bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The People’s Republic of China as a ‘Pillar’ in the Foreign Policy of the Republic of Serbia during COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Ciborek Przemysław
Published: November 2021

In the opinion of many researchers, Sino-Serbian bilateral relations during the COVID-19 pandemic have hit an all-time high. The People’s Republic of China was the first country to aid Serbia in the face of internal problems within the European Union. The EU’s inconsistent policy during the global health crisis has enabled political and economic rapprochement of Belgrade with Beijing and Moscow. In addition, it seems that the political influence of the United States and the European Union on the domestic and foreign policy of Serbia is weakening. Due to the specificity of Serbian media, the Chinese republic is also gaining many supporters among Serb citizens. The pro-government media coverage is supplemented by the government’s praise of the Chinese leadership. Regarding the Four Pillar Foreign Policy strategy introduced by the then President Boris Tadić, it appears that despite Serbia’s ongoing EU accession process, the People’s Republic of China appears to be the most significant ‘pillar’ in Serbia’s foreign policy during COVID-19 pandemic.In the opinion of many researchers, Sino-Serbian bilateral relations during the COVID-19 pandemic have hit an all-time high. The People’s Republic of China was the first country to aid Serbia in the face of internal problems within the European Union. The EU’s inconsistent policy during the global health crisis has enabled political and economic rapprochement of Belgrade with Beijing and Moscow. In addition, it seems that the political influence of the United States and the European Union on the domestic and foreign policy of Serbia is weakening. Due to the specificity of Serbian media, the Chinese republic is also gaining many supporters among Serb citizens. The pro-government media coverage is supplemented by the government’s praise of the Chinese leadership. Regarding the Four Pillar Foreign Policy strategy introduced by the then President Boris Tadić, it appears that despite Serbia’s ongoing EU accession process, the People’s Republic of China appears to be the most significant ‘pillar’ in Serbia’s foreign policy during COVID-19 pandemic.
What’s in a “Username”? The Effect of Perceived Anonymity on Herding in Crowdfunding
Authors: Jiang Yang , Ho Yi-Chun (Chad) , Yan Xiangbin , Tan Yong
Published: November 2021

This research investigates whether and how predecessors’ usernames—as evaluated from a perspective of perceived anonymity—affect successors’ herding momentum through the varying extent of perceived source credibility. Using a unique data set collected from a leading debt-based crowdfunding platform, we classify lenders’ usernames as either anonymous or real-seeming, with the latter referring to usernames that seem to reveal one’s legal name. We find that successors demonstrate weaker herding momentum toward predecessors who are presented with real-seeming usernames than anonymous ones. This finding, which we attribute to a lower extent of perceived credibility resulting from a nonconforming behavior, challenges the conventional wisdom that considers anonymity a negative factor for source credibility. Further, we demonstrate the importance of risk-related factors, in that the uncovered positive effect of perceived anonymity on herding is accentuated in the early stage of the fundraising period. Our findings provide actionable insights for platform owners to utilize the user heterogeneity with respect to perceived anonymity and hence perceived credibility in herding. These findings are also informative for borrowers who desire to exert effort to encourage participation from the crowd.
Black and White: Access to Capital Among Minority-Owned Start-ups
Authors: Fairlie Robert , Robb Alicia , Robinson David T.
Published: November 2021

We used confidential and restricted-access data from the Kauffman Firm Survey and matched administrative data on credit scores to explore racial disparities in access to capital for new business ventures. The novel results on racial inequality in start-up financing indicate that Black-owned start-ups start smaller and stay smaller over the entire first eight years of their existence. Black start-ups face more difficulty in raising external capital, especially external debt. We find that disparities in creditworthiness constrain Black entrepreneurs, but perceptions of treatment by banks also hold them back. Black entrepreneurs apply for loans less often than White entrepreneurs largely because they expect to be denied credit, even when they have a good credit history and in settings where strong local banks favor new business development.

This paper was accepted by David Simchi-Levi, finance.
Time-Varying Skew in VIX Derivatives Pricing
Authors: Yuan Peixuan
Published: November 2021

This paper proposes a new reduced-form model for the pricing of VIX derivatives that includes an independent stochastic jump intensity factor and cojumps in the level and variance of VIX, while allowing the mean of VIX variance to be time varying. I fit the model to daily prices of futures and European options from April 2007 through December 2017. The empirical results indicate that the model significantly outperforms all other nested models and improves on benchmark by 21.6% in sample and 31.2% out of sample. The model more accurately portrays the tail behavior of VIX risk-neutral distribution for both short and long maturities, as it better captures the time-varying skew found to be largely independent of the level of the VIX smile.

