bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of epigenetics in childhood autoimmune diseases with hematological manifestations
Authors: Gkoutsias Athanasios , Makis Alexandros
Published: February 2022

Autoimmune diseases with hematological manifestations are often characterized by chronicity and relapses despite treatment, and the underlying pathogenetic mechanisms remain unknown. Epigenetic alterations play a vital role in the deregulation of immune tolerance and the development of autoimmune diseases. In recent years, study of epigenetic mechanisms in both adult and childhood autoimmune disorders has been seeking to explain the pathophysiology of these heterogeneous diseases and to elucidate the interaction between genetic and environmental factors. Various mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone modifications (chromatin remodeling), and noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), have been studied extensively in the context of autoimmune diseases. This paper summarizes the epigenetic patterns in some of the most common childhood autoimmune disorders with hematological manifestations, based on epigenetic studies in children with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Research findings indicate that methylation changes in genes expressed on T cells, modifications at a variety of histone sites, and alterations in the expression of several ncRNAs are involved in the pathogenesis of these diseases. These mechanisms not only determine the development of these diseases but also affect the severity of the clinical presentation and biochemical markers. Further studies will provide new tools for the prevention and diagnosis of childhood autoimmune disorders, and possible novel treatment options.
Abnormal gait and hypoglycorrhachia in a toddler with seizures
Authors: Angeli Maria , Vergadi Eleni , Niotakis Georgios , Raissaki Maria , Galanakis Emmanouil
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Glucose transporter type 1 (Glut1) deficiency syndrome is a treatable neurometabolic disorder characterized by seizures, developmental delay, and hypoglycorrhachia. Due to the rareness and non‐specific clinical manifestations, it is usually mis‐ or underdiagnosed.

Case presentation

We report the case of a toddler who presented with afebrile epileptic seizures and abnormal gait. Brain imaging and electroencephalogram were normal. Further investigation of the cerebrospinal fluid revealed hypoglycorrhachia that was the clue to the diagnosis of Glut1 deficiency syndrome and the initiation of treatment with ketogenic diet.

Conclusion

Our case highlights the importance of lumbar puncture while investigating a child with epileptic seizures and abnormal gait or developmental delay, in order not to miss treatable neurometabolic conditions, such as Glut1 deficiency syndrome.
The role of psychosocial variables in breast self‐examination practice: Results from focus group discussions in Surabaya, Indonesia
Authors: Dewi Triana Kesuma , Ruiter Robert A. C. , Ardi Rahkman , Massar Karlijn
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Breast cancer is a global life‐threatening disease. Breast self‐examination (BSE) followed by timely diagnosis and treatment is a viable screening method for populations with limited health care access such as Indonesia. Knowledge of the beliefs underlying BSE could benefit the development of future health education efforts to promote BSE and breast cancer awareness among Indonesian women, with the ultimate aim to achieve early detection and promote long‐term survivals. The purpose of this study was to explore the underlying beliefs of BSE among women in Surabaya, Indonesia in accordance with the reasoned action approach (RAA) framework. Moreover, we investigated what these women considered an effective approach to improve breast awareness and promote BSE in their social networks.

Method

The participants included 62 women aged 18–55 (M = 32,9) in Surabaya, Indonesia who were divided into nine focus groups. Directed content analysis was employed to analyze the data.

Results

Six psychosocial determinants of performing BSE emerged from the analysis: knowledge, attitude and beliefs, risk perception, norms, perceived behavior control, and intention. Furthermore, the participants identified face‐to‐face meetings with visual media and healthcare professionals as effective channels to enhance breast awareness.

Conclusion

This study sheds light on the application of the RAA for BSE, and reveals the importance of face‐to‐face meetings involving healthcare professionals and women's social networks for breast education.
Effectiveness of supervised physiotherapy versus home exercise in subjects with rotator cuff disorders treated surgically: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Gutiérrez‐Espinoza Héctor , Araya‐Quintanilla Felipe , Olguín‐Huerta Cristian , Valdés‐Orrego Iván , Sepúlveda‐Osses Oscar
Published: February 2022

Objective

The aim is to determine the effectiveness of supervised Physiotherapy (PT) versus a home exercise program for functional outcomes in patients with rotator cuff (RC) disorders treated surgically.

Type

Systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Methodology

An electronic search was performed in the MEDLINE, CENTRAL, EMBASE, PEDro, LILACS, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science databases. The eligibility criteria for selecting studies included randomized clinical trials that compared supervised PT versus home exercises in functional outcomes, such as shoulder or upper limb function, pain intensity, and range of motion, in subjects older than 18 years with RC disorders treated surgically.

Synthesis

Six trials met the eligibility criteria, and for the quantitative synthesis, five studies were included. At 3 months, the mean difference (MD) for the Constant‐Murley questionnaire (0–100 points) was −0.76 points (95% confidence interval (CI) = −15.64 to 14.12, p = 0.92), while the MD for the visual analog scale (0–10 cm) was −0.87 cm (95% CI = −2.8 to 1.06, p = 0.38). These differences were neither clinically nor statistically significant.

