bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection of Plasmid-Mediated Colistin Resistant mcr-1 Gene in Escherichia coli Isolated from Infected Chicken Livers in Nepal
Authors: Bista Sayara , Thapa Shrestha Upendra , Dhungel Binod , Koirala Pragya , Gompo Tulsi Ram , Shrestha Nabaraj , Adhikari Nabaraj , Joshi Dev Raj , Banjara Megha Raj , Adhikari Bipin , Rijal Komal Raj , Ghimire Prakash
Published: November 2020

Background: Plasmid-mediated resistance to the colistin in poultry is considered as an emerging problem worldwide. While poultry constitutes the major industry in Nepal, there is a paucity of evidence on colistin resistance in Escherichia coli isolates causing natural infections in poultry. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of plasmid-mediated colistin resistance gene, mcr-1 in E. coli isolated from liver samples of dead poultry suspected of E. coli infections. Methods: A total of two hundred and seventy liver samples (227 broilers and 43 layers) from dead poultry suspected of colibacillosis were collected from post-mortem in the Central Veterinary Laboratory (CVL), Kathmandu, between 1 February and 31 July 2019. The specimens were processed to isolate and identify E. coli; an antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST) using disk diffusion method was performed with 12 different antibiotics: Amikacin (30 µg), ampicillin (10 µg), ciprofloxacin (5 µg), chloramphenicol (30 µg), cefoxitin (30 µg), ceftazidime (30 µg), ceftriaxone (30 µg), cotrimoxazole (25 µg), gentamicin (10 µg), imipenem (10 µg), levofloxacin (5 µg) and tetracycline (30 µg). Colistin resistance was determined by agar dilution method and colistin-resistant strains were further screened for plasmid-mediated mcr-1 gene, using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: Out of 270 liver samples, 53.3% (144/270) showed growth of E. coli. The highest number (54%; 109/202) of E. coli isolates was obtained in the liver samples from poultry birds (of both types) aged less than forty days. In AST, 95.1% (137/144) and 82.6% (119/144) of E. coli isolates were resistant against tetracycline and ciprofloxacin, respectively, while 13.2% (19/144) and 25.7% (37/144) isolates were resistant to cefoxitin and imipenem, respectively. In the same assay, 76.4% (110/144) E. coli isolates were multi-drug resistant (MDR). The phenotypic prevalence of colistin resistance was 28.5% (41/144). In the PCR assay, 43.9% (18/41) of colistin-resistant isolates were screened positive for plasmid-mediated mcr-1. Conclusion: The high prevalence of mcr-1 in colistin-resistant E. coli isolates in our study is a cause of concern for the probable coming emergence of colistin resistance in human pathogens, due to horizontal transfer of resistant genes from poultry to human isolates.
Environmental DNA Metabarcoding as a Means of Estimating Species Diversity in an Urban Aquatic Ecosystem
Authors: Webster Heather J. , Emami-Khoyi Arsalan , van Dyk Jacobus C. , Teske Peter R. , Jansen van Vuuren Bettine
Published: November 2020

Adaptation to environments that are changing as a result of human activities is critical to species’ survival. A large number of species are adapting to, and even thriving in, urban green spaces, but this diversity remains largely undocumented. In the current study, we explored the potential of environmental DNA (eDNA) to document species diversity in one of the largest green spaces in Johannesburg, South Africa. Using a novel metabarcoding approach that assembles short DNA fragments suitable for massively parallel sequencing platforms to the approximate standard ~710 bp COI barcoding fragment, we document the presence of 26 phyla, 52 classes, 134 orders, 289 families, 380 genera and 522 known species from the study site. Our results highlight the critical role that urban areas play in protecting the world’s declining biodiversity.
First Report of aacC5-aadA7Δ4 Gene Cassette Array and Phage Tail Tape Measure Protein on Class 1 Integrons of Campylobacter Species Isolated from Animal and Human Sources in Egypt
Authors: Abd El-Aziz Norhan K. , Ammar Ahmed M. , Hamdy Mona M. , Gobouri Adil A. , Azab Ehab , Sewid Alaa H.
Published: November 2020

Campylobacter species are common commensals in the gastrointestinal tract of livestock animals; thus, animal-to-human transmission occurs frequently. We investigated for the first time, class 1 integrons and associated gene cassettes among pan drug-resistant (PDR), extensively drug-resistant (XDR), and multidrug-resistant (MDR) Campylobacter species isolated from livestock animals and humans in Egypt. Campylobacter species were detected in 58.11% of the analyzed chicken samples represented as 67.53% Campylobacter jejuni(C. jejuni) and 32.47% Campylobacter coli (C. coli). C. jejuni isolates were reported in 51.42%, 74.28%, and 66.67% of examined minced meat, raw milk, and human stool samples, respectively. Variable antimicrobial resistance phenotypes; PDR (2.55%), XDR (68.94%), and MDR (28.5%) campylobacters were reported. Molecular analysis revealed that 97.36% of examined campylobacters were integrase gene-positive; all harbored the class 1 integrons, except one possessed an empty integron structure. DNA sequence analysis revealed the predominance of aadA (81.08%) and dfrA (67.56%) alleles accounting for resistance to aminoglycosides and trimethoprim, respectively. This is the first report of aacC5-aadA7Δ4 gene cassette array and a putative phage tail tape measure protein on class 1 integrons of Campylobacter isolates. Evidence from this study showed the possibility of Campylobacter–bacteriophage interactions and treatment failure in animals and humans due to horizontal gene transfer mediated by class 1 integrons.
Advances in the Application of Aptamer Biosensors to the Detection of Aminoglycoside Antibiotics
Authors: Luan Yunxia , Wang Nan , Li Cheng , Guo Xiaojun , Lu Anxiang
Published: November 2020

