bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Venomics of the Enigmatic Andaman Cobra (Naja sagittifera) and the Preclinical Failure of Indian Antivenoms in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Authors: Attarde Saurabh , Khochare Suyog , Iyer Ashwin , Dam Paulomi , Martin Gerard , Sunagar Kartik
Published: October 2021

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are an abode to a diversity of flora and fauna, including the many endemic species of snakes, such as the elusive Andaman cobra (Naja sagittifera). However, the ecology and evolution of venomous snakes inhabiting these islands have remained entirely uninvestigated. This study aims to bridge this knowledge gap by investigating the evolutionary history of N. sagittifera and its venom proteomic, biochemical and toxicity profile. Phylogenetic reconstructions confirmed the close relationship between N. sagittifera and the Southeast Asian monocellate cobra (N. kaouthia). Overlooking this evolutionary history, a polyvalent antivenom manufactured using the venom of the spectacled cobra (N. naja) from mainland India is used for treating N. sagittifera envenomations. Comparative evaluation of venoms of these congeners revealed significant differences in their composition, functions and potencies. Given the close phylogenetic relatedness between N. sagittifera and N. kaouthia, we further assessed the cross-neutralising efficacy of Thai monovalent N. kaouthia antivenom against N. sagittifera venoms. Our findings revealed the inadequate preclinical performance of the Indian polyvalent and Thai monovalent antivenoms in neutralising N. sagittifera venoms. Moreover, the poor efficacy of the polyvalent antivenom against N. naja venom from southern India further revealed the critical need to manufacture region-specific Indian antivenoms.
Modeling and Performance Analysis of Simplified Two-Diode Model of Photovoltaic Cells
Authors: Prakash Saripalli Bhanu , Singh Gagan , Singh Sonika
Published: October 2021

For a quick and consistent photovoltaic (PV) module design, an effective, fast, and exact simulator is crucial to examine the performance of the photovoltaic cell under partial or quick variation of temperature and irradiance. The most prevalent modeling strategy is to apply an equivalent (electrical) circuit that encompasses together non-linear and linear mechanisms. This work proposes the modeling and analysis for a four-parameter two-diode photovoltaic cell model based on the manufacturer's data-sheet. The proposed model needs only four parameters compared to the previously developed seven-parameter two-diode model to reduce the computational complexity. To develop a specific model of photovoltaic cells, the fundamental requirement is the data of temperature and irradiance. The variation of these variables totally affects the output constraints like current, voltage, and power. Thus, it is substantial to design a precise model of the photovoltaic cell module with a reduced computation period. The two-diode photovoltaic module with four constraints is identified to be more accurate and have improved performance compared to a one-diode model particularly at lower irradiance. To confirm the accuracy of the proposed model the method is applied on two different photovoltaic modules. The proposed model and modeling method are helpful for power electronic designers who require a fast, accurate, simple, and easy to implement method for use in photovoltaic system simulation. The electrical equivalent circuit and standard equations of photovoltaic cells are analyzed and the proposed two-diode model is simulated using MATLAB/Simulink software and validated for poly-crystalline and mono-crystalline solar cells under standard test conditions.
The Superluminal Phenomenon of Light Near the Kerr–Newman Black Hole or Super-Gravitational Source
Authors: Pei Ting-Hang
Published: October 2021

We use the Kerr–Newman metric based on the theory of general relativity to discuss the observed superluminal phenomenon of light near the black hole and whether it is observable astronomically at infinity or a weak gravitational place such as on Earth. The black hole has the rotation term a and the charge term RQ as well as the Schwarzschild radius RS. The geodesic of light in the spacetime structure is ds2 = 0, and the equation for three velocity components (dr/dt, rdθ/dt, rsinθdϕ/dt) is obtained in the Boyer-Lindquist coordinates (r, θ, and ϕ) with the coordinate time t. Then, three cases of the velocity of light (dr/dt, 0, and 0), (0, rdθ/dt, and 0), and (0, 0, and rsinθdϕ/dt) are discussed in this research. According to our discussion, only the case of (dr/dt, 0, and 0) gives the possibility of the observations of the superluminal phenomenon and an example is shown at r between RS and (RQ2+a2sin2θ/2)/RS at sinθ>0, when RQ ∼ RS. The results reveal that the maximum speed of light and the range of the superluminal phenomenon are much related to the rotational term a and the charged term RQ. It is at least reasonable at two poles and in the equatorial plane, when light propagates along the radial direction. Although the superluminal phenomenon is discussed in the Boyer-Lindquist coordinates, all the results are easy to be transformed or discussed in the Cartesian coordinates (x, y, z, t) by setting R2 = x2+y2+z2 = r2+a2sin2θ and rdr = RdR in the velocity of light. The conclusions of the superluminal phenomenon about the three velocity components (dR/dt, Rdθ/dt, Rsinθdϕ/dt) are different from them in the Boyer-Lindquist coordinates. Generally speaking, the superluminal phenomena for light can possibly occur in these cases where the radial velocity dr/dt is dominant, and the other two velocity components are comparably small. When the relative velocity between the observer coordinate frame and the black hole is not large, the superluminal phenomenon is possibly observable at infinity or in a weak gravitational frame such as on Earth. The results can also be applied on the super-gravitational sources.
Experimental Investigation of Mechanical, Permeability, and Microstructural Properties of PVA-Improved Sand Under Dry-Wet Cycling Conditions
Authors: Li Zhongyao , Zhao Zhewei , Shi Haiping , Li Wenwei , Wang Baotian , Wang Peiqing
Published: October 2021

