bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A molecular toolkit for the green seaweedUlva mutabilis
Authors: Blomme Jonas , Liu Xiaojie , Jacobs Thomas B. , De Clerck Olivier
Published: December 2020

The green seaweedUlvais an ecologically-important marine primary producer as well as a promising cash crop cultivated for multiple uses. Despite its importance, several molecular tools are still needed to better understand seaweed biology. Here, we report the development of a flexible and modular molecular cloning toolkit for the green seaweedUlva mutabilisbased on a Golden Gate cloning system. The toolkit presently contains 125 entry vectors, 26 destination vectors and 107 functionally validated expression vectors. We demonstrate the importance of endogenous regulatory sequences for transgene expression and characterize three endogenous promoters suitable to drive transgene expression. We describe two vector architectures to express transgenes via two expression cassettes or a bicistronic approach. The majority of selected transformants (50-80%) consistently give clear visual transgene expression. Furthermore, we made different marker lines for intracellular compartments after evaluating 13 transit peptides and 11 tagged endogenousUlvagenes. Our molecular toolkit enables the study ofUlvagain-of-function lines and paves the way for gene characterization and large-scale functional genomics studies in a green seaweed.

One-sentence summary

Molecular cloning tools allow to generate gain-of-function seaweed lines that will help to study seaweed biology.
Ribosome profiling elucidates differential gene expression in bundle sheath and mesophyll cells in maize
Authors: Chotewutmontri Prakitchai , Barkan Alice
Published: December 2020

The efficiencies offered by C4photosynthesis have motivated efforts to understand its biochemical, genetic and developmental basis. Reactions underlying C4traits in most C4plants are partitioned between two cell types, bundle sheath (BS) and mesophyll (M) cells. RNA-seq has been used to catalog differential gene expression in BS and M cells in maize and several other C4species. However, the contribution of translational control to maintaining the distinct proteomes of BS and M cells has not been addressed. In this study, we used ribosome profiling (ribo-seq) and RNA-seq to describe translatomes, translational efficiencies, and microRNA abundance in BS and M-enriched fractions of maize seedling leaves. A conservative interpretation of our data revealed 182 genes exhibiting cell-type dependent differences in translational efficiency, 31 of which encode proteins with core roles in C4photosynthesis. Our results suggest that non-AUG start codons are used preferentially in upstream open reading frames of BS cells, revealed mRNA sequence motifs that correlate with cell type-dependent translation, and identified potential translational regulators that are differentially expressed. In addition, our data expand the set of genes known to be differentially expressed in BS and M cells, including genes encoding transcription factors and microRNAs. These data add to the resources for understanding the evolutionary and developmental basis of C4photosynthesis and for its engineering into C3crops.
Evaluation of hemispherical photos extracted from smartphone spherical panorama images to estimate canopy structure and forest light environment
Authors: Arietta A. Z. Andis
Published: December 2020

Hemispherical photography (HP) is one of the most commonly employed methods to estimate forest canopy structure and understory light environments. Traditional methods require expensive, specialized equipment, are tedious to deploy, and are sensitive to exposure settings. In contrast, modern smartphone cameras are readily available and make use of ever-improving software to produce images with high dynamic range and clarity, but lack suitable hemispherical lenses. Thus, despite the fact that almost all ecologists and foresters carry a high-powered, image processing device in our pockets, we have yet to fully employ it for the purpose of data collection. As an alternative, hemispherical images can be extracted from spherical panoramas produced by many smartphone camera applications. I compared hemispherical photos captured with a digital single lens reflex camera and 180° lens to those extracted from smartphone spherical panoramas (SSP) for 72 sites representing a range of canopy types and densities. I estimated common canopy and light measures (canopy openness, leaf area index, and global site factor) as well as image quality measures (total gap area, number of gaps, and relative gap size) to compare methods. The SSP HP method leverages built-in features of current generation smartphones including exposure metering over restricted field-of-view, high dynamic range tonal correction, computational sharpening, high pixel density, and automatic leveling via the phone’s built-in gyroscope to yield an accurate alternative to traditional HP in canopy estimation. Although the process of stitching together multiple photos occasionally produces artifacts in the SSP HP images, estimates of canopy openness and global site factor are highly correlated with those of traditional methods (R2> 0.9) and are comparable to under- or over-exposing traditional HP by 1-1.5 stops. In addition to superior image quality, SSP HP requires no additional equipment or exposure settings and is likely to prove more robust to uneven lighting conditions by avoiding wide-angles lenses and exploiting HDR images.
Are digital technologies killing future innovation? The curvilinear relationship between digital technologies and firm's intellectual property
Authors: Orlando Beatrice , Mazzucchelli Alice , Usai Antonio , Nicotra Melita , Paoletti Francesco
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The study aims to investigate the interplay among digital technologies, intellectual capital and innovation. Thus far, there have been scant research on such intricate bundle of interactions. Also, the findings of previous studies were rather inconclusive, because conflicting results emerged over time. Building on the existence of heterogeneous evidences, this study solved the detected criticism by suggesting a curvilinear relationship among digital technologies, digital skills of human capital and intellectual property. Specifically, we argue that the relationship between digital technologies and intellectual property is inverted u-shaped.