Conclusion

There was very low quality of evidence towards no better benefits in shoulder pain and function of supervised PT over home exercises programs in patients older than 18 years with RC disorders treated surgically.

PROSPERO registration

CRD42020185805.
Quintessence and the Swampland: The Parametrically Controlled Regime of Moduli Space
Authors: Cicoli Michele , Cunillera Francesc , Padilla Antonio , Pedro Francisco G.
Published: February 2022

We provide evidence that slow roll is not possible in any parametrically controlled regime of the moduli space of string theory. This is proven in full generality in the asymptotic limit of the moduli space of type II and heterotic Calabi‐Yau compactifications for the dilaton and any number of Kähler moduli. Our results suggest that in order to build quintessence into string theory one must work in the interior of moduli space where numerical, even if not parametric, control could still be achieved.
Orbital Hybridization Induced by Double‐Anion Coordination to Enhance Room‐Temperature Ferromagnetic Response
Authors: Wu Liqian , Liu Lizhe , Guo Jiajun , Chen Qiang , Wang Dunhui
Published: February 2022

The oxygen introduction is expected to enable manipulation of material properties, however, the coordination mechanism between oxygen and other nonmetal dopants remains inadequate. Herein, the oxygen introduction into cobalt selenides has been achieved through annealing in a controlled gas environment to disclose the anion defects formation process. Superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) measurements indicate that the cobalt selenides annealed exhibit significantly enhanced room‐temperature ferromagnetism. Calculations reveal that the magnetic improvement is mainly attributed to orbital hybridization induced by double‐anion coordination (selenium and oxygen). This work can provide new insight into the role of oxygen incorporation in magnetic structure transformation.
Effect of Fatigue Fracture on Resistive Switching of ZnO and NiO Stacking Films
Authors: Gu Hong-Jian , Li Zhen-Hai , Li Run-Xia , Li Jian-Chang
Published: February 2022

The ZnO and NiO stacking films are prepared by sol–gel spin‐coating method to explore the impact of bending on device resistive switching. Compared with others, the device with NiO/ZnO/NiO/indium tin oxide/PET stacking structure exhibits a higher ON/OFF ratio. After bending 1000 times, the switching performance is reduced by two orders of magnitude due to the branch breakage of the conductive filaments. The finite element studies indicate that stress mutation between the ZnO and NiO functional layers leads to microcrack formation and interfacial delamination, increasing the interfacial barrier and depletion width. The cracks propagate along the grain boundary and thus result in more traps, which may act as electron blocking layers to restrict the carrier transport. The scanning electron microscopy observation shows that when the crack density increases to about 0.03 μm−1, the device is broken down. Under threshold bending cycles as simulated by Comsol Multiphysics, the grain boundary is completely torn leading to fatigue fracture. The proposed work provides some information for improving the flexibility of memory devices.
A novel natural PPARγ agonist, Gypenoside LXXV, ameliorates cognitive deficits by enhancing brain glucose uptake via the activation of Akt/GLUT4 signaling in db/db mice
Authors: Meng Xiangbao , Zhang Yuan , Li Zongyang , Hu Jinxian , Zhang Di , Cao Weiwei , Li Min , Ma Guoxu , Wang Sicen , Cui Ping , Cai Qian , Huang Guodong
Published: February 2022

Targeting the PPARγ might be a potential therapeutic strategy for diabetes‐associated cognitive decline (DACD). In this study, Gypenoside LXXV (GP‐75), a dammarane‐type triterpene compound isolated from Gynostemma pentaphyllum, was found to be a novel PPARγ agonist using a dual‐luciferase reporter assay system. However, whether GP‐75 has protective effects against DACD remains unknown. Interestingly, intragastric administration of GP‐75 (40 mg/kg/day) for 12 weeks significantly attenuated the cognitive deficit in db/db mice. GP‐75 treatment significantly improved the glucose tolerance and lipid metabolism, and suppressed neuroinflammation. Notably, GP‐75 treatment dramatically increased the uptake of glucose by the brain, as detected by 18F‐FDG PET. Incubation of primary cortical neurons with GP‐75 significantly increased 2‐deoxyglucose uptake. In addition, GP‐75 treatment markedly increased the p‐Akt (Ser 473)/total Akt levels and the expression levels of PPARγ and GLUT4, while decreasing the levels of p‐IRS‐1 (Ser 616)/total IRS‐1. Importantly, all of these protective effects mediated by GP‐75 were abolished by cotreatment with the PPARγ antagonist, GW9662. However, GP‐75‐mediated PPARγ upregulation was not affected by coincubation with the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase inhibitor, LY294002. Collectively, GP‐75 might be a novel PPARγ agonist that ameliorates cognitive deficit by enhancing brain glucose uptake via the activation of Akt/GLUT4 signaling in db/db mice.
The effects of lycopene supplementation on insulin‐like growth factor‐1 and insulin‐like growth factor binding proteins: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Meshkini Fatemeh , Ramezani‐Jolfaie Nahid , Sargazi Saman , Clark Cain C.T. , Soltani Sepideh
Published: February 2022

