bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Non-Stationary Effects of the Arctic Oscillation and El Niño–Southern Oscillation on January Temperatures in Korea
Authors: Yoon Jae-Seung , Chung Il-Ung , Shin Ho-Jeong , Jang Kunmn-Yeong , Kim Maeng-Ki , Park Jeong-Soo , Park Doo-Sun R. , Boo Kyung-On , Byun Young-Hwa , Sung Hyun-Min
Published: April 2021

In recent decades, extremely cold winters have occurred repeatedly throughout the Northern Hemisphere, including the Korean Peninsula (hereafter, Korea). Typically, cold winter temperatures in Korea can be linked to the strengthening of the Siberian High (SH). Although previous studies have investigated the typical relationship between the SH and winter temperatures in Korea, this study uniquely focused on a change in the relationship, which reflects the influence of the Arctic Oscillation (AO) and El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). A significant change in the 15-year moving correlation between the SH and the surface air temperature average in Korea (K-tas) was observed in January. The correlation changed from −0.80 during 1971–1990 to −0.16 during 1991–2010. The mean sea-level pressure pattern regressed with the temperature, and a singular value decomposition analysis that incorporated the temperature and pressure supports that the negative high correlation during 1971–1990 was largely affected by AO. This connection with AO is substantiated by empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis with an upper-level geopotential height at 300 hPa. In the second mode of the EOF, the temperature and pressure patterns were primarily affected by ENSO during 1991–2010. Consequently, the interdecadal change in correlation between K-tas and the SH in January can be attributed to the dominant effect of AO from 1971–1990 and of ENSO from 1991–2010. Our results suggest that the relative importance of these factors in terms of the January climate in Korea has changed on a multidecadal scale.
High Expression of Caspase-8 Associated with Improved Survival in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: Machine Learning and Artificial Neural Networks Analyses
Authors: Carreras Joaquim , Kikuti Yara Yukie , Roncador Giovanna , Miyaoka Masashi , Hiraiwa Shinichiro , Tomita Sakura , Ikoma Haruka , Kondo Yusuke , Ito Atsushi , Shiraiwa Sawako , Ando Kiyoshi , Nakamura Naoya , Hamoudi Rifat
Published: April 2021

High expression of the anti-apoptotic TNFAIP8 is associated with poor survival of the patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and one of the functions of TNFAIP8 is to inhibit the pro-apoptosis Caspase-8. We aimed to analyze the immunohistochemical expression of Caspase-8 (active subunit p18; CASP8) in a series of 97 cases of DLBCL from Tokai University Hospital, and to correlate with other Caspase-8 pathway-related markers, including cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved PARP, BCL2, TP53, MDM2, MYC, Ki67, E2F1, CDK6, MYB and LMO2. After digital image quantification, the correlation with several clinicopathological characteristics of the patients showed that high protein expression of Caspase-8 was associated with a favorable overall and progression-free survival (Hazard Risks = 0.3; p = 0.005 and 0.03, respectively). Caspase-8 also positively correlated with cCASP3, MDM2, E2F1, TNFAIP8, BCL2 and Ki67. Next, the Caspase-8 protein expression was modeled using predictive analytics, and a high overall predictive accuracy (>80%) was obtained with CHAID decision tree, Bayesian network, discriminant analysis, C5 tree, logistic regression, and Artificial Intelligence Neural Network methods (both Multilayer perceptron and Radial basis function); the most relevant markers were cCASP3, E2F1, TP53, cPARP, MDM2, BCL2 and TNFAIP8. Finally, the CASP8 gene expression was also successfully modeled in an independent DLBCL series of 414 cases from the Lymphoma/Leukemia Molecular Profiling Project (LLMPP). In conclusion, high protein expression of Caspase-8 is associated with a favorable prognosis of DLBCL. Predictive modeling is a feasible analytic strategy that results in a solution that can be understood (i.e., explainable artificial intelligence, “white-box” algorithms).
A Review on Cementitious Materials Including Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Bottom Ash (MSWI-BA) as Aggregates
Authors: Bawab Jad , Khatib Jamal , Kenai Said , Sonebi Mohammed
Published: April 2021

Waste management is a vital environmental issue in the world today. Municipal solid wastes (MSWs) are discarded in huge quantities on a daily basis and need to be well controlled. Incineration is a common method for reducing the volume of these wastes, yet it produces ashes that require further assessment. Municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash (MSWI-BA) is the bulk byproduct of the incineration process and has the potential to be used in the construction sector. This paper offers a review of the use of MSWI-BA as aggregates in cementitious materials. With the growing demand of aggregates in cementitious materials, MSWI-BA is considered for use as a partial or full alternative. Although the physical and chemical properties of MSWI-BA are different than those of natural aggregates (NA) in terms of water absorption, density, and fineness, they can be treated by various methods to ensure suitable quality for construction purposes. These treatment methods are classified into thermal treatment, solidification and stabilization, and separation processes, where this review focuses on the techniques that reduce deficiencies limiting the use of MSWI-BA as aggregates in different ways. When replacing NA in cementitious materials, MSWI-BA causes a decrease in workability, density, and strength. Moreover, they cause an increase in water absorption, air porosity, and drying shrinkage. In general, the practicality of using MSWI-BA in cementitious materials is mainly influenced by its treatment method and the replacement level, and it is concluded that further research, especially on durability, is required before MSWI-BA can be efficiently used in the production of sustainable cementitious materials.
Distinct mRNAs in Cancer Extracellular Vesicles Activate Angiogenesis and Alter Transcriptome of Vascular Endothelial Cells
Authors: Zhang Pan , Lim Su Bin , Jiang Kuan , Chew Ti Weng , Low Boon Chuan , Lim Chwee Teck
Published: April 2021

