bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prenatal Psychosocial Profile: Validity and Reliability Study to Its Use in Turkey
Authors: GÜNAYDIN Sevil , ZENGİN Neriman
Published: November 2021

Objective: This study was planned to test the statistical properties of the prenatal psychosocial profile assessment tool in Turkish sample and to examine its validity and reliability on healthy pregnant women.

Methods: This reliability and validity study was conducted in the gynecology and obstetrics outpatient clinic of a training and research hospital with 440 healthy pregnant women between March and June 2017.

Results: In the analysis performed for internal consistency in the Prenatal Psychosocial Profile (PPP) reliability study, Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient was found to be μ=.75 for the stress subscale, μ = .94 for the social support-partner subscale, μ = .96 for the social support-other people subscale, and μ= .80 for the self-esteem subscale. In the construct validity of the PPP-stress subscale, loads of all items except one item were found to be sufficient, and in the social support-partner, social support-other people, and self-esteem subscales, loads of all items were found to be sufficient.

Conclusion: The Prenatal Psychosocial Profile-Turkish Version is a valid and reliable assessment tool that can be used to determine the psychosocial profile of women during pregnancy.
AS TECNOLOGIAS DE INFORMAÇÃO E COMUNICAÇÃO NA FORMAÇÃO DOCENTE EM GEOGRAFIA NO PARFOR
Authors: Lima Tiago , Mendes Tiago
Published: November 2021

O presente artigo possui como objetivo geral entender como as Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação (TIC’s) estão presentes no processo de formação de professores no Programa Nacional de Formação de Professores da Educação Básica (Parfor), voltadas ao curso de Licenciatura em Geografia. A pesquisa é de cunho qualitativo e abordagem descritiva. Como resultado notou-se que a tecnologia mesmo sendo importante, como uma aliada no processo de ensino-aprendizagem, ainda não está firmada de forma sólida na Universidade Estadual do Piauí – UESPI, carecendo de inovações de forma a melhorar esse processo. Nesse sentido, a construção de um olhar crítico, por meio do uso das TIC’s, para o ensino geográfico contemporâneo, permitirá aos discentes e educadores construir uma geografia cada vez mais pautada em entender esse ciclo de interação entre o homem e o meio.
DICOTOMIA ENTRE CAPITALISMO E MEIO AMBIENTE: A INSUSTENTABILIDADE DA SUSTENTABILIDADE
Authors: Santos Felipe , Rodrigues Jovenildo
Published: November 2021

Com o crescimento da sociedade de consumo, o ritmo das atividades econômicas tornou-se muito mais intenso, o que fez crescer, de modo indiscriminado, a interferência do ser humano sobre a natureza. Para muitos estudiosos, o modelo de desenvolvimento capitalista, baseado em inovações tecnológicas, na busca do lucro e do aumento dos níveis de consumo, precisa ser substituído por outro, que leve em consideração os limites suportáveis da natureza e da própria vida. Objetivou-se, neste artigo, compreender a discussão da geografia para o entendimento da dicotomia entre o desenvolvimento produtivo capitalista e a sustentabilidade. A metodologia deste trabalho está baseada em análise de textos de geógrafos que trabalham o processo de industrialização e as premissas da sustentabilidade. As conclusões derivadas dessa análise teórica demonstraram que a sustentabilidade é inviável no sistema capitalista de produção, que segrega, dilapida e diminui a qualidade de vida de grande parte da população e dos recursos naturais existentes em nosso planeta.
EDUCAÇÃO AMBIENTAL NO ENSINO DE GEOGRAFIA: VIVÊNCIAS NAS ESCOLAS RURAIS DO MUNICÍPIO DE FRUTAL (MG)
Authors: Souza Andreza
Published: November 2021

Almejamos apresentar neste artigo algumas considerações sobre a educação ambiental no ensino de Geografia, ressaltando o caso de três escolas rurais no município de Frutal (MG). Reafirmamos a relevância do saber geográfico para uma leitura de mundo despertadora da sensibilidade dos mais jovens, para a problemática ambiental. Para tanto foram realizadas entrevistas em três escolas rurais; dialogamos com os alunos, professoras, diretoras e moradores das comunidades. As problemáticas ambientais e sociais nem sempre estão presentes nos projetos desenvolvidos com as crianças e jovens. Isso evidencia a vigência de atividades fundamentadas na proposta política pedagógica pragmática que se distanciam do ideal crítico. Reconhecemos o avanço em relação à ocorrência de discussões, de trabalhos de campo e de questionamentos importantes realizados ao longo de ano letivo.
Going Up Inflame: Reviewing the Underexplored Role of Inflammatory Programming in Stress-Induced Intrauterine Growth Restricted Livestock
Authors: Hicks Zena M. , Yates Dustin T.
Published: November 2021

