bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lung Cancer Management with Silibinin: A Historical and Translational Perspective
Authors: Verdura Sara , Cuyàs Elisabet , Ruiz-Torres Verónica , Micol Vicente , Joven Jorge , Bosch-Barrera Joaquim , Menendez Javier A.
Published: June 2021

The flavonolignan silibinin, the major bioactive component of the silymarin extract of Silybum marianum (milk thistle) seeds, is gaining traction as a novel anti-cancer therapeutic. Here, we review the historical developments that have laid the groundwork for the evaluation of silibinin as a chemopreventive and therapeutic agent in human lung cancer, including translational insights into its mechanism of action to control the aggressive behavior of lung carcinoma subtypes prone to metastasis. First, we summarize the evidence from chemically induced primary lung tumors supporting a role for silibinin in lung cancer prevention. Second, we reassess the preclinical and clinical evidence on the effectiveness of silibinin against drug resistance and brain metastasis traits of lung carcinomas. Third, we revisit the transcription factor STAT3 as a central tumor-cell intrinsic and microenvironmental target of silibinin in primary lung tumors and brain metastasis. Finally, by unraveling the selective vulnerability of silibinin-treated tumor cells to drugs using CRISPR-based chemosensitivity screenings (e.g., the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway inhibitor azaserine), we illustrate how the therapeutic use of silibinin against targetable weaknesses might be capitalized in specific lung cancer subtypes (e.g., KRAS/STK11 co-mutant tumors). Forthcoming studies should take up the challenge of developing silibinin and/or next-generation silibinin derivatives as novel lung cancer-preventive and therapeutic biomolecules.
Long-Term Stability of Nitrifying Granules in a Membrane Bioreactor without Hydraulic Selection Pressure
Authors: An Zhaohui , Zhang Xueyao , Bott Charles B. , Wang Zhi-Wu
Published: June 2021

To understand the long-term stability of nitrifying granules in a membrane bioreactor (GMBR), a membrane module was submerged in an airlift reactor to eliminate the hydraulic selection pressure that was believed to be the driving force of aerobic granulation. The long-term monitoring results showed that the structure of nitrifying granules could remain stable for 305 days in the GMBR without hydraulic selection pressure; however, the majority of the granule structure was actually inactive due to mass diffusion limitation. As a consequence, active biomass free of mass diffusion limitation only inhabited the top 60–80 µm layer of the nitrifying granules. There was a dynamic equilibrium between bioflocs and membrane, i.e., 25% of bioflocs attached on the membrane surface within the last nine days of the backwash cycle in synchronization with the emergence of a peak of soluble extracellular polymeric substances (sEPS), with a concentration of around 47 mg L−1. Backwash can eventually detach and return these bioflocs to the bulk solution. However, the rate of membrane fouling did not change with and without the biofloc attachment. In a certain sense, the GMBR investigated in this study functioned in a similar fashion as an integrated fixed-film activated sludge membrane bioreactor and thus defeated the original purpose of GMBR development. The mass diffusion problem and sEPS production should be key areas of focus in future GMBR research.
Intra- and Interreligious Dialogue in Flemish (Belgian) Secondary Education as a Tool to Prevent Radicalisation
Authors: Lafrarchi Naïma
Published: June 2021

The attacks in Paris (2015) and Brussels (2016) led to the development of an Action Plan against radicalisation wherein Islamic religious teachers are expected to contribute actively to de-radicalisation processes and counter-discourse. To this end, Flemish teacher training university colleges have rapidly established new ‘Islamic religious education’ (IRE) teacher training programs. Additionally, the Minister of Education made interconvictional dialogue lessons mandatory in compulsory education. These lessons aim to stimulate, strengthen and reinforce the dialogue between pupils of different belief system backgrounds. Thus, the interconvictional competences are seen as a means to prevent radicalisation and polarisation. This article draws an overview of IRE development since 2015 until now regarding the policy incentives concerning the Flemish IRE, taking into account the concept of separation of Church and State. Furthermore, we scrutinise the existing IRE teacher training curricula with regard to the formulated interconvictional competence elements, as these are seen as one of the remedies for radicalisation and polarisation. We observe a clear relationship between the dramatic events and the implementation of new Islamic religious education programs and partnerships. An increasing number of ‘interconvictional’ references are observed in the Islam-related courses that are included in IRE teacher training programs. Further in-depth field research is needed to map the IRE teaching practices and experiences regarding the expectations formulated by policy makers.
Assessment of the Homogeneity of Long-Term Multi-Mission RO-Based Temperature Climatologies
Authors: Shen Zhen , Zhang Kefei , Zhu Dantong , He Qimin , Wan Moufeng , Li Longjiang , Wu Suqin
Published: June 2021

