bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COVID‐19 encephalopathy: Clinical and neurobiological features
Authors: Uginet Marjolaine , Breville Gautier , Assal Frédéric , Lövblad Karl‐Olof , Vargas Maria Isabel , Pugin Jérôme , Serratrice Jacques , Herrmann Francois R. , Lalive Patrice H. , Allali Gilles
Published: March 2021

Severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) has been associated with neurological complications, including acute encephalopathy. To better understand the neuropathogenesis of this acute encephalopathy, we describe a series of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) encephalopathy, highlighting its phenomenology and its neurobiological features. On May 10, 2020, 707 patients infected by SARS‐CoV‐2 were hospitalized at the Geneva University Hospitals; 31 (4.4%) consecutive patients with an acute encephalopathy (64.6 ± 12.1 years; 6.5% female) were included in this series, after exclusion of comorbid neurological conditions, such as stroke or meningitis. The severity of the COVID‐19 encephalopathy was divided into severe and mild based on the Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale (RASS): severe cases (n = 14, 45.2%) were defined on a RASS < −3 at worst presentation. The severe form of this so‐called COVID‐19 encephalopathy presented more often a headache. The severity of the pneumonia was not associated with the severity of the COVID‐19 encephalopathy: 28 of 31 (90%) patients did develop an acute respiratory distress syndrome, without any difference between groups (p = .665). Magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities were found in 92.0% (23 of 25 patients) with an intracranial vessel gadolinium enhancement in 85.0% (17 of 20 patients), while an increased cerebrospinal fluid/serum quotient of albumin suggestive of blood‐brain barrier disruption was reported in 85.7% (6 of 7 patients). Reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction for SARS‐CoV‐2 was negative for all patients in the cerebrospinal fluid. Although different pathophysiological mechanisms may contribute to this acute encephalopathy, our findings suggest the hypothesis of disturbed brain homeostasis and vascular dysfunction consistent with a SARS‐CoV‐2‐induced endotheliitis.
Comprehensive comparative genomic and microsatellite analysis of SARS, MERS, BAT‐SARS, and COVID‐19 coronaviruses
Authors: Rehman Hafiz Abdul , Ramzan Farheen , Basharat Zarrin , Shakeel Muhammad , Khan Muhammad Usman Ghani , Khan Ishtiaq Ahmad
Published: March 2021

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has spread around the globe very rapidly. Previously, the evolution pattern and similarity among the COVID‐19 causative organism severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) and causative organisms of other similar infections have been determined using a single type of genetic marker in different studies. Herein, the SARS‐CoV‐2 and related β coronaviruses Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS‐CoV), SARS‐CoV,  bat coronavirus (BAT‐CoV) were comprehensively analyzed using a custom‐built pipeline that employed phylogenetic approaches based on multiple types of genetic markers including the whole genome sequences, mutations in nucleotide sequences, mutations in protein sequences, and microsatellites. The whole‐genome sequence‐based phylogeny revealed that the strains of SARS‐CoV‐2 are more similar to the BAT‐CoV strains. The mutational analysis showed that on average MERS‐CoV and BAT‐CoV genomes differed at 134.21 and 136.72 sites, respectively, whereas the SARS‐CoV genome differed at 26.64 sites from the reference genome of SARS‐CoV‐2. Furthermore, the microsatellite analysis highlighted a relatively higher number of average microsatellites for MERS‐CoV and SARS‐CoV‐2 (106.8 and 107, respectively), and a lower number for SARS‐CoV and BAT‐CoV (95.8 and 98.5, respectively). Collectively, the analysis of multiple genetic markers of selected β viral genomes revealed that the newly born SARS‐COV‐2 is closely related to BAT‐CoV, whereas, MERS‐CoV is more distinct from the SARS‐CoV‐2 than BAT‐CoV and SARS‐CoV.
Fabrication and characterization of fast dissolving glycerol monolaurate microemulsion encapsulated gelatin nanofibers with antimicrobial activity
Authors: Zhang Xinyan , Tan Linzhi , Taxipalati Maierhaba , Deng Lingli
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND

Electrospun fibers are a good candidate for the delivery of bioactive compounds in the food industry because of their advantages that include a tunable diameter, high porosity and a high specific surface area. In the present study, we fabricated gelatin/glycerol monolaurate (GML) microemulsion nanofibers by solubilizing GML in Tween‐80 followed by mixing with gelatin solution for electrospinning. We hypothesized that the addition of GML microemulsions affects the properties of the gelatin solution and modifies the physical and antimicrobial properties of the resulting nanofibers.

