bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 in the Pathogenesis of Renal Abnormalities Observed in COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Azinheira Nobrega Cruz Nayara , Gonçalves de Oliveira Lilian Caroline , Tedesco Silva Junior Helio , Osmar Medina Pestana Jose , Casarini Dulce Elena
Published: August 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first reported in late December 2019 in Wuhan, China. The etiological agent of this disease is severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and the high transmissibility of the virus led to its rapid global spread and a major pandemic (ongoing at the time of writing this review). The clinical manifestations of COVID-19 can vary widely from non-evident or minor symptoms to severe acute respiratory syndrome and multi-organ damage, causing death. Acute kidney injury (AKI) has been recognized as a common complication of COVID-19 and in many cases, kidney replacement therapy (KRT) is required. The presence of kidney abnormalities on hospital admission and the development of AKI are related to a more severe presentation of COVID-19 with higher mortality rate. The high transmissibility and the broad spectrum of clinical manifestations of COVID-19 are in part due to the high affinity of SARS-CoV-2 for its receptor, angiotensin (Ang)-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which is widely expressed in human organs and is especially abundant in the kidneys. A debate on the role of ACE2 in the infectivity and pathogenesis of COVID-19 has emerged: Does the high expression of ACE2 promotes higher infectivity and more severe clinical manifestations or does the interaction of SARS-CoV-2 with ACE2 reduce the bioavailability of the enzyme, depleting its biological activity, which is closely related to two important physiological systems, the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and the kallikrein-kinin system (KKS), thereby further contributing to pathogenesis. In this review, we discuss the dual role of ACE2 in the infectivity and pathogenesis of COVID-19, highlighting the effects of COVID-19-induced ACE2 depletion in the renal physiology and how it may lead to kidney injury. The ACE2 downstream regulation of KKS, that usually receives less attention, is discussed. Also, a detailed discussion on how the triad of symptoms (respiratory, inflammatory, and coagulation symptoms) of COVID-19 can indirectly promote renal injury is primary aborded.
The Effects of Repetitive Use and Pathological Remodeling on Channelrhodopsin Function in Cardiomyocytes
Authors: Ördög Balázs , Teplenin Alexander , De Coster Tim , Bart Cindy I. , Dekker Sven O. , Zhang Juan , Ypey Dirk L. , de Vries Antoine A. F. , Pijnappels Daniël A.
Published: August 2021

Aim: Channelrhodopsins (ChRs) are a large family of light-gated ion channels with distinct properties, which is of great importance in the selection of a ChR variant for a given application. However, data to guide such selection for cardiac optogenetic applications are lacking. Therefore, we investigated the functioning of different ChR variants in normal and pathological hypertrophic cardiomyocytes subjected to various illumination protocols.

Methods and Results: Isolated neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes (NRVMs) were transduced with lentiviral vectors to express one of the following ChR variants: H134R, CatCh, ReaChR, or GtACR1. NRVMs were treated with phenylephrine (PE) to induce pathological hypertrophy (PE group) or left untreated [control (CTL) group]. In these groups, ChR currents displayed unique and significantly different properties for each ChR variant on activation by a single 1-s light pulse (1 mW/mm2: 470, 565, or 617 nm). The concomitant membrane potential (Vm) responses also showed a ChR variant-specific profile, with GtACR1 causing a slight increase in average Vm during illumination (Vplateau: −38 mV) as compared with a Vplateau > −20 mV for the other ChR variants. On repetitive activation at increasing frequencies (10-ms pulses at 1–10 Hz for 30 s), peak currents, which are important for cardiac pacing, decreased with increasing activation frequencies by 17–78% (p < 0.05), while plateau currents, which are critical for arrhythmia termination, decreased by 10–75% (p < 0.05), both in a variant-specific manner. In contrast, the corresponding Vplateau remained largely stable. Importantly, current properties and Vm responses were not statistically different between the PE and CTL groups, irrespective of the variant used (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: Our data show that ChR variants function equally well in cell culture models of healthy and pathologically hypertrophic myocardium but show strong, variant-specific use-dependence. This use-dependent nature of ChR function should be taken into account during the design of cardiac optogenetic studies and the interpretation of the experimental findings thereof.
An Evolutionary Perspective of the Lipocalin Protein Family
Authors: Diez-Hermano Sergio , Ganfornina Maria D. , Skerra Arne , Gutiérrez Gabriel , Sanchez Diego
Published: August 2021