Atmospheric data obtained from the radio occultation (RO) technique are a well-recognized source of information for weather and climate studies. From the Challenging Minisatellite Payload (CHAMP) mission launched in July 2000 to the most recent Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate follow-on (COSMIC-2) program, a continuous RO dataset of about 20 years has been collected, and a new opportunity for long-term climate analyses using multi-mission RO observations has subsequently arisen. Therefore, assessments of the long-term homogeneities of multi-mission RO data have become a necessary research task. For this purpose, in this study, we identified systematic discrepancies between the RO temperature profiles from the CHAMP, COSMIC, and Meteorological Operational Polar Satellite (METOP) missions. The results show that the temperature profiles from all three RO missions agree well in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UTLS, 9–20 km altitude) regions, while some systematic discrepancies are found in the lower troposphere (2–8 km) and the high-altitude region (21–30 km). The homogeneities of long-term RO temperature climatologies were assessed by comparing them with radiosonde temperature records. The results of this comparison show obvious temporal inhomogeneities in the lower troposphere. The reasons for these temporal inhomogeneities include the systematic discrepancies between multi-mission RO profiles, the different monthly numbers of RO profiles, and the residual sampling error. The results of this study suggest that the systematic discrepancies between different RO missions should be thoroughly considered in the development of long-term multi-mission RO-based climatologies.
Assessing the Accuracy of GEDI Data for Canopy Height and Aboveground Biomass Estimates in Mediterranean Forests
Authors: Dorado-Roda Iván , Pascual Adrián , Godinho Sergio , Silva Carlos , Botequim Brigite , Rodríguez-Gonzálvez Pablo , González-Ferreiro Eduardo , Guerra-Hernández Juan
Published: June 2021

Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) satellite mission is expanding the spatial bounds and temporal resolution of large-scale mapping applications. Integrating the recent GEDI data into Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS)-derived estimations represents a global opportunity to update and extend forest models based on area based approaches (ABA) considering temporal and spatial dynamics. This study evaluates the effect of combining ALS-based aboveground biomass (AGB) estimates with GEDI-derived models by using temporally coincident datasets. A gradient of forest ecosystems, distributed through 21,766 km2 in the province of Badajoz (Spain), with different species and structural complexity, was used to: (i) assess the accuracy of GEDI canopy height in five Mediterranean Ecosystems and (ii) develop GEDI-based AGB models when using ALS-derived AGB estimates at GEDI footprint level. In terms of Pearson’s correlation (r) and rRMSE, the agreement between ALS and GEDI statistics on canopy height was stronger in the denser and homogeneous coniferous forest of P. pinaster and P. pinea than in sparse Quercus-dominated forests. The GEDI-derived AGB models using relative height and vertical canopy metrics yielded a model efficiency (Mef) ranging from 0.31 to 0.46, with a RMSE ranging from 14.13 to 32.16 Mg/ha and rRMSE from 38.17 to 84.74%, at GEDI footprint level by forest type. The impact of forest structure confirmed previous studies achievements, since GEDI data showed higher uncertainty in highly multilayered forests. In general, GEDI-derived models (GEDI-like Level4A) underestimated AGB over lower and higher ALS-derived AGB intervals. The proposed models could also be used to monitor biomass stocks at large-scale by using GEDI footprint level in Mediterranean areas, especially in remote and hard-to-reach areas for forest inventory. The findings from this study serve to provide an initial evaluation of GEDI data for estimating AGB in Mediterranean forest.
Small PN-Code Lidar for Asteroid and Comet Missions—Receiver Processing and Performance Simulations
Authors: Cremons Daniel R. , Sun Xiaoli , Abshire James B. , Mazarico Erwan
Published: June 2021

Space missions to study small solar system bodies, such as asteroids and comet cores, are enhanced by lidar that can provide global mapping and serve as navigation sensors for landing and surface sampling. A small swath-mapping lidar using a fiber laser modulated by pseudo-noise (PN) codes is well-suited to small space missions and can provide contiguous measurements of surface topography with <10 cm precision. Here, we report the design and simulation of receiver signal processing of such a lidar using the small all-range lidar (SALi) as a design example. We simulated its performance in measuring the lidar range and surface reflectance by using instrument and target parameters, noise sources, and the receiver correlation processing method under various conditions. In single-beam Reconnaissance mode, the simulation predicted a maximum range of 440 km under sunlit conditions with a range precision as small as 8 cm. In its multi-pixel Mapping mode, the lidar can provide measurements out to 110 km with range precision of 5 cm. The effects of Doppler shift were quantified. From these results, we discuss the need for Doppler compensation via the receiver clock rate. We also describe a novel reflectance measurement method using active laser control, which allows the receiver to use simple comparators for analog-to-digital conversion. This method was simulated with surface reflectance values from 4% to 36% resulting in an RMS precision of 3% and a bias of 1% of the surface reflectance. We also performed an orbital ranging simulation using a shape model of 101955 Bennu for target surface elevation. The range residuals showed a sub-mm bias with a standard deviation of 5 cm. We implemented the receiver processor design on a Xilinx Ultrascale field-programmable gate array (FPGA). It was able to process received signals and retrieve accurate ranges at a single-channel measurement rate of 3050 Hz with a latency of 1.07 ms.
Retrieval of Summer Sea Ice Concentration in the Pacific Arctic Ocean from AMSR2 Observations and Numerical Weather Data Using Random Forest Regression
Authors: Han Hyangsun , Lee Sungjae , Kim Hyun-Cheol , Kim Miae
Published: June 2021

