bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Generalized Approach to Translating Exercise Tests and Prescribing Exercise
Authors: Foster Carl , Anholm James D. , Bok Daniel , Boullosa Daniel , Condello Giancarlo , Cortis Cristina , Fusco Andrea , Jaime Salvador J. , de Koning Jos J. , Lucia Alejandro , Porcari John P. , Radtke Kim , Rodriguez-Marroyo Jose A.
Published: August 2020

Although there is evidence supporting the benefit of regular exercise, and recommendations about exercise and physical activity, the process of individually prescribing exercise following exercise testing is more difficult. Guidelines like % heart rate (HR) reserve (HRR) require an anchoring maximal test and do not always provide a homogenous training experience. When prescribing HR on the basis of % HRR, rating of perceived exertion or Talk Test, cardiovascular/perceptual drift during sustained exercise makes prescription of the actual workload difficult. To overcome this issue, we have demonstrated a strategy for “translating” exercise test responses to steady state exercise training on the basis of % HRR or the Talk Test that appeared adequate for individuals ranging from cardiac patients to athletes. However, these methods depended on the nature of the exercise test details. In this viewpoint, we combine these data with workload expressed as Metabolic Equivalent Task (METs). We demonstrate that there is a regular stepdown between the METs during training to achieve the same degree of homeostatic disturbance during testing. The relationship was linear, was highly-correlated (r = 0.89), and averaged 71.8% (Training METs/Test METs). We conclude that it appears possible to generate a generalized approach to correctly translate exercise test responses to exercise training.
Investigation of Optimal Coupling Velocities of the Sample and Sheath Flows for Hydrodynamic Focusing
Authors: Huang Dingpeng , Wang Hangzhou , Wang Xiaoping , Guo Kan , Yuan Zhuoli , Chen Jiawang , Chen Ying
Published: August 2020

Focusing performance is a major concern for systems based on hydrodynamic focusing. In this study, the hydrodynamic focusing subsystem of a microscopic imaging system was analysed and modelled. The theoretical model was used to analyse the velocity and distribution range of sample particles in the focused sample flow in the micro-channel of the hydrodynamic focusing subsystem, when the velocities of the sample and sheath flows were varied. The results were used to optimise the coupling velocities of the sample and sheath flows for the microscopic imaging system, to keep working efficiency and image quality of the system simultaneously. An independent experiment was then conducted for verification, and the results agreed well with the theoretical investigation. The results of this study provide a general framework for adjusting the sample and sheath flow velocities to optimise the hydrodynamic focusing performance.
Studies on the Pressure Buildup and Shear Flow Factors in the Cavitation Regime
Authors: Müller Michael , Stahl Lukas , Ostermeyer Georg-Peter
Published: August 2020

Modeling tribological contacts is commonly based on the Reynolds equation. This study discusses the validity of conventional, averaged Reynolds simulations for systems including starvation regimes. Two fundamental assumptions that are used as common practice in many elasto-hydrodynamic (EHD) calculations, are debated. First, the use of a cavitation pressure (in most cases assumed to be zero) independent of the microscopic roughness. Second, the application of a shear flow factor, which is determined on a microscopic scale with a fully filled gap. The validity of these two assumptions is analyzed with simulations on the microscopic scale. For this purpose, simulations of partially filled contacts are carried out using the partially filled gaps model developed by the authors. The topographies, the filling level and the fluid distribution were varied. The simulations comply with established models for the fully filled state and show a distinct behavior for partial filling and different fluid distributions. Neglecting the contribution to pressure buildup and shear flow of partially filled domains is a valid method in most cases. However, as this study shows, near the fully filled regime, the domains should be handled with care.
An Extremely Efficient Silylated Benzensulfonate Flame Retardant for Polycarbonate
Authors: Lu Xiaodong , Yao Qiang , Cao Weihong , Tang Tianbo
Published: August 2020

An extremely efficient flame retardant with low water solubility has been developed for bisphenol-A based polycarbonate. Potassium trimethylsilylbenzenesulfonate (KTSS) combining trimethylsilyl and sulfonate groups in its molecule is 7 times less water soluble and 5 times more effective in flame retardancy than potassium benzenesulfonylbenzenesulfonate (KSS), the commercial workhorse for polycarbonate (PC). At a loading of 0.02%, KTSS enables PC to achieve a solid UL-94 V0 rating and a limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of 34.4%, representing an increase of 8.5 units. The extremely high efficiency of KTSS stems from its great migration ability to the burning polymer surface facilitated by trimethylsilyl group, its timely release of active alkaline species that promote the charring process of PC, and the stabilization of char by silicon. In addition to the exceptional flame retardancy, PC/KTSS retains excellent physical properties of PC.
Biocompatibility of a Marine Collagen-Based Scaffold In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Benayahu Dafna , Pomeraniec Leslie , Shemesh Shai , Heller Snir , Rosenthal Yoav , Rath-Wolfson Lea , Benayahu Yehuda
Published: August 2020