Cancer-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been demonstrated to be implicated in various processes of cancer development, with most of the EV-induced changes attributed to EV-proteins and EV-microRNAs. However, the knowledge about the abundance of cancer EV-mRNAs and their contribution to cancer development remain elusive. Here, we show that mRNAs prevail in cancer EVs as compared with normal EVs, and cancer EVs that carry abundant angiogenic mRNAs activate angiogenesis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Specifically, of a gene panel comprising 61 hypoxia-targeted oncogenes, a larger proportion is harbored by cancer EVs (>40%) than normal EVs (14.8%). Fluorescent trafficking indicates cancer EVs deliver translatable mRNAs such as VEGFA to HUVECs, contributing to the activation of VEGFR-dependent angiogenesis and the upregulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related and metabolism-related genes. Overall, our findings provide novel insights into EV-mRNAs and their role in angiogenesis, and has potential for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
A Phase 2 Clinical Trial of Trametinib and Low-Dose Dabrafenib in Patients with Advanced Pretreated NRASQ61R/K/L Mutant Melanoma (TraMel-WT)
Authors: Awada Gil , Schwarze Julia Katharina , Tijtgat Jens , Fasolino Giuseppe , Everaert Hendrik , Neyns Bart
Published: April 2021

Background: MEK-inhibitor monotherapy has activity in advanced NRASQ61R/K/L mutant melanoma but is associated with dose-limiting cutaneous toxicity. The combination of a BRAF- with a MEK-inhibitor at their full dose (as in BRAFV600E/K mutant melanoma) has low cutaneous toxicity. It is unknown whether a low dose of BRAF-inhibitor can mitigate the skin toxicity associated with full-dose MEK-inhibitor treatment in patients with advanced NRASQ61R/K/L mutant melanoma. Methods: This two-stage phase 2 clinical trial investigated trametinib 2 mg once daily in patients with advanced NRASQ61R/K/L mutant melanoma who were pretreated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. In case of trametinib-related cutaneous toxicity, low-dose dabrafenib (50 mg twice daily) was added to prevent recurrent cutaneous toxicity (pre-amendment). Following an amendment, trametinib was combined upfront with low-dose dabrafenib (post-amendment). Objective response rate (ORR) served as the primary endpoint. Results: All 6 patients enrolled pre-amendment developed trametinib-related cutaneous toxicity, necessitating treatment interruption. Combining trametinib with low-dose dabrafenib prevented recurrent skin toxicity thereafter. Trametinib-related skin toxicity was effectively mitigated in all 10 patients post-amendment. In all 16 included patients, the ORR and disease control rate was 6.3% (1 partial response) and 50.0%, respectively. The trial was halted after the first stage. Conclusions: Combining full-dose trametinib with low-dose dabrafenib can mitigate MEK-inhibitor-related skin toxicity but was insufficiently active in this patient population. This combination can be of further interest for the treatment of MEK-inhibitor-sensitive tumors.
Percutaneous Irreversible Electroporation for Treatment of Small Hepatocellular Carcinoma Invisible on Unenhanced CT: A Novel Combined Strategy with Prior Transarterial Tumor Marking
Authors: Pan Feng , Do Thuy D. , Vollherbst Dominik F. , Pereira Philippe L. , Richter Götz M. , Faerber Michael , Weiss Karl H. , Mehrabi Arianeb , Kauczor Hans U. , Sommer Christof M.
Published: April 2021

Introduction. To explore the feasibility, safety, and efficiency of ethiodized oil tumor marking combined with irreversible electroporation (IRE) for small hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) that were invisible on unenhanced computed tomography (CT). Methods. A retrospective analysis of the institutional database was performed from January 2018 to September 2018. Patients undergoing ethiodized oil tumor marking to improve target-HCC visualization in subsequent CT-guided IRE were retrieved. Target-HCC visualization after marking was assessed, and the signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) and contrast-to-noise ratios (CNR) were compared between pre-marking and post-marking CT images using the paired t-test. Standard IRE reports, adverse events, therapeutic endpoints, and survival were summarized and assessed. Results. Nine patients with 11 target-HCCs (11.1–18.8 mm) were included. After marking, all target-HCCs demonstrated complete visualization in post-marking CT, which were invisible in pre-marking CT. Quantitatively, the SNR of the target-HCCs significantly increased after marking (11.07 ± 4.23 vs. 3.36 ± 1.79, p = 0.006), as did the CNR (4.32 ± 3.31 vs. 0.43 ± 0.28, p = 0.023). In sequential IRE procedures, the average current was 30.1 ± 5.3 A, and both the delta ampere and percentage were positive with the mean values of 5.8 ± 2.1 A and 23.8 ± 6.3%, respectively. All procedures were technically successful without any adverse events. In the follow-up, no residual unablated tumor (endpoint-1) was observed. The half-year, one-year, and two-year local tumor progression (endpoint-2) rate was 0%, 9.1%, and 27.3%. The two-year overall survival rate was 100%. Conclusions. Ethiodized oil tumor marking enables to demarcate small HCCs that were invisible on unenhanced CT. It potentially allows a safe and complete ablation in subsequent CT-guided IRE.
Intratumoral Cellular Heterogeneity: Implications for Drug Resistance in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Gregorc Vanesa , Lazzari Chiara , Mandalá Mario , Ippati Stefania , Bulotta Alessandra , Cangi Maria Giulia , Khater Abdelrahman , Viganò Maria Grazia , Mirabile Aurora , Pecciarini Lorenza , Ogliari Francesca Rita , Arrigoni Gianluigi , Grassini Greta , Veronesi Giulia , Doglioni Claudio
Published: April 2021