Design/methodology/approach

Hypotheses are tested by applying a generalized linear model (GLM) regression analysis and a quadratic model for non-linear regression. The study analysed a large-scale sample of micro-data drawn from Eurostat. Such sample embraces the population of firms operating in all European member states.

Findings

Overall, the results of the study confirm that digital technologies are curvilinearly related to intellectual property. Precisely, the curve is inverted u-shaped. Notably, results show that digital skills only matter when employees have very demanding duties to accomplish. In all other cases, digital skills do not affect intellectual property significantly.

Research limitations/implications

The research is solely focused on firms' operating in the European Union. Future studies should extend the analysis to other geographies.

Practical implications

At a real impact level, the study suggests that intellectual property is only partially fostered by digital skills and digital technologies. In this sense, digital skills might be overrated.

Originality/value

Differently from prior research, this study originally detangles the impact of digital technologies on firm's intellectual capital by suggesting the existence of an inverse u-shaped relationship between variables.
Becoming part of a temporary protest organization through embodied walking ethnography
Authors: Lubit Amanda J. , Gidley Devon
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This paper explores the consequences of researching temporary protest organizations through embodied ethnography, paying attention to how, when and why a researcher takes sides.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employed embodied walking ethnography to study Lyra's Walk, a three-day, 68-mile protest walk held in May 2019 to advocate for peace in Northern Ireland. Data were primarily ethnographic, complemented by an analysis of social media, photos, videos and media coverage.

Findings

First the authors argue that embodied walking ethnography can provide an inhabited understanding of organizing. The social, physical and emotional experiences of walking encourage researchers to identify more closely with participants and obtain a greater understanding of the phenomena studied. Second, the authors identify that methodological choice can have a greater impact on side-taking than either the conflict setting or organization researched.

Research limitations/implications

This paper demonstrates the promise and consequences of using embodied walking ethnography to study a mobile organization. It further illustrates the nuances and challenges of conducting ethnography in a temporary protest organization.

Originality/value

The paper makes two contributions. The novel use of embodied walking ethnography to study temporary protest organizations can lead the research to become intertwined with the temporary organization during its process of organizational becoming. With the researcher's body acting as a research tool, their sensations and emotions impact data collection, interpretation and findings.
Human factors and maintenance in delivery transportation: drivers' work outside the cab in focus
Authors: Reiman Arto
Published: December 2020

Purpose

To investigate safety at truck drivers' work outside the cab with a special focus on work environment and equipment maintenance to prevent occupational accidents.

Design/methodology/approach

Two statistical databases on Finnish occupational accidents for truck drivers are analysed. Firstly, the national accident statistics database is examined to understand the broad context, and secondly a database on fatal accidents is analysed to better understand the root causes of the accidents and their relationship to human factors in maintenance. Based on the root cause analysis, four accident scenarios are created, and risk management measures are prioritized by occupational safety and health specialists (n = 7).

Findings

The study shows that there are a variety of accidents in truck drivers' work. Most of the accidents occur outside the cab while performing tasks other than driving. Further, in-depth analysis of the fatal accidents increases understanding of the possibilities of different risk management and maintenance actions in preventing such accidents.

Research limitations/implications

Databases contain different limitations concerning the data.

Practical implications

Truck drivers' work environments are wide in nature. Efficient safety management requires broad participation from different stakeholders. In addition to safe work activities, work environment and equipment maintenance is highlighted as a key component for safe and fluent delivery transportation.

Social implications

Road transportation forms a backbone of modern society. Accidents affect the efficiency of transportation and cause manifold costs reaching all the way to the societal level.

Originality/value

This study adds an important dimension of delivery transportation to a current scientific discussion on human factors and maintenance.
Long non‐coding RNA CCAT1 sponges miR‐490 to enhance cell proliferation and migration of non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Wang Jingluan , Sun Nina , Han Weizhong , Tong Li , Xu Tao , Li Guo
Published: December 2020

Background

Non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 85% of lung cancer which is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy in China. Colon cancer associated transcript 1 (CCAT1) acts as an oncogene in enhancing tumor progression. However, the effects of CCAT1 in NSCLC remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore the role of CCAT1 in NSCLC.

Methods

Wound healing and transwell assays were performed to measure cell migration. RT‐qPCR was employed to calculate the mRNA level of CCAT1 and miR‐490.

Results

High expression of CCAT1 was observed in NSCLC tissues and cells, with low expression of miR‐490. CCAT1 promoted the proliferation and metastasis of H1299 and A549 cells, while miR‐490 had the opposite effect. CCAT1 could specifically bind to miR‐490 and regulate its expression. MiR‐490 partially reversed the inhibitory effect of CCAT1 on cell proliferation and metastasis.

