bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in Nitrogen Pools in the Maize–Soil System after Urea or Straw Application to a Typical Intensive Agricultural Soil: A 15N Tracer Study
Authors: Zhang Jie , He Ping , Wei Dan , Jin Liang , Zhang Lijuan , Li Ling , Zhao Shicheng , Xu Xinpeng , Zhou Wei , Qiu Shaojun
Published: June 2021

A maize pot experiment was conducted to compare the difference of N distribution between bulk and rhizospheric soil after chemical fertilizer with or without soil straw amendment at an equivalent N rate using a 15N cross-labeling technique. Soil N pools, maize N and their 15N abundances were determined during maize growth. The urea plus straw treatment significantly (p < 0.05) increased the recovery of urea N in soil and 26.0% of straw N was assimilated by maize. Compared with urea treatment in bulk soil, urea plus straw treatment significantly (p < 0.05) increased the concentration and percentage of applied N as dissolved organic N (DON) and microbial biomass N (MBN) from milk stage to maturity, increased those as particulate organic N (PON) and mineral associated total N (MTN) throughout maize growth and decreased those as inorganic N (Inorg-N) from the eighth leaf to the silking stage. Compared with bulk soil, rhizospheric soil significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the concentration and percentage of applied N as PON and increased those as Inorg-N and MTN in both applied N treatments from the silking stage, and significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the concentration and percentage of applied N as microbial biomass N (MBN) in the urea plus straw treatment. Overall, straw N was an important N source and combined application of chemical fertilizer with straw increased soil fertility, with the rhizosphere regulating the transformation and supply of different N sources in the soil–crop system.
Investigation of Lethal Concurrent Outbreak of Chlamydiosis and Pigeon Circovirus in a Zoo
Authors: Chen Wei-Tao , Teng Chin-Ann , Shih Cheng-Hsin , Huang Wei-Hsiang , Jiang Yi-Fan , Chang Hui-Wen , Jeng Chian-Ren , Lai Yen-Hsueh , Guo Jun-Cheng , Wang Pao-Jung , Cheng Chiu-Hung , Chang Yen-Chen
Published: June 2021

During the spring, an outbreak of sudden death involving 58 birds occurred in a zoo. Histopathological examinations revealed variable numbers of intracytoplasmic basophilic microorganisms in the macrophages, hepatocytes, and renal epithelium of most birds, along with occasional botryoid intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies within histiocytes in the bursa of Fabricius. Based on the results of histopathological examinations, immunohistochemical staining, transmission electron microscopy, and polymerase chain reactions, genotype B Chlamydia psittaci infection concurrent with pigeon circovirus (PiCV) was diagnosed. A retrospective survey, including two years before the outbreak and the outbreak year, of C. psittaci and PiCV infections of dead birds in the aviaries, revealed that the outbreak was an independent episode. The findings of this study indicate that concurrent infection with C. psittaci and PiCV might lead to lethal outbreaks of chlamydiosis, particularly Streptopelia orientalis. In addition, persistently monitoring both pathogens and identifying potential PiCV carriers or transmitters might also help prevent lethal disease outbreaks.
Identification of a Representative Stationary Period for Rainfall Variability Description in the Sudano-Sahelian Zone of West Africa during the 1901–2018 Period
Authors: Ibrahim Boubacar , Nazoumou Yahaya , Fowe Tazen , Sidibe Moussa , Barry Boubacar , Mahé Gil , Paturel Jean-Emmanuel
Published: June 2021

Many studies have been undertaken on climate variability in West Africa since the drastic drought of 1970s. These studies rely in many cases on different baseline periods chosen with regard to the reference periods defined by the World Meteorological Organization. A method is developed in this study to determine a stationary baseline period for rainfall variability analysis. The method is based on an application of three statistic tests (on deviation and trend) and a test of shifts detection in rainfall time series. The application of this method on six different gridded rainfall data and observations from 1901 to 2018 shows that the 1917–1946 period is the longest stationary period. An assessment of the significance of the difference between the mean annual rainfall amount during this baseline period and the annual rainfall amount during the other years shows that the “Normal” annual rainfall amount is defined by an interval delineated by ±the standard deviation (STD). With regard to this interval, a very wet/dry year is defined with a surplus/gap over/below the STD. Overall the 1901–2018 period, the 1950–1970 period presents the most important number of significant wet years and the 1971–1990 period presents the most important number of significant dry years.
WeatherEye-Proposal of an Algorithm Able to Classify Weather Conditions from Traffic Camera Images
Authors: Dahmane Khouloud , Duthon Pierre , Bernardin Frédéric , Colomb Michèle , Chausse Frédéric , Blanc Christophe
Published: June 2021