Tailored therapies based on the identification of molecular targets currently represent a well-established therapeutic scenario in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. However, while aiming to improve patients’ response to therapy, development of resistance is frequently observed in daily clinical practice. Intratumoral heterogeneity is a frequent event in NSCLC, responsible for several critical issues in patients’ diagnosis and treatment. Advances in single-cell sequencing technologies have allowed in-depth profiling of tumors and attributed intratumoral heterogeneity to genetic, epigenetic, and protein modification driven diversities within cancer cell populations. This review highlights current research on the biological role of tumor heterogeneity and its impact on the development of acquired resistance in NSCLC patients.
Cancer Patients Have an Increased Incidence of Dementia: A Retrospective Cohort Study of 185,736 Outpatients in Germany
Authors: Roderburg Christoph , Loosen Sven H. , Kunstein Anselm , Mohr Raphael , Jördens Markus S. , Luedde Mark , Kostev Karel , Luedde Tom
Published: April 2021

Background: Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide and incidence rates for several tumor entities are rising. In addition to a high cancer-specific mortality rate, many cancer patients also suffer from additional comorbidities. Among these, several psychological morbidities have been extensively studied in the past, but findings on the association between cancer and dementia have remained conflicting. In the present study, we evaluated the possibility of an association between cancer and dementia. Methods: Based on data from the IQVIA Disease Analyzer database, a total of 92,868 cancer outpatients initially diagnosed between 2000 and 2018 were matched by age, gender, index year, and yearly consultation frequency to 92,868 individuals without cancer. Ten-year incidence rates of dementia were compared for the two cohorts. Results: The overall cumulative incidence of dementia was significantly higher in cancer patients (19.7%) than in non-cancer patients (16.7%, p < 0.001). Cox regression models confirmed that this association was significant for both male (HR: 1.35 [1.30–1.41], p < 0.001) and female (HR: 1.26 [1.21–1.31], p < 0.001) patients and was consistent among all age groups analyzed (65–70, 71–75, 76–80, 81–85, and >85 years). In addition, the association between cancer and dementia was significant for all cancer entities analyzed (skin, digestive organs, prostate, breast, urinary tract, lymphoid and hematopoietic tissue, and lung cancer) and most pronounced in patients with lung cancer (HR: 1.44 [1.28–1.62], p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our data provide strong evidence for an increased incidence of dementia in a large cohort of patients with different cancer entities, which should raise awareness of this important comorbidity in cancer patients.
Promising Role of Circulating Tumor Cells in the Management of SCLC
Authors: De Luca Antonella , Gallo Marianna , Esposito Claudia , Morabito Alessandro , Normanno Nicola
Published: April 2021

Small cell lung cancer is an aggressive disease for which few therapeutic options are currently available. Although patients initially respond to therapy, they rapidly relapse. Up to today, no biomarkers for guiding treatment of SCLC patients have been identified. SCLC patients rarely undergo surgery and often the available tissue samples are inadequate for biomarker analysis. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are rare cells in the peripheral blood that might be used as surrogates of tissue samples. Different methodological approaches have been developed for studies of CTCs in SCLC. In addition to CTC count, which might provide prognostic and predictive information, genomic and transcriptomic analyses allow the characterization of molecular profiles of CTCs and permit the study of tumor heterogeneity. The employment of CTC-derived xenografts offers complementary information to genomic analyses and CTC enumeration about the mechanisms involved in the sensitivity/resistance to treatments. Using these approaches, CTC analysis is providing relevant information on SCLC biology that might aid in the development of personalized therapeutic strategies for SCLC patients.
Personalized Immunotherapy Treatment Strategies for a Dynamical System of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
Authors: Valle Paul A. , Coria Luis N. , Plata Corina
Published: April 2021

This paper is devoted to exploring personalized applications of cellular immunotherapy as a control strategy for the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia described by a dynamical system of three first-order ordinary differential equations. The latter was achieved by applying both the Localization of Compact Invariant Sets and Lyapunov’s stability theory. Combination of these two approaches allows us to establish sufficient conditions on the immunotherapy treatment parameter to ensure the complete eradication of the leukemia cancer cells. These conditions are given in terms of the system parameters and by performing several in silico experimentations, we formulated a protocol for the therapy application that completely eradicates the leukemia cancer cells population for different initial tumour concentrations. The formulated protocol does not dangerously increase the effector T cells population. Further, complete eradication is considered when solutions go below a finite critical value below which cancer cells cannot longer persist; i.e., one cancer cell. Numerical simulations are consistent with our analytical results.
Study of the Rate-Determining Step of Rh Catalyzed CO2 Reduction: Insight on the Hydrogen Assisted Molecular Dissociation
Authors: Vanzan Mirko , Marsili Margherita , Corni Stefano
Published: April 2021