Scaffold material is essential in providing mechanical support to tissue, allowing stem cells to improve their function in the healing and repair of trauma sites and tissue regeneration. The scaffold aids cell organization in the damaged tissue. It serves and allows bio mimicking the mechanical and biological properties of the target tissue and facilitates cell proliferation and differentiation at the regeneration site. In this study, the developed and assayed bio-composite made of unique collagen fibers and alginate hydrogel supports the function of cells around the implanted material. We used an in vivo rat model to study the scaffold effects when transplanted subcutaneously and as an augment for tendon repair. Animals’ well-being was measured by their weight and daily activity post scaffold transplantation during their recovery. At the end of the experiment, the bio-composite was histologically examined, and the surrounding tissues around the implant were evaluated for inflammation reaction and scarring tissue. In the histology, the formation of granulation tissue and fibroblasts that were part of the inclusion process of the implanted material were noted. At the transplanted sites, inflammatory cells, such as plasma cells, macrophages, and giant cells, were also observed as expected at this time point post transplantation. This study demonstrated not only the collagen-alginate device biocompatibility, with no cytotoxic effects on the analyzed rats, but also that the 3D structure enables cell migration and new blood vessel formation needed for tissue repair. Overall, the results of the current study proved for the first time that the implantable scaffold for long-term confirms the well-being of these rats and is correspondence to biocompatibility ISO standards and can be further developed for medical devices application.
Osimertinib-Associated Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis in a Lung Cancer Patient Harboring an EGFR Mutation—A Case Report and a Review of the Literature
Authors: Sato Izumi , Mizuno Hiroki , Kataoka Nobutaka , Kunimatsu Yusuke , Tachibana Yusuke , Sugimoto Takumi , Tani Nozomi , Ogura Yuri , Hirose Kazuki , Takeda Takayuki
Published: August 2020

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) are life-threatening dermatologic adverse events in the same category, caused by a delayed-type drug hypersensitivity reaction. Although skin toxicity is common during treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs), osimertinib-associated TEN is quite rare—thus far, only one report has been published from China. We report a case of an 80-year-old Japanese woman with lung adenocarcinoma harboring an EGFR-sensitizing mutation who was treated with osimertinib as the first-line treatment. Forty-six days after osimertinib induction, diffuse erythematous rash rapidly spread over the patient’s trunk along with vesicles and purpuric macules; furthermore, she developed targetoid erythema on the face. Despite osimertinib discontinuation and corticosteroid treatment, diffuse erythema with Nikolsky’s sign, general epidermal detachment, erosion and loose blisters developed over her entire body including the face. Based on her symptoms, TEN was diagnosed and thus, intravenous immunoglobulin was immediately administered for 4 days. The treatment ameliorated TEN-associated skin toxicity and caused epithelialization. Reports on osimertinib-associated SJS/TEN are scarce and only one report each on SJS and TEN from China is available. This is the first report of osimertinib-associated TEN from Japan. Cases of EGFR-TKI-associated SJS/TEN have been reported predominantly from Asian countries, suggesting ethnicity and genetic linkage play a role in the underlying mechanism.
Intergranular to Intragranular Pitting Corrosion Transition Mechanism of Sensitized AA5083 at 150 °C
Authors: Ress Jacob , Martin Ulises , Bosch Juan , Gupta Rajeev K. , Bastidas David M.
Published: August 2020

Intergranular corrosion (IGC) and pitting transition caused by grain boundary β-phase saturation of aluminum alloy AA5083 sensitized at 150 °C was investigated in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution. The change in the localized corrosion mechanism from IGC to pitting was studied by microstructural and electrochemical analysis, where IGC was found to be the primary mechanism at low degrees of sensitization (DoS) and pitting corrosion was observed to develop after grain boundary β-phase saturation. Evaluation of the double layer capacitance by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and charge passed through the specimens by potentiostatic current monitoring demonstrated a well differentiated three-stage dissolution mechanism.
Comparison of Precipitates and Texture Evolution in Nb-Bearing Grain-Oriented Silicon Steel Produced by Conventional Processing and Novel Twin-Roll Casting
Authors: Wang Yang , Zhang Yuanxiang , Fang Feng , Lu Xiang , Yuan Guo , Wang Guodong
Published: August 2020

The Nb-bearing grain-oriented silicon steel sheets were produced by conventional route and novel twin-roll casting route, respectively. The microstructure, texture and precipitate evolution were comparatively investigated by using electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The findings revealed that the precipitation behavior and the texture evolution were totally different between the two processing routes. In the conventional route, a great number of nanoscale niobium nitride particles (NbN), which acted as mainly grain growth inhibitors were precipitated during hot rolling, while in the twin-roll casting route, due to the rapid solidification, the precipitation of NbN were suppressed and a new type Nb-bearing precipitate enriched with sulfur element was observed in the as-cast strip. Besides, the primary recrystallized texture of conventional specimens was characterized by strong γ-fiber with a peak at {111} <110>, together with very few Goss components. While in the case of twin-roll casting specimens, the strongest primary recrystallized texture was {111} <112> texture and the area fraction of Goss component was much higher than that of conventional specimens. After final high temperature annealing, complete secondary recrystallization was obtained in twin-roll casting specimens and the magnetic induction of B8 was 0.1 T higher than that of conventional specimens.
Metabolic Profiling Reveals Aggravated Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis in High-Fat High-Cholesterol Diet-Fed Apolipoprotein E-Deficient Mice Lacking Ron Receptor Signaling
Authors: Allen Joselyn N. , Dey Adwitia , Cai Jingwei , Zhang Jingtao , Tian Yuan , Kennett Mary , Ma Yanling , Liang T. Jake , Patterson Andrew D. , Hankey-Giblin Pamela A.
Published: August 2020