The Arctic sea ice concentration (SIC) in summer is a key indicator of global climate change and important information for the development of a more economically valuable Northern Sea Route. Passive microwave (PM) sensors have provided information on the SIC since the 1970s by observing the brightness temperature (TB) of sea ice and open water. However, the SIC in the Arctic estimated by operational algorithms for PM observations is very inaccurate in summer because the TB values of sea ice and open water become similar due to atmospheric effects. In this study, we developed a summer SIC retrieval model for the Pacific Arctic Ocean using Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR2) observations and European Reanalysis Agency-5 (ERA-5) reanalysis fields based on Random Forest (RF) regression. SIC values computed from the ice/water maps generated from the Korean Multi-purpose Satellite-5 synthetic aperture radar images from July to September in 2015–2017 were used as a reference dataset. A total of 24 features including the TB values of AMSR2 channels, the ratios of TB values (the polarization ratio and the spectral gradient ratio (GR)), total columnar water vapor (TCWV), wind speed, air temperature at 2 m and 925 hPa, and the 30-day average of the air temperatures from the ERA-5 were used as the input variables for the RF model. The RF model showed greatly superior performance in retrieving summer SIC values in the Pacific Arctic Ocean to the Bootstrap (BT) and Arctic Radiation and Turbulence Interaction STudy (ARTIST) Sea Ice (ASI) algorithms under various atmospheric conditions. The root mean square error (RMSE) of the RF SIC values was 7.89% compared to the reference SIC values. The BT and ASI SIC values had three times greater values of RMSE (20.19% and 21.39%, respectively) than the RF SIC values. The air temperatures at 2 m and 925 hPa and their 30-day averages, which indicate the ice surface melting conditions, as well as the GR using the vertically polarized channels at 23 GHz and 18 GHz (GR(23V18V)), TCWV, and GR(36V18V), which accounts for atmospheric water content, were identified as the variables that contributed greatly to the RF model. These important variables allowed the RF model to retrieve unbiased and accurate SIC values by taking into account the changes in TB values of sea ice and open water caused by atmospheric effects.
Mitigating Cybersickness in Virtual Reality Systems through Foveated Depth-of-Field Blur
Authors: Hussain Razeen , Chessa Manuela , Solari Fabio
Published: June 2021

Cybersickness is one of the major roadblocks in the widespread adoption of mixed reality devices. Prolonged exposure to these devices, especially virtual reality devices, can cause users to feel discomfort and nausea, spoiling the immersive experience. Incorporating spatial blur in stereoscopic 3D stimuli has shown to reduce cybersickness. In this paper, we develop a technique to incorporate spatial blur in VR systems inspired by the human physiological system. The technique makes use of concepts from foveated imaging and depth-of-field. The developed technique can be applied to any eye tracker equipped VR system as a post-processing step to provide an artifact-free scene. We verify the usefulness of the proposed system by conducting a user study on cybersickness evaluation. We used a custom-built rollercoaster VR environment developed in Unity and an HTC Vive Pro Eye headset to interact with the user. A Simulator Sickness Questionnaire was used to measure the induced sickness while gaze and heart rate data were recorded for quantitative analysis. The experimental analysis highlighted the aptness of our foveated depth-of-field effect in reducing cybersickness in virtual environments by reducing the sickness scores by approximately 66%.
Lack of Thermogram Sharpness as Component of Thermographic Temperature Measurement Uncertainty Budget
Authors: Dziarski Krzysztof , Hulewicz Arkadiusz , Dombek Grzegorz
Published: June 2021

The number of components of a thermographic temperature measurement uncertainty budget and their ultimate contribution depend on the conditions in which the measurement is performed. The acquired data determine the accuracy with which the uncertainty component is estimated. Unfortunately, when some factors have to be taken into account, it is difficult to determine the value of the uncertainty component caused by the occurrence of this factor. In the case of a thermographic temperature measurement, such a factor is the lack of sharpness of the registered thermogram. This problem intensifies when an additional macro lens must be used. Therefore, it is decided to commence research to prepare an uncertainty budget of thermographic measurement with an additional macro lens based on the B method described in EA-4/02 (European Accreditation publications). As a result, the contribution of factors in the uncertainty budget of thermographic measurement with additional macro lens and the value of expanded uncertainty were obtained.
Which Factors Affect the Stress of Intraoperative Orthopedic Surgeons by Using Electroencephalography Signals and Heart Rate Variability?
Authors: Kwon Ji-Won , Lee Soo-Bin , Sung Sahyun , Park Yung , Ha Joong-Won , Kim Gihun , Suk Kyung-Soo , Kim Hak-Sun , Lee Hwan-Mo , Moon Seong-Hwan , Lee Byung Ho
Published: June 2021