Antibiotic abuse is becoming increasingly serious and the potential for harm to human health and the environment has aroused widespread social concern. Aminoglycoside antibiotics (AGs) are broad-spectrum antibiotics that have been widely used in clinical and animal medicine. Consequently, their residues are commonly found in animal-derived food items and the environment. A simple, rapid, and sensitive detection method for on-site screening and detection of AGs is urgently required. In recent years, with the development of molecular detection technology, nucleic acid aptamers have been successfully used as recognition molecules for the identification and detection of AGs in food and the environment. These aptamers have high affinities, selectivities, and specificities, are inexpensive, and can be produced with small batch-to-batch differences. This paper reviews the applications of aptamers for AG detection in colorimetric, fluorescent, chemiluminescent, surface plasmon resonance, and electrochemical sensors for the analysis in food and environmental samples. This study provides useful references for future research.
City-Scale Building Anthropogenic Heating during Heat Waves
Authors: Luo Xuan , Vahmani Pouya , Hong Tianzhen , Jones Andrew
Published: November 2020

More frequent and longer duration heat waves have been observed worldwide and are recognized as a serious threat to human health and the stability of electrical grids. Past studies have identified a positive feedback between heat waves and urban heat island effects. Anthropogenic heat emissions from buildings have a crucial impact on the urban environment, and hence it is critical to understand the interactive effects of urban microclimate and building heat emissions in terms of the urban energy balance. Here we developed a coupled-simulation approach to quantify these effects, mapping urban environmental data generated by the mesoscale Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) coupled to Urban Canopy Model (UCM) to urban building energy models (UBEM). We conducted a case study in the city of Los Angeles, California, during a five-day heat wave event in September 2009. We analyzed the surge in city-scale building heat emission and energy use during the extreme heat event. We first simulated the urban microclimate at a high resolution (500 m by 500 m) using WRF-UCM. We then generated grid-level building heat emission profiles and aggregated them using prototype building energy models informed by spatially disaggregated urban land use and urban building density data. The spatial patterns of anthropogenic heat discharge from the building sector were analyzed, and the quantitative relationship with weather conditions and urban land-use dynamics were assessed at the grid level. The simulation results indicate that the dispersion of anthropogenic heat from urban buildings to the urban environment increases by up to 20% on average and varies significantly, both in time and space, during the heat wave event. The heat dispersion from the air-conditioning heat rejection contributes most (86.5%) of the total waste heat from the buildings to the urban environment. We also found that the waste heat discharge in inland, dense urban districts is more sensitive to extreme events than it is in coastal or suburban areas. The generated anthropogenic heat profiles can be used in urban microclimate models to provide a more accurate estimation of urban air temperature rises during heat waves.
Antimicrobial Activity of Chrysoeriol 7 and Chochlioquinone 9, White-Backed Planthopper-Resistant Compounds, Against Rice Pathogenic Strains
Authors: Jang Yoon-Hee , Park Jae-Ryoung , Kim Kyung-Min
Published: November 2020

As environmental damage caused by chemical pesticides appears worldwide, eco-friendly agriculture is increasing, and finding eco-friendly pesticide materials has become very important. Chrysoeriol and cochlioquinone, two flavonoids, act as an antibacterial and antioxidant, and increase the resistance of rice to the white-backed planthopper (WBPH). In this experiment, chrysoeriol 7 (C7) and cochlioquinone 9 (C9) were extracted from rice inoculated with the WBPH using MeOH, and cultivars with high extraction efficiency were selected. In addition, the antimicrobial activity of C7 and C9 against various pathogens causing disease in rice was tested. The results show that C7 has antifungal activity against Fusarium graminearum and Pythium graminicola, and C9 show antifungal activity against Cladosporium herbarum, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Gibberella zeae, Fusarium graminearum and Pythium graminicola. When both substances were treated at a concentration of 1000 ppm, they showed high inhibition rates of 62.3% and 36.2% against P.graminicola, respectively. After that, a phylogenetic tree was created to clarify the relationship between the microorganisms whose growth was inhibited and divided into three groups. This result can contribute to the study of biopesticide materials that can control pests and pathogens.
Image Segmentation of the Ventricular Septum in Fetal Cardiac Ultrasound Videos Based on Deep Learning Using Time-Series Information
Authors: Dozen Ai , Komatsu Masaaki , Sakai Akira , Komatsu Reina , Shozu Kanto , Machino Hidenori , Yasutomi Suguru , Arakaki Tatsuya , Asada Ken , Kaneko Syuzo , Matsuoka Ryu , Aoki Daisuke , Sekizawa Akihiko , Hamamoto Ryuji
Published: November 2020