In the context of climate change mitigation, CO2 methanation is an important option for the production of synthetic carbon-neutral fuels and for atmospheric CO2 recycling. While being highly exothermic, this reaction is kinetically unfavorable, requiring a catalyst to be efficiently activated. Recently Rh nanoparticles gained attention as effective photocatalyst, but the rate-determining step of this reaction on Rh surface has not been characterized yet. In this work, Density Functional Theory and Nudged Elastic Band calculations were performed to study the Rh-catalyzed rate-determining step of the CO2 methanation, which concerns the hydrogen assisted cleavage of the CO* molecule and subsequent formation of CH* and O* (* marks adsorbed species), passing through the CHO* key intermediate. The configurations of the various adsorbates on the Rh (100) surface were investigated and the reaction mechanism was studied exploiting different exchange-correlation functionals (PBE, RPBE) and the PBE+U technique. The methanation rate-determining step consists of two subprocesses which subsequently generate and dissociate the CHO* species. The energetics and the dynamics of such processes are extensively studied and described. Interestingly, PBE and PBE+U calculated activation barriers are in good agreement with the available experimental data, while RPBE largely overestimate the CHO* dissociation barrier.
Planarians, a Neglected Component of Biodiversity in Groundwaters
Authors: Barzaghi Benedetta , De Giorgi Davide , Pennati Roberta , Manenti Raoul
Published: April 2021

Underground waters are still one of the most important sources of drinking water for the planet. Moreover, the fauna that inhabits these waters is still little known, even if it could be used as an effective bioindicator. Among cave invertebrates, planarians are strongly suited to be used as a study model to understand adaptations and trophic web features. Here, we show a systematic literature review that aims to investigate the studies done so far on groundwater-dwelling planarians. The research was done using Google Scholar and Web of Science databases. Using the key words “Planarian cave” and “Flatworm Cave” we found 2273 papers that our selection reduced to only 48, providing 113 usable observations on 107 different species of planarians from both groundwaters and springs. Among the most interesting results, it emerged that planarians are at the top of the food chain in two thirds of the reported caves, and in both groundwaters and springs they show a high variability of morphological adaptations to subterranean environments. This is a first attempt to review the phylogeny of the groundwater-dwelling planarias, focusing on the online literature. The paucity of information underlines that scarce attention has been dedicated to these animals. Further revisions, including old papers and books, not available online will be necessary.
Diagnostic Performance and Usability of the Genedrive® HCV ID Kit in Two Decentralized Settings in Cameroon and Georgia
Authors: Lamoury Francois M. J. , Njouom Richard , Amougou-Atsama Marie , Yiagnigni Mfopou Euloge , Berishvili Nino , Sologashvili Manana , Fajardo Emmanuel , Malobela Agnes , Macé Aurélien , Chirehwa Maxwell , Alkhazashvili Maia , Ivanova Reipold Elena
Published: April 2021

Point-of-care diagnostics have the potential to increase diagnosis and linkage to care and help reach the WHO targets to eliminate hepatitis C virus (HCV) by 2030. Here, we evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of Genedrive HCV ID assay for the qualitative detection of HCV RNA in decentralized settings in two low- and middle-income countries using fresh plasma specimens from 426 participants. The Abbott RealTime HCV assay was used as the gold standard. Genedrive HCV ID assay was conducted by different users. Users also completed questionnaires to assess the usability of Genedrive. At detection thresholds of 12 IU/mL or 30 IU/mL, 1000 IU/mL, and 2362 IU/mL, the sensitivity was 96.2% (95% CI: 92.7–98.4), 100% (98.2–100), and 100% (98.2–100), respectively; the specificity was 99.5% (95% CI: 97.4–100), 99.5% (97.5–100), and 98.7% (96.1–100), respectively. All genotypes detected using the gold-standard assay were also detected with Genedrive. Users found Genedrive easy to use. Genedrive is a simple and accurate test to confirm chronic HCV infection in decentralized, real-life, resource-limited settings. This novel diagnostic tool could contribute to closing the current gap in HCV diagnosis.
Isolated Hypomethylation of IGF2 Associated with Severe Hypoglycemia Responsive to Growth Hormone Treatment
Authors: Grünert Sarah C. , Matysiak Uta , Hodde Franka , Ruzaike Gunda , Lausch Ekkehart , Schumann Anke , van der Werf-Grohmann Natascha , Spiekerkoetter Ute , Schmidts Miriam
Published: April 2021