Conclusions

The CCAT1/miR‐490 molecular axis has been shown to be important for the treatment of NSCLC.
Renal failure in a pregnant mare
Authors: de Aguiar L. H. , Gomes V. C. L. , Paul L. J. , Andrews F. M. , Chaffin M. K. , Sones J. L.
Published: December 2020

Although chronic renal disease is uncommon in horses, guidelines for management of the broodmare with kidney disease are needed to ensure successful foaling. Herein, we present a case report of a broodmare with chronic renal disease that produced a live foal, and parturition was predicted by monitoring pH and electrolytes in the milk. A 15‐year‐old pregnant mare presented with a history of poor body condition and weight loss despite an excellent appetite. At presentation, the mare was bright, alert and responsive, with severe pitting ventral oedema and vital parameters within normal limits. Plasma biochemistry revealed azotaemia, hypercalcaemia and hypophosphataemia. Based on clinical ultrasonographic and biochemical parameters, the mare was diagnosed with renal failure. Pregnancy was assessed by transabdominal ultrasound, and the fetal parameters were within normal limits; however, an increased combined thickness of the uterus and placenta and oedematous fetal membranes were found. Monitoring of mammary secretions accurately predicted the onset of foaling at 326 days of gestation. A healthy filly was delivered, and the fetal membranes were passed in a timely manner without complications. Physical examination and haematological parameters were within the normal limits for a neonate foal, except for a mild elevation in blood urea nitrogen. Two weeks later, the mare was subjected to euthanasia due to worsening of her condition. At necropsy and on histopathological examination, the findings were consistent with chronic renal disease. This case demonstrates that a pregnant horse with chronic renal disease can be managed with supportive care and produce a viable foal. Fetal well‐being and mare’s prefoaling milk electrolytes were similar to parameters measured in healthy pregnant mares, suggesting that the feto‐placental unit may be spared of the dam’s systemic disease. Prepartum physiological changes in the milk may be unaltered with concurrent maternal renal disease and still be useful for foaling prediction.
The media and CEO dominance
Authors: Huang Jiexiang , Roberts Helen , Tan Eric K. M.
Published: December 2020

This study investigates the relation between the media and CEO dominance. Using CEO pay slice (CPS) as a measure of CEO dominance, we find that negative CEO media exposure, measured by the interaction effects of negative media tone and media coverage given to the CEO of a firm, is associated with a reduction in CEO dominance. Consistent with theoretical predictions, we find that this effect is driven by the response of the Top4 executives to the external challenges posed by the media and is more pronounced in firms with good internal governance. The findings indicate that the media plays an important role as an external monitor, moderating manager behavior through the dissemination of news.
Treatment of hepatitis C virus infection in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: Truth or dare?
Authors: Mocan Tudor , Nenu Iuliana , Crăciun Rareș , Spârchez Zeno
Published: December 2020

The discovery of direct acting antivirals (DAA) with high rates of sustained virusological response is the biggest epoch‐making event in the history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment. DAAs improve liver function, prevent hepatic decompensation, and might even reverse liver fibrosis. Although initial research pointed towards a potential drawback, it is now known beyond doubt that DAA treatment reduces hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurrence or recurrence after curative treatments. Unfortunately, the story has reached another plot twist, as several other issues have emerged: (i) Should we treat patients with early HCC and HCV before or after surgery/ablation? (ii) Should patients with HCC on the waiting list receive DAA before or after liver transplantation? (iii) Should we use interferon‐free in patients with intermediate stage HCC or in patients under systemic treatments? In this review, we aim to offer some evidence‐based answers to these changing clinical dilemmas where possible, or at least some educated guesses in cases were no or little data exists.
Selective atomic layer deposition on flexible polymeric substrates employing a polyimide adhesive as a physical mask
Authors: Forouzmehr Matin , Zambou Serges , Lahtonen Kimmo , Honkanen Mari , Nazmul Anam Rafi Md , Ruhanen Aleksi , Rokaya Chakra , Lupo Donald , Berger Paul R.
Published: December 2020

The rise of low-temperature atomic layer deposition (ALD) has made it very attractive to produce high-κ dielectric for flexible electronic devices. Similarly, selective deposition of ALD films is of great relevance for circuitry. We demonstrated a simple method of using a physical mask to block the film’s growth in selected polymeric and flexible substrate areas during a low-pressure ALD process. A low-cost silicone adhesive polyimide tape was used to manually mask selected areas of bare substrates and aluminum strips deposited by evaporation. 190 cycles of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and hafnium oxide (HfO2) were deposited at temperatures ranging from 100 to 250 °C. Using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS), we showed that the mask was effective in protecting the areas under the tape. The mask did not show any modification of shape for an exposure of 10 h at 250 °C, hence keeping the form of the masked area intact. An analysis of the unmasked area by ellipsometry (632.8 nm) and x ray shows a regular film with a thickness variation under 2 nm for a given temperature and constant refractive index. EDS, selected-area XPS, and imaging XPS show an evident change of elemental content at the interface of two areas. By XPS, we established that the structure of the films was not affected by the mask, the films were stoichiometric, and there was no effect of outgassing from the adhesive film.
In the soft grip of nature
Authors: Langowski J. K. A. , Sharma P. , Shoushtari A. Leylavi
Published: December 2020

Biological grippers can inspire the development of a new class of versatile soft grippers in agrorobotics and beyond.
Membrane-Associated and Secreted Forms of the Rhesus Macaque Rhadinovirus-Encoded CD200 Homologue and Cellular CD200 Demonstrate Differential Effects on Rhesus Macaque CD200 Receptor Signaling and Regulation of Myeloid Cell Activation
Authors: Estep Ryan D. , Govindan Aparna N. , Fitzpatrick Kristin , Blair Tiffany C. , Rezaee S. A. Rahim , Blackbourn David J. , Wong Scott W.
Published: December 2020