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) represents the progressive sub-disease of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease that causes chronic liver injury initiated and sustained by steatosis and necroinflammation. The Ron receptor is a tyrosine kinase of the Met proto-oncogene family that potentially has a beneficial role in adipose and liver-specific inflammatory responses, as well as glucose and lipid metabolism. Since its discovery two decades ago, the Ron receptor has been extensively investigated for its differential roles on inflammation and cancer. Previously, we showed that Ron expression on tissue-resident macrophages limits inflammatory macrophage activation and promotes a repair phenotype, which can retard the progression of NASH in a diet-induced mouse model. However, the metabolic consequences of Ron activation have not previously been investigated. Here, we explored the effects of Ron receptor activation on major metabolic pathways that underlie the development and progression of NASH. Mice lacking apolipoprotein E (ApoE KO) and double knockout (DKO) mice that lack ApoE and Ron were maintained on a high-fat high-cholesterol diet for 18 weeks. We observed that, in DKO mice, the loss of ligand-dependent Ron signaling aggravated key pathological features in steatohepatitis, including steatosis, inflammation, oxidation stress, and hepatocyte damage. Transcriptional programs positively regulating fatty acid (FA) synthesis and uptake were upregulated in the absence of Ron receptor signaling, whereas lipid disposal pathways were downregulated. Consistent with the deregulation of lipid metabolism pathways, the DKO animals exhibited increased accumulation of FAs in the liver and decreased level of bile acids. Altogether, ligand-dependent Ron receptor activation provides protection from the deregulation of major metabolic pathways that initiate and aggravate non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
Experimental Flight Patterns Evaluation for a UAV-Based Air Pollutant Sensor
Authors: Araujo João Otávio , Valente João , Kooistra Lammert , Munniks Sandra , Peters Ruud J. B.
Published: August 2020

The use of drones in combination with remote sensors have displayed increasing interest over the last years due to its potential to automate monitoring processes. In this study, a novel approach of a small flying e-nose is proposed by assembling a set of AlphaSense electrochemical-sensors to a DJI Matrix 100 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The system was tested on an outdoor field with a source of NO2. Field tests were conducted in a 100 m2 area on two dates with different wind speed levels varying from low (0.0–2.9m/s) to high (2.1–5.3m/s), two flight patterns zigzag and spiral and at three altitudes (3, 6 and 9 m). The objective of this study is to evaluate the sensors responsiveness and performance when subject to distinct flying conditions. A Wilcoxon rank-sum test showed significant difference between flight patterns only under High Wind conditions, with Spiral flights being slightly superior than Zigzag. With the aim of contributing to other studies in the same field, the data used in this analysis will be shared with the scientific community.
Effects of Weather and Environmental Factors on the Seasonal Prevalence of Foodborne Viruses in Irrigation Waters in Gyeonggi Province, Korea
Authors: Wang Zhaoqi , Shin Hansaem , Jung Soontag , Yeo Daseul , Park Hyunkyung , Shin Sangah , Seo Dong Joo , Park Ki Hwan , Choi Changsun
Published: August 2020

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of foodborne viruses in reservoirs (an important resource of irrigation water) and its correlation with environmental and weather factors. From May 2017 to November 2018, we visited ten reservoirs and a river in the Anseong region of South Korea and collected a total of 192 samples in accordance with the environment protection agency guidelines. We recorded the weather factors (temperature, humidity, and accumulated precipitation) and investigated the surrounding environment factors (livestock, fishing site, the catchment area of reservoirs, etc.). Our research results show that from the river and reservoirs, the detection rates of human norovirus GII, adenovirus, rotavirus, human norovirus GI, and astrovirus were 27.1, 10.4, 10.4, 4.16, and 3.1%, respectively. Their viral load ranged from −1.48 to 1.55 log10 genome copies/l. However, hepatitis A virus was not detected in any irrigation water sample. Although no sampling was performed in winter, foodborne viruses and male-specific coliphages were frequently found during spring (40.78%) and autumn (39.47%). Interestingly, the significant correlation between the accumulative precipitation and the number of detected norovirus and adenovirus was confirmed by linear regression analysis. Furthermore, when the accumulative precipitation ranged from 20 to 60 mm, it significantly affected the viral load and prevalence. Among the environmental factors, recreational facilities such as fishing sites and bungalow fishing spots were identified as contamination sources by correlation analysis. Our research results confirmed the correlations between environmental contamination factors in the reservoir and weather factors with the prevalence of foodborne viruses in the reservoir. These facilitates the assessment of potential foodborne virus contamination during crop irrigation. In addition, predictive models including environmental and weather factors should be developed for monitoring and controlling the safety of irrigation waters in reservoirs.
Lactobacillus Mucosae Strain Promoted by a High-Fiber Diet in Genetic Obese Child Alleviates Lipid Metabolism and Modifies Gut Microbiota in ApoE-/- Mice on a Western Diet
Authors: Jiang Tianyi , Wu Huan , Yang Xin , Li Yue , Zhang Ziyi , Chen Feng , Zhao Liping , Zhang Chenhong
Published: August 2020

