bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maize Resistance to Stem Borers Can Be Modulated by Systemic Maize Responses to Long-Term Stem Tunneling
Authors: Rodríguez Víctor Manuel , Velasco Pablo , Cao Ana , Santiago Rogelio , Malvar Rosa Ana , Butrón Ana
Published: March 2021

Limited attention has been paid to maize (Zea mays L.) resistance induced by corn borer damage, although evidence shows that induced defenses have lower resource allocation costs than constitutive defenses. Maize responses to short- and long-term feeding by the Mediterranean corn borer (MCB, Sesamia nionagrioides) have been previously studied, but the suggested differences between responses could be due to experimental differences. Therefore, in the current study, a direct comparison between short- and long-term responses has been made. The objectives were (i) to determine changes in the level of antibiosis of the stems induced by feeding of S. nonagrioides larvae for 2days (short-term feeding) and 9days (long-term feeding), (ii) to characterize the metabolome of the stems’ short- and long-term responses to borer feeding, and (iii) to look for metabolic pathways that could modulate plant resistance to MCB. Defenses were progressively induced in the resistant inbred, and constitutive defenses were broken down in the susceptible inbred. Results suggest that the different resistance levels of the two inbreds to stem tunneling by MCB could depend on their ability to establish a systemic response. Based on these results, a high throughput look for specific metabolites implicated in systemic induced resistance to maize stem borers is recommended; the current focus on constitutive defense metabolites has not been successful in finding molecules that would be valuable tools for pest control.
Effects of Elevated CO2 on Photosynthetic Accumulation, Sucrose Metabolism-Related Enzymes, and Genes Identification in Goji Berry (Lycium barbarum L.)
Authors: Ma Yaping , Xie Yun , Ha Rong , Cao Bing , Song Lihua
Published: March 2021

Goji berry (Lycium barbarum L.) exposure to elevated CO2 (eCO2) for long periods reduces their sugar and secondary metabolite contents. However, sugar accumulation in fruit depends on photosynthesis and photoassimilate partitioning. This study aimed to explore photosynthesis, sugar content, and sucrose metabolism-related enzyme activities in goji berry leaves and fruits under ambient and eCO2 levels, and identify the genes encoding L. barbarum acid invertase (LBAI), L. barbarum sucrose synthase (LBSS), L. barbarum sucrose phosphate synthase (LBSPS), and L. barbarum neutral invertase (LBNI), based on transcriptome profiling. Further, the characterization of four identified genes was analyzed including subcellular localization and expression patterns. In plants grown under eCO2 for 90 or 120 days, the expression of the above-mentioned genes changed significantly as the photosynthetic rate increased. In addition, leaf and fruit sugar contents decreased, and the activities of four sucrose metabolism-related enzymes increased in leaves, while acid and neutral invertase increased in fruits. Protein sequence analysis demonstrated that LBAI and LBNI contain a conservative structure domain belonging to the glycosyl hydrolases (Glyco_hydro) family, and both LBSS and LBSPS belonging to the sucrose synthase (Sucrose_synth) and glycosyltransferase (Glycos_transf) family. Subcellular localization analysis showed that LBAI, LBNI, and LBSS were all located in the nucleus, plasma membrane, and cytoplasm, while LBSPS was located in the plasma membrane. The expressions of LBAI, LBSPS, and LBNI were high in the stems, whereas LBSS was predominantly expressed in the fruits. Our findings provide fundamental data on photosynthesis and sugar accumulation trends in goji berries under eCO2 exposure.
Community Case Study: Stack Up’s Overwatch Program, an Online Suicide Prevention and Peer Support Program for Video Gamers
Authors: Colder Carras Michelle , Bergendahl Mathew , Labrique Alain B.
Published: March 2021

Traditional mental health services are often not enough to meet the needs of people at risk for suicide, especially in populations where help-seeking is stigmatized. Stack Up, a non-profit veteran organization whose goal is to use video games to bring veterans together, recognized a need in its gaming-focused online community and created the Overwatch Program. This suicide prevention and crisis intervention program is delivered entirely through the Internet by trained community members through Discord text and voice chat. By combining aspects of virtual gaming communities, veteran mental health, and community-based peer support, this program provides an innovative format for implementing crisis intervention and mental health support programs. We describe here the context and features of the program, an ongoing evaluation project, and lessons learned.
Physical Activity Protects Against the Negative Impact of Coronavirus Fear on Adolescent Mental Health and Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Wright Laura J. , Williams Sarah E. , Veldhuijzen van Zanten Jet J. C. S.
Published: March 2021

Background:The severity of the Coronavirus pandemic has led to lockdowns in different countries to reduce the spread of the infection. These lockdown restrictions are likely to be detrimental to mental health and well-being in adolescents. Physical activity can be beneficial for mental health and well-being; however, research has yet to examine associations between adolescent physical activity and mental health and well-being during lockdown.

Purpose:Examine the effects of adolescent perceived Coronavirus prevalence and fear on mental health and well-being and investigate the extent to which physical activity can be a protective factor against these concerns.

