bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Building Complete Heterogeneous Systems-on-Chip in C: From Hardware Accelerators to CPUs
Authors: Si Qilin , Shetty Santosh , Carrion Schaefer Benjamin
Published: July 2021

High-Level Synthesis (HLS) dramatically accelerates the design and verification of individual components within larger VLSI systems. With most complex Integrated Circuits (ICs) being now heterogeneous Systems-on-Chip (SoCs), HLS has been traditionally used to design the dedicated hardware accelerators such as encryption cores and Digital Signal Processing (DSP) image processing accelerators. Unfortunately, HLS is a single process (component) synthesis method. Thus, the integration of these accelerators has to be performed at the RT level (Verilog or VHDL). This implies that the system-level verification needs to be performed at lower levels of abstraction, which significantly diminishes the benefits of using HLS. To address this, this work presents a methodology to generate entire heterogeneous SoCs in C. This work introduces two main contributions that enable this: first, an automatic bus generator that generates a synthesizable behavioral description of standard on-chip buses and, second, a library of synthesizable bus interfaces that allow any component in the system to send or receive data through the bus. Moreover, this work investigates the generation of processors and interfaces (peripherals) at the behavioral level as these are important parts of any SoCs, but have long been thought not to be efficiently synthesizable using HLS. Generating complete SoCs in C has significant advantages over traditional approaches. First, it enables the generation of fast cycle-accurate simulation models of the entire SoC, making the verification faster and easier. Second, it allows completely isolating the bus implementation details from the developers’ view, allowing the change between bus protocols with only minor changes in the designers’ code. Thirdly, it allows generating different SoC variants quickly by only changing the HLS synthesis options. Experimental results highlight these benefits.
Harmonic Detection for Shunt Active Power Filter Using ADALINE Neural Network
Authors: Janpong Sarawut , Areerak Kongpol , Areerak Kongpan
Published: July 2021

This paper presents an efficient harmonic detection for real-time generation of the reference current fed to a shunt active power filter using the ADALINE neural network. This proposed method is a single layer with 101 nodes generating the coefficients referred to as weights of the reference current model. It effectively overcomes the drawback of the current technology, which is instantaneous power theory (PQ). The proposed method was implemented on the TMS320F28335 DSP board and tested against MATLAB with Simulink as a hardware-in-loop (HIL) structure. This method gives a good performance by producing a precise reference current in a short period with uncomplicated calculation. It also efficiently can eliminate individual harmonic current. The achieved percentage of total harmonic distortion (%THD) in the current is reduced following the IEEE standard, while the power factor can be maintained to unity.
An Improved Method Based on Deep Learning for Insulator Fault Detection in Diverse Aerial Images
Authors: Liu Jingjing , Liu Chuanyang , Wu Yiquan , Xu Huajie , Sun Zuo
Published: July 2021

Insulators play a significant role in high-voltage transmission lines, and detecting insulator faults timely and accurately is important for the safe and stable operation of power grids. Since insulator faults are extremely small and the backgrounds of aerial images are complex, insulator fault detection is a challenging task for automatically inspecting transmission lines. In this paper, a method based on deep learning is proposed for insulator fault detection in diverse aerial images. Firstly, to provide sufficient insulator fault images for training, a novel insulator fault dataset named “InSF-detection” is constructed. Secondly, an improved YOLOv3 model is proposed to reuse features and prevent feature loss. To improve the accuracy of insulator fault detection, SPP-networks and a multi-scale prediction network are employed for the improved YOLOv3 model. Finally, the improved YOLOv3 model and the compared models are trained and tested on the “InSF-detection”. The average precision (AP) of the improved YOLOv3 model is superior to YOLOv3 and YOLOv3-dense models, and just a little (1.2%) lower than that of CSPD-YOLO model; more importantly, the memory usage of the improved YOLOv3 model is 225 MB, which is the smallest between the four compared models. The experimental results and analysis validate that the improved YOLOv3 model achieves good performance for insulator fault detection in aerial images with diverse backgrounds.
Modelling of Solar Irradiance Incident on Building Envelopes in Polish Climatic Conditions: The Impact on Energy Performance Indicators of Residential Buildings
Authors: Michalak Piotr
Published: July 2021

In this study, we use the data of Polish typical meteorological years and 15 transposition models to obtain global solar irradiance on sloped surfaces to calculate solar irradiance on external building partitions, solar gains, heating demands, and primary nonrenewable energy for heating and domestic hot water (EPH+W) of two typical Polish residential buildings, each for two variants in five locations. In relation to TMYs, annual solar gains were lower by −31% and −36% on average in a single and multifamily building, respectively, and the annual heating demands increased by 9% and 16%, respectively. Consequently, averaged EPH+W in relation to TMYs rose by 1.4 kWh/m2 and 4.5 kWh/m2, respectively. The mean differences between TMYs and the new method from the recently published EN-ISO 52010 standard for test Building 1 were 1.6 and 1.2 kWh/m2, for Variants 1 and 2, respectively. Similarly, for test Building 2, the mean differences were 5.1 kWh/m2 and 3.9 kWh/m2, respectively. This means that the simulation model that is chosen has a visible impact on a building’s energy performance indicators and its rating without any changes in the physical structure and use of the building.
Analysis and Adequacy Methodology for Voltage Violations in Distribution Power Grid
Authors: Vilela Junior Wagner A. , Coimbra Antonio P. , Wainer Gabriel A. , Caetano Neto Joao , Cararo Jose A. G. , Reis Marcio R. C. , Santos Paulo V. , Calixto Wesley P.
Published: July 2021

