bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ambient Air Pollution and Hospitalizations for Ischemic Stroke: A Time Series Analysis Using a Distributed Lag Nonlinear Model in Chongqing, China
Authors: Chen Hao , Cheng Zheng , Li Mengmeng , Luo Pan , Duan Yong , Fan Jie , Xu Ying , Pu Kexue , Zhou Li
Published: January 2022

Short-term exposure to air pollution has been associated with ischemic stroke (IS) hospitalizations, but the evidence of its effects on IS in low- and middle-income countries is limited and inconsistent. We aimed to quantitatively estimate the association between air pollution and hospitalizations for IS in Chongqing, China. This time series study included 2,299 inpatients with IS from three hospitals in Chongqing from January 2015 to December 2016. Generalized linear regression models combined with a distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) were used to investigate the impact of air pollution on IS hospitalizations. Stratification analysis was further implemented by sex, age, and season. The maximum lag-specific and cumulative percentage changes of IS were 1.2% (95% CI: 0.4–2.1%, lag 3 day) and 3.6% (95% CI: 0.5–6.7%, lag 05 day) for each 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5; 1.0% (95% CI: 0.3–1.7%, lag 3 day) and 2.9% (95% CI: 0.6–5.2%, lag 05 day) for each 10 μg/m3 increase in PM10; 4.8% (95% CI: 0.1–9.7%, lag 4 day) for each 10 μg/m3 increase in SO2; 2.5% (95% CI: 0.3–4.7%, lag 3 day) and 8.2% (95% CI: 0.9–16.0%, lag 05 day) for each 10 μg/m3 increase in NO2; 0.7% (95% CI: 0.0–1.5%, lag 6 day) for each 10 μg/m3 increase in O3. No effect modifications were detected for sex, age, and season. Our findings suggest that short-term exposure to PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, and O3 contributes to more IS hospitalizations, which warrant the government to take effective actions in addressing air pollution issues.
An Ecological Study of Tuberculosis Incidence in China, From 2002 to 2018
Authors: Zhang Qianyun , Song Wanmei , Liu Siqi , An Qiqi , Tao Ningning , Zhu Xuehan , Yang Dongmei , Wan Daoxia , Li Yifan , Li Huaichen
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Tuberculosis is one of the main infectious diseases threatening global health, which is also the main cause of death from a single source of infection (above HIV/AIDS). China is a country with a high burden of tuberculosis in the world, ranking only behind India and Indonesia. However, there are few ecological studies on the burden of tuberculosis in China. This study aims to provide more research basis for the government to formulate tuberculosis policies by exploring the ecological factors associated with the incidence of tuberculosis, so as to achieve the goal of eliminating tuberculosis by 2030.

Methods

We collected data on the incidence of tuberculosis and ecological factors of 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities in Mainland China (excluding Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau) from 2002 to 2018. We constructed a framework of ecological factors affecting the incidence, which consists of 5 secondary indicators and 35 tertiary indicators. And we construct a dynamic panel data model based on the Lasso Regression to select variables to test the effect of each ecological factor on the incidence.

Results

Among the 35 tertiary indicators, economy 3,4,6,7, environment 1, recourses 1,3, demography 3, and lifecare 2,4,8,9,13 passed the significance test at the 1% level, economy 1,2,5, environment 2,9, lifecare 6,12 passed the significance test at the 5% level, lifecare 10 passed the significance test at the 10% level. Only economy 5 and economy 6 have a positive impact on the incidence, other statistically significant ecological indicators are negatively correlated with the incidence.

Conclusions

Our study indicated that many ecological factors, including residents' income, unemployment rate, educational level, medical resources, population density, sunshine duration and dietary structure, are closely related to the incidence of tuberculosis. These findings contribute the government to taking targeted measures for tuberculosis prevention and control, including improving the level of economic development, increasing employment, expanding the scale of enrollment in colleges and universities, and ensuring that the prices of sources of animal protein are reasonable to meet the residents' intake of protein.
Shoulder Tendon Adaptations Following a Graded Exercise Test to Exhaustion in Highly Trained Wheelchair Rugby Athletes With Different Impairments
Authors: Bossuyt Fransiska Marie , Mason Barry S. , Briley Simon , O'Brien Thomas J. , Boninger Michael L. , Arnet Ursina , Goosey-Tolfrey Victoria Louise
Published: January 2022

Objective

This study aimed to identify acute changes in biceps and supraspinatus tendon characteristics before and after a graded exercise test to exhaustion (GXT) in highly trained wheelchair rugby (WR) athletes. A secondary aspect was to define chronic tendon adaptations related to the impairment of the athlete and the occupation of the tendon within the subacromial space (occupation ratio).

Methods

Twelve WR athletes with different impairments (age = 32 ± 6 years; body mass = 67.2 ± 11.2 kg; 9.0 ± 3.6 years competing) volunteered for this study. Performance Corrected Wheelchair Users Shoulder Pain Index was used to quantify shoulder pain. Quantitative Ultrasound Protocols (QUS) were used to define supraspinatus and biceps tendon thickness, echogenicity, and echogenicity ratio of both dominant and non-dominant shoulder before and after the GXT including 22 ± 3.1 min submaximal propulsion and 10.2 ± 1.7 min maximal propulsion on a treadmill. Furthermore, the acromio-humeral distance (AHD) defined from ultrasound (US) images was used to calculate the occupation ratios.