Methods:During United Kingdom lockdown restrictions, 165 participants (100 female, aged 13–19) completed an online questionnaire assessing perceived Coronavirus prevalence and fear, physical activity, and indicators of mental health and well-being (stress, anxiety, depression, fatigue, vitality, and perceived health). Separate hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses (with age, gender, perceived Coronavirus prevalence, and fear entered in step 1, and physical activity in step 2) were run to predict each well-being outcome.

Results:Regression analyses indicated that in general, while Coronavirus fear was a negative predictor, physical activity was a positive and stronger predictor of enhanced mental health and well-being outcomes.

Conclusion:Findings suggest that physical activity during the Coronavirus pandemic can counteract the negative effects of Coronavirus fear on adolescent mental health and well-being. Therefore, physical activity should be promoted during lockdown to support good mental health and well-being.
Temporal Regularity May Not Improve Memory for Item-Specific Detail
Authors: Kulkarni Mrinmayi , Hannula Deborah E.
Published: March 2021

Regularities in event timing allow for the allocation of attention to critical time-points when an event is most likely to occur, leading to improved visual perception. Results from recent studies indicate that similar benefits may extend to memory for scenes and objects. Here, we investigated whether benefits of temporal regularity are evident when detailed, item-specific representations are necessary for successful recognition memory performance. In Experiments 1 and 2, pictures of objects were presented with either predictable or randomized event timing, in separate encoding blocks. In the test phase, old and new objects were presented, intermixed with perceptually similar exemplars of encoded objects. In Experiment 3 we attempted to replicate previously reported memory enhancements for scenes. In contrast to predictions, temporal regularity did not affect response times (RT) or improve recognition memory accuracy in any of our experiments. These results suggest that any effects of temporal expectation on memory are subtle and may be sensitive to minor changes in task parameters. In sum, indirect upregulation of attention through imposed temporal structure may not be sufficient to have downstream effects on memory performance.
Multisensory Perceptual Biases for Social and Reward Associations
Authors: Stolte Moritz , Spence Charles , Barutchu Ayla
Published: March 2021

Linking arbitrary shapes (e.g., circles, squares, and triangles) to personal labels (e.g., self, friend, or stranger) or reward values (e.g., £18, £6, or £2) results in immediate processing benefits for those stimuli that happen to be associated with the self or high rewards in perceptual matching tasks. Here we further explored how social and reward associations interact with multisensory stimuli by pairing labels and objects with tones (low, medium, and high tones). We also investigated whether self and reward biases persist for multisensory stimuli with the label removed after an association had been made. Both high reward stimuli and those associated with the self, resulted in faster responses and improved discriminability (i.e., higher d’), which persisted for multisensory stimuli even when the labels were removed. However, these self- and reward-biases partly depended on the specific alignment between the physical tones (low, medium, and high) and the conceptual (social or reward) order. Performance for reward associations improved when the endpoints of low or high rewards were paired with low or high tones; meanwhile, for personal associations, there was a benefit when the self was paired with either low or high tones, but there was no effect when the stranger was associated with either endpoint. These results indicate that, unlike reward, social personal associations are not represented along a continuum with two marked endpoints (i.e., self and stranger) but rather with a single reference point (the self vs. other).
Presenting or Spinning Facts? Deconstructing the U.S. Centers for Disease Control Statement on the Importance of Reopening Schools Under COVID-19
Authors: Benzian Habib , Johnston Marilyn , Stauf Nicole , Niederman Richard
Published: March 2021

Credible, reliable and consistent information to the public, as well as health professionals and decision makers, is crucial to help navigate uncertainty and risk in times of crisis and concern. Traditionally, information and health communications issued by respected and established government agencies have been regarded as factual, unbiased and credible. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is such an agency that addresses all aspects of health and public health on behalf of the U.S Government for the benefit of its citizens. In July 2020, the CDC issued guidelines on reopening schools which resulted in open criticism by the U.S. President and others, prompting a review and publication of revised guidelines together with a special “Statement on the Importance of Reopening Schools under COVID-19.” We hypothesize that this statement introduced bias with the intention to shift the public perception and media narrative in favor of reopening of schools. Using a mixed methods approach, including an online text analysis tool, we demonstrate that document title and structure, word frequencies, word choice, and website presentation did not provide a balanced account of the complexity and uncertainty surrounding school reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite available scientific guidance and practical evidence-based advice on how to manage infection risks when reopening schools, the CDC Statement was intentionally overriding possible parent and public health concerns. The CDC Statement provides an example of how political influence is exercised over the presentation of science in the context of a major pandemic. It was withdrawn by the CDC in November 2020.
Generic and Flexible Unmanned Sailboat for Innovative Education and World Robotic Sailing Championship
Authors: Yang Shaolong , Liu Chuan , Liu Ya , An Jinxin , Xiang Xianbo
Published: March 2021