In road environments, real-time knowledge of local weather conditions is an essential prerequisite for addressing the twin challenges of enhancing road safety and avoiding congestions. Currently, the main means of quantifying weather conditions along a road network requires the installation of meteorological stations. Such stations are costly and must be maintained; however, large numbers of cameras are already installed on the roadside. A new artificial intelligence method that uses road traffic cameras and a convolution neural network to detect weather conditions has, therefore, been proposed. It addresses a clearly defined set of constraints relating to the ability to operate in real-time and to classify the full spectrum of meteorological conditions and order them according to their intensity. The method can differentiate between five weather conditions such as normal (no precipitation), heavy rain, light rain, heavy fog and light fog. The deep-learning method’s training and testing phases were conducted using a new database called the Cerema-AWH (Adverse Weather Highway) database. After several optimisation steps, the proposed method obtained an accuracy of 0.99 for classification.
Transient Modulation of Working Memory Performance and Event-Related Potentials by Transcranial Static Magnetic Field Stimulation over the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex
Authors: Chen Xiaoxiao , Watanabe Tatsunori , Kubo Nami , Yunoki Keisuke , Matsumoto Takuya , Kuwabara Takayuki , Sunagawa Toru , Date Shota , Mima Tatsuya , Kirimoto Hikari
Published: June 2021

Transcranial static magnetic field stimulation (tSMS) can modulate human cortical excitability and behavior. To better understand the neuromodulatory effect of tSMS, this study investigates whether tSMS applied over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) modulates working memory (WM) performance and its associated event-related potentials (ERPs). Thirteen healthy participants received tSMS or sham stimulation over the left DLPFC for 26 min on different days. The participants performed a 2-back version of the n-back task before, during (20 min after the start of stimulation), immediately after, and 15 min after the stimulation. We examine reaction time for correct responses, d-prime reflecting WM performance, and the N2 and P3 components of ERPs. Our results show that there was no effect of tSMS on reaction time. The d-prime was reduced, and the N2 latency was prolonged immediately after tSMS. These findings indicate that tSMS over the left DLPFC affects WM performance and its associated electrophysiological signals, which can be considered an important step toward a greater understanding of tSMS and its use in studies of higher-order cognitive processes.
Men’s Psychotherapy Use, Male Role Norms, and Male-Typical Depression Symptoms: Examining 716 Men and Women Experiencing Psychological Distress
Authors: Eggenberger Lukas , Fordschmid Callia , Ludwig Claudio , Weber Seraina , Grub Jessica , Komlenac Nikola , Walther Andreas
Published: June 2021

Men as compared to women are half as often affected by depressive and anxiety disorders and seek significantly less help for mental health issues than women. Adherence to traditional male role norms (AtTMRN) may hinder men from describing prototypical depression symptoms and from seeking psychotherapy. The current study compared whether AtTMRN, gender role identity, or the experience of prototypical or male-typical externalizing mental health symptoms were associated with psychotherapy use in men and women. In an anonymous online survey, 716 participants (37% men) reporting to currently experience psychological distress were examined. Information was obtained on psychotherapy use, depression and anxiety symptoms, gender role identity, and traditional male role norms. Although experiencing similar levels of depression, men compared to women showed a reduction in psychotherapy use by 29%. Masculine role identity was directly associated with reduced psychotherapy use in men (β = −0.41, p = 0.029), whereas AtTMRN was not (men: β = −0.04, p = 0.818; women: β = −0.25, p = 0.064). Higher externalizing depression symptomatology (β = −0.68, p = 0.005), but not prototypical depression symptomatology (β = −0.02, p = 0.499), was associated with reduced psychotherapy use in men but not women (p > 0.05). Interactions revealed that men, but not women, with high AtTMRN use psychotherapy only when exhibiting elevated symptom levels. The results corroborate previous reports showing reduced psychotherapy use in men as compared to women and identify elevated masculine role identity and male-typical externalizing depression symptomatology as direct factors associated with reduced psychotherapy use in psychologically distressed men. AtTMRN interacts with mental health symptoms to predict psychotherapy use, indicating that men with high AtTMRN only use psychotherapy when exhibiting high symptomatology.
Methods and Designs of Modern Breast Cancer Confirmatory Trials
Authors: Péron Julien , Reverdy Thibaut , Smenteck Colette , Cortet Marion , You Benoît , Freyer Gilles
Published: June 2021

Background: The benefit–risk assessments of new drugs for breast cancer (BC) face several challenges, as all stakeholders do not agree on the evidence bar required for market authorization, and by the fragmentation of breast cancer diagnosis. The aim of this study was to describe the changes in methods and designs of breast cancer confirmatory trials. Methods: All phase III randomized trials published between 2001 and 2020 and assessing systemic BC therapies were included. Trials’ main characteristics, endpoints, and statistical methods were collected using a standardized data extraction form. Results: A total of 347 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) met the inclusion criteria. While most older trials (79%) included all subtypes of breast cancer, most recent trials populations were limited to one large intrinsic BC subgroup (69%). The use of gatekeeping testing strategies increased dramatically from 9% to 71%. The use of overall survival (OS) as an endpoint in the trials increased over time, but its use as a primary endpoint remained infrequent. The inclusion of OS testing in a hierarchical sequence in case of positive testing of a tumor-centered or composite endpoint appeared to have become the new standard. Conclusion: Our findings indicate some improvements in the quality of the evidence-base supporting new breast cancer drugs. The rigorous assessment of patient-relevant endpoints has increased over time, but this improvement is mainly related to the analysis of OS as a secondary endpoint analyzed in a hierarchical sequence.
Drug Development in Tissue-Agnostic Indications
Authors: du Rusquec Pauline , Le Tourneau Christophe
Published: June 2021