The impact of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) on health in humans is well-recognized. It is the second leading cause of perinatal mortality worldwide, and it is associated with deficits in metabolism and muscle growth that increase lifelong risk for hypertension, obesity, hyperlipidemia, and type 2 diabetes. Comparatively, the barrier that IUGR imposes on livestock production is less recognized by the industry. Meat animals born with low birthweight due to IUGR are beset with greater early death loss, inefficient growth, and reduced carcass merit. These animals exhibit poor feed-to-gain ratios, less lean mass, and greater fat deposition, which increase production costs and decrease value. Ultimately, this reduces the amount of meat produced by each animal and threatens the economic sustainability of livestock industries. Intrauterine growth restriction is most commonly the result of fetal programming responses to placental insufficiency, but the exact mechanisms by which this occurs are not well-understood. In uncompromised pregnancies, inflammatory cytokines are produced at modest rates by placental and fetal tissues and play an important role in fetal development. However, unfavorable intrauterine conditions can cause cytokine activity to be excessive during critical windows of fetal development. Our recent evidence indicates that this impacts developmental programming of muscle growth and metabolism and contributes to the IUGR phenotype. In this review, we outline the role of inflammatory cytokine activity in the development of normal and IUGR phenotypes. We also highlight the contributions of sheep and other animal models in identifying mechanisms for IUGR pathologies.
Efficient Cross-Correlation Filtering of One- and Two-Color Single Molecule Localization Microscopy Data
Authors: Mancebo Angel , Mehra Dushyant , Banerjee Chiranjib , Kim Do-Hyung , Puchner Elias M.
Published: November 2021

Single molecule localization microscopy has become a prominent technique to quantitatively study biological processes below the optical diffraction limit. By fitting the intensity profile of single sparsely activated fluorophores, which are often attached to a specific biomolecule within a cell, the locations of all imaged fluorophores are obtained with ∼20 nm resolution in the form of a coordinate table. While rendered super-resolution images reveal structural features of intracellular structures below the optical diffraction limit, the ability to further analyze the molecular coordinates presents opportunities to gain additional quantitative insights into the spatial distribution of a biomolecule of interest. For instance, pair-correlation or radial distribution functions are employed as a measure of clustering, and cross-correlation analysis reveals the colocalization of two biomolecules in two-color SMLM data. Here, we present an efficient filtering method for SMLM data sets based on pair- or cross-correlation to isolate localizations that are clustered or appear in proximity to a second set of localizations in two-color SMLM data. In this way, clustered or colocalized localizations can be separately rendered and analyzed to compare other molecular properties to the remaining localizations, such as their oligomeric state or mobility in live cell experiments. Current matrix-based cross-correlation analyses of large data sets quickly reach the limitations of computer memory due to the space complexity of constructing the distance matrices. Our approach leverages k-dimensional trees to efficiently perform range searches, which dramatically reduces memory needs and the time for the analysis. We demonstrate the versatile applications of this method with simulated data sets as well as examples of two-color SMLM data. The provided MATLAB code and its description can be integrated into existing localization analysis packages and provides a useful resource to analyze SMLM data with new detail.
The Effect of Hypoxic and Normoxic Culturing Conditions in Different Breast Cancer 3D Model Systems
Authors: Svanström Andreas , Rosendahl Jennifer , Salerno Simona , Jonasson Emma , Håkansson Joakim , Ståhlberg Anders , Landberg Göran
Published: November 2021

The field of 3D cell cultures is currently emerging, and material development is essential in striving toward mimicking the microenvironment of a native tissue. By using the response of reporter cells to a 3D environment, a comparison between materials can be assessed, allowing optimization of material composition and microenvironment. Of particular interest, the response can be different in a normoxic and hypoxic culturing conditions, which in turn may alter the conclusion regarding a successful recreation of the microenvironment. This study aimed at determining the role of such environments to the conclusion of a better resembling cell culture model to native tissue. Here, the breast cancer cell line MCF7 was cultured in normoxic and hypoxic conditions on patient-derived scaffolds and compared at mRNA and protein levels to cells cultured on 3D printed scaffolds, Matrigel, and conventional 2D plastics. Specifically, a wide range of mRNA targets (40), identified as being regulated upon hypoxia and traditional markers for cell traits (cancer stem cells, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, pluripotency, proliferation, and differentiation), were used together with a selection of corresponding protein targets. 3D cultured cells were vastly different to 2D cultured cells in gene expression and protein levels on the majority of the selected targets in both normoxic and hypoxic culturing conditions. By comparing Matrigel and 3DPS-cultured cells to cells cultured on patient-derived scffolds, differences were also noted along all categories of mRNA targets while specifically for the GLUT3 protein. Overall, cells cultured on patient-derived scaffolds closely resembled cells cultured on 3D printed scaffolds, contrasting 2D and Matrigel-cultured cells, regardless of a normoxic or hypoxic culturing condition. Thus, these data support the use of either a normoxic or hypoxic culturing condition in assays using native tissues as a blueprint to optimize material composition.
A Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Extracellular Vesicles Associated With Lipotoxicity
Authors: Nakao Yasuhiko , Fukushima Masanori , Mauer Amy S. , Liao Chieh-Yu , Ferris Anya , Dasgupta Debanjali , Heppelmann Carrie Jo , Vanderboom Patrick M. , Saraswat Mayank , Pandey Akhilesh , Nair K. Sreekumaran , Allen Alina M. , Nakao Kazuhiko , Malhi Harmeet
Published: November 2021