To improve the stability of sand slopes in Southeast Tibet, the wet–dry cycle test, immersion test, and permeability test were carried out using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as the improving material. The improvement effect was evaluated by considering the unconfined compressive strength. The results have revealed that the unconfined compressive strength of the improved soil significantly increased with the PVA content, while the degradation of the improved soil by wet–dry cycling and water immersion weakened. However, the permeability of the improved soil slightly decreased compared with that of unmodified soil. Through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), it was found that PVA only forms an elastic network structure in the sand to wind and connect the soil particles, but pores remain in the sand. This indicates that the addition of PVA does not affect the permeability to a great extent but greatly increases the strength. The findings of this study provide a useful reference for the practical application of PVA.
Quantifying Patient-Specific in vivo Coronary Plaque Material Properties for Accurate Stress/Strain Calculations: An IVUS-Based Multi-Patient Study
Authors: Wang Liang , Zhu Jian , Maehara Akiko , Lv Rui , Qu Yangyang , Zhang Xiaoguo , Guo Xiaoya , Billiar Kristen L. , Chen Lijuan , Ma Genshan , Mintz Gary S. , Tang Dalin
Published: October 2021

Introduction: Mechanical forces are closely associated with plaque progression and rupture. Precise quantifications of biomechanical conditions using in vivo image-based computational models depend heavily on the accurate estimation of patient-specific plaque mechanical properties. Currently, mechanical experiments are commonly performed on ex vivo cardiovascular tissues to determine plaque material properties. Patient-specific in vivo coronary material properties are scarce in the existing literature.

Methods:In vivo Cine intravascular ultrasound and virtual histology intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) slices were acquired at 20 plaque sites from 13 patients. A three-dimensional thin-slice structure-only model was constructed for each slice to obtain patient-specific in vivo material parameter values following an iterative scheme. Effective Young's modulus (YM) was calculated to indicate plaque stiffness for easy comparison purposes. IVUS-based 3D thin-slice models using in vivo and ex vivo material properties were constructed to investigate their impacts on plaque wall stress/strain (PWS/PWSn) calculations.

Results: The average YM values in the axial and circumferential directions for the 20 plaque slices were 599.5 and 1,042.8 kPa, respectively, 36.1% lower than those from published ex vivo data. The YM values in the circumferential direction of the softest and stiffest plaques were 103.4 and 2,317.3 kPa, respectively. The relative difference of mean PWSn on lumen using the in vivo and ex vivo material properties could be as high as 431%, while the relative difference of mean PWS was much lower, about 3.07% on average.

Conclusion: There is a large inter-patient and intra-patient variability in the in vivo plaque material properties. In vivo material properties have a great impact on plaque stress/strain calculations. In vivo plaque material properties have a greater impact on strain calculations. Large-scale-patient studies are needed to further verify our findings.
Eliciting Psychological Ownership of Object by Marking Organizational Name: The Role of Belongingness
Authors: Wang Wenhua , Pierce Jon L. , Li Dahui , Wang Guangrong , Li Jianbiao , Niu Xiaofei
Published: October 2021

Psychological ownership critically entails the need for home (a place in which to dwell or a place of belongingness). However, the question of how an individual’s need for belongingness within an organization affects their psychological ownership of organization-linked objects remains unexplored. We first conducted a behavioral study to determine whether psychological ownership of object can be elicited by marking the object with the name of the subjects’ organization. The participants in this behavioral study reported a higher level of psychological ownership when objects were marked with their own organization’s name (i.e., in-organization objects) compared with objects marked with another organization’s name (i.e., out-organization objects). Importantly, this effect was more pronounced among subjects who experienced a stronger sense of organizational belongingness. We subsequently conducted a second study to explore its underlying neural mechanism. Our findings indicated that participants with a higher level of perceived organizational belongingness exhibited a significantly larger amplitude of the P300 component of event-related potential in response to in-organization objects compared with their response to out-organization objects. However, no significant difference in the P300 component was found for participants who lacked a sense of organizational belongingness.
The Role of Interoceptive Attention and Appraisal in Interoceptive Regulation
Authors: Joshi Vrutti , Graziani Pierluigi , Del-Monte Jonathan
Published: October 2021

Interoception, i.e., the processing and integration of sensory information has gained research interest due to its relevance in the psychopathological context. In the present review, we focus upon interoceptive regulation or one’s capacity to match bodily signals to his/her desired state by altering the signal or the desired state. More specifically, we discuss attention toward and appraisal of interoceptive stimuli as regulatory mechanisms of interoception. We review findings in the emerging research area of interoceptive attention. Studies suggest that the quality of attention and the nature of appraisal regarding interoceptive information influence interoceptive regulation and subsequent adaptive or maladaptive behavioral strategies among healthy controls as well as clinical populations. We discuss the clinical implications and the need to promote further research as well as to target interoceptive attention and appraisal mechanisms in psychotherapy.
Anxiety and Perceived Risk in Red Cross Volunteer Personnel Facing the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic
Authors: Ponce-Blandón José Antonio , Jiménez-García Victor Manuel , Romero-Castillo Rocío , Pabón-Carrasco Manuel , Jiménez-Picón Nerea , Calabuig-Hernández Roger
Published: October 2021

