martí Nuria
Published: October 2021

Appropriate nutrition targets decrease the risk of incidence of preventable diseases in addition to providing physiological benefits. Dietary fiber, despite being available and necessary in balanced nutrition, are consumed at below daily requirements. Food byproducts high in dietary fiber and free and bonded bioactive compounds are often discarded. Herein, persimmon byproducts are presented as an interesting source of fiber and bioactive compounds. The solvent extraction effects of dietary fiber from persimmon byproducts on its techno- and physio-functional properties, and on the Caco-2 cell model after being subjected to in vitro gastrointestinal digestion and probiotic bacterial fermentation, were evaluated. The total, soluble, and insoluble dietary fiber, total phenolic, carotenoid, flavonoid contents, and antioxidant activity were determined. After in vitro digestion, low quantities of bonded phenolic compounds were detected in all fiber fractions. Moreover, total phenolic and carotenoid contents, as well as antioxidant activity, decreased depending on the extraction solvent, whereas short chain fatty acids production increased. Covalently bonded compounds in persimmon fiber mainly consisted of hydroxycinnamic acids and flavanols. After probiotic bacterial fermentation, few phenolic compounds were determined in all fiber fractions. Results suggest that persimmon’s dietary fiber functional properties are dependent on the extraction process used, which may promote a strong probiotic response and modulate the epithelial barrier function.
A New Coupling Method for Accurate Measurement of Pedicle Screw Electrical Properties for Surgical Procedures
Authors: Fonseca Pedro , Goethel Márcio Fagundes , Sebastião Ricardo , Sousa Manoela Vieira , Vilas-Boas João Paulo , Correia Miguel Velhote , Gutierres Manuel
Published: October 2021

The objective of this study is to present a new coupling method in order to measure the electrical properties of titanium alloy pedicle screws used in spinal surgery and to compare it with other common methods of measurement. An experimental setup was devised to test the electrical resistance of two specimens of pedicle screws using four methods for coupling the sensing leads, including the use of multimeter probes, alligator clips, wrapped wires and encapsulation with thermo-retractable sleeves. The electrical resistance of the pedicle screw under testing was measured at a current of 10 mA for each coupling method, and the results compared. Our findings show that although widely used in electrical analysis, the alligator clips do not perform as well as the other methods, such as simple wrapping of wires around the screw or the direct application of multimeter probes. The use of thermo-retractable sleeves provides the lowest resistance and inter-quartile range and is closer to the tabled values for the screw’s titanium alloy. Additionally, only this method allows the measurement of identical resistivity values between different screw models manufactured with the same titanium alloy. We then concluded that the use of wrapped wires encapsulated with thermo-retractable sleeves allow more accurate measurements of the pedicle screw’s electrical properties.
Research on the High Reliable Electromagnetic Stirring Power Supply
Authors: Xiang Xinxing , Luo An , Li Yan , Chen Yandong , Li Aiwu , Peng Peng
Published: October 2021

A reconstructed topology with fault diagnosis and fault-tolerant control strategy of the two-phase quadrature power supply of an electromagnetic stirring system are proposed to improve the reliability of the system. First, if the back stage inverter is faulty, the topology will be reconstructed after the diagnosed fault. The reconstructed topology with the fault diagnosis can be applied twice. Additionally, a fault pulse reset method is proposed to form a fault-tolerant control strategy, for which the high-reliability electromagnetic stirring power supply does not need to switch the control algorithm before and after the failure. The reliability of the electromagnetic stirring power supply is improved greatly. Finally, simulations and experiments verify the correctness of the electromagnetic stirring power supply fault diagnosis algorithm, reconstruction topology, and its fault-tolerant control strategy proposed in this paper.
In Situ CT Tensile Testing of an Additively Manufactured and Heat-Treated Metastable ß-Titanium Alloy (Ti-5Al-5Mo-5V-3Cr)
Authors: Hendl Julius , Daubner Sina , Marquardt Axel , Stepien Lukas , Lopez Elena , Brückner Frank , Leyens Christoph
Published: October 2021