This paper proposes a computational process development capable of filling the electric power sector shortage regarding voltage non-conformities identification in electric distribution power grid accounting for loads dynamic behavior at medium and low voltages. Actual distribution power grid data are used, with georeferencing to signal voltage transgressions locations, generate a report with voltage transgression indices and financial reimbursement values provided by legislation. The methodology compares regulatory requirements and makes available in software some possible actions in an attempt to adjust voltage levels, avoiding inconvenience and penalties for energy utilities providers. The method involves a data extractor construction for electricity provider company’s databases, computer simulations and comparison of obtained results with values established in electricity quality control standards. Thus, finding non-conformity locations and determining network adjustments to correct tension indexes in permanent regulation. The proposal features a reduction in electricity utilities operating costs, increasing efficiency in operation and energy quality available to consumers.
Models for the Evaluation of Productivity and Costs of Mechanized Felling on Poplar Short Rotation Coppice in Italy
Authors: Sperandio Giulio , Acampora Andrea , Del Giudice Angelo , Civitarese Vincenzo
Published: July 2021

The forest biomass, as a renewable energy source, can significantly contribute to the progressive replacement of fossil fuels in energy production, with a positive final balance in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. One of the different sources of woody biomass supply is represented by short rotation coppices (SRC) plantations, currently present in various European countries for a total of about fifty thousand hectares. In Italy, part of the SRC surface has been converted into other more profitable crops, both the low levels reached by the woodchips market price and the scarce availability of specific public incentives. In this study, the authors expose the results of the models for evaluating work time, productivity, and costs of the felling operation on SRC poplar plantations with 8- and 11-year-old trees. The aim is to evaluate the economic sustainability in the use of advanced mechanization on these plantations. The machine was a crawler excavator equipped with a shear head. In the 11-year-old plantation, the productivity estimation model returned a range of 1.09–18.93 Mg h−1 (average 5.56 ± 3.88 SD) when the weight variation of the trees was 20–491 kgw (average 100.41 ± 87.48 SD). In the 8-year-old poplar, the range was 1.02–11.60 Mg h−1 (average 3.80 ± 1.71 SD), for weight variation of 17–137 kgw (average 50.57 ± 18.82 SD). The consequent variation in unit cost was EUR 2.82–51.63 Mg−1 and EUR 4.05–49.65 Mg−1, corresponding to EUR 1252.17–3463.78 ha−1 and EUR 922.49–2545.11 ha−1 for 11- and 8-year-old trees, respectively.
Stable Coexistence in a Field-Calibrated Individual-Based Model of Mangrove Forest Dynamics Caused by Inter-Specific Crown Plasticity
Authors: Grueters Uwe , Ibrahim Mohd Rodila , Schmidt Hartmut , Tiebel Katharina , Horn Hendrik , Pranchai Aor , Vovides Alejandra G. , Vogt Juliane , Otero Viviana , Satyanarayana Behara , Dahdouh-Guebas Farid
Published: July 2021

(1,2) In this theoretical study, we apply MesoFON, a field-calibrated individual-based model of mangrove forest dynamics, and its Lotka–Volterra interpretations to address two questions: (a) Do the dynamics of two identical red mangrove species that compete for light resources and avoid inter-specific competition by lateral crown displacement follow the predictions of classical competition theory or resource competition theory? (b) Which mechanisms drive the dynamics in the presence of inter-specific crown plasticity when local competition is combined with global or with localized seed dispersal? (3) In qualitative support of classical competition theory, the two species can stably coexist within MesoFON. However, the total standing stock at equilibrium matched the carrying capacity of the single species. Therefore, a “non-overyielding” Lotka–Volterra model rather than the classic one approximated best the observed behavior. Mechanistically, inter-specific crown plasticity moved heterospecific trees apart and pushed conspecifics together. Despite local competition, the community exhibited mean-field dynamics with global dispersal. In comparison, localized dispersal slowed down the dynamics by diminishing the strength of intra-/inter-specific competition and their difference due to a restriction in the competitive race to the mean-field that prevails between conspecific clusters. (4) As the outcome in field-calibrated IBMs is mediated by the competition for resources, we conclude that classical competition mechanisms can override those of resource competition, and more species are likely to successfully coexist within communities.
A Systematic Review of Best Practices for UAS Data Collection in Forestry-Related Applications
Authors: Cromwell Connor , Giampaolo Jesse , Hupy Joseph , Miller Zachary , Chandrasekaran Aishwarya
Published: July 2021