Hypomethylation of H19 and IGF2 can cause Silver–Russell syndrome (SRS), a clinically and genetically heterogeneous condition characterized by intrauterine growth restriction, poor postnatal growth, relative macrocephaly, craniofacial abnormalities, body asymmetry, hypoglycemia and feeding difficulties. Isolated hypomethylation of IGF2 has been reported in single cases of SRS as well. Here, we report on a 19-month-old patient who presented with two episodes of hypoglycemic seizures. No intrauterine growth restriction was observed, the patient did not present with SRS-typical facial features, and postnatal growth in the first months of life was along the lower normal percentiles. Exome sequencing did not reveal any likely pathogenic variants explaining the phenotype; however, hypomethylation studies revealed isolated hypomethylation of IGF2, while the methylation of H19 appeared normal. Hypoglycemia responded well to growth hormone therapy, and the boy showed good catch-up growth. Our case demonstrates that SRS and isolated IGF2 hypomethylation should be considered early in the diagnosis of recurrent hypoglycemia in childhood, especially in combination with small gestational age and poor growth.
Aortic Annular Sizing Using Novel Software in Three-Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Mork Chanrith , Wei Minjie , Jiang Weixi , Ren Jianli , Ran Haitao
Published: April 2021

(1) Background: We performed this study to evaluate the agreement between novel automated software of three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3D-TEE) and multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) for aortic annular measurements of preprocedural transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR); (2) Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library (Wiley) databases were systematically searched for studies that compared 3D-TEE and MDCT as the reference standard for aortic annular measurement of the following parameters: annular area, annular perimeter, area derived-diameter, perimeter derived-diameter, maximum and minimum diameter. Meta-analytic methods were utilized to determine the pooled correlations and mean differences between 3D-TEE and MDCT. Heterogeneity and publication bias were also assessed. Meta-regression analyses were performed based on the potential factors affecting the correlation of aortic annular area; (3) Results: A total of 889 patients from 10 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled correlation coefficients between 3D-TEE and MDCT of annulus area, perimeter, area derived-diameter, perimeter derived-diameter, maximum and minimum diameter measurements were strong 0.89 (95% CI: 0.84–0.92), 0.88 (95% CI: 0.83–0.92), 0.87 (95% CI: 0.77–0.93), 0.87 (95% CI: 0.77–0.93), 0.79 (95% CI: 0.64–0.87), and 0.75 (95% CI: 0.61–0.84) (Overall p < 0.0001), respectively. Pooled mean differences between 3D-TEE and MDCT of annulus area, perimeter, area derived-diameter, perimeter derived-diameter, maximum and minimum diameter measurements were −20.01 mm2 ((95% CI: −35.37 to −0.64), p = 0.011), −2.31 mm ((95% CI: −3.31 to −1.31), p < 0.0001), −0.22 mm ((95% CI: −0.73 to 0.29), p = 0.40), −0.47 mm ((95% CI: −1.06 to 0.12), p = 0.12), −1.36 mm ((95% CI: −2.43 to −0.30), p = 0.012), and 0.31 mm ((95% CI: −0.15 to 0.77), p = 0.18), respectively. There were no statistically significant associations with the baseline patient characteristics of sex, age, left ventricular ejection fraction, mean transaortic gradient, and aortic valve area to the correlation between 3D-TEE and MDCT for aortic annular area sizing; (4) Conclusions: The present study implies that 3D-TEE using novel software tools, automatically analysis, is feasible to MDCT for annulus sizing in clinical practice.
Welcome to DNA—An Open Access Journal
Authors: Griffin Darren K.
Published: April 2021

We are very proud to launch this new and exciting international peer-reviewed open access journal [...]
Exploring the Alterations in the Distribution of Neural Network Weights in Dementia Due to Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Revilla-Vallejo Marcos , Poza Jesús , Gomez-Pilar Javier , Hornero Roberto , Tola-Arribas Miguel Ángel , Cano Mónica , Gómez Carlos
Published: April 2021

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder which has become an outstanding social problem. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the alterations that dementia due to AD elicits in the distribution of functional network weights. Functional connectivity networks were obtained using the orthogonalized Amplitude Envelope Correlation (AEC), computed from source-reconstructed resting-state eletroencephalographic (EEG) data in a population formed by 45 cognitive healthy elderly controls, 69 mild cognitive impaired (MCI) patients and 81 AD patients. Our results indicated that AD induces a progressive alteration of network weights distribution; specifically, the Shannon entropy (SE) of the weights distribution showed statistically significant between-group differences (p < 0.05, Kruskal-Wallis test, False Discovery Rate corrected). Furthermore, an in-depth analysis of network weights distributions was performed in delta, alpha, and beta-1 frequency bands to discriminate the weight ranges showing statistical differences in SE. Our results showed that lower and higher weights were more affected by the disease, whereas mid-range connections remained unchanged. These findings support the importance of performing detailed analyses of the network weights distribution to further understand the impact of AD progression on functional brain activity.
Optimized Variational Mode Decomposition and Permutation Entropy with Their Application in Feature Extraction of Ship-Radiated Noise
Authors: Xie Dongri , Hong Shaohua , Yao Chaojun
Published: April 2021