Over the past two decades, scholars developed various unmanned sailboat platforms, but most of them have specialized designs and controllers. Whereas these robotic sailboats have good performance with open-source designs, it is actually hard for interested researchers or fans to follow and make their own sailboats with these open-source designs. Thus, in this paper, a generic and flexible unmanned sailboat platform with easy access to the hardware and software architectures is designed and tested. The commonly used 1-m class RC racing sailboat was employed to install Pixhawk V2.4.8, Arduino Mega 2,560, GPS module M8N, custom-designed wind direction sensor, and wireless 433 Mhz telegram. The widely used open-source hardware modules were selected to keep reliable and low-cost hardware setup to emphasize the generality and feasibility of the unmanned sailboat platform. In software architecture, the Pixhawk V2.4.8 provided reliable states’ feedback. The Arduino Mega 2,560 received estimated states from Pixhawk V2.4.8 and the wind vane sensor, and then controlled servo actuators of rudder and sail using simplified algorithms. Due to the complexity of introducing robot operating system and its packages, we designed a generic but real-time software architecture just using Arduino Mega 2,560. A suitable line-of-sight guidance strategy and PID-based controllers were used to let the autonomous sailboat sail at user-defined waypoints. Field tests validated the sailing performance in facing WRSC challenges. Results of fleet race, station keeping, and area scanning proved that our design and algorithms could control the 1-m class RC sailboat with acceptable accuracy. The proposed design and algorithms contributed to developing educational, low-cost, micro class autonomous sailboats with accessible, generic, and flexible hardware and software. Besides, our sailboat platform also facilitates readers to develop similar sailboats with more focus on their missions.
BepiColombo: A Platform for Improving Modeling of Electric Propulsion-Spacecraft Interactions
Authors: Filleul Félicien , Sutherland Orson , Cipriani Fabrice , Charles Christine
Published: March 2021

This article provides the first results of a long-term study aimed at improving the validity of numerical modeling techniques for Electric Propulsion induced Spacecraft Charging using the Spacecraft Plasma Interaction System software. The preflight numerical model of the European Space Agency’s BepiColombo mission and its outputs are presented as a benchmark example of the present capabilities and limitations of the model. It is demonstrated that the code can obtain the spacecraft charging equilibrium by simulating the dynamic interactions between the electric propulsion system, the thruster-generated plasmas, and spacecraft systems exposed to space. The importance of including a physical description of the electron cooling in the freely expanding thruster plasmas is shown by comparing simulations with different polytropic indexes. It particularly highlights the inadequacy of treating the entire plasma as isothermal. The reported variability of the simulation outputs with numerical and physical parameters paves the way for future improvements in preflight design modeling and increased understanding of plasma thruster-induced charging processes through future comparison with available flight telemetries.
Transitions in Black and Latinx Community-Based Doula Work in the US During COVID-19
Authors: Rivera Mariel
Published: March 2021

In response to COVID-19, many doulas, including community-based doulas (CBDs), have shifted to virtual doula work, placing aspects of doula care online. CBDs typically center Black and Brown mothers and come from the same community as their clients, granting access to doula care for many individuals who would traditionally not have access. Two partner CBD organizations in Central New York—Village Birth International and Doula 4 a Queen—transitioned to virtual doula work, continuing to center Black and Afro-Latinx people. As CBDs began to transition their work online, they had to create new ways to include both the community and doula aspects of their work. My research has captured these doulas’ experiences since mid-2019 and has documented their transition from in-person doula work to virtual work. This also included their experiences of hosting doula trainings that were originally designed to be held in person. To understand this turn to virtual doula work, in this article I draw on social media engagement, online interviews, Zoom discussions, and personal experience to capture how CBD work shifted to virtual platforms can still center Black and Afro-Latinx folks in their communities and beyond.
Radio Astronomical Tools for the Study of Solar Energetic Particles II.Time-Extended Acceleration at Subrelativistic and Relativistic Energies
Authors: Klein Karl-Ludwig
Published: March 2021

Solar energetic particle (SEP) events are commonly separated in two categories: numerous “impulsive” events of relatively short duration, and a few “gradual” events, where SEP-intensities may stay enhanced over several days at energies up to several tens of MeV. In some gradual events the SEP spectrum extends to relativistic energies (>1 GeV), over shorter durations. The two categories are strongly related to an idea developed in the 1960s based on radio observations: Type III bursts, which were addressed in a companion chapter, outline impulsive acceleration of electrons to subrelativistic energies, while the large and the relativistic SEP events were ascribed to a second acceleration process. At radio wavelengths, typical counterparts were bursts emitted by electrons accelerated at coronal shock waves (type II bursts) and by electron populations in large-scale closed coronal structures (type IV bursts). Both burst types are related to coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Type II bursts from metric to kilometric wavelengths tend to accompany large SEP events, which is widely considered as a confirmation that CME-driven shocks accelerate the SEPs. But type II bursts, especially those related to SEP events, are most often accompanied by type IV bursts, where the electrons are rather accelerated in the wake of the CME. Individual event studies suggest that although the CME shock is the most plausible accelerator of SEPs up to some yet unknown limiting energy, the relativistic SEP events show time structure that rather points to coronal acceleration related to type IV bursts. This chapter addresses the question what type II bursts tell us about coronal shock waves and how type II and type IV radio bursts are related with relativistic proton signatures as seen by particle detectors on the Earth and by their gamma-ray emission in the solar atmosphere, focusing on two relativistic SEP events, on 2005 Jan 20 and 2017 Sep 10. The importance of radio emissions as a complement to the upcoming SEP observations from close to the Sun is underlined.
Diversity of Leaf Cuticular Transpiration and Growth Traits in Field-Grown Wheat and Aegilops Genetic Resources
Authors: Gašparovič Kristína , Živčák Marek , Brestič Marián , Hauptvogel Pavol
Published: March 2021