Recent advancements in unmanned aerial systems and GPS technology, allowing for centimeter precision without ground-based surveys, have been groundbreaking for applications in the field of forestry. As this technology becomes integrated into forest management approaches, it is important to consider the implementation of proper safety and data collection strategies. The creation of such documentation is beneficial, because it allows for those aspiring to create a UAS program to learn from others’ experiences, without bearing the consequences of past blunders associated with the development of these practices. When establishing a UAS program, it is pertinent to deeply research the necessary equipment, create documentation that establishes operational norms, and develop standards for in-field operations. Regarding multispectral vs. RGB sensor payloads, the sensor selection should be based upon what type of information is desired from the imagery acquired. It is also important to consider the methods for obtaining the most precise geolocation linked to the aerial imagery collected by the sensor. While selecting the proper UAS platform and sensor are key to establishing a UAS operation, other logistical strategies, such as flight crew training and operational planning, are equally important. Following the acquisition of proper equipment, further preparations must be made in order to ensure safe and efficient operations. The creation of crew resource management and safety management system documentation is an integral part of any successful UAS program. Standard operating procedure documents for individual tasks and undertakings are also a necessity. Standardized practices for the scheduling, communication, and management of the UAS fleet must also be formulated. Once field operations are set in motion, the continuous improvement of the documentation and best practices is paramount.
Modeling the Performance of Wood and Wood Products
Authors: Brischke Christian
Published: July 2021

Wood is an advantageous building material with respect to its material properties, its renewable character, its sustainable production, and its ability to store sequestered carbon [...]
Assessing the Predictive Power of Online Social Media to Analyze COVID-19 Outbreaks in the 50 U.S. States
Authors: Sun Jiachen , Gloor Peter A.
Published: July 2021

As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to rage worldwide, the United States has become the most affected country, with more than 34.1 million total confirmed cases up to 1 June 2021. In this work, we investigate correlations between online social media and Internet search for the COVID-19 pandemic among 50 U.S. states. By collecting the state-level daily trends through both Twitter and Google Trends, we observe a high but state-different lag correlation with the number of daily confirmed cases. We further find that the accuracy measured by the correlation coefficient is positively correlated to a state’s demographic, air traffic volume and GDP development. Most importantly, we show that a state’s early infection rate is negatively correlated with the lag to the previous peak in Internet searches and tweeting about COVID-19, indicating that earlier collective awareness on Twitter/Google correlates with a lower infection rate. Lastly, we demonstrate that correlations between online social media and search trends are sensitive to time, mainly due to the attention shifting of the public.
An Up-Scalable and Cost-Effective Methodology for Isolating a Polypeptide Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Inhibitor from Lupinus albus Seeds
Authors: Mota Joana , Figueira Maria E. , Ferreira Ricardo B. , Lima Ana
Published: July 2021

One of the most challenging problems with food-borne bioactive compounds is that there are commonly no cost-effective, generally recognized as safe (GRAS) methods for obtaining gram quantities of their purified forms. Here we aimed at developing a method to isolate deflamin, an oligomeric protein from lupin seeds with anti-inflammatory and anticancer activity through matrix metalloprotease (MMP)-9 inhibition. Our goal was to develop a GRAS method that could be easily up-scalable whilst maintaining deflamin’s activity. A sequential precipitation methodology was developed, using an aqueous extraction, followed by heat denaturation, acid precipitation and solubilization in ethanol. A final precipitation with 90% ethanol yielded a purified protein which was sequenced through mass spectrometry and tested for its MMP inhibitory activity using the Dye-quenched (DQ) gelatin assay and the standard wound healing assay in HT29 cells. The developed method yielded a purified oligomer, which represented 0.1% (w/w) of total dry seed weight and was positively confirmed to be deflamin. It further showed to effectively reduce MMP-9 gelatinolytic activity as well as colon cancer cell migration, hence corroborating the effectiveness of our method. Overall, this is the first reported method for isolating an MMP-9 inhibitor from legume seeds, which is up-scalable to an industrial level, in a cost-effective manner.
The Impact of Drying and Rehydration on the Structural Properties and Quality Attributes of Pre-Cooked Dried Beans
Authors: Aravindakshan Shruti , Nguyen Thi Hoai An , Kyomugasho Clare , Buvé Carolien , Dewettinck Koen , Van Loey Ann , Hendrickx Marc E.
Published: July 2021

Fresh common beans can be made ‘instant’ to produce fast-cooking beans by first soaking and cooking the beans before drying to create a shelf-stable product that can be rehydrated at the time of use. This study investigated the interplay between the drying process (air, vacuum and freeze drying), the microstructure and functional attributes of rehydrated pre-cooked beans. The microscopic study revealed that the three different drying techniques resulted in distinctly different microstructures, with the freeze drying process resulting in highly porous materials, while the air- and vacuum-dried samples underwent shrinkage. Additionally, the rehydration behavior (modeled using empirical and diffusion models) demonstrates that the high rehydration rate of freeze-dried beans is due to capillarity, while rehydration, in the case of air- and vacuum-dried beans, is primarily diffusion-controlled. Irrespective of the drying technique, the high rehydration capacity supports little to no structural collapse or damage to the cell walls. The color and texture of the rehydrated beans did not differ greatly from those of freshly cooked beans. The total peak area of the volatiles of rehydrated beans was significantly reduced by the drying process, but volatiles characteristic of the cooked bean aroma were retained. This new understanding is beneficial in tailoring the functional properties of pre-cooked dry convenient beans requiring short preparation times.
Growth of Ready Meals in Australian Supermarkets: Nutrient Composition, Price and Serving Size
Authors: Wooldridge Katie , Riley Malcolm D. , Hendrie Gilly A.
Published: July 2021