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging mediators of intercellular communication in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Palmitate, a lipotoxic saturated fatty acid, activates hepatocellular endoplasmic reticulum stress, which has been demonstrated to be important in NASH pathogenesis, including in the release of EVs. We have previously demonstrated that the release of palmitate-stimulated EVs is dependent on the de novo synthesis of ceramide, which is trafficked by the ceramide transport protein, STARD11. The trafficking of ceramide is a critical step in the release of lipotoxic EVs, as cells deficient in STARD11 do not release palmitate-stimulated EVs. Here, we examined the hypothesis that protein cargoes are trafficked to lipotoxic EVs in a ceramide-dependent manner. We performed quantitative proteomic analysis of palmitate-stimulated EVs in control and STARD11 knockout hepatocyte cell lines. Proteomics was performed on EVs isolated by size exclusion chromatography, ultracentrifugation, and density gradient separation, and EV proteins were measured by mass spectrometry. We also performed human EV proteomics from a control and a NASH plasma sample, for comparative analyses with hepatocyte-derived lipotoxic EVs. Size exclusion chromatography yielded most unique EV proteins. Ceramide-dependent lipotoxic EVs contain damage-associated molecular patterns and adhesion molecules. Haptoglobin, vascular non-inflammatory molecule-1, and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein complex acid labile subunit were commonly detected in NASH and hepatocyte-derived ceramide-dependent EVs. Lipotoxic EV proteomics provides novel candidate proteins to investigate in NASH pathogenesis and as diagnostic biomarkers for hepatocyte-derived EVs in NASH patients.
Loss of Profilin3 Impairs Spermiogenesis by Affecting Acrosome Biogenesis, Autophagy, Manchette Development and Mitochondrial Organization
Authors: Umer Naila , Arévalo Lena , Phadke Sharang , Lohanadan Keerthika , Kirfel Gregor , Sons Dominik , Sofia Denise , Witke Walter , Schorle Hubert
Published: November 2021

Profilins (PFNs) are key regulatory proteins for the actin polymerization in cells and are encoded in mouse and humans by four Pfn genes. PFNs are involved in cell mobility, cell growth, neurogenesis, and metastasis of tumor cells. The testes-specific PFN3 is localized in the acroplaxome–manchette complex of developing spermatozoa. We demonstrate that PFN3 further localizes in the Golgi complex and proacrosomal vesicles during spermiogenesis, suggesting a role in vesicle transport for acrosome formation. Using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, we generated mice deficient for Pfn3. Pfn3–/– males are subfertile, displaying a type II globozoospermia. We revealed that Pfn3–/– sperm display abnormal manchette development leading to an amorphous sperm head shape. Additionally, Pfn3–/– sperm showed reduced sperm motility resulting from flagellum deformities. We show that acrosome biogenesis is impaired starting from the Golgi phase, and mature sperm seems to suffer from a cytoplasm removal defect. An RNA-seq analysis revealed an upregulation of Trim27 and downregulation of Atg2a. As a consequence, mTOR was activated and AMPK was suppressed, resulting in the inhibition of autophagy. This dysregulation of AMPK/mTOR affected the autophagic flux, which is hallmarked by LC3B accumulation and increased SQSTM1 protein levels. Autophagy is involved in proacrosomal vesicle fusion and transport to form the acrosome. We conclude that this disruption leads to the observed malformation of the acrosome. TRIM27 is associated with PFN3 as determined by co-immunoprecipitation from testis extracts. Further, actin-related protein ARPM1 was absent in the nuclear fraction of Pfn3–/– testes and sperm. This suggests that lack of PFN3 leads to destabilization of the PFN3–ARPM1 complex, resulting in the degradation of ARPM1. Interestingly, in the Pfn3–/– testes, we detected increased protein levels of essential actin regulatory proteins, cofilin-1 (CFL1), cofilin-2 (CFL2), and actin depolymerizing factor (ADF). Taken together, our results reveal the importance for PFN3 in male fertility and implicate this protein as a candidate for male factor infertility in humans.
Superovulation Does Not Alter Calcium Oscillations Following Fertilization
Authors: Savy Virginia , Stein Paula , Shi Min , Williams Carmen J.
Published: November 2021

Superovulation is a common approach to maximize the number of eggs available for either clinical assisted reproductive technologies or experimental animal studies. This procedure provides supraphysiological amounts of gonadotropins to promote continued growth and maturation of ovarian follicles that otherwise would undergo atresia. There is evidence in mice, cows, sheep, and humans that superovulation has a detrimental impact on the quality of the resulting ovulated eggs or embryos. Here we tested the hypothesis that eggs derived from superovulation have a reduced capacity to support calcium oscillations, which are a critical factor in the success of embryo development. Eggs were obtained from mice that were either naturally cycling or underwent a standard superovulation protocol. The eggs were either parthenogenetically activated using strontium or fertilized in vitro while undergoing monitoring of calcium oscillatory patterns. Following parthenogenetic activation, superovulated eggs had a slightly delayed onset and longer duration of the first calcium transient, but no differences in oscillation persistence, frequency, or total calcium signal. However, in vitro fertilized superovulated eggs had no differences in any of these measures of calcium oscillatory behavior relative to spontaneously ovulated eggs. These findings indicate that although subtle differences in calcium signaling can be detected following parthenogenetic activation, superovulation does not disrupt physiological calcium signaling at fertilization, supporting the use of this method for both clinical and experimental purposes.
Neuroprotection and Axonal Regeneration Induced by Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Depend on the Type of Transplant
Authors: Norte-Muñoz María , Lucas-Ruiz Fernando , Gallego-Ortega Alejandro , García-Bernal David , Valiente-Soriano Francisco J. , de la Villa Pedro , Vidal-Sanz Manuel , Agudo-Barriuso Marta
Published: November 2021

Mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapy to treat neurodegenerative diseases has not been as successful as expected in some preclinical studies. Because preclinical research is so diverse, it is difficult to know whether the therapeutic outcome is due to the cell type, the type of transplant or the model of disease. Our aim here was to analyze the effect of the type of transplant on neuroprotection and axonal regeneration, so we tested MSCs from the same niche in the same model of neurodegeneration in the three transplantation settings: xenogeneic, syngeneic and allogeneic. For this, bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) isolated from healthy human volunteers or C57/BL6 mice were injected into the vitreous body of C57/BL6 mice (xenograft and syngraft) or BALB/c mice (allograft) right after optic nerve axotomy. As controls, vehicle matched groups were done. Retinal anatomy and function were analyzed in vivo by optical coherence tomography and electroretinogram, respectively. Survival of vision forming (Brn3a+) and non-vision forming (melanopsin+) retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) was assessed at 3, 5 and 90 days after the lesion. Regenerative axons were visualized by cholera toxin β anterograde transport. Our data show that grafted BM-MSCs did not integrate in the retina but formed a mesh on top of the ganglion cell layer. The xenotransplant caused retinal edema, detachment and folding, and a significant decrease of functionality compared to the murine transplants. RGC survival and axonal regeneration were significantly higher in the syngrafted retinas than in the other two groups or vehicle controls. Melanopsin+RGCs, but not Brn3a+RGCs, were also neuroprotected by the xenograft. In conclusion, the type of transplant has an impact on the therapeutic effect of BM-MSCs affecting not only neuronal survival but also the host tissue response. Our data indicate that syngrafts may be more beneficial than allografts and, interestingly, that the type of neuron that is rescued also plays a significant role in the successfulness of the cell therapy.
Migration of Excitation Energy in Furocoumarins
Authors: Tchaikovskaya O.N. , Dmitrieva N.G. , Bocharnikova E.N. , Chaidonova V.S. , Avramov P.V.
Published: November 2021

The migration of excitation energy of a number of psoralen compounds has been studied. For this, the methods of induced absorption spectroscopy, stationary electron spectroscopy, fluorescence and phosphorescence, as well as quantum chemistry were used. A comparative photostability of psoralen was achieved by exposure to a XeCl excilamp irradiation (emission wavelength λem = 308 nm) with parameters Δλ = 5–10 nm, Wpeak = 18 mW/cm2, p = 8.1 J/cm3, f = 200 kHz, pulse duration 1 μs. It was found that the singlet-triplet transition played a major role in the migration of excitation energy into triplet states. Among all tested compounds, substances with an OCH3-group in the structure have the strongest effect on the spectral-luminescent characteristics.
Sesquiterpenes From Oplopanax elatus Stems and Their Anti-Photoaging Effects by Down-Regulating Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 Expression via Anti-Inflammation
Authors: Yan Jiejing , Hao Mimi , Han Yu , Ruan Jingya , Zheng Dandan , Sun Fan , Cao Huina , Hao Jia , Zhang Yi , Wang Tao
Published: November 2021

In the process of continuing to investigate ultraviolet b (UVB) irradiation protective constituents from Oplopanax elatus stems, nine new sesquiterpenes, named as eurylosesquiterpenosides A–D (1–4), eurylosesquiterpenols E–I (5–9), and ten known ones (10–19) were gained. Their structures were established by analysis of their NMR spectroscopic data, and electronic circular dichroism calculations were applied to define their absolute configurations. In addition, UVB induced HaCaT cells were used to study their anti-photoaging activities and mechanism. The results consolidated that compounds 7, 11, and 14 could improve the survival rate of HaCaT cells in concentration dependent manner at 10, 25, and 50 μM. Furthermore, western blot assay suggested that all of them could inhibit the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), and increase the level of type I collagen markedly. Compounds 11 and 14 could reduce the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and p38, respectively. Besides, compounds 7, 11, and 14 could significantly down-regulate the expression of inflammation related protein, such as tumor necrosis factor-α and cyclooxygenase-2, which indicated that they played anti-photoaging activities by reducing MMP-1 expression via down-regulating the production of inflammatory mediators and cytokines in UVB-induced HaCaT cells.
Siberian Ecosystems as Drivers of Cryospheric Climate Feedbacks in the Terrestrial Arctic
Authors: Loranty Michael M. , Alexander Heather D. , Kropp Heather , Talucci Anna C. , Webb Elizabeth E.
Published: November 2021