This paper was accepted by Kay Giesecke, finance.
Political Dynamics in Knowledge Work: Using Visual Artifacts to Deal with Pragmatic Boundaries
Authors: Comi Alice , Vaara Eero
Published: November 2021

Previous research on knowledge work has started to explore how organizational actors deal with pragmatic boundaries that arise from their different interests, priorities, and viewpoints. Material objects, such as visual artifacts, can be used to shape and manipulate pragmatic boundaries, but our understanding of these dynamics is only partial. In this paper, we maintain that focusing on the uses of visual artifacts offers an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the political aspects of knowledge work. To this end, we conducted a practice-based study of an architectural project in which the building design became contested. Our empirical analysis reveals four practices in which visual artifacts are used to deal with pragmatic boundaries: surfacing, bridging, preventing, and minimizing. Through these practices, organizational actors can make boundaries more or less visible with important implications on their power relations and the project at hand. The main contribution of our study is to advance understanding of the political dynamics in knowledge work by revealing how visual artifacts can be used to manipulate pragmatic boundaries. By so doing, our analysis also helps to move the conversation on visual artifacts beyond their role as epistemic objects that sustain (or hinder) knowledge work.
Spatial Path Selection and Network Topology Optimisation in P2P Anonymous Routing Protocols
Authors: Tošic Aleksandar , Vičič Jernej
Published: November 2021

To anonymous internet traffic, many popular protocols route traffic through a network of nodes in order to conceal information about the request. However, routing traffic through other nodes inherently introduces added latency. Over the past two decades, there were many attempts to improve the path selection in order to decrease latency with little or no trade-off in terms of security, and anonymity. In this paper, we show the potential use of geo-sharding in decentralized routing networks to improve fault-tolerance, and latency. Such networks can be used as a communication layer for Edge devices computing huge amounts of data. Specifically, we focus our work on Low Latency Anonymous Routing Protocol (LLARP), a protocol built on top of Oxen blockchain that aims to achieve internet privacy. We analyse the existing network of Service Nodes(SN), observe cloud provider centralisation, and propose a high level protocol that provides incentives for a better geographical distribution mitigating potential cloud provider/country wide service dropouts. Additionally, the protocol level information about geographical location can be used to improve client’s path (the string of nodes that will participate in the transaction) selection, decreasing network latency. We show the feasibility of our approach by comparing it with the random path selection in a simulated environment. We observe marginal drops in average latency when selecting paths geographically closer to each other.
Study of cerebrovascular reactivity to hypercapnia by imaging photoplethysmography to develop a method for intraoperative assessment of the brain functional reserve
Authors: Volynsky Maxim A. , Mamontov Oleg V. , Osipchuk Anastasiia V. , Zaytsev Valery V. , Sokolov Alexey Y. , Kamshilin Alexei A.
Published: November 2021

Intraoperative assessment of cerebrovascular reactivity is a relevant problem of neurosurgery. To assess the functional reserve of cerebral blood flow, we suggest using imaging photoplethysmography for measuring changes in cortical perfusion caused by CO2 inhalation. Feasibility of the technique was demonstrated in three groups of anesthetized rats (n=21) with opened and closed cranial windows. Our study for the first time revealed that the hemodynamic response to hypercapnia strongly depends on the cranial state. However, it was shown that regardless of the direction of changes in local and systemic hemodynamics, the ratio of normalized changes in arterial blood pressure and cortical perfusion could be used as a measure of the cerebrovascular functional reserve.
On the measurement accuracy of coherent Rayleigh-based distributed sensors
Authors: Galal Malak , Sebastian Suneetha , Yang Zhisheng , Zhang Li , Zaslawski Simon , Thévenaz Luc
Published: November 2021

The phase change of back-scattered light due to external perturbations is retrieved in coherent Rayleigh-based distributed sensors by estimating the frequency shift (FS) between the traces of different measurements. The uncertainty associated with the estimator, due to the presence of system noises, can lead to an inaccurate evaluation of the FS. Additionally, in coherent Rayleigh-based sensors, the calculation of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) from the jagged back-scattered intensity trace using the statistical estimators can cause an erroneous determination of the absolute value of the SNR. In this work, a method to accurately evaluate the non-uniform SNR caused by the stochastic variation of the back-scattered light intensity along the fibre is presented and validated. Furthermore, an analytical expression to evaluate the uncertainty in the FS estimation using one of the standard estimators, namely cross-correlation, is presented. A direct-detection frequency-scanned phase-sensitive optical time-domain reflectometer (φ-OTDR) is employed for the experimental verification of the expression as a function of two crucial system parameters: the SNR and the spatial resolution. The performance of various distributed sensing system configurations utilising cross-correlation for determining the FS occurring due to the external perturbations can be properly predicted hereafter with the aid of the analytical expression presented in this study.
Joint estimation of dynamic polarization and carrier phase with pilot-based adaptive equalizer in PDM-64 QAM transmission system
Authors: Yang Jiaqian , Sillekens Eric , Yi Wenting , Bayvel Polina , Killey Robert I.
Published: November 2021

A pilot-based adaptive equalizer is investigated for high cardinality polarization-division-multiplexing quadrature amplitude modulation transmission systems. Pilot symbols are periodically inserted for joint estimation of the dynamic state of polarization (SOP) and carrier phase, in a least mean square (LMS) sense. Compared to decision-directed least mean square (DDLMS) equalization and radially-directed equalization, the proposed equalizer can achieve robust equalization and phase estimation, especially in low optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) scenarios. In an experiment on 56 GBaud PDM-64 QAM transmission over 400 km standard single-mode fiber, we obtained at least 0.35 bit per symbol generalized mutual information (GMI) improvement compared with other training symbol-based equalization when tracking 600 krad/s dynamic SOP. With the joint estimation scheme, the equalization performance will not be compromised even if the SOP speed reaches 600 krad/s or the laser linewidth approaches 2 MHz. For the first time, it is demonstrated that the pilot-based equalizer can track dynamic SOP rotation and compensate for fiber linear impairments without any cycle slips under extreme conditions.
Solid-state FMCW LiDAR with in-fiber beam scanner
Authors: Li Zhi , Liu Bonan , Liao Chang Rui , Fu H. Y.
Published: November 2021

