bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Educação Tutorial em Ciência da Computação: uma proposta de sistematização
Authors: Ferreira Julia , Ribeiro Jorge , De Freitas Júnior Aristótelas , Sousa Gabriel , Da Silva Italo , Santos Hugo , Menezes Matheus , Silva Artur , Ferreira Bruno , De Jesus Lucas , De Lemos Victor , Moraes Neto Antônio , De Oliveira Alexandre
Published: June 2020

No intuito de proporcionar a formação acadêmica ampla e de qualidade, o Programa de Educação Tutorial (PET) é um modelo indissociável de ensino, pesquisa e extensão, que preza também por valores de cidadania e consciência social. Apesar de existir desde a década de 90, com o nome de Programa Especial de Treinamento, e ter se expandido para mais de 37 grupos na área de Computação, pouca ou nenhuma literatura tem sido produzida com intuito de prover uma base metodológica de atuação desses grupos. Este artigo descreve métodos e práticas que têm sido utilizados com êxito pelo PET de Ciência da Computação da Universidade Federal do Maranhão (PETComp/ UFMA) no desenvolvimento de suas atividades, aprimorados ao longo de seus oito anos de existência.
A Importância do Fator Motivacional no Processo Ensino-Aprendizagem de Algoritmos e Lógica de Programação para Alunos Repetentes
Authors: Santos Antunes , Gorgônio Arthur , Lucena Amarildo , Gorgônio Flavius
Published: June 2020

Uma parte considerável dos ingressantes em cursos superiores na área de Tecnologia da Informação enfrenta dificuldades nas disciplinas de programação dos primeiros semestres, sendo que alguns desses alunos acabam sendo reprovados. Se tais disciplinas não utilizam metodologias de ensino alternativas que estimulem e contribuam para a recuperação do aluno, a desmotivação pode ocasionar novas reprovações nos semestres seguintes e, por conseguinte, contribuir para o aumento da evasão. O presente trabalho apresenta resultados promissores de uma experiência prática de uso da plataforma Arduino e da programação visual em uma turma de alunos repetentes na disciplina de algoritmos e lógica de programação do primeiro semestre do curso de Sistemas de Informação da UFRN.
Identificando os Traços de Personalidade de Estudantes de um Curso Técnico em Informática
Authors: Aguiar Janderson , Fechine Joseana , Costa Evandro
Published: June 2020

Em geral, percebe-se que os alunos em cursos técnicos entram focados em se profissionalizar e partir rapidamente para o mercado de trabalho. Apesar de apresentarem objetivos e características bem similares, esses alunos possuem peculiaridades. O objetivo deste artigo consiste em apresentar um levantamento sobre os Traços de Personalidade de alunos de informática em nível técnico, a partir do inventário TIPI (Ten-Item Personality Inventory). Com este estudo, constatou-se a heterogeneidade das turmas em relação à personalidade dos alunos, sendo comentado como a identificação desse aspecto psicológico pode influenciar o desenvolvimento do aluno durante o processo de ensino–aprendizagem.
Ensino de Programação para Alunas de Ensino Médio: Relato de uma Experiência
Authors: Ramos Nadja , Freitas Carmen , Avila Sandra , Costa Paula , Testoni Vanessa , Borin Juliana
Published: June 2020

Este artigo descreve uma experiência realizada com alunas de ensino médio de uma escola pública estadual de Campinas, com o objetivo de aproximá-las da área de computação e do desenvolvimento de tecnologia. Para atrair o interesse e aproximar o projeto deste público jovem, o projeto foi desenvolvido em torno da temática da criação de aplicativos para smartphones. Como ferramenta de trabalho, utilizou-se a plataforma educacional MIT App Inventor de desenvolvimento de aplicativos Android. A metodologia aplicada, as dificuldades encontradas e os resultados alcançados são descritos no presente trabalho de modo que a experiência possa ser aprimorada e replicada.
Personality as a subject of creation in the concepts of Novalis and F. Schlegel
Authors: Gorokhov Aleksandr Aleksandrovich
Published: June 2020

The subject of this research is the doctrine of personality in philosophy of the early German romanticism. As the main source of establishment of the romantic concept of personality, the author examines I. Kant’s doctrine of the genius nature of creation. Detailed analysis is conducted on the artistic-philosophical fragments of Novalis and F. Schlegel, in which the concept of personality as a subject of creation is described most vividly. The article substantiates the fundamental significance of the concept of personality of all elements of the philosophy of romanticism, namely for the romanticists’ theory of understanding. The author analyzes not only the philosophical research on romanticism, but also literary, culturological, and religious publications on the topic. The article systematically substantiates the position, according to which creation in the philosophy of romanticism manifests as a universal substance of human spirit, which finds individual reflection in each person, and becomes the foundation for his growth and knowledge. The peculiarity of semantic theory of creative personality consists in the fact that in cannot be exhaustively cognized by the rational means; only artistic-aesthetic and religious consciousness allows approximating to comprehension of the nature of creation.
Individuation as the key factor of modern socio-philosophical methodology
Authors: Yusupov Renat Nursakhievich
Published: June 2020