Additive manufacturing has been considered a suitable process for developing high-performance parts of medical or aerospace industries. The electron beam powder bed fusion process, EB-PBF, is a powder bed fusion process carried out in a vacuum, in which the parts are melted using a highly focused electron beam. The material class of metastable β-titanium alloys, and especially Ti-5Al-5Mo-5V-3Cr, show great potential for use as small and highly complex load-bearing parts. Specimens were additively manufactured with optimised process parameters and different heat treatments used in order to create tailored mechanical properties. These heat-treated specimens were analysed with regard to their microstructure (SEM) and their mechanical strength (tensile testing). Furthermore, in situ tensile tests, using a Deben CT5000 and a YXLON ff35 industrial µ-CT, were performed and failure-critical defects were detected, analysed and monitored. Experimental results indicate that, if EB-PBF-manufactured Ti-5553 is heat-treated differently, a variety of mechanical properties are possible. Regarding their fracture mechanisms, failure-critical defects can be detected at different stages of the tensile test and defect growth behaviour can be analysed.
Bridging Green Gaps: The Buying Intention of Energy Efficient Home Appliances and Moderation of Green Self-Identity
Authors: Li Ya , Siddik Abu Bakkar , Masukujjaman Mohammad , Wei Xiujian
Published: October 2021

This study investigates the factors influencing the buying intention of energy-efficient home appliances in Bangladesh. It also develops a conceptual framework that integrates additional constructs with the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and borrows questions from past literature. Employing a convenience sampling technique, a total of 365 completed structured questionnaires were gathered from various super shops in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The structural equation modeling (SEM) technique was thereafter used to analyze the data with the AMOS 21. The study established that environmental knowledge, attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control significantly affected the consumers’ buying intention of energy-efficient home appliances (EEHA). The result revealed a significant relationship between environmental concern, environmental knowledge, subjective norms, eco-labeling, and attitude towards buying. It also confirmed that the green self-identity moderates the existent relationship between the attitude and buying intention of energy-efficient home appliances, while environmental knowledge does not. The research advances numerous policy suggestions to managers or marketers, as well as future research directions.
Disturbances of the Thermosphere and the Ionosphere during a Meteorological Storm
Authors: Borchevkina Olga P. , Kurdyaeva Yuliya A. , Dyakov Yurii A. , Karpov Ivan V. , Golubkov Gennady V. , Wang Pao K. , Golubkov Maxim G.
Published: October 2021

Determination of the physical mechanisms of energy transfer of tropospheric disturbances to the ionosphere is one of the fundamental problems of atmospheric physics. This article presents the results of observations carried out using two-wavelength lidar sensing at tropospheric altitudes and satellite GPS measurements during a meteorological storm in Kaliningrad (Russia, 54.7° N, 20.5° E) on 1 April 2016. During lidar sensing, it was found that the amplitudes of variations in atmospheric parameters with periods of acoustic (AWs) and internal gravity (IGWs) waves significantly increased. As a result of numerical modeling using the AtmoSym software package, it was shown that there is a noticeable increase in the period of temperature disturbances from 6–12 min to 10–17 min at altitudes from 150 km up to 230 km during the vertical propagation of acoustic waves and internal gravity waves from the troposphere. Nonlinear and dissipative processes in this layer lead to the formation of sources of secondary waves in the thermosphere with periods longer than those of primary ones. In this case, the unsteady nature of the wave source and the short duration of its operation does not lead to significant heating of the thermosphere. Simultaneous satellite observations demonstrate the response of the ionosphere (total electron content (TEC) disturbance) to tropospheric disturbances. Analysis of the time series of the amplitudes of the reflected lidar signal and TEC made it possible to determine that the response time of the ionosphere to tropospheric disturbances is 30–40 min.
Identification of MicroRNA–mRNA Networks in Melanoma and Their Association with PD-1 Checkpoint Blockade Outcomes
Authors: Sloane Robert A. Szczepaniak , White Michael G. , Witt Russell G. , Banerjee Anik , Davies Michael A. , Han Guangchun , Burton Elizabeth , Ajami Nadim , Simon Julie M. , Bernatchez Chantale , Haydu Lauren E. , Tawbi Hussein A. , Gershenwald Jeffrey E. , Keung Emily , Ross Merrick , McQuade Jennifer , Amaria Rodabe N. , Wani Khalida , Lazar Alexander J. , Woodman Scott E. , Wang Linghua , Andrews Miles C. , Wargo Jennifer A.
Published: October 2021