Pre-prepared, or ready meals (frozen, chilled and shelf-stable) are increasingly available in supermarkets in developed countries. This study aimed to investigate how the range of ready meals in Australian supermarkets has changed from 2014 to 2020, and how products vary by price, serving size, nutrient composition and Health Star Rating. Product information was obtained from the FoodTrack™ packaged food database for the years 2014 to 2019 and from an instore audit of products available in Adelaide, Australia for 2020. There was a 13% annual average increase in the number of ready meals available in supermarkets. Serving size did not change (median 350 g, p-trend = 0.100) and price increased modestly from 2014 to 2020 (median $1.67 to $1.79/100 g, p-trend < 0.001), with chilled ready meals being the most expensive. A modest decrease in sodium density from 2014 to 2020 (median 275 to 240 mg/100 g, p-trend < 0.001) was seen. However, the category has a wide range in Health Star Ratings and nutrient composition, highlighting the importance of appropriate consumer choice to optimise health benefits. With the increasing availability of ready meals, global improvements within this category should be encouraged and consumers guided to choose healthier products.
Chemical Elements and the Quality of Mānuka (Leptospermum scoparium) Honey
Authors: Meister Alexandra , Gutierrez-Gines Maria Jesus , Maxfield Aydin , Gaw Sally , Dickinson Nicholas , Horswell Jacqui , Robinson Brett
Published: July 2021

Soil properties in the foraging range of honeybees influence honey composition. We aimed to determine relationships between the antimicrobial properties of New Zealand mānuka (Leptospermum scoparium) honey and elemental concentrations in the honey, plants, and soils. We analyzed soils, plants, and fresh mānuka honey samples from the Wairarapa region of New Zealand for the chemical elements and the antimicrobial activity of the honey as indicated by methylglyoxal (MGO) and dihydroxyacetone (DHA). There were significant negative correlations between honey MGO and the concentrations of Mn, Cu, Mg, S, Na, Ba, K, Zn, and Al. These elements may provide a low-cost means of assessing mānuka honey quality. For individual elements, except for K, there were no correlations between the honeys, plants, and soils. Soil nitrate concentrations were negatively correlated with concentrations of MGO and DHA in the honey, which implies that soil fertility may be a determiner of mānuka honey quality.
Probiotics for Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhu Guangsu , Zhao Jianxin , Zhang Hao , Chen Wei , Wang Gang
Published: July 2021

Accumulating evidence from animal studies supports the potential role of probiotics and prebiotics in alleviating neurodegenerative diseases. However, whether dietary supplementation with probiotics improves cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is unclear. We searched literature databases for relevant randomized control trials and compared the outcomes between control/placebo and intervention groups. The results of the included studies were meta-analyzed using a random-effects model, with standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) calculated as summary statistics. We also performed a risk-of-bias assessment, sensitivity analysis and subgroup analysis. Among the 294 articles identified, eight articles involving 174 patients with AD and 446 with MCI were included in the qualitative synthesis and seven studies were meta-analyzed. Our analysis detected high between-group heterogeneity (SMD = 0.43, 95% CI −0.02–0.88, p < 0.0001, I2 = 86.4%) in cognitive function across the included studies. Subgroup analyses identified a significant effect of probiotics on cognitive function only in the studies involving people with MCI (I2 = 44%, p = 0.15 for heterogeneity, p = 0.0002 for overall effect). Our findings suggest that dietary supplementation with probiotics improves cognitive function, especially in people with MCI.
A Population Balance Model to Describe the Evolution of Sublethal Injury
Authors: Akkermans Simen , Verheyen Davy , Smet Cindy , Van Impe Jan F. M.
Published: July 2021

The detection and quantification of sublethal injury (SI) of pathogenic microorganisms has become a common procedure when assessing the efficiency of microbial inactivation treatments. However, while a plethora of studies investigates SI in function of time, no suitable modelling procedure for SI data has been proposed thus far. In this study, a new SI model structure was developed that relies on existing microbial inactivation models. This model is based on the description of inactivation kinetics between the subpopulations of healthy, sublethally injured and dead cells. The model was validated by means of case studies on previously published results, modelled by different inactivation models, i.e., (i) log-linear inactivation; (ii) biphasic inactivation; and (iii) log-linear inactivation with tailing. Results were compared to those obtained by the traditional method that relies on calculating SI from independent inactivation models on non-selective and selective media. The log-linear inactivation case study demonstrated that the SI model is equivalent to the use of independent models when there can be no mistake in calculating SI. The biphasic inactivation case study illustrated how the SI model avoids unrealistic calculations of SI that would otherwise occur. The final case study on log-linear inactivation with tailing clarified that the SI model provides a more mechanistic description than the independent models, in this case allowing the reduction of the number of model parameters. As such, this paper provides a comprehensive overview of the potential and applications for the newly presented SI model.
Re-Entrant Conformation Transition in Hydrogels
Authors: Okay Oguz
Published: July 2021