Image segmentation is the pixel-by-pixel detection of objects, which is the most challenging but informative in the fundamental tasks of machine learning including image classification and object detection. Pixel-by-pixel segmentation is required to apply machine learning to support fetal cardiac ultrasound screening; we have to detect cardiac substructures precisely which are small and change shapes dynamically with fetal heartbeats, such as the ventricular septum. This task is difficult for general segmentation methods such as DeepLab v3+, and U-net. Hence, here we proposed a novel segmentation method named Cropping-Segmentation-Calibration (CSC) that is specific to the ventricular septum in ultrasound videos in this study. CSC employs the time-series information of videos and specific section information to calibrate the output of U-net. The actual sections of the ventricular septum were annotated in 615 frames from 421 normal fetal cardiac ultrasound videos of 211 pregnant women who were screened. The dataset was assigned a ratio of 2:1, which corresponded to a ratio of the training to test data, and three-fold cross-validation was conducted. The segmentation results of DeepLab v3+, U-net, and CSC were evaluated using the values of the mean intersection over union (mIoU), which were 0.0224, 0.1519, and 0.5543, respectively. The results reveal the superior performance of CSC.
Predicting the Sensory Consequences of Self-Generated Actions: Pre-Supplementary Motor Area as Supra-Modal Hub in the Sense of Agency Experience
Authors: Seghezzi Silvia , Zapparoli Laura
Published: November 2020

Sense of agency refers to the feeling that one’s self-generated action caused an external environment event. In a previous study, we suggested that the supplementary motor area (SMA), in its anterior portion (pre-SMA), is a key structure for attributing the sense of agency for the visual consequences of self-generated movements. However, real-life actions can lead to outcomes in different sensory modalities, raising the question of whether SMA represents a supra-modal hub for the sense of agency. Here, we compared the agency experience for visual and auditory outcomes by taking advantage of the intentional binding effect (IB). We observed discrete time-windows for the agency manifestation across different sensory modalities: While there was an IB at 200 ms delay between the action and the visual outcome, a time compression was observed when the auditory outcome followed the action by 400 ms. The magnitude of the IB was mirrored by meaningful brain activity in the pre-SMA but only at the specific delay when a sizeable IB was seen. We conclude that attributing consequences of self-generated movements to one’s action is based on similar mechanisms across sensory modalities and that those mechanisms are related to the functioning of the motor system.
Chronic Pain in Relation to Depressive Disorders and Alcohol Abuse
Authors: Maleki Nasim , Oscar-Berman Marlene
Published: November 2020

Chronic pain disorders have been associated separately with neuropsychiatric conditions such as depression and alcohol abuse. However, in individuals who suffer from non-cancer chronic pain disorders, it is not clear if the burden of depressive disorders is similar for those with and without a history of alcohol abuse. Using data from the Collaborative Psychiatric Epidemiology Surveys (CPES), we found depressive disorders to have a high burden in men and women with a history of alcohol abuse, independently of the presence or absence of chronic pain. We also found that, although the incidence of persistent depressive disorder was comparable in men and women with a history of alcohol abuse, and significantly higher than in control men and women, the incidence of a major depressive episode was higher in women with a history of alcohol abuse independently of the presence or absence of chronic pain. The age of onset of depressive disorders, independently of pain status, was younger for individuals with a history of alcohol abuse. The findings of this study have important implications for the clinical management of individuals who suffer from chronic pain comorbidly with depression and/or alcohol abuse.
Burst Spinal Cord Stimulation for the Treatment of Cervical Dystonia with Intractable Pain: A Pilot Study
Authors: Shimizu Takeshi , Maruo Tomoyuki , Miura Shimpei , Kimoto Yuki , Ushio Yukitaka , Goto Satoshi , Kishima Haruhiko
Published: November 2020

Pain is the most common and disabling non-motor symptom in patients with cervical dystonia. Here, we report four patients with painful cervical dystonia in whom burst spinal cord stimulation (SCS) in the cervical region produced sustained and significant improvements in both dystonic pain and motor symptoms. Further studies need to be performed to investigate the clinical efficacy of burst SCS for patients with cervical dystonia.
Moderate Adolescent Ethanol Vapor Exposure and Acute Stress in Adulthood: Sex-Dependent Effects on Social Behavior and Ethanol Intake in Sprague–Dawley Rats
Authors: Gamble Meredith E. , Diaz Marvin R.
Published: November 2020

Adolescent alcohol use can lead to numerous consequences, including altered stress reactivity and higher risk for later anxiety and alcohol use disorders. Many studies have examined the consequences of heavy ethanol exposure in adolescence, but far less is understood about lower levels of intoxication. The present study examined moderate adolescent ethanol exposure as a possible factor in increasing stress reactivity in adulthood, measured through general and social anxiety-like behaviors, as well voluntary ethanol intake. Male and female Sprague–Dawley rats underwent an adolescent chronic intermittent ethanol (aCIE) vapor exposure during early adolescence, reaching moderate blood ethanol concentrations. Animals then underwent two days of forced swim stress in adulthood. We found that ethanol-exposed males consumed more ethanol than their air counterparts and an interesting stress and ethanol exposure interaction in males. There were no significant effects on voluntary drinking in females. However, the social interaction test revealed increased play-fighting behavior in ethanol-exposed females and reduced social preference in females after two days of stress exposure. Overall, this work provides evidence for sex-specific, long-term effects of moderate aCIE and susceptibility to acute stress in adulthood.
Measuring Quality of Life in Ovarian Cancer Clinical Trials—Can We Improve Objectivity and Cross Trial Comparisons?
Authors: Bhat Gita , Karakasis Katherine , Oza Amit M.
Published: November 2020