Results

A mixed-effect multilevel analysis that included shoulder as grouping variable, demonstrated a significant reduction in the echogenicity of the biceps following GXT whilst controlling for impairment [spinal cord injury (SCI) and non-SCI] and the occupation ratio (β = −9.01, SEβ = 2.72, p = 0.001, 95% CI = [−14.34; −3.68]). This points toward fluid inflow into the tendon that may be related to overload and acute inflammation. In addition, persons with a SCI (n = 8) had a thicker supraspinatus tendon in comparison to persons with non-SCI (n = 3) which may be related to chronic tendon adaptations (β = −0.53 mm, SEβ = 0.26, p = 0.038, 95% CI = [−1.04; −0.03]). Finally, a greater occupation ratio was associated with signs of tendinopathy (i.e., greater biceps and supraspinatus tendon thickness, and lower supraspinatus echogenicity and echogenicity ratio).

Conclusion

Acute biceps tendon adaptations in response to the GXT in highly trained WR athletes were evident with chronic adaptations in the supraspinatus tendon being related to the impairment of the athlete. Ultrasound can be used to monitor tendon adaptations in WR athletes for medical diagnosis to assist the scheduling and type of training.
Multiple Machine Learning Approaches Based on Postoperative Prediction of Pulmonary Complications in Patients With Emergency Cerebral Hemorrhage Surgery
Authors: Jing Xiaolei , Wang Xueqi , Zhuang Hongxia , Fang Xiang , Xu Hao
Published: January 2022

Objective

This study aimed to create a prediction model of postoperative pulmonary complications for the patients with emergency cerebral hemorrhage surgery.

Methods

Patients with hemorrhage surgery who underwent cerebral hemorrhage surgery were included and divided into two groups: patients with or without pulmonary complications. Patient characteristics, previous history, laboratory tests, and interventions were collected. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to predict postoperative pulmonary infection. Multiple machine learning approaches have been used to compare their importance in predicting factors, namely K-nearest neighbor (KNN), stochastic gradient descent (SGD), support vector classification (SVC), random forest (RF), and logistics regression (LR), as they are the most successful and widely used models for clinical data.

Results

Three hundred and fifty four patients with emergency cerebral hemorrhage surgery between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2020 were included in the study. 53.7% (190/354) of the patients developed postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC). Stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed four independent predictive factors associated with pulmonary complications, including current smoker, lymphocyte count, clotting time, and ASA score. In addition, the RF model had an ideal predictive performance.

Conclusions

According to our result, current smoker, lymphocyte count, clotting time, and ASA score were independent risks of pulmonary complications. Machine learning approaches can also provide more evidence in the prediction of pulmonary complications.
Growth Properties and Sensitivities to Various Bactericidal Methods of Cold-Tolerant Microorganisms Isolated from Packed Tofu
Authors: Matsui Masayoshi , Tanino Takanori , Ito Misato , Nomura Chihiro , Guionet Alexis , Takahashi Katsuyuki , Takaki Koichi , Ohshima Takayuki
Published: January 2022

Disinfection and sterilization against cold-tolerant microorganisms are very important for enhancing food safety and hygiene management under refrigeration conditions. We isolated Exiguobacterium sp. and Pantoea sp. from an immersion solution of packed tofu and evaluated their growth properties and sensitivities to various bactericidal methods. These microorganisms were classified as psychrotrophic bacteria, according to their ability to grow at 4 °C, with an optimum growth temperature of 30 °C. Exiguobacterium sp. and Pantoea sp. were more sensitive to heat and sodium hypochlorite than Escherichia coli (E. coli). Exiguobacterium sp. was sensitive to acetic acid and citric acid, while Pantoea sp. was relatively insensitive and E. coli was insensitive to these organic acids. All microorganisms used in this study were resistant to sodium hydroxide solution (pH 8.00). Exiguobacterium sp. showed resistance to ozonated water and UV; therefore, particular attention should be paid to the contamination of this microorganism in food factories. Both Exiguobacterium sp. and Pantoea sp. were inactivated by pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment that did not cause lethal damage to E. coli. The results obtained in this study suggest that the bactericidal methods targeting the fragile cell membrane with high permeability are effective for the inactivation of cold-tolerant microorganisms.
Connecting Heat Tolerance and Tenderness in Bos indicus Influenced Cattle
Authors: Scheffler Tracy L.
Published: January 2022

Bos indicus cattle are widely utilized in tropical and subtropical climates. Their heat tolerance and parasite resistance are integral for beef production in these regions; however, a reputation for excitable temperaments, slower growth, and variation in tenderness has limited their use in commercial beef production. This suggests that there is antagonism between heat tolerance and meat production traits. Meat quality characteristics are determined by the properties of skeletal muscle as well as conditions during slaughter and processing. Thus, it is possible that adaptations related to heat tolerance in the living animal affect tenderness and other meat quality attributes. Since muscle represents a large proportion of body mass, relatively small changes at the cellular level could impact overall heat production of the animal. Specifically, protein degradation and mitochondria function are aspects of organ and cellular metabolism that may help limit heat production and also have a connection to tenderness. Protein degradation postmortem is critical to structural changes that enhance tenderness whereas mitochondria may influence tenderness through their roles in energy metabolism, calcium regulation, cell death signaling, and oxidative stress. This review explores potential relationships between cellular metabolism in vivo and beef quality development in Bos indicus and Bos indicus influenced cattle.
Genomic Analysis of ESBL-Producing E. coli in Wildlife from North-Eastern Germany
Authors: Homeier-Bachmann Timo , Schütz Anne K. , Dreyer Sylvia , Glanz Julien , Schaufler Katharina , Conraths Franz J.
Published: January 2022