Plants are subjected to unregulated water loss from their surface by cuticular transpiration. Therefore, specific morphophysiological changes may occur during leaf development to eliminate water loss. This study aimed to examine the cuticular transpiration of 23 winter wheat genotypes and their wild-growing predecessors of the genus Aegilops, which were divided into three groups to demonstrate their diversity. The genotypes were sown in autumn and grown in regular field trials at the Research Institute of Plant Production in Piešťany, Slovakia. Cuticular transpiration and growth parameters were analyzed in the postanthesis growth stage. Gravimetric measurement of residual water loss was performed on detached leaves with a precisely measured leaf area. The lowest nonproductive transpiration values were observed in modern wheat genotypes, while higher cuticular transpiration was observed in a group of landraces. Aegilops species generally showed the highest cuticular transpiration with increased water loss, but the total water loss per plot was low due to the low leaf area of the wild wheat relatives. Some of the growth parameters showed a good correlation with cuticular transpiration (e.g., dry mass per plant), but direct relationships between leaf traits and cuticular transpiration were not observed. This study identified a high diversity in cuticular resistance to water loss in wheat and Aegilops accessions of different origins. The potential of identifying and exploiting genetic resources with favorable cuticular transpiration in crop breeding is discussed.
Rapid and High-Throughput Evaluation of Diverse Configurations of Engineered Lysins Using the VersaTile Technique
Authors: Duyvejonck Lisa , Gerstmans Hans , Stock Michiel , Grimon Dennis , Lavigne Rob , Briers Yves
Published: March 2021

Bacteriophage-encoded lysins are an emerging class of antibacterial enzymes based on peptidoglycan degradation. The modular composition of lysins is a hallmark feature enabling optimization of antibacterial and pharmacological properties by engineering of lysin candidates based on lysin and non-lysin modules. In this regard, the recent introduction of the VersaTile technique allows the rapid construction of large modular lysin libraries based on a premade repository of building blocks. In this study, we perform a high-throughput construction and screening of five combinatorial lysin libraries with different configurations, targeting Klebsiella pneumoniae. An elaborate analysis of the activity distribution of 940 variants and sequencing data of 74 top hits inhibiting the growth of Klebsiella pneumoniae could be associated with specific design rules. Specific outer membrane permeabilizing peptides (OMPs) and enzymatically active domains (EADs) are significantly overrepresented among the top hits, while cell wall binding domains (CBDs) are equally represented. Especially libraries with the configuration (OMP–linker–CBD–EAD) and the inverse configuration (CBD–EAD–linker–OMP) yield the most active variants, with discernible clusters of variants that emerge above the remaining variants. The approach implemented here provides a blueprint for discovery campaigns of engineered lysins starting from libraries with different configurations and compositions.
Improvement of Tourists Satisfaction According to Their Non-Verbal Preferences Using Computational Intelligence
Authors: Tusell-Rey Claudia C. , Tejeida-Padilla Ricardo , Camacho-Nieto Oscar , Villuendas-Rey Yenny , Yáñez-Márquez Cornelio
Published: March 2021

In the tourism industry it is common that the information obtained from customers can be varied, dispersed, and with high volumes of data. In this context, the automatic analysis of information has been proposed through electronic customer relationship management, which refers to marketing activities, tools and techniques, delivered with the use of electronic channels for the specific purpose of locating, building and improving long- term relationships with customers, to enhance their individual potential. In this paper, we refer to the analysis of information in three aspects: customer satisfaction, the study of customer behavior and the forecast of tourist demand. Specifically, we have created a novel dataset comprising the non-verbal preference assessment of tourists who are clients of the Sol Cayo Guillermo hotel belonging to the Melia hotel chain, in Jardines del Rey, Cuba. Then, by applying Computational Intelligence algorithms to this dataset, we achieve segment customers according to their non-verbal preferences, in order to increase their satisfaction, and therefore the client profitability. In order to achieve a good performance in the realization of this task, we have proposed two modifications of the Naïve Associative Classifier, whose results are compared with the most relevant computational algorithms of the state of the art. The experimentally obtained values of balanced accuracy and averaged F1 measure show that, by clearly improving the results of the state-of-the-art algorithms, our proposal is adequate to successfully use electronic customer relationship management in the tourist services provided by hotel chains.
Use of Image Correlation to Measure Macroscopic Strains by Hygric Swelling in Sandstone Rocks
Authors: Ferrer Belén , Tomás María-Baralida , Mas David
Published: March 2021