RESULTS

Both pure gelatin solution and gelatin/GML microemulsions showed shear‐thinning behavior. However, electrospinnability was not affected by the addition of GML microemulsions. A significantly higher average diameter of nanofibers (1147 nm) with 5% GML was observed compared to the gelatin fiber diameter of 560 nm. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed hydrogen bonding between gelatin molecules and GML microemulsions. Thermal analysis and X‐ray diffraction indicated an amorphous structure of gelatin/GML microemulsion nanofibers, although a small amount of crystalline GML existed in the nanofibers with high GML content. Gelatin/GML microemulsion nanofibers showed high thermal stability and improved hydrophilicity. Nanofibers with 5% GML (weight with respect to nanofiber) (D64 nanofibers) showed effective antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

CONCLUSION

Gelatin/GML microemulsion nanofibrous films demonstrate superhydrophilicity and fast dissolution properties as a result of the high surface‐to‐volume ratio, amorphous structure and improved hydrophilicity of the nanofiber surface. The results indicate the potential application of gelatin/GML microemulsion nanofibrous films as edible antimicrobial food packaging. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
The biological underpinnings of radiation therapy for vestibular schwannomas: Review of the literature
Authors: Dougherty Mark C. , Shibata Seiji B. , Hansen Marlan R.
Published: March 2021

Objective

Radiation therapy is a mainstay in the treatment of numerous neoplasms. Numerous publications have reported good clinical outcomes for primary radiation therapy for Vestibular Schwannomas (VS). However, there are relatively few pathologic specimens of VSs available to evaluate post‐radiation, which has led to a relative dearth in research on the cellular mechanisms underlying the effects of radiation therapy on VSs.

Methods

Here we review the latest literature on the complex biological effects of radiation therapy on these benign tumors—including resistance to oxidative stress, mechanisms of DNA damage repair, alterations in normal growth factor pathways, changes in surrounding vasculature, and alterations in immune responses following radiation.

Results

Although VSs are highly radioresistant, radiotherapy is often successful in arresting their growth.

Conclusion

By better understanding the mechanisms underlying these effects, we could potentially harness such mechanisms in the future to potentiate the clinical effects of radiotherapy on VSs.

Level of Evidence

N/A.
The wellspring of creativity? Using divergent‐thinking tasks to understand creative characteristics
Authors: Rodet Cortney S.
Published: March 2021

Creativity and innovation go hand in hand, and understanding sources of creativity will expand organizational innovative capacity. This study explores the impact that characteristics have on creativity using divergent‐thinking experiments. I hypothesize that their influence stems from their effect on the experiences individuals acquire throughout life based on preferences, opportunities, and constraints. I find that gender, socioeconomic background, and exposure to other cultures are associated with personal experiences. In turn, experience is positively associated with greater creativity. I also explore creative style and its impact on creativity and find that having an experimental creative style positively correlates with creativity.
Who benefits when coupons are issued by a duopoly from an e‐market?
Authors: Lv Hongjun
Published: March 2021

This study examines a two‐dimensional differentiation model of both vertical product preferences and horizontal coupon preferences and investigates how couponing affects firms' promotion strategies and profits. The results show that when e‐coupons are issued by Firm 1, Firm 2's equilibrium profit increases with Firm 1's cost. Given e‐coupon issued by both firms, equilibrium profits decrease in Firm 1's cost and increase with Firm 2's cost, respectively. To carry out coupon strategies, there exist lose–win, win–win, and lose–lose scenarios, depending on firms' costs. Our study can be used in many online shopping platforms, giving them a noteworthy basis for decision making.
Pattern formations of a delayed diffusive predator–prey model with predator harvesting and prey social behavior
Authors: Djilali Salih , Bentout Soufiane
Published: March 2021

In this research, we are interested in analyzing the behavior of a diffusive predator–prey model in the presence of predator rivalry and prey social behavior. The predator rivalry affects hugely the behavior of predator and the prey, so we are interested in analyzing the complex dynamics generated by the presence of predator harvesting and its influence on the behavior of the solution. For the mathematical purpose, we will concentrate on analyzing the system in the absence of diffusion where the existence of Hopf bifurcation is investigated; also, we proved that the presence of the time lags generates interesting patterns, which it can lead to instability even Hopf bifurcation. The stability of the homogeneous and nonhomogeneous periodic solution generated by the presence of Hopf bifurcation is established using the normal form. The mathematical obtained results are checked numerically using graphical representations.
Stable solutions to quasilinear Schrödinger equations of Lane–Emden type with a parameter
Authors: Wei Yunfeng , Yang Hongwei , Yu Hongwang , Hu Rui
Published: March 2021

In this paper, we study the following quasilinear Schrödinger equationswhere is a parameter, , is a positive function. We establish a Liouville type theorem for the class of stable bounded sign‐changing solutions under suitable assumptions onω(x), q, αandN.
Three‐port circularly polarized MIMO antenna for WLAN application with pattern and polarization diversity
Authors: Jaiswal Rahul Kumar , Kumari Kahani , Sim Chow‐Yen‐Desmond , Srivastava Kumar Vaibhav
Published: March 2021

In this article, a three‐port circularly polarized (CP) multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) antenna for wireless local area network (WLAN) application with pattern and polarization diversity is proposed. The proposed MIMO antenna system comprises of a broadside CP antenna element with a T‐shaped slot and two endfire CP antenna elements. Good impedance bandwidth of 16.9% and 5.5% are achieved by the broadside CP antenna and endfire CP antenna, respectively, and their corresponding axial ratio (AR) bandwidth is 7% and 10.47%. The isolation between the different antenna elements is better than 20 dB, and the polarization purity for all CP antenna is more than 25 dB along with the maximum radiation.
The protein phosphatase with EF‐hand domain 1 is a calmodulin‐binding protein that interacts with proteins involved in sperm capacitation, binding to the zona pellucida, and motility
Authors: Lavoie‐Ouellet Camille , Clark Marie‐Ève , Ruiz Juliana , Saindon Andrée‐Anne , Leclerc Pierre
Published: March 2021