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious global health threat and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales are a major contributor. This study aimed to gain a deeper insight into the AMR burden of wild animals. In total, 1595 fecal samples were collected by two systematic searches in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, north-east Germany. Samples were screened for ESBL-carrying Escherichia (E.) coli and isolates found were further analyzed using antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole-genome sequencing. We found an estimated prevalence of 1.2% ESBL-producing E. coli in wild boar and 1.1% in wild ruminants. CTX-M-1 was the most abundant CTX-M type. We also examined fecal samples from wild boar and wild ruminants using shotgun metagenomics to gain insight into the resistome in wild animals. The latter revealed significantly lower normalized counts for AMR genes in wildlife samples compared to farm animals. The AMR gene levels were lower in wild ruminants than in wild boar. In conclusion, our study revealed a low prevalence of ESBL-producing E. coli and a low overall AMR gene burden in wild boar and wild ruminants, probably due to the secluded location of the search area.
Designing Patient-Driven, Tissue-Engineered Models of Primary and Metastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: Beeghly Garrett F. , Thomas Candace , Yuan Jessica X. , Harris Alexandra R. , Munson Jennifer M.
Published: January 2022

The rising survival rate for early-stage breast cancer in the United States has created an expanding population of women in remission at risk for distant recurrence, with metastatic spread to the brain demonstrating an especially poor prognosis. The current standard of care for breast cancer brain metastases is not well defined or differentiated from the treatment of brain metastases from other primary sites. Here, we present tissue-engineered models of the primary and brain metastatic breast cancer microenvironments informed by analysis of patient tumor resections. We find that metastatic resections demonstrate distinct cellular and matrix components compared with primary resections or non-cancerous controls. Using our model systems, we find that the observed deposition of collagen I after metastasis to the brain may enhance breast cancer invasion. Future optimization of these models will present a novel platform to examine tumor-stroma interactions and screen therapeutics for the management of metastatic breast cancer.
Effects of Alirocumab on Triglyceride Metabolism: A Fat-Tolerance Test and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Study
Authors: Metzner Thomas , Leitner Deborah R. , Mellitzer Karin , Beck Andrea , Sourij Harald , Stojakovic Tatjana , Reishofer Gernot , März Winfried , Landmesser Ulf , Scharnagl Hubert , Toplak Hermann , Silbernagel Günther
Published: January 2022

Background: PCSK9 antibodies strongly reduce LDL cholesterol. The effects of PCSK9 antibodies on triglyceride metabolism are less pronounced. The present study aimed to investigate in detail the effects of alirocumab on triglycerides, triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, and lipase regulators. Methods: A total of 24 patients with an indication for treatment with PCSK9 antibodies were recruited. There were two visits at the study site: the first before initiation of treatment with alirocumab and the second after 10 weeks of treatment. Fat-tolerance tests, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were performed to analyze lipid metabolism. Results: A total of 21 participants underwent the first and second investigation. Among these, two participants only received alirocumab twice and 19 patients completed the trial per protocol. All of them had atherosclerotic vascular disease. There was no significant effect of alirocumab treatment on fasting triglycerides, post-prandial triglycerides, or lipoprotein-lipase regulating proteins. Total, large, and small LDL particle concentrations decreased, while the HDL particle concentration increased (all p < 0.001). Mean total circulating PCSK9 markedly increased in response to alirocumab treatment (p < 0.001). Whereas PCSK9 increased more than three-fold in all 19 compliant patients, it remained unchanged in those two patients with two injections only. Conclusion: Significant effects of alirocumab on triglyceride metabolism were not detectable in the ALIROCKS trial. The total circulating PCSK9 concentration might be a useful biomarker to differentiate non-adherence from non-response to PCSK9 antibodies.
Expression Profiling in Ovarian Cancer Reveals Coordinated Regulation of BRCA1/2 and Homologous Recombination Genes
Authors: Custódio Noélia , Savisaar Rosina , Carvalho Célia , Bak-Gordon Pedro , Ribeiro Maria I. , Tavares Joana , Nunes Paula B. , Peixoto Ana , Pinto Carla , Escudeiro Carla , Teixeira Manuel R. , Carmo-Fonseca Maria
Published: January 2022