Switching from trivial representations on society to the level of its theoretical comprehension, we inevitably face the question how to translate the structures that form society from pure abstractions into people’s living experience. This described problem is the key topic of this research. Teaching on individuation of the leading theoretician in this area C. R. Jung requires additional refinement taking into account remarks made by H. G. Gadamer regarding changes in the character of discourse that unfolded in Christianity. M. K. Mamardashvili demonstrates in his lectures how the verbal art may become the means of existing of truth and its realization. We not only describe, but simultaneously apply individuation as something that becomes a methodological key to comprehension of modern society. At the same time, it is necessary to shift reasoning on the concept of “individuation” from psychological plan to a broader ontological plan. The novelty of this research consists in individuation being the key factor in solution of the aforementioned problem. The main conclusion is that individuation can be the method for the development of forms of activity, cognition and reasoning, which ensuring the co-existence of a subject with other subjects and systems do not erase, but rather identify and produce the forms of its distinctness. The active development of existence by people becomes equally comparable with the standards of habitual experience and everyday perceptions. This can restore the logic of common sense, and thus, the reliable structures of practice.  
Positive density dependence acting on mortality can help maintain species-rich communities
Authors: Aubier Thomas G
Published: June 2020

Conspecific negative density dependence is ubiquitous and has long been recognized as an important factor favoring the coexistence of competing species at local scale. By contrast, a positive density-dependent growth rate is thought to favor species exclusion by inhibiting the growth of less competitive species. Yet, such conspecific positive density dependence often reduces extrinsic mortality (e.g. reduced predation), which favors species exclusion in the first place. Here, using a combination of analytical derivations and numerical simulations, I show that this form of positive density dependence can favor the existence of equilibrium points characterized by species coexistence. Those equilibria are not globally stable, but allow the maintenance of species-rich communities in multispecies simulations. Therefore, conspecific positive density dependence does not necessarily favor species exclusion. On the contrary, some forms of conspecific positive density dependence may even help maintain species richness in natural communities. These results should stimulate further investigations into the precise mechanisms underlying density dependence.
Identification of hydatidosis-related modules and key regulatory genes
Authors: Song Jijun , Song Mingxin
Published: June 2020

Background

Echinococcosis caused by larval of Echinococcus is prevalent all over the world. Although clinical experience showed that the presence of tapeworms could not be found in liver lesions, the repeated infection and aggravation of lesions still occur in the host. Here, this study constructed a multifactor-driven disease-related dysfunction network to explore the potential molecular pathogenesis mechanism in different hosts after E.multilocularis infection.

Method

First, iTRAQ sequencing was performed on human liver infected with E.multilocularis. Second, obtained microRNAs(miRNAs) expression profiles of humans and canine infected with Echinococcus from the GEO database. In addition, we also performed differential expression analysis, protein interaction network analysis, enrichment analysis, and crosstalk analysis to obtain genes and modules related to E.multilocularis infection. Pivot analysis is used to calculate the potential regulatory effects of multiple factors on the module and identify related non-coding RNAs(ncRNAs) and transcription factors(TFs). Finally, we screened the target genes of miRNAs of Echinococcus to further explore its infection mechanism.

Results

A total of 267 differentially expressed proteins from humans and 3,635 differentially expressed genes from canine were obtained. They participated in 16 human-related dysfunction modules and five canine-related dysfunction modules, respectively. Both human and canine dysfunction modules are significantly involved in BMP signaling pathway and TGF-beta signaling pathway. In addition, pivot analysis found that 1,129 ncRNAs and 110 TFs significantly regulated human dysfunction modules, 158 ncRNAs and nine TFs significantly regulated canine dysfunction modules. Surprisingly, the Echinococcus miR-184 plays a role in the pathogenicity regulation by targeting nine TFs and one ncRNA in humans. Similarly, miR-184 can also cause physiological dysfunction by regulating two transcription factors in canine.

Conclusion

The results show that the miRNA-184 of Echinococcus can regulate the pathogenic process through various biological functions and pathways. The results laid a solid theoretical foundation for biologists to further explore the pathogenic mechanism of Echinococcosis.
Gender Differentials in Technical Efficiency among Small-Scale Cassava Farmers in Abia State, Nigeria
Authors: Yisa E. S. , Nwojo M. I. , Coker A. A. A. , Adewumi A. , Ibrahim F. D.
Published: June 2020

This study examined gender differentials in technical efficiency among small scale cassava farmers in Abia State, Nigeria. The profitability of cassava production, technical efficiency as well as the factors influencing inefficiency among the farmers in the study area were determined. Well structured questionnaire and interview schedule were employed to obtain primary data from the 133 male and 147 female cassava farmers sampled from two agricultural zones in Abia State. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, farm budgeting technique and stochastic frontier production function. A total of 73.68% of males and 81.63% of females were married, with an average household size of 6 and 5 persons, mean farming experience of 18 years for males and 16 years for females, and cultivated less than 2ha of land. Cassava production was profitable with a gross margin of ₦140,978.28 per hectare for males and ₦131,070.27 per hectare for females. The maximum likelihood estimates showed male farmers were more technically efficient with mean efficiency score of 0.82 compared to 0.78 for female farmers. Factors affecting the technical efficiency of male farmers included farm size, educational level, extension contact, credit amount while that of the female farmers were age, farm size, cooperative membership, land ownership and off-farm income. High cost of acquiring credit facilities and farm inputs, poor road network, inadequate extension services, limited farmland were the major constraints faced by farmers in the study area. It was concluded that male farmers were more technically efficient and also had higher gross income per hectare than their female counterpart. Policies aimed at improving the female farmers’ access to land and other farm inputs should be established and implemented by the government in order to increase efficiency was recommended.
In-vitro Antivenom Potential of Solanum dasyphyllum Methanolic Leaf and Fruit Extracts against Naja nigricollis Venom
Authors: Funmilola Adewunmi Rofiat , Abubakar Gidado , Hassan Zanna
Published: June 2020