Viral CD200 homologues are encoded by Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and the closely related rhesus macaque rhadinovirus (RRV). Though RRV viral CD200 (vCD200) has been examined, questions still exist in regard to the ability of this molecule to induce signaling via rhesus macaque CD200 receptor (CD200R) as well as the potential function of a secreted form of vCD200.
Induction of HOX Genes by Hepatitis C Virus Infection via Impairment of Histone H2A Monoubiquitination
Authors: Kasai Hirotake , Mochizuki Kazuki , Tanaka Tomohisa , Yamashita Atsuya , Matsuura Yoshiharu , Moriishi Kohji
Published: December 2020

Recently sustained virologic response can be achieved by direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy in most hepatitis C patients. Unfortunately, DAA therapy does not completely eliminate a risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Different Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Cocolonizing on a Single Plant Root System Recruit Distinct Microbiomes
Authors: Zhou Jiachao , Chai Xiaofen , Zhang Lin , George Timothy S. , Wang Fei , Feng Gu
Published: December 2020

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi form tight symbiotic relationships with the majority of terrestrial plants and play critical roles in plant P acquisition, adding a further dimension of complexity. The plant-AM fungus-bacterium system is considered a continuum, with the bacteria colonizing not only the plant roots, but also the associated mycorrhizal hyphal network, known as the hyphosphere microbiome. Plant roots are usually colonized by different AM fungal species which form an independent phosphorus uptake pathway from the root pathway, i.e., the mycorrhizal pathway.
Supplemental Material: Fingerprinting sand from Asian rivers to the deep central South China Sea since the Late Miocene
Authors: Cao Licheng , Jiang Tao , al. et
Published: December 2020

Figure S1 and Tables S1–S7.
Trabeculectomy in patients with diabetes: subconjunctival Mitomycin C with or without intravitreal bevacizumab
Authors: Nilforushan Naveed , Es'haghi Acieh , Miraftabi Arezoo , Abolfathzadeh Navid , Banifatemi Mahammad
Published: December 2020

Background/aims

To evaluate the success of Mitomycin C (MMC) augmented trabeculectomy with or without intravitreal bevacizumab in patients with diabetes without neovascular glaucoma.

Methods

Fifty-six patients with diabetes who needed trabeculectomy were randomised to either combination of 2.5 mg intravitreal bevacizumab and subconjunctival MMC (group A, 28 eyes) or subconjunctival MMC alone (group B, 28 eyes). The main outcome measures were intraocular pressure (IOP), number of antiglaucoma medications, bleb morphology and success probability. Surgical success was defined as complete according to two levels of IOP (≤18 and <15 mm Hg) and at least 20% reduction from preoperative IOP without antiglaucoma medications and qualified as complete success but with antiglaucoma medications. Total success was the sum of complete and qualified success.

Results

The mean age was 65.2±12.9 and 67.4±10.2 years in groups A and B, respectively (p=0.50). All patients completed at least 1 year of follow-up. The mean 1-year IOP decreased from 25.2±12.0 mm Hg to 10.1±2.8 in group A and from 26.4±11.6 mm Hg to 15.2±6.9 in group B (all p<0.001). Overall, postoperative IOP measurement was statistically significantly lower in group A at month 12 (p=0.001). The number of medications in groups A and B at month 12 was 0.3±0.8 and 1.0±1.2, respectively (p=0.02). The cumulative probability of success at month 12 was not statistically significant (89.3% group A, 78.6% group B; p=0.27).

Conclusion

In patients with diabetes with primary trabeculectomy, combined administration of intravitreal bevacizumab and subconjunctival MMC resulted in lower IOP and number of antiglaucoma medication compared with subconjunctival MMC alone.
Democratic and ethical problem of lung cancer screening: exclusion of true high-risk populations. Can it be fixed? Yes
Authors: Røe Oluf Dimitri
Published: December 2020

Screening a population for a potentially deadly disease, the ultimate goal must be to prevent morbidity and mortality from this disease for the whole population. Unlike breast cancer or cervical cancer screening, where all women are screened after a certain age, CT screening for lung cancer has been based on selection of putative high-risk individuals based on age and smoking cut-off values. The type of selection used leaves too many high-risk individuals behind. The solution is to use only validated risk prediction models for selection.
Boosting Reversible Pushdown and Queue Machines by Preprocessing
Authors: Axelsen Holger Bock , Kutrib Martin , Malcher Andreas , Wendlandt Matthias
Published: December 2020

It is well known that reversible finite automata do not accept all regular languages, that reversible pushdown automata do not accept all deterministic context-free languages, and that reversible queue automata are less powerful than deterministic real-time queue automata. It is of significant interest from both a practical and theoretical point of view to close these gaps. We here extend these reversible models by a preprocessing unit which is basically a reversible injective and length-preserving finite state transducer. It turns out that preprocessing the input using such weak devices increases the computational power of reversible deterministic finite automata to the acceptance of all regular languages, whereas for reversible pushdown automata the accepted family of languages lies strictly in between the reversible deterministic context-free languages and the real-time deterministic context-free languages. For reversible queue automata the preprocessing of the input leads to machines that are stronger than real-time reversible queue automata, but less powerful than real-time deterministic (irreversible) queue automata. Moreover, it is shown that the computational power of all three types of machines is not changed by allowing the preprocessing finite state transducer to work irreversibly. Finally, we examine the closure properties of the family of languages accepted by such machines.
State Complexity of Overlap Assembly
Authors: Brzozowski Janusz A. , Kari Lila , Li Bai , Szykuła Marek
Published: December 2020