Can we recognize intraoperative real-time stress of orthopedic surgeons and which factors affect the stress of intraoperative orthopedic surgeons with EEG and HRV? From June 2018 to November 2018, 265 consecutive records of intraoperative stress measures for orthopedic surgeons were compared. Intraoperative EEG waves and HRV, comprising beats per minute (BPM) and low frequency (LF)/high frequency (HF) ratio were gathered for stress-associated parameters. Differences in stress parameters according to the experience of surgeons, intraoperative blood loss, and operation time depending on whether or not a tourniquet were investigated. Stress-associated EEG signals including beta 3 waves were significantly higher compared to EEG at rest for novice surgeons as the procedure progressed. Among senior surgeons, the LF/HF ratio reflecting the physical demands of stress was higher than that of novice surgeons at all stages. In surgeries including tourniquets, operation time was positively correlated with stress parameters including beta 1, beta 2, beta 3 waves and BPM. In non-tourniquet orthopedic surgeries, intraoperative blood loss was positively correlated with beta 1, beta 2, and beta 3 waves. Among orthopedic surgeons, those with less experience demonstrated relatively higher levels of stress during surgery. Prolonged operation time or excessive intraoperative blood loss appear to be contributing factors that increase stress.
Optical Micro-Wire Flow-Velocity Sensor
Authors: Njegovec Matej , Pevec Simon , Donlagic Denis
Published: June 2021

This paper presents a short response time, all-silica, gas-flow-velocity sensor. The active section of the sensor consists of a 16 µm diameter, highly optically absorbing micro-wire, which is heated remotely by a 980 nm light source. The heated microwire forms a Fabry–Perot interferometer whose temperature is observed at standard telecom wavelengths (1550 nm). The short response time of the sensor allows for different interrogation approaches. Direct measurement of the sensor’s thermal time constant allowed for flow-velocity measurements independent of the absolute heating power delivered to the sensor. This measurement approach also resulted in a simple and cost-efficient interrogation system, which utilized only a few telecom components. The sensor’s short response time, furthermore, allowed for dynamic flow sensing (including turbulence detection). The sensor’s bandwidth was measured experimentally and proved to be in the range of around 22 Hz at low flow velocities. Using time constant measurement, we achieved a flow-velocity resolution up to 0.006 m/s at lower flow velocities, while the resolution in the constant power configuration was better than 0.003 m/s at low flow velocities. The sensing system is constructed around standard telecommunication optoelectronic components, and thus suitable for a wide range of applications.
Noise Cancellation of Helicopter Blade Deformations Measurement by Fiber Bragg Gratings
Authors: Nigmatullin Raoul R. , Agliullin Timur , Mikhailov Sergey , Morozov Oleg , Sakhabutdinov Airat , Ledyankin Maxim , Karimov Kamil
Published: June 2021

The work presents data treatment methods aimed at eliminating the noise in the strain sensor data induced by vibrations of the helicopter blade in flight conditions. The methods can be applied in order to enhance the metrological performance of the helicopter weight estimation system based on the deformation measurement of the main rotor blades. The experimental setup included a composite plate fixed to the vibrating stand on the one end, with six fiber-optic strain sensors attached to its surface. In this work, the procedure of the optimal linear smoothing (POLS) and 3D-invariant methods were used to obtain monotone calibration curves for each detector, thereby making it possible to distinguish the increase of load applied to the free end of the plate with an increment of 10 g. The second method associated with 3D invariants took into account 13 quantitative parameters defined as the combination of different moments and their intercorrelations up to the fourth-order inclusive. These 13 parameters allowed the calculation of the 3D surface that can serve as a specific fingerprint, differentiating one set of initial data from another one. The combination of the two data treatment methods used in this work can be applied successfully in a wide variety of applications.
RETRACTED: Karim et al. Paving towards Strategic Investment Decision: A SWOT Analysis of Renewable Energy in Bangladesh. Sustainability 2020, 12, 10674
Authors: Karim Ridoan , Muhammad-Sukki Firdaus , Hemmati Mina , Newaz Md , Farooq Haroon , Muhtazaruddin Mohd , Zulkipli Muhammad , Ardila-Rey Jorge
Published: June 2021

The authors retract the article “Paving towards Strategic Investment Decision: A SWOT Analysis of Renewable Energy in Bangladesh” by Karim et al [...]
The Need for Geoethical Awareness: The Importance of Geoenvironmental Education in Geoheritage Understanding in the Case of Meteora Geomorphes, Greece
Authors: Georgousis Efthymios , Savelides Socrates , Mosios Spyros , Holokolos Maximos-Vasileios , Drinia Hara
Published: June 2021

The purpose of this article is to explore the young generation’s geocultural consciousness. The research uses the case of Meteora Geomorphes, which have been proposed as a geological heritage site and are known to students for aesthetic, cultural and religious reasons. The sample of the research consisted of third grade Junior High school (Gymnasium) pupils, who have been taught Geography–Geology courses in previous classes, and students from departments of the University of Thessaly, Central Greece, wherein their subjects are taught cultural heritage courses. The data collection was conducted through a structured questionnaire that examines their knowledge, values, geoethical attitudes, behaviors and beliefs about geocultural heritage understanding. The result of the research shows the lack of understanding of the geological heritage in relation to cultural heritage and of the sense of responsibility for the environment and a code of ethics for protection and conservation. The need for strategic educational planning of geoeducation in school practice with the integration of geoheritage in the theme of environmental education (geoenvironmental education) is obvious.
Collaborative Distributed Planning with Asymmetric Information. A Technological Driver for Sustainable Development
Authors: Rius-Sorolla Gregorio , Maheut Julien , Estelles-Miguel Sofia , Garcia-Sabater Jose P.
Published: June 2021