In the current situation of sanitary emergencies, humanitarian organizations and their volunteers are playing an important role in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. A study is proposed that includes a network of volunteers who perform humanitarian activities during the COVID-19 pandemic to assess anxiety, perceived risk, and response behaviors and to explore their relationship with sociodemographic variables. For data collection, an online questionnaire was developed through the Google Forms® platform, where the perceived risk, anxiety, and behavioral responses of the general population to the Influenza A (H1N1) pandemic were assessed. The survey presented is a modified version of that survey adapted for COVID-19. This adaptation was endorsed by an experts committee made up of the health chief of the Ecuadorian Red Cross, the focus point of operations from the International Federation of the Red Cross in Ecuador, and a member from the Health Unit of the Americas Regional Office of the International Federation of the Red Cross. A significant relationship has been shown between the job situation and perceived risk and anxiety, being the staff who worked full time away from home, which was exposed to greater risk and anxiety. Both perceived risk and perceived anxiety are very high (according to a 5-point Likert scale). Knowing these data from this first-line personnel will allow adopting measures that could be beneficial for stress management and, therefore, contribute to the well-being and support of these humanitarian and volunteer organizations in the worldwide response to COVID-1 9.
Validation of the Revised Collett–Lester Fear of Death Scale in a French Population
Authors: Cuniah Maeva , Bréchon Geneviève , Bailly Nathalie
Published: October 2021

Death and dying are processes that every human being encounters in his or her lifetime and perhaps the greatest loss an individual can suffer. In this sense, fear of death is regarded as a risk and maintaining factor of psychopathology. As such, effective and efficient measurement of this construct becomes a priority. While the Revised Collett-Lester Fear Of Death Scale (CL-FODS) is a brief, commonly used assessment, such a tool is lacking in French clinical practice. The present study aimed to adapt the revised CL-FODS in a general French sample and to determine its psychometric properties, namely its factorial structure, concurrent and convergent validity, and internal consistency. A sample of 590 participants responded to the French revised CL-FODS, as well as three instruments assessing death anxiety (DAS), neuroticism and spirituality (FACIT-Sp), to examine the internal consistency, validity and factorial structure of the scale. Both exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis confirmed a four-factor model: (1) One’s Own Death,” (2) The Death of Others, (3) The Dying of Others, and (4) One’s Own Dying. Five items did not load on these four factors, suggesting that the revised CL-FODS might require further psychometric refinement. The revised CL-FODS showed good internal consistency. The scale was found to be significantly associated with the Death Anxiety Scale. When the appropriate psychometric characteristics are taken into account, this scale can be used in clinical and research settings to assess death concerns in French society.
Cognitive Reserve as a Protective Factor of Mental Health in Middle-Aged Adults Affected by Chronic Pain
Authors: Delgado-Gallén Selma , Soler M. Dolors , Albu Sergiu , Pachón-García Catherine , Alviárez-Schulze Vanessa , Solana-Sánchez Javier , Bartrés-Faz David , Tormos Josep M. , Pascual-Leone Alvaro , Cattaneo Gabriele
Published: October 2021

Chronic pain is associated with worse mental health and cognitive impairment, which can be a cause or a consequence of brain structure and function alterations, e.g., maladaptive plasticity, antinociceptive system dysregulation. Cognitive reserve reflects the effectiveness of the internal connections of the brain and it has been shown to be a protective factor in brain damage, slowing cognitive aging or reducing the risk of mental health disorders. The current study explored the impact of chronic pain on psychosocial factors, mental health, and cognition. Furthermore, we aimed to examine the role of cognitive reserve in the relationship between mental health and chronic pain clinical characteristics in middle-aged adults. The study group consisted of 477 volunteers from the Barcelona Brain Health Initiative who completed online surveys on pain, mental health, cognitive reserve, and psychosocial factors (sleep and quality of life). We described the differences in sociodemographic data, psychosocial factors, mental health, and self-perceived cognitive impairment, and neuropsychological assessment, between participants reporting pain compared with those without pain, as well as the main characteristics of the chronic pain group. Finally, to study the role of cognitive reserve in the modulation of the relationship between chronic pain and mental health, we compared variables between subgroups of participants with high/low pain intensity and cognitive reserve. The results showed that chronic pain was reported by 45.5% of middle-aged adults. Our results revealed that participants with chronic pain were older and had worse health status than people without pain. The presence of chronic pain affected working memory, mental health, and daily life activities. Moreover, cognitive reserve moderated the influence of pain intensity on mental health, resulting in less mental health affection in people suffering from high pain intensity with high cognitive reserve. In conclusion, the construct of the cognitive reserve could explain differential susceptibility between chronic pain and its mental health association and be a powerful tool in chronic pain assessment and treatment, principally due to its modifiable nature.
Dissociative Symptoms in Bipolar Disorder: Impact on Clinical Course and Treatment Response
Authors: Steardo Luca , Carbone Elvira Anna , Ventura Enrica , de Filippis Renato , Luciano Mario , Segura-Garcia Cristina , De Fazio Pasquale
Published: October 2021

Background: Dissociative symptoms are under recognized and scarcely studied by clinicians and researchers in patients with bipolar disorder (BD). We examined the relationship between dissociative symptoms and the psychotic features in patients with BD and assessed clinical and socio-demographic characteristics more frequently associated with dissociative symptoms and treatment response.