The state complexity of a regular language [Formula: see text] is the number [Formula: see text] of states in a minimal deterministic finite automaton (DFA) accepting [Formula: see text]. The state complexity of a regularity-preserving binary operation on regular languages is defined as the maximal state complexity of the result of the operation where the two operands range over all languages of state complexities [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], respectively. We determine, for [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], the exact value of the state complexity of the binary operation overlap assembly on regular languages. This operation was introduced by Csuhaj-Varjú, Petre, and Vaszil to model the process of self-assembly of two linear DNA strands into a longer DNA strand, provided that their ends “overlap”. We prove that the state complexity of the overlap assembly of languages [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], is at most [Formula: see text]. Moreover, for [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] there exist languages [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] over an alphabet of size [Formula: see text] whose overlap assembly meets the upper bound and this bound cannot be met with smaller alphabets. Finally, we prove that [Formula: see text] is the state complexity of the overlap assembly in the case of unary languages and that there are binary languages whose overlap assembly has exponential state complexity at least [Formula: see text].
Metabolic Gatekeepers of Pathological B Cell Activation
Authors: Sadras Teresa , Chan Lai N. , Xiao Gang , Müschen Markus
Published: December 2020

Unlike other cell types, B cells undergo multiple rounds of V(D)J recombination and hypermutation to evolve high-affinity antibodies. Reflecting high frequencies of DNA double-strand breaks, adaptive immune protection by B cells comes with an increased risk of malignant transformation. In addition, the vast majority of newly generated B cells express an autoreactive B cell receptor (BCR). Thus, B cells are under intense selective pressure to remove autoreactive and premalignant clones. Despite stringent negative selection, B cells frequently give rise to autoimmune disease and B cell malignancies. In this review, we discuss mechanisms that we term metabolic gatekeepers to eliminate pathogenic B cell clones on the basis of energy depletion. Chronic activation signals from autoreactive BCRs or transforming oncogenes increase energy demands in autoreactive and premalignant B cells. Thus, metabolic gatekeepers limit energy supply to levels that are insufficient to fuel either a transforming oncogene or hyperactive signaling from an autoreactive BCR.
The chemokine CX3CL1/fractalkine regulates immunopathogenesis during fungal-associated allergic airway inflammation
Authors: Godwin Matthew S. , Jones MaryJane , Blackburn Jonathan P. , Yu Zhihong , Matalon Sadis , Hastie Annette T. , Meyers Deborah A. , Steele Chad
Published: December 2020

Individuals that present with difficult-to-control asthma and sensitivity to one or more fungal species are categorized as a subset of severe asthma patients belonging to a group herein referred to as severe asthma with fungal sensitization (SAFS). We have previously reported the identification of numerous cytokines and chemokines that were elevated in human asthmatics that were sensitized to fungi vs. nonfungal sensitized asthmatics. Here, we show that the unique chemokine CX3CL1 (fractalkine) is elevated in both bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and sputum from human asthmatics sensitized to fungi, implicating an association with CX3CL1 in fungal asthma severity. In an experimental model of fungal-associated allergic airway inflammation, we demonstrate that the absence of CX3CR1 signaling unexpectedly resulted in a profound impairment in lung function. Histological assessment of lung tissue revealed an unrestricted inflammatory response that was subsequently characterized by enhanced levels of neutrophils, eosinophils, and inflammatory monocytes. Neutrophilic inflammation correlated with elevated IL-17A, proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1α, and IL-1β), neutrophil survival factors (granulocyte colony-stimulating factor), and neutrophil-targeting chemokines (CCL3 and CCL4). Eosinophilia correlated with elevated type 2 responses (IL-5 and IL-13) whereas inflammatory monocyte levels correlated with elevated type 1 responses (IFN-γ and CXCL9) and survival factors (macrophage colony-stimulating factor). Despite enhanced inflammatory responses, the immunoregulatory cytokine IL-10 and the natural inhibitor of IL-1 signaling, IL-1RA, were significantly elevated rather than impaired. Regulatory T-cell levels were unchanged, as were levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-35 and IL-38. Taken together, the CX3CL1/CX3CR1 axis preserves lung function during fungal-associated allergic airway inflammation through a nonclassical immunoregulatory mechanism.
Comprehensive Evaluation of China’s Prefabricated Decoration Cost Based on Analytic Hierarchy Process
Authors: Zhong Chunling , Zhang Mengqing , Cui Xiao , Liu Zhe
Published: December 2020

The development of China’s construction industry is geared towards innovating traditional decoration engineering methods and promoting efficient, energy‐saving and environmental‐friendly prefabricated buildings. As an important part of prefabricated architecture, the slow development of prefabricated decoration has become one of the reasons that hinder the promotion and implementation of prefabricated architecture. The core problem of business is the high prefabricated cost. Accordingly, this study aims to construct a cost evaluation system with five first‐ and 22 second‐level indices by using analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Then, the layer‐by‐layer analysis was conducted. Results show that the design stage has the highest weight in the first‐level index, while the second‐level index has the highest weight in the decoration scale assembly rate and costs of house type change, installation labor, and production, respectively, which have the most significant influence on the prefabricated decoration cost. Considering that China’s prefabricated decoration has started late, this study uses China’s prefabricated development as an example with the hope of providing reference for developing countries.
Clinical Features and Risk Factors of ICU Admission for COVID-19 Patients with Diabetes
Authors: Lei Ming , Lin Kashuai , Pi Yaoqiu , Huang Xiaomei , Fan Lixin , Huang Jun , Liu Riguang , Liu Lin , Shao Xinning , Hu Kaiyuan , Yang Liuping , Qin Shuguang , He Feng
Published: December 2020