Spermatozoa are highly specialized cells whose fertilizing and motility functions highly depend on intracellular Ca2+‐mediated events and protein posttranslational modifications like phosphorylation. Our group previously identified PPEF1, the Ser/Thr phosphatase with EF‐hand domain 1, among calmodulin‐affinity pulled down sperm proteins. As the mammalian ortholog of the Drosophila phosphatase rdgC that dephosphorylates rhodopsin, PPEF1 has been studied mostly in the retina. The presence and importance of this Ca2+/calmodulin‐binding protein phosphatase has not been studied in sperm or testicular functions despite its high expression level. In this study, we show that PPEF1 is present in testicular germ cells, and in mouse, human and bull spermatozoa where it is localized predominantly in the neck and acrosome areas. Different transcript variants encoding four predicted isoforms were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in bull testis, spermatocytes and spermatids. Phosphatase activity of immunoprecipitated sperm PPEF1 was detected using the substrate pNPP and analysis of the coimmunoprecipitated proteins reveal an enrichment in the biological processes of sperm capacitation, binding to the zona pellucida and motility. Although this is the first demonstration of the presence of PPEF1 in sperm and testicular germ cells, its involvement in sperm fertilizing ability and motility, and the mechanisms regulating its activity remain to be further investigated.
Two novel critical shock models based on Markov renewal processes
Authors: Wu Bei , Cui Lirong , Qiu Qingan
Published: March 2021

In this paper, we investigate systems subject to random shocks that are classified into critical and noncritical categories, and develop two novel critical shock models. Classical extreme shock models and run shock models are special cases of our developed models. The system fails when the total number of critical shocks reaches a predetermined threshold, or when the system stays in an environment that induces critical shocks for a preset threshold time, corresponding to failure mechanisms of the developed two critical shock models respectively. Markov renewal processes are employed to capture the magnitude and interarrival time dependency of environment‐induced shocks. Explicit formulas for systems under the two critical shock models are derived, including the reliability function, the mean time to failure and so on. Furthermore, the two critical shock models are extended to the random threshold case and the integrated case where formulas of the reliability indexes of the systems are provided. Finally, a case study of a lithium‐ion battery system is conducted to illustrate the proposed models and the obtained results.
Clinical teaching behaviour effects professional identity and transition shock in new nurses in western china: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Su Qian , YUN Bei , Yuet Foon Chung Loretta , Chen Lian , Zuo Yamei , Liu Jia , Han Lin
Published: March 2021

Aim

To examine the interrelationship between professional identity, clinical teaching behaviour and transition shock for new nurses in Western China.

Design

A cross‐sectional design.

Methods

A total of 779 new nurses were recruited in Gansu province and Lanzhou city from June to July 2019. Each patient was given three questionnaires to complete, and structural equation modelling was used to identify the relationships.

Results

The overall mean scores for the transition shock, professional identity and clinical teaching behaviour were 92.53(SD = 22.17), 89.74(SD = 16.57) 80.12(SD = 12.38), respectively. The most important aspects identified were the Physical aspect, the Sense of Mastery and Committing to Teaching. Professional identity and clinical teaching behaviour were negatively related to transition shock, a better sense of identity coupled with supportive clinical teaching were keys to a smoother journey from new to experienced nurses.
Deciphering the Association Between Hypothalamus‐Pituitary‐Adrenal Axis Activity and Obesity: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Ostinelli Giada , Scovronec Anaïs , Iceta Sylvain , Ouellette Anne-Sophie , Lemieux Simone , Biertho Laurent , Bégin Catherine , Michaud Andréanne , Tchernof André
Published: March 2021

Objective

Both the cortisol awakening response (CAR; corresponding to the state measurement) and hair cortisol concentration (HCC; corresponding to the trait measurement) are considered reliable markers of hypothalamus‐pituitary‐adrenal axis activity. Because cortisol has long been associated with adiposity, this systematic review and meta‐analysis aims to summarize and compare the literature around CAR and HCC and their association with obesity or fat distribution indices.

Methods

The PubMed, Web of Science (Web of Science Core Collection and Medline), EBSCO Information Services, Embase, and PsycNET databases were searched, and full‐text articles investigating the association between CAR or HCC and markers of adiposity in humans were included. Meta‐analyses were then performed to compare studies associating CAR or HCC with BMI (a marker of general adiposity) and waist circumference (a marker of fat distribution).

Results

The results of this review highlight inconsistencies in cortisol sampling and CAR computation, which makes comparisons between studies difficult. It was found that adiposity indices are not associated with CAR but that they correlate significantly and positively with HCC. The subgroup analysis hinted to possible age differences in the magnitude of the association between HCC and BMI.