Climate warming is altering the persistence, timing, and distribution of permafrost and snow cover across the terrestrial northern hemisphere. These cryospheric changes have numerous consequences, not least of which are positive climate feedbacks associated with lowered albedo related to declining snow cover, and greenhouse gas emissions from permafrost thaw. Given the large land areas affected, these feedbacks have the potential to impact climate on a global scale. Understanding the magnitudes and rates of changes in permafrost and snow cover is therefore integral for process understanding and quantification of climate change. However, while permafrost and snow cover are largely controlled by climate, their distributions and climate impacts are influenced by numerous interrelated ecosystem processes that also respond to climate and are highly heterogeneous in space and time. In this perspective we highlight ongoing and emerging changes in ecosystem processes that mediate how permafrost and snow cover interact with climate. We focus on larch forests in northeastern Siberia, which are expansive, ecologically unique, and studied less than other Arctic and subarctic regions. Emerging fire regime changes coupled with high ground ice have the potential to foster rapid regional changes in vegetation and permafrost thaw, with important climate feedback implications.
Multimodal Gestalts and Their Change Over Time: Is Routinization Also Grammaticalization?
Authors: Stukenbrock Anja
Published: November 2021

Recently, the claim was put forward that grammar emerges from embodied conduct. This has led to a discussion in multimodal conversation analysis and interactional linguistics whether the routinization of embodied actions can be described in terms of grammar and grammaticalization. While particular items such as exophoric demonstratives and gestures are routinely delivered as multimodal constructions, i.e., as part of grammar, it is debatable whether this also holds for other candidates: e.g., loose couplings of verbal and embodied conduct, locally routinized, or ephemeral gestalts that do not endure beyond the context of their use. My paper contributes to this discussion by proposing a distinction between two kinds of multimodal gestalts: socially sedimented multimodal gestalts (multimodal constructions), and locally assembled, ephemeral multimodal gestalts. To this end, I examine sedimented couplings of demonstratives and embodied practices in instructions, and the change of a locally assembled format over time. The data are in German and come from 12 h of video-recordings of self-defense trainings for young women. In the course of the participants’ interactional history, the multimodal format of the participants’ actions changes. The changes concern formal and functional aspects of the resources used to accomplish those actions, their multimodal orchestration, and the temporality of their delivery. The paper makes four claims: 1. In their primordial use in co-present interaction, demonstratives are coupled with embodied practices and request addressees’ attention to the speaker’s body, i.e., they are tightly and intercorporeally coupled with the embodied conduct of the participants; 2. gesturally used demonstratives are socially sedimented multimodal gestalts, i.e., multimodal constructions; 3. multimodal gestalts may be subject to transformations in the course of multiple repetitions; 4. in my data, the transformations lead to the emergence of a new, reduced format, which, while being locally routinized, is neither grammatical nor grammaticalized.
The ‘Rocket Framework’: A Novel Framework to Define Key Performance Indicators for Nature-based Solutions Against Shallow Landslides and Erosion
Authors: Gonzalez-Ollauri Alejandro , Munro Karen , Mickovski Slobodan B. , Thomson Craig S. , Emmanuel Rohinton
Published: November 2021

The idea of nature providing solutions to societal challenges is relatively easy to understand by the layperson. Nature-based solutions (NBS) against landslides and erosion mostly comprise plant-based interventions in which the reinforcement of slopes provided by vegetation plays a crucial role in natural hazard prevention and mitigation, and in the provision of multiple socio-ecological benefits. However, the full potential of NBS against landslides and erosion is not realised yet because a strong evidence base on their multi-functional performance is lacking, hindering the operational rigour of NBS practice and science. This knowledge gap can be addressed through the definition of repositories of key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics, which should stem from holistic frameworks facilitating the multi-functional assessment of NBS. Herein, we propose the ‘rocket framework’ to promote the uptake of NBS against landslides and erosion through the provision of a comprehensive set of indicators which, through their appropriate selection and measurement, can contribute to build a robust evidence base on NBS performance. The ‘rocket framework’ is holistic, reproducible, dynamic, versatile, and flexible in helping define metrics for NBS actions against landslides and erosion along the NBS project timeline. The framework, resultant from an iterative research approach applied in a real-world environment, follows a hierarchical approach to deal with multiple scales and environmental contexts, and to integrate environmental, eco-engineering, and socio-ecological domains, thus establishing a balance between monitoring the engineering performance of NBS actions against landslides and erosion, and the wider provision of ecosystem functions and services. Using a case study, and following the principles of credibility, salience, legitimacy, and feasibility, we illustrate herein how the ‘rocket framework’ can be effectively employed to define a repository with over 40 performance indicators for monitoring NBS against landslides and erosion, and with over 60 metrics for establishing the context and baseline upon which the NBS are built and encourage their reproduction and upscaling.
An Object-Oriented Approach for the Recursive Numeration and Visualization of the Key Strata of Coal Mines
Authors: Xu Chun , Zhou Keping , Xiong Xin , Lu Yan
Published: November 2021

The exploitation and utilization of coal resources have caused serious ecological and environmental problems that are closely related to the movement and destruction of the overlying strata, especially the activities of the overlying key strata (KS). The existing KS calculation methods are characterized by low efficiency and high costs. This study proposes an object-oriented improved recursive algorithm (OORA) model to achieve efficient calculations for KS. An application program was developed and tested with the KS of the Xiadian coal mine, Shanxi, China. The calculation results were basically consistent with field observations, and the calculation depth was increased by 146.05 m. In addition, five typical KS calculation cases were selected for in-depth testing. The calculation time ranged from 0.175–0.225 s, and the calculation time was shortened by approximately three times compared to that with traditional methods. Therefore, it is feasible to apply the model algorithm for KS calculations, and the model provides benefits such as high efficiency and low costs.
Molecular Mechanisms of Nutrient-Mediated Regulation of MicroRNAs in Pancreatic β-cells
Authors: Sałówka Anna , Martinez-Sanchez Aida
Published: November 2021