Some materials undergo hygric expansion when soaked. In porous rocks, this effect is enhanced by the pore space, because it allows water to reach every part of its volume and to hydrate most swelling parts. In the vicinity, this enlargement has negative structural consequences as adjacent elements support some compressions or displacements. In this work, we propose a normalized cross-correlation between rock surface texture images to determine the hygric expansion of such materials. We used small porous sandstone samples (11 × 11 × 30 mm3) to measure hygric swelling. The experimental setup comprised an industrial digital camera and a telecentric objective. We took one image every 5 min for 3 h to characterize the whole swelling process. An error analysis of both the mathematical and experimental methods was performed. The results showed that the proposed methodology provided, despite some limitations, reliable hygric swelling information by a non-contact methodology with an accuracy of 1 micron and permitted the deformation in both the vertical and horizontal directions to be explored, which is an advantage over traditional linear variable displacement transformers.
Experimental Assessment of the Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Non-Contact Tonometer Airflows
Authors: Oehring Daniela , Jenkins David , Buckhurst Phillip Jonathan , Buckhurst Hetal
Published: March 2021

(1) The aim of the study was to investigate the spatial and temporal characteristics of the airflow created by two commercially available non-contact tonometers: the CorvisST and the Ocular Response Analyser (ORA). (2) The airflow pressure was measured using a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) pressure sensor to investigate the spatial and temporal distribution. The airflow from the CorvisST and Ocular Response Analyser were mapped to a 600 µm and a 1 mm resolution grid, respectively. (3) Central airflow pressure of the CorvisST (96.4 ± 1.4 mmHg) was higher than that of the Ocular Response Analyser (91.7 ± 0.7 mmHg). The duration of the air-puffs also differed, with the CorvisST showing a shorter duration (21.483 ± 0.2881 ms) than that of the ORA (23.061 ± 0.1872 ms). The rising edge of the CorvisST airflow pressure profile demonstrated a lower gradient (+8.94 mmHg/ms) compared to that of the Ocular Response Analyser (+11.00 mmHg/ms). Both had similar decay response edges: CorvisST −11.18 mmHg/ms, Ocular Response Analyser −11.65 mmHg/ms. (4) The study presents a valid method to investigate the physical dimensions of the airflow pressure of non-contact tonometers. Novel findings relating to the magnitude, duration and spatial characteristics of the respective airflow pressures are reported. It is anticipated that this information will better inform clinical studies and theoretical models relating to ocular biomechanics.
Vocal Synchrony of Robots Boosts Positive Affective Empathy
Authors: Nishimura Shogo , Nakamura Takuya , Sato Wataru , Kanbara Masayuki , Fujimoto Yuichiro , Kato Hirokazu , Hagita Norihiro
Published: March 2021

Robots that can talk with humans play increasingly important roles in society. However, current conversation robots remain unskilled at eliciting empathic feelings in humans. To address this problem, we used a robot that speaks in a voice synchronized with human vocal prosody. We conducted an experiment in which human participants held positive conversations with the robot by reading scenarios under conditions with and without vocal synchronization. We assessed seven subjective responses related to affective empathy (e.g., emotional connection) and measured the physiological emotional responses using facial electromyography from the corrugator supercilii and zygomatic major muscles as well as the skin conductance level. The subjective ratings consistently revealed heightened empathic responses to the robot in the synchronization condition compared with that under the de-synchronizing condition. The physiological signals showed that more positive and stronger emotional arousal responses to the robot with synchronization. These findings suggest that robots that are able to vocally synchronize with humans can elicit empathic emotional responses.
Benchmarking Numerical Methods for Impact and Cratering Applications
Authors: Caldwell Wendy K. , Euser Bryan , Plesko Catherine S. , Larmat Carene , Lei Zhou , Knight Earl E. , Rougier Esteban , Hunter Abigail
Published: March 2021

Large scale computational models are important for studying impact cratering events that are prevalent both on Earth and, more broadly, in this solar system. To address these problems, models must reliably account for both large length scales (e.g., kilometers) and relatively long time scales (hundreds of seconds). This work benchmarks two such approaches, a more traditional hydrodynamics approach and a finite-discrete element method (FDEM), for impact cratering applications. Both 2D and 3D results are discussed for two different impact velocities, 5 km/s and 20 km/s, striking normal to the target and, for 3D simulations, 45° from vertical. In addition, comparisons to previously published data are presented. Finally, differences in how these methods model damage are discussed. Ultimately, both approaches show successful modeling of several different impact scenarios.
Lymphadenopathy after BNT162b2 Covid-19 Vaccine: Preliminary Ultrasound Findings
Authors: Granata Vincenza , Fusco Roberta , Setola Sergio Venanzio , Galdiero Roberta , Picone Carmine , Izzo Francesco , D’Aniello Roberta , Miele Vittorio , Grassi Roberta , Grassi Roberto , Petrillo Antonella
Published: March 2021