Metastatic melanoma is a deadly malignancy with poor outcomes historically. Immuno-oncology (IO) agents, targeting immune checkpoint molecules such as cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein-4 (CTLA-4) and programmed cell death-1 (PD-1), have revolutionized melanoma treatment and outcomes, achieving significant response rates and remarkable long-term survival. Despite these vast improvements, roughly half of melanoma patients do not achieve long-term clinical benefit from IO therapies and there is an urgent need to understand and mitigate mechanisms of resistance. MicroRNAs are key post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression that regulate many aspects of cancer biology, including immune evasion. We used network analysis to define two core microRNA–mRNA networks in melanoma tissues and cell lines corresponding to ‘MITF-low’ and ‘Keratin’ transcriptomic subsets of melanoma. We then evaluated expression of these core microRNAs in pre-PD-1-inhibitor-treated melanoma patients and observed that higher expression of miR-100-5p and miR-125b-5p were associated with significantly improved overall survival. These findings suggest that miR-100-5p and 125b-5p are potential markers of response to PD-1 inhibitors, and further evaluation of these microRNA–mRNA interactions may yield further insight into melanoma resistance to PD-1 inhibitors.
Exploring the Performance of Ultrasound Risk Stratification Systems in Thyroid Nodules of Pediatric Patients
Authors: Scappaticcio Lorenzo , Maiorino Maria Ida , Iorio Sergio , Docimo Giovanni , Longo Miriam , Grandone Anna , Luongo Caterina , Cozzolino Immacolata , Piccardo Arnoldo , Trimboli Pierpaolo , Miraglia Del Giudice Emanuele , Esposito Katherine , Bellastella Giuseppe
Published: October 2021

Neck ultrasound (nUS) is the cornerstone of clinical management of thyroid nodules in pediatric patients, as well as adults. The current study was carried out to explore and compare the diagnostic performance of the main US-based risk stratification systems (RSSs) (i.e., the American College of Radiology (ACR), European (EU), Korean (K) TI-RADSs and ATA US RSS criteria) for detecting malignant thyroid lesions in pediatric patients. We conducted a retrospective analysis of consecutive children and adolescents who received a diagnosis of thyroid nodule. We included subjects with age <19 years having thyroid nodules with benign cytology/histology or final histological diagnosis. We excluded subjects with (a) a previous malignancy, (b) a history of radiation exposure, (c) cancer genetic susceptibility syndromes, (d) lymph nodes suspicious for metastases of thyroid cancer at nUS, (e) a family history of thyroid cancer, or (f) cytologically indeterminate nodules without histology and nodules with inadequate cytology. We included 41 nodules in 36 patients with median age 15 years (11–17 years). Of the 41 thyroid nodules, 29 (70.7%) were benign and 12 (29.3%) were malignant. For both ACR TI-RADS and EU-TIRADS, we found a sensitivity of 41.7%. Instead, for both K-TIRADS and ATA US RSS, we found a sensitivity of 50%. The missed malignancy rate for ACR-TIRADS and EU-TIRADS was 58.3%, while that for K-TIRADS and ATA US RSS was 50%. The unnecessary FNA prevalence for ACR TI-RADS and EU-TIRADS was 58.3%, while that for K-TIRADS and ATA US RSS was 76%. Our findings suggest that the four US-based RSSs (i.e., ACR-TIRADS, EU-TIRADS, K-TIRADS, and ATA US RSS) have suboptimal performance in managing pediatric patients with thyroid nodules, with one-half of cancers without indication for FNA according to their recommendations.
TPH1 and 5-HT7 Receptor Overexpression Leading to Gemcitabine-Resistance Requires Non-Canonical Permissive Action of EZH2 in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Chaudhary Prakash , Guragain Diwakar , Chang Jae-Hoon , Kim Jung-Ae
Published: October 2021

