bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Covid-19 Dynamic Monitoring and Real-Time Spatio-Temporal Forecasting
Authors: da Silva Cecilia Cordeiro , de Lima Clarisse Lins , da Silva Ana Clara Gomes , Silva Eduardo Luiz , Marques Gabriel Souza , de Araújo Lucas Job Brito , Albuquerque Júnior Luiz Antônio , de Souza Samuel Barbosa Jatobá , de Santana Maíra Araújo , Gomes Juliana Carneiro , Barbosa Valter Augusto de Freitas , Musah Anwar , Kostkova Patty , dos Santos Wellington Pinheiro , da Silva Filho Abel Guilhermino
Published: April 2021

Background:Periodically, humanity is often faced with new and emerging viruses that can be a significant global threat. It has already been over a century post—the Spanish Flu pandemic, and we are witnessing a new type of coronavirus, the SARS-CoV-2, which is responsible for Covid-19. It emerged from the city of Wuhan (China) in December 2019, and within a few months, the virus propagated itself globally now resulting more than 50 million cases with over 1 million deaths. The high infection rates coupled with dynamic population movement demands for tools, especially within a Brazilian context, that will support health managers to develop policies for controlling and combating the new virus.

Methods:In this work, we propose a tool for real-time spatio-temporal analysis using a machine learning approach. The COVID-SGIS system brings together routinely collected health data on Covid-19 distributed across public health systems in Brazil, as well as taking to under consideration the geographic and time-dependent features of Covid-19 so as to make spatio-temporal predictions. The data are sub-divided by federative unit and municipality. In our case study, we made spatio-temporal predictions of the distribution of cases and deaths in Brazil and in each federative unit. Four regression methods were investigated: linear regression, support vector machines (polynomial kernels and RBF), multilayer perceptrons, and random forests. We use the percentage RMSE and the correlation coefficient as quality metrics.

Results:For qualitative evaluation, we made spatio-temporal predictions for the period from 25 to 27 May 2020. Considering qualitatively and quantitatively the case of the State of Pernambuco and Brazil as a whole, linear regression presented the best prediction results (thematic maps with good data distribution, correlation coefficient >0.99 and RMSE (%) <4% for Pernambuco and around 5% for Brazil) with low training time: [0.00; 0.04 ms], CI 95%.

Conclusion:Spatio-temporal analysis provided a broader assessment of those in the regions where the accumulated confirmed cases of Covid-19 were concentrated. It was possible to differentiate in the thematic maps the regions with the highest concentration of cases from the regions with low concentration and regions in the transition range. This approach is fundamental to support health managers and epidemiologists to elaborate policies and plans to control the Covid-19 pandemics.
Speech Interaction to Control a Hands-Free Delivery Robot for High-Risk Health Care Scenarios
Authors: Grasse Lukas , Boutros Sylvain J. , Tata Matthew S.
Published: April 2021

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a widespread effect across the globe. The major effect on health-care workers and the vulnerable populations they serve has been of particular concern. Near-complete lockdown has been a common strategy to reduce the spread of the pandemic in environments such as live-in care facilities. Robotics is a promising area of research that can assist in reducing the spread of covid-19, while also preventing the need for complete physical isolation. The research presented in this paper demonstrates a speech-controlled, self-sanitizing robot that enables the delivery of items from a visitor to a resident of a care facility. The system is automated to reduce the burden on facility staff, and it is controlled entirely through hands-free audio interaction in order to reduce transmission of the virus. We demonstrate an end-to-end delivery test, and an in-depth evaluation of the speech interface. We also recorded a speech dataset with two conditions: the talker wearing a face mask and the talker not wearing a face mask. We then used this dataset to evaluate the speech recognition system. This enabled us to test the effect of face masks on speech recognition interfaces in the context of autonomous systems.
Groundwater Inflows to the Columbia River Along the Hanford Reach and Associated Nitrate Concentrations
Authors: Conner Abigail , Gooseff Michael N. , Chen Xingyuan , Arntzen Evan , Garayburu-Caruso Vanessa
Published: April 2021