During a spontaneous and autonomous study, we assessed the ultrasound finding of lymphadenopathy after BNT162b2 Pfizer vaccine. We enrolled 18 patients with 58 lymphadenopathies: in 10 patients, they were in the laterocervical side, while in 8 patients in the axillar site. The largest diameter was 16 mm with a range from 7 to 16 mm (median value = 10 mm). In the same patient, we found different ultrasound nodal findings. A total of 25 nodes showed eccentric cortical thickening with wide echogenic hilum and oval shape. In total, 19 nodes showed asymmetric eccentric cortical thickening with wide echogenic hilum and oval shape. Overall, 10 nodes showed concentric cortical thickening with reduction in the width of the echogenic hilum and oval shape. A total of four nodes showed huge reduction and displacement of the echogenic hilum and round or oval shape. No anomaly was found at the Doppler echocolor study. In conclusion, eccentric cortical thickening with wide echogenic hilum and oval shape, asymmetric eccentric cortical thickening with wide echogenic hilum and oval shape, concentric cortical thickening with reduction in the width of the echogenic hilum and oval shape, and a huge reduction and displacement of the echogenic hilum and round shape are the features that we found in post BNT162b2 Covid-19 Vaccine lymphadenopathies.
Seismic Retrofitting Resilience-Based for Strategic RC Buildings
Authors: Vona Marco , Flora Amedeo , Carlucci Emiliano , Foscolo Enrico
Published: March 2021

The resilience of communities is given by the ideal convolution of the resilience of all their single parts. Strategic buildings require high levels of performance during and after a seismic sequence. Consequently, the seismic retrofitting of old strategic buildings is a central issue in prevention and mitigation strategies. The core of the study is a resilience approach to the seismic retrofitting of existing strategic buildings. Different performance levels are considered and four different retrofitting techniques are compared according to their fragility, and their post-earthquake cost and time recovery analyses. Lastly, the retrofitting techniques are compared based on the considered resilience index, which in turn is related to the estimated reduction of the seismic losses owing to the different retrofitting techniques, but especially to the effectiveness of the intervention based on the relevant cost and recovery times. In other words, these aspects take into account the key role of a building’s characteristics, and its public and strategic role during and after an earthquake. The intervention is selected not only (as is currently done) to reduce its construction times and costs, but to limit the service interruption after earthquakes. The results of this study could be operatively used as support tools in the seismic retrofitting of strategic buildings, either individually or on a large territorial scale.
Comparison of the Diagnostic Efficiency of Radial- and Convex-Arrayed Echoendoscopes for Indirect Findings of Pancreatic Cancer: A Retrospective Comparative Study Using Propensity Score Method
Authors: Ishikawa-Kakiya Yuki , Maruyama Hirotsugu , Yamamoto Kei , Yamamura Masafumi , Tanoue Kojiro , Higashimori Akira , Ominami Masaki , Nadatani Yuji , Fukunaga Shusei , Otani Koji , Hosomi Shuhei , Tanaka Fumio , Kamata Noriko , Nagami Yasuaki , Taira Koichi , Shiba Masatsugu , Watanabe Toshio , Fujiwara Yasuhiro
Published: March 2021

Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is useful for detecting early-stage pancreatic cancer. Because the detection of small lesions is difficult, it is important to detect indirect findings, namely caliber change, retention cysts, and dilatation of the branch duct, during the procedure. Although two types of EUS endoscopes are frequently used, there is no comparative study on their efficacy for detecting indirect findings. Therefore, we aimed to compare the diagnostic efficacy of these two types for indirect findings. We retrospectively analyzed 316 consecutive patients who had undergone EUS for pancreaticobiliary disease at a single center between January 2017 and December 2018. The main outcome was the detection rate of indirect findings and its comparison between the two echoendoscope types. This outcome was achieved using the inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) analysis. The detection rate of indirect findings was higher for the radial-arrayed endoscope than for the convex-arrayed echoendoscope (9.2% vs. 2.3% (p = 0.02)). The univariate analysis also revealed that the radial-arrayed echoendoscope was significantly superior to the convex-arrayed echoendoscope in terms of the detection of indirect findings (odds ratio, 5.94; 95% confidence interval, 1.68–21.10; p = 0.01) after IPTW. After adjustment for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT), radial-arrayed echoendoscope remained an independent factor for indirect finding detection (odds ratio, 6.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.74–21.00; p = 0.01). Finally, five patients who had indirect EUS findings were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Our results indicate that the radial-arrayed echoendoscope is useful for the detection of indirect findings.
Treatment of Angiosarcoma with Pazopanib and Paclitaxel: Results of the EVA (Evaluation of Votrient® in Angiosarcoma) Phase II Trial of the German Interdisciplinary Sarcoma Group (GISG-06)
Authors: Pink Daniel , Andreou Dimosthenis , Bauer Sebastian , Brodowicz Thomas , Kasper Bernd , Reichardt Peter , Richter Stephan , Lindner Lars H. , Szkandera Joanna , Grünwald Viktor , Kebenko Maxim , Kirchner Marietta , Hohenberger Peter
Published: March 2021