The protein family of Lipocalins is ubiquitously present throughout the tree of life, with the exception of the phylum Archaea. Phylogenetic relationships of chordate Lipocalins have been proposed in the past based on protein sequence similarities, but their highly divergent primary structures and a shortage of experimental annotations in genome projects have precluded a well-supported hypothesis for their evolution. In this work we propose a novel topology for the phylogenetic tree of chordate Lipocalins, inferred from multiple amino acid sequence alignments. Sixteen jawed vertebrates with fair coverage by genomic sequencing were compared. The selected species span an evolutionary range of ∼400 million years, allowing for a balanced representation of all major vertebrate clades. A consensus phylogenetic tree is proposed following a comparison of sequence-based maximum-likelihood trees and protein structure dendrograms. This new phylogeny suggests an APOD-like common ancestor in early chordates, which gave rise, via whole-genome or tandem duplications, to the six Lipocalins currently present in fish (APOD, RBP4, PTGDS, AMBP, C8G, and APOM). Further gene duplications of APOM and PTGDS resulted in the altogether 15 Lipocalins found in contemporary mammals. Insights into the functional impact of relevant amino acid residues in early diverging Lipocalins are also discussed. These results should foster the experimental exploration of novel functions alongside the identification of new members of the Lipocalin family.
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) and Micronutrient Fortification in Food Crops Using Nanoparticle Technology
Authors: Oh Soojin , Cave Gareth , Lu Chungui
Published: August 2021

It is necessary to develop a resilient food supply that will withstand unexpected future shocks and deliver the required amounts of nutrients to consumers. By increasing the sustainability of food and agriculture, the food system will be able to handle challenges such as climate change, declining agricultural resources, growing population/urbanization, pandemics, and recessions/shortages. Micronutrient deficiency, otherwise called hidden hunger, is one of the major malnutrition consequences worldwide, particularly in middle- or low- income countries. Unlike essential mineral or nutrient compounds, micronutrients could be less of a priority due to their small levels of requirement. However, insufficient micronutrients caused critical adverse health symptoms and are excessively vital for young children’s development. Therefore, there have been numerous attempts to enhance minerals and nutrients in food crops, including biofortification, food fortification, and supplementation. Based on several interventions involving micronutrients, modern technology, such as nanotechnology, can be applied to enhance sustainability and to reduce the food system’s environmental impact. Previous studies have addressed various strategies or interventions to mitigate major micronutrient deficiency including iron, iodine, zinc, and vitamin A. Comparably small amounts of studies have addressed vitamin B12 deficiency and its fortification in food crops. Vitamin B12 deficiency causes serious adverse health effects, including in the nervous or blood systems, and occurs along with other micronutrient deficiencies, such as folate, iron, and zinc, worldwide, particularly in middle- and low-income countries. Mitigation for B12 deficiency has mainly focused on developing pharmacological and medical treatments such as vitamin B12 serum or supplements. Further studies are required to undertake a sustainable approach to fortify vitamin B12 in plant-based food sources for public health worldwide. This review paper highlights nanoparticle application as a promising technology for enhancing vitamin B12 without conventional genetic modification requirements. The nanoparticle can efficiently deliver the mineral/nutrient using coating techniques to targeted sites into the plant. This is mainly because nanoparticles have better solubility and permeability due to their nano size with high surface exposure. Vitamin B12-coated nanoparticles would be absorbed, translocated, and accumulated by the plant and eventually enhance the bioavailability in food crops. Furthermore, by reducing adverse environmental effects, such as leaching issues that mainly occur with conventional fertilizer usage, it would be possible to develop more sustainable food fortification.
Intensive Dialectical Behavior Treatment for Individuals With Borderline Personality Disorder With and Without Substance Use Disorders
Authors: Buono Frank D. , Larkin Kaitlyn , Rowe David , Perez-Rodriguez M. Mercedes , Sprong Matthew E. , Garakani Amir
Published: August 2021

Treatment of borderline personality disorder (BPD) with comorbid substance use disorder can be challenging due to symptom overlap and limited assessment methods. Preliminary evidence has shown promising effectiveness of dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) for BPD with comorbid substance use disorders. The current study compared the benefits of a 28-day transitional DBT treatment program for individuals with BPD with and without substance use disorders through evaluating the changes in coping skills, generalized anxiety, and depression symptom scales at admission and discharge. A total of 76 patients were split into two groups: Group 1 consisted of individuals with BPD without substance use disorders (n = 41), and Group 2 involved individuals with BPD and a substance use disorder (SUD) (n = 35). A univariate general linear model showed significant differences between the two groups in improvement of coping skills and depressive symptoms. After a 28-day transitional DBT treatment program there were significant decreases from severe to moderate depression scores in both groups. Our findings support the effectiveness of DBT treatment in patients with comorbid BPD and SUD.
Intelligence Beliefs Predict Spatial Performance in Virtual Environments and Graphical Creativity Performance
Authors: Hong Jon-Chao , Ye Jian-Hong , Chen Mei-Lien , Ye Jhen-Ni , Kung Ling-Wen
Published: August 2021