Conclusions

Trait rather than state measurement of the hypothalamus‐pituitary‐adrenal axis activity is associated with increased general and abdominal adiposity in humans.
Network analysis of executive function, emotion, and social anhedonia
Authors: Jiang Shu‐Yao , Shan Hai‐Di , Zhang Rui‐Ting , Lui Simon S. Y. , Yang Han‐Xue , Cheung Eric F. C. , Chan Raymond C. K.
Published: March 2021

This study constructed the network structure of social anhedonia, emotion processing, and executive function in college students using network analysis. We calculated the strength of each node in the network. The results suggest that social anhedonia had negative effects on executive function, emotion experience, and emotion expression.
Performance of conventional cytogenetic analysis on chorionic villi when only one cell layer, cytotrophoblast or mesenchyme alone, is analyzed
Authors: Grati Francesca Romana , Malvestiti Francesca , Gallazzi Gloria , Saragozza Silvia , Grimi Beatrice , Agrati Cristina , Branca Lara , Palumbo Federica , Trotta Anna , Chinetti Sara , Simoni Giuseppe , Ferreira Jose , Benn Peter
Published: March 2021

Objective

To provide an estimation of the probability of error when chorionic villi (CV) cytogenetic analysis is limited to a single placental layer; either a direct preparation (Dir) or long‐term culture (LTC).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed cytogenetic studies on 81,593 consecutive CV samples in which both Dir and LTC were analyzed. All mosaic cases received amniocentesis. The false omission and false discovery rates were calculated by assessing the results that would have been reported when analysis was limited to either Dir or LTC.

Results

For all abnormalities combined, the proportion of normal Dir or LTC only reports that would have been inconsistent with a subsequent amniocentesis was 0.09% and 0.03%, respectively (false omissions). Among abnormal reports based on Dir or LTC alone, 8.01% and 3.17%, respectively, would be inconsistent with a subsequent amniocentesis result (false discoveries). Differences are present for individual abnormalities.

Conclusions

From the perspective of identifying all abnormalities of potential clinical significance, the analysis of both placental layers is optimal. LTC alone is the preferred approach if only one layer of placenta is to be analyzed. Although rare, it is important to acknowledge that one cell layer analysis alone can cause misdiagnosis due to undetected mosaicism.
The effectiveness of interconversion methods based on the distributed nature of polymeric structure
Authors: Katsourinis Stelios , Kontou Evagelia
Published: March 2021

In the present work, a comparative study on the capability of two approaches to successfully interconvert linear viscoelastic functions is performed. The main concept arises from our previous works, where a polymeric material is treated as a collection of meso‐regions, each one of them with a specific energy barrier. The linking between meso‐regions and their rearrangements leads to a time‐dependent constitutive equation. A crucial issue is the distribution of the energy barriers of the meso‐regions, revealing the importance of the distributed nature of the polymeric structure. In this work, the effect of the distribution type was examined by assuming either a Gaussian distribution function or a normalized loss modulus distribution, which can be evaluated from the loss modulus experimental data. Four different polymers were examined and it was proved that both treatments can satisfactorily predict the creep and relaxation function, once the model parameters are evaluated on the basis of dynamic moduli experimental data.
Effectiveness of cell adhesive additives in different supramolecular polymers
Authors: van Gaal Ronald C. , Ippel Bastiaan D. , Spaans Sergio , Komil Muhabbat I. , Dankers Patricia Y. W.
Published: March 2021

Supramolecular motifs in elastomeric biomaterials facilitate the modular incorporation of additives with corresponding motifs. The influence of the elastomeric supramolecular base polymer on the presentation of additives has been sparsely examined, limiting the knowledge of transferability of effective functionalization between polymers. Here it was investigated if the polymer backbone and the additive influence biomaterial modification in two different types of hydrogen bonding supramolecular systems, that is, based on ureido‐pyrimidinone or bis‐urea units. Two different cell‐adhesive additives, that is, catechol or cyclic RGD, were incorporated into different elastomeric polymers, that is, polycaprolactone, priplast or polycarbonate. The additive effectiveness was evaluated with three different cell types. AFM measurements showed modest alterations on nano‐scale assembly in ureido‐pyrimidinone materials modified with additives. On the contrary, additive addition was highly intrusive in bis‐urea materials. Detailed cell adhesive studies revealed additive effectiveness varied between base polymers and the supramolecular platform, with bis‐urea materials more potently affecting cell behavior. This research highlights that additive transposition might not always be as evident. Therefore, additive effectiveness requires re‐evaluation in supramolecular biomaterials when altering the polymer backbone to suit the biomaterial application.
Ginsenoside Re protects against chronic restraint stress‐induced cognitive deficits through regulation of NLRP3 and Nrf2 pathways in mice
Authors: Wang Haixia , Lv Jingwei , Jiang Ning , Huang Hong , Wang Qiong , Liu Xinmin
Published: March 2021