Introduction. Previous studies of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have focused on the general population. However, diabetes (DM) as one of the most common comorbidities is rarely studied in detail. This study is aimed at describing clinical characteristics and determining risk factors of ICU admission for COVID-19 patients with DM. Methods. Data were extracted from 288 adult patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 from Guangzhou Eighth People’s Hospital. Demographic characteristics, laboratory results, radiographic findings, complications, and treatments were collected and compared between DM and non-DM groups. Binary logistic regression was used to identify the risk factors associated with ICU admission for COVID-19 patients with DM or non-DM. Results. COVID-19 patients with DM showed as older ages, higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), myoglobin, alanine transaminase (ALT), and aspartate transaminase (AST). They were also more prone to transfer to the intensive care unit (ICU) for treatment. Multiple regression analysis showed that the following were the independent risk factors for COVID-19 patients with DM that received ICU admission: each 1-year increase in age (odds ratio (OR), 1.07; 95% CI, 1.02-1.13;P=0.007), respiratory rate over 24 times per minute (OR, 5.22; 95% CI, 2.26-16.58;P=0.016), HbA1c greater than 7% (OR, 4.58; 95% CI, 1.82-10.55;P=0.012), and AST higher than 40 U/L (OR, 2.96; 95% CI, 1.58-8.85;P=0.022). In addition, each 1-year increase in age (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01-1.10;P=0.006), diarrhea (OR, 4.62; 95% CI, 2.01-9.36;P=0.022), respiratory rate over 24 times per minute (OR, 5.13; 95% CI, 1.18-16.82;P=0.035), CRP greater than 10 mg/L (OR, 5.19; 95% CI, 1.37-13.25,P=0.009), and TnI higher than 0.03 μg/L (OR, 6.48; 95% CI, 1.17-21.38;P=0.036) were risk factors for ICU admission of COVID-19 patients with non-DM. Conclusions. The older age, respiratory rate over 24 times per minute, HbA1c greater than 7%, and AST higher than 40 U/L were risk factors of ICU admission for COVID-19 patients with diabetes. Investigating and monitoring these factors could assist in the risk stratification of COVID-19 patients with DM at an early stage.
Assessment of the Stability of an Unlined Rectangular Tunnel with an Overload on the Ground Surface
Authors: Zhang Jian , Hang Zhibin , Feng Tugen , Yang Feng
Published: December 2020

City tunnels are often constructed at shallow depths, and tunnel failure may be initiated by overloads resulting from surrounding buildings, structures, heavy‐haul trailers, and other installations. Although several works have been reported on tunnel stability, stability numbers have mainly been obtained for cases with fully cohesive soils. Moreover, little information has been presented about the influence of overloads on the failure patterns for unlined rectangular tunnels. This paper uses upper‐bound finite element methods to assess the stability of an unlined rectangular tunnel in cohesive‐frictional soils with an overload acting on the ground surface. A complete set of dimensionless parameters covering the tunnel size and shallow tunnel depth and Mohr‐Coulomb material parameters are determined to obtain the dimensionless overload. In addition, failure modes that are similar to slip line fields are acquired. A failure mechanism that may cause base heave is proposed in this paper to improve the accuracy of the results. These failure patterns are more complex for cases with larger dimensionless depth, larger internal friction angle, and smaller dimensionless unit weight. Compared with the rigid‐block mechanisms from the upper‐bound rigid‐block analysis method, these computed failure mechanisms are better suited for rectangular tunnel stability analysis.
An Energy-Efficient Silicon Photonic-Assisted Deep Learning Accelerator for Big Data
Authors: Li Mengkun , Wang Yongjian
Published: December 2020

Deep learning has become the most mainstream technology in artificial intelligence (AI) because it can be comparable to human performance in complex tasks. However, in the era of big data, the ever-increasing data volume and model scale makes deep learning require mighty computing power and acceptable energy costs. For electrical chips, including most deep learning accelerators, transistor performance limitations make it challenging to meet computing’s energy efficiency requirements. Silicon photonic devices are expected to replace transistors and become the mainstream components in computing architecture due to their advantages, such as low energy consumption, large bandwidth, and high speed. Therefore, we propose a silicon photonic-assisted deep learning accelerator for big data. The accelerator uses microring resonators (MRs) to form a photonic multiplication array. It combines photonic-specific wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technology to achieve multiple parallel calculations of input feature maps and convolution kernels at the speed of light, providing the promise of energy efficiency and calculation speed improvement. The proposed accelerator achieves at least a 75x improvement in computational efficiency compared to the traditional electrical design.
Characterization of the Volatile Components of Essential Oils of Selected Plants in Kenya
Authors: Mugao Lydia G. , Gichimu Bernard M. , Muturi Phyllis W. , Mukono Simon T.
Published: December 2020