Although intelligence beliefs have been applied to explain the influence of cognition, behavior, and creativity, the research on creativity is still limited. Therefore, in order to effectively expand the understanding of the influence of intelligence beliefs on the creative performance of learners’ graphics, the implicit theories of intelligence were exploited as the basis of this study. Three hypothetical pathways were proposed to be explored, and a research model was validated. First- and second-year students from a technical high school in New Taipei City were invited to participate. There were 273 valid data (88.9% of complete data). Reliability and validity analyses were performed, as well as overall model fit analysis and research model validation, and descriptive statistical analysis of the learners’ performance in applying the operational virtual reality (VR). The results of this study showed that: (1) Incremental beliefs of aesthetic intelligence had a positive effect on spatial performance; (2) entity belief of spatial intelligence (EBSI) had a negative effect on spatial performance; and (3) spatial performance had a positive effect on graphical design performance. From the results, it is clear that design teachers can assess students’ implicit beliefs in the early stages of teaching to actively promote better spatial performance when students show high levels of entity beliefs.
Protean Kinematics: A Blended Model of VR Physics
Authors: Jeong David C. , Kim Steffie Sofia Yeonjoo , Xu Jackie Jingyi , Miller Lynn C.
Published: August 2021

Avatar research largely focuses on the effects of the appearance and external characteristics of avatars, but may also warrant further consideration of the effects of avatar movement characteristics. With Protean kinematics, we offer an expansion the avatar-user appearances-based effects of the Proteus Effect to a systematic exploration into the role of movement in affecting social perceptions (about others) and idealized perceptions (about self). This work presents both a theoretical (typology) and methodological (physics-based measurement) approach to understanding the complex blend of physical inputs and virtual outputs that occur in the perceptual experience of VR, particularly in consideration of the collection of hippocampal (e.g., place cells, grid cells) and entorhinal neurons (e.g., speed cells) that fire topologically relative to physical movement in physical space. Offered is a novel method that distills the blend of physical and virtual kinematics to contribute to modern understandings of human-agent interaction and cognitive psychology.
Measuring Language Teacher Emotion Regulation: Development and Validation of the Language Teacher Emotion Regulation Inventory at Workplace (LTERI)
Authors: Heydarnejad Tahereh , Zareian Gholamreza , Ghaniabadi Saeed , Adel Seyyed Mohammad Reza
Published: August 2021

Educational context is a pool of various emotional demands asking for competent teachers who are capable enough to regulate and manage them. The language teacher emotion regulation focuses on the strategies that language teachers implement to regulate their emotions. Considering the paucity of a psychometrically sound instrument in language teacher emotion regulation, this realm has received scant research attention. Thus, the present study was an attempt to develop and validate a conceptually meaningful and psychometrically sound instrument to capture language teacher emotion regulation strategies at workplace. This study is composed of three phases. In the first phase, based on a comprehensive consideration of the existing literature and the results of a semi-structured interview, a six-component model of the language teacher emotion regulation was designed. In the second phase, the results of exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and reliability estimates confirmed the validity and reliability of the instrument. The results of CFA refined the final version of the instrument. The Language Teacher Emotion Regulation Inventory (LTERI) includes 27 items with six dimensions on a 5-point Likert scale. Each dimension assesses a discrete language teacher emotion regulation strategy at workplace: situation selection, situation modification, attention deployment, reappraisal, suppression, and seeking social support. In the third phase, the validated instrument, LTERI was utilized across two different milieus of language teaching in Iran, namely school and university. To do so, an independent samples t-test was applied. As the findings of this phase demonstrated, there is a statistically significant difference between English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers in the two contexts regarding the employed emotion regulation strategies in their professional lives. The implications of the current study can open new perspectives in educational psychology and teacher well-being. Furthermore, the Language Teacher Emotion Regulation Inventory (LTERI) contributes to the field of teacher education by filling the measurement lacuna and advancing quantitative studies in this regard. More significantly, the implications of this study may uncover new prospects for effective teaching and learning, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, which can provoke various emotional demands for both teachers and learners.
A Global Survey on Changes in the Supply, Price, and Use of Illicit Drugs and Alcohol, and Related Complications During the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Farhoudian Ali , Radfar Seyed Ramin , Mohaddes Ardabili Hossein , Rafei Parnian , Ebrahimi Mohsen , Khojasteh Zonoozi Arash , De Jong Cornelis A. J. , Vahidi Mehrnoosh , Yunesian Masud , Kouimtsidis Christos , Arunogiri Shalini , Hansen Helena , Brady Kathleen T.
Published: August 2021

Background and Aims: COVID-19 has infected more than 77 million people worldwide and impacted the lives of many more, with a particularly devastating impact on vulnerable populations, including people with substance use disorders (SUDs). Quarantines, travel bans, regulatory changes, social distancing, and “lockdown” measures have affected drug and alcohol supply chains and subsequently their availability, price, and use patterns, with possible downstream effects on presentations of SUDs and demand for treatment. Given the lack of multicentric epidemiologic studies, we conducted a rapid global survey within the International Society of Addiction Medicine (ISAM) network in order to understand the status of substance-use patterns during the current pandemic.

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Setting: Worldwide.

Participants: Starting on April 4, 2020 during a 5-week period, the survey received 185 responses from 77 countries.

Measurements: To assess addiction medicine professionals' perceived changes in drug and alcohol supply, price, use pattern, and related complications during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Findings: Participants reported (among who answered “decreased” or “increased”) a decrease in drug supply (69.0%) and at the same time an increase in price (95.3%) globally. With respect to changes in use patterns, an increase in alcohol (71.7%), cannabis (63.0%), prescription opioids (70.9%), and sedative/hypnotics (84.6%) use was reported, while the use of amphetamines (59.7%), cocaine (67.5%), and opiates (58.2%) was reported to decrease overall.