Solanum dasyphyllum belongs to the family of plants called Solanaceae, it is commonly called "Africa eggplant" and one of the medicinal plants used in the treatment of snake envenomation in the southwestern part of Nigeria, but investigation concerning its anti-venom activity has not been established. The present study evaluates the in-vitroenzyme inhibition potential of S.dasyphyllum leaf and fruit extracts against Naja nigricollis (Black-necked spitting cobra) venom. The inhibitory potential of S. dasyphyllum leaf and fruit on proteases, acetylcholinesterase, phospholipase A2 and hyaluronidase enzymes present in the snake venom was evaluated. The methanolic leaf and fruit extracts of S. dasyphyllum inhibited the activity of all enzymes evaluated, however, the leaf extract exhibited better enzyme inhibitory effect on N. nigricollis venom when compared with the fruit. This could be due to the presence of various phytochemicals in leaf and fruit extract.  This result substantiates the ethnomedicinal usage of S. dasyphyllum and would help to develop potent antidote therapy against N. nigricollis envenomation.
Viscothionin Suppresses Human Non-small Cell Lung Cancer via Inhibiting the STAT3 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Ahn Seo-Hyun , Yoon Hye Bin , Jeon Eun-Jong , Park Jong-Heum , Kwon Jungkee
Published: June 2020

Lung cancer is a crucial cause of mortality world-wide. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) are important signaling factors in malignant diseases and are constantly activated in 22% ~ 65% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. STAT3 can be activated by interleukin-6 (IL-6) which induces cell growth in various cancer cells. Although viscothionin is studied for various health beneficial effects, the anticancer effect of viscothionin has not been studies so far against lung cancer. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to demonstrate the anticancer effect of a polypeptide, viscothionin in NCI-H460 lung cancer cells, which represents NSCLC. To do this, cultured NCI-H460 cells were treated with viscothionin and/or IL-6, and the cell viability, as well as expression levels of STAT3, Akt, mTOR, Bax, Bcl-2, and Bcl-xL, including caspase-3 after activity were assessed. As a result, cell viability was decreased in the viscothionin-treated group as compared to control. Also, viscothionin significantly decreased STAT3, Akt and mTOR protein expression levels in NCI-H460 cells. Additionally, the levels of the Bax, an apoptotic protein were increased than the control group, whereas the expression levels of anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL were decreased than the control group. Protein level of IL-6 shows the reversible effect compared to viscothionin. Taken together, these results demonstrate that viscothionin exhibits potent anticancer effect in NSCLC through STAT3 inhibition, and could be considered a natural agent of lung cancer therapy.
Prevalence of Multi Drug Resistant Bacteria among Urinary Tract Infection Outpatients Visiting Madonna University Teaching Hospital, Elele, Nigeria
Authors: Nwana Yvette Ngwe Nchidon , Foba Marceline Singam , Engwa Godwill Azeh , Fobellah Dominic Awung
Published: June 2020

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common infections in outpatients in Nigeria. However, antimicrobial drug resistance is a challenge in the treatment of UTIs and therefore, there is need for drug resistance surveillance to guide treatment.

Aim: This study assessed the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of UTIs in a Nigeria population.

Study Design: This was a cross-sectional study involving hospital outpatients.

Place and Date of Study: The study was conducted between September 2012 and February 2013 at Madonna University Teaching Hospital, Elele, Nigeria.

Methodology: Urine sample collected from 115 randomly selected patients was screened by microbial culture for the presence of microbial pathogens. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done for the identified isolates to assess the effectiveness of some selected routinely used antibiotics.

Results: Among the 115 subjects, bacteria growth was observed in 49 subjects giving a prevalence of 42.6%. UTI was slightly higher in females (44.8%) than in males (40.4%). A total of 9 bacteria isolates of the following genus; staphylococcus, klebsiella, pseudomonas, Escherichia, enterococcus and proteus species were identified among which Staphyloccus aureus was the most prevalent. Ampicillin was the most effective antibiotics, followed by ciprofloxacin and erythromycin. Staphylococcus aureus, other Staphylococcus species and Escherichia coli were the most susceptible isolates. Most microbial pathogens were resistant to Nitrofurantoin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and amoxicillin.

Conclusion: Urinary tract infection showed a high prevalence of 42.6% which was predominant in females. Staphylococcus aureus was the most prevalent bacterial isolate. Ampicillin was the most effective antibiotics followed by ciprofloxacin while most pathogens were resistant to nitrofurantoin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and amoxicillin.
A via das quinureninas e suas implicações na esquizofrenia
Authors: Cunha Samuel Frota , Bachur Tatiana Paschoalette Rodrigues , Aragão Gislei Frota
Published: June 2020