A better understanding of cancer biology has led to the development of targeted therapies specifically designed to modulate an altered molecular pathway in the cancer cells or their microenvironment. Despite the identification of molecular targets across cancer types, most of targeted therapies were developed per cancer type. In this ancestral paradigm, randomization was the gold-standard approach for market access. Randomization of large patient populations was feasible for drugs developed in common cancer types but more challenging in rare cancer types. The traditional paradigm of drug development in oncology was further challenged by the ever-expanding molecular segmentation of cancer with ever-smaller subgroups of patients who might benefit from specific targeted therapies or immunotherapies and the identification of molecular alterations against which drugs may be effective across cancer types. In this novel drug development paradigm, novel ways of evaluating the efficacy of drugs are highly needed in these small patient populations. One approach is to use each patient as his/her own control by comparing the efficacy of a drug to the efficacy of prior treatments received. This approach allows to overcome patient heterogeneity, especially in a tissue-agnostic drug development paradigm.
Thermal Ablation Compared to Partial Hepatectomy for Recurrent Colorectal Liver Metastases: An Amsterdam Colorectal Liver Met Registry (AmCORE) Based Study
Authors: Dijkstra Madelon , Nieuwenhuizen Sanne , Puijk Robbert S. , Timmer Florentine E.F. , Geboers Bart , Schouten Evelien A.C. , Opperman Jip , Scheffer Hester J. , Vries Jan J.J. de , Swijnenburg Rutger-Jan , Versteeg Kathelijn S. , Lissenberg-Witte Birgit I. , van den Tol M. Petrousjka , Meijerink Martijn R.
Published: June 2021

The aim of this study was to assess safety, efficacy and survival outcomes of repeat thermal ablation as compared to repeat partial hepatectomy in patients with recurrent colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). This Amsterdam Colorectal Liver Met Registry (AmCORE) based study of two cohorts, repeat thermal ablation versus repeat partial hepatectomy, analyzed 136 patients (100 thermal ablation, 36 partial hepatectomy) and 224 tumors (170 thermal ablation, 54 partial hepatectomy) with recurrent CRLM from May 2002 to December 2020. The primary and secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS), distant progression-free survival (DPFS) and local tumor progression-free survival (LTPFS), estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method, and complications, analyzed using the chi-square test. Multivariable analyses based on Cox proportional hazards model were used to account for potential confounders. In addition, subgroup analyses according to patient, initial and repeat local treatment characteristics were performed. In the crude overall comparison, OS of patients treated with repeat partial hepatectomy was not statistically different from repeat thermal ablation (p = 0.927). Further quantification of OS, after accounting for potential confounders, demonstrated concordant results for repeat local treatment (hazard ratio (HR), 0.986; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.517–1.881; p = 0.966). The 1-, 3- and 5-year OS were 98.9%, 62.6% and 42.3% respectively for the thermal ablation group and 93.8%, 74.5% and 49.3% for the repeat resection group. No differences in DPFS (p = 0.942), LTPFS (p = 0.397) and complication rate (p = 0.063) were found. Mean length of hospital stay was 2.1 days in the repeat thermal ablation group and 4.8 days in the repeat partial hepatectomy group (p = 0.009). Subgroup analyses identified no heterogeneous treatment effects according to patient, initial and repeat local treatment characteristics. Repeat partial hepatectomy was not statistically different from repeat thermal ablation with regard to OS, DPFS, LTPFS and complications, whereas length of hospital stay favored repeat thermal ablation. Thermal ablation should be considered a valid and potentially less invasive alternative for small-size (0–3 cm) CRLM in the treatment of recurrent new CRLM. While, the eagerly awaited results of the phase III prospective randomized controlled COLLISION trial (NCT03088150) should provide definitive answers regarding surgery versus thermal ablation for CRLM.
Comparison of Oncologic Outcomes of Dose-Dense Methotrexate, Vinblastine, Doxorubicin, and Cisplatin (ddMVAC) with Gemcitabine and Cisplatin (GC) as Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Chung Doo Yong , Kang Dong Hyuk , Kim Jong Won , Ha Jee Soo , Kim Do Kyung , Cho Kang Su
Published: June 2021

Platinum-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is widely used for treating muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). A systematic review was performed following PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched up to December 2020. We conducted a meta-analysis to compare the oncologic outcomes of ddMVAC (dose-dense methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin) and GC (gemcitabine and cisplatin), which are the most widely used NAC regimens. Endpoints included pathologic complete response (pCR), pathologic downstaging (pDS), overall survival (OS), and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Five studies, with a total of 1206 patients, were included for meta-analysis. pCR was observed in 35.2% of the ddMVAC arm and in 25.1% of the GC arm, and pCR was significantly higher in ddMVAC than in GC (odds ratio (OR), 1.45; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.11–1.89; p = 0.006). There was no significant difference in pDS (OR, 1.37; CI, 0.84–2.21; p = 0.20). OS was significantly higher in ddMVAC than in GC (hazard ratio, 2.16; CI, 1.42–3.29; p = 0.0004). Only one study reported CSS outcomes. The results of this analysis indicate that ddMVAC is superior to GC in terms of pCR and OS, suggesting that ddMVAC is more effective than GC in NAC for MIBC. However, this should be interpreted with caution because of the inherent limitations of retrospective studies.
Involvement of Neutrophils in Metastatic Evolution of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors
Authors: Debien Véronique , Davidson Guillaume , Baltzinger Philippe , Kurtz Jean-Emmanuel , Séverac François , Imperiale Alessio , Pessaux Patrick , Addeo Pietro , Bachellier Philippe , Su Xiaoping , Davidson Irwin , Chenard Marie-Pierrette , Goichot Bernard , Malouf Gabriel G.
Published: June 2021