Methods: Participants were 100 adult outpatients with BD. They were screened with semi-structured interview to collect socio-demographic and clinical characteristics; the Dissociative Experiences Scale-II (DES-II) and the ALDA scale were used to assess dissociative psychopathologies and response to treatment with mood stabilizers, respectively.

Results: DES score (mean 31.7 ± 21.7) correlated with clinical variables, BD features, and course of illness. Psychotic symptoms, mixed features, and previous suicide attempts significantly predicted DES score [F(3, 47) = 39.880, p < 0.001, R2 corrected = 0.713]. Dissociative symptoms were inversely correlated with poor response to treatment (r = −0.593; p < 0.001).

Limitations: Cross-sectional design with a small sample and backward clinical assessment of psychotic symptoms.

Conclusions: Dissociative phenomena are closely related to the presence of psychotic symptoms, mixed features, and previous suicide attempts in BD, especially in BD-I. Given the close association between dissociative and psychotic symptoms, this association could represent a diagnostic indicator of BD-I that may guide the clinician to plan the most appropriate treatment.
Hourly Mapping of the Layer Height of Thick Smoke Plumes Over the Western U.S. in 2020 Severe Fire Season
Authors: Lu Zhendong , Wang Jun , Xu Xiaoguang , Chen Xi , Kondragunta Shobha , Torres Omar , Wilcox Eric M. , Zeng Jing
Published: October 2021

A series of huge smoke plume events from the largest wildfire season recorded in California’s modern history has occurred in 2020. Here, a research algorithm was modified to retrieve the aerosol optical centroid height (AOCH) and aerosol optical depth (AOD) from Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC) measurements. The research focus is to gain insights of the algorithm’s feasibility in heavy smoke conditions to study the diurnal variation of AOCH; this is only made possible via EPIC due to its unique position at Lagrange-1 point and its equipment of O2 B-band at which the vegetated surface reflectance is low. Vicarious calibration is applied to the EPIC 443, 680 and 688 nm channels based on the Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) observation. This new calibration leads to a better agreement of AOCH values between EPIC retrievals and the counterparts derived from the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) aerosol extinction vertical profile. The hourly variation of AOCH up to 0.45 km on September 7 is shown to have important implications for estimating hourly change of surface PM2.5, although more quantitative studies are needed in the future.
Handling Radar Cross-Section Performance in Monitoring Vital Signs Under Constraint Conditions
Authors: Khan Faheem , Sherazi Saleh M. , Khan Naeem , Ashraf Imran , Khan Fahad
Published: October 2021

Two vital signs including heartbeat and respiratory rate are monitored in this work under two constraint situations; namely noise disturbance and intermittent observations. The existing scheme for finding, measuring and monitoring vital signs was Fourier Transform which could not deal with non-stationary process. As an alternative, the Wavelet Transform is used in this work which is equally applicable to both stationary and non-stationary processes. Additionally, the loss of output data may result in crucial implications in observing vital signs. Formerly, only un-interrupted data has been amalgamated in tracing vital signs. A novel adaptive ARMA-based scheme is proposed to obtain optimum estimated results in the presence of the above two critical scenarios. Simulation results obtained on real (practical) data show that the ARMA-based model produces similar vital signs as shown by clean and un-distorted data. It is shown that the proposed ARMA-based algorithm improves the breathing rate accuracy by 0.3% and heart rate accuracy by 2.5% as compared to the existing AR-based vital signal reconstruction algorithm.
A Laser Link From Lunar Surface Employing Line-of-Sight MIMO
Authors: Schwarz Robert T. , Giggenbach Dirk , Knopp Marcus T. , Knopp Andreas
Published: October 2021

Future exploration of our planetary system relies on the Moon as a base and stepping stone to other planets. A high-rate data connection to this celestial body is, therefore, imperative. Free-space optical (FSO) communications will enable continuous broadband connectivity to Earth. Currently pursued concepts incorporate data relay satellites orbiting the Moon, where each individual satellite terminal has to overcome the lunar distance facing restraints on telescope apertures and on beam pointing and tracking accuracies. We propose a concept of one dedicated link originating from a robotic telescope station installed on the lunar surface. We study the conceptual architecture of such an FSO ground node at the lunar surface with a spotlight on the link design at the physical layer. In particular, we increase the FSO channel capacity through multiple transmission- and receiving-apertures. Our findings encourage the application of the Line-of-Sight (LOS) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology to FSO communications at large link distances typically coming along with space missions, as thereby the maximum MIMO capacity can be achieved. Directing our study on the link geometry such connections seem technically feasible at relatively low system complexity with the receivers located at a single site and the transmitters only few meters apart.
One Coin, Two Sides: Eliciting Expert Knowledge From Training Participants in a Capacity-Building Program for Veterinary Professionals
Authors: Adamchick Julie , Pérez Aguirreburualde María Sol , Perez Andres M. , O'Brien Mary Katherine
Published: October 2021