Introdução: a esquizofrenia é uma doença mental grave heterogênea, de extrema complexidade, manifestada por vários distúrbios de cognição, pensamento, memória, comportamento e afeto. Sua fisiopatologia, apesar dos avanços, continua de difícil compreensão. Objetivo: realizar uma revisão da literatura a respeito da relação entre a via das quinureninas e a fisiopatologia da esquizofrenia. Metodologia: foi conduzida a busca de artigos através das bases de dados Medline e Lilacs, utilizando os descritores schizophrenia/esquizofrenia e as palavras-chave kynurenine pathways/via das quinureninas. Por meio desta busca, foram selecionados 38 artigos publicados entre os anos de 1990 e 2018. Resultados: estudos mais recentes vêm demonstrando que anormalidades no metabolismo do triptofano por meio da via das quinureninas poderiam estar relacionadas com os mecanismos neurofisiopatológicos da esquizofrenia. Os metabólitos gerados pela via das quinureninas possuem propriedades neuroativas. Dentre eles, destaca-se o ácido quinurênico, antagonista endógeno do receptor N-metil-D-aspartato. Seus níveis cerebrais estão aumentados em pacientes esquizofrênicos, provavelmente devido a uma condição pró-inflamatória, resultando dessa forma, em possíveis alterações neurológicas responsáveis pelo desenvolvimento da esquizofrenia. Conclusão: não somente um melhor entendimento da fisiopatologia esquizofrenia, como também o desenvolvimento de novos alvos terapêuticos poderão ser obtidos a partir de um melhor entendimento da relação entre anormalidades na via das quinureninas e a gênese da esquizofrenia.
Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) for Chemical Characterization of Metal Halide Perovskites
Authors: Liu Yongtao , Lorenz Matthias , Ievlev Anton V. , Ovchinnikova Olga S.
Published: June 2020

Metal halide perovskite (MHP) solar cells have attracted much attention due to the rapidly growing power conversion efficiency that has reached 25.2% in a decade, comparable to established commercial photovoltaic modules. Compositional engineering is one of the most effective methods to boost the performance of MHP solar cells. Further improving the efficiency and the stability of MHP solar cells necessitates good understanding of the chemical–efficiency correlation and the chemical evolution during the degradation of MHP solar cells. In this regard, time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS) is a powerful tool to investigate the chemical aspect of MHPs and has played an important role in advancing the development of MHP optoelectronics. However, up to date, a review that can guide future utilization of ToF‐SIMS in the MHP development is missing. Herein, the capabilities of ToF‐SIMS in MHP investigations are summarized and analyzed from simple material synthesis and chemical distribution to more complicated device operation mechanism and stability. The strength of ToF‐SIMS in resolving important issues in this field, such as interface composition, ion migration, and degradation in MHP is highlighted. Finally, an outlook with an emphasis on making the utmost of ToF‐SIMS in developing MHP devices is provided.
Multifunctional Lateral Transition‐Metal Disulfides Heterojunctions
Authors: An Yipeng , Hou Yusheng , Wang Kun , Gong Shijing , Ma Chunlan , Zhao Chuanxi , Wang Tianxing , Jiao Zhaoyong , Wang Heyan , Wu Ruqian
Published: June 2020

The intrinsic spin‐dependent transport properties of two types of lateral VS2|MoS2 heterojunctions are systematically investigated using first‐principles calculations, and their various nanodevices with novel properties are designed. The lateral VS2|MoS2 heterojunction diodes show a perfect rectifying effect and are promising for the applications of Schottky diodes. A large spin‐polarization ratio is observed for the A‐type device and pure spin‐mediated current is then realized. The gate voltage significantly tunes the current and rectification ratio of their field‐effect transistors. In addition, they all demonstrate a sensitive photoresponse to blue light, and could be used as photodetector and photovoltaic device. Moreover, they generate an effective thermally driven current when a temperature gratitude appears between the two terminals, suggesting them as potential thermoelectric materials. Hence, the lateral VS2|MoS2 heterojunctions show a multifunctional nature and have various potential applications in spintronics, optoelectronics, and spin caloritronics.
Synergy of Liquid‐Crystalline Small‐Molecule and Polymeric Donors Delivers Uncommon Morphology Evolution and 16.6% Efficiency Organic Photovoltaics
Authors: Yan Cenqi , Tang Hua , Ma Ruijie , Zhang Ming , Liu Tao , Lv Jie , Huang Jiaming , Yang YanKang , Xu Tongle , Kan Zhipeng , Yan He , Liu Feng , Lu Shirong , Li Gang
Published: June 2020

Achieving an ideal morphology is an imperative avenue for enhancing key parameters toward high‐performing organic solar cells (OSCs). Among a myriad of morphological‐control methods, the strategy of incorporating a third component with structural similarity and crystallinity difference to construct ternary OSCs has emerged as an effective approach to regulate morphology. A nematic liquid‐crystalline benzodithiophene terthiophene rhodamine (BTR) molecule, which possesses the same alkylthio‐thienyl‐substituted benzo moiety but obviously stronger crystallinity compared to classical medium‐bandgap polymeric donor PM6, is employed as a third component to construct ternary OSCs based on a PM6:BTR:Y6 system. The doping of BTR (5 wt%) is found to be enough to improve the OSC morphology—significantly enhancing the crystallinity of the photoactive layer while slightly reducing the donor/acceptor phase separation scale simultaneously. Rarely is such a morphology evolution reported. It positively affects the electronic properties of the device—prolongs the carrier lifetime, shortens the photocurrent decay time, facilitates exciton dissociation, charge transport, and collection, and ultimately boosts the power conversion efficiency from 15.7% to 16.6%. This result demonstrates that the successful synergy of liquid‐crystalline small‐molecule and polymeric donors delicately adjusts the active‐layer morphology and refines device performance, which brings vibrancy to the OSC research field.
Electrochemically Modifying the Electronic Structure of IrO2 Nanoparticles for Overall Electrochemical Water Splitting with Extensive Adaptability
Authors: Li Lu , Wang Bin , Zhang Gengwei , Yang Guang , Yang Tao , Yang Sen , Yang Shengchun
Published: June 2020