Lycopene has been posited to regulate insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1). We aimed to conduct a systematic review of the effects of lycopene on circulating IGF‐1 and insulin‐like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) in adults. A systematic search was carried out in PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs), published from inception until March 2020. A total of 11 studies fulfilled the selection criteria. Eleven studies examined the effect of lycopene supplementation on IGF‐1, one of which reported a significant reduction. Moreover, three, four, and ten studies were found for IGFBP‐1, IGFBP‐2, and IGFBP‐3, respectively; where one study found a significant increase in these proteins. In conclusion, no consistent modifying effect of lycopene supplementation on IGF‐1 and IGFBPs levels are evident in the literature. More research is needed to explore the effect of lycopene on IGF‐1 system.
Challenges encountered during the systematic review of newer and enhanced influenza vaccines and recommendations for the future
Authors: Teljeur Conor , Comber Laura , Jordan Karen , Murchu Eamon O. , Harrington Patricia , O'Neill Michelle , Ryan Máirín
Published: February 2022

There are a variety of challenges in the conduct of systematic reviews of influenza vaccines. We describe our experience of completing four systematic reviews of newer and enhanced inactivated seasonal influenza vaccines. The reporting of the included studies created significant challenges for study identification, data extraction and analysis. Those challenges have implications for the resources required to conduct reviews and, more significantly, for the accuracy of the estimated treatment effect. There is a substantial burden of morbidity and mortality associated with seasonal influenza, and the evidence used to support vaccination strategies requires regular review. An improved review process will facilitate robust decision‐making both nationally and internationally. We recommend the development of reporting guidelines, increased engagement between researchers and decision makers, a database of identified trials, and research into search optimisation.
Consensus tracking control for uncertain non‐strict feedback multi‐agent system under cyber attack via resilient neuroadaptive approach
Authors: Ma Xiaoshan , Yang Lin , Ma Linru , Dong Wenhan , Jin Ming , Zhang Long , Yang Feng , Lin Yan
Published: February 2022

Multi‐agent system (MAS) is a common cyber‐physical system (CPS). Due to it often uses a relatively open network platform, it is vulnerable to malicious cyber attacks in the process of system operation, so the control scheme design is critical to ensure the system operation security. In this article, we propose a new resilient neuroadaptive dynamic surface control scheme for non‐linear MASs with potential cyber attacks (false data injection and denial‐of‐service), system uncertainty, unknown control gain, and output constraints which are usually seen on CPSs. In this scheme, the neuroadaptive controller design ensures that all signals of the closed loop system are semi‐globally uniform ultimately bounded when the MAS even exists time‐varying cyber attacks on data links among agents, and the links between controllers, actuators, and sensors. Using Gaussian radial basis function neural network, the system uncertainty, non‐strict feedback terms, unknown control gain, and some cyber attacks are effectively solved and the process of controller design is extremely simplified. Finally, we provide a simulation result to verify the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed control scheme.
The Investigation of Hydrogen Adsorption in MOF NU‐1501 with Different Metal Doping using Molecular Simulations
Authors: Lv Junnan , Wang Ming , Chen Xia , Qin Hongyun , Li Yongjie , Yang Kun , Zhang Hui , Zhang Qicheng , Fu Peng , Fu Qiang , Zhao Zengdian
Published: February 2022

Metal‐organic frameworks with high surface areas are currently being widely used for in‐depth studies on hydrogen storage with the aim of discussing the difficulties created by environmental degradation caused by the burning of fossil fuels. Understanding the effect of varied metal ion doping on adsorption position and energy is crucial to understanding the adsorption process. The adsorption behavior of NU‐1501‐Al and NU‐1501‐Fe was investigated using a combination of Grand Canonical Monte Carlo and Density Functional Theory in this study. The calculations reveal that aluminum has a larger charge than iron and higher adsorption energy. As the loading increases, hydrogen is primarily adsorbed by metal atoms and the carbon atoms of the metal‐benzene ring are connected to metal‐oxygen atoms. The research hopes to provide molecular‐level insights into the adsorption behavior of porous materials doped with different metals, which could be used to screen materials that improve gas adsorption, separation, and other expansion characteristics.
Mild and Metal‐Free Cross‐Dehydrogenative Coupling of Nitrogen Heteroarenes with Aldehydes Enabled by Structural Hybridization of Promoting Reagents
Authors: Zhao Jianhong , Qian Kun , Tong Mengchao , Yuan Qiyang , Zhang Yongqiang
Published: February 2022

A mild and metal‐free cross‐dehydrogenative coupling reaction of nitrogen heteroarenes with aldehydes has been developed by the structural hybridization of promoting reagents. The procedure is environmentally benign, cost‐effective and industrially scalable, which allows the direct acylation of electron‐deficient nitrogen heteroarenes in moderate to good yields. Furthermore, the synthetic utility of this new method in the synthesis of a variety of pharmaceutically relevant isoquinoline alkaloids has been also demonstrated.
The role of resilience in depression and anxiety symptoms: A three‐wave cross‐lagged study
Authors: Lau Way K. W.
Published: February 2022