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) remains a lethal disease for the majority of women diagnosed with it worldwide. For the majority of patients, diagnosis occurs late, in the advanced setting. Disease-induced as well as treatment-related adverse events can negatively impact quality of life (QoL). Research to date has captured these data through use of patient-related outcomes (PROs) and, increasingly, has become an area of increased attention and focus in clinical trial reporting. QoL/PRO measurements in EOC clinical trials at different transition points in a patient’s journey are increasingly being recognized by patients, clinicians and regulatory agencies as the key determinants of treatment benefit. Various context-specific PROs and PRO endpoints have been described for clinical trials in EOC. Standardized approaches and checklists for incorporating PRO endpoints in clinical trials have been proposed. In a real-world clinical practice setting, PRO/QoL measures, which are meaningful, valid, reliable, feasible and acceptable to patients and clinicians, need to be implemented and used. These may assist by serving as screening tools; helping with the identification of patient preferences to aid in decision making; improving patient–provider communication; facilitating shared decision making. Importantly, they may also improve quality of care through an increasingly patient-centered approach. Potential areas of future research include assessment of anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. In good prognostic groups, such as maintenance clinical trials, following patients beyond progression will capture possible downstream effects related to delaying the psychological trauma of relapse, symptoms due to disease progression and side-effects of subsequent chemotherapy. Identifying PRO endpoints in next-generation-targeted therapies (including immunotherapies) also warrants investigation.
Modulatory Role of microRNAs in Triple Negative Breast Cancer with Basal-Like Phenotype
Authors: Angius Andrea , Cossu-Rocca Paolo , Arru Caterina , Muroni Maria Rosaria , Rallo Vincenzo , Carru Ciriaco , Uva Paolo , Pira Giovanna , Orrù Sandra , De Miglio Maria Rosaria
Published: November 2020

Development of new research, classification, and therapeutic options are urgently required due to the fact that TNBC is a heterogeneous malignancy. The expression of high molecular weight cytokeratins identifies a biologically and clinically distinct subgroup of TNBCs with a basal-like phenotype, representing about 75% of TNBCs, while the remaining 25% includes all other intrinsic subtypes. The triple negative phenotype in basal-like breast cancer (BLBC) makes it unresponsive to endocrine therapy, i.e., tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors, and/or anti-HER2-targeted therapies; for this reason, only chemotherapy can be considered an approach available for systemic treatment even if it shows poor prognosis. Therefore, treatment for these subgroups of patients is a strong challenge for oncologists due to disease heterogeneity and the absence of unambiguous molecular targets. Dysregulation of the cellular miRNAome has been related to huge cellular process deregulations underlying human malignancy. Consequently, epigenetics is a field of great promise in cancer research. Increasing evidence suggests that specific miRNA clusters/signatures might be of clinical utility in TNBCs with basal-like phenotype. The epigenetic mechanisms behind tumorigenesis enable progress in the treatment, diagnosis, and prevention of cancer. This review intends to summarize the epigenetic findings related to miRNAome in TNBCs with basal-like phenotype.
HOX Genes Family and Cancer: A Novel Role for Homeobox B9 in the Resistance to Anti-Angiogenic Therapies
Authors: Contarelli Serena , Fedele Vita , Melisi Davide
Published: November 2020

Angiogenesis is one of the hallmarks of cancer, and the inhibition of pro-angiogenic factors and or their receptors has become a primary strategy for cancer therapy. However, despite promising results in preclinical studies, the majority of patients either do not respond to these treatments or, after an initial period of response, they develop resistance to anti-angiogenic agents. Thus, the identification of a novel therapeutic target is urgently needed. Multiple mechanisms of resistance to anti-angiogenic therapy have been identified, including the upregulation of alternative angiogenic pathways and the recruitment of pro-angiogenic myeloid cells in the tumor microenvironment. Homeobox containing (HOX) genes are master regulators of embryonic development playing a pivotal role during both embryonic vasculogenesis and pathological angiogenesis in adults. The importance of HOX genes during cancer progression has been reported in many studies. In this review we will give a brief description of the HOX genes and their involvement in angiogenesis and cancer, with particular emphasis on HOXB9 as a possible novel target for anti-angiogenic therapy. HOXB9 upregulation has been reported in many types of cancers and it has been identified as a critical transcription factor involved in resistance to anti-angiogenic drugs.
Nanotherapeutic Modulation of Human Neural Cells and Glioblastoma in Organoids and Monocultures
Authors: Zhang Issan , Lépine Paula , Han Chanshuai , Lacalle-Aurioles María , Chen Carol X.-Q. , Haag Rainer , Durcan Thomas M. , Maysinger Dusica
Published: November 2020