Conclusions: The global report on changes in the availability, use patterns, and complications of alcohol and drugs during the COVID-19 pandemic should be considered in making new policies and in developing mitigating measures and guidelines during the current pandemic (and probable future ones) in order to minimize risks to people with SUD.
Common Mental Disorders Among Informal Primary Caregivers of Adults With Mental Illness During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Epidemic in Eastern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Abdeta Tilahun , Desalegn Defaru
Published: August 2021

Background: Coronaviruses (CoVs) are emerging respiratory viruses and cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Informal primary caregivers of individuals with mental illness were special populations suffering from both the burden of caring for mentally ill individuals and the danger of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) epidemic.

Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of common mental disorders (CMDs) among the informal primary caregivers of adults with mental illness during the Covid-19 epidemic.

Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study design was conducted from July 1 to 30, 2020. A systematic random sampling technique was used to get samples of informal primary caregivers. Data were analyzed by bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis. In the final model, variables having a p-value < 0.05 were declared as associated with CMDs.

Result: Out of a total of 218 informal primary caregivers, 215 responded to this study. The prevalence of CMDs was 40.5% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 36.66, 44.3%] among informal primary caregivers. Being female informal primary caregivers [adjusted odds ratios (AOR) 1.98, 95% CI = 1.05, 3.76], being student informal primary caregivers (AOR 5.8, 95% CI: 1.2, 28.4), caring patients with psychosis (AOR 3.33, 95% CI: 1.12, 9.92) and caring patients with bipolar disorder (AOR 3.12, 95% CI: 1.35, 7.23) were significantly associated with CMDs.

Conclusion: Our study cannot show the causal relationship due to its cross-sectional study design nature. However, this study showed relatively higher prevalence of CMDs among informal primary caregivers of adults with any mental illness during the Covid-19 epidemics relative to pre-Covid-19 times. Being a female caregiver, being a student caregiver, and caring for adults with psychosis and bipolar disorder were factors associated with CMDs. Attention should be given, and essential psychosocial care should be provided, to maintain the mental health of informal primary caregivers of individuals with mental illness especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Factors Associated With HIV-Related Stigma Toward People Living With HIV Among Nurses in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, China: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Yin Yao , Chen Angela Chia-Chen , Wan Shaoping , Chen Hong
Published: August 2021

Background: The Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture has one of the most serious human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemics in China. Evidence shows HIV-related stigma toward people living with HIV (PLWH) among nurses impedes HIV prevention and treatment. However, only limited research about HIV-related stigma toward PLWH from the perspective of nurses in Liangshan has been conducted.

Objective: This study aimed to assess HIV-related stigma toward PLWH among nurses and determine factors associated with it in Liangshan, China.

Design: We conducted a cross-sectional survey using a stratified, random cluster sampling method.

Participants: Registered nurses (N = 1,248; primary hospitals = 102, secondary hospitals = 592, tertiary hospitals = 554) who were aged 18 or older, worked in the selected hospitals for at least 6 months, and consented to participate were recruited.

Methods: All participants completed an anonymous online survey measuring sociodemographic characteristics, HIV-related stigma and HIV knowledge. We used multiple stepwise regression analysis to examine factors associated with HIV-related stigma toward PLWH among these nurses.

Results: The mean score of HIV-related stigma among nurses was 50.7 (SD = 8.3; range 25–78). Nurses who were more experienced, had higher levels of education, and were working in tertiary hospitals reported higher level of HIV-related stigma. Those who had better HIV knowledge, reported a willingness to receive HIV-related training, were working in areas that had a high prevalence of HIV, had prior experience working in AIDS specialized hospitals, and worked in hospitals that had policies to protect PLWH showed a lower level of HIV-related stigma toward PLWH.

Conclusions: Our findings suggested that providing culturally congruent education and training about HIV and care, and having hospitals that promoted policies protecting PLWH, may reduce HIV-related stigma toward PLWH among nurses in China.
Dose Adjustment Model of Paliperidone in Patients With Acute Schizophrenia: A post hoc Analysis of an Open-Label, Single-Arm Multicenter Study
Authors: Si Tianmei , Sun Ling , Zhang Yilong , Zhang Lili
Published: August 2021