Hydrogels are attractive materials not only for their tremendous applications but also for theoretical studies as they provide macroscopic monitoring of the conformation change of polymer chains. The pioneering theoretical work of Dusek predicting the discontinuous volume phase transition in gels followed by the experimental observation of Tanaka opened up a new area, called smart hydrogels, in the gel science. Many ionic hydrogels exhibit a discontinuous volume phase transition due to the change of the polymer–solvent interaction parameter χ depending on the external stimuli such as temperature, pH, composition of the solvent, etc. The observation of a discontinuous volume phase transition in nonionic hydrogels or organogels is still a challenging task as it requires a polymer–solvent system with a strong polymer concentration dependent χ parameter. Such an observation may open up the use of organogels as smart and hydrophobic soft materials. The re-entrant phenomenon first observed by Tanaka is another characteristic of stimuli responsive hydrogels in which they are frustrated between the swollen and collapsed states in a given solvent mixture. Thus, the hydrogel first collapses and then reswells if an environmental parameter is continuously increased. The re-entrant phenomenon of hydrogels in water–cosolvent mixtures is due to the competitive hydrogen-bonding and hydrophobic interactions leading to flow-in and flow-out of the cosolvent molecules through the hydrogel moving boundary as the composition of the solvent mixture is varied. The experimental results reviewed here show that a re-entrant conformation transition in hydrogels requires a hydrophobically modified hydrophilic network, and a moderate hydrogen-bonding cosolvent having competitive attractions with water and polymer. The re-entrant phenomenon may widen the applications of the hydrogels in mechanochemical transducers, switches, memories, and sensors.
Behind the Scene: Exploiting MC1R in Skin Cancer Risk and Prevention
Authors: Manganelli Michele , Guida Stefania , Ferretta Anna , Pellacani Giovanni , Porcelli Letizia , Azzariti Amalia , Guida Gabriella
Published: July 2021

Melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) are the most frequent cancers of the skin in white populations. An increased risk in the development of skin cancers has been associated with the combination of several environmental factors (i.e., ultraviolet exposure) and genetic background, including melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) status. In the last few years, advances in the diagnosis of skin cancers provided a great impact on clinical practice. Despite these advances, NMSCs are still the most common malignancy in humans and melanoma still shows a rising incidence and a poor prognosis when diagnosed at an advanced stage. Efforts are required to underlie the genetic and clinical heterogeneity of melanoma and NMSCs, leading to an optimization of the management of affected patients. The clinical implications of the impact of germline MC1R variants in melanoma and NMSCs’ risk, together with the additional risk conferred by somatic mutations in other peculiar genes, as well as the role of MC1R screening in skin cancers’ prevention will be addressed in the current review.
The Importance of Being PI3K in the RAS Signaling Network
Authors: Cuesta Cristina , Arévalo-Alameda Cristina , Castellano Esther
Published: July 2021

Ras proteins are essential mediators of a multitude of cellular processes, and its deregulation is frequently associated with cancer appearance, progression, and metastasis. Ras-driven cancers are usually aggressive and difficult to treat. Although the recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the first Ras G12C inhibitor is an important milestone, only a small percentage of patients will benefit from it. A better understanding of the context in which Ras operates in different tumor types and the outcomes mediated by each effector pathway may help to identify additional strategies and targets to treat Ras-driven tumors. Evidence emerging in recent years suggests that both oncogenic Ras signaling in tumor cells and non-oncogenic Ras signaling in stromal cells play an essential role in cancer. PI3K is one of the main Ras effectors, regulating important cellular processes such as cell viability or resistance to therapy or angiogenesis upon oncogenic Ras activation. In this review, we will summarize recent advances in the understanding of Ras-dependent activation of PI3K both in physiological conditions and cancer, with a focus on how this signaling pathway contributes to the formation of a tumor stroma that promotes tumor cell proliferation, migration, and spread.
The Effects of Early Prenatal Alcohol Exposure on Epigenome and Embryonic Development
Authors: Wallén Essi , Auvinen Pauliina , Kaminen-Ahola Nina
Published: July 2021

Prenatal alcohol exposure is one of the most significant causes of developmental disability in the Western world. Maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy leads to an increased risk of neurological deficits and developmental abnormalities in the fetus. Over the past decade, several human and animal studies have demonstrated that alcohol causes alterations in epigenetic marks, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs. There is an increasing amount of evidence that early pregnancy is a sensitive period for environmental-induced epigenetic changes. It is a dynamic period of epigenetic reprogramming, cell divisions, and DNA replication and, therefore, a particularly interesting period to study the molecular changes caused by alcohol exposure as well as the etiology of alcohol-induced developmental disorders. This article will review the current knowledge about the in vivo and in vitro effects of alcohol exposure on the epigenome, gene regulation, and the phenotype during the first weeks of pregnancy.
Extracellular Matrix-Related Hubs Genes Have Adverse Effects on Gastric Adenocarcinoma Prognosis Based on Bioinformatics Analysis
Authors: Alatan Husile , Chen Yinwei , Zhou Jinghua , Wang Li
Published: July 2021

Gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC) is the most frequent type of stomach cancer, characterized by high heterogeneity and phenotypic diversity. Although many novel strategies have been developed for treating GAC, recurrence and metastasis rates are still high. Therefore, it is necessary to screen new potential biomarkers correlated with prognosis and novel molecular targets. Gene expression profiles were obtained from the from NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. We conduct an integrated analysis using the online Venny website to explore candidate hub genes between differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of two datasets. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia 18 of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis found that extracellular matrix plays an important role in GAC. In addition, we applied protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis by using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) and visualized with Cytoscape software. Furthermore, we employed Cytoscape software to analyze the interactive relationship of candidate gene for further analysis. We found that ECM related proteins played an important role in GAC, and 15 hub genes were extracted from 123 DEGs genes. There were four hub genes (bgn, vcan, col1a1 and timp1) predicted to be associated with poor prognosis among the 15 hub genes.
A Survey on Recent Advances in Machine Learning Based Sleep Apnea Detection Systems
Authors: Ramachandran Anita , Karuppiah Anupama
Published: July 2021

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that affects a large population. This disorder can cause or augment the exposure to cardiovascular dysfunction, stroke, diabetes, and poor productivity. The polysomnography (PSG) test, which is the gold standard for sleep apnea detection, is expensive, inconvenient, and unavailable to the population at large. This calls for more friendly and accessible solutions for diagnosing sleep apnea. In this paper, we examine how sleep apnea is detected clinically, and how a combination of advances in embedded systems and machine learning can help make its diagnosis easier, more affordable, and accessible. We present the relevance of machine learning in sleep apnea detection, and a study of the recent advances in the aforementioned area. The review covers research based on machine learning, deep learning, and sensor fusion, and focuses on the following facets of sleep apnea detection: (i) type of sensors used for data collection, (ii) feature engineering approaches applied on the data (iii) classifiers used for sleep apnea detection/classification. We also analyze the challenges in the design of sleep apnea detection systems, based on the literature survey.
Polish Adaptation of the Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Questionnaire—Revised 2 for All Pregnant Women
Authors: Michalik Anna , Wójcicka Lucyna , Zdun-Ryżewska Agata , Czerwińska-Osipiak Agnieszka , Krzemiński Michał , Olszewska Jolanta , Klasa-Mazurkiewicz Dagmara , Huizink Anja
Published: July 2021

Pregnancy-related anxiety (PrA) is a specific type of anxiety characteristic of the perinatal period. PrA can affect pregnancy and birth. However, no validated tool exists to measure PrA in Polish obstetric practice. The aim of this study was to translate the Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Questionnaire—Revised 2 (PRAQ-R2) into Polish and to evaluate its reliability and factorial and construct validity. This study was conducted in Poland as an online questionnaire in April 2020 and included 175 healthy women. To validate the PRAQ-R2, we used standardized tools for the measurement of general anxiety: the modified Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the Ten-Item Personality Inventory (TIPI), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Scale reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha. Concurrent validity was evaluated by calculating Spearman’s rho correlation coefficients. Statistical analyses were performed using R ver. 4.0.2. Values for comparative fit index >0.90, Tucker–Lewis index >0.90, and root mean square error of approximation <0.08 indicated acceptable model fit, confirming the reliability of the three-factor structure of the translation. The subscales and total scores had good consistency (α > 0.7), and convergent validity was demonstrated. The PRAQ-R2 as translated into Polish represents the first validated tool in Poland to measure PrA for all pregnant women.
Spanish Translation and Cultural Adaptation of the Fibromyalgia Knowledge Questionnaire
Authors: Mendoza-Muñoz María , Rodal Miguel , García-Gordillo Miguel Ángel , Acevedo-Duque Ángel , García-Matador Judith , Calzada-Rodríguez José Ignacio , Morenas-Martín Jesús
Published: July 2021