Pancreatic β-cells within the islets of Langerhans respond to rising blood glucose levels by secreting insulin that stimulates glucose uptake by peripheral tissues to maintain whole body energy homeostasis. To different extents, failure of β-cell function and/or β-cell loss contribute to the development of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Chronically elevated glycaemia and high circulating free fatty acids, as often seen in obese diabetics, accelerate β-cell failure and the development of the disease. MiRNAs are essential for endocrine development and for mature pancreatic β-cell function and are dysregulated in diabetes. In this review, we summarize the different molecular mechanisms that control miRNA expression and function, including transcription, stability, posttranscriptional modifications, and interaction with RNA binding proteins and other non-coding RNAs. We also discuss which of these mechanisms are responsible for the nutrient-mediated regulation of the activity of β-cell miRNAs and identify some of the more important knowledge gaps in the field.
Local Electricity Markets for Electric Vehicles: An Application Study Using a Decentralized Iterative Approach
Authors: Faia Ricardo , Soares João , Fotouhi Ghazvini Mohammad Ali , Franco John F. , Vale Zita
Published: November 2021

Local electricity markets are emerging solutions to enable local energy trade for the end users and provide grid support services when required. Various models of local electricity markets (LEMs) have been proposed in the literature. The peer-to-peer market model appears as a promising structure among the proposed models. The peer-to-peer market structure enables electricity transactions between the players in a local energy system at a lower cost. It promotes the production from the small low–carbon generation technologies. Energy communities can be the ideal place to implement local electricity markets as they are designed to allow for larger growth of renewable energy and electric vehicles, while benefiting from local transactions. In this context, a LEM model is proposed considering an energy community with high penetration of electric vehicles in which prosumer-to-vehicle (P2V) transactions are possible. Each member of the energy community can buy electricity from the retailer or other members and sell electricity. The problem is modeled as a mixed-integer linear programing (MILP) formulation and solved within a decentralized and iterative process. The decentralized implementation provides acceptable solutions with a reasonable execution time, while the centralized implementation usually gives an optimal solution at the expense of reduced scalability. Preliminary results indicate that there are advantages for EVs as participants of the LEM, and the proposed implementation ensures an optimal solution in an acceptable execution time. Moreover, P2V transactions benefit the local distribution grid and the energy community.
Potential Analysis and Optimization of Combined Cooling, Heating, and Power (CCHP) Systems for Eco-Campus Design Based on Comprehensive Performance Assessment
Authors: Liu Zhonghui , Gao Weijun , Qian Fanyue , Zhang Liting , Kuroki Soichiro
Published: November 2021

At present, countries all around the world have implemented energy-saving and emission reduction measures to achieve carbon neutralization. The combined cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) system is a high-efficiency energy system that can promote energy-saving and decrease carbon emissions. The choices of installed capacity and operation strategies impacts the economy, energy-saving, and environmental protection of combined cooling, heating, and power systems. The aim of this study was to determine the potential and comprehensive benefits of combined cooling, heating, and power systems based on the comprehensive performance assessment. In this study, a comprehensive performance index (CPI) method was presented to optimize the configurations and operation strategies of combined cooling, heating, and power systems in a Japan eco-campus, based on historically monitored data. According to the influencing factors of the combined cooling, heating, and power system in comprehensive performance index evaluation, the adaptability and development potential of economy, energy saving, and CO2 emission reduction were evaluated to consider future renovation of energy systems. In this study, we adopted a seasonal time-of-use (STOU) electricity price to evaluate the economic performance of combined cooling, heating, and power systems and compared them to the time-of-use (TOU) electricity price. The results indicated that the seasonal time-of-use electricity price was more economic in regions that had high cooling demand in summer. By comparing the CO2 emission coefficient of electricity in different regions in Japan, we could estimate that more than 40% of the cleaner energy ratio was positive. The results obtained can provide suggestions for the future development of combined cooling, heating, and power systems.
Pre-Earthquake Ionospheric Perturbation Identification Using CSES Data via Transfer Learning
Authors: Xiong Pan , Long Cheng , Zhou Huiyu , Battiston Roberto , De Santis Angelo , Ouzounov Dimitar , Zhang Xuemin , Shen Xuhui
Published: November 2021