This study aimed to investigate the factors that influenced the clinicians to adjust the paliperidone dose in the acute phase of schizophrenia. This was a post hoc study of an 8-week, open-label, single-arm multicenter trial which evaluated the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of flexible doses of paliperidone ER (3–12 mg/day) in patients with acutely exacerbated schizophrenia. Patients were divided into groups according to the dose at week 8 (3, 6, and 9–12 mg). The responder was defined as the reduction percentage in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score of ≥30%. According to the chi-squared automatic interaction detection algorithm, decision tree models predicting an increase in the dose of paliperidone ER were established. A decision tree, based on 4-week Marder positive factor, Clinical Global Impression (CGI), and BMI, was established to guide the dose adjustments of paliperidone ER in the acute phase of schizophrenia. The multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that lower age at onset, higher baseline PANSS positive subscale score, and lower baseline Personal and Social Performance Scale (PSP) score were significant predictors of increased dose in responders. Patients with young-onset age, severe baseline symptoms, and poor function are more likely to benefit from high dosage.
The Role of Butyric Acid in Treatment Response in Drug-Naïve First Episode Schizophrenia
Authors: Li Xue , Fan Xiaoduo , Yuan Xiuxia , Pang Lijuan , Hu Shaohua , Wang Yunpeng , Huang Xufeng , Song Xueqin
Published: August 2021

Background: Butyric acid, a major short-chain fatty acid (SCFA), has an important role in the microbiota–gut–brain axis and brain function. This study investigated the role of butyric acid in treatment response in drug-naïve first episode schizophrenia.

Methods: The study recruited 56 Chinese Han schizophrenia inpatients with normal body weight and 35 healthy controls. Serum levels of butyric acid were measured using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) analysis at baseline (for all participants) and 24 weeks after risperidone treatment (for patients). Clinical symptoms were measured using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) for patients at both time points.

Results: At baseline, there was no significant difference in serum levels of butyric acid between patients and healthy controls (p = 0.206). However, there was a significant increase in serum levels of butyric acid in schizophrenia patients after 24-week risperidone treatment (p = 0.030). The PANSS total and subscale scores were decreased significantly after 24-week risperidone treatment (p's < 0.001). There were positive associations between baseline serum levels of butyric acid and the reduction ratio of the PANSS total and subscale scores after controlling for age, sex, education, and duration of illness (p's < 0.05). Further, there was a positive association between the increase in serum levels of butyric acid and the reduction of the PANSS positive symptoms subscale scores (r = 0.38, p = 0.019) after controlling for potential confounding factors.

Conclusions: Increased serum levels of butyric acid might be associated with a favorable treatment response in drug-naïve, first episode schizophrenia. The clinical implications of our findings were discussed.
Awareness, Attitude, and Current Practices Toward Influenza Vaccination Among Physicians in India: A Multicenter, Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Vora Agam , Shaikh Ashfaque
Published: August 2021

Background:Although annual influenza vaccination is recommended for healthcare providers (HCPs), vaccination rate among HCPs in India is generally low. This cross-sectional survey was conducted to evaluate physicians' awareness, attitude, and current practices toward influenza vaccination in high-risk groups in India.

Methods:The survey was performed in June–July 2020, wherein consulting physicians, pulmonologists, diabetologists, obstetricians/gynecologists, or cardiologists across 14 cities completed a 39-item questionnaire consisting of 3 sections, one each on awareness, attitude, and practice patterns. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the study results. Statistical analysis was performed for comparison of subgroups by physician specialty, city of practice (metro/non-metro), and zone of practice (north/south/east/west). Level of statistical significance was set atp< 0.05.

Results:In all, 780 physicians completed the survey. Of these, 3.97, 53.08, and 42.95% had high, medium, and low level of awareness about influenza/influenza vaccination, respectively. Statistically significant (p< 0.05) between-group differences were found by physician specialty and zone of practice. In terms of attitude toward vaccination of high-risk group subjects, only 0.9% physicians were “extremely concerned,” while the majority (92.56%) were “quite concerned” and 6.54% were a “little concerned,” with no reported significant differences between different subgroups. With regard to practice patterns, 82.82% of physicians offered influenza vaccines to their patients, 32.69% vaccinated 10–25% of patients per month, and 38.85% required and offered the vaccine to their office staff. Physicians' reasons for not prescribing influenza vaccines to patients included fear of side effects (16.54%), cost (15.64%), lack of awareness about availability (15.38%), absence of belief that it is beneficial (14.36%), history of side effects (13.46%), and patients' fear of needles (11.28%).

Conclusion:These findings suggest the need to implement educational strategies among physicians to enhance their awareness about influenza vaccination and improve their attitudes and current practices toward influenza vaccination especially in high-risk groups in India.
On Topological Analysis of fs-LIMS Data. Implications for in Situ Planetary Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Lukmanov Rustam A. , Riedo Andreas , Wacey David , Ligterink Niels F. W. , Grimaudo Valentine , Tulej Marek , de Koning Coenraad , Neubeck Anna , Wurz Peter
Published: August 2021