Introduction: Fibromyalgia (FM) translates into a reduction in the quality of life of people who suffer from it, being a chronic disease of unknown etiology. One of the most widespread treatments includes the combination of patient education, along with other components. At the educational level, the Fibromyalgia Knowledge Questionnaire (FKQ) is a tool that assesses knowledge of fibromyalgia. Objective: To obtain the translation and cultural adaptation of the FKQ questionnaire into Spanish, as well as its readability, in addition to knowing the relationship between knowledge of the disease and the level of disability. Method: In phase one, a translation-back translation and an evaluation of the readability of the questionnaire was carried out from INFLESZ, while in phase two, the questionnaire was passed to women with FM to detect their knowledge of the disease. A total of 49 women participated, with a mean age of 54.48 years. Results: The Spanish version of the FKQ questionnaire was rated by the participants in all its items as “clear and understandable”. The readability obtained by the questionnaire was similar to its original version, with both totals being in the “normal” range, following the INFLESZ ranges. Regarding the patients’ knowledge about FM, the component in which the highest score was obtained was physical activity (80% correct), while the one that obtained the worst score was knowledge about medication (50% correct). In addition, an inverse correlation was obtained between the FKQ and the FIQ (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire) (r = −0.438; p < 0.01). Conclusions: The FKQ has been translated and culturally adapted, obtaining a correct understanding by the participants, as well as a degree of readability similar to the original questionnaire. Furthermore, it was obtained that, the lower the level of knowledge of the sick person, the greater the disability.
Exposure to Air Pollution in Rural Malawi: Impact of Cooking Methods on Blood Pressure and Peak Expiratory Flow
Authors: Mabonga Fiona , Beattie Tara K. , Luwe Kondwani , Morse Tracy , Hope Caitlin , Beverland Iain J.
Published: July 2021

We made static and personal PM2.5 measurements with a miniature monitor (RTI MicroPEM) to characterise the exposure of women cooking with wood and charcoal in indoor and outdoor locations in rural Malawi, together with measurements of blood pressure and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). Mean PM2.5 concentrations of 1338 and 31 µg/m3 were observed 1 m from cookstove locations during cooking with wood and charcoal, respectively. Similarly, mean personal PM2.5 exposures of 706 and 94 µg/m3 were observed during cooking with wood and charcoal, respectively. Personal exposures to PM2.5 in indoor locations were 3.3 and 1.7 times greater than exposures observed in equivalent outdoor locations for wood and charcoal, respectively. Prior to the measured exposure, six out of eight participants had PEFR observations below 80% of their expected (age and height) standardised PEFR. We observed reductions in PEFR for participants cooking with wood in indoor locations. Five out of eight participants reported breathing difficulties, coughing, and eye irritation when cooking with wood but reported that symptoms were less severe when cooking with charcoal. In conclusion, we observed that exposure to PM2.5 was substantially reduced by cooking outdoor with charcoal. As both wood and charcoal fuels are associated with negative environmental and health impacts, the adoption of high-efficiency cookstoves and less polluting sources of energy will be highly beneficial. Cooking outside whenever possible, and minimising the time spent in close proximity to stoves, may be simple interventions that could reduce the risks of exacerbation and progression of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases in Malawi.
Home Smoking Bans and Urinary NNAL Levels to Measure Tobacco Smoke Exposure in Chinese American Household Pairs
Authors: Chang Emiley , Dove Melanie , Saw Anne , Tsoh Janice Y. , Fung Lei-Chun , Tong Elisa K.
Published: July 2021

Home smoking bans can reduce tobacco smoke exposure, but little is known about the impact for Chinese American household pairs. In this study of 202 household pairs with low acculturation, 53.9% reported a home smoking ban, 31.7% had inconsistent reports, and 14.4% reported no ban. With decreasing home smoking ban enforcement, more nonsmokers had tobacco smoke exposure (66.1%–86.2%) as measured by the tobacco-specific nitrosamine biomarker urine NNAL (4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol). Despite reported bans, about one-quarter of nonsmokers still reported tobacco smoke exposure at home (23.6%–30%) within the past 2 months and three-quarters reported outdoor exposure. In adjusted regression analyses of geometric mean NNAL ratios, nonsmokers in households with no ban had over two times higher levels than nonsmokers in households with a ban: adjusted log NNAL ratio = 2.70 (95% CI 1.21, 6.03). Higher smoker NNAL level and nonsmoker English fluency were also significantly associated with nonsmoker NNAL levels. Nonsmoker levels in households with an inconsistent ban were not significantly different compared to those with a ban. Although home smoking bans were generally associated with lower NNAL levels, tobacco smoke exposure in this immigrant population with low English proficiency was higher than that of the general population. From a health equity standpoint, there is a need for broader implementation and enforcement of comprehensive smoke-free policies.
Older Adults’ Perceptions toward Walking: A Qualitative Study Using a Social-Ecological Model
Authors: Leung Ka-Man , Ou Kai-Ling , Chung Pak-Kwong , Thøgersen-Ntoumani Cecilie
Published: July 2021

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to investigate older adults’ perceptions of their walking experiences, using the social-ecological model as a guiding framework and to propose future walking intervention content. Methods: Thirty-eight participants (19 women; 47% from private elderly centers; mean age = 72.8 (SD = 7.4 years) took part in semi-structured interviews. Qualitative data analysis software QSR-NVivo was used for thematic coding. Results: Thematic deductive analysis revealed pertinent themes at the individual level (health benefits and barriers, fall risk, perseverance, and walking as a suitable activity for older adults), social environment level (social support and social interaction), physical environment level (density, land-use mix, and connectivity; perceived safety, pedestrian facilities (benches, quality of walking paths and sidewalks, and aesthetics), other pedestrian behaviors, and weather, and policy level (lack of walking programs in the community, and supportive culture for an active lifestyle). Discussion: Our findings provide insights for the planning of future multilevel walking intervention programs for older adults in Hong Kong. It is suggested that future walking intervention should include professionals (e.g., physiotherapist or coach) in a group setting, practical walking recommendations such as proper walking posture, and additional fun activities for older adults.
Environmental Factors Associated with Physical Activity in Rural U.S. Counties
Authors: Abildso Christiaan G. , Daily Shay M. , Meyer M. Renée Umstattd , Edwards Michael B. , Jacobs Lauren , McClendon Megan , Perry Cynthia K. , Roemmich James N.
Published: July 2021