Well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNET) have an unpredictable natural history. The identification of both blood and tumor immune features associated with patients’ outcomes remains limited. Herein, we evaluated the best prognostic value of the neutrophils-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in a cohort of 144 pNETs. The NLR ≥ 4 was associated with worse overall survival in both univariate analysis (HR = 3.53, CI95% = 1.50–8.31, p = 0.004) and multivariate analysis (HR = 2.57, CI95% = 1.061–6.216, p = 0.036). The presence of synchronous liver metastasis was identified as a prognostic factor in multivariate analysis (HR = 3.35, CI95% = 1.411–7.973, p = 0.006). Interestingly, the absolute tumor-associated neutrophils count was higher in liver metastasis as compared to their paired primary tumor (p = 0.048). Deconvolution of immune cells from the transcriptome of 83 primary tumors and 30 liver metastases reveals enrichment for neutrophils in metastasis relative to primary tumors (p = 0.005), and this was associated with upregulation of the complement pathway (NES = 1.84, p < 0.0001). Combining neutrophils signature and complement pathway genes, unsupervised clustering identified two pNETs subgroups, namely Neu-Comp1 and Neu-Comp2. Characterized by neutrophils infiltration and activation of the complement pathway, Neu-Comp1 was highly enriched for metastatic liver samples as compared to Neu-Comp2 (p < 0.0001). These data suggest the possible link between liver metastasis, complement pathway activation, and neutrophils infiltration in well-differentiated pNET and open avenues for targeting complement pathways in these tumors.
Analytical Validation of a Pan-Cancer Panel for Cell-Free Assay for the Detection of EGFR Mutations
Authors: So Min-Kyung , Park Jong-Ho , Kim Jong-Won , Jang Ja-Hyun
Published: June 2021

Liquid biopsies have increasingly shown clinical utility. Although next-generation sequencing has been widely used for the detection of somatic mutations from plasma, performance characteristics vary by platform. Therefore, thorough validation is mandatory for clinical use. This study aimed to evaluate the analytical validity of the Oncomine Pan-Cancer Cell-Free Assay. A massively parallel sequencing for the assay was performed using the Ion S5 XL System with Ion 540 kit. The analytical sensitivity and precision were evaluated using pre-characterized reference materials. The specificity was evaluated using plasma from healthy subjects. A comparison with the Cobas EGFR Mutation Test v2 was performed using reference materials and plasma from lung cancer patients. For SNVs and short indels, the analytical sensitivities at variant allele frequencies (VAFs) of 0.1%, 0.5%, and 1% were 50%, 93.4%, and 100% with 20 ng of input, respectively. The overall precision of the true positive variants was 98% at a VAF of 1% with 20 ng input. The assay showed a similar sensitivity to that of the Cobas EGFR Mutation Test v2 at a VAF of 0.5% with 20 ng of input and 100% concordance on clinical samples. The Pan-Cancer Cell-Free Assay can be applied to detect EGFR mutations in advanced lung cancer patients, although follow-up studies will be needed to evaluate the analytical validity for other types of genes and aberrations using clinical samples.
Evaluation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) as a Tool to Predict Biomass and Carbon of Tectona grandis in Silvopastoral Systems (SPS) in Costa Rica
Authors: Hernández-Cole Javier , Ortiz-Malavassi Edgar , Moya Roger , Murillo Olmán
Published: June 2021

The main objective of this research was to evaluate the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in estimating the aboveground biomass and carbon, and the dasometric characteristics at three different spacings (2.5 m × 1.0 m, 2.5 m × 2.0 m and 2.5 m × 3.0 m) in a silvopastoral system (SPS) for the biomass production of Tectona grandis. A total of 90 trees were sampled, 63 of which were used to perform a dasometric evaluation (vertical and horizontal) in a spacing test in an SPS, and the rest to evaluate the use of UAVs in estimating the aboveground biomass in the spacing test. The results showed significant differences in average diameter at breast height (dbh) between spacings, and in aboveground biomass per tree. The amount of aboveground biomass and carbon per hectare increases at smaller spacings, but the differences were not statistically significant. A logarithmic model was prepared to estimate the dbh based on the crown diameter from the data collected taken in the field, since estimating this variable by means of UAVs is difficult. Significant differences were found in the aboveground biomass estimated using the field data compared to UAV data. The estimation of the crown diameter of the selected trees, hindered by the canopy closure in the SPS, was not adequate, which could influence the amount of aboveground biomass estimated using UAV data.
A Novel Link Failure Detection and Switching Algorithm for Dissimilar Redundant UAV Communication
Authors: Lau Yan Han , Ang Marcelo H.
Published: June 2021