In this contribution, we present results of non-linear dimensionality reduction and classification of the fs laser ablation ionization mass spectrometry (LIMS) imaging dataset acquired from the Precambrian Gunflint chert (1.88 Ga) using a miniature time-of-flight mass spectrometer developed for in situ space applications. We discuss the data generation, processing, and analysis pipeline for the classification of the recorded fs-LIMS mass spectra. Further, we define topological biosignatures identified for Precambrian Gunflint microfossils by projecting the recorded fs-LIMS intensity space into low dimensions. Two distinct subtypes of microfossil-related spectra, a layer of organic contamination and inorganic quartz matrix were identified using the fs-LIMS data. The topological analysis applied to the fs-LIMS data allows to gain additional knowledge from large datasets, formulate hypotheses and quickly generate insights from spectral data. Our contribution illustrates the utility of applying spatially resolved mass spectrometry in combination with topology-based analytics in detecting signatures of early (primitive) life. Our results indicate that fs-LIMS, in combination with topological methods, provides a powerful analytical framework and could be applied to the study of other complex mineralogical samples.
Advanced Imaging of the Vestibular Endolymphatic Space in Ménière's Disease
Authors: Zanetti Diego , Conte Giorgio , Scola Elisa , Casale Silvia , Lilli Giorgio , Di Berardino Federica
Published: August 2021

The diagnosis of “definite” Méniére's disease (MD) relies upon its clinical manifestations. MD has been related with Endolymphatic Hydrops (EH), an enlargement of the endolymphatic spaces (ES) (cochlear duct, posterior labyrinth, or both). Recent advances in Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging justify its increasing role in the diagnostic workup: EH can be consistently recognized in living human subjects by means of 3-dimensional Fluid-Attenuated Inversion-Recovery sequences (3D-FLAIR) acquired 4 h post-injection of intra-venous (i.v.) Gadolinium-based contrast medium, or 24 h after an intratympanic (i.t.) injection. Different criteria to assess EH include: the comparison of the area of the vestibular ES with the whole vestibule on an axial section; the saccule-to-utricle ratio (“SURI”); and the bulging of the vestibular organs toward the inferior 1/3 of the vestibule, in contact with the stapedial platina (“VESCO”). An absolute link between MD and EH has been questioned, since not all patients with hydrops manifest MD symptoms. In this literature review, we report the technical refinements of the imaging methods proposed with either i.t. or i.v. delivery routes, and we browse the outcomes of MR imaging of the ES in both MD and non-MD patients. Finally, we summarize the following imaging findings observed by different researchers: blood-labyrinthine-barrier (BLB) breakdown, the extent and grading of EH, its correlation with clinical symptoms, otoneurological tests, and stage and progression of the disease.
T1 Bladder Cancer: Comparison of the Prognostic Impact of Two Substaging Systems on Disease Recurrence and Progression and Suggestion of a Novel Nomogram
Authors: Asimakopoulos Anastasios D. , Colalillo Gaia , Telesca Rossana , Mauriello Alessandro , Miano Roberto , Di Stasi Savino Mauro , Germani Stefano , Finazzi Agrò Enrico , Petrozza Vincenzo , Caruso Gianluca , Carbone Antonio , Pastore Antonio Luigi , Fuschi Andrea
Published: August 2021

Background: The T1 substaging of bladder cancer (BCa) potentially impacts disease progression. The objective of the study was to compare the prognostic accuracy of two substaging systems on the recurrence and progression of primary pathologic T1 (pT1) BCa and to test a nomogram based on pT1 substaging for predicting recurrence-free survival (RFS) and progression-free survival (PFS).

Methods: The medical records of 204 patients affected by pT1 BCa were retrospectively reviewed. Substaging was defined according to the depth of lamina propria invasion in T1a−c and the extension of the lamina propria invasion to T1-microinvasive (T1m) or T1-extensive (T1e). Uni- and multivariable Cox regression models evaluated the independent variables correlated with recurrence and progression. The predictive accuracies of the two substaging systems were compared by Harrell's C index. Multivariate Cox regression models for the RFS and PFS were also depicted by a nomogram.

Results: The 5-year RFS was 47.5% with a significant difference between T1c and T1a (p = 0.02) and between T1e and T1m (p < 0.001). The 5-year PFS was 75.9% with a significant difference between T1c and T1a (p = 0.011) and between T1e and T1m (p < 0.001). Model T1m−e showed a higher predictive power than T1a−c for predicting RFS and PFS. In the univariate and multivariate model subcategory T1e, the diameter, location, and number of tumors were confirmed as factors influencing recurrence and progression after adjusting for the other variables. The nomogram incorporating the T1m−e model showed a satisfactory agreement between model predictions at 5 years and actual observations.

Conclusions: Substaging is significantly associated with RFS and PFS for patients affected by T1 BCa and should be included in innovative prognostic nomograms.
Defining Efficacy of Chikungunya Virus Candidate Vaccines: Different Endpoints Derived From the Virus—Cytokine—Ferritin (VCF) Model
Authors: Lim Stephanie M. , Dutta Sudip K. , Martina Byron E. E.
Published: August 2021