Supplementation of probiotics is a promising gut microbiota-targeted therapeutic method for hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis. However, the selection of probiotic candidate strains is still empirical. Here, we obtained a human-derived strain, Lactobacillus mucosae A1, which was shown by metagenomic analysis to be promoted by a high-fiber diet and associated with the amelioration of host hyperlipidemia, and validated its effect on treating hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis as well as changing structure of gut microbiota in ApoE-/- mice on a Western diet. L. mucosae A1 attenuated the severe lipid accumulation in serum, liver and aortic sinus of ApoE-/- mice on a Western diet, while it also reduced the serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein content of mice, reflecting the improved metabolic endotoxemia. In addition, L. mucosae A1 shifted the gut microbiota structure of ApoE-/- mice on a Western diet, including recovering a few members of gut microbiota enhanced by the Western diet. This study not only suggests the potential of L. mucosae A1 to be a probiotic in the treatment of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis, but also highlights the advantage of such function-based rather than taxonomy-based strategies for the selection of candidate strains for the next generation probiotics.
Import of Entamoeba histolytica Mitosomal ATP Sulfurylase Relies on Internal Targeting Sequences
Authors: Santos Herbert J. , Chiba Yoko , Makiuchi Takashi , Arakawa Saki , Murakami Yoshitaka , Tomii Kentaro , Imai Kenichiro , Nozaki Tomoyoshi
Published: August 2020

Mitochondrial matrix proteins synthesized in the cytosol often contain amino (N)-terminal targeting sequences (NTSs), or alternately internal targeting sequences (ITSs), which enable them to be properly translocated to the organelle. Such sequences are also required for proteins targeted to mitochondrion-related organelles (MROs) that are present in a few species of anaerobic eukaryotes. Similar to other MROs, the mitosomes of the human intestinal parasite Entamoeba histolytica are highly degenerate, because a majority of the components involved in various processes occurring in the canonical mitochondria are either missing or modified. As of yet, sulfate activation continues to be the only identified role of the relic mitochondria of Entamoeba. Mitosomes influence the parasitic nature of E. histolytica, as the downstream cytosolic products of sulfate activation have been reported to be essential in proliferation and encystation. Here, we investigated the position of the targeting sequence of one of the mitosomal matrix enzymes involved in the sulfate activation pathway, ATP sulfurylase (AS). We confirmed by immunofluorescence assay and subcellular fractionation that hemagluttinin (HA)-tagged EhAS was targeted to mitosomes. However, its ortholog in the δ-proteobacterium Desulfovibrio vulgaris, expressed as DvAS-HA in amoebic trophozoites, indicated cytosolic localization, suggesting a lack of recognizable mitosome targeting sequence in this protein. By expressing chimeric proteins containing swapped sequences between EhAS and DvAS in amoebic cells, we identified the ITSs responsible for mitosome targeting of EhAS. This observation is similar to other parasitic protozoans that harbor MROs, suggesting a convergent feature among various MROs in favoring ITS for the recognition and translocation of targeted proteins.
A Comparative Study on Luminescence Properties of Y2O3: Pr3+ Nanocrystals Prepared by Different Synthesis Methods
Authors: Diego-Rucabado Andrea , Candela Marina T. , Aguado Fernando , González Jesús , Rodríguez Fernando , Valiente Rafael , Martín-Rodríguez Rosa , Cano Israel
Published: August 2020

Pr3+-doped Y2O3 nanocrystals (NCs) have been obtained via five wet-chemistry synthesis methods which were optimized in order to achieve superior optical properties. To this end, a systematic study on the influence of different reaction parameters was performed for each procedure. Specifically, precursor concentration, reaction temperature, calcination temperature, and time, among others, were analyzed. The synthesized Y2O3: Pr3+ NCs were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and reflectance and Raman spectroscopy. In addition, the optical properties of such NCs were investigated by excitation, emission, and luminescence decay measurements. Concretely, emission from the 1D2 level was detected in all samples, while emission from 3PJ was absent. Finally, the effect of the synthesis methods and the reaction conditions on the luminescence decay has been discussed, and a comparative study of the different methods using the fluorescence lifetime of so-obtained Y2O3: Pr3+ NCs as a figure of merit has been carried out.
Effects of Copper Dopants on the Magnetic Property of Lightly Cu-Doped ZnO Nanocrystals
Authors: Wang Zhi , Xiao Wenzhen , Tian Mengmeng , Qin Neng , Shi Haidong , Zhang Xiwei , Zha Wenke , Tao Jiahua , Tian Junlong
Published: August 2020