Exposure to chronic stress negatively affects the development of cognition, characterized by learning and memory decline. Ginsenoside Re (GRe), an active compound derived from Panax ginseng, exhibited neuroprotective activity in various neurological diseases. In this study, the protective effect of GRe on chronic restraint stress (CRS)‐induced memory deficit was investigated. The mice were experienced 35 days of the CRS induction. The GRe was administered daily orally (10, 20, or 40 mg/kg) during the next 3 weeks stress session and the behavior test period. The CRS‐induced memory impairment mice were subjected to behavioral tasks, such as the Y‐maze, novel objects recognition, and step‐through passive avoidance tests. Nissl staining was used to examine the neuron numbers. The levels of antioxidant enzymes, malondialdehyde, and proinflammatory factor were determined by kits and ELISA assays. The expressions of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), NOD‐like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), nuclear factor erythroid‐2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) and synapse‐associated proteins (synaptophysin, SYP, and postsynaptic density 95, PSD95) were measured by Western blotting. Behavioral assessments indicated that GRe could ameliorate the cognitive impairment of CRS‐induced mice, as indicated by increased responses in Y‐maze (p < .05), novel objects recognition (p < .01), and step‐through passive avoidance tests (p < .01). In addition, GRe treatment significantly decreased the neuronal loss in CRS mice in histological examination. Moreover, chronic GRe treatment significantly ameliorated the down‐regulated the expressions of BDNF, Nrf2, heme oxygenase (HO)‐1, SYP, and PSD95, as well as up‐regulated NLRP3, the adaptor protein ASC, and Caspase‐1 protein expression in the hippocampus of CRS‐treated mice. Taken together, these findings suggest that GRe has a potential therapeutic effect on memory impairment in C57BL/6J mice exposed to CRS paradigm.
Isotschimgine alleviates nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and fibrosis via FXR agonism in mice
Authors: Li Junxiao , Liu Chuhe , Zhou Zhenyu , Dou Baokai , Huang Jinwen , Huang Leilei , Zheng Peiyong , Fan Shengjie , Huang Cheng
Published: March 2021

Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist obeticholic acid (OCA) has emerged as a potential therapy for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the side effects of OCA may limit its application in clinics. We identified previously that isotschimgine (ITG) is a non‐steroidal FXR selective agonist and has potent therapeutic effects on NAFLD in mice. Here, we aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of ITG on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis in mice. We used methionine and choline deficient (MCD) diet‐induced NASH mice, bile duct ligation (BDL), and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)‐treated hepatic fibrosis mice to investigate the effects of ITG on NASH, fibrosis, and cholestatic liver injury. Our results showed that ITG improved steatosis and inflammation in the liver of MCD diet‐fed mice, as well as alleviated fibrosis and inflammation in the liver of CCl4‐treated mice. Furthermore, ITG attenuated serum bile acid levels, and reduced vacuolization, inflammatory infiltration, hepatic parenchymal necrosis, and collagen accumulation in the liver of BDL mice. Mechanistically, ITG increased the expression of FXR target genes. These data suggest that ITG is an FXR agonist and may be developed as a novel therapy for NASH, hepatic fibrosis, or primary biliary cholangitis.
Periodic and sequential inspection policies with mission failure probabilities
Authors: Zhao Xufeng , Zheng Qiwang , Jia Xujie , Qian Cunhua , Mizutani Satoshi , Chen Mingchih
Published: March 2021

When a unit should provide reliability at mission time, the mission success probability or failure probability becomes an important constraint to plan inspection policies. From this viewpoint, this paper considers the optimization problems of periodic and sequential inspection policies with mission failure probabilities. In this paper, a mission time is considered as a renewal point for inspection polices, but the failure cost occurred at mission time is higher than the total cost of inspection and failure detection. We give an upper limit of the failure probability at mission time, that is, mission failure probability, to minimize the total expected costs and the expected cost rates of inspection policies. In addition, the extended models of inspection policies for an interval mission, possible random times, and operating interval are discussed.
Sampled‐data cooperative output regulation of linear multi‐agent systems
Authors: Liu Wei , Huang Jie
Published: March 2021

In this article, we study the cooperative output regulation problem for heterogeneous linear multi‐agent systems by the distributed sampled‐data control approach. We consider two cases. The first case is that the state of the leader system is constant. For this case, we show that the cooperative output regulation problem is solvable exactly by a distributed aperiodic sampled‐data output feedback control law. The second case is that the state of the leader system is time‐varying with bounded derivative. For this case, we further show that the problem is solvable practically by a distributed aperiodic sampled‐data output feedback control law in the sense that the steady‐state regulated output can be made arbitrarily small. Finally, we give two examples to illustrate our results.
Adaptive fuzzy control for nonlinear uncertain pure‐feedback systems with full‐state and input constraints
Authors: Jia Fujin , Lu Junwei , Li Yongmin
Published: March 2021

This paper studies the full‐state and input constraints of uncertain nonlinear pure‐feedback systems. The radical constraint functions are proposed, which avoids the drawbacks of the barrier Lyapunov functions and the logarithmic constraint functions. At the same time, a control algorithm based on fuzzy control is proposed to avoid the "explosion of terms" problem of the backstepping method. In addition, this paper avoids an Assumption of nonaffine function, which reduces the conservatism and increases the applicability of the algorithm. This control algorithm is proposed so that all signals of the closed‐loop system are the semi‐globally uniformly ultimately bounded, and the tracking error converge to a small neighborhood of the origin, and all states and input of nonlinear pure‐feedback systems can be constrained. Finally, simulation results are provided to verify the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Spatial skew‐normal/independent models for nonrandomly missing clustered data
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Dipankar , Prates Marcos O. , Zhao Xiaoyue , Lachos Victor H.
Published: March 2021