Predictive biomarkers are crucial in clarifying the best strategy to use poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) for the greatest benefit to ovarian cancer patients. PARPi are specifically lethal to cancer cells that cannot repair DNA damage by homologous recombination (HR), and HR deficiency is frequently associated with BRCA1/2 mutations. Genetic tests for BRCA1/2 mutations are currently used in the clinic, but results can be inconclusive due to the high prevalence of rare DNA sequence variants of unknown significance. Most tests also fail to detect epigenetic modifications and mutations located deep within introns that may alter the mRNA. The aim of this study was to investigate whether quantitation of BRCA1/2 mRNAs in ovarian cancer can provide information beyond the DNA tests. Using the nCounter assay from NanoString Technologies, we analyzed RNA isolated from 38 ovarian cancer specimens and 11 normal fallopian tube samples. We found that BRCA1/2 expression was highly variable among tumors. We further observed that tumors with lower levels of BRCA1/2 mRNA showed downregulated expression of 12 additional HR genes. Analysis of 299 ovarian cancer samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) confirmed the coordinated expression of BRCA1/2 and HR genes. To facilitate the routine analysis of BRCA1/2 mRNA in the clinical setting, we developed a targeted droplet digital PCR approach that can be used with FFPE samples. In conclusion, this study underscores the potential clinical benefit of measuring mRNA levels in tumors when BRCA1/2 DNA tests are negative or inconclusive.
Molecular Landscape of the Coagulome of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Lottin Marine , Soudet Simon , Fercot Julie , Racine Floriane , Demagny Julien , Bettoni Jérémie , Chatelain Denis , Sevestre Marie-Antoinette , Mammeri Youcef , Lamuraglia Michele , Galmiche Antoine , Saidak Zuzana
Published: January 2022

Background: Hemostatic complications, ranging from thromboembolism to bleeding, are a significant source of morbidity and mortality in cancer patients. The tumor coagulome represents the multiple genes and proteins that locally contribute to the equilibrium between coagulation and fibrinolysis. We aimed to study the coagulome of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) and examine its link to the tumor microenvironment (TME). Methods: We used data from bulk tumor DNA/RNA-seq (The Cancer Genome Atlas), single-cell RNA-seq data and OSCC cells in culture. Results: Among all tumor types, OSCC was identified as the tumor with the highest mRNA expression levels of F3 (Tissue Factor, TF) and PLAU (urokinase type-plasminogen activator, uPA). Great inter- and intra-tumor heterogeneity were observed. Single-cell analyses showed the coexistence of subpopulations of pro-coagulant and pro-fibrinolytic cancer cells within individual tumors. Interestingly, OSCC with high F3 expressed higher levels of the key immune checkpoint molecules CD274/PD-L1, PDCD1LG2/PD-L2 and CD80, especially in tumor dendritic cells. In vitro studies confirmed the particularity of the OSCC coagulome and suggested that thrombin exerts indirect effects on OSCC cells. Conclusions: OSCC presents a specific coagulome. Further studies examining a possible negative modulation of the tumor’s adaptive immune response by the coagulation process are warranted.
FNTB Promoter Polymorphisms Are Independent Predictors of Survival in Patients with Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Bachmann Hagen Sjard , Jung Dominik , Link Theresa , Arnold Anna , Kantelhardt Eva , Thomssen Christoph , Wimberger Pauline , Vetter Martina , Kuhlmann Jan Dominik
Published: January 2022

In breast cancer, the promising efficacy of farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTIs) in preclinical studies is in contrast to only limited effects in clinical Phase II–III trials. The objective of this study was to explore the clinical relevance of farnesyltransferase β-subunit (FNTB) single nucleotide promoter polymorphisms (FNTB-173 6G > 5G (rs3215788), -609 G > C (rs11623866) and -179 T > A (rs192403314)) in early breast cancer. FNTB genotyping was performed by pyrosequencing in 797 patients from a prospective multicentre observational PiA trial (NCT 01592825). In the total cohort, the FNTB-173 6G > 5G polymorphism was an independent predictor of RFI (HR = 0.568; 95% CI = 0.339–0.949, p = 0.031), OS (HR = 0.629; 95% CI = 0.403–0.980, p = 0.040) and BCSS (HR = 0.433; 95% CI = 0.213–0.882; p = 0.021), whereas the FNTB-609 G > C polymorphism was an independent predictor of RFI (HR = 0.453; 95% CI = 0.226–0.910, p = 0.026) and BCSS (HR = 0.227; 95% CI = 0.075–0.687, p = 0.009). Subtype analysis revealed the independent prognostic relevance of FNTB promoter polymorphisms, particularly in TNBC but not in luminal or HER2-positive intrinsic subtypes. Finally, we used electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) to confirm in vitro that the polymorphism FNTB-173 6G > 5G resulted in the differential binding of nuclear proteins from five different breast cancer cell lines. This is the first study on breast cancer suggesting that FNTB promoter polymorphisms (i) are independent prognostic biomarkers, particularly in patients with early TNBC, and (ii) could modulate FNTB’s transcriptional activity.
High-Resolution, High b-Value Computed Diffusion-Weighted Imaging Improves Detection of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Harder Felix N. , Jung Eva , McTavish Sean , Van Anh Tu , Weiss Kilian , Ziegelmayer Sebastian , Gawlitza Joshua , Gouder Philip , Kamal Omar , Makowski Marcus R. , Lohöfer Fabian K. , Karampinos Dimitrios C. , Braren Rickmer F.
Published: January 2022