Healthy river ecosystems require the interaction of many physical and biological processes to maintain their status. One physical process supporting biogeochemical cycling is hydrologic exchange (i.e., hydrologic exchange flows, HEFs) between relatively fast-flowing channel waters and slower-flowing surface and subsurface waters (lateral and vertical). Land uses adjacent to rivers have the potential to alter the water quality of off-channel surface and subsurface waters, and HEFs therefore have the potential to deliver solutes associated with river-adjacent land uses to rivers. HEFs can be nonpoint, diffuse sources of pollution, making the ultimate pollution source difficult to identify, especially in large rivers. Here, we seek to identify HEFs in the Columbia River near Richland, WA by looking for anomalies in temperature and electrical conductivity (EC) along the bed of the river in February, June, July, August, and November 2018. These are ultimately the “ends” of HEFs as they are locations of subsurface inflow to the river. We found these anomalies to be a combination of warmer or colder and higher (but not lower) EC than river water. We identified a majority of warm anomalies in February and July 2018, and majority cold anomalies in June, August, and November 2018. High-EC anomalies were found mostly in February, August, and November. Combined, we observe a shift from warm, high EC anomalies dominating in February to equivalent EC, warm anomalies in June, to equivalent EC, cool anomalies dominating July. In August, we also measured dissolved nitrate (NO3-) in-situ to determine whether anomalies were associated with increased NO3- loading to the river, especially along the eastern shoreline, which is dominated by agricultural land use. Inflows along the eastern shoreline have greater concentrations of nitrate than river water (up to 10 mg N–NO3-/L). This research demonstrates that HEFs are temporally and spatially dynamic transferring heat and solutes to rivers.
Computational Infrared Spectroscopy of 958 Phosphorus-Bearing Molecules
Authors: Zapata Trujillo Juan C. , Syme Anna-Maree , Rowell Keiran N. , Burns Brendan P. , Clark Ebubekir S. , Gorman Maire N. , Jacob Lorrie S. D. , Kapodistrias Panayioti , Kedziora David J. , Lempriere Felix A. R. , Medcraft Chris , O'Sullivan Jensen , Robertson Evan G. , Soares Georgia G. , Steller Luke , Teece Bronwyn L. , Tremblay Chenoa D. , Sousa-Silva Clara , McKemmish Laura K.
Published: April 2021

Phosphine is now well-established as a biosignature, which has risen to prominence with its recent tentative detection on Venus. To follow up this discovery and related future exoplanet biosignature detections, it is important to spectroscopically detect the presence of phosphorus-bearing atmospheric molecules that could be involved in the chemical networks producing, destroying or reacting with phosphine. We start by enumerating phosphorus-bearing molecules (P-molecules) that could potentially be detected spectroscopically in planetary atmospheres and collecting all available spectral data. Gaseous P-molecules are rare, with speciation information scarce. Very few molecules have high accuracy spectral data from experiment or theory; instead, the best current spectral data was obtained using a high-throughput computational algorithm, RASCALL, relying on functional group theory to efficiently produce approximate spectral data for arbitrary molecules based on their component functional groups. Here, we present a high-throughput approach utilizing established computational quantum chemistry methods (CQC) to produce a database of approximate infrared spectra for 958 P-molecules. These data are of interest for astronomy and astrochemistry (importantly identifying potential ambiguities in molecular assignments), improving RASCALL's underlying data, big data spectral analysis and future machine learning applications. However, this data will probably not be sufficiently accurate for secure experimental detections of specific molecules within complex gaseous mixtures in laboratory or astronomy settings. We chose the strongly performing harmonic ωB97X-D/def2-SVPD model chemistry for all molecules and test the more sophisticated and time-consuming GVPT2 anharmonic model chemistry for 250 smaller molecules. Limitations to our automated approach, particularly for the less robust GVPT2 method, are considered along with pathways to future improvements. Our CQC calculations significantly improve on existing RASCALL data by providing quantitative intensities, new data in the fingerprint region (crucial for molecular identification) and higher frequency regions (overtones, combination bands), and improved data for fundamental transitions based on the specific chemical environment. As the spectroscopy of most P-molecules have never been studied outside RASCALL and this approach, the new data in this paper is the most accurate spectral data available for most P-molecules and represent a significant advance in the understanding of the spectroscopic behavior of these molecules.
Multimessenger Binary Mergers Containing Neutron Stars: Gravitational Waves, Jets, and γ-Ray Bursts
Authors: Ruiz Milton , Shapiro Stuart L. , Tsokaros Antonios
Published: April 2021

Neutron stars (NSs) are extraordinary not only because they are the densest form of matter in the visible Universe but also because they can generate magnetic fields ten orders of magnitude larger than those currently constructed on earth. The combination of extreme gravity with the enormous electromagnetic (EM) fields gives rise to spectacular phenomena like those observed on August 2017 with the merger of a binary neutron star system, an event that generated a gravitational wave (GW) signal, a short γ-ray burst (sGRB), and a kilonova. This event serves as the highlight so far of the era of multimessenger astronomy. In this review, we present the current state of our theoretical understanding of compact binary mergers containing NSs as gleaned from the latest general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic simulations. Such mergers can lead to events like the one on August 2017, GW170817, and its EM counterparts, GRB 170817 and AT 2017gfo. In addition to exploring the GW emission from binary black hole-neutron star and neutron star-neutron star mergers, we also focus on their counterpart EM signals. In particular, we are interested in identifying the conditions under which a relativistic jet can be launched following these mergers. Such a jet is an essential feature of most sGRB models and provides the main conduit of energy from the central object to the outer radiation regions. Jet properties, including their lifetimes and Poynting luminosities, the effects of the initial magnetic field geometries and spins of the coalescing NSs, as well as their governing equation of state, are discussed. Lastly, we present our current understanding of how the Blandford-Znajek mechanism arises from merger remnants as the trigger for launching jets, if, when and how a horizon is necessary for this mechanism, and the possibility that it can turn on in magnetized neutron ergostars, which contain ergoregions, but no horizons.
Fault Diagnosis Algorithm Based on Adjustable Nonlinear PI State Observer and Its Application in UAV Fault Diagnosis
Authors: Miao Qing , Wei Juhui , Wang Jiongqi , Chen Yuyun
Published: April 2021