To explore the origin of magnetism, the effect of light Cu-doping on ferromagnetic and photoluminescence properties of ZnO nanocrystals was investigated. These Cu-doped ZnO nanocrystals were prepared using a facile solution method. The Cu2+ and Cu+ ions were incorporated into Zn sites, as revealed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). At the Cu concentration of 0.25 at.%, the saturated magnetization reached the maximum and then decreased with increasing Cu concentration. With increasing Cu concentration, the photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy indicated the distribution of VO+ and VO++ vacancies nearly unchanged. These results indicate that Cu ions can enhance the long-range ferromagnetic ordering at an ultralow concentration, but antiferromagnetic “Cu+-Vo-Cu2+” couples may also be generated, even at a very low Cu-doping concentration.
Dietary Knowledge, Dietary Adherence, and BMI of Lebanese Adolescents and Their Parents
Authors: Said Liliane , Gubbels Jessica S. , Kremers Stef P. J.
Published: August 2020

Paediatric obesity is a severe public health problem accompanied by several physical and mental complications, mainly due to an imbalance between energy input and output. Dietary behaviours are influenced by many demographic factors and determinants, such as the place of residence and the level of dietary knowledge of the children and their parents. The aim of the current paper is to assess the levels of dietary knowledge, dietary adherence (in relation to recommendations), and the body mass index (BMI) of Lebanese adolescents in association with demographic variables, their parents’ dietary knowledge and adherence levels, and with other lifestyle behaviours. This cross-sectional study included 1535 Lebanese adolescents aged 15 to 18 years, from 16 public and private high schools located in urban and rural regions, and 317 of their parents. Our results showed that 30.2% of the adolescents were overweight or obese. Participants enrolled in private schools and those living in urban regions had a significantly higher BMI z-score compared to those enrolled in public schools and living in rural regions, respectively. In addition, Lebanese adolescents generally had low levels of dietary knowledge and 32.4% had low levels of dietary adherence. Their dietary adherence was significantly associated with their parents’ dietary adherence. The findings underline the significant role of the parents in shaping their children’s eating behaviours, in addition to the other determinants and factors affecting the diet of Lebanese adolescents. As the prevalence of paediatric overweight and obesity has reached alarming rates, the results of the current study have important implications for both public health policies and obesity prevention interventions in the Middle East and worldwide.
Changing Dietary Habits in Veneto Region over Two Decades: Still a Long Road to Go to Reach an Iodine-Sufficient Status
Authors: Censi Simona , Manso Jacopo , Barollo Susi , Mondin Alberto , Bertazza Loris , De Marchi Massimo , Mian Caterina , on behalf of the Food and Nutrition Hygiene Services (SIAN)
Published: August 2020

Background: Fifteen years after a nationwide voluntary iodine prophylaxis program was introduced, the aims of the present study were: (a) to obtain an up-to-date assessment of dietary iodine intake in the Veneto region, Italy; and (b) to assess dietary and socioeconomic factors that might influence iodine status. Methods: Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was obtained in 747 school students (median age 13 years; range: 11–16 years). Results: The median UIC was 111 μg/L, with 56% of samples ≥ 100 μg/L, but 26% were < 50 μg/L, more frequently females. Iodized salt was used by 82% of the students. The median UIC was higher among users of iodized salt than among non-users, 117.0 ug/L versus 90 ug/L (p = 0.01). The median UIC was higher in regular consumers of cow’s milk than in occasional consumers, 132.0 μg/L versus 96.0 μg/L (p < 0.01). A regular intake of milk and/or the use of iodized salt sufficed to reach an adequate median UIC, although satisfying only with the combined use. A trend towards higher UIC values emerged in regular consumers of cheese and yogurt. Conclusion: Iodine status has improved (median UIC 111.0 μg/L), but it is still not adequate as 26% had a UIC < 50 μg/L in the resident population of the Veneto region. A more widespread use of iodized salt but also milk and milk product consumption may have been one of the key factors in achieving this partial improvement.
Myostatin as a Biomarker of Muscle Wasting and other Pathologies-State of the Art and Knowledge Gaps
Authors: Baczek Jan , Silkiewicz Marta , Wojszel Zyta Beata
Published: August 2020

Sarcopenia is a geriatric syndrome with a significant impact on older patients’ quality of life, morbidity and mortality. Despite the new available criteria, its early diagnosis remains difficult, highlighting the necessity of looking for a valid muscle wasting biomarker. Myostatin, a muscle mass negative regulator, is one of the potential candidates. The aim of this work is to point out various factors affecting the potential of myostatin as a biomarker of muscle wasting. Based on the literature review, we can say that recent studies produced conflicting results and revealed a number of potential confounding factors influencing their use in sarcopenia diagnosing. These factors include physiological variables (such as age, sex and physical activity) as well as a variety of disorders (including heart failure, metabolic syndrome, kidney failure and inflammatory diseases) and differences in laboratory measurement methodology. Our conclusion is that although myostatin alone might not prove to be a feasible biomarker, it could become an important part of a recently proposed panel of muscle wasting biomarkers. However, a thorough understanding of the interrelationship of these markers, as well as establishing a valid measurement methodology for myostatin and revising current research data in the light of new criteria of sarcopenia, is needed.
The Roles and Responsibilities of Community Pharmacists Supporting Older People with Palliative Care Needs: A Rapid Review of the Literature
Authors: Tait Paul , Chakraborty Amal , Tieman Jennifer
Published: August 2020