Designing the electrocatalysts that are stable and active for extensively adaptable water splitting is highly desirable for developing hydrogen based energy. IrO2 is a promising and widely used catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction in commercial applications, but is rarely used for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), due to the high Gibbs free energy for hydrogen adsorption (ΔGH*). Herein, an approach to modify the electronic structure of IrO2 via cyclic voltammetry is proposed. In this process, Ir(+4) is partially reduced and trace Pt is simultaneously deposited on IrO2, which greatly lowers the ΔGH* and thus accelerates the reaction kinetics. The as‐prepared Pt–IrO2/CC with low noble metal loading (36.6 µg cm−2(Ir+Pt)) exhibits excellent HER activity with overpotentials of 5, 22, and 26 mV at 10 mA cm−2 in 0.5 m H2SO4, 1 m KOH, and 1 m phosphate buffer solution, respectively, making it possible to organize an all‐IrO2 based water electrolyzer. The Pt–IrO2/CC||IrO2/CC couple exhibits a promising activity and stability in pH‐universal conditions as well as natural seawater for H2 production. Density function theory calculations reveal that the optimized electronic structure of IrO2 balances the ΔGH*, resulting in a much enhanced HER performance.
Correlation between sarcopenia and left ventricular myocardial mass in chronic heart failure patients
Authors: Wang Mei , Hu Song , Zhang Furong , Liu Jia , Mao Yongjun
Published: June 2020

Sarcopenia is defined as a progressive age‐related syndrome of reduced whole‐body muscle mass, muscle strength, and muscle function. Patients with heart failure (HF) and sarcopenia are inclined to have decreased muscle strength. The current research suggests that skeletal muscle changes are the main manifestations of sarcopenia, but myocardium is not mentioned as skeletal muscle. The myocardium changes significantly with the progression of HF. Measuring myocardial quality has become an important and accessible way to assess HF by detecting changes in myocardial quality in patients with sarcopenia. Due to its economical, simple, and effective advantages in measuring myocardial quality, real‐time three‐dimensional echocardiography provides a convenient and reliable method for clinical diagnosis of HF and sarcopenia. This will be conducive to the screening of sarcopenia in people with chronic HF to better guide clinical treatments. This review describes the definition and diagnostic criteria of sarcopenia, the characteristics of HF with sarcopenia, and the related study of myocardial quality.
Ethmoid‐to‐maxillary opacification ratio: a predictor of postoperative olfaction and outcomes in nasal polyposis?
Authors: Beswick Daniel M. , Smith Timothy L. , Mace Jess C. , Alt Jeremiah A. , Farrell Nyssa F. , Ramakrishnan Vijay R. , Schlosser Rodney J. , Soler Zachary M.
Published: June 2020

Background

Inflammatory profiles for patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) vary between North American and Asian populations. An elevated ethmoid‐to‐maxillary (E/M) opacification ratio on preoperative imaging is associated with certain postoperative outcomes in Asian populations and populations that are non‒type 2 dominant. In this study we explore this factor in North American/type 2‒based populations.

Methods

Adult patients (n = 165) from a North American population with CRSwNP who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) were prospectively enrolled into an observational, multi‐institutional study. The 22‐item Sino‐Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT‐22), Brief Smell Identification Test (BSIT), and Lund‐Kennedy (LK) endoscopic scores were obtained pre‐ and postoperatively. Patients were stratified according to increasing E/M ratios based on Lund‐Mackay (LM) scores.

Results

On average, significant within‐subject postoperative improvement was found in all patients for SNOT‐22 total and domain scores, and also BSIT results (p ≤ 0.019). Preoperatively, elevated E/M ratio correlated with worse BSIT scores (r = −0.343, p < 0.001). Postoperatively, elevated E/M ratio correlated with BSIT improvement (r = 0.284, p = 0.002), but did not correlate with SNOT‐22 improvement or polyp recurrence. An elevated E/M ratio was associated with greater likelihood of reporting a minimal clinically important difference in BSIT scores (χ2 = 9.96, p = 0.041).

Conclusion

Elevated E/M ratios were found to associated with worse baseline olfaction and an increased likelihood of achieving a clinically meaningful postoperative improvement in olfaction in this North American population with CRSwNP. Elevated E/M ratios did not predict postoperative changes in SNOT‐22 measures or polyp recurrence. This suggests that prognostic factors may vary according to geography and generalized inflammatory profiles (type 2 vs non‒type 2) in patients with CRS.
Melt spinnability of long chain cellulose esters
Authors: Willberg‐Keyriläinen Pia , Rokkonen Teijo , Malm Tero , Harlin Ali , Ropponen Jarmo
Published: June 2020