The complex and changeable marine environment surrounded by a variety of noise, including sounds of marine animals, industrial noise, traffic noise and the noise formed by molecular movement, not only interferes with the normal life of residents near the port, but also exerts a significant influence on feature extraction of ship-radiated noise (S-RN). In this paper, a novel feature extraction technique for S-RN signals based on optimized variational mode decomposition (OVMD), permutation entropy (PE), and normalized Spearman correlation coefficient (NSCC) is proposed. Firstly, with the mode number determined by reverse weighted permutation entropy (RWPE), OVMD decomposes the target signal into a set of intrinsic mode functions (IMFs). The PE of all the IMFs and SCC between each IMF with the raw signal are then calculated, respectively. Subsequently, feature parameters are extracted through the sum of PE weighted by NSCC for the IMFs. Lastly, the obtained feature vectors are input into the support vector machine multi-class classifier (SVM) to discriminate various types of ships. Experimental results indicate that five kinds of S-RN samples can be accurately identified with a recognition rate of 94% by the proposed scheme, which is higher than other previously published methods. Hence, the proposed method is more advantageous in practical applications.
Becoming a Socially Responsive Co-Learner: Primary School Pupils’ Practices of Face-to-Face Promotive Interaction in Cooperative Learning Groups
Authors: Kristiansen Selma Dzemidzic
Published: April 2021

Promoting pupils’ face-to-face promotive interaction (FtFPI) is crucial for effective cooperative learning (CL) in group work. This article provides insight into interpersonal behaviour and supportive communication as two important aspects of FtFPI. Sixteen pupils 9–10 years of age were videotaped in four structured mixed-ability groups during CL sessions at two primary schools in post-war Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The features of FtFPI that pupils use for peer support in small CL groups and on interfering factors that pupils encounter during FtFPI were analysed using a thematic hybrid approach. The study found that pupils used verbal and non-verbal features for co-learners’ responsive actions during FtFPI. However, the findings also revealed some factors that interfere with the pupils’ FtFPI, such as having insufficient knowledge and personal skills about peer attention, encouragement and praising. The study recommends that future studies should implement the intervention necessary to foster both teachers’ and pupils’ understanding and functional knowledge of FtFPI for successful small CL groups.
Efficacy of Smart EEG Monitoring Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Faezipour Misagh , Faezipour Miad
Published: April 2021

Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic has majorly altered diagnosis and prognosis practices, the need for telemedicine and mobile/electronic health has never been more appreciated. Drastic complications of the pandemic such as burdens on the social and employment status resulting from extended quarantine and physical distancing, has also negatively impacted mental health. Doctors and healthcare workers have seen more than just the lungs affected by COVID-19. Neurological complications including stroke, headache, and seizures have been reported for populations of patients. Most mental conditions can be detected using the Electroencephalogram (EEG) signal. Brain disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, seizure/epilepsy, sleep/fatigue, stress, and depression have certain characteristics in the EEG wave, which clearly differentiate them from normal conditions. Smartphone apps analyzing the EEG signal have been introduced in the market. However, the efficacy of such apps has not been thoroughly investigated. Factors and their inter-relationships impacting efficacy can be studied through a causal model. This short communications/perspective paper outlines the initial premises of a system dynamics approach to assess the efficacy of smart EEG monitoring apps amid the pandemic, that could be revolutionary for patient well-being and care policies.
Managerial Energy in Sustainable Enterprises: Organizational Wisdom Approach
Authors: Stelmaszczyk Monika , Pierścieniak Agata , Krzysztofek Anna
Published: April 2021

The circular economy (CE) as an idea involves applying the concept of sustainable development that has been gaining worldwide support. This shift in perception of energy and resource-use from its linear to circular forms creates a specific business environment, which constitutes the subject of this research. This article aims to analyze the impact of a manager’s energy on organizational wisdom, focusing on its circular business model activity. In the beginning, the article focuses on presenting ideas of the circular economy, emphasizing the manager’s activity in implementing strategic and operational tasks. These activities are identified as energy to launch mechanisms for developing organizational wisdom for sustainable enterprise. Assuming that organizational wisdom consists of two dimensions, organizational learning, and absorptive capacity, the research identifies relationships between them. The study was conducted at VIVE Textile Recycling Ltd., (Kielce, Poland). Empirical data were collected from 138 managers using the PAPI technique. Regression analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) were applied to test the research hypotheses. Main results: Managerial energy (ME) is understood as the active attitude of managers who use knowledge from their environments to achieve goals both in the operational and strategic areas. Being an activating force for sustainable enterprise, ME is viewed as the antecedent to the development of enterprises operating in the CE model. ME directly activates the process of developing organizational wisdom in the area of absorptive capacity (AC) at the stages of assimilation, transformation, and exploitation. The transfer of knowledge from the individual to the organizational level (acquisition) requires a mediator, which is in this case the process of organizational learning (OL).
Accurate Circuit-Level Modelling of IGBTs with Thermal Phenomena Taken into Account
Authors: Górecki Paweł , Górecki Krzysztof , Zarębski Janusz
Published: April 2021

This paper proposes a new compact electrothermal model of the Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBT) dedicated for SPICE (Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis). This model makes it possible to compute the non-isothermal DC characteristics of the considered transistor and the waveforms of terminal voltages and currents of the investigated device and its internal temperature at transients. This model takes into account the nonlinearity of thermal phenomena in this device. The form of the formulated model is described and the problem of estimating its parameter values is discussed. The correctness of the proposed model was verified experimentally both at DC operation and at transients. The obtained results are compared to the results of computations performed with the use of the classical literature model. A very good agreement between the results of measurements and computations performed with the new model is obtained at different cooling conditions and in a wide range of changes of parameters characterising the electrical excitation of the tested device.
Neural Network-Based Model Reference Control of Braking Electric Vehicles
Authors: Vodovozov Valery , Aksjonov Andrei , Petlenkov Eduard , Raud Zoja
Published: April 2021