In the present study, we investigated the regulatory mechanisms underlying overexpression of EZH2, tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (TPH1), and 5-HT7, in relation to gemcitabine resistance and CSC survival in PDAC cells. In aggressive PANC-1 and MIA PaCa-2 cells, knock-down (KD) of EZH2, TPH1, or HTR7 induced a decrease in CSCs and recovery from gemcitabine resistance, while preconditioning of less aggressive Capan-1 cells with 5-HT induced gemcitabine resistance with increased expression of EZH2, TPH1, and 5-HT7. Such effects of the gene KD and 5-HT treatment were mediated through PI3K/Akt and JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathways. EZH2 KD or GSK-126 (an EZH2 inhibitor) inhibited activities of these signaling pathways which altered nuclear level of NF-kB, Sp1, and p-STAT3, accompanied by downregulation of TPH1 and 5-HT7. Co-immunoprecipation with EZH2 and pan-methyl lysine antibodies revealed that auto-methylated EZH2 served as a scaffold for binding with methylated NF-kB and Sp1 as well as unmethylated p-STAT3. Furthermore, the inhibitor of EZH2, TPH1, or 5-HT7 effectively regressed pancreatic tumor growth in a xenografted mouse tumor model. Overall, the results revealed that long-term exposure to 5-HT upregulated EZH2, and the noncanonical action of EZH2 allowed the expression of TPH1-5-HT7 axis leading to gemcitabine resistance and CSC population in PDAC.
The Pseudokinase TRIB3 Negatively Regulates the HER2 Receptor Pathway and Is a Biomarker of Good Prognosis in Luminal Breast Cancer
Authors: Orea-Soufi Alba , Castillo-Lluva Sonia , Salvador-Tormo Nélida , Martín-Cabrera Paola , Recuero Silvia , Gabicagogeascoa Estíbaliz , Moreno-Valladares Manuel , Mendiburu-Eliçabe Marina , Blanco-Gómez Adrián , Ramos-Pittol José Miguel , García-Taboada Elena , Ocaña Alberto , Cimas Francisco J. , Matheu Ander , Álvarez-López Isabel , Velasco Guillermo , Lorente Mar
Published: October 2021

Background: Tribbles pseudokinase 3 (TRIB3) has been proposed to both promote and restrict cancer generation and progression. However, the precise mechanisms that determine this dual role of TRIB3 in cancer remain to be understood. In this study we aimed to investigate the role of TRIB3 in luminal breast cancer, the most frequent subtype of this malignancy. Methods: We genetically manipulated TRIB3 expression in a panel of luminal breast cancer cell lines and analyzed its impact on cell proliferation, and the phosphorylation, levels, or subcellular localization of TRIB3 and other protein regulators of key signaling pathways in luminal breast cancer. We also analyzed TRIB3 protein expression in samples from luminal breast cancer patients and performed bioinformatic analyses in public datasets. Results: TRIB3 enhanced the proliferation and AKT phosphorylation in luminal A (HER2-) but decreased them in luminal B (HER2+) breast cancer cell lines. TRIB3 negatively regulated the stability of HER2 in luminal B breast cancer cell lines. TRIB3 expression was associated with increased disease-free survival and a better response to therapy in luminal breast cancer patients. Conclusions: Our findings support the exploration of TRIB3 as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in luminal breast cancer.
Pathophysiological Responses of Pinna nobilis Individuals Enlightens the Etiology of Mass Mortality Situation in the Mediterranean Populations
Authors: Lattos Athanasios , Feidantsis Konstantinos , Georgoulis Ioannis , Giantsis Ioannis A. , Karagiannis Dimitrios , Theodorou John A. , Staikou Alexandra , Michaelidis Basile
Published: October 2021