We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of paclitaxel combined with pazopanib in advanced angiosarcoma (AS). The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS) rate at six months (PFSR6). Planned accrual was 44 patients in order to detect a PFSR6 of >55%, with an interim futility analysis of the first 14 patients. The study did not meet its predetermined interim target of 6/14 patients progression-free at 6 months. At the time of this finding, 26 patients had been enrolled between July 2014 and April 2016, resulting in an overrunning of 12 patients. After a median follow-up of 9.5 (IQR 7.7–15.4) months, PFSR6 amounted to 46%. Two patients had a complete and seven patients a partial response. Patients with superficial AS had a significantly higher PFSR6 (61% vs. 13%, p = 0.0247) and PFS (11.3 vs. 2.7 months, p < 0.0001) compared to patients with visceral AS. The median overall survival in the entire cohort was 21.6 months. A total of 10 drug-related serious adverse effects were reported in 5 patients, including a fatal hepatic failure. Although our study did not meet its primary endpoint, the median PFS of 11.6 months in patients with superficial AS appears to be promising. Taking recent reports into consideration, future studies should evaluate the safety and efficacy of VEGFR and immune checkpoint inhibitors with or without paclitaxel in a randomized, multiarm setting.
Image-Guided Brachytherapy for Salvage Reirradiation: A Systematic Review
Authors: Bockel Sophie , Espenel Sophie , Sun Roger , Dumas Isabelle , Gouy Sébastien , Morice Philippe , Chargari Cyrus
Published: March 2021

Background: Local recurrence in gynecological malignancies occurring in a previously irradiated field is a challenging clinical issue. The most frequent curative-intent treatment is salvage surgery. Reirradiation, using three-dimensional image-guided brachytherapy (3D-IGBT), might be a suitable alternative. We reviewed recent literature concerning 3D-IGBT for reirradiation in the context of local recurrences from gynecological malignancies. Methods: We conducted a large-scale literature research, and 15 original studies, responding to our research criteria, were finally selected. Results: Local control rates ranged from 44% to 71.4% at 2–5 years, and overall survival rates ranged from 39.5% to 78% at 2–5 years. Grade ≥3 toxicities ranged from 1.7% to 50%, with only one study reporting a grade 5 event. Results in terms of outcome and toxicities were highly variable depending on studies. Several studies suggested that local control could be improved with 2 Gy equivalent doses >40 Gy. Conclusion: IGBT appears to be a feasible alternative to salvage surgery in inoperable patients or patients refusing surgery, with an acceptable outcome for patients who have no other curative therapeutic options, however at a high cost of long-term grade ≥3 toxicities in some studies. We recommend that patients with local recurrence from gynecologic neoplasm occurring in previously irradiated fields should be referred to highly experienced expert centers. Centralization of data and large-scale multicentric international prospective trials are warranted. Efforts should be made to improve local control while limiting the risk of toxicities.
Stem Cells in Cardiovascular Diseases: 30,000-Foot View
Authors: Povsic Thomas J. , Gersh Bernard J.
Published: March 2021

Stem cell and regenerative approaches that might rejuvenate the heart have immense intuitive appeal for the public and scientific communities. Hopes were fueled by initial findings from preclinical models that suggested that easily obtained bone marrow cells might have significant reparative capabilities; however, after initial encouraging pre-clinical and early clinical findings, the realities of clinical development have placed a damper on the field. Clinical trials were often designed to detect exceptionally large treatment effects with modest patient numbers with subsequent disappointing results. First generation approaches were likely overly simplistic and relied on a relatively primitive understanding of regenerative mechanisms and capabilities. Nonetheless, the field continues to move forward and novel cell derivatives, platforms, and cell/device combinations, coupled with a better understanding of the mechanisms that lead to regenerative capabilities in more primitive models and modifications in clinical trial design suggest a brighter future.
Oral Symptoms Associated with COVID-19 and Their Pathogenic Mechanisms: A Literature Review
Authors: Tsuchiya Hironori
Published: March 2021

Since the worldwide spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, management of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been challenging for healthcare providers. The oral cavity is referred to as a target of SARS-CoV-2. The aim of this study was to review oral symptoms specific to COVID-19 patients from the point of view of symptom prevalence and pathogenesis and to speculate the pathogenic mechanisms underlying them. Scientific articles were retrieved by searching PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, medRxiv, and bioRxiv from 3 February 2020 to 31 December 2020, and they were reviewed by title, abstract, and text for relevance. The literature search indicated that COVID-19 patients frequently present with gustatory dysfunction, xerostomia, and oral mucosal lesions, while their prevalence is likely to vary by country, age, gender, and disease severity. Gustatory dysfunction and xerostomia appear at an early stage of SARS-CoV-2 infection and last relatively long. One of possible pathogenic mechanisms of both symptoms is attributed to the expression of viral cellular entry-relevant receptors in taste cells and salivary glands. Dental professionals who can first become aware of oral symptoms associated with COVID-19 will play a more active role in and make a greater contribution to diagnosis and prevention of COVID-19.
Movement of Inflation and New Keynesian Phillips Curve in ASEAN
Authors: Wardhono Adhitya , Nasir M. Abd. , Qori’ah Ciplis Gema , Indrawati Yulia
Published: March 2021