Globally, the number of older people requiring appropriate and safe management of medicines is growing. This review aimed to identify the roles and responsibilities of pharmacists supporting older people living in a community setting with their palliative care needs and to synthesise key themes emerging from the data, as well as any gaps in knowledge. The literature search included Medline (Ovid), Scopus, and Cinahl (Ebsco) databases. An English language limit was applied. The search included all international articles and any date of publication. Data were synthesised utilizing a systematic text condensation technique and presented according to Theme, Domain, and Meaning Units. Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Selected papers predominantly focused on care provided by the pharmacists supporting people receiving residential aged care services. Clinical review, supply of medicines, and clinical governance were identified as key pharmacist roles. Pharmacists’ communication skills, personal behavioural approach, and positive attitude emerged as supportive characteristics for effective person-centered care. Minimal, or no information, were available related to pharmacists located in general medical practices and in Aboriginal health services sector, respectively. The multifaceted role of pharmacists presents an opportunity to provide comprehensive health care for older populations at the end of their life.
Exploring the Use of Bryophyllum as Natural Source of Bioactive Compounds with Antioxidant Activity to Prevent Lipid Oxidation of Fish Oil-In-Water Emulsions
Authors: García-Pérez Pascual , Losada-Barreiro Sonia , Bravo-Díaz Carlos , Gallego Pedro P.
Published: August 2020

The current industrial requirements for food naturalness are forcing the development of new strategies to achieve the production of healthier foods by replacing the use of synthetic additives with bioactive compounds from natural sources. Here, we investigate the use of plant tissue culture as a biotechnological solution to produce plant-derived bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity and their application to protect fish oil-in-water emulsions against lipid peroxidation. The total phenolic content of Bryophyllum plant extracts ranges from 3.4 to 5.9 mM, expressed as gallic acid equivalents (GAE). The addition of Bryophyllum extracts to 4:6 fish oil-in-water emulsions results in a sharp (eight-fold) increase in the antioxidant efficiency due to the incorporation of polyphenols to the interfacial region. In the emulsions, the antioxidant efficiency of extracts increased linearly with concentration and levelled off at 500 μM GAE, reaching a plateau region. The antioxidant efficiency increases modestly (12%) upon increasing the pH from 3.0 to 5.0, while an increase in temperature from 10 to 30 °C causes a six-fold decrease in the antioxidant efficiency. Overall, results show that Bryophyllum plant-derived extracts are promising sources of bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity that can be eventually be used to control lipid oxidation in food emulsions containing (poly)unsaturated fatty acids.
Insights into the Potential of Hardwood Kraft Lignin to Be a Green Platform Material for Emergence of the Biorefinery
Authors: Jardim Juliana M. , Hart Peter W. , Lucia Lucian , Jameel Hasan
Published: August 2020

Lignin is an abundant, renewable, and relatively cheap biobased feedstock that has potential in energy, chemicals, and materials. Kraft lignin, more specifically, has been used for more than 100 years as a self-sustaining energy feedstock for industry after which it has finally reached more widespread commercial appeal. Unfortunately, hardwood kraft lignin (HWKL) has been neglected over these years when compared to softwood kraft lignin (SWKL). Therefore, the present work summarizes and critically reviews the research and development (R&D) dealing specifically with HWKL. It will also cover methods for HWKL extraction from black liquor, as well as its structure, properties, fractionation, and modification. Finally, it will reveal several interesting opportunities for HWKL that include dispersants, adsorbents, antioxidants, aromatic compounds (chemicals), and additives in briquettes, pellets, hydrogels, carbon fibers and polymer blends and composites. HWKL shows great potential for all these applications, however more R&D is needed to make its utilization economically feasible and reach the levels in the commercial lignin market commensurate with SWKL. The motivation for this critical review is to galvanize further studies, especially increased understandings in the field of HWKL, and hence amplify much greater utilization.
A Method for the Estimation of Finely-Grained Temporal Spatial Human Population Density Distributions Based on Cell Phone Call Detail Records
Authors: Zhang Guangyuan , Rui Xiaoping , Poslad Stefan , Song Xianfeng , Fan Yonglei , Wu Bang
Published: August 2020