Clinical studies on periodontal disease (PD) often lead to data collected which are clustered in nature (viz. clinical attachment level, or CAL, measured at tooth‐sites and clustered within subjects) that are routinely analyzed under a linear mixed model framework, with underlying normality assumptions of the random effects and random errors. However, a careful look reveals that these data might exhibit skewness and tail behavior, and hence the usual normality assumptions might be questionable. Besides, PD progression is often hypothesized to be spatially associated, that is, a diseased tooth‐site may influence the disease status of a set of neighboring sites. Also, the presence/absence of a tooth is informative, as the number and location of missing teeth informs about the periodontal health in that region. In this paper, we develop a (shared) random effects model for site‐level CAL and binary presence/absence status of a tooth under a Bayesian paradigm. The random effects are modeled using a spatial skew‐normal/independent (S‐SNI) distribution, whose dependence structure is conditionally autoregressive (CAR). Our S‐SNI density presents an attractive parametric tool to model spatially referenced asymmetric thick‐tailed structures. Both simulation studies and application to a clinical dataset recording PD status reveal the advantages of our proposition in providing a significantly improved fit, over models that do not consider these features in a unified way.
On the value of filter feature selection techniques in homogeneous ensembles effort estimation
Authors: Hosni Mohamed , Idri Ali , Abran Alain
Published: March 2021

Software development effort estimation (SDEE) remains as the principal activity in software project management planning. Over the past four decades, several methods have been proposed to estimate the effort required to develop a software system, including more recently machine learning (ML) techniques. Because ML performance accuracy depends on the features that feed the ML technique, selecting the appropriate features in the preprocessing data step is important. This paper investigates three filter feature selection techniques to check the predictive capability of four single ML techniques:K‐nearest neighbor, support vector regression, multilayer perceptron, and decision trees and their homogeneous ensembles over six well‐known datasets. Furthermore, the single and ensembles techniques were optimized using the grid search optimization method. The results suggest that the three filter feature selection techniques investigated improve the reasonability and the accuracy performance of the four single techniques. Moreover, the homogeneous ensembles are statistically more accurate than the single techniques. Finally, adopting a random process (i.e., random subspace method) to select the inputs feature for ML technique is not always effective to generate an accurate homogeneous ensemble.
Investigating structural relationships amongupper‐secondaryschool students' beliefs about knowledge, justification for knowing, andInternet‐specificjustification in the domain of science
Authors: Cheng Chia‐Hui , Bråten Ivar , Yang Fang‐Ying , Brandmo Christian
Published: March 2021

In a sample of 455 Taiwanese upper‐secondary school students, latent variable structural equation modeling was used to test hypothesized relationships between beliefs about knowledge in science, beliefs about justification for knowing in science, and justification of knowledge claims concerning science encountered on the Internet. Results indicated that participants displayed adaptive beliefs in the tentative and evolving nature of scientific knowledge while their beliefs about justification for knowing in science seemed somewhat less adaptive. Further, their self‐reports of Internet‐specific justification of knowledge claims suggested that they did not strongly believe that science information posted on the Internet needed to be carefully evaluated. The structural equation modeling indicated that beliefs in the tentative and evolving nature of scientific knowledge had direct positive relationships with beliefs in justification by research‐based authority and justification by multiple sources in science, which, in turn, mediated the relationships between beliefs in tentative and evolving knowledge and adaptive beliefs about Internet‐specific justification of knowledge claims. Beliefs in the unambiguous, certain nature of scientific knowledge had a direct positive relationship with beliefs in justification by school‐based authority (i.e., the science teacher and the science textbook), but beliefs in justification by school‐based authority were not related to Internet‐specific justification beliefs. We highlight the unique contributions of this study to the field of epistemic belief and science education research, and its theoretical and educational implications are discussed.
Deep Learning Method for Melanoma Discrimination Using Blood Flow Distribution Images
Authors: Akiguchi Shunsuke , Kyoden Tomoaki , Tajiri Tomoki , Andoh Tsugunobu , Hachiga Tadashi
Published: March 2021

We have developed a multipoint laser Doppler velocimeter (MLDV) that can measure blood flow velocity non‐invasively. The device can acquire blood flow velocity in absolute value and image the blood flow distribution. Absolute values of blood flow velocity indicated a follow‐up on the affected area. Therefore, we have performed a follow‐up for melanoma and breast cancer. However, this device does not have the ability to determine whether a measurement site is cancerous or not. Thus, in this study, we built a deep learning system with blood flow distribution images as input and tested whether it can discriminate melanoma or not. The results showed that this technique was particularly effective in the early stages of the disease when no abnormalities were found on the skin surface. © 2021 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Copper uses in organic production are safe to the nervous system of Caenorhabditis elegans?
Authors: Philippsen Daniela Frizzo , Tamagno Wagner Antonio , Vanin Ana Paula , Concato Ani Carla , Bragagnolo Lucimara , Prestes Elvis , Korf Eduardo Pavan , Kaizer Rosilene Rodrigues
Published: March 2021