Aiming at the problem of fault diagnosis in continuous time systems, a kind of fault diagnosis algorithm based on adaptive nonlinear proportional integral (PI) observer, which can realize the effective fault identification, is studied in this paper. Firstly, the stability and stability conditions of fault diagnosis method based on the PI observer are analyzed, and the upper bound of the fault estimation error is given. Secondly, the fault diagnosis algorithm based on adjustable nonlinear PI observer is designed and constructed, it is analyzed and we proved that the upper bound of fault estimation under this algorithm is better than that of the traditional method. Finally, the L-1011 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is taken as the experimental object for numerical simulation, and the fault diagnosis method based on adaptive observer factor achieves faster response speed and more accurate fault identification results.
Engineered Skin Substitute Regenerates the Skin with Hair Follicle Formation
Authors: Wang Jinmei , Wang Xiaoxiao , Xie Jundong , Yao Bin , Mo Miaohua , Ma Danjun , Huang Chen , Xu Renhe , Fu Xiaobing , Tredget Edward E. , Wu Yaojiong
Published: April 2021

Currently, engineered skin substitutes (ESS) are unable to regenerate cutaneous appendages. Recent studies have shown that skin-derived precursors (SKPs), which are extensively available, have the potential to induce hair follicle neogenesis. Here, we demonstrate that ESS consisting of culture-expanded SKPs and epidermal stem cells (Epi-SCs) reconstitute the skin with hair follicle regeneration after grafting into nude mice. SKPs seeded in a C-GAG matrix proliferated and expressed higher levels of hair induction signature genes—such as Akp2, Sox2, CD133 and Bmp6—compared to dermal fibroblasts. Moreover, when ESS prepared by seeding a mixture of culture-expanded murine SKPs and human adult Epi-SCs into a C-GAG matrix was grafted into full-thickness skin wounds in nude mice, black hairs were generated within 3 weeks. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that the SKPs were localized to the dermal papillae of the newly-formed hair follicle. Our results indicate that SKPs can serve as the hair-inductive cells in ESS to furnish it with hair genesis potential
Vascular Calcification in Chronic Kidney Disease: Diversity in the Vessel Wall
Authors: Dube Prabhatchandra , DeRiso Armelle , Patel Mitra , Battepati Dhanushya , Khatib-Shahidi Bella , Sharma Himani , Gupta Rajesh , Malhotra Deepak , Dworkin Lance , Haller Steven , Kennedy David
Published: April 2021

Vascular calcification (VC) is one of the major causes of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). VC is a complex process expressing similarity to bone metabolism in onset and progression. VC in CKD is promoted by various factors not limited to hyperphosphatemia, Ca/Pi imbalance, uremic toxins, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and activation of multiple signaling pathways in different cell types, including vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), macrophages, and endothelial cells. In the current review, we provide an in-depth analysis of the various kinds of VC, the clinical significance and available therapies, significant contributions from multiple cell types, and the associated cellular and molecular mechanisms for the VC process in the setting of CKD. Thus, we seek to highlight the key factors and cell types driving the pathology of VC in CKD in order to assist in the identification of preventative, diagnostic, and therapeutic strategies for patients burdened with this disease.
Sarcopenia Screening Allows Identifying High-Risk Patients for Allogenic Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Kirsten Johannes , Wais Verena , Schulz Sebastian V.W. , Sala Elisa , Treff Gunnar , Bunjes Donald , Steinacker Jürgen M.
Published: April 2021

Allogenic stem cell transplantation (aSCT) is the only potentially curative treatment for high-risk hematological diseases. Despite advancements in supportive measures, aSCT outcome is still affected by considerable transplant-related mortality. We implemented a new sarcopenia assessment prior to aSCT to evaluate its predictive capability for all-cause and non-relapse mortality. Therefore all patients initially scheduled for aSCT within a 25-month period were screened during pre-transplantation-routine for muscle mass, grip strength, and aerobic capacity (AC) by measuring peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak). Patients were assigned to one of five groups adapted according current sarcopenia guidelines. Primary endpoints were all-cause and non-relapse mortality within a follow up time of up to 12 months. A total of 178 patients were included and rated as normal (n = 48), impaired aerobic capacity (n = 56), pre-sarcopenic (n = 26), sarcopenic (n = 27), and severe sarcopenic (n = 22) without significant age-differences between groups. Patients presenting with sarcopenia showed a significant three-fold increase in all-cause and non-relapse mortality compared to patients with normal screening results. AC showed to be the strongest single predictor with a more than two-fold increase of mortality for low AC. We conclude that risk stratification based on combination of muscle mass, grip strength, and AC allowed identifying a subgroup with increased risk for complications in patients undergoing aSCT.
Dual Role of TNF and LTα in Carcinogenesis as Implicated by Studies in Mice
Authors: Gubernatorova Ekaterina O. , Polinova Almina I. , Petropavlovskiy Mikhail M. , Namakanova Olga A. , Medvedovskaya Alexandra D. , Zvartsev Ruslan V. , Telegin Georgij B. , Drutskaya Marina S. , Nedospasov Sergei A.
Published: April 2021