Background: Our purpose was to investigate the potential of high-resolution, high b-value computed DWI (cDWI) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) detection. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 44 patients with confirmed PDAC. Respiratory-triggered, diffusion-weighted, single-shot echo-planar imaging (ss-EPI) with both conventional (i.e., full field-of-view, 3 × 3 × 4 mm voxel size, b = 0, 50, 300, 600 s/mm2) and high-resolution (i.e., reduced field-of-view, 2.5 × 2.5 × 3 mm voxel size, b = 0, 50, 300, 600, 1000 s/mm2) imaging was performed for suspected PDAC. cDWI datasets at b = 1000 s/mm2 were generated for the conventional and high-resolution datasets. Three radiologists were asked to subjectively rate (on a Likert scale of 1–4) the following metrics: image quality, lesion detection and delineation, and lesion-to-pancreas intensity relation. Furthermore, the following quantitative image parameters were assessed: apparent signal-to-noise ratio (aSNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (aCNR), and lesion-to-pancreas contrast ratio (CR). Results: High-resolution, high b-value computed DWI (r-cDWI1000) enabled significant improvement in lesion detection and a higher incidence of a high lesion-to-pancreas intensity relation (type 1, clear hyperintense) compared to conventional high b-value computed and high-resolution high b-value acquired DWI (f-cDWI1000 and r-aDWI1000, respectively). Image quality was rated inferior in the r-cDWI1000 datasets compared to r-aDWI1000. Furthermore, the aCNR and CR were higher in the r-cDWI1000 datasets than in f-cDWI1000 and r-aDWI1000. Conclusion: High-resolution, high b-value computed DWI provides significantly better visualization of PDAC compared to the conventional high b-value computed and high-resolution high b-value images acquired by DWI.
Expression of Fibrosis-Related Genes in Liver and Kidney Fibrosis in Comparison to Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Authors: Jerala Miha , Hauptman Nina , Kojc Nika , Zidar Nina
Published: January 2022

Fibrosis is an important feature of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), but its pathogenesis is incompletely understood. Our aim was to identify genes important for fibrosis in IBD by comparison with kidney and liver fibrosis. First, we performed bioinformatics analysis of Gene Expression Omnibus datasets of liver and kidney fibrosis and identified CXCL9, THBS2, MGP, PTPRC, CD52, GZMA, DPT and DCN as potentially important genes with altered expression in fibrosis. We then performed qPCR analysis of the selected genes’ expression on samples of fibrotic kidney, liver, Crohn’s disease (CD) with and without fibrosis and ulcerative colitis (UC), in comparison to corresponding normal tissue. We found significantly altered expression in fibrosis for all selected genes. A significant difference for some genes was observed in CD with fibrosis in comparison to CD without fibrosis and UC. We conclude that similar changes in the expression of selected genes in liver, kidney fibrosis and IBD provide further evidence that fibrosis in IBD might share common mechanisms with other organs, supporting the hypothesis that fibrosis is the common pathway in diseases of various organs. Some genes were already active in IBD with inflammation without fibrosis, suggesting the early activation of profibrotic pathways or overlapping function in fibrosis and inflammation.
Structure and Characterization of Vacuum Arc Deposited Carbon Films—A Critical Overview
Authors: Schultrich Bernd
Published: January 2022

This critical overview analyzes the relations between deposition conditions and structure for hydrogen-free carbon films, prepared by vacuum arc deposition. The manifold of film structures can be roughly divided into graphitic, nanostructured and amorphous films. Their detailed characterization uses advantageously sp3 fraction, density, Raman peak ratio and the mechanical properties (Young’s modulus and hardness). Vacuum arc deposition is based on energetic beams of carbon ions, where the film growth is mainly determined by ion energy and surface temperature. Both parameters can be clearly defined in the case of energy-selected carbon ion deposition, which thus represents a suitable reference method. In the case of vacuum arc deposition, the relation of the external controllable parameters (especially bias voltage and bulk temperature) with the internal growth conditions is more complex, e.g., due to the broad energy distribution, due to the varying “natural” ion energy and due to the surface heating by the ion bombardment. Nevertheless, some general trends of the structural development can be extracted. They are critically discussed and summarized in a hypothetical structural phase diagram in the energy-temperature plane.
Resistance of Geopolymer, Epoxy and Cement Mortar to Hydrocarbon-Based Synthetic Engine Lubricant, Hydraulic Fluid, Jet Fuel and Elevated Temperatures
Authors: Shill Sukanta Kumer , Al-Deen Safat , Ashraf Mahmud , Garcez Estela Oliari , Subhani Mahbube , Hossain Muhammad Monowar
Published: January 2022

Due to routine maintenance of aircraft on the concrete pavement at army airbases, a large part of the pavement surface is often found saturated with different hydrocarbon-based oil, fuel, and fluid. In addition, the pavement concrete is subjected to the aircraft’s exhaust temperature during operation. This study examined the resistance ability of 3 different cementitious materials: (i) epoxy, (ii) fly ash (FA) based geopolymer with various alkali to fly ash (AL/FA) ratios and (iii) Portland cement (PC) mortar under a simulated airfield circumstance. The mortar specimens were repetitively exposed to a mixture of synthetic engine oil, hydraulic fluids, jet fuel and elevated temperatures (175 °C) for 5 months simultaneously. During the exposures, geopolymer and PC mortar both suffered saponification. The degree of saponification of geopolymer samples is found to be highly reliant on the AL/FA ratios. On the contrary, the epoxy mortar was found to be resistant to saponification. It was also found that the PC mortar developed numerous thermal cracks but epoxy and geopolymer did not experience any visual thermal cracks under the same conditions.
Gambling and Gaming in the United Kingdom during the COVID-19 Lockdown
Authors: Close James , Spicer Stuart Gordon , Nicklin Laura Louise , Lloyd Joanne , Whalley Ben , Lloyd Helen
Published: January 2022