Inflammatory processes in the brain are orchestrated by microglia and astrocytes in response to activators such as pathogen-associated molecular patterns, danger-associated molecular patterns and some nanostructures. Microglia are the primary immune responders in the brain and initiate responses amplified by astrocytes through intercellular signaling. Intercellular communication between neural cells can be studied in cerebral organoids, co-cultures or in vivo. We used human cerebral organoids and glioblastoma co-cultures to study glia modulation by dendritic polyglycerol sulfate (dPGS). dPGS is an extensively studied nanostructure with inherent anti-inflammatory properties. Under inflammatory conditions, lipocalin-2 levels in astrocytes are markedly increased and indirectly enhanced by soluble factors released from hyperactive microglia. dPGS is an effective anti-inflammatory modulator of these markers. Our results show that dPGS can enter neural cells in cerebral organoids and glial cells in monocultures in a time-dependent manner. dPGS markedly reduces lipocalin-2 abundance in the neural cells. Glioblastoma tumoroids of astrocytic origin respond to activated microglia with enhanced invasiveness, whereas conditioned media from dPGS-treated microglia reduce tumoroid invasiveness. Considering that many nanostructures have only been tested in cancer cells and rodent models, experiments in human 3D cerebral organoids and co-cultures are complementary in vitro models to evaluate nanotherapeutics in the pre-clinical setting. Thoroughly characterized organoids and standardized procedures for their preparation are prerequisites to gain information of translational value in nanomedicine. This study provides data for a well-characterized dendrimer (dPGS) that modulates the activation state of human microglia implicated in brain tumor invasiveness.
Targeting the Interaction between the SH3 Domain of Grb2 and Gab2
Authors: Malagrinò Francesca , Coluccia Antonio , Bufano Marianna , Regina Giuseppe La , Puxeddu Michela , Toto Angelo , Visconti Lorenzo , Paone Alessio , Magnifico Maria Chiara , Troilo Francesca , Cutruzzolà Francesca , Silvestri Romano , Gianni Stefano
Published: November 2020

Gab2 is a scaffolding protein, overexpressed in many types of cancers, that plays a key role in the formation of signaling complexes involved in cellular proliferation, migration, and differentiation. The interaction between Gab2 and the C-terminal SH3 domain of the protein Grb2 is crucial for the activation of the proliferation-signaling pathway Ras/Erk, thus representing a potential pharmacological target. In this study, we identified, by virtual screening, seven potential inhibitor molecules that were experimentally tested through kinetic and equilibrium binding experiments. One compound showed a remarkable effect in lowering the affinity of the C-SH3 domain for Gab2. This inhibitory effect was subsequently validated in cellula by using lung cancer cell lines A549 and H1299. Our results are discussed under the light of previous works on the C-SH3:Gab2 interaction.
fNIRS Assessment of Speech Comprehension in Children with Normal Hearing and Children with Hearing Aids in Virtual Acoustic Environments: Pilot Data and Practical Recommendations
Authors: Bell Laura , Peng Z. Ellen , Pausch Florian , Reindl Vanessa , Neuschaefer-Rube Christiane , Fels Janina , Konrad Kerstin
Published: November 2020

The integration of virtual acoustic environments (VAEs) with functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) offers novel avenues to investigate behavioral and neural processes of speech-in-noise (SIN) comprehension in complex auditory scenes. Particularly in children with hearing aids (HAs), the combined application might offer new insights into the neural mechanism of SIN perception in simulated real-life acoustic scenarios. Here, we present first pilot data from six children with normal hearing (NH) and three children with bilateral HAs to explore the potential applicability of this novel approach. Children with NH received a speech recognition benefit from low room reverberation and target-distractors’ spatial separation, particularly when the pitch of the target and the distractors was similar. On the neural level, the left inferior frontal gyrus appeared to support SIN comprehension during effortful listening. Children with HAs showed decreased SIN perception across conditions. The VAE-fNIRS approach is critically compared to traditional SIN assessments. Although the current study shows that feasibility still needs to be improved, the combined application potentially offers a promising tool to investigate novel research questions in simulated real-life listening. Future modified VAE-fNIRS applications are warranted to replicate the current findings and to validate its application in research and clinical settings.
Association between Self-Reported Sleep Duration and Dietary Nutrients in Korean Adolescents: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Lee Jee Hyun , Chung Sang-Jin , Seo Won Hee
Published: November 2020