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and lymphotoxin alpha (LTα) are two related cytokines from the TNF superfamily, yet they mediate their functions in soluble and membrane-bound forms via overlapping, as well as distinct, molecular pathways. Their genes are encoded within the major histocompatibility complex class III cluster in close proximity to each other. TNF is involved in host defense, maintenance of lymphoid tissues, regulation of cell death and survival, and antiviral and antibacterial responses. LTα, known for some time as TNFβ, has pleiotropic functions including control of lymphoid tissue development and homeostasis cross talk between lymphocytes and their environment, as well as lymphoid tissue neogenesis with formation of lymphoid follicles outside the lymph nodes. Along with their homeostatic functions, deregulation of these two cytokines may be associated with initiation and progression of chronic inflammation, autoimmunity, and tumorigenesis. In this review, we summarize the current state of knowledge concerning TNF/LTα functions in tumor promotion and suppression, with the focus on the recently uncovered significance of host–microbiota interplay in cancer development that may explain some earlier controversial results.
Pan-Cancer Analysis Reveals Distinct Metabolic Reprogramming in Different Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition Activity States
Authors: Sung Ji-Yong , Cheong Jae-Ho
Published: April 2021

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is critical for cancer development, invasion, and metastasis. Its activity influences metabolic reprogramming, tumor aggressiveness, and patient survival. Abnormal tumor metabolism has been identified as a cancer hallmark and is considered a potential therapeutic target. We profiled distinct metabolic signatures by EMT activity using data from 9452 transcriptomes across 31 different cancer types from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Our results demonstrated that ~80 to 90% of cancer types had high carbohydrate and energy metabolism, which were associated with the high EMT group. Notably, among the distinct EMT activities, metabolic reprogramming in different immune microenvironments was correlated with patient prognosis. Nine cancer types showed a significant difference in survival with the presence of high EMT activity. Stomach cancer showed elevated energy metabolism and was associated with an unfavorable prognosis (p < 0.0068) coupled with high expression of CHST14, indicating that it may serve as a potential drug target. Our analyses highlight the prevalence of cancer type-dependent EMT and metabolic reprogramming activities and identified metabolism-associated genes that may serve as potential therapeutic targets.
Roles of Inflammasomes in Epstein–Barr Virus-Associated Nasopharyngeal Cancer
Authors: Looi Chin King , Hii Ling-Wei , Chung Felicia Fei-Lei , Mai Chun-Wai , Lim Wei-Meng , Leong Chee-Onn
Published: April 2021

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection is recognised as one of the causative agents in most nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cases. Expression of EBV viral antigens can induce host’s antiviral immune response by activating the inflammasomes to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18. These cytokines are known to be detrimental to a wide range of virus-infected cells, in which they can activate an inflammatory cell death program, called pyroptosis. However, aberrant inflammasome activation and production of its downstream cytokines lead to chronic inflammation that may contribute to various diseases, including NPC. In this review, we summarise the roles of inflammasomes during viral infection, how EBV evades inflammasome-mediated immune response, and progress into tumourigenesis. The contrasting roles of inflammasomes in cancer, as well as the current therapeutic approaches used in targeting inflammasomes, are also discussed in this review. While the inflammasomes appear to have dual roles in carcinogenesis, there are still many questions that remain unanswered. In particular, the exact molecular mechanism responsible for the regulation of the inflammasomes during carcinogenesis of EBV-associated NPC has not been explored thoroughly. Furthermore, the current practical application of inflammasome inhibitors is limited to specific tumour types, hence, further studies are warranted to discover the potential of targeting the inflammasomes for the treatment of NPC.
Polyprotic Acids and Beyond—An Algebraic Approach
Authors: Kalka Harald
Published: April 2021

For an N-protic acid–base system, the set of nonlinear equations (i.e., mass action and balance laws) provides a simple analytical solution/formula for any integer N ≥ 1. The approach is applicable for the general case of zwitterionic acids HNA+Z (e.g., amino acids, NTA, and EDTA), which includes (i) the “ordinary acids” as a special case (Z = 0) and (ii) surface complexation. Examples are presented for N = 1 to 6. The high-N perspective allows the classification of equivalence points (including isoionic and isoelectric points). Principally, there are two main approaches to N-protic acids: one from hydrochemistry and one “outside inorganic hydrochemistry”. They differ in many ways: the choice of the reference state (either HNA or A−N), the reaction type (dissociation or association), the type/nature of the acidity constants, and the structure of the formulas. Once the (nonlinear) conversion between the two approaches is established, we obtain a systematics of acidity constants (macroscopic, microscopic, cumulative, and Simms). Finally, from the viewpoint of statistical mechanics (canonical isothermal–isobaric ensemble), buffer capacities, buffer intensities, and higher pH derivatives are actually fluctuations in the form of variance, skewness, and kurtosis.
Amperometric L-Lactate Biosensor Based upon a Gold Nanoparticles/Reduced Graphene Oxide/Polyallylamine Hydrochloride Modified Screen-Printed Graphite Electrode
Authors: Istrate Oana-Maria , Rotariu Lucian , Bala Camelia
Published: April 2021