Following the disruptive epidemics throughout the Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia and the Americas, efforts have been deployed to develop an effective vaccine against chikungunya virus (CHIKV). The continuous threat of CHIKV (re-)emergence and the huge public health and economic impact of the epidemics, makes the development of a safe and effective vaccine a priority. Several platforms have been used to develop candidate vaccines, but there is no consensus about how to translate results from preclinical models to predict efficacy in humans. This paper outlines a concept of what constitutes an effective vaccine against CHIKV, which may be applied to other viral vaccines as well. Defining endpoints for an effective vaccine is dependent on a proper understanding of the pathogenesis and immune response triggered during infection. The preclinical model adopted to evaluate experimental vaccines is imperative for the translation of preclinical efficacy data to humans. Several CHIKV animal models exist; however, not all provide suitable endpoints for measuring vaccine efficacy. This review summarizes the current knowledge related to CHIKV pathogenesis and the correlates of protection. We then define what would constitute an effective CHIKV vaccine in humans using four key endpoints, namely: (i) prevention of chronic disease, (ii) prevention of acute disease, (iii) prevention of transmission to mosquitoes, and (iv) complete prevention of infection. Lastly, we address some of the gaps that prevent translation of immunogenicity and efficacy findings from preclinical models to humans, and we propose to use the combination of virus–cytokine–ferritin levels as a read-out for measuring vaccine-induced protection.
GTF2I Mutation in Thymomas: Independence From Racial-Ethnic Backgrounds. An Indian/German Comparative Study
Authors: Jain Deepali , Guleria Prerna , Singh Varsha , Parshad Rajinder , Kumar Sunil , Gaiser Timo , Kurz Katrin S. , Ott German , Porubsky Stefan , Preissler Gerhard , Sauer Christian G. , Schölch Sebastian , Ströbel Philipp , Hielscher Thomas , Marx Alexander , Popovic Zoran V.
Published: August 2021

Thymomas are the most frequent adult mediastinal cancers. Their etiology is unknown and their pathogenesis poorly understood. Racial, ethnic and environmental factors influence tumorigenesis in many cancers, but their role in thymomas remains unclear to date. In this study that included pretreatment thymoma cases from India and Germany (n = 37 and n = 77, respectively) we compared i) the prevalence of the thymoma-specific chromosome 7 c.74146970T > A mutation of the GTF2I gene in type A and AB thymomas; ii) epidemiological features; and iii) the frequency of myasthenia gravis (MG). Due to a known predominance of GTF2I mutation in A and AB histotypes, we included only a marginal number of type B thymomas as a control group in both cohorts. While the distribution of histological types between the cohorts was similar (p = 0.1622), Indian patients were strikingly younger (p < 0.0001; median age 50 vs. 65 years) and showed significantly lower tumour stage (Masaoka-Koga stage I) at primary diagnosis (p = 0.0005) than the German patients. In patients with known MG status (n = 17 in Indian and n = 25 in German cohort), a clear trend towards more frequent MG was observed in the Indian group (p = 0.0504; 48 vs. 82%). The prevalence of the GTF2I mutation (analysed in n = 34 Indian and n = 77 German patients) was identical in the two cohorts. We conclude that racial-ethnic and environmental factors do not significantly influence the most common molecular feature of thymomas but may have an impact on the timing of clinical presentation.
Identification of Microbial Populations in Blends of Worm Castings or Sugarcane Filter Mud Compost with Biochar
Authors: Wright Maureen S. , Lima Isabel M.
Published: August 2021

Soil amendments are used to improve soil quality, thereby enhancing plant growth and health. Efforts have been made to replace synthetic chemical enhancers. It is also preferable to not use natural products such as peat moss, the harvesting of which can be harmful to marine ecosystems. Viable replacements include worm castings, which can contribute beneficial microbes, as well as physicochemical amendments. Another potential soil amendment is the compost produced from sugarcane processing byproducts. While the texture of these two materials is not ideal for even dispersal onto fields, the addition of biochar improves the texture. Previous work demonstrated that blending them with biochar from sugarcane byproducts added physicochemical benefits, while not quantitatively reducing the microbial load, even after storage. Microbial populations of the blends in the present study were found to (1) contain taxonomic groups that contribute to plant health and (2) not contain human pathogens. Based on the quantitative and qualitative microbial analyses, it has been determined that 50% or less biochar in a blend will allow maintenance of beneficial microbes in stored samples.
Shape Optimization of a Wooden Baseball Bat Using Parametric Modeling and Genetic Algorithms
Authors: Mazloomi Mohammad Sadegh , Evans Philip D.
Published: August 2021

Baseball is a popular and very lucrative bat-and-ball sport that uses a wooden bat to score runs. We hypothesize that new design features for baseball bats will emerge from their shape optimization using parametric modeling and genetic algorithms. We converge the location of two points on bats made from maple (Acer sp.) and ash (Fraxinus sp.) wood that are associated with increased velocity of a ball rebounding off a bat: vibrational nodal points and the center of percussion (COP). Our modeling and optimization approach was able to reduce the distance between the nodal points and COP from 166.0 mm to 52.1 mm. This change was similar in both wood species and resulted from changes to the geometry of the bat, specifically shifting of the mass of the bat toward the center of the barrel and removing mass from the very end of the barrel. We conclude that the combination of parametric finite element modeling and optimization using genetic algorithms is a powerful tool for exploring virtual designs for baseball bats that are based on performance criteria and suggest that our designs could be realized in practice using subtractive manufacturing technology.
Heat Generation and Temperature Control during Bone Drilling for Orthodontic Mini-Implants: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Barrak Ibrahim , Braunitzer Gábor , Piffkó József , Segatto Emil
Published: August 2021