During the first UK national COVID-19 lockdown, there were fears that increased online gaming and gambling could negatively impact wellbeing. Using a cross-sectional retrospective change survey of 631 UK adult gamers and/or gamblers during the week the UK lockdown was partially lifted (June 2020), we investigated participation in gaming/gambling and relationships with problem gaming, problem gambling and wellbeing (using the following previously validated scales: the Internet Gaming Disorder Short Form; a short-form version of the Problem Gambling Severity Index; a short-form of the Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale). Results indicated a near-doubling in gaming activity during lockdown and significant increases in problem gaming scores, but not in numbers of disordered gamers. Aggregate changes to gambling participation and problem gambling were negligible: decreases in offline and sports gambling were balanced by increases in online gambling. Wellbeing scores decreased during lockdown across the sample, particularly amongst women, and path analysis revealed moderate correlations between increases in problem gaming and gambling scores and reductions in wellbeing. We conclude that for some, maladaptive gaming/gambling coping strategies during the lockdown may have exacerbated its negative effects.
Effects of Matrix Silicon Content on the Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation of Al-Si Alloys Using Different Power Modes
Authors: Li Kang , Zhang Guoge , Yi Aihua , Zhu Wen , Liao Zhongmiao , Chen Ken , Li Wenfang , Luo Zhenyuan
Published: January 2022

The plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) of pure Al and Al alloys containing 4, 9, 12, or 15 wt.% Si were investigated under pulsed bipolar current and pulsed bipolar voltage modes, respectively. It was determined that the discharge sparks preferentially occurred on the SiO2 relative to the Al2O3 during the initial stage of PEO processing regardless of the power mode. Following 30 min of PEO treatment under the two modes, the thicknesses of the layers decreased, whereas their specific energy consumption increased with increasing Si content in the matrix. The presence of primary Si in the alloy with 15 wt.% Si had a significantly negative effect on the PEO process in the pulsed bipolar current mode: The layer thickness decreased by 45%, and its specific energy consumption increased by 52%, compared with those on pure Al. However, in the pulsed bipolar voltage mode, the layer thickness on the evaluated samples only decreased slightly, and it became much more similar after treatment.
New Iguanodon bernissartensis Axial Bones (Dinosauria, Ornithopoda) from the Early Cretaceous of Morella, Spain
Authors: Gasulla José Miguel , Escaso Fernando , Narváez Iván , Sanz José Luis , Ortega Francisco
Published: January 2022

Iguanodon bernissartensis is the most frequently and widely cited styracosternan ornithopod in Western Europe during the Early Cretaceous, although some of these assignments likely need to be revised to establish the true distribution of the taxon. Here, we describe a new specimen of I. bernissartensis from the upper Barremian of the Iberian Peninsula. Based on the unique combination of shared characters, the new specimen from the Arcillas de Morella Formation at Morella locality (Castellón, Spain) can be confidently referred to Iguanodon bernissartensis. These characters include parallel-sided anterior and posterior margins of the dorsal and the caudal neural spines as well as the presence of a ventral keel in the posterior dorsal centra and a broad ventral sulcus in the midline of the central surface of the most posterior sacral vertebrae. This new evidence of Iguanodon bernissartensis reinforces the knowledge about styracosternan ornithopods as the most frequently recorded dinosaur group in the Arcillas de Morella Formation.
Variations in Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Colonization Associated with Root Diameter and Hypodermis Passages Cells across Temperate and Tropical Woody Species
Authors: Wang Yan , Li Zhongyue , Wang Siyuan , Wang Wenna , Wang Na , Gu Jiacun
Published: January 2022

Root hypodermis passage cells (PCs) lack suberin and lignin deposition, responsible for nutrient absorption and arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization, which are crucial for root resource acquisition. Nevertheless, their quantitative variability across diverse woody species and their relationships with root morphology and anatomy, as well as arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization, are still not well understood. Herein, the number and proportion of PCs in the root cross-section, root morphology, anatomy, and arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization rate were quantified across 10 temperate and 12 tropical woody species. The objectives of this study were to determine how PCs vary across contrasting environmental conditions and to explore their relationships with arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization rate and other root functional traits. The results showed that tropical species possessed 56% more PCs than temperate species; by contrast, they had similar proportions of PCs. In both biomes, the number of PCs had a tightly positive correlation with arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization rate (R2 = 0.35–0.87), root diameter (R2 = 0.84–0.93), and cortex thickness (R2 = 0.87–0.89), but the proportion of PCs was mostly independent of root morphological and anatomical traits. Our results suggest that variation in passage cells could well explain the tight linkage between arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization and root diameter across species and biomes, which provides insight into the collaboration gradient between plant roots and mycorrhizal fungi that dominates the root economics space.
Optical Equivalence Ratio Measurement of a Dual Fuel Burner for Natural Gas and Kerosene
Authors: Vogel Manuel , Bachfischer Michael , Kaufmann Jan , Sattelmayer Thomas
Published: January 2022