The problem of energy recovery in braking of an electric vehicle is solved here, which ensures high quality blended deceleration using electrical and friction brakes. A model reference controller is offered, capable to meet the conflicting requirements of intensive and gradual braking scenarios at changing road surfaces. In this study, the neural network controller provides torque gradient control without a tire model, resulting in the return of maximal energy to the hybrid energy storage during braking. The torque allocation algorithm determines how to share the driver’s request between the friction and electrical brakes in such a way as to enable regeneration for all braking modes, except when the battery state of charge and voltage levels are saturated, and a solo friction brake has to be used. The simulation demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed coupled two-layer neural network capable of capturing various dynamic behaviors that could not be included in the simplified physics-based model. A comparison of the simulation and experimental results demonstrates that the velocity, slip, and torque responses confirm the proper car performance, while the system successfully copes with the strong nonlinearity and instability of the vehicle dynamics.
The Dilemma of Long-Term Development of the Electric Power Industry in Kazakhstan
Authors: Vechkinzova Elena , Petrenko Yelena , Matkovskaya Yana S. , Koshebayeva Gaukhar
Published: April 2021

This article discusses the current state and trends in the development of the electric power industry in Kazakhstan. An analysis of the energy supply and energy intensity of Kazakhstan’s GDP is provided in this paper. The results of the foresight of the risks and opportunities of the energy industry are described. This study identifies the relationship between the traditional development of the energy industry and the development of alternative energy sources. In addition, the work examines the risks and consequences of various trends in the development of national and global energy. Previous studies have shown that government efforts are insufficient in developing an alternative energy sector in Kazakhstan. The research results show that there is a need to transform energy production from traditional sources towards greater efficiency and environmental friendliness, as well as the active involvement of the business community in the development of an alternative energy market. This is expected to attract more investments and transfer technologies to maintain the country’s position in the energy market of the future.
Constant-Current Gate Driver for GaN HEMTs Applied to Resonant Power Conversion
Authors: Sarnago Héctor , Lucía Óscar , Popa Iulian O. , Burdío José M.
Published: April 2021

New semiconductor technology is enabling the design of more reliable and high-performance power converters. In particular, wide bandgap (WBG) silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) technologies provide faster switching times, higher operating temperature, and higher blocking voltage. Recently, high-voltage GaN devices have opened the design window to new applications with high performance and cost-effective implementation. However, one of the main drawbacks is that these devices require accurate base current control to ensure safe and efficient operation. As a consequence, the base drive circuit becomes more complex and the final efficiency is decreased. This paper presents an improved gate driver circuit for GaN devices based on the use of a constant current regulator (CCR). The proposed circuit achieves constant current regardless of the operating conditions, solving variations with temperature, aging and operating conditions that may degrade the converter performance. Besides, the proposed circuit is reliable and cost-effective, being applicable to a wide range of commercial, industrial and automotive applications. In this paper, its application to a zero-voltage switching resonant inverter for domestic induction heating was performed to prove the feasibility of this concept.
A Magneto-Mechanical Piezoelectric Energy Harvester Designed to Scavenge AC Magnetic Field from Thermal Power Plant with Power-Line Cables
Authors: Wang Quan , Kim Kyung-Bum , Woo Sang-Bum , Song Yooseob , Sung Tae-Hyun
Published: April 2021

Piezoelectric energy harvesters have attracted much attention because they are crucial in portable industrial applications. Here, we report on a high-power device based on a magneto-mechanical piezoelectric energy harvester to scavenge the AC magnetic field from a power-line cable for industrial applications. The electrical output performance of the harvester (×4 layers) reached an output voltage of 60.8 Vmax, an output power of 215 mWmax (98 mWrms), and a power density of 94.5 mWmax/cm3 (43.5 mWrms/cm3) at an impedance matching of 5 kΩ under a magnetic field of 80 μT. The multilayer energy harvester enables high-output performance, presenting an obvious advantage given this improved level of output power. Finite element simulations were also performed to support the experimental observations. The generator was successfully used to power a wireless sensor network (WSN) for use on an IoT device composed of a temperature sensor in a thermal power station. The result shows that the magneto-mechanical piezoelectric energy harvester (MPEH) demonstrated is capable of meeting the requirements of self-powered monitoring systems under a small magnetic field, and is quite promising for use in actual industrial applications.
Inter-Reader Agreement of ATA Sonographic Risk in Thyroid Nodules with Bethesda Category III Indeterminate Cytology
Authors: Linares Valderrama Maria I. Linares , Arosemena Marilyn A. , Thekkumkattil Anu , Kuker Russ A. , Castillo Rosa P. , Sidani Charif , Gonzalez Manuel Lora , Casula Sabina , Kargi Atil Y.
Published: April 2021