The beam scanner is a predominant part in the light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system to achieve three-dimensional (3D) imaging. The solid-state beam-steering device has emerged as a promising candidate technology for a beam scanner with the advantages of robustness, stability, and high scanning speed. Here we propose a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) LiDAR system with an in-fiber solid-state beam scanner. A 45° tilted fiber grating (TFG) is first employed to achieve in-fiber solid-state spectral scanning in the LiDAR system. A maximum output efficiency of 93.7% is achieved with proper polarization control. A single-mode fiber is then used to fabricate a 2-cm 45° TFG, which significantly reduces the size and the cost of the beam scanner in the LiDAR system. We experimentally realize 3D imaging of targets placed at a distance of 1.2 m based on our proposed LiDAR system. In addition, the system can achieve a detection distance of 6 m with a ranging precision of 24 mm.
High-security OCDM-PON system of 7-core fiber based on CFCM encryption
Authors: Yuan Lingzhi , Liu Bo , Ren Jianxin , Mao Yaya , Bai Yu , Wu Xiangyu , Chen Shuaidong , Tian Feng , Zhu Suiyao , Zhong Qing
Published: November 2021

In this paper, we propose a high-security orthogonal chirped division multiplexing passive optical network (OCDM-PON) based on three-dimensional (3D) encryption, including the encryption of bitstream, constellation, and subcarriers. Cascaded fractional-order chaotic mapping (CFCM) is used to generate three masking factors to achieve ultra-high-security encryption in three different dimensions. Logistic mapping is used to control the order of the scheme, which effectively increases the key space to 10152 and improves the security performance of the system. The experiment proves the feasibility of the encryption scheme on OCDM after 16 orthogonal amplitude modulation (16QAM). The encrypted 16QAM-OCDM signal transmits data at a rate of 56 Gb/s on a 2-km 7-core optical fiber, and simultaneously transmits the 16QAM orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signal under the same conditions. It is shown that OCDM-PON is 1.3 dB higher than OFDM-PON in terms of receiver sensitivity when the bit error rate (BER) is 10−3.
Co-option of immune effectors by the hormonal signalling system triggering metamorphosis in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Nunes Catarina , Koyama Takashi , Sucena Élio
Published: November 2021

Insect metamorphosis is triggered by the production, secretion and degradation of 20-hydroxyecdysone (ecdysone). In addition to its role in developmental regulation, increasing evidence suggests that ecdysone is involved in innate immunity processes, such as phagocytosis and the induction of antimicrobial peptide (AMP) production. AMP regulation includes systemic responses as well as local responses at surface epithelia that contact with the external environment. At pupariation,Drosophila melanogasterincreases dramatically the expression of three AMP genes,drosomycin (drs),drosomycin-like 2 (drsl2)anddrosomycin-like 5 (drsl5). We show that the systemic action ofdrsat pupariation is dependent on ecdysone signalling in the fat body and operates via the ecdysone downstream target,Broad. In parallel, ecdysone also regulates local responses, specifically through the activation ofdrsl2expression in the gut. Finally, we confirm the relevance of this ecdysone dependent AMP expression for the control of bacterial load by showing that flies lackingdrsexpression in the fat body have higher bacterial persistence over metamorphosis. In contrast, local responses may be redundant with the systemic effect ofdrssince reduction of ecdysone signalling or ofdrsl2expression has no measurable negative effect on bacterial load control in the pupa. Together, our data emphasize the importance of the association between ecdysone signalling and immunity usingin vivostudies and establish a new role for ecdysone at pupariation, which impacts developmental success by regulating the immune system in a stage-dependent manner. We speculate that this co-option of immune effectors by the hormonal system may constitute an anticipatory mechanism to control bacterial numbers in the pupa, at the core of metamorphosis evolution.
Epithelial-specific ERBB3 deletion results in a genetic background-dependent increase in intestinal and colon polyps that is mediated by EGFR
Authors: Mantilla Rojas Carolina , McGill Michael P. , Salvador Anna C. , Bautz David , Threadgill David W.
Published: November 2021