Technical and hygienic nonwovens, originating typically from fossil‐based synthetic polymers, are the fastest growing applications in the textile industry. Recently developed thermoplastic cellulose fatty acid esters have polyolefin like rheology properties and therefore the suitability of these cellulose esters for fiber production was evaluated. In this study, the melt spinning of textile fibers has been demonstrated using thermoplastic cellulose octanoate. The mechanical properties of melt spun fibers were analyzed by using tensile testing and both the surface and cross‐section morphology of melt spun fibers were studied using the scanning electron microscopy. The surfaces of the fibers were very smooth and also the cross‐section was very uniform and no porosity was observed. While mechanical properties of the produced fibers are not yet as good as those reported for commercial polypropylene (PP) monofilament fibers, they are somewhat more comparable to other cellulose ester‐based fibers. The melt spinning results indicate that the novel cellulose‐based fibers can provide a renewable and recyclable alternative, for example, spun‐laid PP in several hygienic textile and fully oriented in technical applications in future.
Natural indole‐containing alkaloids and their antibacterial activities
Authors: Liu Yang , Cui Ying , Lu Liyan , Gong Yufeng , Han Wen , Piao Guishun
Published: June 2020

As the growth in resistance to bacterial infection treatments poses a grave threat to global health in the 21st century, there is a constant need to explore novel antibacterial agents that have the ability to overcome drug resistance. Indole‐containing alkaloids are widely distributed in nature, and a variety of indole‐containing alkaloids have already been applied in clinical practice, proving that indole‐containing alkaloids are fascinating and privileged scaffolds for the development of novel drugs. Moreover, indole‐containing alkaloids could exert their antibacterial activity through the inhibition of efflux pumps, the biofilm, filamentous temperature‐sensitive protein Z, and methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus pyruvate kinase; so, indole‐containing alkaloids constitute an important source of novel antibacterial agents. This review is an endeavor to highlight the advances in the development of indole‐containing alkaloids with antibacterial potential, covering articles published in the recent 10 years.
Extreme hot days over three global mega‐regions: Historical fidelity and future projection
Authors: Luo Zhenqi , Yang Jing , Gao Miaoni , Chen Deliang
Published: June 2020

Using a downscaled high‐resolution NASA Earth Exchange Global Daily Downscaled Projections (NEX‐GDDP) dataset based on Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) simulations, this study evaluated and compared extreme hot days (EHDs) over the three mega‐regions [the Eastern United States (EUS), Europe (EU) and Eastern Asia (EA)] during the historical period (1981–2005) against observations, resulting in a subset of models with high skill for the past climatology and trend. The observed EHDs over EU exhibit the largest absolute amount and the most significant increases in frequency (4.0 days·decade−1), intensity (0.22°C·decade−1) and extent (8.4°C·days·ecade−1), while no significant trend over EUS is found. Compared with the observation, the largest bias in NEX‐GDDP is the remarkably overestimated increase in the trend over EUS. In the RCP8.5 projection using six models with relatively high fidelity, the increase of EHDs is evidently enhanced during 2030–2054 over the three regions, particularly EUS. The projected trend of EHDs over EUS could be undetermined because of the modelling biases in aerosol effects and internal variation, which is worthy of further investigation in CMIP6.
A Metabolomics Approach to Screening for Autism Risk in the Children's Autism Metabolome Project
Authors: Smith Alan M. , Natowicz Marvin R. , Braas Daniel , Ludwig Michael A. , Ney Denise M. , Donley Elizabeth L. R. , Burrier Robert E. , Amaral David G.
Published: June 2020

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is biologically and behaviorally heterogeneous. Delayed diagnosis of ASD is common and problematic. The complexity of ASD and the low sensitivity of available screening tools are key factors in delayed diagnosis. Identification of biomarkers that reduce complexity through stratification into reliable subpopulations can assist in earlier diagnosis, provide insight into the biology of ASD, and potentially suggest targeted interventions. Quantitative metabolomic analysis was performed on plasma samples from 708 fasting children, aged 18 to 48 months, enrolled in the Children's Autism Metabolome Project (CAMP). The primary goal was to identify alterations in metabolism helpful in stratifying ASD subjects into subpopulations with shared metabolic phenotypes (i.e., metabotypes). Metabotypes associated with ASD were identified in a discovery set of 357 subjects. The reproducibility of the metabotypes was validated in an independent replication set of 351 CAMP subjects. Thirty‐four candidate metabotypes that differentiated subsets of ASD from typically developing participants were identified with sensitivity of at least 5% and specificity greater than 95%. The 34 metabotypes formed six metabolic clusters based on ratios of either lactate or pyruvate, succinate, glycine, ornithine, 4‐hydroxyproline, or α‐ketoglutarate with other metabolites. Optimization of a subset of new and previously defined metabotypes into a screening battery resulted in 53% sensitivity (95% confidence interval [CI], 48%–57%) and 91% specificity (95% CI, 86%–94%). Thus, our metabolomic screening tool detects more than 50% of the autistic participants in the CAMP study. Further development of this metabolomic screening approach may facilitate earlier referral and diagnosis of ASD and, ultimately, more targeted treatments.