(1) Background: Adolescence is a transient period from childhood to adulthood, which is characterized by rapid physical growth and psychological changes, including sleep. Because the relationship between insufficient sleep and obesity has been observed in children and adults, the potential links between sleep, dietary intake, and nutrition have received increased attention. We aimed to examine the association of sleep duration with dietary nutrients intake in South Korean adolescents; (2) Methods: This population-based, cross-sectional study analyzed the data obtained from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2013 and 2015. Data related to 1422 adolescents aged 12–18 years (741 males and 681 females) were included in the analysis. Sleep duration was assessed using a self-reported questionnaire. Nutrient intake, including daily total energy intake, was assessed with a 24-h dietary recall questionnaire; (3) Results: Most males (84.4%) and females (86.4%) reported < 9 h of sleep per night. Short sleep duration was inversely associated with body mass index and obesity in both sexes. We found that higher intake of fiber and lower intake of sodium were associated with longer sleep duration (P < 0.05). When comparing the intake above and below the estimated average requirements (EAR), the difference in sleep duration was significant in the group that consumed vitamins B1 and C below EAR; (4) Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate that sleep duration can be associated with intake of some nutrients, which may also be associated with obesity in adolescents. Therefore, it is possible to prevent obesity and its complications by controlling the sleep duration and intake of nutrients of adolescents.
Spotlight on Alkali Metals: The Structural Chemistry of Alkali Metal Thallides
Authors: Gärtner Stefanie
Published: November 2020

Alkali metal thallides go back to the investigative works of Eduard Zintl about base metals in negative oxidation states. In 1932, he described the crystal structure of NaTl as the first representative for this class of compounds. Since then, a bunch of versatile crystal structures has been reported for thallium as electronegative element in intermetallic solid state compounds. For combinations of thallium with alkali metals as electropositive counterparts, a broad range of different unique structure types has been observed. Interestingly, various thallium substructures at the same or very similar valence electron concentration (VEC) are obtained. This in return emphasizes that the role of the alkali metals on structure formation goes far beyond ancillary filling atoms, which are present only due to charge balancing reasons. In this review, the alkali metals are in focus and the local surroundings of the latter are discussed in terms of their crystallographic sites in the corresponding crystal structures.
Quantitative Evaluation of the Echo Intensity of Paraneural Area and Myofascial Structure around Median Nerve in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Authors: Fan Chenglei , Fede Caterina , Pirri Carmelo , Guidolin Diego , Biz Carlo , Macchi Veronica , De Caro Raffaele , Stecco Carla
Published: November 2020

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the echo intensity (EI) of the paraneural area (PA), the median nerve (MN) at the carpal tunnel, the EI of the myofascial structure (MS) around MN, the ‘PA and MN’ at the mid-forearm, and the MN transversal displacement at both sites differs between persons with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and control subjects. Methods: In total, 16 CTS patients and 16 controls, age- and gender-matched, were recruited. Cross-sectional ultrasound images of MN were obtained to evaluate the EI of the PA, the MN at carpal tunnel, the EI of MS, and the ‘PA and MN’ at the mid-forearm in a natural position, then images were taken after a whole-hand grasp movement, to evaluate MN transversal displacement. Inter-rater and intra-rater reliability in control, and differences in the EI and MN displacement between CTS and control, were analyzed. In addition, the correlations between ultrasound parameters and MN displacement were evaluated. Results: The quantitative EI of PA, MN, EI of MS, ‘PA and MN’ had high inter-rater and intra-rater reliability in the control. The EI of PA, MS and ‘PA and MN’ were significantly higher in CTS subjects (p < 0.01), whilst there was no significant difference in the EI of MN at the carpal tunnel. MN displacement was significantly decreased both at the carpal tunnel and the mid-forearm in CTS subjects (p < 0.01). In addition, there were negative correlations among the EI of PA (rs = −0.484, p = 0.004), EI of MS (rs = −0.479, p = 0.002), EI of ‘PA and MN’ (rs = −0.605, p < 0.001) and MN transversal displacement. Conclusions: The higher EI of PA and MS around MN in CTS may indicate greater fibrosis along the course of MN, reducing fascial adaptability, influencing the synergy and coordination of the MS, and increasing the shear stress between MS and MN, and it may further increase the abnormal pressure on the MN not only at the carpal tunnel, but also at the mid-forearm. These results may partly explain the role of PA and MS in CTS pathogenesis.
Information Length Analysis of Linear Autonomous Stochastic Processes
Authors: Guel-Cortez Adrian-Josue , Kim Eun-jin
Published: November 2020

When studying the behaviour of complex dynamical systems, a statistical formulation can provide useful insights. In particular, information geometry is a promising tool for this purpose. In this paper, we investigate the information length for n-dimensional linear autonomous stochastic processes, providing a basic theoretical framework that can be applied to a large set of problems in engineering and physics. A specific application is made to a harmonically bound particle system with the natural oscillation frequency ω, subject to a damping γ and a Gaussian white-noise. We explore how the information length depends on ω and γ, elucidating the role of critical damping γ=2ω in information geometry. Furthermore, in the long time limit, we show that the information length reflects the linear geometry associated with the Gaussian statistics in a linear stochastic process.
Baseline Methods for Bayesian Inference in Gumbel Distribution
Authors: Martín Jacinto , Parra María Isabel , Pizarro Mario Martínez , Sanjuán Eva L.
Published: November 2020