ERBB3 has gained attention as a potential therapeutic target to treat colorectal and other types of cancers. To confirm a previous study showing intestinal polyps are dependent upon ERBB3, we generated an intestinal epithelia-specific ERBB3 deletion in C57BL/6-ApcMin/+mice. Contrary to the previous report showing a significant reduction in intestinal polyps with ablation of ERBB3 on a B6;129 mixed genetic background, we observed a significant increase in polyp number with ablation of ERBB3 on C57BL/6J compared to control littermates. We confirmed the genetic background dependency of ERBB3 by also analyzing polyp development on B6129 hybrid and B6;129 advanced intercross mixed genetic backgrounds, which showed that ERBB3 deficiency only reduced polyp number on the mixed background as previously reported. Increased polyp number with ablation of ERBB3 was also observed in C57BL/6J mice treated with azoxymethane showing the effect is model independent. Polyps forming in absence of ERBB3 were generally smaller than those forming in control mice, albeit the effect was greatest in genetic backgrounds with reduced polyp numbers. The mechanism for differential polyp number in the absence of ERBB3 was through altered proliferation. Backgrounds with increased polyp number with loss of ERBB3 showed an increase in cell proliferation even in non-tumor epithelia, while backgrounds showing reduced polyp number with loss of ERBB3 showed reduced cellular proliferation. Increase polyp number caused by loss of ERBB3 was mediated by increased epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression, which was confirmed by deletion ofEgfr. Taken together, this study raises substantial implications on the use of ERBB3 inhibitors against colorectal cancer. The prediction is that some patients may have increased progression with ERBB3 inhibitor therapy, which is consistent with observations reported for ERBB3 inhibitor clinical trials.
An optimal growth law for RNA composition and its partial implementation through ribosomal and tRNA gene locations in bacterial genomes
Authors: Hu Xiao-Pan , Lercher Martin J.
Published: November 2021

The distribution of cellular resources across bacterial proteins has been quantified through phenomenological growth laws. Here, we describe a complementary bacterial growth law for RNA composition, emerging from optimal cellular resource allocation into ribosomes and ternary complexes. The predicted decline of the tRNA/rRNA ratio with growth rate agrees quantitatively with experimental data. Its regulation appears to be implemented in part through chromosomal localization, as rRNA genes are typically closer to the origin of replication than tRNA genes and thus have increasingly higher gene dosage at faster growth. At the highest growth rates in E. coli, the tRNA/rRNA gene dosage ratio based on chromosomal positions is almost identical to the observed and theoretically optimal tRNA/rRNA expression ratio, indicating that the chromosomal arrangement has evolved to favor maximal transcription of both types of genes at this condition.
Molecular epidemiology of Paracoccidiodes spp. recovered from patients with paracoccidioidomycosis in a teaching hospital from Minas Gerais State of Brazil
Authors: Andrade-Silva Juliana , Andrade-Silva Leonardo Euripedes , Paes Hugo Costa , Alves Lucas , Rosa Adair , Tenório Bernardo Guerra , Ferreira Marcelo Simão , Felipe Maria Sueli Soares , Teixeira Marcus de Melo , Silva-Vergara Mario León
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is caused by several species of the Paracoccidioides genus which can be differentiated by interspecific genetic variations, morphology and geographic distribution. Intraspecific variability correlation with clinical and epidemiological aspects of these species still remains unclear. This study aimed to sequence the loci GP43, exon 2 and ARF of 23 clinical isolates of Paracoccidioides spp. from patients in the Southeast Region of Brazil.

Methodology and main findings

GenBank was used to compare the present (23) with previous described sequences (151) that included ARF and GP43. It was identified a high polymorphism rate among the 23 isolates in comparison to the other 151. Among the isolates, 22 (95.66%) were S1/P. brasiliensis and 1 (4.34%) was identified as PS2/P. americana. A total of 45 haplotypes were found as follows: 19 from S1/P. brasiliensis (13 from the present study), 15 from P. lutzii, 6 from PS2/P. americana (1 from the present study), 3 from PS3/P. restrepiensis and 2 from PS4/P. venezuelensis. Moreover, exclusive haplotypes according to clinical origin and geographical area were found. S1/P. brasiliensis (HD = 0.655 and K = 4.613) and P. lutzii (HD = 0.649 and K = 2.906) presented the highest rate of polymorphism among all species, from which 12 isolates of the present study were clustered within S1b/P. brasiliensis. The GP43 locus showed a higher variability and was found to be the main reason for the species differentiation.

Conclusions

The results herein decribed show a high intraspecific genetic variability among S1/P. brasiliensis isolates and confirm the predominance of this species in the Southeast region of Brazil. The finding of exclusive haplotypes according to clinical origin and geographical area would suggest correlation between the molecular profile with the clinical form and geographic origin of patients with PCM.
Identification of enzymes that have helminth-specific active sites and are required for Rhodoquinone-dependent metabolism as targets for new anthelmintics
Authors: Lautens Margot J. , Tan June H. , Serrat Xènia , Del Borrello Samantha , Schertzberg Michael R. , Fraser Andrew G.
Published: November 2021