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) used for humanitarian applications require simple, accessible and reliable components. For example, a communication system between UAV and the Ground Control Station (GCS) is essential in order to monitor UAV status; various communication protocols are available in the industry. Such systems must be simple for non-technical personnel (e.g., healthcare workers) to operate. In this study, a novel link failure detection and switching algorithm was proposed for a dissimilar redundant UAV communication system designed for long-range vaccine delivery in rural areas. The algorithm would ease the workload of the operators and address a research gap in the design of such algorithms. A two-layer design is proposed: A baseline layer using the heartbeat method, and optimisations to speed up local failure detection. To dynamically tune the heartbeat timeout for the algorithm’s baseline without intervention from ground operators, the modified Jacobson’s algorithm was used. Lab simulations found that the algorithm was generally accurate in converging to an optimal value, but has less satisfactory performance at poor or unpredictable connectivity, or when link switches get triggered frequently. Improvements have been suggested for the algorithm. This study contributes to ongoing research on ensuring reliable UAV communication for humanitarian purposes.
Evaluating the Performance of sUAS Photogrammetry with PPK Positioning for Infrastructure Mapping
Authors: McMahon Conor , Mora Omar E. , Starek Michael J.
Published: June 2021

Traditional acquisition methods for generating digital surface models (DSMs) of infrastructure are either low resolution and slow (total station-based methods) or expensive (LiDAR). By contrast, photogrammetric methods have recently received attention due to their ability to generate dense 3D models quickly for low cost. However, existing frameworks often utilize many manually measured control points, require a permanent RTK/PPK reference station, or yield a reconstruction accuracy too poor to be useful in many applications. In addition, the causes of inaccuracy in photogrammetric imagery are complex and sometimes not well understood. In this study, a small unmanned aerial system (sUAS) was used to rapidly image a relatively even, 1 ha ground surface. Model accuracy was investigated to determine the importance of ground control point (GCP) count and differential GNSS base station type. Results generally showed the best performance for tests using five or more GCPs or when a Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS) was used, with vertical root mean square errors of 0.026 and 0.027 m in these cases. However, accuracy outputs generally met comparable published results in the literature, demonstrating the viability of analyses relying solely on a temporary local base with a one hour dwell time and no GCPs.
Self-Perceived Instructional Competence, Self-Efficacy and Burnout during the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Study of a Group of Italian School Teachers
Authors: Pellerone Monica
Published: June 2021

Prolonged school closures, forced isolation, and mutations in social interactions due to the COVID-19 pandemic have posed challenges for actors in the educational context; teachers, in particular, have had to develop new instructional strategies to ensure that lessons could continue. The present research measures in a group of 374 Italian teachers—curricular and specialist support teachers—the relationship between self-perceived instructional competence, self-efficacy, and burnout. The present research, conducted between April and December 2020, represents the second part of a larger study conducted from November 2018 to October 2019, which was replicated during COVID-19. Participants completed an anamnestic questionnaire, the Assessment Teaching Scale, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory in both phases of research; an ad hoc questionnaire (to measure teaching practices) and the Teacher Sense of Self Efficacy Scale were added in the second phase. Data confirm that general level of burnout increased and personal accomplishment was reduced during the pandemic; elevated personal accomplishment appears to be a predictor of emotional, socio-relational, and didactic competences before and during the pandemic. Feelings of frustration and accomplishment represent some manifestations of distress caused by the pandemic condition; these dynamics favor the crystallization of roles and behaviors towards the perception of metacognitive teaching processes.
A Secure Live Signature Verification with Aho-Corasick Histogram Algorithm for Mobile Smart Pad
Authors: Tseng Kuo-Kun , Chen He , Chen Charles , Bansong Charinrat
Published: June 2021

There is a long history of using handwritten signatures to verify or authenticate a “signer” of the signed document. With the development of Internet technology, many tasks can be accomplished through the document management system, such as the applications of digital contracts or important documents, and more secure signature verification is demanded. Thus, the live handwriting signatures are attracting more interest for biological human identification. In this paper, we propose a handwriting signature verification algorithm by using four live waveform elements as the verification features. A new Aho-Corasick Histogram mechanism is proposed to perform this live signature verification. The benefit of the ACH algorithm is mainly its ability to convert time-series waveforms into time-series short patterns and then perform a statistical counting on the AC machine to measure the similarity. Since AC is a linearly time complexity algorithm, our ACH method can own a deterministic processing time. According to our experiment result, the proposed algorithm has satisfying performance in terms of speed and accuracy with an average of 91% accuracy.
Selection Guidelines for Wind Energy Technologies
Authors: Olabi A. G. , Wilberforce Tabbi , Elsaid Khaled , Salameh Tareq , Sayed Enas Taha , Husain Khaled Saleh , Abdelkareem Mohammad Ali
Published: June 2021

The building block of all economies across the world is subject to the medium in which energy is harnessed. Renewable energy is currently one of the recommended substitutes for fossil fuels due to its environmentally friendly nature. Wind energy, which is considered as one of the promising renewable energy forms, has gained lots of attention in the last few decades due to its sustainability as well as viability. This review presents a detailed investigation into this technology as well as factors impeding its commercialization. General selection guidelines for the available wind turbine technologies are presented. Prospects of various components associated with wind energy conversion systems are thoroughly discussed with their limitations equally captured in this report. The need for further optimization techniques in terms of design and materials used for the development of each component is highlighted.
Thermal Imaging Study to Determine the Operational Condition of a Conveyor Belt Drive System Structure
Authors: Szurgacz Dawid , Zhironkin Sergey , Vöth Stefan , Pokorný Jiří , Spearing A.J.S. (Sam) , Cehlár Michal , Stempniak Marta , Sobik Leszek
Published: June 2021