Cultivation of resilience is believed to ameliorate mental health problems. The impact of mental health problems on resilience is however rarely discussed. This study investigated the reciprocal relationship of resilience with depression and anxiety symptoms using a three‐wave cross‐lagged design. Resilience level, depression, and anxiety symptoms were assessed at baseline, the third and the sixth month in 125 university students without psychiatric disorders (62 females). No significant changes in resilience levels were observed across the 6 months. Depressive symptoms, but not anxiety symptoms significantly increased at the third and sixth months compared with baseline. The three‐wave cross‐lagged models revealed an unstable reciprocal relationship of resilience with depression and a stable reciprocal relationship between resilience and anxiety symptoms over time. The reciprocal relationship between resilience and mental health problems indicates the importance of cultivating resilience for the prevention of mental illness as well as the importance of managing mental health symptoms at non‐clinical levels for monitoring resilience. The unstable reciprocal relationship between resilience and depression symptoms across time suggests the existence of potential moderators that impact the relationship between resilience and depression. Our findings further support the notion that resilience is conceptualized as a dynamic process.
Structure Engineering of Vanadium Tetrasulfides for High‐Capacity and High‐Rate Sodium Storage
Authors: Yang Dan , Zhang Shipeng , Yu Pei , Cheng Siling , Yuan Zishun , Jiang Yu , Sun Wenping , Pan Hongge , Feng Yuezhan , Rui Xianhong , Yu Yan
Published: February 2022

Structure engineering of electrode materials can significantly improve the life cycle and rate capability of the sodium‐ion battery (SIB), yet remains a challenging task due to the lack of an effective synthetic strategy. Herein, the microstructure of VS4 hollow spheres is successfully engineered through a facile hydrothermal method. The hollow VS4 microspheres possess rich porosity and are covered with 2D ultrathin nanosheets on the surface. The finite element simulation (FES) reveals that such heterostructures can effectively relieve the stress induced by the sodiation and thereby enhance the structural integrity. The SIB with the hollow VS4 microspheres as anode displays impressively high specific capacity, excellent stability upon ultra‐long cycling, and extraordinary rate capacity, e.g., a reversible capacity of ≈378 mA h g−1 at ultra‐high 10 A g−1, while retaining 73.2% capacity after 1000 cycles. The Na storage mechanism is also elucidated through in situ/ex situ characterizations. Moreover, the hollow VS4 microspheres demonstrate reliable rate performance at a low temperature of −40 °C (e.g., the capacity is ≈163 mA h g−1 at 2 A g−1). This work provides novel insights toward high‐performance SIBs.
Carrageenan‐Based Hybrids with Biopolymers and Nano‐Structured Materials for Biomimetic Applications
Authors: Qamar Sarmad Ahmad , Junaid Muhammad , Riasat Areej , Jahangeer Muhammad , Bilal Muhammad , Mu Bo‐Zhong
Published: February 2022

Carrageenan is an algal‐originated group of polysaccharides with unusual structural and functional capabilities, desired for different biomimetic applications due to their renewable, biocompatible, and biodegradable nature. Carrageenan‐based hybrids (nano‐/biocomposites) with different biopolymers and nano‐structured materials have been widely reported as potential candidates for bone/cartilage tissue engineering, delivery of drugs/bioactive ingredients, wound healing, and 3D bioprinting applications. Owning to the broad‐scale biomimetic applications of carrageenan‐based materials, this review aims to summarize carrageenan chemistry and distinct physicochemical features of biopolymeric and/or nanostructured materials‐based on carrageenans in a detailed manner. Herein, different biopolymers (such as chitosan, cellulose, starch, and alginates), and nano‐structured materials (such as silica nanoparticles, magnetic/non‐magnetic nanocarriers, graphene oxide nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes/nanorods, metal oxide nanoparticles) are comprehensively described in combination with carrageenan. However, carrageenan toxicity studies have presented major challenges that need to be addressed when using carrageenan‐based materials for biomedical and therapeutic purposes. Several existing challenges, prospects, and research recommendations are described at the end of this review.
Diosmetin alleviates cerebral ischemia‐reperfusion injury through Keap1‐mediated Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway activation and NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition
Authors: Shi Min , Wang Jianqiang , Bi Fangfang , Bai Zhangyong
Published: February 2022