Lay Summary

Analysis of a selected set of metabolites in blood samples from children with autism and typically developing children identified reproducible differences in the metabolism of about half of the children with autism. Testing for these differences in blood samples can be used to help screen children as young as 18 months for risk of autism that, in turn, can facilitate earlier diagnoses. In addition, differences may lead to biological insights that produce more precise treatment options. We are exploring other blood‐based molecules to determine if still a higher percentage of children with autism can be detected using this strategy. Autism Res 2020, 13: 1270–1285. © 2020 The Authors. Autism Research published by International Society for Autism Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Entering the Augmented Era: Immersive and Interactive Virtual Reality for Battery Education and Research**
Authors: Franco Alejandro A. , Chotard Jean‐Noël , Loup‐Escande Emilie , Yin Yinghui , Zhao Ruijie , Rucci Alexis , Ngandjong Alain C. , Herbulot Simon , Beye Benjamin , Ciger Jan , Lelong Romain
Published: June 2020

We present a series of innovative serious games we develop since four years using Virtual Reality (VR) technology to teach battery concepts at the University (from undergraduate to doctorate levels) and also to the general public in the context of science festivals and other events. These serious games allow interacting with battery materials, electrodes and cells in an immersive way. They allow experiencing impossible situations in real life, such as building with hands battery active material crystal structures at the nanometer scale, flying inside battery composite electrodes to calculate their geometrical tortuosities at the micrometer scale, experiencing the electrochemical behavior of different battery types by driving an electric vehicle and interacting with a virtual smart electrical grid impacted by 3D‐printed devices operated from the real world. Such serious games embed mathematical models with different levels of complexity representing the physical processes at different scales. We describe the technical characteristics of our VR serious games and their teaching goals, and we provide some discussion about their impact on the motivation, engagement and learning following four years of experimentation with them. Finally, we discuss why our VR serious games have also the potential to pave the way towards an augmented era in the battery field by supporting the R&D activities carried out by scientists and engineers.
Atypical cardiac defects in patients with RASopathies: Updated data on CARNET study
Authors: Calcagni Giulio , Gagliostro Giulia , Limongelli Giuseppe , Unolt Marta , De Luca Enrica , Digilio Maria C. , Baban Anwar , Albanese Sonia B. , Ferrero Giovanni B. , Baldassarre Giuseppina , Agnoletti Gabriella , Banaudi Elena , Marek Jan , Kaski Juan P. , Tuo Giulia , Marasini Maurizio , Cairello Francesca , Madrigali Andrea , Pacileo Giuseppe , Russo Maria G. , Milanesi Ornella , Formigari Roberto , Brighenti Maurizio , Ragni Luca , Donti Andrea , Drago Fabrizio , Dallapiccola Bruno , Tartaglia Marco , Marino Bruno , Versacci Paolo
Published: June 2020

Background

RASopathies are a set of relatively common autosomal dominant clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorders. Cardiac outcomes in terms of mortality and morbidity for common heart defects (such as pulmonary valve stenosis and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) have been reported. Nevertheless, also Atypical Cardiac Defects (ACDs) are described. The aim of the present study was to report both prevalence and cardiac outcome of ACDs in patients with RASopathies.

Methods

A retrospective, multicentric observational study (CArdiac Rasopathy NETwork—CARNET study) was carried out. Clinical, surgical, and genetic data of the patients who were followed until December 2019 were collected.

Results

Forty‐five patients out of 440 followed in CARNET centers had ACDs. Noonan Syndrome (NS), NS Multiple Lentigines (NSML) and CardioFacioCutaneous Syndrome (CFCS) were present in 36, 5 and 4 patients, respectively. Median age at last follow‐up was 20.1 years (range 6.9–47 years). Different ACDs were reported, including mitral and aortic valve dysfunction, ascending and descending aortic arch anomalies, coronary arteries dilation, enlargement of left atrial appendage and isolated pulmonary branches diseases. Five patients (11%) underwent cardiac surgery and one of them underwent a second intervention for mitral valve replacement and severe pericardial effusion. No patients died in our cohort until December 2019.

Conclusions

Patients with RASopathies present a distinct CHD spectrum. Present data suggest that also ACDs must be carefully investigated for their possible impact on the clinical outcome. A careful longitudinal follow up until the individuals reach an adult age is recommended.
Three‐dimensional imaging and quantification of real‐time cytosolic calcium oscillations in microglial cells cultured on electrospun matrices using laser scanning confocal microscopy
Authors: Venkateswarlu Kojja , Suman Gare , Dhyani Vaibhav , Swain Sarpras , Giri Lopamudra , Samavedi Satyavrata
Published: June 2020

The development of a minimally invasive, robust, and inexpensive technique that permits real‐time monitoring of cell responses on biomaterial scaffolds can improve the eventual outcomes of scaffold‐based tissue engineering strategies. Towards establishing correlations between in situ biological activity and cell fate, we have developed a comprehensive workflow for real‐time volumetric imaging of spatiotemporally varying cytosolic calcium oscillations in pure microglial cells cultured on electrospun meshes. Live HMC3 cells on randomly oriented electrospun fibers were stained with a fluorescent dye and imaged using a laser scanning confocal microscope. Resonance scanning provided high‐resolution in obtaining the time‐course of intracellular calcium levels without compromising spatial and temporal resolution. Three‐dimensional reconstruction and depth‐coding enabled the visualization of cell location and intracellular calcium levels as a function of sample thickness. Importantly, changes in cell morphology and in situ calcium spiking were quantified in response to a soluble biochemical cue and varying matrix architectures (i.e., randomly oriented and aligned fibers). Importantly, raster plots generated from spiking data revealed calcium signatures specific to culture conditions. In the future, our approach can be used to elucidate correlations between calcium signatures and cell phenotype/activation, and facilitate the rational design of scaffolds for biomedical applications.
Performance of healthy persons under pain in different cognitive load tasks: An event‐related potential study on experimental pain individuals
Authors: Wang Kangling , Cai Guiyuan , Huang Shimin , Li Yuqi , Li Rongdong , Wu Wen
Published: June 2020

Objective

This study aims to determine how brain activities underlying task with different cognitive load would be modulated by the painful state using electroencephalography.