The growing interest in sustainable development is reflected in both the market’s sensitivity to environmental and social issues and companies’ interest in the opportunities that sustainable development objectives provide. SMEs, which account for most of the world’s pollution, have significant resource constraints for a sustainable development. Sharing their scarce resources can help them to overcome these constraints and to gain agility and organisational resilience against uncertainties, but the distrust inherent in belonging to different companies prevents them from sharing the necessary information for coordination purposes. This paper presents a coordination mechanism proposal with information asymmetry to allow independent companies’ resources to be sustainably shared as a technological driver. The proposed distributed coordination mechanism is compared to both a decentralised–uncoordinated and a centralised situation. The interest of the proposal is evaluated by a computer simulation experiment employing mathematical programming models with independent objectives in the Generic Materials and Operations Planning formulation with a rolling horizon procedure in different demand, uncertainty and product scenarios. Competitive improvement is identified for all members for their excess capacity use and their operations planning.
The Nexus between Big Data and Sustainability: An Analysis of Current Trends and Developments
Authors: Garrigós-Simón Fernando , Sanz-Blas Silvia , Narangajavana Yeamduan , Buzova Daniela
Published: June 2021

With the development of technological innovations, Big Data is transforming the socio-economic world, impacting almost every organization and person. The transformations associated with the development of Big Data have important consequences for the sustainability of organizations, regions, and the society as a whole, and as such, they have been specifically addressed by the academic literature focusing on sustainability. Despite its importance, and perhaps because of its rapid emergence, there is a lack of studies dealing with the analysis of this body of literature and its trends. The current research attempts to fill this gap. The study develops a bibliometric and visualization analysis of the literature on the nexus between Big Data and Sustainability. The research analyzes 726 documents on this topic, published until the end of 2020, in the Web of Science Core Collection database through the VOSviewer software. The results indicate the main trends and developments on the topic related to the most cited papers, authors, publications, institutions, and countries. The visualized frameworks, structures and trends are useful for both researchers and practitioners, as they can help them understand the current situation, issues to consider, and main developments on the topic.
A Precondition of Sustainability: Industry 4.0 Readiness
Authors: Rakic Slavko , Pavlovic Marko , Marjanovic Ugljesa
Published: June 2021

To achieve sustainability and further develop their businesses, manufacturing companies need to find an appropriate response to the frequent changes in customer demands, development of new technologies, and dynamic competition. One of the possible requirements for sustainability is the adoption of the Industry 4.0 paradigm. This paper aims to apply Industry 4.0 general readiness assessment methodology and social network analysis to find out the readiness level of Serbian manufacturing and how digital technologies interplay during the time. The results of this study show that wireless human-machine communication technologies initiated the digital transformation of Serbian manufacturing from non-users to basic readiness level. Secondly, manufacturing companies significantly invested in the Cyber-Physical Production System to increase the level towards high readiness. Finally, manufacturing companies in Serbia should consider investing in capabilities to adapt the Near real-time production control system if aiming to compete with competitors from developed countries. The main contribution of this paper is to show the general readiness level of manufacturing companies for digital transformation in transition economies.
Correction: Salinas-Rodríguez et al. What Do Environmental Flows Mean for Long-Term Freshwater Ecosystems’ Protection? Assessment of the Mexican Water Reserves for the Environment Program. Sustainability 2021, 13, 1240
Authors: Salinas-Rodríguez Sergio A. , Barba-Macías Everardo , Infante Mata Dulce , Nava-López Mariana Zareth , Neri-Flores Iris , Domínguez Varela Ricardo , González Mora Ignacio D.
Published: June 2021

The authors would like to make the following corrections to the published paper [...]
Design and Description of the CMS Magnetic System Model
Authors: Klyukhin Vyacheslav
Published: June 2021

This review describes the composition of the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) detector and the methodology for modelling the heterogeneous CMS magnetic system, starting with the formulation of the magnetostatics problem for modelling the magnetic flux of the CMS superconducting solenoid enclosed in a steel flux-return yoke. The review includes a section on the magnetization curves of various types of steel used in the CMS magnet yoke. The evolution of the magnetic system model over 20 years is presented in the discussion section and is well illustrated by the CMS model layouts and the magnetic flux distribution.
Acute and Cumulative Effects of Repeated Exposure to Chlorpyrifos on the Liver and Kidney Function among Egyptian Adolescents
Authors: Ismail Ahmed A. , Hendy Olfat , Abdel Rasoul Gaafar , Olson James R. , Bonner Matthew R. , Rohlman Diane S.
Published: June 2021