Diosmetin was found to exert protective effect on renal and myocardial ischemia‐reperfusion (IR) injury. This study aimed to investigate the role of diosmetin in cerebral IR (CIR) injury. PC12 neurons were exposed to oxygen–glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) to establish CIR injury model in vitro and then incubated with diosmetin, and we found that diosmetin alleviated OGD/R‐induced viability inhibition, LDH release, apoptosis, and oxidative stress in PC12 cells. Then our results showed that diosmetin downregulated kelch like ECH‐associated protein 1 (Keap1) expression, and upregulated nuclear factor E2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression, antioxidant response element (ARE) activity and the mRNA and protein expression of heme oxygenase 1 (HO‐1) and NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1). Keap1 overexpression or Nrf2 silencing both attenuated the neuroprotective effect of diosmetin on PC12 cells. Moreover, diosmetin inhibited the levels of nucleotide‐binding oligomerization domain (NOD)‐like receptor (NLR) pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome pathway related proteins and inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)‐1β and IL‐18. Additionally, a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rat model was established and diosmetin was injected for treatment. Diosmetin alleviated CIR‐induced neurological deficits, cerebral infarction, brain edema and histopathological damage, and neuronal apoptosis and oxidative stress in MCAO rats. In conclusion, diosmetin attenuated OGD/R‐induced PC12 cell viability inhibition, apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammation through Keap1‐mediated Nrf2/ARE signaling activation and NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition, and alleviated CIR‐induced neurological injury in MCAO rat model. Our study may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for CIR injury.
Improvement of biomass aggregation in sludge bulking by magnetic field application
Authors: Zaidi Nur Syamimi , Zhan Loh Zhang , Bahrodin Muhammad Burhanuddin , Hussein Norelyza , Awang Nik Azimatolakma , Kadier Abudukeremu
Published: February 2022

High biomass aggregation is commonly associated with good solid–liquid separation that can inhibit the occurrence of sludge bulking. The application of magnetic fields in the removal of pollutants has been studied previously but the relation between a magnetic field with biomass aggregation and its effect on pollutant removal efficiency receives very little attention. This present study was conducted to analyze the effect of the magnetic field toward biomass aggregation that can eventually contribute to the good removal performance of the pollutants. Two continuous laboratory‐scale sequencing batch reactors known as Reactor A and Reactor B were set up. Reactor A was equipped with an 88 mT magnetic field while Reactor B acted as the control. Reactor A recorded higher biomass aggregation with the range of 75.0–95.2% compared to Reactor B which possessed mostly medium aggregation with an average of 65.5%. As a result, lower sludge volume index (SVI) was recorded in Reactor A (25.8 ml/g) compared to Reactor B (73.1 ml/g). Likewise, Reactor A showed significantly higher chemical oxygen demand (COD) and ammonia‐nitrogen removal compared to Reactor B. These findings imply that the magnetic field successfully improves biomass aggregation, therefore improving the removal performance under the sludge bulking occurrence.
Boundary stabilization for axially moving Kirchhoff string under fractional PI control
Authors: Cheng Yi , Guo Bao‐Zhu , Wu Yuhu
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we investigate vibration control for an axially moving Kirchhoff string. A fractional PI boundary control is applied transversally to the right boundary and the transverse vibration of the system is shown to be suppressed. By constructing an auxiliary equivalent system (PDE‐ODE) and a novel energy like function, the well‐posedness and exponential stability of the closed‐loop system are established by means of the Faedo‐Galerkin method and the Lyapunov method. The effectiveness of the proposed controller is verified by a numerical simulation using finite element method.
Introduction
Authors: Brazdil Pavel , van Rijn Jan N. , Soares Carlos , Vanschoren Joaquin
Published: February 2022

This chapter starts by describing the organization of the book, which consists of three parts. Part I discusses some basic concepts, including, for instance, what metalearning is and how it is related to automatic machine learning (AutoML). This continues with a presentation of the basic architecture of metalearning/AutoML systems, discussion of systems that exploit algorithm selection using prior metadata, methodology used in their evaluation, and different types of meta-level models, while mentioning the respective chapters where more details can be found. This part also includes discussion of methods used for hyperparameter optimization and workflow design. Part II includes the discussion of more advanced techniques and methods. The first chapter discusses the problem of setting up configuration spaces and conducting experiments. Subsequent chapters discuss different types of ensembles, metalearning in ensemble methods, algorithms used for data streams and transfer of meta-models across tasks. One chapter is dedicated to metalearning for deep neural networks. The last two chapters discuss the problem of automating various data science tasks and trying to design systems that are more complex. Part III is relatively short. It discusses repositories of metadata (including experimental results) and exemplifies what can be learned from this metadata by giving illustrative examples. The final chapter presents concluding remarks.
Metalearning in Ensemble Methods
Authors: Brazdil Pavel , van Rijn Jan N. , Soares Carlos , Vanschoren Joaquin
Published: February 2022

This chapter discusses some approaches that exploit metalearning methods in ensemble learning. It starts by presenting a set of issues, such as the ensemble method used, which affect the process of ensemble learning and the resulting ensemble. In this chapter we discuss various lines of research that were followed. Some approaches seek an ensemble-based solution for the whole dataset, others for individual instances. Regarding the first group, we focus on metalearning in the construction, pruning and integration phase. Modeling the interdependence of models plays an important part in this process. In the second group, the dynamic selection of models is carried out for each instance. A separate section is dedicated to hierarchical ensembles and some methods used in their design. As this area involves potentially very large configuration spaces, recourse to advanced methods, including metalearning, is advantageous. It can be exploited to define the competence regions of different models and the dependencies between them.
Concluding Remarks
Authors: Brazdil Pavel , van Rijn Jan N. , Soares Carlos , Vanschoren Joaquin
Published: February 2022