The development of the theory of dynamic inflation begins by linking wage inflation and unemployment. In further developments, factor of expectation is classified into inflation model. The study used inflation data is important for ASEAN, because ASEAN is one of the strengths of the international economy. This study analyzes the dynamics of inflation in the ASEAN using framework the New-Keynesian Phillips Curve (NKPC) model. The data used is the quarterly panel data from 5 ASEAN members in the period 2005.QI–2018.QIV. The study of this dynamic inflation applies quarter to quarter inflation data, meaning that the inflation rate is the percentage change in the general price of the current quarter compared to last quarter general price divided by the last quarter. The empirical results are estimated by using the Generalized Method of Moment (GMM), both of the system and first different indicates that the pattern formation of inflation expectations are backward-looking and forward-looking. In addition, the estimated NKPC models show the backward-looking behavior is more dominant than the forward looking. Changes in inflation are not entirely influenced by expectations of inflation in each country. Changes in inflation are also influenced by the output gap, changes in money supply, and exchange rate. Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that the NKPC models can explain the dynamics of inflation in each country in the ASEAN region.
Liquidity Spill-Overs in Sovereign Bond Market: An Intra-Day Study of Trade Shocks in Calm and Stressful Market Conditions
Authors: Jurksas Linas , Teresiene Deimante , Kanapickiene Rasa
Published: March 2021

The purpose of this paper is to determine the liquidity spillover effects of trades executed in European sovereign bond markets and to assess the driving factors behind the magnitude of the spill-overs between different markets. The one minute-frequency limit order-book dataset is constructed from mid-2011 until end-2017 for sovereign bonds from the six largest euro area countries. It is used for the event study and panel regression model. The event study results revealed that liquidity spill-over effects of trades exist and vary highly across different order types, direction and size of the trade, the maturity of traded bonds, and various markets. The panel regression model showed that less liquid bonds and bonds whose issuer is closer by distance to the country of the traded bond have more substantial spillover effects and, at the same time, are also more affected by trades executed in another market. These results should be of interest to bond market participants who want to limit the exposure to the liquidity spillover risk in bond markets.
COVID-19 Pandemic and Lockdown Fine Optimality
Authors: Niavis Spyros , Kallioras Dimitris , Vlontzos George , Duquenne Marie-Noelle
Published: March 2021

The first stream of economic studies on public policy responses during the COVID-19 pandemic focused on the stringency, the effectiveness, and the impact of the countries’ interventions and paid rather little attention to the corresponding means used to support them. The present paper scrutinizes the lockdown measures and, particularly, examines the optimality of the lockdown fines imposed by countries worldwide towards ensuring citizens’ compliance. Initially, a triad of fine stringency indicators are compiled, and the stringency of fines is evaluated in a comparative context, among the countries considered. Consequently, the fine stringency is incorporated into a regression analysis with various epidemiological, socioeconomic, and policy factors to reveal any drivers of fine variability. Finally, theoretical approaches behind fine optimality are capitalized and real data are used towards estimating the optimal fine for each country considered. The objectives of the paper are, first, to check for any drivers of fine stringency around the world and, second, to develop and test a formula that could be used in order to assist policy makers to formulate evidence-based fines for confronting the pandemic. The findings of the paper highlight that fines do not seem to have been imposed with any sound economic reasoning and the majority of countries considered imposed larger real fines, compared to the optimal ones, to support the lockdowns. The paper stresses the need for the imposition of science-based fines that reflect the social cost of non-compliance with the lockdown measures.
A Worldwide Journey through Distance Education—From the Post Office to Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Realities, and Education during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Pregowska Agnieszka , Masztalerz Karol , Garlińska Magdalena , Osial Magdalena
Published: March 2021

Surprisingly, distance education is quite an old concept. Its origins date back to the first correspondence-based course, which took place via the postal service in Boston, USA, in the 18th century. Rapid technological developments, especially in video and audio streaming, have increased the availability of such courses and moved learning into the virtual world. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we are witnessing an accelerated revolution in the learning process, as nearly all forms of education have been shifted online. Will this have a destructive effect on the human psyche? Is humanity sufficiently aware and ready for such a dramatic change? Will we return to physical in-classroom studies, or is remote distance education set to become the new norm? In particular, in medicine, computer science, fine arts, or architectural design, such a rapid change in the way students learn can be quite challenging. In this paper, we provide an overview of the history of distance learning, taking into account teachers’ and students’ points of view in both secondary and higher education.
Toward Reliable Compact Modeling of Multilevel 1T-1R RRAM Devices for Neuromorphic Systems
Authors: Pérez-Bosch Quesada Emilio , Romero-Zaliz Rocío , Pérez Eduardo , Kalishettyhalli Mahadevaiah Mamathamba , Reuben John , Schubert Markus Andreas , Jiménez-Molinos Francisco , Roldán Juan Bautista , Wenger Christian
Published: March 2021

In this work, three different RRAM compact models implemented in Verilog-A are analyzed and evaluated in order to reproduce the multilevel approach based on the switching capability of experimental devices. These models are integrated in 1T-1R cells to control their analog behavior by means of the compliance current imposed by the NMOS select transistor. Four different resistance levels are simulated and assessed with experimental verification to account for their multilevel capability. Further, an Artificial Neural Network study is carried out to evaluate in a real scenario the viability of the multilevel approach under study.