Background: There is a paucity of research that tracks changes in liver and kidney function among pesticide applicators. The aim of the current study was to investigate the role of repeated seasonal exposure to the organophosphorus pesticide, chlorpyrifos, on serum measures of liver and kidney function. Methods: Pesticide exposure was assessed by measuring the urinary concentrations of 3,5,6-trichloro-2 pyridinol (TCPy), a specific biomarker for chlorpyrifos. Chlorpyrifos exposure and 8 serum markers of liver and kidney function were measured at 15 timepoints over 3 years prior to, during, and following the end of seasonal pesticide application among adolescent applicators and non-applicators from 4 field stations in Menoufia, Egypt. Results: Urinary TCPy levels showed increases during the application cycles and recovery at the end of each application season. Altered serum markers of liver and kidney function were associated with chlorpyrifos exposure, with some markers recovering 3 months after the end of exposure each year, while other measures demonstrated progressive increase up to 300% the baseline levels at the end of 3 years. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that frequent assessment of liver and kidney function is a sound practice to evaluate cellular injury following chronic repeated occupational and environmental exposure to chlorpyrifos.
Asynchrony of Gambierdiscus spp. Abundance and Toxicity in the U.S. Virgin Islands: Implications for Monitoring and Management of Ciguatera
Authors: Liefer Justin D. , Richlen Mindy L. , Smith Tyler B. , DeBose Jennifer L. , Xu Yixiao , Anderson Donald M. , Robertson Alison
Published: June 2021

Ciguatera poisoning (CP) poses a significant threat to ecosystem services and fishery resources in coastal communities. The CP-causative ciguatoxins (CTXs) are produced by benthic dinoflagellates including Gambierdiscus and Fukuyoa spp., and enter reef food webs via grazing on macroalgal substrates. In this study, we report on a 3-year monthly time series in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands where Gambierdiscus spp. abundance and Caribbean-CTX toxicity in benthic samples were compared to key environmental factors, including temperature, salinity, nutrients, benthic cover, and physical data. We found that peak Gambierdiscus abundance occurred in summer while CTX-specific toxicity peaked in cooler months (February–May) when the mean water temperatures were approximately 26–28 °C. These trends were most evident at deeper offshore sites where macroalgal cover was highest year-round. Other environmental parameters were not correlated with the CTX variability observed over time. The asynchrony between Gambierdiscus spp. abundance and toxicity reflects potential differences in toxin cell quotas among Gambierdiscus species with concomitant variability in their abundances throughout the year. These results have significant implications for monitoring and management of benthic harmful algal blooms and highlights potential seasonal and highly-localized pulses in reef toxin loads that may be transferred to higher trophic levels.
Field and Molecular Epidemiology: How Viral Sequencing Changed Transmission Inferences in the First Portuguese SARS-CoV-2 Infection Cluster
Authors: Pedro Nicole , Fernandes Veronica , Cavadas Bruno , Guimarães João Tiago , Barros Henrique , Tavares Margarida , Pereira Luisa
Published: June 2021

Field epidemiology and viral sequencing provide a comprehensive characterization of transmission chains and allow a better identification of superspreading events. However, very few examples have been presented to date during the COVID-19 pandemic. We studied the first COVID-19 cluster detected in Portugal (59 individuals involved amongst extended family and work environments), following the return of four related individuals from work trips to Italy. The first patient to introduce the virus would be misidentified following the traditional field inquiry alone, as shown by the viral sequencing in isolates from 23 individuals. The results also pointed out family, and not work environment, as the primary mode of transmission.
Estimates and Determinants of SARS-Cov-2 Seroprevalence and Infection Fatality Ratio Using Latent Class Analysis: The Population-Based Tirschenreuth Study in the Hardest-Hit German County in Spring 2020
Authors: Wagner Ralf , Peterhoff David , Beileke Stephanie , Günther Felix , Berr Melanie , Einhauser Sebastian , Schütz Anja , Niller Hans Helmut , Steininger Philipp , Knöll Antje , Tenbusch Matthias , Maier Clara , Korn Klaus , Stark Klaus J. , Gessner André , Burkhardt Ralph , Kabesch Michael , Schedl Holger , Küchenhoff Helmut , Pfahlberg Annette B. , Heid Iris M. , Gefeller Olaf , Überla Klaus
Published: June 2021

SARS-CoV-2 infection fatality ratios (IFR) remain controversially discussed with implications for political measures. The German county of Tirschenreuth suffered a severe SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in spring 2020, with particularly high case fatality ratio (CFR). To estimate seroprevalence, underreported infections, and IFR for the Tirschenreuth population aged ≥14 years in June/July 2020, we conducted a population-based study including home visits for the elderly, and analyzed 4203 participants for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies via three antibody tests. Latent class analysis yielded 8.6% standardized county-wide seroprevalence, a factor of underreported infections of 5.0, and 2.5% overall IFR. Seroprevalence was two-fold higher among medical workers and one third among current smokers with similar proportions of registered infections. While seroprevalence did not show an age-trend, the factor of underreported infections was 12.2 in the young versus 1.7 for ≥85-year-old. Age-specific IFRs were <0.5% below 60 years of age, 1.0% for age 60–69, and 13.2% for age 70+. Senior care homes accounted for 45% of COVID-19-related deaths, reflected by an IFR of 7.5% among individuals aged 70+ and an overall IFR of 1.4% when excluding senior care home residents from our computation. Our data underscore senior care home infections as key determinant of IFR additionally to age, insufficient targeted testing in the young, and the need for further investigations on behavioral or molecular causes of the fewer infections among current smokers.
Interplay of Rice Stripe Virus and Rice Black Streaked Dwarf Virus during Their Acquisition and Accumulation in Insect Vector
Authors: Moya Fernández Marcia Beatriz , Liu Wenwen , Zhang Lu , Hajano Jamal-U-Ddin , Wang Xifeng
Published: June 2021