As metaknowledge has a central role in many approaches discussed in this book, we address the issue of what kind of metaknowledge is used in different metalearning/AutoML tasks, such as algorithm selection, hypeparameter optimization, and workflow generation. We draw attention to the fact that some metaknowledge is acquired (learned) by the systems, while other is given (e.g., different aspects of the given configuration space). This chapter continues by discussing future challenges, such as how to achieve better integration of metalearning and AutoML approaches, and what kind of guidance could be provided by the system when configuring metalearning/AutoML systems to new settings. This task may involve (semi-)automatic reduction of configuration spaces to make the search more effective. The last part of this chapter discusses various challenges encountered when trying to automate different steps of data science.
Dataset Characteristics (Metafeatures)
Authors: Brazdil Pavel , van Rijn Jan N. , Soares Carlos , Vanschoren Joaquin
Published: February 2022

This chapter discusses dataset characteristics that play a crucial role in many metalearning systems. Typically, they help to restrict the search in a given configuration space. The basic characteristic of the target variable, for instance, determines the choice of the right approach. If it is numeric, it suggests that a suitable regression algorithm should be used, while if it is categorical, a classification algorithm should be used instead. This chapter provides an overview of different types of dataset characteristics, which are sometimes also referred to as metafeatures. These are of different types, and include so-called simple, statistical, information-theoretic, model-based, complexitybased, and performance-based metafeatures. The last group of characteristics has the advantage that it can be easily defined in any domain. These characteristics include, for instance,sampling landmarkersrepresenting the performance of particular algorithms on samples of data,relative landmarkerscapturing differences or ratios of performance values and providingestimates of performance gains. The final part of this chapter discusses the specific dataset characteristics used in different machine learning tasks, including classification, regression, time series, and clustering.
Metalearning for Hyperparameter Optimization
Authors: Brazdil Pavel , van Rijn Jan N. , Soares Carlos , Vanschoren Joaquin
Published: February 2022

This chapter describes various approaches for the hyperparameter optimization (HPO) and combined algorithm selection and hyperparameter optimization problems (CASH). It starts by presenting some basic hyperparameter optimization methods, including grid search, random search, racing strategies, successive halving and hyperband. Next, it discusses Bayesian optimization, a technique that learns from the observed performance of previously tried hyperparameter settings on the current task. This knowledge is used to build a meta-model (surrogate model) that can be used to predict which unseen configurations may work better on that task. This part includes the descriptionsequential model-based optimization(SMBO). This chapter also covers metalearning techniques that extend the previously discussed optimization techniques with the ability to transfer knowledge across tasks. This includes techniques such aswarm-startingthe search, ortransferring previously learned meta-modelsthat were trained on prior (similar) tasks. A key question here is how to establish how similar prior tasks are to the new task. This can be done on the basis of past experiments, but can also exploit the information gained from recent experiments on the target task. This chapter presents an overview of some recent methods proposed in this area.
A Perfect Storm
Authors: Henrekson Magnus , Wennström Johan
Published: February 2022

The chapter summarizes our main findings and examines the effects of “post-truth” schooling in combination with marketized education on students and teachers in Sweden. It does this in three parts. First, it discusses the deteriorating academic performance, including the gender difference in knowledge attainment and the rise of grade inflation. Then, it looks at the health and attitudes of students. Finally, the chapter discusses the unattractiveness of the teaching profession.
Interplay between reflection positivity and crossing symmetry in the bootstrap approach to CFT
Authors: Lanosa Leandro , Leston Mauricio , Passaglia Mario
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Crossing symmetry (CS) is the main tool in the bootstrap program applied to CFT. This consists in an equality which imposes restrictions on the CFT data of a model, i.e., the OPE coefficients and the conformal dimensions. Reflection positivity (RP) has also played a role in this program, since this condition is what leads to the unitary bound and reality of the OPE coefficients. In this paper, we show that RP can still reveal more information, explaining how RP itself can capture an important part of the restrictions imposed by the full CS equality. In order to do that, we use a connection used by us in a previous work between RP and positive definiteness of a function of a single variable. This allows us to write constraints on the OPE coefficients in a concise way. These constraints are encoded in the conditions that certain functions of the cross-ratio will be positive defined and in particular completely monotonic. We will consider how the bounding of scalar conformal dimensions and OPE coefficients arise in this RP based approach. We will illustrate the conceptual and practical value of this view trough examples of general CFT models in d-dimensions.
Deep Learning Gauss–Manin Connections
Authors: Heal Kathryn , Kulkarni Avinash , Sertöz Emre Can
Published: February 2022

The Gauss–Manin connection of a family of hypersurfaces governs the change of the period matrix along the family. This connection can be complicated even when the equations defining the family look simple. When this is the case, it is expensive to compute the period matrices of varieties in the family via homotopy continuation. We train neural networks that can quickly and reliably guess the complexity of the Gauss–Manin connection of pencils of hypersurfaces. As an application, we compute the periods of $$96\%$$