A measurement technique for determination of the global and local equivalence ratios from the flame chemiluminescence for a swirl-stabilized lean premixed combustion of natural gas and kerosene is presented. First, we conducted spectrally resolved chemiluminescence studies using an imaging spectrometer to correlate the ratio of individual chemiluminescence signals to the equivalence ratio. Flame spectra were recorded for a multitude of different lean operating conditions for natural gas and kerosene combustion. The spectra show that, without background correction, the CH*/CO2* ratios for both natural gas and kerosene combustion exhibited a monotonic relationship to the equivalence ratio in the investigated range. Subsequently, bandpass-filtered images of CH* and CO2* chemiluminescence were acquired simultaneously on one camera chip using an image doubler to investigate the local relationship of the CH*/CO2* ratio with the equivalence ratio. The ratio images corroborate the monotonic relationship of the CH*/CO2* ratio to the equivalence ratio. Furthermore, the ratio was found to be influenced by the local reaction zone temperature. The presented technique allows high temporal resolution determination of the local equivalence ratio in lean premixed natural gas and kerosene flames and can thus be applied to quantify equivalence ratio oscillations during unstable combustion.
Calendula arvensis (Vaill.) L.: A Systematic Plant Analysis of the Polar Extracts from Its Organs by UHPLC-HRMS
Authors: Fiorentino Marika , Gravina Claudia , Piccolella Simona , Pecoraro Maria Tommasina , Formato Marialuisa , Stinca Adriano , Pacifico Severina , Esposito Assunta
Published: January 2022

Calendula arvensis (Vaill.) L. (field marigold, Asteraceae) is an alimurgic plant, whose flowers and leaves are a common part of local food dishes. The diversity in polar specialized metabolites is herein unraveled, with the aim to further promote and valorize the food use of the plant. To this purpose, following the plant dissection of its organs (florets, fruits, leaves, bracts, stems, and roots), ultrasound assisted maceration has been employed in order to recover phenols and polyphenols. Through an untargeted UHPLC-HR MS (Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry) approach, and deeper investigation of the fragmentation patterns of each compound by tandem mass spectrometry, the florets’ constitution in triterpene saponins and flavonol glycosides has been highlighted, whereas hydroxycinnamoyl compounds are mainly in bracts and fruits. The antiradical and reducing capabilities of the organs’ extracts have been assessed, and data acquired have been analyzed by cluster analysis, which allowed bracts and fruits to be observed, despite their negligible food use, as the most active extracts. Chemical and antioxidant data on the diverse organs of field marigold suggest new investigative food and nutraceutical scenarios of this plant, also revalorizing and preserving its traditional uses.
Biovalorization of Market Surplus Bread for Development of Probiotic-Fermented Potential Functional Beverages
Authors: Nguyen Thuy-Linh , Toh Mingzhan , Lu Yuyun , Ku Sebastian , Liu Shao-Quan
Published: January 2022

Bread wastage is a growing concern in many developed countries. This research aimed to explore the biovalorization of market surplus bread for the development of probiotic-fermented beverages in a zero-waste approach. Bread slurries with different initial total solid contents were inoculated with probiotics Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-3856, alone and in combination. Our results showed that, of all percentages tested, 5% (w/w, dry weight) initial total solid content resulted in better growth of the probiotics and higher cell counts, while the texture of bread slurries with concentrations higher than 5.0% was too thick and viscous for bread beverage developments. In addition, the development of probiotic-fermented bread beverages was feasible on various types of bread. Furthermore, food additives (sweetener and stabilizer) did not affect the growth of LGG and S. cerevisiae CNCM I-3856 in both mono- and co-culture fermentation. During shelf life measurement, co-inoculation of LGG with S. cerevisiae CNCM I-3856 significantly improved the survival of LGG compared to the mono-culture at 5 and 30 °C, demonstrating the protective effects provided by the yeast. Our study suggests the potential of using market surplus bread as raw materials to deliver live probiotics with sufficient cell counts.
Racial Passing off the Record: A Journey in Reconnection and Navigating Shifting Identities
Authors: Womack Gabby C.
Published: January 2022

Anyone of African descent or with African ancestry who engages in a genealogy project soon learns that the U.S. Census is a helpful yet frustrating tool. In 2016, equipped with my history degree and an online ancestry search engine, I searched for my great-grandfather Leroy in census records after I saw a picture of him as a young man at work in Philadelphia. This image would have been unremarkable had it not been for the fact that my African American ancestor was so light skinned that he seemed to blend in with his co-workers at Kramer’s Fruit and Vegetables. I thought there had to be a story behind this. Classified as, “Mu”, for mulatto in most of his records, Leroy became “Black” on the census in 1930. My first thought was to question whether this categorization changed for other folks like him. My research led me to my master’s thesis “From ‘Mulatto’ to ‘Negro’: How Fears of ‘Passing’ Changed the 1930 United States Census”. Through this research, I also became closer to my father’s family. This piece will take you through this journey of discovery and my frustrations along the way.
Splicing Variants, Protein-Protein Interactions, and Drug Targeting in Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome and Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Kim Bae-Hoon , Woo Tae-Gyun , Kang So-Mi , Park Soyoung , Park Bum-Joon
Published: January 2022