Scientific research may include the elicitation of judgment from non-academic subject-matter experts in order to improve the quality and/or impact of research studies. Elicitation of expert knowledge or judgment is used when data are missing, incomplete, or not representative for the specific setting and processes being studied. Rigorous methods are crucial to ensure robust study results, and yet the quality of the elicitation can be affected by a number of practical constraints, including the understanding that subject-matter experts have of the elicitation process itself. In this paper, we present a case of expert elicitation embedded within an extended training course for veterinary professionals as an example of overcoming these constraints. The coupling of the two activities enabled extended opportunities for training and a relationship of mutual respect to be the foundation for the elicitation process. In addition, the participatory research activities reinforced knowledge synthesis objectives of the educational program. Finally, the synergy between the two concurrent objectives may produce benefits which transcend either independent activity: solutions and ideas built by local professionals, evolving collaborative research and training approaches, and a network of diverse academic and practicing professionals. This approach has the versatility to be adapted to many training and research opportunities.
Buffalo-Origin Seneca Valley Virus in China: First Report, Isolation, Genome Characterization, and Evolution Analysis
Authors: Zhou Xia , Liang Wei-Fang , Si Guang-Bin , Li Jin-Hui , Chen Zhi-Fei , Cai Wei-You , Lv Dian-Hong , Wen Xiao-Hui , Zhai Qi , Zhai Shao-Lun , Liao Ming , He Dong-Sheng
Published: October 2021

Pigs are the main host of Seneca Valley virus (SVV), previously known as Senecavirus A (SVA). Pigs affected by SVV have vesicles in the nose, hooves, and limp and may cause death in some severe cases. Occasionally, SVV has also been detected in mice, houseflies, environmental equipment, and corridors in pig farms. Moreover, it was successfully isolated from mouse tissue samples. In this study, an SVV strain (SVA/GD/China/2018) was isolated from a buffalo with mouth ulcers in the Guangdong province of China using seven mammalian cell lines (including BHK-21, NA, PK-15, ST, Vero, Marc-145, and MDBK). The genome of SVA/GD/China/2018 consists of 7,276 nucleotides. Multiple-sequence alignment showed that SVA/GD/China/2018 shared the highest nucleotide similarity (99.1%) with one wild boar-origin SVV strain (Sichuan HS-01) from the Sichuan province of China. Genetic analysis revealed that SVA/GD/China/2018 clustered with those porcine-origin SVV strains. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of SVV infection in buffalo, which might expand the host range of the virus. Surveillance should be expanded, and clinical significance of SVV needs to be further evaluated in cattle.
Narrativas de la esquizofrenia: el uso de la estructura narrativa en la investigación fenomenológica.
Authors: Davidson Larry
Published: October 2021

Este estudio demuestra cómo los descubrimientos en las investigaciones fenomenológicas pueden dar lugar a insights en las estructuras de la experiencia vivida generalizándose más allá de los casos individuales. Partiendo de una perspectiva narrativa, el autor sugiere que el estudio fenomenológico de las ideas delirantes esquizofrénicas puede descubrirnos las vidas subjetivas de quienes luchan con esta enfermedad. El concebir los delirios como narrativas de las vidas contadas por personas con esquizofrenia, nos sugiere que estas ideas delirantes pueden jugar el rol de “mecanismos reguladores” en el curso de su trastorno, que les ayudan a modular el cambio necesario que precisarán para adaptarse al contexto de eventos significativos de sus vidas.
An Application of an Unequal-Area Facilities Layout Problem with Fixed-Shape Facilities
Authors: McKendall Alan , Hakobyan Artak
Published: October 2021

The unequal-area facility layout problem (UA-FLP) is the problem of locating rectangular facilities on a rectangular floor space such that facilities do not overlap while optimizing some objective. The objective considered in this paper is minimizing the total distance materials travel between facilities. The UA-FLP considered in this paper considers facilities with fixed dimension and was motivated by the investigation of layout options for a production area at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia (TMMWV) plant in Buffalo, WV, USA. This paper presents a mathematical model and a genetic algorithm for locating facilities on a continuous plant floor. More specifically, a genetic algorithm, which consists of a boundary search heuristic (BSH), a linear program, and a dual simplex method, is developed for an UA-FLP. To test the performance of the proposed technique, several test problems taken from the literature are used in the analysis. The results show that the proposed heuristic performs well with respect to solution quality and computational time.
Immune-Related Gene Expression Profiling of Broiler Chickens Fed Diets Supplemented with Vinification Byproducts: A Valorization Approach II
Authors: Mavrommatis Alexandros , Simitzis Panagiotis E. , Kyriakaki Panagiota , Giamouri Elisavet , Myrtsi Eleni D. , Evergetis Epameinondas , Filippi Katiana , Papapostolou Harris , Koulocheri Sofia D. , Pappas Athanasios C. , Koutinas Apostolis , Haroutounian Serkos A. , Tsiplakou Eleni
Published: October 2021