The Bordeaux mixture, fungicides composed of copper sulfate, is commonly used in organic production. This use has been questioned owing to the impact of copper accumulation in the environment, which can affect living organisms negatively. Here, was analyzed the presence of copper levels in soils and in orange and grape juices that received Bordeaux mixture fungicide treatments. Furthermore, we evaluated copper toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans nematodes by assessing some of their biochemical and behavioral parameters after acute and chronic copper exposure. The metal exposure in vivo was performed at concentrations of 0.05, 0.1, 0.3, and 0.7 mg/L, compared with a control group that received ultrapure water. The results showed that copper was present in the sampled soils at higher levels than in the control area soil. Copper was detected in an average value of 0.25 mg/L in orange juice and 0.69 mg/L in grape juice. The acute and chronic exposure conditions showed behavioral changes and an activation of the acetylcholinesterase enzyme. However, chronic exposure to low copper concentrations led to inhibition of this enzyme. Thus, the copper concentrations detected in the fruit juices acted as modulators of the cholinergic system and modified the behavioral parameters in C. elegans.
The Intersection of Ageing and Social Exclusion
Authors: Walsh Kieran , Scharf Thomas , Van Regenmortel Sofie , Wanka Anna
Published: March 2021

This chapter introduces the topic of social exclusion in later life and presents a rationale for this edited volume. It will provide an overview of existing knowledge, focusing specifically on research deficits and the implications of these deficits for scientific study in the area, and for effective and implemental policy development. This chapter will outline the aim and objectives of the book in response to these deficits and will outline the book’s structure and the critical approach that is adopted for the volume, and that is rooted in state-of-the-art conceptual knowledge.
Older People in Long-Term Care Institutions: A Case of Multidimensional Social Exclusion
Authors: Villar Feliciano , Serrat Rodrigo , Bilfeldt Annette , Larragy Joe
Published: March 2021

Living in a long-term care (LTC) institution provides older people experiencing health and social problems with a comprehensive range of support services that address their quality of life. Despite access to such services, challenges arise in relation to their participation in key activities both within and outside the institution. This chapter examines such challenges, reviewing and describing ways to prevent exclusion along various domains, specifically social relationships, civic participation and socio-cultural life. Firstly, we discuss ways in which bio-medical models of care and the quality control systems, which are dominant in LTC services, standardise care, tending to put decisions exclusively in hands of staff, taking away residents’ autonomy, and ultimately curtailing rights and citizenship status. Secondly, we examine how LTC services might prevent such exclusion and promote older people’s participation in at least four respects: (1) prompting and supporting residents’ ability to take decisions on their own care, (2) favouring the maintenance and creation of social relationships, (3) enabling residents’ participation in the activities and management of the institution, and (4) guaranteeing residents’ rights and full access to citizenship. We discuss the impact and limitations of recent initiatives put into practice in these areas of practice.
Old-Age Digital Exclusion as a Policy Challenge in Estonia and Finland
Authors: Leppiman Anu , Riivits-Arkonsuo Iivi , Pohjola Anneli
Published: March 2021

This chapter addresses issues relating to digital exclusion as a policy challenge affecting older adults in Estonia and Finland. In both countries, the use of technology and digital services is widespread in both the public and private sectors. The requirements of rapidly and constantly evolving digital societies pose challenges for ageing policy in both Estonia and Finland. Delivery of digital services influences positively the life of older people, improves quality of life and increases independence. On the other hand, digital services pose new problems for older populations. Since digitalisation represents a process of social change, technology innovation needs to contribute to individuals’ well-being. By building digital solutions that are functional both for older people and from the viewpoint of service providers, it is essential to move from traditional service provider-oriented design to human-centred development.
Revisiting Loneliness: Individual and Country-Level Changes
Authors: Morgan Deborah , Dahlberg Lena , Waldegrave Charles , Mikulionienė Sarmitė , Rapolienė Gražina , Lamura Giovanni , Aartsen Marja
Published: March 2021

The links between loneliness and overall morbidity and mortality are well known, and this has profound implications for quality of life and health and welfare budgets. Most studies have been cross-sectional allowing for conclusions on correlates of loneliness, but more recently, some longitudinal studies have revealed also micro-level predictors of loneliness. Since the majority of studies focused on one country, conclusions on macro-level drivers of loneliness are scarce. This chapter examines the impact of micro- and macro-level drivers of loneliness and loneliness change in 11 European countries. The chapter draws on longitudinal data from 2013 and 2015 from the Survey of Health, Aging, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), combined with macro-level data from additional sources. The multivariable analysis revealed the persistence of loneliness over time, which is a challenge for service providers and policy makers. Based on this cross-national and longitudinal study we observed that micro-level drivers known from previous research (such as gender, health and partnership status, frequency of contact with children), and changes therein had more impact on loneliness and change therein than macro-level drivers such as risk of poverty, risk of social deprivation, level of safety in the neighbourhood.
Superspace formulation of massive half-integer superspin
Authors: Koutrolikos Konstantinos
Published: March 2021

Abstract

An explicit form for the Lagrangian of a massive arbitrary half-integer super-spin Y = s + 1/2 supermultiplet is obtained in 4D,$$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 superspace. This is accomplished by the introduction of a tower of pairs of auxiliary superfields of increasing rank which are required to vanish on-shell for free theories. In the massless limit almost all auxiliary super- fields decouple except one, which plays the role of compensator as required by the emergent gauge redundancy of the Lagrangian description of the massless theory. The number of off-shell degrees of freedom carried by the theory is $$ \frac{8}{3} $$