Background: Substantial inter-observer variation has been documented in the recognition and description of specific sonographic features as well as for ATA sonographic risk (ASR). This raises the question if the risk stratification proposed by the ATA guidelines is reproducible and applicable for nodules with indeterminate cytology. The aim of the study was to determine the inter-reader agreement (IRR) among radiologists using the 2015 ASR stratification in indeterminate thyroid nodules. Methods: Three board certified radiologists who were blinded to clinical data and to each other, interpreted the ultrasound findings of 179 nodules that had Bethesda III cytology. The nodules were classified into high suspicion (HS), intermediate (IS), low (LS), very low (VLS). Echogenicity, composition, shape taller than wide, vascularity, type of margins, presence and type of calcifications were also described. Results: The majority consensus revealed that 28%, 27%, 39% and 5% were described as high, intermediate, low and very low ASR, respectively. The inter-reader agreement was near perfect (k 0.82 CI 95% (0.77–0.87)). Nodules were paired into a higher risk (HS + IS) and lower risk (LS + VLS) categories with substantial agreement (k 0.7) in both categories. Conclusion: A near perfect agreement among readers was observed when stratifying indeterminate cytology nodules for ASR.
Early Field Performance of Small-Sized Silver Birch and Scots Pine Container Seedlings at Different Planting Depths
Authors: Pikkarainen Laura , Luoranen Jaana , Peltola Heli
Published: April 2021

Deep planting is recommended in Nordic countries only for normal-sized container seedlings planted on mounds. Its effects on smaller-sized seedlings are poorly understood. We studied the effects of planting depth on the early field performance of small-sized silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) container seedlings. Silver birch seedlings (mean height of 16 cm) were planted to depths of 3, 6 and 8 cm on spot mounds in May 2016. Scots pine seedlings (mean height of 9 cm) were planted to depths of 2, 5 and 8 cm on inverted mounds in September 2018 and May 2019. At the end of the first growing season, the deeper-planted birch seedlings were the tallest, as opposed to the deeper-planted Scots pine seedlings. However, the height differences between the planting depths were not apparent until the end of the second growing season in both tree species. Deeper planting decreased damage in Scots pine seedlings in the first growing season, which was not observed in silver birch. Based on our findings, small-sized Scots pine and silver birch seedlings can be planted safely at 6–8 cm planting depths, if at least 20% and 50% of their shoots, respectively, are above ground.
Static Pressure Distribution on Long Cylinders as a Function of the Yaw Angle and Reynolds Number
Authors: Willmarth William W. , Wei Timothy
Published: April 2021

This paper addresses the challenges of pressure-based sensing using axisymmetric probes whose axes are at small angles to the mean flow. Mean pressure measurements around three yawed circular cylinders with aspect ratios of 28, 64, and 100 were made to determine the effect of changes in the yaw angle, γ, and freestream velocity on the average pressure coefficient, C¯pN, and drag coefficient, CDN. The existence of four distinct types of circumferential pressure distributions—subcritical, transitional, supercritical, and asymmetric—were confirmed, along with the appropriateness of scaling C¯pN and CDN on a streamwise Reynolds number, Resw, based on the freestream velocity and the fluid path length along the cylinder in the streamwise direction. It was found that there was a distinct difference in the values of CDN and C¯pN at identical Resw values for cylinders yawed between 5° and 30°, and for cylinders at greater than a 30° yaw. For γ < 5°, there did not appear to be any large-scale vortices in the near wake, and CDN and C¯pN appeared to become independent of Resw. Over the range of 5° ≤ γ ≤ 30°, there was a complex interplay of freestream speed, yaw angle, and aspect ratio that affected the formation and shedding of Kármán-like vortices.
RNA Epigenetics: Fine-Tuning Chromatin Plasticity and Transcriptional Regulation, and the Implications in Human Diseases
Authors: Willbanks Amber , Wood Shaun , Cheng Jason X.
Published: April 2021

Chromatin structure plays an essential role in eukaryotic gene expression and cell identity. Traditionally, DNA and histone modifications have been the focus of chromatin regulation; however, recent molecular and imaging studies have revealed an intimate connection between RNA epigenetics and chromatin structure. Accumulating evidence suggests that RNA serves as the interplay between chromatin and the transcription and splicing machineries within the cell. Additionally, epigenetic modifications of nascent RNAs fine-tune these interactions to regulate gene expression at the co- and post-transcriptional levels in normal cell development and human diseases. This review will provide an overview of recent advances in the emerging field of RNA epigenetics, specifically the role of RNA modifications and RNA modifying proteins in chromatin remodeling, transcription activation and RNA processing, as well as translational implications in human diseases.
Storytelling through Popular Music: Social Memory, Reconciliation, and Intergenerational Healing in Oromia/Ethiopia
Authors: Abebe Tatek
Published: April 2021

Drawing on a popular music video titled ‘Beelbaa’ by a young Oromo artist, Jambo Jote, this article discusses the moments and contexts that compel young people to speak up in subtle and poetic ways. By interpreting the content of the lyrics, doing a visual analysis of the music video, and connecting both to contemporary discourses, it explores how researching social memory through music can be used as a lens to understand Ethiopian society, politics, and history. The article draws attention to alternative spaces of resistance as well as sites of intergenerational connections such as lyrics, music videos, songs, and online discussions. I argue that storytelling through music not only bridges differences on problematic and sometimes highly polarized discourses engendered by selective remembering and forgetting of national history, but that it is also indispensable for reconciliation and peaceful coexistence. Tuning into young people’s music can touch us in ways that are real, immediate, and therapeutic, making it possible for our collective wounds to heal. I further demonstrate that as musical storytelling appeals to multiple generations, it can facilitate mediation, truce, and intergenerational understanding.