Methods

The pain state was established by spraying capsaicin on subjects’ left inner forearm. A total of 20 experimental pain subjects and 20 matched nonpain controls underwent cognitive tasks with electroencephalogram recording. We collected and analyzed behavioral and event‐related potential (ERP) data.

Results

High cognitive tasks exhibited significantly longer response times and lower accuracies than low‐load tasks. The experimental pain group displayed a significantly lower accuracy than the control group. In addition, the experimental pain group showed no significance between high and low cognitive tasks in early ERP components (amplitude of N1, P2, N2, and early part of late positive potential), whereas the control group exhibited significance between different load tasks. Furthermore, we observed a delay peak energy for delta and theta oscillation in Fz 500–800 ms after the onset for pain persons and high cognitive load tasks.

Conclusions

Inadequate early attention modulation, along with delayed peak energy for brain oscillation (delta and theta), could be accountable for a worse performance in cognitive tasks in the experimental pain group. Thus, cognitive load is a highly considerable factor. Overall, this study offers more insights into how healthy population works with cognitive tasks under pain neurologically.
Altered functional connectivity of brain regions based on a meta‐analysis in patients with T2DM: A resting‐state fMRI study
Authors: Zhang Dongsheng , Gao Jie , Yan Xuejiao , Tang Min , Zhe Xia , Cheng Miao , Chen Weibo , Zhang Xiaoling
Published: June 2020

Objective

To explore the neural mechanisms of brain impairment in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), abnormal changes to the functional connections between brain regions in the resting state were investigated based on a meta‐analysis.

Methods

Resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and neuropsychological assessment were performed on 38 patients with T2DM and 33 healthy controls (HCs). Functional connectivity between regions based on a meta‐analysis and other voxels in the brain was calculated and compared between the two groups using a two‐sample t test. A correlation analysis was conducted between clinical/cognitive variables and functional connection values from the regions with significant differences in the above comparison.

Results

Patients in the T2DM group showed a significantly decreased functional connection between the right posterior cerebellum and the right middle/inferior occipital gyrus, left middle temporal gyrus, left superior frontal gyrus, left middle frontal gyrus, left insula, left precuneus, and right paracentral lobule/left precuneus when compared with HC group. The functional connection values between the right insula and left medial frontal gyrus, left supplementary motor area, and between the left lingual gyrus and right middle/inferior occipital gyrus in patients with T2DM were significantly decreased. Moreover, the functional connection values between the right posterior cerebellum and left middle frontal gyrus, and between the right posterior cerebellum and left precuneus were negatively correlated with HbA1c in the T2DM group (r = −.356, p = .03; r = −.334, p = .043).

Conclusions

Our study showed a wide range of cerebellar–cerebral circuit abnormalities in patients with T2DM, which provides a new direction to investigate the neuropathological mechanisms of T2DM from the perspective of the cerebellum.
The effect of pentadecapeptide BPC 157 on hippocampal ischemia/reperfusion injuries in rats
Authors: Vukojević Jakša , Vrdoljak Borna , Malekinušić Dominik , Siroglavić Marko , Milavić Marija , Kolenc Danijela , Boban Blagaić Alenka , Batelja Lovorka , Drmić Domagoj , Seiverth Sven , Sikirić Predrag
Published: June 2020

Background and purpose

We focused on the, yet undescribed, therapy effect of the stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 in hippocampal ischemia/reperfusion injuries, after bilateral clamping of the common carotid arteries in rats. The background is the proven therapy effect of BPC 157 in ischemia/reperfusion injuries in different tissues. Furthermore, there is the subsequent oxidative stress counteraction, particularly when given during reperfusion. The recovering effect it has on occluded vessels, results with activation of the alternative pathways, bypassing the occlusion in deep vein thrombosis. Finally, the BPC 157 therapy benefits with its proposed role as a novel mediator of Roberts’ cytoprotection and bidirectional effects in the gut‐brain axis.

Materials and Methods

Male Wistar rats underwent bilateral clamping of the common carotid arteries for a 20‐min period. At 30 s thereafter, we applied medication (BPC 157 10 µg/kg; or saline) as a 1 ml bath directly to the operated area, that is, trigonum caroticum. We documented, in reperfusion, the resolution of the neuronal damages sustained in the brain, resolution of the damages reflected in memory, locomotion, and coordination disturbances, with the presentation of the particular genes expression in hippocampal tissues.

Results

In the operated rats, at 24 and 72 hr of the reperfusion, the therapy counteracted both early and delayed neural hippocampal damage, achieving full functional recovery (Morris water maze test, inclined beam‐walking test, lateral push test). mRNA expression studies at 1 and 24 hr, provided strongly elevated (Egr1, Akt1, Kras, Src, Foxo, Srf, Vegfr2, Nos3, and Nos1) and decreased (Nos2, Nfkb) gene expression (Mapk1 not activated), as a way how BPC 157 may act.

Conclusion

Together, these findings suggest that these beneficial BPC 157 effects may provide a novel therapeutic solution for stroke.