Plant viruses transmitted by hemipteran vectors commonly cause losses to crop production. Rice stripe virus (RSV) and rice black streaked dwarf virus (RBSDV) are transmitted to rice plants by the same vector, the small brown planthopper (SBPH), Laodelphax striatellus Fallén, in a persistent propagative manner. However, rarely do the respective diseases they cause occur simultaneously in a field. Here, we determined the acquisition efficiency of RSV and RBSDV when acquired in succession or simultaneously by SBPH. When RBSDV was acquired first, RSV acquisition efficiency was significantly lower than when only acquiring RSV. However, RBSDV acquisition efficiency from insects that acquired RSV first was not significantly different between the insects only acquiring RBSDV. Immunofluorescence assays showed that the acquisition of RBSDV first might inhibit RSV entry into midgut epithelial cells, but RSV did not affect RBSDV entry. SBPHs were more likely to acquire RBSDV when they were feeding on plants coinfected with the two viruses. When RBSDV was acquired before RSV, RBSDV titer was significantly higher and RSV titer first declined, then increased compared to when only acquiring RBSDV or RSV. Only 5% of the SBPHs acquired both viruses when feeding on plants coinfected with RSV and RBSDV. These results provide a better understanding of the interaction between two persistent viruses when present in the same vector insect and explain why RSV and RBSDV occur in intermittent epidemics.
Automated Multimodal image fusion for brain tumor detection
Authors:   Chitkara University Institute of Engineering and Technology, Chitkara University, India, Kaur Harpreet , Koundal Deepika ,   Department of Virtualization, School of Computer Science, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, India, Kadyan Virendar ,   Department of Informatics, School of Computer Science, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, India, Kaur Navneet ,   Department of Computer Science, Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Engineering College, Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab, India, Polat Kemal ,   Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University, 14280, Bolu, Turkey
Published: June 2021

In medical domain, various multimodalities such as Computer tomography (CT) and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are integrated into a resultant fused image. Image fusion (IF) is a method by which vital information can be preserved by extracting all important information from the multiple images into the resultant fused image. The analytical and visual image quality can be enhanced by the integration of different images. In this paper, a new algorithm has been proposed on the basis of guided filter with new fusion rule for the fusion of different imaging modalities such as MRI and Fluorodeoxyglucose images of brain for the detection of tumor. The performance of the proposed method has been evaluated and compared with state-of-the-art image fusion techniques using various qualitative as well as quantitative evaluation metrics. From the results, it has been observed that more information has achieved on edges and content visibility is also high as compared to the other techniques which makes it more suitable for real applications. The experimental results are evaluated on the basis of with-reference and without-references metric such as standard deviation, entropy, peak signal to noise ratio, mutual information etc.
Book Review of Yoga in Transformation (Baier, Maas, et al. Eds., 2018).
Authors:   University of Roehampton, O’Brien-Kop Karen
Published: June 2021

Yoga in Transformation: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives. Edited by Karl Baier, Philipp A. Maas, and Karin Preisendanz. Vienna: Vienna University Press, 2018. 630 pages; 55 figures. The Yoga in Transformation volume pulls together extended research papers from an eponymous conference held at the University of Vienna in 2013. Featuring sixteen peer-reviewed chapters from world-leading scholars, the volume is a valuable resource for academic yoga studies—probably more at graduate than undergraduate level, given its original research content. The collection is divided into two sections. The first, titled “Yoga in South Asia and Tibet,” features mostly studies on texts, while the second, titled “Globalised Yoga,” focuses on developments in the twentieth century and is more interdisciplinary, including textual research, anthropology, sociology, affect theory, and art history.
Trilhas interpretativas em áreas de Mata Atlântica: um diagnóstico a partir de fotografias hemisféricas
Authors: Cotes Marcial , Erler Daiany Mara , Mielke Marcelo Schramm
Published: June 2021