This work describes a novel L-lactate biosensor based on the immobilization of L-lactate dehydrogenase enzyme on the screen-printed electrode modified with a ternary composite based on gold nanoparticles, electrochemically-reduced graphene oxide, and poly (allylamine hydrochloride). The enzyme was stabilized by crosslinking with glutaraldehyde. Applied working potential, pH and NAD+ concentration were optimized. The biosensor reports a specific sensitivity of 1.08 µA/mM·cm2 in a range up to 3 mM L-lactic acid with a detection limit of 1 µM. The operational and long-term stability as well as good selectivity allowed the L-lactic acid measurement in dairy products and wine samples.
Visible and Near-Infrared Image Acquisition and Fusion for Night Surveillance
Authors: Kwon Hyuk-Ju , Lee Sung-Hak
Published: April 2021

Image fusion combines images with different information to create a single, information-rich image. The process may either involve synthesizing images using multiple exposures of the same scene, such as exposure fusion, or synthesizing images of different wavelength bands, such as visible and near-infrared (NIR) image fusion. NIR images are frequently used in surveillance systems because they are beyond the narrow perceptual range of human vision. In this paper, we propose an infrared image fusion method that combines high and low intensities for use in surveillance systems under low-light conditions. The proposed method utilizes a depth-weighted radiance map based on intensities and details to enhance local contrast and reduce noise and color distortion. The proposed method involves luminance blending, local tone mapping, and color scaling and correction. Each of these stages is processed in the LAB color space to preserve the color attributes of a visible image. The results confirm that the proposed method outperforms conventional methods.
Outcomes of Temporary Hemiepiphyseal Stapling for Correcting Genu Valgum in Children with Multiple Osteochondromas: A Single Institution Study
Authors: Trisolino Giovanni , Boarini Manila , Mordenti Marina , Evangelista Andrea , Gallone Giovanni , Stallone Stefano , Zarantonello Paola , Antonioli Diego , Di Gennaro Giovanni Luigi , Stilli Stefano , Sangiorgi Luca
Published: April 2021

Background: Multiple osteochondromas is a rare skeletal disorder characterized by the presence of osteocartilaginous protrusions causing bony deformities, especially around the knee. Guided growth by temporary hemiepiphyseal stapling is the treatment of choice to correct the deformity by modulating the residual physeal growth of the lower limbs. Although this procedure is increasingly practiced, inconclusive evidence exists regarding its effectiveness in children with multiple osteochondromas. The study aims to compare the outcomes of temporary hemiepiphyseal stapling for correcting genu valgum in children with multiple osteochondromas vs. idiopathic cases. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we included patients admitted at a single institution from 2008 to 2018. A total of 97 children (77 idiopathic, 20 multiple osteochondromas) were enclosed, accounting for 184 limbs treated by temporary hemiepiphyseal stapling. We investigated if children with multiple osteochondromas had a similar successful rate of correction, rate of complications, and correction velocity compared to children with idiopathic genu valgum. Results: Overall, 151 limbs (82%) achieved complete correction or overcorrection, with idiopathic cases having a significantly higher rate of success compared to pathologic cases (88% vs. 55%; p < 0.001). In addition, multiple osteochondromas children sustained a higher rate of major complications (p = 0.021) and showed significantly lower correction velocity (p = 0.029). Conclusion: Temporary hemiepiphyseal stapling is effective in both idiopathic and multiple osteochondromas children, although the latter often achieved incomplete correction, had a higher risk of complications, and required a longer time of stapling. We suggest to anticipate the timing of intervention; otherwise, children with multiple osteochondromas and severe valgus deformity, approaching skeletal maturity, could undergo combined femoral and tibial stapling.
Patient and Patient Group Engagement in Cancer Clinical Trials: A Stakeholder Charter
Authors: Michaud Stéphanie , Needham Judy , Sundquist Stephen , Johnson Dominique , Hanna Sabrina , Hosseinzadeh Sharareh , Bartekian Vatche , Steele Patricia , Benchimol Sarita , Ross Nathalie , Stein Barry D.
Published: April 2021

Background—to guide the implementation of patient centricity and engagement in cancer clinical trials (CTs) and to operationalize the Canadianized version of the Clinical Trials Transformation Initiative (C-CTTI) model, the development of a charter was identified by cancer CT stakeholders. Methods—the Canadian Cancer Trial Stakeholder Charter (the Charter) was initiated by Colorectal Cancer Canada (CCC) and developed via the—1—formation of an inclusive working group (WG) that drafted the document using recommendations collected during the development of the C-CTTI model; 2—socialization of the draft Charter to solicit feedback from cancer CT stakeholders, including those who attended the 2019 CCC Conference; and 3—incorporation of stakeholders’ feedback and finalization of the Charter by the WG. Results—the Charter was built around five guiding principles—1—patient centricity; 2—commitment to education and training; 3—collaboration as equal and independent partners in research; 4—transparency and accountability; and 5—high standards in data collection integrity and honesty. These principles led to the Charter’s five tenets, which stipulate stakeholder commitments, aiming to make CTs accessible to all patients, improve the design and implementation of CTs to benefit patients, expand recruitment and retention of patients in CTs, and further advance cancer research and treatment. Conclusions—the Charter is intended to integrate the patient voice into the Canadian cancer CT continuum. The next phases of the C-CTTI model include the adoption and implementation of the Charter, the establishment of a patient group training program, and the development of real-world evidence/real-world data methodologies.
A Comparison of Patient-Reported Outcomes Following Consent for Genetic Testing Using an Oncologist- or Genetic Counselor-Mediated Model of Care
Authors: McCuaig Jeanna M. , Thain Emily , Malcolmson Janet , Keshavarzi Sareh , Armel Susan Randall , Kim Raymond H.
Published: April 2021