The paper discusses the results of a study carried out to determine the thermal condition of a conveyor power unit using a thermal imaging camera. The tests covered conveyors in the main haulage system carrying coal from a longwall. The measurements were taken with a thermal imaging diagnostic method which measures infrared radiation emitted by an object. This technology provides a means of assessing the imminence and severity of a possible failure or damage. The method is a non-contact measuring technique and offers great advantages in an underground mine. The thermograms were analysed by comparing the temperature distribution. An analysis of the operating time of the conveyors was also carried out and the causes of the thermal condition were determined. The main purpose of the research was to detect changes in thermal state during the operation of a belt conveyor that could indicate failure and permit early maintenance and eliminate the chance of a fire. The article also discusses the construction and principle of operation of a thermal imaging camera. The findings obtained from the research analysis on determining the thermal condition of the conveyor drive unit are a valuable source of information for the mine’s maintenance service.
Algorithm for Computing Approximate Nash Equilibrium in Continuous Games with Application to Continuous Blotto
Authors: Ganzfried Sam
Published: June 2021

Successful algorithms have been developed for computing Nash equilibrium in a variety of finite game classes. However, solving continuous games—in which the pure strategy space is (potentially uncountably) infinite—is far more challenging. Nonetheless, many real-world domains have continuous action spaces, e.g., where actions refer to an amount of time, money, or other resource that is naturally modeled as being real-valued as opposed to integral. We present a new algorithm for approximating Nash equilibrium strategies in continuous games. In addition to two-player zero-sum games, our algorithm also applies to multiplayer games and games with imperfect information. We experiment with our algorithm on a continuous imperfect-information Blotto game, in which two players distribute resources over multiple battlefields. Blotto games have frequently been used to model national security scenarios and have also been applied to electoral competition and auction theory. Experiments show that our algorithm is able to quickly compute close approximations of Nash equilibrium strategies for this game.
Are Bacterio- and Phytoplankton Community Compositions Related in Lakes Differing in Their Cyanobacteria Contribution and Physico-Chemical Properties?
Authors: Kokociński Mikołaj , Dziga Dariusz , Antosiak Adam , Soininen Janne
Published: June 2021

Bacterioplankton community composition has become the center of research attention in recent years. Bacteria associated with toxic cyanobacteria blooms have attracted considerable interest. However, little is known about the environmental factors driving the bacteria community, including the impact of invasive cyanobacteria. Therefore, our aim has been to determine the relationships between heterotrophic bacteria and phytoplankton community composition across 24 Polish lakes with different contributions of cyanobacteria including the invasive species Raphidiopsis raciborskii. This analysis revealed that cyanobacteria were present in 16 lakes, while R. raciborskii occurred in 14 lakes. Our results show that bacteria communities differed between lakes dominated by cyanobacteria and lakes with minor contributions of cyanobacteria but did not differ between lakes with R. raciborskii and other lakes. Physical factors, including water and Secchi depth, were the major drivers of bacteria and phytoplankton community composition. However, in lakes dominated by cyanobacteria, bacterial community composition was also influenced by biotic factors such as the amount of R. raciborskii, chlorophyll-a and total phytoplankton biomass. Thus, our study provides novel evidence on the influence of environmental factors and R. raciborskii on lake bacteria communities.
Dietary Factors of blaNDM Carriage in Health Community Population: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Hu Shuangfang , Lv Ziquan , Xiang Qiumei , Wang Yang , Shen Jianzhong , Ke Yuebin
Published: June 2021