Essential oils are secondary metabolites that plants produce for protection from pests and predators, attraction of pollinators, and seed dispersal. The oils are made up of a mixture of compounds that give a characteristic flavour and odour. Currently, essential oils are receiving great attention in research for their phytochemical and antimicrobial activities. However, there is scanty information on the chemical composition of many plants. This study provides a detailed analysis of the chemical composition of essential oils of ginger, garlic, tick berry, and Mexican marigold in Kenya. The essential oils were extracted by steam distillation and analysed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The study identified a total of 52 different chemical classes from the essential oils of the four different plants that were analysed. Their percentage composition was also found to vary between the test plants. The essential oils of Mexican marigold constituted the highest composition of the identified chemical classes at 71.2%, followed by ginger at 55.8%, while both tick berry and garlic oils constituted 53.8% of the total classes identified. Terpenes constituted the highest composition in the essential oils of all the four test plants. Other major chemical classes included esters, ketones, organosulfurs, alkanes, cycloalkanes, steroids, aromatic hydrocarbons, and alkanols. Some of these chemical compounds have been shown to have a huge utility potential in biopesticides, pharmaceutical, and food industries, and hence, their industrial extraction and purification from the essential oils of these plants are recommended.
Molecular Modulation of Fetal Liver Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization into Fetal Bone Marrow in Mice
Authors: Zeng Huihong , Cheng Jiaoqi , Fan Ying , Luan Yingying , Yang Juan , Wang Feixuan , Yang Shuo , Shao Lijian
Published: December 2020

Development of hematopoietic stem cells is a complex process, which has been extensively investigated. Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in mouse fetal liver are highly expanded to prepare for mobilization of HSCs into the fetal bone marrow. It is not completely known how the fetal liver niche regulates HSC expansion without loss of self-renewal ability. We reviewed current progress about the effects of fetal liver niche, chemokine, cytokine, and signaling pathways on HSC self-renewal, proliferation, and expansion. We discussed the molecular regulations of fetal HSC expansion in mouse and zebrafish. It is also unknown how HSCs from the fetal liver mobilize, circulate, and reside into the fetal bone marrow niche. We reviewed how extrinsic and intrinsic factors regulate mobilization of fetal liver HSCs into the fetal bone marrow, which provides tools to improve HSC engraftment efficiency during HSC transplantation. Understanding the regulation of fetal liver HSC mobilization into the fetal bone marrow will help us to design proper clinical therapeutic protocol for disease treatment like leukemia during pregnancy. We prospect that fetal cells, including hepatocytes and endothelial and hematopoietic cells, might regulate fetal liver HSC expansion. Components from vascular endothelial cells and bones might also modulate the lodging of fetal liver HSCs into the bone marrow. The current review holds great potential to deeply understand the molecular regulations of HSCs in the fetal liver and bone marrow in mammals, which will be helpful to efficiently expand HSCs in vitro.
Strong Convergence on the Aggregate Constraint-Shifting Homotopy Method for Solving General Nonconvex Programming
Authors: Zhu Zhichuan , Liou Yeong-Cheng
Published: December 2020

In the paper, the aggregate constraint-shifting homotopy method for solving general nonconvex nonlinear programming is considered. The aggregation is only about inequality constraint functions. Without any cone condition for the constraint functions, the existence and convergence of the globally convergent solution to the K-K-T system are obtained for both feasible and infeasible starting points under much weaker conditions.
ЗАСЛУЖЕНОМУ ПРАЦІВНИКУ ОСВІТИ УКРАЇНИ, ЕПІДЕМІОЛОГУ ОЛЕКСАНДРУ ДАНИЛОВИЧУ КРУШЕЛЬНИЦЬКОМУ ВИПОВНИЛОСЯ 70 РОКІВ
Authors: Avtoriv Kolektyv
Published: December 2020

Стисло висвітлено основні біографічні віхи й творчий доробок О.Д. Крушельницького – заслуженого працівника освіти України, лікаря-епідеміолога, кандидата медичних наук, доцента кафедри військово-профілактичної медицини Української військово-медичної академії.
ХРОНІЧНА ПОСТТРАВМАТИЧНА ЕНЦЕФАЛОПАТІЯ. ПОГЛЯД НА ПРОБЛЕМУ
Authors: Salii Z. V.
Published: December 2020

Резюме. Хронічна травматична енцефалопатія (ХТЕ) – унікальна нейродегенеративна таупатія – вперше описали в боксерів, а згодом, у спортсменів контактних видів спорту, військових ветеранів та цивільних, які піддавалися повторним легким черепно-мозковим травмам.

Мета дослідження – проаналізувати світовий досвід останнього десятиліття у дослідженні поширеності, факторів ризику, патогенезу та діагностики хронічної травматичної енцефалопатії.

Матеріали і методи. Здійснено аналіз доступних інформаційних ресурсів мережі «Internet», іноземних фахових видань, медичної бази даних MEDLINE/PubMed за останні десять років. Застосовано метод інформаційного пошуку та аналітико-порівняльний.