Soil transmitted helminths (STHs) are major human pathogens that infect over a billion people. Resistance to current anthelmintics is rising and new drugs are needed. Here we combine multiple approaches to find druggable targets in the anaerobic metabolic pathways STHs need to survive in their mammalian host. These require rhodoquinone (RQ), an electron carrier used by STHs and not their hosts. We identified 25 genes predicted to act in RQ-dependent metabolism including sensing hypoxia and RQ synthesis and found 9 are required. Since all 9 have mammalian orthologues, we used comparative genomics and structural modeling to identify those with active sites that differ between host and parasite. Together, we found 4 genes that are required for RQ-dependent metabolism and have different active sites. Finding these high confidence targets can open upin silicoscreens to identify species selective inhibitors of these enzymes as new anthelmintics.
Clinical and virological impact of single and dual infections with influenza A (H1N1) and SARS-CoV-2 in adult inpatients
Authors: Zheng Jiazhen , Chen Fengjuan , Wu Keyi , Wang Jiancheng , Li Furong , Huang Shan , Lu Jianyun , Huang Jinghan , Liu Huamin , Zhou Rui , Huang Zhiwei , Meng Bingyao , Yuan Zelin , Wu Xianbo
Published: November 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mimics the influenza A (H1N1) virus in terms of clinical presentation, transmission mechanism, and seasonal coincidence. Comprehensive data for the clinical severity of adult patients co-infected by both H1N1 and SARS-CoV-2, and, particularly, the relationship with PCR cycle threshold (Ct) values are not yet available. All participants in this study were tested for H1N1 and SARS-CoV-2 simultaneously at admission. Demographic, clinical, treatment, and laboratory data were extracted from electronic medical records and compared among adults hospitalized for H1N1 infection, SARS-CoV-2 infection and co-infection with both viruses. Ct values for viral RNA detection were further compared within SARS-CoV-2 and co-infection groups. Score on seven-category ordinal scale of clinical status at day 7 and day 14 were assessed. Among patients with monoinfection, H1N1 infection had higher frequency of onset symptoms but lower incidence of adverse events during hospitalization than SAR-CoV-2 infection (P < 0.05). Co-infection had an increased odds of acute kidney injury, acute heart failure, secondary bacterial infections, multilobar infiltrates and admittance to ICU than monoinfection. Score on seven-category scale at day 7 and day 14 was higher in patients with coinfection than patients with SAR-CoV-2 monoinfection (P<0.05). Co-infected patients had lower initial Ct values (referring to higher viral load) (median 32) than patients with SAR-CoV-2 monoinfection (median 36). Among co-infected patients, low Ct values were significantly and positively correlated with acute kidney injury and ARDS (P = 0.03 and 0.02, respectively). Co-infection by SARS-CoV-2 and H1N1 caused more severe disease than monoinfection by either virus in adult inpatients. Early Ct value could provide clues for the later trajectory of the co-infection. Multiplex molecular diagnostics for both viruses and early assessment of SAR-CoV-2 Ct values are recommended to achieve optimal treatment for improved clinical outcome.
Sugar beet extract rich in glycine betaine modulates oxidative defense system and key physiological characteristics of maize under water-deficit stress
Authors: Shafiq Sidra , Akram Nudrat Aisha , Ashraf Muhammad , AL-Harbi Mohammad S. , Samra Bassem N.
Published: November 2021

Now-a-days, plant-based extracts, as a cheap source of growth activators, are being widely used to treat plants grown under extreme climatic conditions. So, a trial was conducted to assess the response of two maize (Zea mays L.) varieties, Sadaf (drought tolerant) and Sultan (drought sensitive) to foliar-applied sugar beet extract (SBE) under varying water-deficit conditions. Different SBE (control, 1%, 2%, 3% & 4%) levels were used in this study, and plants were exposed to water-deficit [(75% and 60% of field capacity (FC)] and control (100% FC) conditions. It was observed that root and shoot dry weights (growth), total soluble proteins, RWC-relative water contents, total phenolics, chlorophyll pigments and leaf area per plant decreased under different water stress regimes. While, proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), RMP-relative membrane permeability, H2O2-hydrogen peroxide and the activities of antioxidant enzymes [CAT-catalase, POD-peroxidase and SOD-superoxide dismutase] were found to be improved in water stress affected maize plants. Exogenous application of varying levels of SBE ameliorated the negative effects of water-deficit stress by enhancing the growth attributes, photosynthetic pigments, RWC, proline, glycinebetaine (GB), activities of POD and CAT enzymes and levels of total phenolics, whereas it reduced the lipid peroxidation in both maize varieties under varying water stress levels. It was noted that 3% and 4% levels of SBE were more effective than the other levels used in enhancing the growth as well as other characteristics of the maize varieties. Overall, the sugar beet extract proved to be beneficial for improving growth and metabolism of maize plants exposed to water stress.
Probing Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) targeting two gene-fragments of rose rosette virus
Authors: Salazar Andrea , Ochoa-Corona Francisco M. , Olson Jennifer D. , Babu Binoy , Paret Mathews
Published: November 2021