Aim: There is an ongoing debate as to what extent antimicrobial resistance (AMR) can be transmitted from dietary to humans via the consumption of food products. We investigated this association between dietary and global spreading carbapenem-resistant gene blaNDM Methods: We did a cross-sectional study to assess the risk factors for carrier of blaNDM in health community. Healthy adults were recruited from the residents attending Community Healthcare Service in Shenzhen City (Guangdong Province, China), through 1February 2018 to 31December 2019, and 718 pre-participants were included in this study. Questionnaire were obtained and the qualitative food frequency questionnaire (Q-FFQ) were used to assess dietary intake. qPCR was applied to confirm the carrier of blaNDM in participants’fecal samples. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of each outcome according to each dietary factor before and after prosperity score matching (PSM). Results: we showed that a high intake of coarse grain (OR 1.003; 95% CI 1.001–1.005, p < 0.01) and root and tuber crops (OR 1.003; 95% CI 1.001–1.004, p < 0.05) were independent risk factor for blaNDM carrier in health communities, suggesting a possible transfer of AMRbetweendietary andhumans. Surprisingly, we also showed an association between a higher intake of poultry as a protective, which may be explained by the beneficial effects on the gut microbiota. Conclusion: Dietary factors such as intake of coarse grain, root and tuber crops and poultry were associated with blaNDM carrier in health communities. The influence of dietary factorson blaNDM carrier in the present study provides insights for the tangible dietary advice with guidelines to the routine of people with the risk of blaNDM carrier. This demonstrates the role of dietary intake in the prevention of blaNDM carrier, since prevention is the best way to control modifiable risk factors. A lower carrier rate of blaNDM is helpful to reduce the possibility of transmission and pathogenicity. Further studies on food, microbiota and antimicrobial resistance are necessary to confirm this possible association and unravel underlying mechanisms.
Decrease in All-Cause 30-Day Mortality after Bacteraemia over a 15-Year Period: A Population-Based Cohort Study in Denmark in 2000–2014
Authors: Holm Mona Katrine Alberthe , Jansåker Filip , Gradel Kim Oren , Nielsen Rikke Thoft , Østergaard Andersen Christian , Jarløv Jens Otto , Schønheyder Henrik Carl , Dahl Knudsen Jenny
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Bacteraemia is a frequent infectious condition that strongly affects morbidity and mortality. The incidence is increasing worldwide. This study explores all-cause 30-day mortality after bacteraemia in two out of Denmark’s five healthcare regions with approximately 2.4 million inhabitants. Methods: Clinically significant bacteraemia episodes (n = 55,257) were identified from a geographically well-defined background population between 2000 and 2014, drawing on population-based data regarding bacterial species and vital status. All-cause 30-day mortality was assessed in relation to bacteraemia episodes, number of patients with analysed blood cultures and the background population. Results: We observed a decreasing trend of all-cause 30-day mortality between 2000 and 2014, both in relation to the number of bacteraemia episodes and the background population. Mortality decreased from 22.7% of the bacteraemia episodes in 2000 to 17.4% in 2014 (annual IRR [95% CI]: 0.983 [0.979–0.987]). In relation to the background population, there were 41 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants in 2000, decreasing to 39 in 2014 (annual IRR [95% CI]: 0.988 [0.982–0.993]). Numbers of inhabitants, bacteraemia episodes, and analysed persons having BCs increased during the period. Conclusions: All-cause 30-day mortality in patients with bacteraemia decreased significantly over a 15-year period.
Making the Decision to Stay at Home: Developing a Community-Based Care Process Model for Aging in Place
Authors: Galof Katarina , Balantič Zvone
Published: June 2021

The care of older adults who wish to spend their old age at home should be regulated in every country. The purpose of this article is to illustrate the steps for developing a community-based care process model (CBCPM), applied to a real-world phenomenon, using an inductive, theory-generative research approach to enable aging at home. The contribution to practice is that the collaboration team experts facilitate the application of the process in their own work as non-professional human resources. This means that each older adult is his or her own case study. Different experts and non-experts can engage in the process of meeting needs as required. The empirical work examined the number of levels and steps required and the types of human resources needed. The proposed typology of the CBCPM for older adults can provide insight, offer a useful framework for future policy development, and evaluate pilots at a time when this area of legislation is being implemented.
The Catecholaldehyde Hypothesis for the Pathogenesis of Catecholaminergic Neurodegeneration: What We Know and What We Do Not Know
Authors: Goldstein David S.
Published: June 2021

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde (DOPAL) is the focus of the catecholaldehyde hypothesis for the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease and other Lewy body diseases. The catecholaldehyde is produced via oxidative deamination catalyzed by monoamine oxidase (MAO) acting on cytoplasmic dopamine. DOPAL is autotoxic, in that it can harm the same cells in which it is produced. Normally, DOPAL is detoxified by aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH)-mediated conversion to 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), which rapidly exits the neurons. Genetic, environmental, or drug-induced manipulations of ALDH that build up DOPAL promote catecholaminergic neurodegeneration. A concept derived from the catecholaldehyde hypothesis imputes deleterious interactions between DOPAL and the protein alpha-synuclein (αS), a major component of Lewy bodies. DOPAL potently oligomerizes αS, and αS oligomers impede vesicular and mitochondrial functions, shifting the fate of cytoplasmic dopamine toward the MAO-catalyzed formation of DOPAL—destabilizing vicious cycles. Direct and indirect effects of DOPAL and of DOPAL-induced misfolded proteins could “freeze” intraneuronal reactions, plasticity of which is required for neuronal homeostasis. The extent to which DOPAL toxicity is mediated by interactions with αS, and vice versa, is poorly understood. Because of numerous secondary effects such as augmented spontaneous oxidation of dopamine by MAO inhibition, there has been insufficient testing of the catecholaldehyde hypothesis in animal models. The clinical pathophysiological significance of genetics, emotional stress, environmental agents, and interactions with numerous proteins relevant to the catecholaldehyde hypothesis are matters for future research. The imposing complexity of intraneuronal catecholamine metabolism seems to require a computational modeling approach to elucidate clinical pathogenetic mechanisms and devise pathophysiology-based, individualized treatments.
MIR29A Impedes Metastatic Behaviors in Hepatocellular Carcinoma via Targeting LOX, LOXL2, and VEGFA
Authors: Yang Ya-Ling , Tsai Ming-Chao , Chang Yen-Hsiang , Wang Chen-Chen , Chu Pei-Yi , Lin Hung-Yu , Huang Ying-Hsien
Published: June 2021