Usual estimation methods for the parameters of extreme value distributions only employ a small part of the observation values. When block maxima values are considered, many data are discarded, and therefore a lot of information is wasted. We develop a model to seize the whole data available in an extreme value framework. The key is to take advantage of the existing relation between the baseline parameters and the parameters of the block maxima distribution. We propose two methods to perform Bayesian estimation. Baseline distribution method (BDM) consists in computing estimations for the baseline parameters with all the data, and then making a transformation to compute estimations for the block maxima parameters. Improved baseline method (IBDM) is a refinement of the initial idea, with the aim of assigning more importance to the block maxima data than to the baseline values, performed by applying BDM to develop an improved prior distribution. We compare empirically these new methods with the Standard Bayesian analysis with non-informative prior, considering three baseline distributions that lead to a Gumbel extreme distribution, namely Gumbel, Exponential and Normal, by a broad simulation study.
Consumers’ Intention and Cognition for Low-Carbon Behavior: A Case Study of Hangzhou in China
Authors: Yang Yongliang , Guo Yiyang , Luo Suqing
Published: November 2020

The influencing factors of the low-carbon consumption behavior of urban residents have become popular. This paper explored the factors of consumers’ low-carbon behavior through a questionnaire survey. Using Hangzhou as a case study city, which yields 786 valid responses, the results indicated that urban consumers generally had a high perception of low-carbon behavior. At the same time, low-carbon cognition and low-carbon intention had a positive impact on residents’ low-carbon behavior. In particular, the level of awareness of global warming adjusted residents’ understanding of low-carbon behavior. From a policy point of view, this research contributes to insights into the promotion of guiding residents’ low-carbon behavior and improving the response to global warming.
Fluctuation Suppression of DC-Link Voltage Using Control of Converters Connected with DC Distributed Generation
Authors: Choi Sang-Jae , Lim Sung-Hun
Published: November 2020

Due to the increase in DC load and DC Power generation, the need for DC power system is emerging. Accordingly, FRT (fault ride through) and LVRT (low voltage ride through), which are related regulations for renewable energy sources, have been enacted, and operation algorithms of each converter are required for this. However, the operation of the converter according to LVRT regulations causes DC voltage fluctuations. In the current study, DC voltage fluctuation is suppressed through converter control of DC-linked battery. The controller was designed from the relational equation between DC voltage and instantaneous power of battery. The pattern of DC voltage fluctuations to the output of the PV (photovoltaic), which is a DC power generation source, was confirmed, and voltage fluctuation suppression was verified by applying the designed converter cooperation algorithm and controller.
Quantitative Epigenetics: A New Avenue for Crop Improvement
Authors: Gahlaut Vijay , Zinta Gaurav , Jaiswal Vandana , Kumar Sanjay
Published: November 2020

Plant breeding conventionally depends on genetic variability available in a species to improve a particular trait in the crop. However, epigenetic diversity may provide an additional tier of variation. The recent advent of epigenome technologies has elucidated the role of epigenetic variation in shaping phenotype. Furthermore, the development of epigenetic recombinant inbred lines (epi-RILs) in model species such as Arabidopsis has enabled accurate genetic analysis of epigenetic variation. Subsequently, mapping of epigenetic quantitative trait loci (epiQTL) allowed association between epialleles and phenotypic traits. Likewise, epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) and epi-genotyping by sequencing (epi-GBS) have revolutionized the field of epigenetics research in plants. Thus, quantitative epigenetics provides ample opportunities to dissect the role of epigenetic variation in trait regulation, which can be eventually utilized in crop improvement programs. Moreover, locus-specific manipulation of DNA methylation by epigenome-editing tools such as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) can potentially facilitate epigenetic based molecular breeding of important crop plants.
Efforts of Indigenous Knowledge in Forest and Wildlife Conservation: A Case Study on Bulang People in Mangba Village in Yunnan Province, China
Authors: Su Kaiwen , Ren Jie , Qin Yueting , Hou Yilei , Wen Yali
Published: November 2020

In rural areas, indigenous knowledge plays an important role in the protection of forests and wildlife, but the rapid developments occurring in the society and economy impose several challenges to the continued role of indigenous knowledge. This study records how a Bulang village in the Yunnan Province of China uses indigenous knowledge to protect forests and wildlife and analyzes the underlying reasons. In this study, we found that even without specific punishment measures, local people effectively controlled the use of natural resources through moral constraints, public-opinion constraints, and worship rituals. Furthermore, they formed a forest- and wildlife-protection system with banyan trees and the Derbyan Parakeet at the core. This protection system is based on primitive nature worship and indigenous knowledge passed down orally from generation to generation. Such knowledge inheritance reflects the relationship between local people and nature. However, the lack of scientific guidance regarding ecological protection may lead to the destruction of the ecosystem. One such instance is illustrated using birdwatching tourism, for which the Bulang people are attracting birds by artificial feeding. This practice, while prescribed by indigenous knowledge, deviates from scientific knowledge on ecological protection. Therefore, we propose that there should be an intermeshing of indigenous and scientific knowledge to ensure the inheritance of and innovation in the former and effective biodiversity protection.
Estimates of Tree Canopy Closure and Basal Area as Proxies for Tree Crown Volume at a Stand Scale
Authors: Brūmelis Guntis , Dauškane Iluta , Elferts Didzis , Strode Linda , Krama Tatjana , Krams Indrikis
Published: November 2020