This study explores the development of Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) for detection of rose rosette virus (RRV), a technique with the potential to be translated to rose nurseries. RRV is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus which is a member of the genus Emaravirus (Family Fimoviridae) and the causal agent of the rose rosette disease (RRD). Although RRV symptoms are characteristics, early visual diagnosis of RRD can be misleading and confusing since it may appear like herbicide damage. Moreover, it may take incubation time for symptoms to appear after virus infection. Two sets of RRV gene sequences RNA3 and RNA4 were analyzed and two sets of four LAMP primers were designed. The direct antigen-capture method for direct trapping of RRV in plastic was used for RNA extraction followed by cDNA synthesis. RT-LAMP reactions were for 1 hour at 64°C (RRV-P3) and 66.5°C (RRV-P4) using either a thermocycler or a portable dry bath. RT-qLAMP was also optimized using DNA polymerase GspSSD LD using the same RRV sets of primers. RRV was detected in symptomatic and non-symptomatic RRD tissue from Oklahoma. The limit of detection (LoD) was 1pg/μL and 1 fg/μL using Bst 2.0 LAMP and GspSSD LD quantitative LAMP, respectively. In visual colorimetric pre- and post-reactions, the LoD was 10 pg/μL and 0.1 pg/μL using hydroxy naphthol blue (HNB, 120 μM) and SYBR green I (1:10 dilution), respectively. No cross-reactivity was detected in the RT-LAMP reaction testing cDNAs of eight commonly co-infecting rose viruses and one virus taxonomically related to RRV. Four different dyes were tested, and visible colorimetric reactions were obtained with RT-LAMP Bst 2.0 combined with SYBR I or HNB. RT-qLAMP with GspSSD2.0 offers LoD equal to RT-PCR and it is faster since it works with RNA directly.
Comparable performance on a spatial memory task in data collected in the lab and online
Authors: Segen Vladislava , Avraamides Marios , Slattery Timothy , Colombo Giorgio , Wiener Jan Malte
Published: November 2021

Online data collection offers a wide range of benefits including access to larger and more diverse populations, together with a reduction in the experiment cycle. Here we compare performance in a spatial memory task, in which participants had to estimate object locations following viewpoint shifts, using data from a controlled lab-based setting and from an unsupervised online sample. We found that the data collected in a conventional laboratory setting and those collected online produced very similar results, although the online data was more variable with standard errors being about 10% larger than those of the data collected in the lab. Overall, our findings suggest that spatial memory studies using static images can be successfully carried out online with unsupervised samples. However, given the higher variability of the online data, it is recommended that the online sample size is increased to achieve similar standard errors to those obtained in the lab. For the current study and data processing procedures, this would require an online sample 25% larger than the lab sample.
Fitness testing in tennis: Influence of anthropometric characteristics, physical performance, and functional test on serve velocity in professional players
Authors: Sánchez-Pay Alejandro , Ramón-Llin Jesús , Martínez-Gallego Rafael , Sanz-Rivas David , Sánchez-Alcaraz Bernardino Javier , Frutos Sergio
Published: November 2021

The aims of this study were to examine the relationship between anthropometric variables, physical performance, and functional test with serve velocity regarding tennis players’ level and to design regression models that effectively predict serve velocity. A sample of sixteen male tennis players participated in this study (national level = 8, professional level = 7). Anthropometric measurements (body mass, height, body mass index and body segments) and physical test (hand strength, countermovement jump, jump on serve, and serve velocity) and functional test (medicine ball throw overhead and shot put) were performed. No differences in anthropometrics and physical test were found between national and professional levels. A significant positive correlation (p < 0.05, ranging for 0.603 to 0.932) was found between some anthropometrics measurements (body mass, height, arm, forearm, and leg segments), physical parameters (hand strength, countermovement jump) and functional test (medicine ball throw shot put and overhead) with serve velocity for all tennis players. Multiple regression analysis indicated that medicine ball throw shot put was the most important test to explain serve velocity (r2 = 0.869). The results showed how the combination of physical and anthropometric factors have an impact on serve velocity. In addition, a new functional fitness test (medicine ball throw shot put) is proposed as an alternative to traditional medicine ball throw overhead due to its high reproducibility (inter-trial reliability) and predictive validity values, as well as by multi-segmental coordination movement similar to tennis serve.
Factors influencing recurrence after complete remission in children with hepatoblastoma: A 14-year retrospective study in China
Authors: Li Fan , Zhang Weiling , Hu Huimin , Zhu Xia , Zhang Yi , Huang Dongsheng
Published: November 2021

Objective

After a complete remission to treatment for hepatoblastoma, some children still have recurrence. We identified and explored the factors that influence recurrence after complete remission in a retrospective study.

Methods

Of 197 children with hepatoblastoma, 140 (71.1%) achieved initial complete remission and were enrolled in factor analysis. Variables consisted of age, sex, PRE-Treatment EXTent of tumor (PRETEXT) stage, pathologic type, metastatic disease, serum alpha-fetoprotein level, vascular involvement, and surgical margin status. We employed univariate and multivariate analyses to assess the relationship between each factor and tumor recurrence.