96
%

of smooth quartic surfaces in projective 3-space whose defining equation is a sum of five monomials; from the periods of these quartic surfaces, we extract their Picard lattices and the endomorphism fields of their transcendental lattices.
Melatonin: highlighting its use as a potential treatment for SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Reiter Russel J. , Sharma Ramaswamy , Simko Fedor , Dominguez-Rodriguez Alberto , Tesarik Jan , Neel Richard L. , Slominski Andrzej T. , Kleszczynski Konrad , Martin-Gimenez Verna M. , Manucha Walter , Cardinali Daniel P.
Published: February 2022

Numerous pharmaceutical drugs have been repurposed for use as treatments for COVID-19 disease. These drugs have not consistently demonstrated high efficacy in preventing or treating this serious condition and all have side effects to differing degrees. We encourage the continued consideration of the use of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, melatonin, as a countermeasure to a SARS-CoV-2 infection. More than 140 scientific publications have identified melatonin as a likely useful agent to treat this disease. Moreover, the publications cited provide the rationale for the use of melatonin as a prophylactic agent against this condition. Melatonin has pan-antiviral effects and it diminishes the severity of viral infections and reduces the death of animals infected with numerous different viruses, including three different coronaviruses. Network analyses, which compared drugs used to treat SARS-CoV-2 in humans, also predicted that melatonin would be the most effective agent for preventing/treating COVID-19. Finally, when seriously infected COVID-19 patients were treated with melatonin, either alone or in combination with other medications, these treatments reduced the severity of infection, lowered the death rate, and shortened the duration of hospitalization. Melatonin’s ability to arrest SARS-CoV-2 infections may reduce health care exhaustion by limiting the need for hospitalization. Importantly, melatonin has a high safety profile over a wide range of doses and lacks significant toxicity. Some molecular processes by which melatonin resists a SARS-CoV-2 infection are summarized. The authors believe that all available, potentially beneficial drugs, including melatonin, that lack toxicity should be used in pandemics such as that caused by SARS-CoV-2.
Regulatory mechanisms of the early phase of white adipocyte differentiation: an overview
Authors: Audano M. , Pedretti S. , Caruso D. , Crestani M. , De Fabiani E. , Mitro N.
Published: February 2022

The adipose
organ comprises two main fat depots termed white and brown adipose tissues. Adipogenesis is a process leading to newly differentiated adipocytes starting from precursor cells, which requires the contribution of many cellular activities at the genome, transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome levels. The adipogenic program is accomplished through two sequential phases; the first includes events favoring the commitment of adipose tissue stem cells/precursors to preadipocytes, while the second involves mechanisms that allow the achievement of full adipocyte differentiation. While there is a very large literature about the mechanisms involved in terminal adipogenesis, little is known about the first stage of this process. Growing interest in this field is due to the recent identification of adipose tissue precursors, which include a heterogenous cell population within different types of adipose tissue as well as within the same fat depot. In addition, the alteration of the heterogeneity of adipose tissue stem cells and of the mechanisms involved in their commitment have been linked to adipose tissue development defects and hence to the onset/progression of metabolic diseases, such as obesity. For this reason, the characterization of early adipogenic events is crucial to understand the etiology and the evolution of adipogenesis-related pathologies, and to explore the adipose tissue precursors’ potential as future tools for precision medicine.
Grain dispersal mechanism in cereals arose from a genome duplication followed by changes in spatial expression of genes involved in pollen development
Authors: Cross Arthur , Li John B. , Waugh Robbie , Golicz Agnieszka A. , Pourkheirandish Mohammad
Published: February 2022

Key message

Grain disarticulation in wild progenitor of wheat and barley evolved through a local duplication event followed by neo-functionalization resulting from changes in location of gene expression.

One of the most critical events in the process of cereal domestication was the loss of the natural mode of grain dispersal. Grain dispersal in barley is controlled by two major genes, Btr1 and Btr2, which affect the thickness of cell walls around the disarticulation zone. The barley genome also encodes Btr1-like and Btr2-like genes, which have been shown to be the ancestral copies. While Btr and Btr-like genes are non-redundant, the biological function of Btr-like genes is unknown. We explored the potential biological role of the Btr-like genes by surveying their expression profile across 212 publicly available transcriptome datasets representing diverse organs, developmental stages and stress conditions. We found that Btr1-like and Btr2-like are expressed exclusively in immature anther samples throughout Prophase I of meiosis within the meiocyte. The similar and restricted expression profile of these two genes suggests they are involved in a common biological function. Further analysis revealed 141 genes co-expressed with Btr1-like and 122 genes co-expressed with Btr2-like, with 105 genes in common, supporting Btr-like genes involvement in a shared molecular pathway. We hypothesize that the Btr-like genes play a crucial role in pollen development by facilitating the formation of the callose wall around the meiocyte or in the secretion of callase by the tapetum. Our data suggest that Btr genes retained an ancestral function in cell wall modification and gained a new role in grain dispersal due to changes in their spatial expression becoming spike specific after gene duplication.
Operative Therapie eines symptomatischen intraartikulären Osteoidosteoms (IAOO) in der Trochlea femoris
Authors: Schüll Daniel , Schmehl Jörg , Dalheimer Philipp
Published: February 2022