Estimating and mapping population distributions dynamically at a city-wide spatial scale, including those covering suburban areas, has profound, practical, applications such as urban and transportation planning, public safety warning, disaster impact assessment and epidemiological modelling, which benefits governments, merchants and citizens. More recently, call detail record (CDR) of mobile phone data has been used to estimate human population distributions. However, there is a key challenge that the accuracy of such a method is difficult to validate because there is no ground truth data for the dynamic population density distribution in time scales such as hourly. In this study, we present a simple and accurate method to generate more finely grained temporal-spatial population density distributions based upon CDR data. We designed an experiment to test our method based upon the use of a deep convolutional generative adversarial network (DCGAN). In this experiment, the highest spatial resolution of every grid cell is 125125 square metre, while the temporal resolution can vary from minutes to hours with varying accuracy. To demonstrate our method, we present an application of how to map the estimated population density distribution dynamically for CDR big data from Beijing, choosing a half hour as the temporal resolution. Finally, in order to cross-check previous studies that claim the population distribution at nighttime (from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. on the next day) mapped by Beijing census data are similar to the ground truth data, we estimated the baseline distribution, first, based upon records in CDRs. Second, we estimate a baseline distribution based upon Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) data. The results also show the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) is about 5000 while the two baseline distributions mentioned above have an RMSE of over 13,500. Our estimation method provides a fast and simple process to map people’s actual density distributions at a more finely grained, i.e., hourly, temporal resolution.
Performance Analysis of Deep Convolutional Autoencoders with Different Patch Sizes for Change Detection from Burnt Areas
Authors: de Bem Pablo Pozzobon , de Carvalho Júnior Osmar Abílio , de Carvalho Osmar Luiz Ferreira , Gomes Roberto Arnaldo Trancoso , Fontes Guimarães Renato
Published: August 2020

Fire is one of the primary sources of damages to natural environments globally. Estimates show that approximately 4 million km2 of land burns yearly. Studies have shown that such estimates often underestimate the real extent of burnt land, which highlights the need to find better, state-of-the-art methods to detect and classify these areas. This study aimed to analyze the use of deep convolutional Autoencoders in the classification of burnt areas, considering different sample patch sizes. A simple Autoencoder and the U-Net and ResUnet architectures were evaluated. We collected Landsat 8 OLI+ data from three scenes in four consecutive dates to detect the changes specifically in the form of burnt land. The data were sampled according to four different sampling strategies to evaluate possible performance changes related to sampling window sizes. The training stage used two scenes, while the validation stage used the remaining scene. The ground truth change mask was created using the Normalized Burn Ratio (NBR) spectral index through a thresholding approach. The classifications were evaluated according to the F1 index, Kappa index, and mean Intersection over Union (mIoU) value. Results have shown that the U-Net and ResUnet architectures offered the best classifications with average F1, Kappa, and mIoU values of approximately 0.96, representing excellent classification results. We have also verified that a sampling window size of 256 by 256 pixels offered the best results.
Monitoring and Assessment of the Oasis Ecological Resilience Improved by Rational Water Dispatching Using Multiple Remote Sensing Data: A Case Study of the Heihe River Basin, Silk Road
Authors: Du Jiaxin , Fu Bihong , Guo Qiang , Shi Pilong
Published: August 2020

The suboptimal management and utilization of water resources from the “Asian water towers” contributed to serious ecological crises in river basins along the arid Silk Road, such as the Aral Sea and the Heihe River in the 20th century. To improve the ecological resilience of the Ejina Oasis in the Heihe River downstream basin, the Chinese government implemented the ‘Ecological water dispatching project’ in 2000. However, it is still unclear what the optimal rational water allocation is for the sustainable development of economic, social, and ecological environments (so called “triple bottom line”) in these inland river basins. This study presents a decision-tree-based methodology for ecological monitoring and restoration strategies for Silk Road’s oasis eco-system. Using Landsat TM/OLI data as well as meteorological, hydrological, and water utilization data, we show that ~69% of the originally degraded land has been restored since 2000. Previously dry tail-end lakes in the Heihe River downstream basin have been rejuvenated, and the precipitation has also significantly improved (ρ = 0.047). We propose that the downstream water allocation should be no more than ~11 × 108 m3 and that the optimal ratio between downstream and midstream allocation is 0.4–1.7. This study provides an excellent example for ecological monitoring and assessment in the optimization of strategies for the restoration of Silk Road’s oasis eco-system.
Decline in Phytoplankton Biomass along Indian Coastal Waters due to COVID-19 Lockdown
Authors: Mishra Deepak R. , Kumar Abhishek , Muduli Pradipta R. , Equeenuddin Sk. Md. , Rastogi Gurdeep , Acharyya Tamoghna , Swain Debadatta
Published: August 2020

The SARS-CoV-2 (or COVID-19) lockdown in India, which started at an early stage of its infection curve, has been one of the strictest in the world. Air quality has improved in all urban centers in India, a major emitter of greenhouse gases (GHG). This study is based on the hypothesis that an abrupt halt in all urban activities resulted in a massive decline in NO2 emissions and has also altered coastal nitrogen (N) inputs; in-turn, this affected the trophic status of coastal waters across the country. We present the first evidence of an overall decline in pre-monsoon chlorophyll-a, a proxy for phytoplankton biomass, in coastal waters off urban centers during the peak of the lockdown in April. The preliminary field data and indirect evidence suggests the reduction in coastal chlorophyll-a could be linked to a net decline in nutrient loading, particularly of bioavailable N through watershed fluxes and atmospheric deposition. The preliminary results stress the importance of a further understanding of the relationship between fluctuations in anthropogenic N, due to lockdown measures and coastal ecosystem responses, as countries open-up to a business-as-usual scenario.
The Use of USV to Develop Navigational and Bathymetric Charts of Yacht Ports on the Example of National Sailing Centre in Gdańsk
Authors: Specht Mariusz , Specht Cezary , Szafran Maciej , Makar Artur , Dąbrowski Paweł , Lasota Henryk , Cywiński Piotr
Published: August 2020