This study compares knowledge, experience and understanding of genetic testing, and psychological outcomes among breast and ovarian cancer patients undergoing multi-gene panel testing via genetic counselor-mediated (GMT) or oncologist-mediated (OMT) testing models. A pragmatic, prospective survey of breast and ovarian cancer patients pursuing genetic testing between January 2017 and August 2019 was conducted at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto, Canada. A total of 120 (80 GMT; 40 OMT) individuals completed a survey administered one week following consent to genetic testing. Compared to OMT, the GMT cohort had higher median knowledge (8 vs. 9; p = 0.025) and experience/understanding scores (8.5 vs. 10; p < 0.001) at the time of genetic testing. Significant differences were noted in the potential psychological concerns experienced, with individuals in the GMT cohort more likely to screen positive in the hereditary predisposition domain of the Psychosocial Aspects of Hereditary Cancer tool (55% vs. 27.5%; p = 0.005), and individuals in the OMT cohort more likely to screen positive in the general emotions domain (65.0% vs. 38.8%; p = 0.007). The results of this study suggest that OMT can be implemented to streamline genetic testing; however, post-test genetic counseling should remain available to all individuals undergoing genetic testing, to ensure any psychologic concerns are addressed and that individuals have a clear understanding of relevant implications and limitations of their test results.
Genetic Diversity of Campomanesia adamantium and Its Correlation with Land Use and Land Cover
Authors: Crispim Bruno do Amaral , Fernandes Juliana dos Santos , Bajay Miklos Maximiliano , Zucchi Maria Imaculada , Batista Carlos Eduardo de Araújo , Vieira Maria do Carmo , Barufatti Alexeia
Published: April 2021

(1) Background: Campomanesia adamantium is an endemic species of the Cerrado and this biome has been under threat by its constant degradation. The genetic diversity of C. adamantium was characterized using species-specific microsatellites in two different time periods and correlations of these parameters of genetic diversity with the land use and land cover data. (2) Methods: We used 10 microsatellite loci to analyze C. adamantium from five populations, collected in 2011 and 2017. Maps of land use and land cover of the collection sites in both years were generated and subsequently correlated with genetic diversity. (3) Results: No significant loss of genetic diversity was observed in the analyzed period and a positive inbreeding coefficient was observed in all populations. AMOVA and STRUCTURE showed that there is no population structure between years and populations. Significant Pearson correlations were observed in 2017 between parameters of genetic diversity and land use and land cover, with a positive correlation between expected heterozygosity and secondary vegetation, and a negative correlation between inbreeding coefficient and exposed soil. (4) Conclusions: There was no decline in genetic diversity from 2011 to 2017. The high rates of the inbreeding coefficient could lead, for the species, in the long run, to an inbreeding depression as the Cerrado fragmentation might cause a population bottleneck.
Differing Life-History Strategies of Two Mycoheterotrophic Orchid Species Associated with Leaf Litter- and Wood-Decaying Fungi
Authors: Ogura-Tsujita Yuki , Tetsuka Kenshi , Tagane Shuichiro , Kubota Miho , Anan Shuichiro , Yamashita Yumi , Tone Koichi , Yukawa Tomohisa
Published: April 2021

Mycoheterotrophic orchids depend completely on mycorrhizal fungi for their supply of carbon. The life-history traits of mycoheterotrophic plants (MHPs) can differ according to the characteristics of the associated mycorrhizal fungi. We compared the life-history strategies of two mycoheterotrophic orchids associated with wood- and leaf litter-decaying fungi over a maximum of six years of field monitoring. Seventy percent of the aboveground stems of Erythrorchis altissima, associated with wood-decaying fungi, disappeared from the host wood within two years after tagging, likely due to nutrient depletion. In contrast, Gastrodia confusa, associated with leaf litter-decaying fungi, occurred continuously (18 to 108 fruiting stalks) every year within a small-scale plot (12 × 45 m) for six years through seed and clonal propagation. Our results support the idea that mycoheterotrophic orchids associated with wood-decaying fungi disappear from their habitats due to nutrient depletion after their host wood has mostly decayed, while mycoheterotrophic orchids associated with leaf litter-decaying fungi can survive in small-scale habitats where substantial leaf fall regularly occurs to sustain the associated fungi. Our study provides basic information about a unique life-history strategy in MHPs associated with saprotrophic fungi and an understanding of the variation in life-history strategies among MHPs.
Building a Model for Financial Management of Digital Technologies in the Areas of Combinatorial Effects
Authors: Zaytsev Andrey A. , Blizkyi Roman S. , Rakhmeeva Irina I. , Dmitriev Nikolay D.
Published: April 2021