Intraartikuläre Osteoidosteome (IAOO) sind mit 10 % aller Osteoidosteome selten. Die atypischen klinischen und radiologischen Befunde führen meist zu einem langen Intervall zwischen Beschwerdebeginn und Diagnosestellung sowie Einleitung einer adäquaten Therapie. Dieser Fallbericht handelt von einer 32-jährigen Patientin, die seit Jahren intermittierende Kniegelenksschmerzen bei tiefer Beugung und selten nachts angibt. Bei IAOO in der Trochlea femoris war eine Radiofrequenzablation (RFA) aufgrund der direkt subchondralen Lage kontraindiziert. Daher erfolgte eine operative Sanierung mittels Knorpel-Knochen-Transplantation.
Diagnostic accuracy of coronary computed tomography angiography for the evaluation of obstructive coronary artery disease in patients referred for transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Gatti Marco , Gallone Guglielmo , Poggi Vittoria , Bruno Francesco , Serafini Alessandro , Depaoli Alessandro , De Filippo Ovidio , Conrotto Federico , Darvizeh Fatemeh , Faletti Riccardo , De Ferrari Gaetano Maria , Fonio Paolo , D’Ascenzo Fabrizio
Published: February 2022

Objective

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) for the evaluation of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients referred for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Methods

EMBASE, PubMed/MEDLINE, and CENTRAL were searched for studies reporting accuracy of CCTA for the evaluation of obstructive CAD compared with invasive coronary angiography (ICA) as the reference standard. QUADAS-2 tool was used to assess the risk of bias. A bivariate random effects model was used to analyze, pool, and plot the diagnostic performance measurements across studies. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive ( + LR) and negative (−LR) likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and hierarchical summary ROC curve (HSROC) were evaluated. Prospero registration number: CRD42021252527.

Results

Fourteen studies (2533 patients) were included. In the intention-to-diagnose patient-level analysis, sensitivity and specificity for CCTA were 97% (95% CI: 94–98%) and 68% (95% CI: 56–68%), respectively, and + LR and −LR were 3.0 (95% CI: 2.1–4.3) and 0.05 (95% CI: 0.03 – 0.09), with DOR equal to 60 (95% CI: 30–121). The area under the HSROC curve was 0.96 (95% CI: 0.94–0.98). No significant difference in sensitivity was found between single-heartbeat and other CT scanners (96% (95% CI: 90 – 99%) vs. 97% (95% CI: 94–98%) respectively; p = 0.37), whereas the specificity of single-heartbeat scanners was higher (82% (95% CI: 66–92%) vs. 60% (95% CI: 46 – 72%) respectively; p < 0.0001). Routine CCTA in the pre-TAVI workup could save 41% (95% CI: 34 – 47%) of ICAs if a disease prevalence of 40% is assumed.

Conclusions

CCTA proved an excellent diagnostic accuracy for assessing obstructive CAD in patients referred for TAVI; the use of single-heartbeat CT scanners can further improve these findings.

Key Points

• CCTA proved to have an excellent diagnostic accuracy for assessing obstructive CAD in patients referred for TAVI.

• Routine CCTA in the pre-TAVI workup could save more than 40% of ICAs.

• Single-heartbeat CT scanners had higher specificity than others in the assessment of obstructive CAD in patients referred for TAVI.
Modeling the shear-dependent viscosity of nonionically stabilized waterborne dispersions
Authors: Bohórquez Silfredo J. , Asua José M.
Published: February 2022

The performance of a rheological model that accounts for the effect of the volume fraction, the particle size distribution, and shear rate on the viscosity of water-borne dispersions stabilized with conventional nonionic surfactants and polymeric stabilizers is assessed. The model that contains three parameters fitted well the experimental data. The parameters were independent of the volume fraction, the particle size distribution, and the shear rate. Furthermore, two of them were not affected by the surfactant type and concentration, and temperature. The other parameter increased with the surfactant molecular weight and surface covering, but decreased with increasing temperature.

Graphical Abstract
GITAD 2020: quality assurance test through 20 years of experience
Authors: Álvarez Juan Carlos , Haarkötter Christian , Saiz María , Gálvez Xiomara , Medina-Lozano María Isabel , Lorente José Antonio
Published: February 2022

GITAD (Grupo Iberoamericano de Trabajo en Análisis de DNA) was founded in 1998 as the first operational group of AICEF (Academia Iberoamericana de Criminalística y Estudios Forenses), formally created in 1999. The mission and the vision of GITAD are to promote the development of forensic genetics in Ibero-American countries and to achieve the maximum level of innovation and quality in each country, and with that aim, a proficiency test was developed. Since 1999, the member laboratories receive four reference samples with the objective of obtaining the genetic profile with their routine protocols, a theoretical exercise since 2003, and since 2007, it was incorporated a forensic sample, which changes every year. The consensus results and the different discrepancies are discussed in an annual meeting. This article illustrates the evolution of the proficiency test through 20 years from different points of view: the increase of participant laboratories, the evolution of the different DNA typing techniques reported by the Ibero-American participant laboratories, the challenges that the proficiency test have met, and future perspectives for a continuous improvement of the proficiency test, especially regarding its accreditation under ISO 17043.