The valorization of vinification byproducts portrays a promising bioprocess for the enrichment of animals’ diet with bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, which could regulate the immune response. Therefore, the impact of dietary grounded grape pomace (GGP), wine lees extract (WYC), and grape stem extract (PE) on the relative transcript level of immune related genes of broiler chickens were examined. Two hundred forty, one-day-old as hatched (male/female) chicks (Ross 308) were allocated to four dietary groups, with four replicate pens each with 15 birds. Birds were fed either a basal diet (CON) or the basal diet supplemented with 2.5% GGP, or 0.2% WYC, or 0.1% PE for 42 d. The relative expression of immune-related genes was investigated using a real-time PCR platform. The mRNA levels of Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR4) were downregulated (p = 0.039) in the liver of broilers fed the GGP-containing diet compared to the CON, while in the spleen of PE-fed broilers, TLR4 was significantly upregulated (p = 0.043). The mRNA levels of interleukin 8 (IL8) tended to upregulate (p = 0.099) in the bursa of Fabricius and were significantly increased (p = 0.036) in the spleen of broilers fed the PE diet. Vinification byproducts depict a promising sustainable source of polyphenols for the poultry feed industry, but more research is needed under field conditions.
Effects of Bypass Fat on Buffalo Carcass Characteristics, Meat Nutrient Contents and Profitability
Authors: Mohd Azmi Amirul Faiz , Mat Amin Fhaisol , Ahmad Hafandi , Mohd Nor Norhariani , Meng Goh Yong , Zamri Saad Mohd , Abu Bakar Md Zuki , Abdullah Punimin , Irawan Agung , Jayanegara Anuraga , Abu Hassim Hasliza
Published: October 2021

The deposition and distribution of buffalo body fats play a vital role in the quality of the buffalo carcass and are of great commercial value, since the carcass quality influences the profitability and consumer acceptability of ruminant meat. The current study examined the effect a mixture of 4% bypass fat and 26% concentrate supplementations in buffalo basal diet had on both the carcass characteristics and the proximate and fatty acid composition in longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL), supraspinatus (SS) and semitendinosus (ST) muscles of Murrah cross and swamp buffaloes. In addition, profit and loss analyses were performed to determine the profitability. This study employed a completely randomized 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with two diets, two breeds and four replicates per treatment. A total of sixteen buffaloes (eight buffaloes per breed, bodyweight 98.64 ± 1.93 kg) were randomly assigned into two dietary groups. The first group was given Diet A, which consisted of 70% Brachiaria decumbens + 30% concentrate, whereas the second group was given Diet B, which consisted of 70% Brachiaria decumbens + 26% concentrate + 4% bypass fat. The buffaloes were fed for 730 days before slaughter. The results showed that supplemented bypass fat significantly (p < 0.05) increased the pre-slaughter weight, hot and cold carcass weights, meat:fat ratio, pH at 24 h, moisture and crude protein of LTL, ST and SS, the ether extract of LTL and ST and the meat fatty acid of C16:0, C16:1, C18:1, PUFA n-6/n-3 and total MUFA. The carcass yield and carcass fat percentages, the ash content in ST, the EE in the SS muscle and the meat fatty acid of C18:3, total PUFA n-3, UFA/SFA and PUFA/SFA were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased. Furthermore, Murrah cross showed a significantly (p < 0.05) higher pre-slaughter weight, hot and cold carcass weights, carcass bone percentage and total fatty acid, but a lower (p < 0.05) meat:bone ratio, ash of LTL and CP of LTL and ST when compared to swamp buffaloes. No significant changes were found in the proximate composition of different types of muscle, but the ST muscle revealed significantly high C14:0, C16:0 and C18:1, and the SS muscle had high C18:2 and total fatty acid (p < 0.05). Supplementing using bypass fat increased the cost of buffalo feeding but resulted in a higher revenue and net profit. In conclusion, the concentrate and bypass fat supplementations in the buffalo diet could alter the nutrient compositions of buffalo meat without a detrimental effect on carcass characteristics, leading to a higher profit.
Impact Testing of 3D Re-Entrant Honeycomb Polyamide Structure Using Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar
Authors: Chen Jiangping , Tao Weijun , Pang Shumeng
Published: October 2021

In this study, a total of 30 3D re-entrant honeycomb specimens made of polyamide were fabricated with various configurations by using the additive manufacturing (AM) technique. Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) tests were conducted on the RH specimens at different impact velocities. The incident, reflected and transmitted waveforms can well explain the wave propagation and energy absorption characteristics of the specimens, which can help us to understand and analyse the process of impact loading. The stress–strain curves, energy absorption ability and failure modes of SHPB tests with different impact velocities and quasi-static compression tests were analysed and compared, and it was found that the flow stress and energy absorption ability of the specimens subjected to impact load were much improved. Among the tested specimens, specimen C2, with a smaller re-entrant angle θ, displayed the best energy absorption ability, which was 1.701 J/cm3 at the impact velocity of 22 m/s and was 5.1 times that in the quasi-static test. Specimen C5 had the longest horizontal length of the diagonal bar L0, and its energy absorption was 1.222 J/cm3 at the impact velocity of 22 m/s and was 15.7 times that in the quasi-static test, reflecting the superiority of a structurally stable specimen in energy absorption under impact loading. The test results can provide a reference for the optimization of the design of the same or similar structures.
Identification of Disease-Related Genes That Are Common between Alzheimer’s and Cardiovascular Disease Using Blood Genome-Wide Transcriptome Analysis
Authors: Lee Taesic , Lee Hyunju ,   the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: October 2021