During the lithospheric buildup to an earthquake, complex physical changes occur within the earthquake hypocenter. Data pertaining to the changes in the ionosphere may be obtained by satellites, and the analysis of data anomalies can help identify earthquake precursors. In this paper, we present a deep-learning model, SeqNetQuake, that uses data from the first China Seismo-Electromagnetic Satellite (CSES) to identify ionospheric perturbations prior to earthquakes. SeqNetQuake achieves the best performance [F-measure (F1) = 0.6792 and Matthews correlation coefficient (MCC) = 0.427] when directly trained on the CSES dataset with a spatial window centered on the earthquake epicenter with the Dobrovolsky radius and an input sequence length of 20 consecutive observations during night time. We further explore a transferring learning approach, which initially trains the model with the larger Electro-Magnetic Emissions Transmitted from the Earthquake Regions (DEMETER) dataset, and then tunes the model with the CSES dataset. The transfer-learning performance is substantially higher than that of direct learning, yielding a 12% improvement in the F1 score and a 29% improvement in the MCC value. Moreover, we compare the proposed model SeqNetQuake with other five benchmarking classifiers on an independent test set, which shows that SeqNetQuake demonstrates a 64.2% improvement in MCC and approximately a 24.5% improvement in the F1 score over the second-best convolutional neural network model. SeqNetSquake achieves significant improvement in identifying pre-earthquake ionospheric perturbation and improves the performance of earthquake prediction using the CSES data.
Profiling Tumor Immune Microenvironment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Using Multiplex Immunofluorescence
Authors: Peng Haoxin , Wu Xiangrong , Zhong Ran , Yu Tao , Cai Xiuyu , Liu Jun , Wen Yaokai , Ao Yiyuan , Chen Jiana , Li Yutian , He Miao , Li Caichen , Zheng Hongbo , Chen Yanhui , Pan Zhenkui , He Jianxing , Liang Wenhua
Published: November 2021

This study attempted to profile the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by multiplex immunofluorescence of 681 NSCLC cases. The number, density, and proportion of 26 types of immune cells in tumor nest and tumor stroma were evaluated, revealing some close interactions particularly between intrastromal neutrophils and intratumoral regulatory T cells (Treg) (r2 = 0.439, P < 0.001), intrastromal CD4+CD38+ T cells and CD20-positive B cells (r2 = 0.539, P < 0.001), and intratumoral CD8-positive T cells and M2 macrophages expressing PD-L1 (r2 = 0.339, P < 0.001). Three immune subtypes correlated with distinct immune characteristics were identified using the unsupervised consensus clustering approach. The immune-activated subtype had the longest disease-free survival (DFS) and demonstrated the highest infiltration of CD4-positive T cells, CD8-positive T cells, and CD20-positive B cells. The immune-defected subtype was rich in cancer stem cells and macrophages, and these patients had the worst prognosis. The immune-exempted subtype had the highest levels of neutrophils and Tregs. Intratumoral CD68-positive macrophages, M1 macrophages, and intrastromal CD4+ cells, CD4+FOXP3- cells, CD8+ cells, and PD-L1+ cells were further found to be the most robust prognostic biomarkers for DFS, which were used to construct and validate the immune-related risk score for risk stratification (high vs. median vs. low) and the prediction of 5-year DFS rates (23.2% vs. 37.9% vs. 43.1%, P < 0.001). In conclusion, the intricate and intrinsic structure of TIME in NSCLC was demonstrated, showing potency in subtyping and prognostication.
Host Genotype and Tissue Type Determine DWV Infection Intensity
Authors: Penn Hannah J. , Simone-Finstrom Michael , Lang Sarah , Chen Judy , Healy Kristen
Published: November 2021

Varroa mite-vectored viruses such as Deformed wing virus (DWV) are of great concern for honey bee health as they can cause disease in individuals and increase colony mortality. Two genotypes of DWV (A and B) are prevalent in the United States and may have differential virulence and pathogenicity. Honey bee genetic stocks bred to resist Varroa mites also exhibit differential infection responses to the Varroa mite-vectored viruses. The goal of this project was to determine if interactions between host genotype could influence the overall infection levels and dissemination of DWV within honey bees. To do this, we injected DWV isolated from symptomatic adult bees into mite-free, newly emerged adult bees from five genetic stocks with varying levels of resistance to Varroa mites. We measured DWV-A and DWV-B dissemination among tissues chosen based on relevance to general health outcomes for 10 days. Injury from sham injections did not increase DWV-A levels but did increase DWV-B infections. DWV injection increased both DWV-A and DWV-B levels over time with significant host stock interactions. While we did not observe any differences in viral dissemination among host stocks, we found differences in virus genotype dissemination to different body parts. DWV-A exhibited the highest initial levels in heads and legs while the highest initial levels of DWV-B were found in heads and abdomens. These interactions underscore the need to evaluate viral genotype and tissue specificity in conjunction with host genotype, particularly when the host has been selected for traits relative to virus-vector and virus resistance.
Refractive Error and Eye Health: An Umbrella Review of Meta-Analyses
Authors: Wang Yin-hao , Huang Chen , Tseng Yu-lin , Zhong Jing , Li Xue-min
Published: November 2021

Purpose: To explore the associations between refractive errors and multiple eye health outcomes.

Methods: This is an umbrella review based on systematic reviews with meta-analyses. In our study, refractive errors included myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and anisometropia. We reconducted the meta-analyses whose primary data were available in sufficient detail by random effect model. Heterogeneity was assessed by I2. The main outcomes included myopic macular degeneration (MMD), retinal detachment (RD), cataract, open-angle glaucoma (OAG), strabismus, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and diabetic retinopathy (DR).

Results: Myopia was associated with increased risk of MMD (relative risk = 102.11, 95% CI 52.6–198.22), RD (3.45, 1.08–11.00), nuclear cataract (2.15, 1.53–3.03), posterior subcapsular (PSC) cataract (1.74, 1.41–2.15), OAG (1.95, 1.74–2.19), exotropia (5.23, 2.26–12.09), but decreased risk of DR (0.83, 0.66–1.04), and early AMD (0.80, 0.67–0.94). From mild-to-high myopia, the association strengthened for MMD, RD, nuclear cataract, PSC cataract, OAG, and DR. Hyperopia was associated with an increased risk of early AMD (1.09, 1.01–1.18) and esotropia (22.94, 10.20–51.62). Astigmatism and anisometropia were associated with increased risk of both exotropia and esotropia.