Alternative splicing (AS) is a biological operation that enables a messenger RNA to encode protein variants (isoforms) that give one gene several functions or properties. This process provides one of the major sources of use for understanding the proteomic diversity of multicellular organisms. In combination with post-translational modifications, it contributes to generating a variety of protein–protein interactions (PPIs) that are essential to cellular homeostasis or proteostasis. However, cells exposed to many kinds of stresses (aging, genetic changes, carcinogens, etc.) sometimes derive cancer or disease onset from aberrant PPIs caused by DNA mutations. In this review, we summarize how splicing variants may form a neomorphic protein complex and cause diseases such as Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC), and we discuss how protein–protein interfaces obtained from the variants may represent efficient therapeutic target sites to treat HGPS and SCLC.
Diagnostic Performance of a Deep Learning Model Deployed at a National COVID-19 Screening Facility for Detection of Pneumonia on Frontal Chest Radiographs
Authors: Sim Jordan , Ting Yong-Han , Tang Yuan , Feng Yangqin , Lei Xiaofeng , Wang Xiaohong , Chen Wen-Xiang , Huang Su , Wong Sum-Thai , Lu Zhongkang , Cui Yingnan , Teo Soo-Kng , Xu Xin-Xing , Huang Wei-Min , Tan Cher-Heng
Published: January 2022

(1) Background: Chest radiographs are the mainstay of initial radiological investigation in this COVID-19 pandemic. A reliable and readily deployable artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm that detects pneumonia in COVID-19 suspects can be useful for screening or triage in a hospital setting. This study has a few objectives: first, to develop a model that accurately detects pneumonia in COVID-19 suspects; second, to assess its performance in a real-world clinical setting; and third, by integrating the model with the daily clinical workflow, to measure its impact on report turn-around time. (2) Methods: The model was developed from the NIH Chest-14 open-source dataset and fine-tuned using an internal dataset comprising more than 4000 CXRs acquired in our institution. Input from two senior radiologists provided the reference standard. The model was integrated into daily clinical workflow, prioritising abnormal CXRs for expedited reporting. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), F1 score, sensitivity, and specificity were calculated to characterise diagnostic performance. The average time taken by radiologists in reporting the CXRs was compared against the mean baseline time taken prior to implementation of the AI model. (3) Results: 9431 unique CXRs were included in the datasets, of which 1232 were ground truth-labelled positive for pneumonia. On the “live” dataset, the model achieved an AUC of 0.95 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.92, 0.96) corresponding to a specificity of 97% (95% CI: 0.97, 0.98) and sensitivity of 79% (95% CI: 0.72, 0.84). No statistically significant degradation of diagnostic performance was encountered during clinical deployment, and report turn-around time was reduced by 22%. (4) Conclusion: In real-world clinical deployment, our model expedites reporting of pneumonia in COVID-19 suspects while preserving diagnostic performance without significant model drift.
The Impact of Migration Status on Adolescents’ Mental Health during COVID-19
Authors: Pieh Christoph , Dale Rachel , Jesser Andrea , Probst Thomas , Plener Paul L. , Humer Elke
Published: January 2022

The purpose of this study was to compare mental health in adolescents with and without migration background after a semester of remote schooling and almost a year of social distancing in Austria. An online survey, supported by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research, was conducted from 3rd February to 28th February 2021 measuring well-being (WHO-5), depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), sleep quality (ISI), stress (PSS-10), and disordered eating (EAT-8). A matched-pairs analysis with and without migration background was conducted and was checked with whole sample analysis. From a total of 3052 participants, N = 508 had a migration background (first or second generation) and N = 479 could be matched according to age, gender, region, and education with adolescents without migration background. Matched-pairs analyses showed that migration background is associated with poorer mental health concerning well-being, depression, anxiety, and insomnia scores (all p-values < 0.05). Prevalence of depressive symptoms (64.5% vs. 56.5%), anxiety symptoms (53.5% vs. 46.0%), as well as insomnia (31.9% vs. 21.0%) is higher in adolescents with migration background (all p-values ≤ 0.02). Comparison of the whole sample (N = 3052) confirmed these results. Results suggest that migration status is a risk factor for mental health problems among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic and highlight the need to implement easily accessible culture- and language-specific health promotion and prevention strategies.
Depression and Exercise in Older Adults: Exercise Looks after You Program, User Profile
Authors: Galán-Arroyo Carmen , Pereira-Payo Damián , Hernández-Mocholí Miguel Ángel , Merellano-Navarro Eugenio , Pérez-Gómez Jorge , Rojo-Ramos Jorge , Adsuar Jose Carmelo
Published: January 2022

Introduction: Depression is a challenge for public health policies, as it is the number one leading cause of disability in the world. In order to combat and prevent it, different social and health interventions are being developed to promote health through physical activity. Objective: Analyze and describe the user profile of the patients with depression from the Exercise Looks After You program, which is a physical activity program that works on improving public health and has an essential role preventing chronic diseases and improving the quality of life of the elderly in Extremadura. Design: Cross-sectional study. Participants: total sample of 1972 users (96.4% women, 3.6% men), of whom 724 (94.6% women, 5.4% men) suffer from depression. Results: It was observed that the dominant user profile of the patients with depression within the program is female, 71 years old, physically active, overweight, married, with low educational level, non-smoker, no alcohol consumption and below average physical fitness and health-related quality of life, which translates into a high incidence of primary care, nursing and prescription visits. Conclusions: This study presents the user profile of depressive versus non-depressive participants of the Exercise Looks After You physical activity program. This data could be meaningful in order to improve and optimize public health programs and resources.