The race of states for digital leadership faces the challenges of digital transformation foresight, providing combinatorial effects and acceleration of digitalization processes, contributing to a more efficient allocation of limited financial resources. This situation determines the relevance of the authors’ study, which aims to develop an appropriate model for the allocation of funds for digital technologies. The methodology of the study is based on the concepts of technological modes and cyclical development of the economy. The paper presents the authors’ definition of the concept “digital space,” which is new to Russian scientific literature. The key research method is mathematical modeling. The scientific novelty of the paper is chronological architectonics of digital transformations, built by the authors, and the model of distribution of financing under the investment constraints due to the trust limit of the society institutions, the time of fluctuations of the system of technological adaptation, and the response of the institutional environment to the digital limits of the transformations. The practical significance of the proposed models is the identified tandem interconnected digital technologies of the areas of combinatorial effects that accelerate the dynamics of Industry 4.0, as well as the resulting tools for the effective management of digital technology financing. The obtained theoretical and empirical results are desirable for the heads of government agencies, foundations, corporations, and development agencies, as well as enterprises interested in accelerating digital transformation and increasing strategic competitiveness in the digital space.
Aerodynamic Effect of the Gurney Flap on the Front Wing of a F1 Car and Flow Interactions with Car Components
Authors: Basso Mattia , Cravero Carlo , Marsano Davide
Published: April 2021

The design of a racing car needs several aerodynamic design steps in order to achieve high performance. Each component has an aerodynamic interaction with the others and high performance requires a good match between them. The front wing is undoubtedly one of the main components to determine car performance with a strong interaction with the downstream components. The Gurney Flap (GF) is a small appendix perpendicular to the pressure side of the front wing at the trailing edge that can dramatically improve the front wing performance. In the literature, the performance of a GF on a single profile is well documented, while in this paper the GF mounted on the front wing of a racing car has been investigated and the interactions through the 3D flow structures are discussed. The global drag and downforce performance on the main components of the vehicle have been examined by comparing the cases with and without a GF. The GF increases the downforce by about 24% compared to a limited increase in the drag force. A fluid dynamic analysis has been carried out to understand the physical mechanisms of the flow interaction induced to the other components. The GF, in fact, enhances the ground effect, by redistributing the flow that interacts differently with the other components i.e., the wheel zone.
P-Wave-Only Inversion of Challenging Walkaway VSP Data for Detailed Estimation of Local Anisotropy and Reservoir Parameters: A Case Study of Seismic Processing in Northern Poland
Authors: Zaręba Mateusz , Danek Tomasz , Stefaniuk Michał
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we present a detailed analysis of walkaway vertical seismic profiling (VSP) data, which can be used to obtain Thomsen parameters using P-wave-only inversion. Data acquisition took place in difficult field conditions, which influenced the quality of the data. Therefore, this paper also shows a seismic data processing scheme that allows the estimation of correct polarization angles despite poor input data quality. Moreover, we showed that it is possible to obtain reliable and detailed values of Thomsen’s anisotropy parameters for data that are challenging due to extremely difficult field conditions during acquisition and the presence of an overburden of salt and anhydrite (Zechstein formation). This complex is known for its strong seismic signal-attenuating properties. We designed a special processing workflow with a signal-matching procedure that allows reliable estimation of polarization angles for low-quality data. Additionally, we showed that P-wave-only inversion for the estimation of local anisotropy parameters can be used as valuable additional input for detailed interpretation of geological media, even if anisotropy is relatively low.
The Municipal Solid Waste Management System with Anaerobic Digestion
Authors: Seruga Przemysław
Published: April 2021

This study investigated the applied methods for the collection and treatment of an organic fraction of municipal solid waste with anaerobic digestion (AD), including the effects of selective waste collection system introduction. As the research area, data from a waste treatment plant, which collects waste from about 260,000 inhabitants, was used as the selected waste management plan. Biowaste stream management was emphasized. Thus, research on energy recovery and the characteristics of digestate (nutrient and heavy metals content) obtained from biowaste AD was performed. The results of the studies and their quantitative data were interpreted. A significant discrepancy between the assumptions and the actual situation was revealed (up to 20% year-on-year regarding biowaste). An underestimation of the amount of waste when planning was noted. AD ensures energy recovery from biowaste, which can cover facility electricity needs and material recovery. The digestate might find agricultural usage and become an ecological product. The content of nitrogen (1.5%dry matter), phosphorus (0.55%dry matter), potassium (1.0%dry matter), and organic carbon (16.0%dry matter) indicate a positive impact on crops. Furthermore, it can improve the economic balance, by replacing costs with sales revenues.
Cooperatively Improving Data Center Energy Efficiency Based on Multi-Agent Deep Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Chi Ce , Ji Kaixuan , Song Penglei , Marahatta Avinab , Zhang Shikui , Zhang Fa , Qiu Dehui , Liu Zhiyong
Published: April 2021