Primary liver cancer accounts for the third most deadly type of malignant tumor globally, and approximately 80% of the cases are hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which highly relies on the activity of hypoxia responsive pathways to bolster its metastatic behaviors. MicroRNA-29a (MIR29A) has been shown to exert a hepatoprotective effect on hepatocellular damage and liver fibrosis induced by cholestasis and diet stress, while its clinical and biological role on the activity hypoxia responsive genes including LOX, LOXL2, and VEGFA remains unclear. TCGA datasets were retrieved to confirm the differential expression and prognostic significance of all genes in the HCC and normal tissue. The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset was used to corroborate the differential expression and diagnostic value of MIR29A. The bioinformatic identification were conducted to examine the interaction of MIR29A with LOX, LOXL2, and VEGFA. The suppressive activity of MIR29A on LOX, LOXL2, and VEGF was verified by qPCR, immunoblotting, and luciferase. The effect of overexpression of MIR29A-3p mimics in vitro on apoptosis markers (caspase-9, -3, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)); cell viability and wound healing performance were examined using immunoblot and a WST-1 assay and a wound healing assay, respectively. The HCC tissue presented low expression of MIR29A, yet high expression of LOX, LOXL2, and VEGFA as compared to normal control. Serum MIR29A of HCC patients showed decreased levels as compared to that of normal control, with an area under curve (AUC) of 0.751 of a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Low expression of MIR29A and high expression of LOX, LOXL2, and VEGFA indicated poor overall survival (OS). MIR29A-3p was shown to target the 3′UTR of LOX, LOXL2, and VEGFA. Overexpression of MIR29A-3p mimic in HepG2 cells led to downregulated gene and protein expression levels of LOX, LOXL2, and VEGFA, wherein luciferase reporter assay confirmed that MIR29A-3p exerts the inhibitory activity via directly binding to the 3′UTR of LOX and VEGFA. Furthermore, overexpression of MIR29A-3p mimic induced the activity of caspase-9 and -3 and PARP, while it inhibited the cell viability and wound healing performance. Collectively, this study provides novel insight into a clinical-applicable panel consisting of MIR29, LOX, LOXL2, and VEGFA and demonstrates an anti-HCC effect of MIR29A via comprehensively suppressing the expression of LOX, LOXL2, and VEGFA, paving the way to a prospective theragnostic approach for HCC.
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Foods: Biological Effects, Legislation, Occurrence, Analytical Methods, and Strategies to Reduce Their Formation
Authors: Sampaio Geni Rodrigues , Guizellini Glória Maria , da Silva Simone Alves , de Almeida Adriana Palma , Pinaffi-Langley Ana Clara C. , Rogero Marcelo Macedo , de Camargo Adriano Costa , Torres Elizabeth A. F. S.
Published: June 2021

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are chemical compounds comprised of carbon and hydrogen molecules in a cyclic arrangement. PAHs are associated with risks to human health, especially carcinogenesis. One form of exposure to these compounds is through ingestion of contaminated food, which can occur during preparation and processing involving high temperatures (e.g., grilling, smoking, toasting, roasting, and frying) as well as through PAHs present in the soil, air, and water (i.e., environmental pollution). Differently from changes caused by microbiological characteristics and lipid oxidation, consumers cannot sensorially perceive PAH contamination in food products, thereby hindering their ability to reject these foods. Herein, the occurrence and biological effects of PAHs were comprehensively explored, as well as analytical methods to monitor their levels, legislations, and strategies to reduce their generation in food products. This review updates the current knowledge and addresses recent regulation changes concerning the widespread PAHs contamination in several types of food, often surpassing the concentration limits deemed acceptable by current legislations. Therefore, effective measures involving different food processing strategies are needed to prevent and reduce PAHs contamination, thereby decreasing human exposure and detrimental health effects. Furthermore, gaps in literature have been addressed to provide a basis for future studies.
Orphan Nuclear Receptor ERRγ Is a Transcriptional Regulator of CB1 Receptor-Mediated TFR2 Gene Expression in Hepatocytes
Authors: Kim Bo-Eun , Choi Byungyoon , Park Woo-Ram , Kim Yu-Ji , Kim In-Young , Jung Yoon Seok , Kim Yong-Hoon , Lee Chul-Ho , Choi Hueng-Sik , Kim Don-Kyu
Published: June 2021

Orphan nuclear receptor estrogen-related receptor γ (ERRγ) is an important transcription factor modulating gene transcription involved in endocrine control of liver metabolism. Transferrin receptor 2 (TFR2), a carrier protein for transferrin, is involved in hepatic iron overload in alcoholic liver disease (ALD). However, TFR2 gene transcriptional regulation in hepatocytes remains largely unknown. In this study, we described a detailed molecular mechanism of hepatic TFR2 gene expression involving ERRγ in response to an endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). Treatment with 2-AG and arachidonyl-2′-chloroethylamide, a selective cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) receptor agonist, increased ERRγ and TFR2 expression in hepatocytes. Overexpression of ERRγ was sufficient to induce TFR2 expression in both human and mouse hepatocytes. In addition, ERRγ knockdown significantly decreased 2-AG or alcohol-mediated TFR2 gene expression in cultured hepatocytes and mouse livers. Finally, deletion and mutation analysis of the TFR2 gene promoter demonstrated that ERRγ directly modulated TFR2 gene transcription via binding to an ERR-response element. This was further confirmed by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. Taken together, these results reveal a previously unrecognized role of ERRγ in the transcriptional regulation of TFR2 gene expression in response to alcohol.