Results

Of 140 children who achieved initial complete remission, 42 (30%) had recurrent hepatoblastoma. The 5-year overall survival rates for the non-recurrence and recurrence group were 99.0% and 78.6%, respectively. The overall 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were 77.8%, 69.8%, and 69.8%, respectively. All recurrences occurred within 2 years from complete remission. The RFS rate was significantly higher in children younger than 3 years and in those with mixed pathological type, PRETEXT II and III, without metastatic disease, without vascular involvement, and microscopic negative margin than in that of children older than 3 years, with epithelial pathological type, PRETEXT IV, metastatic disease, vascular involvement, and macroscopic positive margin (P < 0.001, = 0.020, < 0.001, = 0.004, = 0.002, and < 0.001, respectively). The independent risk factors for recurrence after complete remission were age ≥3 years, PRETEXT IV, and metastatic disease (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Age, PRETEXT stage, metastatic disease, vascular involvement, pathologic type, and surgical margin status might be associated with recurrent hepatoblastoma after complete remission; meanwhile, age ≥3 years, PRETEXT IV, and metastatic disease are independent risk factors of recurrence. Further research is needed on the causes of tumor recurrence, which may improve the long-term outcomes of children with hepatoblastoma.
Advantages of score-based delirium detection compared to a clinical delirium assessment—a retrospective, monocentric cohort study
Authors: Jäckel Markus , Aicher Nico , Bemtgen Xavier , Rilinger Jonathan , Zotzmann Viviane , Biever Paul Marc , Supady Alexander , Stachon Peter , Duerschmied Daniel , Wengenmayer Tobias , Bode Christoph , Staudacher Dawid Leander
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Delirium is an underdiagnosed complication on intensive care units (ICU). We hypothesized that a score-based delirium detection using the Nudesc score identifies more patients compared to a traditional diagnosis of delirium by ICU physicians.

Methods

In this retrospective study, all patients treated on a general medical ICU with 30 beds in a university hospital in 2019 were analyzed. Primary outcome was a documented physician diagnosis of delirium, or a delirium score ≥2 using the Nudesc.

Results

In 205/943 included patients (21.7%), delirium was diagnosed by ICU physicians compared to 438/943 (46.4%; ratio 2.1) by Nudesc≥2. Both assessments were independent predictors of ICU stay (p<0.01). The physician diagnosis however was no independent predictor of mortality (OR 0.98 (0.57–1.72); p = 0.989), in contrast to the score-based diagnosis (OR 2.31 (1.30–4.10); p = 0.004). Subgroup analysis showed that physicians underdiagnosed delirium in case of hypoactive delirium and delirium in patients with female gender and in patients with an age below 60 years.

Conclusion

Delirium in patients with hypoactive delirium, female patients and those below 60 years was underdiagnosed by physicians. The score-based delirium diagnosis detected delirium more frequently and correlated with ICU mortality and stay.
Examining patient trust towards physicians between clinical departments in a Chinese hospital
Authors: Yang Judy , Lu Yuanzheng , Liao Xiaoxing , Chang Mary P.
Published: November 2021

The purpose of this cross-sectional survey study is to quantitatively examine the differences in patient trust towards physicians between four different clinical departments in a Chinese hospital. Using a validated modified Chinese version of the Wake Forest Physician Trust Scale, we measured patient trust in each department, and also collected data on patient demographics. A total of 436 patients or family members were surveyed in the departments of emergency medicine, pediatrics, cardiology, and orthopedic surgery. Significant differences were found between the departments, especially between pediatrics (trust score 43.23, range 11–50) and emergency medicine and cardiology (trust scores 45.29 and 45.79, respectively with range of 11–50). The average total score across all four departments was 44.72. There are indications that specifically comparing departments, such as patient demographics or department structure, could be helpful in tailoring patient care to improve physician-patient relationships.
Transcriptomic analysis of human skin wound healing and rejuvenation following ablative fractional laser treatment
Authors: Sherrill Joseph D. , Finlay Deborah , Binder Robert L. , Robinson Michael K. , Wei Xingtao , Tiesman Jay P. , Flagler Michael J. , Zhao Wenzhu , Miller Catherine , Loftus Jean M. , Kimball Alexa B. , Bascom Charles C. , Isfort Robert J.
Published: November 2021

Ablative fractional laser treatment is considered the gold standard for skin rejuvenation. In order to understand how fractional laser works to rejuvenate skin, we performed microarray profiling on skin biopsies to identify temporal and dose-response changes in gene expression following fractional laser treatment. The backs of 14 women were treated with ablative fractional laser (Fraxel®) and 4 mm punch biopsies were collected from an untreated site and at the treated sites 1, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after the single treatment. In addition, in order to understand the effect that multiple fractional laser treatments have on skin rejuvenation, several sites were treated sequentially with either 1, 2, 3, or 4 treatments (with 28 days between treatments) followed by the collection of 4 mm punch biopsies. RNA was extracted from the biopsies, analyzed using Affymetrix U219 chips and gene expression was compared between untreated and treated sites. We observed dramatic changes in gene expression as early as 1 day after fractional laser treatment with changes remaining elevated even after 1 month. Analysis of individual genes demonstrated significant and time related changes in inflammatory, epidermal, and dermal genes, with dermal genes linked to extracellular matrix formation changing at later time points following fractional laser treatment. When comparing the age-related changes in skin gene expression to those induced by fractional laser, it was observed that fractional laser treatment reverses many of the changes in the aging gene expression. Finally, multiple fractional laser treatments, which cover different regions of a treatment area, resulted in a sustained or increased dermal remodeling response, with many genes either differentially regulated or continuously upregulated, supporting previous observations that maximal skin rejuvenation requires multiple fractional laser treatments. In conclusion, fractional laser treatment of human skin activates a number of biological processes involved in wound healing and tissue regeneration.
Liquidity effects on oil volatility forecasting: From fintech perspective
Authors: Ding Shusheng , Cui Tianxiang , Zhang Yongmin , Li Jiawei
Published: November 2021