Research Highlights: Studies on tree canopy dwelling species often require simple proxies of tree canopy volume estimated at a stand level. These include allometrically related tree crown parameters such as crown area and basal area, and canopy cover. Background and Objectives: In monoculture Scot’s pine and mixed pine/Norway spruce forest, we aimed to test the relationships between tree diameter at breast height (DBH) and tree crown volume at a tree level and between densitometer canopy closure estimates and tree crown volume at a stand level. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out in eastern Latvia (hemiboreal zone) in monoculture pine and mixed coniferous stands. On a subset of trees in 22 forest stands (88 100 m2 plots), we determined the best regression model that described the relationship between tree DBH and crown volume for spruce and pine. Tree crown volume at a stand level was determined from the individual tree volume estimates calculated from these regression models. On a stand level, we also calculated regression models for densitometer closure estimates versus total crown volume for pine and mixed stands. Results: Linear mixed effects models showed significant relationships between DBH and crown volume for pine (R2 = 0.63) and spruce (R2 = 0.40), indicating that basal area could be used as a predictor of crown volume at a stand level. Variance explained by a regression model of canopy closure versus tree crown volume at a stand level was R2 = 0.52. Conclusions: Tree basal area and crown closure can be used as proxies of tree crown volume at a stand scale in monoculture stands. In mixed stands estimates of crown volume based on basal area need to be calculated separately for each tree species, while canopy closure will provide an estimate of total crown volume.
Pinus spp. Somatic Embryo Conversion under High Temperature: Effect on the Morphological and Physiological Characteristics of Plantlets
Authors: Nascimento Antonia Maiara Marques do , Barroso Priscila Alves , Nascimento Naysa Flavia Ferreira do , Goicoa Tomás , Ugarte María Dolores , Montalbán Itziar Aurora , Moncaleán Paloma
Published: November 2020

Climatic variations in the current environmental scenario require plants with tolerance to sudden changes in temperature and a decrease in water availability. Accordingly, this tolerance will enable successful plantations and the maintenance of natural and planted forests. Consequently, in the last two decades, drought tolerance and high temperatures in conifers have been an important target for morphological, physiological, and epigenetic studies. Based on this, our research team has optimized different stages of somatic embryogenesis (SE) in Pinus spp. improving the success of the process. Through this method, we can obtain a large amount of clonal material and then analyze the somatic plants under different conditions ex vitro. The analysis of the morphological and physiological parameters in somatic embryos (ses) and plants with different tolerances to abiotic stress can provide us with valuable information about the mechanisms used by plants to survive under adverse environmental conditions. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of high temperatures (23, 40, 50, and 60 °C, after 12 weeks, 90, 30, 5 min, respectively) on the morphology of somatic embryos obtained from Pinus radiata D.Don (Radiata pine) and Pinus halepensis Mill. (Aleppo pine). In addition, we carried out a physiological evaluation of the somatic plants of P. radiata submitted to heat and water stress in a greenhouse. We observed that the number of somatic embryos was not affected by maturation temperatures in both species. Likewise, P. radiata plants obtained from these somatic embryos survived drought and heat stress in the greenhouse. In addition, plants originating from embryonal masses (EMs) subjected to high maturation temperature (40 and 60 °C) had a significant increase in gs and E. Therefore, it is possible to modulate the characteristics of somatic plants produced by the manipulation of environmental conditions during the process of SE.
A Probabilistic VDTN Routing Scheme Based on Hybrid Swarm-Based Approach
Authors: Azzoug Youcef , Boukra Abdelmadjid , Soares Vasco N. G. J.
Published: November 2020

The probabilistic Delay Tolerant Network (DTN) routing has been adjusted for vehicular network (VANET) routing through numerous works exploiting the historic routing profile of nodes to forward bundles through better Store-Carry-and-Forward (SCF) relay nodes. In this paper, we propose a new hybrid swarm-inspired probabilistic Vehicular DTN (VDTN) router to optimize the next-SCF vehicle selection using the combination of two bio-metaheuristic techniques called the Firefly Algorithm (FA) and the Glowworm Swarm Optimization (GSO). The FA-based strategy exploits the stochastic intelligence of fireflies in moving toward better individuals, while the GSO-based strategy mimics the movement of glowworm towards better area for displacing and food foraging. Both FA and GSO are executed simultaneously on each node to track better SCF vehicles towards each bundle’s destination. A geography-based recovery method is performed in case no better SCF vehicles are found using the hybrid FA–GSO approach. The proposed FA–GSO VDTN scheme is compared to ProPHET and GeoSpray routers. The simulation results indicated optimized bundles flooding levels and higher profitability of combined delivery delay and delivery probability.
Fractional Diffusion to a Cantor Set in 2D
Authors: Iomin Alexander , Sandev Trifce
Published: November 2020

A random walk on a two dimensional square in R2 space with a hidden absorbing fractal set Fμ is considered. This search-like problem is treated in the framework of a diffusion–reaction equation, when an absorbing term is included inside a Fokker–Planck equation as a reaction term. This macroscopic approach for the 2D transport in the R2 space corresponds to the comb geometry, when the random walk consists of 1D movements in the x and y directions, respectively, as a direct-Cartesian product of the 1D movements. The main value in task is the first arrival time distribution (FATD) to sink points of the fractal set, where travelling particles are absorbed. Analytical expression for the FATD is obtained in the subdiffusive regime for both the fractal set of sinks and for a single sink.