Apart from extensive infrastructure protection, modern yacht ports should primarily provide vessels with navigational safety associated with their maneuvering on the approach fairway, as well as mooring in the port aquatory. For this reason, yachts entering the harbor should have up-to-date, accurate, and reliable charts of the port and its surroundings. This article presents hydrographic surveys conducted in the National Sailing Centre (NSC) yacht port at the Gdańsk University of Physical Education and Sport (GUPES), whose aim was to define and develop unique bathymetric and navigational charts of the harbor and the approach fairway. These can be used for example to manage berths in the marina or inform about the depths in the yacht port and on the approach fairway. The chart of the NSC-GUPES and its approach fairway is Poland’s first cartographic image of a harbor, performed entirely on the basis of surveys conducted by an Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV). The study results demonstrated that the use of a small-sized USV in bathymetric measurements of yacht ports and marinas was significantly more effective than the traditional (manned) hydrographic surveys. Such vessels allow measurements to be carried out in hard-to-reach locations, even between mooring vessels, and in the immediate vicinity of quays. Thanks to the implemented automatic mode of steering on sounding profiles, USVs are equally efficient and capable of carrying out hydrographic surveys on a larger waterbody, i.e., the approach fairway.
A Novel Method for the Deblurring of Photogrammetric Images Using Conditional Generative Adversarial Networks
Authors: Burdziakowski Pawel
Published: August 2020

The visual data acquisition from small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) may encounter a situation in which blur appears on the images. Image blurring caused by camera motion during exposure significantly impacts the images interpretation quality and consequently the quality of photogrammetric products. On blurred images, it is difficult to visually locate ground control points, and the number of identified feature points decreases rapidly together with an increasing blur kernel. The nature of blur can be non-uniform, which makes it hard to forecast for traditional deblurring methods. Due to the above, the author of this publication concluded that the neural methods developed in recent years were able to eliminate blur on UAV images with an unpredictable or highly variable blur nature. In this research, a new, rapid method based on generative adversarial networks (GANs) was applied for deblurring. A data set for neural network training was developed based on real aerial images collected over the last few years. More than 20 full sets of photogrammetric products were developed, including point clouds, orthoimages and digital surface models. The sets were generated from both blurred and deblurred images using the presented method. The results presented in the publication show that the method for improving blurred photo quality significantly contributed to an improvement in the general quality of typical photogrammetric products. The geometric accuracy of the products generated from deblurred photos was maintained despite the rising blur kernel. The quality of textures and input photos was increased. This research proves that the developed method based on neural networks can be used for deblur, even in highly blurred images, and it significantly increases the final geometric quality of the photogrammetric products. In practical cases, it will be possible to implement an additional feature in the photogrammetric software, which will eliminate unwanted blur and allow one to use almost all blurred images in the modelling process.
Synthesis, Catalytic Properties and Application in Biosensorics of Nanozymes and Electronanocatalysts: A Review
Authors: Stasyuk Nataliya , Smutok Oleh , Demkiv Olha , Prokopiv Tetiana , Gayda Galina , Nisnevitch Marina , Gonchar Mykhailo
Published: August 2020

The current review is devoted to nanozymes, i.e., nanostructured artificial enzymes which mimic the catalytic properties of natural enzymes. Use of the term “nanozyme” in the literature as indicating an enzyme is not always justified. For example, it is used inappropriately for nanomaterials bound with electrodes that possess catalytic activity only when applying an electric potential. If the enzyme-like activity of such a material is not proven in solution (without applying the potential), such a catalyst should be named an “electronanocatalyst”, not a nanozyme. This paper presents a review of the classification of the nanozymes, their advantages vs. natural enzymes, and potential practical applications. Special attention is paid to nanozyme synthesis methods (hydrothermal and solvothermal, chemical reduction, sol-gel method, co-precipitation, polymerization/polycondensation, electrochemical deposition). The catalytic performance of nanozymes is characterized, a critical point of view on catalytic parameters of nanozymes described in scientific papers is presented and typical mistakes are analyzed. The central part of the review relates to characterization of nanozymes which mimic natural enzymes with analytical importance (“nanoperoxidase”, “nanooxidases”, “nanolaccase”) and their use in the construction of electro-chemical (bio)sensors (“nanosensors”).
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): Handling Challenges in Kuwait
Authors: Gasana Janvier , Shehab Maryam
Published: August 2020

The world is currently facing a serious pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) which started in Wuhan, China, and was then transmitted rapidly to other countries. Countries applied different methods and procedures in an attempt to prevent or reduce and/or control the incidence of cases and manage existing ones. This paper discusses the methods and procedures applied by Kuwait to control this epidemic, and how effective they have been. The State of Kuwait followed WHO, European CDC, US CDC, and/or other countries’ institutional guidelines, and is still working on containing the disease, given the rising number of cases among Kuwaitis returning from affected areas such as the UK and USA, and migrant workers who share the burden, given their living conditions.