Результати. Експериментальні та клінічні роботи останнього десятиліття спрямовані на вирішення численних проблем, зокрема встановлення поширеності ХТЕ, факторів ризику, основних патогенетичних механізмів, удосконаленні морфологічних та клінічних критеріїв, спробах класифікувати ХТЕ, пошуку біомаркерів та специфічних нейровізуальних критеріїв. Клінічно для патології властиві прогресуючі когнітивні (пам’ять, виконавча дисфункція, візуально-просторова дисфункція) й поведінкові (збудливість, агресія) розлади, зміни настрою (депресія, суїцидальність) та рухові порушення (дисфагія, брадикінезія, тремор, ригідність, порушення ходи, падіння тощо). Триває пошук консенсусу щодо клінічної класифікації ХТЕ. Морфологічно ХТЕ характеризується процесами накопичення фосфорильованого тау (р-тау) у верхівках і навколосудинних ділянках, мікрогліозу та астроцитозу, що призводить до прогресуючої нейродегенерації. Ураження зазнають в основному лобна, скронева та потилична частки. Встановлено роль контактних видів спорту, віку, в якому було отримано першу черепно-мозкову травму (критично 9–12 років), тривалості спортивної кар’єри.

Висновки. Незважаючи на майже столітню історію вивчення ХТЕ, з часом кількість питань, які потребують вирішення, – зростає. Перспективним є пошук діагностичних критеріїв, які дозволять не лише прижиттєво підтвердити діагноз ХТЕ, але і встановити маркери (нейрональної, аксональної та астрогліальної травм), що прогнозуватимуть ризик розвитку нейродегенеративної патології після черепно-мозкової травми.
КОРЕКЦІЯ ВІТАМІНАМИ ГРУПИ В ПОРУШЕНЬ ТРАНССУЛЬФУРАЗНОГО ШЛЯХУ УТИЛІЗАЦІЇ ГОМОЦИСТЕЇНУ ПРИ ГІПЕР- І ГІПОФУНКЦІЇ ЩИТОПОДІБНОЇ ЗАЛОЗИ
Authors: Nechiporuk V. M. , Korda M. M.
Published: December 2020

Вступ. Дисфункція щитоподібної залози – фактор розвитку багатьох серцево-судинних захворювань, водночас гіпергомоцистеїнемія також є добре відомим чинником розвитку патологій серцево-судинної системи. Встановлено, що експериментальний гіпертиреоз викликає зменшення рівня гомоцистеїну (ГЦ) у крові, водночас гіпотиреоз призводить до протилежних змін в обміні сірковмісних амінокислот, зокрема, підвищується вміст ГЦ у крові, знижується рівень H2S і зростає рівень цистеїну, що є наслідком змін активності ензимів метаболізму метіоніну.

Мета дослідження – з’ясувати вплив гормонів щитоподібної залози на процеси транссульфування ГЦ в органах тварин, оцінити можливість корекції порушених під впливом гіпер- та гіпотиреозу процесів обміну ГЦ за допомогою вітамінів В6, В9, В12 і бетаїну.

Методи дослідження. Роботу виконано на щурах-самцях, у яких досліджували вплив гіпер- (L-тироксин, 200 мкг/добу на 1 кг маси) та гіпотиреозу (мерказоліл, 10 мг/добу на 1 кг маси) на реакції транссульфування ГЦ в органах тварин і корекцію порушених під впливом L-тироксину та мерказолілу процесів обміну ГЦ за допомогою вітамінів В6, В9, В12 і бетаїну. У печінці й нирках визначали цистатіонінсинтазну активність цистатіонін-β-синтази (ЦБС) і цистатіоніназну активність цистатіонін-γ-ліази (ЦГЛ), у мозку – тільки активність ЦБС, у крові – вміст ГЦ та цистеїну.

Результати й обговорення. Гіпертиреоз викликав зростання цистатіонінсинтазної активності ЦБС у печінці та мозку. Застосування вітаміну В6 у тварин з гіпертиреозом призводило до ще більшого підвищення цього показника. Цистатіоніназна активність ЦГЛ при гіпертиреозі й використанні вітаміну В6 достовірно зростала лише в нирках. Бетаїн, В9 та В12 у тварин з гіпертиреозом спричиняли підвищення активності ЦБС у мозку та печінці. Гіпертиреоз знижував рівень ГЦ та не впливав на рівень цистеїну. Фолієва кислота, ціанокобаламін, піридоксин і бетаїн, при їх введенні паралельно з L-тироксином, частково запобігали зменшенню концентрації ГЦ у крові. Мерказоліл пригнічував активність ензимів шляху транссульфування порівняно з інтактними тваринами: ЦБС – у печінці та нирках, ЦГЛ – у нирках. Піридоксин частково попереджував зниження активності ЦБС у печінці та мозку, бетаїн – активності ЦБС у тканинах печінки, нирок і мозку й активності ЦГЛ лише в нирках. Найефективнішою виявилася комбінація вітамінів групи В і бетаїну. Гіпотиреоз призводив до підвищення вмісту в крові ГЦ і цистеїну. Вітаміни В6, В9 та В12, а також комбінація всіх середників викликали у тварин з гіпотиреозом зниження рівня ГЦ.

Висновки. Тривалі гіпер- та гіпотиреоз викликають дисбаланс шляху транссульфування ГЦ. Фолієва кислота, ціанокобаламін, піридоксин і бетаїн частково запобігають порушенню процесів метаболізму сірковмісних амінокислот та призводять до зниження рівня ГЦ і цистеїну в крові щурів з гіпотиреозом.