Background: Rural U.S. adults’ prevalence of meeting physical activity (PA) guidelines is lower than urban adults, yet rural-urban differences in environmental influences of adults’ PA are largely unknown. The study’s objective was to identify rural-urban variations in environmental factors associated with the prevalence of adults meeting PA guidelines. Methods: County-level data for non-frontier counties (n = 2697) were used. A five-category rurality variable was created using the percentage of a county’s population living in a rural area. Factor scores from Factor Analyses (FA) were used in subsequent Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) analyses stratified by rurality to identify associations between environmental factor scores and the prevalence of males and females meeting PA guidelines. Results: FA revealed a 13-variable, four-factor structure of natural, social, recreation, and transportation environments. MLR revealed that natural, social, and recreation environments were associated with PA for males and females, with variation by sex for social environment. The natural environment was associated with PA in all but urban counties; the recreation environment was associated with PA in the urban counties and the two most rural counties. Conclusions: Variations across the rural-urban continuum in environmental factors associated with adults’ PA, highlight the uniqueness of rural PA and the need to further study what succeeds in creating active rural places.
Cardiovascular Risk Factor and Disease Measures from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study
Authors: Mahoney Martin C. , Rivard Cheryl , Hammad Hoda T. , Blanco Carlos , Sargent James , Kimmel Heather L. , Wang Baoguang , Halenar Michael J. , Kang Jueichuan Connie , Borek Nicolette , Cummings K. Michael , Lauten Kristin , Goniewicz Maciej L. , Hatsukami Dorothy , Sharma Eva , Taylor Kristie , Hyland Andrew
Published: July 2021

Background: Cardiovascular disease is a key health condition associated with tobacco use; however, clinical measures are not typically possible in population-based studies. In this paper, we assess the reliability and validity of self-reported cardiovascular risk factors and diseases in a large nationally representative study of tobacco use and health outcomes. Methods: This paper analyzes self-reported cardiovascular risk factors and disease among adults age 40 years and older based on U.S. nationally representative data from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study. Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors (self-reported high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and family history of premature heart disease, BMI ≥ 35, and tobacco use) and cardiovascular disease (self-reported heart attack, stroke and/or congestive heart failure (CHF)) were considered along with ratings of physical functioning, fatigue, and general health. Results: Self-reported cardiovascular disease was found to be associated with functional health measures (walking up a flight of stairs) and general ratings of health. Prospective analyses found strong correlations between sequential data collection waves for history of hypertension, elevated cholesterol and CHF, while more modest correlations were noted for stroke and heart attack. The overall prevalence of cardiovascular disease and hypertension was comparable to those from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Conclusions: These analyses suggest reliability and concurrent validity regarding self-reported cardiovascular risk factors and disease assessed in the PATH Study.
Fast Eccentric Movement Tempo Elicits Higher Physiological Responses than Medium Eccentric Tempo in Ice-Hockey Players
Authors: Gepfert Mariola , Trybulski Robert , Stastny Petr , Wilk Michał
Published: July 2021

Background: Resistance training is a significant part of ice-hockey players’ conditioning, where optimal loading should ensure strength development and proper recovery. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the acute physiological responses to fast and medium movement tempo resistance exercises in ice-hockey players. Methods: Fourteen ice-hockey players (26.2 ± 4.2 years; 86.4 ± 10.2 kg; squat one repetition maximum (1RM) = 130.5 ± 18.5) performed five sets of the barbell squat and barbell bench press at 80% 1RM until failure in a crossover design one week apart using either 2/0/2/0 or 6/0/2/0 (eccentric/isometric/concentric/isometric) tempo of movement. The blood samples to evaluate the concentration of cortisol, testosterone, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and growth hormone (hGH) were taken before exercise, 3 min after the last set of the squat exercise, 3 min after the last set of the bench press exercise, and after 30 min of recovery. Results: The 2/0/2/0 tempo resulted in a higher number of repetitions (p < 0.001) and lower time under tension (p < 0.001) in the squat and bench press exercises compared to the 6/0/2/0 movement tempo. The endocrine responses to exercise were significantly higher during the 2/0/2/0 compared to the 6/0/2/0 movement tempo protocol for IGF-1, hGH, and cortisol (p < 0.01). There were no differences in testosterone responses between exercises performed with fast and medium movement tempos. Conclusion: Fast eccentric tempo induced higher cortisol, IGF-1, and hGH responses compared to the medium tempo. Therefore, fast eccentric movement tempo seems to be more useful in eliciting training stimulus than medium eccentric tempo during resistance training in ice-hockey players. However, future studies are needed to confirm our findings.