Due to the rapid decrease of Pinna nobilis populations during the previous decades, this bivalve species, endemic in the Mediterranean Sea, is characterized as ‘critically endangered’. In addition to human pressures, various pathogen infections have resulted in extended reduction, even population extinction. While Haplosporidium pinnae is characterized as one of the major causative agents, mass mortalities have also been attributed to Mycobacterium sp. and Vibrio spp. Due to limited knowledge concerning the physiological response of infected P. nobilis specimens against various pathogens, this study’s aim was to investigate to pathophysiological response of P. nobilis individuals, originating from mortality events in the Thermaikos Gulf and Lesvos and Limnos islands (Greece), and their correlation to different potential pathogens detected in the diseased animals. In isolated tissues, several cellular stress indicators of the heat shock and immune response, apoptosis and autophagy, were examined. Despite the complexity and limitations in the study of P. nobilis mortality events, the present investigation demonstrates the cumulative negative effect of co-infection additionally with H. pinnae in comparison to the non-presence of haplosporidian parasite. In addition, impacts of global climate change affecting physiological performance and immune responses result in more vulnerable populations in infectious diseases, a phenomenon which may intensify in the future.
Single-Cell Proteomic Profiling Identifies Nanoparticle Enhanced Therapy for Triple Negative Breast Cancer Stem Cells
Authors: Wang Wenzheng , Lei Bo , Li Lin , Liu Jianyu , Li Zhihui , Pang Yuheng , Liu Tong , Li Zhigao
Published: October 2021

Breast cancer remains a major cause of cancer-related deaths in women worldwide. Chemotherapy-promoted stemness and enhanced stem cell plasticity in breast cancer is a cause for great concern. The discovery of drugs targeting BCSCs was suggested to be an important advancement in the establishment of therapy that improves the efficacy of chemotherapy. In this work, by using single-cell mass cytometry, we observed that stemness in spheroid-forming cells derived from MDA-MB-231 cells was significantly increased after doxorubicin administration and up-regulated integrin αvβ3 expression was also observed. An RGD-included nanoparticle (CS-V) was designed, and it was found that it could promote doxorubicin’s efficacy against MDA-MB-231 spheroid cells. The above observations suggested that the combination of RGD-included nanoparticles (CS-V) with the chemo-drug doxorubicin could be developed as a potential therapy for breast cancer.
CFTR Protein: Not Just a Chloride Channel?
Authors: Hanssens Laurence S. , Duchateau Jean , Casimir Georges J.
Published: October 2021

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a recessive genetic disease caused by mutations in a gene encoding a protein called Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR). The CFTR protein is known to acts as a chloride (Cl−) channel expressed in the exocrine glands of several body systems where it also regulates other ion channels, including the epithelial sodium (Na+) channel (ENaC) that plays a key role in salt absorption. This function is crucial to the osmotic balance of the mucus and its viscosity. However, the pathophysiology of CF is more challenging than a mere dysregulation of epithelial ion transport, mainly resulting in impaired mucociliary clearance (MCC) with consecutive bronchiectasis and in exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. This review shows that the CFTR protein is not just a chloride channel. For a long time, research in CF has focused on abnormal Cl− and Na+ transport. Yet, the CFTR protein also regulates numerous other pathways, such as the transport of HCO3−, glutathione and thiocyanate, immune cells, and the metabolism of lipids. It influences the pH homeostasis of airway surface liquid and thus the MCC as well as innate immunity leading to chronic infection and inflammation, all of which are considered as key pathophysiological characteristics of CF.
Milk Exosome-Derived MicroRNA-2478 Suppresses Melanogenesis through the Akt-GSK3β Pathway
Authors: Bae In-Seon , Kim Sang Hoon
Published: October 2021

Exosomes participate in intercellular communication by transferring molecules from donor to recipient cells. Exosomes are found in various body fluids, including blood, urine, cerebrospinal fluid and milk. Milk exosomes contain many endogenous microRNA molecules. MicroRNAs are small noncoding RNAs and have important roles in biological processes. The specific biological functions of milk exosomes are not well understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of milk exosomes on melanin production in melanoma cells and melanocytes. We found that milk exosomes decreased melanin contents, tyrosinase activity and the expression of melanogenesis-related genes in melanoma cells and melanocytes. Bovine-specific miR-2478 in exosomes inhibited melanin production. We found that Rap1a is a direct target gene of miR-2478 in melanoma cells and melanocytes. MiR-2478 overexpression decreased Rap1a expression, which led to downregulated melanin production and expression of melanogenesis-related genes. Inhibition of Rap1a expression decreased melanogenesis through the Akt-GSK3β signal pathway. These results support the role of miR-2478 derived from milk exosomes as a regulator of melanogenesis through direct targeting of Rap1a. These results show that milk exosomes could be useful cosmeceutical ingredients to improve whitening.