8
3

(s + 1)(4s2 + 11s + 3). For s = 1 our results are in agreement with those obtained in [1].
Towards refining the topological strings on compact Calabi-Yau 3-folds
Authors: Huang Min-xin , Katz Sheldon , Klemm Albrecht
Published: March 2021

Abstract

We make a proposal for calculating refined Gopakumar-Vafa numbers (GVN) on elliptically fibered Calabi-Yau 3-folds based on refined holomorphic anomaly equations. The key examples are smooth elliptic fibrations over (almost) Fano surfaces. We include a detailed review of existing mathematical methods towards defining and calculating the (unrefined) Gopakumar-Vafa invariants (GVI) and the GVNs on compact Calabi-Yau 3-folds using moduli of stable sheaves, in a language that should be accessible to physicists. In particular, we discuss the dependence of the GVNs on the complex structure moduli and on the choice of an orientation. We calculate the GVNs in many instances and compare the B-model predictions with the geometric calculations. We also derive the modular anomaly equations from the holomorphic anomaly equations by analyzing the quasi-modular properties of the propagators. We speculate about the physical relevance of the mathematical choices that can be made for the orientation.
Reduced phagocytosis, ROS production and enhanced apoptosis of leukocytes upon alcohol drinking in healthy volunteers
Authors: Haag Florian , Janicova Andrea , Xu Baolin , Powerski Maciej , Fachet Melanie , Bundkirchen Katrin , Neunaber Claudia , Marzi Ingo , Relja Borna , Sturm Ramona
Published: March 2021

Background

Alcohol drinking is associated with a serious risk of developing health problems as well as with a large number of traumatic injuries. Although chronic alcohol misuse is known to contribute to severe inflammatory complications, the effects of an acute alcohol misuse are still unclear. Here, the impact of acute alcohol drinking on leukocyte counts and their cellular functions were studied.

Methods

Twenty-two healthy volunteers (12 female, 10 male) received a predefined amount of a whiskey-cola mixed drink (40% v/v), at intervals of 20 min, over 4 h to achieve a blood alcohol concentration of 1‰. Blood samples were taken before drinkingT0, 2 h (T2), 4 h (T4), 6 h (T6), 24 h (T24) and 48 h (T48) after starting drinking alcohol. Leukocytes, monocytes and granulocyte counts and their functions regarding the production of reactive oxidative species (ROS), phagocytosis and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry.

Results

Total leukocyte counts significantly increased atT2andT4, while granulocyte and monocyte counts decreased atT4andT6vs.T0. Monocytes increased significantly atT24andT48vs.T0. While the total number of ROS-producing leukocytes and notably granulocytes significantly increased, in parallel, the intracellular ROS intensity decreased atT2andT6. The numbers of ROS-positive monocytes have shown a delayed modulation of ROS, with a significant reduction in the total number of ROS-producing cells atT48and a significantly reduced intracellular ROS-intensity atT24. Phagocyting capacity of leukocytes significantly decreased atT4andT6. In general leukocytes, and notably granulocytes demonstrated significantly increased early (T2), while monocyte exerted significantly increased late apoptosis (T24andT48).

Conclusions

Alcohol drinking immediately impacts leukocyte functions, while the impact on monocytes occurs at even later time points. Thus, even in young healthy subjects, alcohol drinking induces immunological changes that are associated with diminished functions of innate immune cells that persist for days.
On the Problem of Maximal $$L^q$$-regularity for Viscous Hamilton–Jacobi Equations
Authors: Cirant Marco , Goffi Alessandro
Published: March 2021

In this paper we prove a conjecture by P.-L. Lions on maximal regularity of $$L^q$$

L
q

-type for periodic solutions to $$-\Delta u + |Du|^\gamma = f$$

-
Δ
u
+

|
D
u
|

γ

=
f

in $$\mathbb {R}^d$$

R

d

, under the (sharp) assumption that $$q > d \frac{\gamma -1}{\gamma }$$

q
>
d

γ
-
1

γ

.
Covariant Homogeneous Nets of Standard Subspaces
Authors: Morinelli Vincenzo , Neeb Karl-Hermann
Published: March 2021

Rindler wedges are fundamental localization regions in AQFT. They are determined by the one-parameter group of boost symmetries fixing the wedge. The algebraic canonical construction of the free field provided by Brunetti–Guido–Longo (BGL) arises from the wedge-boost identification, the BW property and the PCT Theorem. In this paper we generalize this picture in the following way. Firstly, given a$$\mathbb Z_2$$Z2-graded Lie group we define a (twisted-)local poset of abstract wedge regions. We classify (semisimple) Lie algebras supporting abstract wedges and study special wedge configurations. This allows us to exhibit an analog of the Haag–Kastler one-particle net axioms for such general Lie groups without referring to any specific spacetime. This set of axioms supports a first quantization net obtained by generalizing the BGL construction. The construction is possible for a large family of Lie groups and provides several new models. We further comment on orthogonal wedges and extension of symmetries.