Accumulating evidence has suggested a shared pathophysiology between Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Based on genome-wide transcriptomes, specifically those of blood samples, we identify the shared disease-related signatures between AD and CVD. In addition to gene expressions in blood, the following prior knowledge were utilized to identify several candidate disease-related gene (DRG) sets: protein–protein interactions, transcription factors, disease–gene relationship databases, and single nucleotide polymorphisms. We selected the respective DRG sets for AD and CVD that show a high accuracy for disease prediction in bulk and single-cell gene expression datasets. Then, gene regulatory networks (GRNs) were constructed from each of the AD and CVD DRG sets to identify the upstream regulating genes. Using the GRNs, we identified two common upstream genes (GPBP1 and SETDB2) between the AD and CVD GRNs. In summary, this study has identified the potential AD- and CVD-related genes and common hub genes between these sets, which may help to elucidate the shared mechanisms between these two diseases.
Predicting Post-Stroke Somatosensory Function from Resting-State Functional Connectivity: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Liang Xiaoyun , Koh Chia-Lin , Yeh Chun-Hung , Goodin Peter , Lamp Gemma , Connelly Alan , Carey Leeanne M.
Published: October 2021

Accumulating evidence shows that brain functional deficits may be impacted by damage to remote brain regions. Recent advances in neuroimaging suggest that stroke impairment can be better predicted based on disruption to brain networks rather than from lesion locations or volumes only. Our aim was to explore the feasibility of predicting post-stroke somatosensory function from brain functional connectivity through the application of machine learning techniques. Somatosensory impairment was measured using the Tactile Discrimination Test. Functional connectivity was employed to model the global brain function. Behavioral measures and MRI were collected at the same timepoint. Two machine learning models (linear regression and support vector regression) were chosen to predict somatosensory impairment from disrupted networks. Along with two feature pools (i.e., low-order and high-order functional connectivity, or low-order functional connectivity only) engineered, four predictive models were built and evaluated in the present study. Forty-three chronic stroke survivors participated this study. Results showed that the regression model employing both low-order and high-order functional connectivity can predict outcomes based on correlation coefficient of r = 0.54 (p = 0.0002). A machine learning predictive approach, involving high- and low-order modelling, is feasible for the prediction of residual somatosensory function in stroke patients using functional brain networks.
Olfactory Measures as Predictors of Conversion to Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Wheeler Paul Loyd , Murphy Claire
Published: October 2021

Background: Early biomarkers of prodromal Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are critical both to initiate interventions and to choose participants for clinical trials. Odor threshold, odor identification and odor familiarity are impaired in AD. Methods: We investigated the relative abilities of standard screening (MMSE) and olfactory measures to predict transitions from cognitively normal (CN) to mild cognitive impairment (MCI), from CN to AD, and MCI to AD. The archival sample of 497, from the UCSD ADRC, included participants who were CN, MCI, AD and converters to MCI or AD. Apoe ε4 status, a genetic risk factor, was available for 256 participants, 132 were ε4 carriers. A receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) curve plots the trade-off between sensitivity and specificity. Area under the ROC curve (AUC) was used to determine diagnostic accuracy. Results: Different measures were better predictors at specific stages of disease risk; e.g., odor familiarity, odor identification and the combination showed higher predictive value for converting from MCI to AD in ε4 carriers than the MMSE. Combining odor familiarity and odor identification produced an AUC of 1.0 in ε4 carriers, MMSE alone was 0.58. Conclusions: Olfactory biomarkers show real promise as non-invasive indicators of prodromal AD. The results support the value of combining olfactory measures in assessment of risk for conversion to MCI and to AD.
Effects of Vagus Nerve Stimulation following Corpus Callosotomy for Patients with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
Authors: Hatano Keisuke , Fujimoto Ayataka , Yamamoto Takamichi , Enoki Hideo , Okanishi Tohru
Published: October 2021

Objective: The effectiveness of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) for residual seizures after corpus callosotomy (CC) has not yet been fully investigated. We hypothesized that seizure control would be improved by VNS after CC. The purpose of this study was to compare seizure frequency between patients with implantation of a VNS generator (post-VNS group) or without VNS (non-post-VNS group) following CC. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent CC between January 2009 and May 2019 in our institution. We evaluated proportions of ≥50% reduction in seizure frequency (responders) and seizure reduction rate 1 and 2 years after VNS. To investigate factors related to responders, uni- and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed regarding age, number of anti-seizure medications (ASMs), addition of novel ASMs (levetiracetam, lacosamide or perampanel), and post-VNS or non-post-VNS status. Results: Thirteen post-VNS patients and 24 non-post-VNS patients were analyzed in this study. Responder rate at 1 year after VNS differed significantly between the post-VNS group (53.9%) and non-post-VNS group (12.5%, p = 0.017). Number of ASMs at the time of CC and post-VNS were significantly associated with responders in univariate analyses (odds ratio [OR] 0.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.13–0.88, p = 0.025 and OR 8.2, 95%CI 1.6–41.6, p = 0.011, respectively), whereas age, sex, seizure frequency, and addition of novel ASMs were not. In multivariate analysis, the presence of VNS procedures after CC was the only factor favorably associated with responder status (OR 82.2, 95%CI 1.55–4355.7, p = 0.03). Conclusions: VNS therapy after CC may increase the proportion of responders independent of the addition of novel ASMs.
Recall and Self-Relevance of Emotional Words Predict Subjective Self-Evaluation of Cognition in Patients with MTLE with or without Depressive Symptoms
Authors: Preglej Lidija , Marinkovic Ksenija , Hećimović Hrvoje
Published: October 2021