Conclusions: Myopia, especially high myopia, demonstrated the highest risk for eye health outcomes, such as MMD, RD, OAG, nuclear and PSC cataracts, and exotropia. However, myopia was associated with a lower risk of early AMD and DR. Individuals with hyperopia are more likely to suffer early AMD and esotropia. Astigmatism and anisometropia predispose to strabismus. A lot of research studies on the mechanism of the associations are needed.

Systematic Review Registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=239744; identifier: 239744
Focused Ultrasound Mediated Opening of the Blood-Brain Barrier for Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Fishman Paul S. , Fischell Jonathan M.
Published: November 2021

The blood brain barrier (BBB) is an obstacle for the delivery of potential molecular therapies for neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Although there has been a proliferation of potential disease modifying therapies for these progressive conditions, strategies to deliver these large agents remain limited. High intensity MRI guided focused ultrasound has already been FDA approved to lesion brain targets to treat movement disorders, while lower intensity pulsed ultrasound coupled with microbubbles commonly used as contrast agents can create transient safe opening of the BBB. Pre-clinical studies have successfully delivered growth factors, antibodies, genes, viral vectors, and nanoparticles in rodent models of AD and PD. Recent small clinical trials support the safety and feasibility of this strategy in these vulnerable patients. Further study is needed to establish safety as MRI guided BBB opening is used to enhance the delivery of newly developed molecular therapies.
Early Stopping in Experimentation With Real-Time Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Using a Modified Sequential Probability Ratio Test
Authors: Carr Sarah J. A. , Chen Weicong , Fondran Jeremy , Friel Harry , Sanchez-Gonzalez Javier , Zhang Jing , Tatsuoka Curtis
Published: November 2021

Introduction: Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) often involves long scanning durations to ensure the associated brain activity can be detected. However, excessive experimentation can lead to many undesirable effects, such as from learning and/or fatigue effects, discomfort for the subject, excessive motion artifacts and loss of sustained attention on task. Overly long experimentation can thus have a detrimental effect on signal quality and accurate voxel activation detection. Here, we propose dynamic experimentation with real-time fMRI using a novel statistically driven approach that invokes early stopping when sufficient statistical evidence for assessing the task-related activation is observed.

Methods: Voxel-level sequential probability ratio test (SPRT) statistics based on general linear models (GLMs) were implemented on fMRI scans of a mathematical 1-back task from 12 healthy teenage subjects and 11 teenage subjects born extremely preterm (EPT). This approach is based on likelihood ratios and allows for systematic early stopping based on target statistical error thresholds. We adopt a two-stage estimation approach that allows for accurate estimates of GLM parameters before stopping is considered. Early stopping performance is reported for different first stage lengths, and activation results are compared with full durations. Finally, group comparisons are conducted with both early stopped and full duration scan data. Numerical parallelization was employed to facilitate completion of computations involving a new scan within every repetition time (TR).

Results: Use of SPRT demonstrates the feasibility and efficiency gains of automated early stopping, with comparable activation detection as with full protocols. Dynamic stopping of stimulus administration was achieved in around half of subjects, with typical time savings of up to 33% (4 min on a 12 min scan). A group analysis produced similar patterns of activity for control subjects between early stopping and full duration scans. The EPT group, individually, demonstrated more variability in location and extent of the activations compared to the normal term control group. This was apparent in the EPT group results, reflected by fewer and smaller clusters.

Conclusion: A systematic statistical approach for early stopping with real-time fMRI experimentation has been implemented. This dynamic approach has promise for reducing subject burden and fatigue effects.
Comprehensive Analysis of m6A RNA Methylation Regulators in the Prognosis and Immune Microenvironment of Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Liu Rui , Shen Ying , Hu Jinsong , Wang Xiaman , Wu Dong , Zhai Meng , Bai Ju , He Aili
Published: November 2021

Background

N6-methyladenosine is the most abundant RNA modification, which plays a prominent role in various biology processes, including tumorigenesis and immune regulation. Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most frequent hematological malignancy.

Materials and Methods

Twenty-two m6A RNA methylation regulators were analyzed between MM patients and normal samples. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression analysis were employed to construct the risk signature model. Receiver operation characteristic (ROC) curves were used to verify the prognostic and diagnostic efficiency. Immune infiltration level was evaluated by ESTIMATE algorithm and immune-related single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA).

Results

High expression of HNRNPC, HNRNPA2B1, and YTHDF2 and low expression of ZC3H13 were associated with poor survival. Based on these four genes, a prognostic risk signature model was established. Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that the risk score was an independent prognostic factor of MM. Enrichment analysis showed that cell cycle, immune response, MYC, proteasome, and unfold protein reaction were enriched in high-risk MM patients. Furthermore, patients with higher risk score exhibited lower immune scores and lower immune infiltration level.

Conclusion

The m6A-based prognostic risk score accurately and robustly predicts the survival of MM patients and is associated with the immune infiltration level, which complements current prediction models and enhances our cognition of immune infiltration.