The problem of high power consumption in data centers is becoming more and more prominent. In order to improve the energy efficiency of data centers, cooperatively optimizing the energy of IT systems and cooling systems has become an effective way. In this paper, a model-free deep reinforcement learning (DRL)-based joint optimization method MAD3C is developed to overcome the high-dimensional state and action space problems of the data center energy optimization. A hybrid AC-DDPG cooperative multi-agent framework is devised for the improvement of the cooperation between the IT and cooling systems for further energy efficiency improvement. In the framework, a scheduling baseline comparison method is presented to enhance the stability of the framework. Meanwhile, an adaptive score is designed for the architecture in consideration of multi-dimensional resources and resource utilization improvement. Experiments show that our proposed approach can effectively reduce energy for data centers through the cooperative optimization while guaranteeing training stability and improving resource utilization.
A Case study of Exergy Losses of a Ground Heat Pump and Photovoltaic Cells System and Their Optimization
Authors: Osintsev Konstantin , Aliukov Sergei , Prikhodko Yuri
Published: April 2021

The aim of this scientific research is to experimentally determine the exergy losses of a ground heat pump and further optimization for more efficient use of operating modes and improvement of individual structural elements. In addition, it is proposed to use photovoltaic panels as a backup power source for the experimental installation under study. The exergetic losses are calculated, not only for the ground heat pump itself, with R407C refrigerant. The research methodology consists in a comprehensive assessment of exergetic flows, their optimization using new methods of approximation of piecewise linear functions, and the development of prerequisites for the use of anergy as one of the components of a new type of analysis of the efficiency of low-potential energy sources. As a result of processing the experimental data, the values of Coefficient of performance (COP) 4.136, exergetic temperature for the lower heat source 0.0253 and for the upper heat source 0.155, exergetic efficiency of the installation 0.62, and total loss of specific exergy of the heat pump 24.029 kJ/kg were obtained. Controllers with the Modbus protocol were used for data collection. Matlab Simulink was used to process the experimental data. When carrying out the procedure for optimizing the operating modes and selecting several modes with minimal exergetic losses, an important role is given to mathematical methods of processing statistical data. The method of increasing the efficiency of the heat pump is shown, first of all, based on the use of photovoltaic panels as a backup power source and optimization of exergetic losses due to exergo-anergetic evaluation of operating modes. The authors present the measurement errors of the heat pump plant parameters in the form of a 3D Gaussian curve, which becomes possible only when applying new approximation methods in the processing of measurements.
An Integrated Approach to Adaptive Control and Supervisory Optimisation of HVAC Control Systems for Demand Response Applications
Authors: Adegbenro Akinkunmi , Short Michael , Angione Claudio
Published: April 2021

Heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems account for a large percentage of energy consumption in buildings. Implementation of efficient optimisation and control mechanisms has been identified as one crucial way to help reduce and shift HVAC systems’ energy consumption to both save economic costs and foster improved integration with renewables. This has led to the development of various control techniques, some of which have produced promising results. However, very few of these control mechanisms have fully considered important factors such as electricity time of use (TOU) price information, occupant thermal comfort, computational complexity, and nonlinear HVAC dynamics to design a demand response schema. In this paper, a novel two-stage integrated approach for such is proposed and evaluated. A model predictive control (MPC)-based optimiser for supervisory setpoint control is integrated with a digital parameter-adaptive controller for use in a demand response/demand management environment. The optimiser is designed to shift the heating load (and hence electrical load) to off-peak periods by minimising a trade-off between thermal comfort and electricity costs, generating a setpoint trajectory for the inner loop HVAC tracking controller. The tracking controller provides HVAC model information to the outer loop for calibration purposes. By way of calibrated simulations, it was found that significant energy saving and cost reduction could be achieved in comparison to a traditional on/off or variable HVAC control system with a fixed setpoint temperature.
Bacteriocinogenic Bacillus spp. Isolated from Korean Fermented Cabbage (Kimchi)—Beneficial or Hazardous?
Authors: Irorita Fugaban Joanna Ivy , Vazquez Bucheli Jorge Enrique , Holzapfel Wilhelm Heinrich , Todorov Svetoslav Dimitrov
Published: April 2021

Bacillus velezensis ST03 and ST32, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens ST06 and ST109, and Bacillus subtilis ST08 were isolated from artisanal-produced kimchi and were identified based on 16S rRNA partial sequencing. DNA obtained from the investigated bacilli generated positive results for lichenicidin, iturin, subtilosin, and surfactin on a strain-specific basis. The strains were found to produce antimicrobial metabolites with activity levels ranging between 800 and 1600 AU/mL on a strain-specific basis, as determined against Listeria monocytogenes ATCC15313. Moreover, all tested strains in this study were still active after treatment with proteolytic enzymes, even with reduced inhibition zones compared to the controls, pointing to additional antimicrobial activity possibly related to a non-proteinaceous molecular structure. Most probably these strains may express surfactin as an additional factor in their complex antimicrobial activity. B. amyloliquefaciens ST09 and B. velezensis ST03 and ST32 were characterized as positive for β-hemolysis. B. subtilis ST08 was shown to be positive for hblC and nheC and B. amyloliquefaciens ST109 for nheB. B. amyloliquefaciens ST109 generated positive results for gelatinase activity. The ability of the studied Bacillus strains to metabolize different carbohydrate sources was done based on the API50CHB test, while the enzyme production profile was recorded by the APIZym kit. All studied strains were positive producers for biogenic amines production. Studied Bacillus spp. strains were resistant to some of the evaluated antibiotics, tested according to recommendations of CLSI and EFSA.