Diante das alternativas do turismo em áreas naturais na contemporaneidade, revela-se a utilização de trilhas interpretativas. A relação intrínseca entre o meio ambiente e o turismo pode proporcionar bem-estar na interação do ser humano com a natureza, contribuindo para um maior conhecimento e consciência ambiental. O objetivo desse estudo é propor o uso de fotografias hemisféricas como ferramenta para a formatação e avaliação de trilhas interpretativas voltadas ao mercado ecoturístico. A pesquisa fomenta ainda a discussão a respeito do ecoturismo do ponto de vista da educação e interpretação ambiental para persuadir no visitante a sensação hedonista. Foram avaliadas duas trilhas interpretativas localizadas em Reservas Particulares do Patrimônio Natural (RPPN) no sul da Bahia, região denominada pela EMBRATUR de Costa do Cacau, no entorno da cidade de Ilhéus. Ao longo do percurso das trilhas foram obtidas fotografias hemisféricas por meio de uma câmera digital montada sobre tripé acoplada a uma lente olho de peixe. As fotografias foram analisadas por meio do software livre Gap Light Analyzer V 2.0 para a obtenção da abertura do dossel (AD), uma medida do conjunto de clareiras existente no dossel da floresta e da exposição do sub-bosque à radiação solar. Nas duas trilhas os valores de AD foram inferiores a 10% no interior da mata corroborando com a literatura. A média de AD nos pontos interpretativos foi, aproximadamente, 62 % maior na RPPN Ecoparque de Una quando comparada a RPPN Janela da Gindiba. No entanto, ao analisar o percurso total de ambas as trilhas a média geral de abertura do dossel florestal foi 51 % maior na RPPN Janela da Gindiba ao confrontar com a RPPN Ecoparque de Una. As diferenças nos valores de AD podem ser devidas as características e finalidade de uso econômico das duas propriedades. Os resultados sugerem que o uso de fotografias hemisféricas pode ser mais uma ferramenta à formatação, avaliação de impactos e auxílio a interpretação e educação ambiental em áreas de Mata Atlântica.
Educação Ambiental e sustentabilidade nos cursos de licenciatura da Universidade do Estado da Bahia - Campus VII
Authors: Silva Alexsandro Ferreira de Souza , Bastos Adson dos Santos , Pinho Maria José Souza
Published: June 2021

Esse artigo versa sobre a temática Educação Ambiental e Sustentabilidade nos currículos das licenciaturas de Ciências Biológicas, Pedagogia e Matemática da Universidade do Estado da Bahia, Departamento de Educação, Campus VII. É uma pesquisa qualitativa, de natureza documental. Analisamos os Projetos Pedagógicos dos Cursos, Fluxogramas dos Componentes Curriculares e os Trabalhos de Conclusão de Curso. Adotamos a análise de conteúdo como técnica de tratamento de dados. Os resultados demonstraram que a temática Educação Ambiental e a Sustentabilidade ainda não se constituem práticas inseridas de forma crítica e interdisciplinar na formação de professores deste campus.
O ensino da temática ambiental nas Instituições de Ensino Superior no Brasil
Authors: Ribeiro Maria Teresa , Malvestio Anne Caroline
Published: June 2021

Reconhecendo a importância da inserção da temática ambiental no ensino e a relevância das Instituições de Ensino Superior (IES) para a formação em Educação Ambiental (EA), este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar, a partir de revisão bibliográfica, em que medida a discussão de questões ambientais e a EA têm sido inseridas nos cursos de ensino superior no Brasil e quais os desafios que têm sido enfrentados. Através da revisão foi possível identificar que a inserção do tema ainda não se efetivou em diversos cursos superiores e que tanto a inserção do tema no currículo quanto a prática da EA nos contextos em que já está inserida enfrentam dificuldades, em especial para a prática da interdisciplinaridade e prática a partir de abordagem crítica.
Musicoterapia durante a Hemodiálise: Uma Revisão de Literatura
Authors: Ferrini Lucila de Paz , Moura Rita de Cássia dos Reis
Published: June 2021

Introdução: Entre algumas comorbidades o paciente com doença renal crônica (DRC), vivenciará mudança de rotina e na capacidade de autonomia, medo, ansiedade, depressão, fadiga e comprometimento cognitivo. No Brasil, em julho de 2017, havia 126.583 portadores DRC. Objetivo: Apresentar uma revisão da literatura sobre as intervenções mais utilizadas e realizadas pela Musicoterapia durante o tratamento de hemodiálise.  Método: O levantamento bibliográfico estruturou-se em publicações encontradas nas bases de dados Scielo, Bireme, Pubmed, Google Scholar com palavras chaves: hemodialysis music therapy no período de 2016 a 2020. Resultados: Foram nove artigos – oito direcionados à população adulta e apenas um voltado para unidade de hemodiálise pediátrica. Desse total, seis trabalhos foram realizados por profissionais da saúde, e apenas três por musicoterapeutas. Conclusão: A musicoterapia pode promover conforto, acolhimento, redução de estresse e promover otimização de tempo. Todas as pesquisas utilizaram música de forma receptiva, a maioria aplicada por profissionais da área da saúde, somente dois estudos conduzidos musicoterapeutas. Podemos concluir que ainda se encontra pouca produção científica realizada por musicoterapeutas em unidades de hemodiálise, sobretudo pediátrica.
Pré-escolar com Síndrome de Megalencefalia – má formação capilar (MCAP): relato de caso
Authors: Camilo Gustavo Bittencourt , Camilo Gabriela Cumani Toledo , Campos Vitória Dias , Mendes Pedro de Freitas Batista , Ferraro Matheus Cruz , Almeida Lara Esteves Ferreira de Oliveira , Caixeta Fernando Oliveira Nunes , Martins Cristiano Guimarães Pinto
Published: June 2021

Relato de caso da síndrome de Megalencefalia – Má formação Capilar para divulgar informações e propiciar a discussão sobre síndromes congênitas. Nesse contexto, são recomendados acompanhamentos clínico e radiológico para monitorar a evolução da síndrome e, quanto à abordagem terapêutica, esta deve ser a mais ampla e multidisciplinar possível, para determinar evoluções neurais, fonoaudiológicas e na adaptação do indivíduo ao ambiente uma vez que um tratamento específico inexiste.