Background: The purpose of our in vitro study was to evaluate the impact of different irrigation fluid temperatures in combination with different drilling speeds on intraosseous temperature changes during mini-implant site preparation. Methods: Porcine ribs were used as bone specimens. Grouping determinants were as follows: irrigation fluid temperature (10 and 20 °C) and drilling speed (200, 600, 900, and 1200 RPM). The axial load was controlled at 2.0 kg. Temperature measurements were conducted using K-type thermocouples. Results: Extreme increments were observed only in the unirrigated groups. Irrigation invariably made a significant difference within groups defined by the same drilling speed. The comparison of the different temperature irrigation fluids (10 and 20 °C) in combination with the same drilling speed (200, 600, 900, or 1200 rpm) resulted in a statistically significant difference between the two different temperatures, whereas the use of irrigation fluid at a controlled room temperature of 20 °C showed significantly higher temperature changes. Conclusions: Based on the results of the study, we conclude that irrigation while preparing a pilot hole for a self-tapping orthodontic miniscrew is of utmost importance, even at low drilling speeds. The temperature of the cooling fluid does influence local temperature elevation to a significant extent.
Optimal Control of a Virtual Power Plant by Maximizing Conditional Value-at-Risk
Authors: Lin Whei-Min , Yang Chung-Yuen , Wu Zong-Yo , Tsai Ming-Tang
Published: August 2021

This research acquired data from the Central Weather Bureau Observation Data Inquiry System (CODIS) for historical weather information, such as observation time, temperature, humidity, wind speed, global radiation, etc., and constructed a historical weather database by using Excel software. Least square support vector machine (LSSVM) was used to forecast wind speed and solar radiation; then, the power output of wind and solar was derived. Considering factors of the demand response and the load and electricity pricing, a maximized risk income model of the virtual power plant (VPP) is established based on conditional value-at-risk (CVAR). An enhanced bacterial foraging algorithm (EBFA) was proposed to solve the risk dispatch problem of a VPP in this paper. In an EBFA, the stochastic weight trade-off is embedded to improve the behavior pattern of individual bacteria to enhance their sorting efficiency and accuracy in a high-dimension solution space. Various moving patterns of EBFA were considered for improvement, which were demonstrated by using a VPP system on Penghu island, Taiwan. Many scenarios were created, including various seasons, power rebate pricings, and confidence levels, so the maximal risk and return of VPP could be simulated and analyzed. Simulation and tests show a positive result for a VPP to perform the power dispatch by maximizing risk income. This paper also provides a guideline for the VPP to handle the risk management.
Spherical Indentation of a Micropolar Solid: A Numerical Investigation Using the Local Point Interpolation–Boundary Element Method
Authors: Pierson Gaël , Taghite M’Barek , Bravetti Pierre , Njiwa Richard Kouitat
Published: August 2021

The load-penetration curve in elastic nanoindentation of an elastic micropolar flat by a diamond spherical punch is analyzed. The presented results are obtained by a specifically developed numerical tool based on a judicious combination of the conventional boundary element method and strong form local point interpolation method. The results show that the usual linear relationship between the material depression and the square of the radius of the contact area is also valid in this case of micropolar elastic material. It is also shown that the relation between the indentation stress (applied load over the contact surface) and the indentation strain (ratio of contact radius by the punch radius) is linear. The proportionality coefficient which is none other than the indentation stiffness varies with the coupling factor of the micropolar elastic medium. A relation between the indentation stiffness of a micropolar solid and that of a conventional solid with the same Young modulus and Poisson ratio is derived.
Closure System and Its Semantics
Authors: Lei Yinbin , Zhang Jun
Published: August 2021

It is well known that topological spaces are axiomatically characterized by the topological closure operator satisfying the Kuratowski Closure Axioms. Equivalently, they can be axiomatized by other set operators encoding primitive semantics of topology, such as interior operator, exterior operator, boundary operator, or derived-set operator (or dually, co-derived-set operator). It is also known that a topological closure operator (and dually, a topological interior operator) can be weakened into generalized closure (interior) systems. What about boundary operator, exterior operator, and derived-set (and co-derived-set) operator in the weakened systems? Our paper completely answers this question by showing that the above six set operators can all be weakened (from their topological counterparts) in an appropriate way such that their inter-relationships remain essentially the same as in topological systems. Moreover, we show that the semantics of an interior point, an exterior point, a boundary point, an accumulation point, a co-accumulation point, an isolated point, a repelling point, etc. with respect to a given set, can be extended to an arbitrary subset system simply by treating the subset system as a base of a generalized interior system (and hence its dual, a generalized closure system). This allows us to extend topological semantics, namely the characterization of points with respect to an arbitrary set, in terms of both its spatial relations (interior, exterior, or boundary) and its dynamic convergence of any sequence (accumulation, co-accumulation, and isolation), to much weakened systems and hence with wider applicability. Examples from the theory of matroid and of Knowledge/Learning Spaces are used as an illustration.