We examined whether word processing is associated with subjective self-evaluation of cognition in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) as a function of their depressive symptoms. MTLE patients with (MTLE +d, N = 28) or without (MTLE -d, N = 11) depression were compared to pair-matched healthy control participants on free recall and self-relevance ratings of emotionally valenced words. Correlation and hierarchical analyses were conducted to investigate whether the subjective self-evaluation of cognition in MTLE patients is predicted by the negative emotional bias reflected in task performance. MTLE +d patients endorsed as self-relevant fewer positive words and more negative words than the MTLE -d patients and healthy participants. They also self-evaluated their cognition poorer than the MTLE -d patients. Analyses indicated that recall and self-endorsement of emotional words predicted both self-evaluation of cognition as well as epilepsy duration. Our findings indicate that negative self-relevance emotional bias is observed in MTLE patients and is predictive of subjective self-evaluation of cognition. Application of brief behavioral tasks probing emotional functions could be valuable for clinical research and practice in the patients with MTLE.
MicroRNAs in Molecular Classification and Pathogenesis of Breast Tumors
Authors: Richard Vinitha , Davey Matthew G. , Annuk Heidi , Miller Nicola , Dwyer Róisín M. , Lowery Aoife , Kerin Michael J.
Published: October 2021

The current clinical practice of breast tumor classification relies on the routine immunohistochemistry-based expression analysis of hormone receptors, which is inadequate in addressing breast tumor heterogeneity and drug resistance. MicroRNA expression profiling in tumor tissue and in the circulation is an efficient alternative to intrinsic molecular subtyping that enables precise molecular classification of breast tumor variants, the prediction of tumor progression, risk stratification and also identifies critical regulators of the tumor microenvironment. This review integrates data from protein, gene and miRNA expression studies to elaborate on a unique miRNA-based 10-subtype taxonomy, which we propose as the current gold standard to allow appropriate classification and separation of breast cancer into a targetable strategy for therapy.
Effects of Carbidopa Premedication on 18F-FDOPA PET Imaging of Glioma: A Multiparametric Analysis
Authors: Bros Marie , Zaragori Timothée , Rech Fabien , Blonski Marie , Hossu Gabriela , Taillandier Luc , Marie Pierre-Yves , Verger Antoine
Published: October 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the impact of carbidopa premedication on static, dynamic and radiomics parameters of 18F-FDOPA PET in brain tumors. Methods: The study included 54 patients, 18 of whom received carbidopa, who underwent 18F-FDOPA PET for newly diagnosed gliomas. SUV-derived, 105 radiomics features and TTP dynamic parameters were extracted from volumes of interest in healthy brains and tumors. Simulation of the effects of carbidopa on time-activity curves were generated. Results: All static and TTP dynamic parameters were significantly higher in healthy brain regions of premedicated patients (ΔSUVmean = +53%, ΔTTP = +48%, p < 0.001). Furthermore, carbidopa impacted 81% of radiomics features, of which 92% correlated with SUVmean (absolute correlation coefficient ≥ 0.4). In tumors, premedication with carbidopa was an independent predictor of SUVmean (ΔSUVmean = +52%, p < 0.001) and TTP (ΔTTP = +24%, p = 0.025). All parameters were no longer significantly modified by carbidopa premedication when using ratios to healthy brain. Simulated data confirmed that carbidopa leads to higher tumor TTP values, corrected by the ratios. Conclusion: In 18F-FDOPA PET, carbidopa induces similarly higher SUV and TTP dynamic parameters and similarly impacts SUV-dependent radiomics in healthy brain and tumor regions, which is compensated for by correcting for the tumor-to-healthy-brain ratio. This is a significant advantage for multicentric study harmonization.
Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis: An Overview
Authors: Radu Andrei-Flavius , Bungau Simona Gabriela
Published: October 2021

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a multifactorial autoimmune disease of unknown etiology, primarily affecting the joints, then extra-articular manifestations can occur. Due to its complexity, which is based on an incompletely elucidated pathophysiological mechanism, good RA management requires a multidisciplinary approach. The clinical status of RA patients has improved in recent years due to medical advances in diagnosis and treatment, that have made it possible to reduce disease activity and prevent systemic complications. The most promising results were obtained by developing disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), the class to which conventional synthetic, biologic, and targeted synthetic drugs belong. Furthermore, ongoing drug development has led to obtaining molecules with improved efficacy and safety profiles, but further research is needed until RA turns into a curable pathology. In the present work, we offer a comprehensive perspective on the management of RA, by centralizing the existing data provided by significant literature, emphasizing the importance of an early and accurate diagnosis associated with optimal personalized treatment in order to achieve better outcomes for RA patients. In addition, this study suggests future research perspectives in the treatment of RA that could lead to higher efficacy and safety profiles and lower financial costs.