Fin-tech is an emerging field, inspiring revolutionary innovations in the financial field. It may initiate the evolutionary episode of the financial research, where volatility forecasting is a crucial topic in finance. For forecasting volatility, GARCH model is a prevailing model, however, further improvement of the GARCH model is still challenging. In this paper, we demonstrate how Fintech can play a part in volatility forecasting by employing a metaheuristic procedure called Genetic Programming. On the basis, we are able to develop a new volatility forecasting model, which can beat GARCH family models (including GARCH, IGARCH and TGARCH models) in a significant way. Since genetic programming is an evolutionary algorithm based on the principles of natural selection, this innovative work will be a breakthrough point in the financial area. The innovation of this paper demonstrates how GP technology can be applied in the financial field, attempting to explore the volatility forecasting area from the combination of new technology and finance, known as fintech. More importantly, when the formula of volatility forecasting is unknown as we introduce a new factor, namely, the liquidity factor, we unveil that how GP method can be helpful in determining the specific volatility forecasting model format. We thereby exhibit the liquidity effects on volatility forecasting filed from the fintech perspective.
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination psychological antecedent assessment using the Arabic 5c validated tool: An online survey in 13 Arab countries
Authors: Abdou Marwa Shawky , Kheirallah Khalid A. , Aly Maged Ossama , Ramadan Ahmed , Elhadi Yasir Ahmed Mohammed , Elbarazi Iffat , Deghidy Ehsan Akram , El Saeh Haider M. , Salem Karem Mohamed , Ghazy Ramy Mohamed
Published: November 2021

Background

Following the emergency approval of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines, research into its vaccination hesitancy saw a substantial increase. However, the psychological behaviors associated with this hesitancy are still not completely understood. This study assessed the psychological antecedents associated with COVID-19 vaccination in the Arab population.

Methodology

The validated Arabic version of the 5C questionnaire was distributed online across various social media platforms in Arabic-speaking countries. The questionnaire had three sections, namely, socio-demographics, COVID-19 related infection and vaccination, and the 5C scale of vaccine psychological antecedents of confidence, complacency, constraints, calculation, and collective responsibility.

Results

In total, 4,474 participants with a mean age of 32.48 ± 10.76 from 13 Arab countries made up the final sample, 40.8% of whom were male. Around 26.7% of the participants were found to be confident about the COVID-19 vaccination, 10.7% indicated complacency, 96.5% indicated they had no constraints, 48.8% had a preference for calculation and 40.4% indicated they had collective responsibility. The 5C antecedents varied across the studied countries with the confidence and collective responsibility being the highest in the United Arab Emirates (59.0% and 58.0%, respectively), complacency and constraints in Morocco (21.0% and 7.0%, respectively) and calculation in Sudan (60.0%). The regression analyses revealed that sex, age, educational degrees, being a health care professional, history of COVID-19 infection and having a relative infected or died from COVID-19 significantly predicted the 5C psychological antecedents by different degrees.

Conclusion

There are wide psychological antecedent variations between Arab countries, and different determinants can have a profound effect on the COVID-19 vaccine’s psychological antecedents.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Correlations between fluid biomarkers of NfL, TDP-43, and tau, and clinical characteristics
Authors: Kojima Yuta , Kasai Takashi , Noto Yu-ichi , Ohmichi Takuma , Tatebe Harutsugu , Kitaoji Takamasa , Tsuji Yukiko , Kitani-Morii Fukiko , Shinomoto Makiko , Allsop David , Teramukai Satoshi , Mizuno Toshiki , Tokuda Takahiko
Published: November 2021

Objectives

We previously reported the diagnostic and prognostic performance of neurofilament light chain (NfL), TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43), and total tau (t-tau) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) biomarkers. The present study aimed to elucidate associations between clinical characteristics and the markers as well as mutual associations of the markers in ALS patients using the same dataset.

Methods

NfL, TDP-43, and t-tau levels in CSF and plasma in 75 ALS patients were analyzed. The associations between those markers and clinical details were investigated by uni- and multivariate analyses. Correlations between the markers were analyzed univariately.

Results

In multivariate analysis of CSF proteins, the disease progression rate (DPR) was positively correlated with NfL (β: 0.51, p = 0.007) and t-tau (β: 0.37, p = 0.03). Plasma NfL was correlated with age (β: 0.53, p = 0.005) and diagnostic grade (β: -0.42, p = 0.02) in multivariate analysis. Plasma TDP-43 was correlated negatively with split hand index (β: -0.48, p = 0.04) and positively with % vital capacity (β: 0.64, p = 0.03) in multivariate analysis. Regarding mutual biomarker analysis, a negative correlation between CSF-NfL and TDP-43 was identified (r: -0.36, p = 0.002).

Conclusions

Elevated NfL and t-tau levels in CSF may be biomarkers to predict rapid DPR from onset to sample collection. The negative relationship between CSF NfL and TDP-43 suggests that elevation of CSF TDP-43 in ALS is not a simple consequence of its release into CSF during neurodegeneration. The negative correlation between plasma TDP-43 and split hand index may support the pathophysiological association between plasma TDP-43 and ALS.