bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PyAtomDB: Extending the AtomDB Atomic Database to Model New Plasma Processes and Uncertainties
Authors: Foster Adam R. , Heuer Keri
Published: August 2020

The AtomDB project provides models of X-ray and extreme ultraviolet emitting astrophysical spectra for optically thin, hot plasma. We present the new software package, PyAtomDB, which now underpins the entire project, providing access to the underlying database, collisional radiative model calculations, and spectrum generation for a range of models. PyAtomDB is easily extensible, allowing users to build new tools and models for use in analysis packages such as XSPEC. We present two of these, the kappa and ACX models for non-Maxwellian and Charge-Exchange plasmas respectively. In addition, PyAtomDB allows for full open access to the apec code, which underlies all of the AtomDB spectra and has enabled the development of a module for estimating the sensitivity of emission lines and diagnostic line ratios to uncertainties in the underlying atomic data. We present these publicly available tools and results for several X-ray diagnostics of Fe L-shell ions and He-like ions as examples.
Elucidating the Inhibitory Effect of Resveratrol and Its Structural Analogs on Selected Nucleotide-Related Enzymes
Authors: Wu Yifei , Hsieh Tze-chen , Wu Joseph M. , Wang Xiaoxiao , Christopher Joshua S. , Pham Amanda H. , Swaby Justin David-Li , Lou Lei , Xie Zhong-Ru
Published: August 2020

Resveratrol, the most widely studied natural phytochemical, has been shown to interact with different target proteins. Previous studies show that resveratrol binds and inhibits DNA polymerases and some other enzymes; however, the binding and functioning mechanisms remain unknown. The elucidated knowledge of inhibitory mechanisms of resveratrol will assist us in new drug discovery. We utilized molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation to reveal how resveratrol and structurally similar compounds bind to various nucleotide-dependent enzymes, specifically, DNA polymerases, HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, and ribonucleotide reductase. The results show that resveratrol and its analogs exert their inhibitory effects by competing with the substrate dNTPs in these enzymes and blocking elongation of chain polymerization. In addition, the results imply that resveratrol binds to a variety of other ATP-/NTP-binding proteins.
Thimet Oligopeptidase Biochemical and Biological Significances: Past, Present, and Future Directions
Authors: Ferro Emer S. , Gewehr Mayara C. F. , Navon Ami
Published: August 2020

Thimet oligopeptidase (EC 3.4.24.15; EP24.15, THOP1) is a metallopeptidase ubiquitously distributed in mammalian tissues. Beyond its previously well characterized role in major histocompatibility class I (MHC-I) antigen presentation, the recent characterization of the THOP1 C57BL6/N null mice (THOP1−/−) phenotype suggests new key functions for THOP1 in hyperlipidic diet-induced obesity, insulin resistance and non-alcoholic liver steatosis. Distinctive levels of specific intracellular peptides (InPeps), genes and microRNAs were observed when comparing wild type C57BL6/N to THOP1−/− fed either standard or hyperlipidic diets. A possible novel mechanism of action was suggested for InPeps processed by THOP1, which could be modulating protein-protein interactions and microRNA processing, thus affecting the phenotype. Together, research into the biochemical and biomedical significance of THOP1 suggests that degradation by the proteasome is a step in the processing of various proteins, not merely for ending their existence. This allows many functional peptides to be generated by proteasomal degradation in order to, for example, control mRNA translation and the formation of protein complexes.
Usefulness of Different Imaging Modalities in Evaluation of Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Grąt Karolina , Grąt Michał , Rowiński Olgierd
Published: August 2020

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are becoming some of the major health problems in well-developed countries, together with the increasing prevalence of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and all of their systemic complications. As the future prognoses are even more disturbing and point toward further increase in population affected with NAFLD/NASH, there is an urgent need for widely available and reliable diagnostic methods. Consensus on a non-invasive, accurate diagnostic modality for the use in ongoing clinical trials is also required, particularly considering a current lack of any registered drug for the treatment of NAFLD/NASH. The aim of this narrative review was to present current information on methods used to assess liver steatosis and fibrosis. There are several imaging modalities for the assessment of hepatic steatosis ranging from simple density analysis by computed tomography or conventional B-mode ultrasound to magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) or controlled attenuation parameter (CAP). Fibrosis stage can be assessed by magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) or different ultrasound-based techniques: transient elastography (TE), shear-wave elastography (SWE) and acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI). Although all of these methods have been validated against liver biopsy as the reference standard and provided good accuracy, the MRS and MRI-PDFF currently outperform other methods in terms of diagnosis of steatosis, and MRE in terms of evaluation of fibrosis.
Obesity is Associated with Reduced Plasticity of the Human Motor Cortex
Authors: Sui Sophia X. , Ridding Michael C. , Hordacre Brenton
Published: August 2020

Obesity is characterised by excessive body fat and is associated with several detrimental health conditions, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. There is some evidence that people who are obese have structural and functional brain alterations and cognitive deficits. It may be that these neurophysiological and behavioural consequences are underpinned by altered plasticity. This study investigated the relationship between obesity and plasticity of the motor cortex in people who were considered obese (n = 14, nine males, aged 35.4 ± 14.3 years) or healthy weight (n = 16, seven males, aged 26.3 ± 8.5 years). A brain stimulation protocol known as continuous theta burst transcranial magnetic stimulation was applied to the motor cortex to induce a brief suppression of cortical excitability. The suppression of cortical excitability was quantified using single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation to record and measure the amplitude of the motor evoked potential in a peripheral hand muscle. Therefore, the magnitude of suppression of the motor evoked potential by continuous theta burst stimulation was used as a measure of the capacity for plasticity of the motor cortex. Our results demonstrate that the healthy-weight group had a significant suppression of cortical excitability following continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS), but there was no change in excitability for the obese group. Comparing the response to cTBS between groups demonstrated that there was an impaired plasticity response for the obese group when compared to the healthy-weight group. This might suggest that the capacity for plasticity is reduced in people who are obese. Given the importance of plasticity for human behaviour, our results add further emphasis to the potentially detrimental health effects of obesity.
Apparent False Lateralization of Seizure Onset by Scalp EEG in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Associated with Cerebral Cavernous Malformation: A Case Report and Overview
Authors: Gaviria Carrillo Mariana , López Jonathan , Rodríguez Q. Jesús , Gaona Ivan , Ortiz-Guerrero Gloria , Nava-Mesa Mauricio
Published: August 2020

False lateralization of ictal onset by scalp electroencephalogram (EEG) is an infrequent entity that has been reported in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy associated with hippocampal sclerosis (HS). In these cases, a tendency for rapid seizures that spread through the frontal-limbic system and hippocampal commissural pathways to the contralateral hemisphere has been proposed. Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs), which constitute a collection of abnormally configured small blood vessels with irregular structures, is a well-defined epilepsy-associated pathology. Their primary association with seizures might be explained either as a result of physiological changes affecting the cerebral cortex immediately surrounding the CCM (an epileptogenic mechanism that is relevant for both, temporal and extratemporal lesions) or as a result of promoting epileptogenicity in remote but anatomo-functionally connected brain regions, a mechanism that is particularly relevant for temporal lobe lesions. To date, there have been only two publications on falsely lateralizing ictal onsets by EEG in temporal cavernoma, but not in other regions. Here, we report a rare case of apparent false lateralization of ictal onset by scalp EEG in a patient with a left medial frontal gyrus cavernoma (supplementary motor area), and discuss some relevant pathophysiological mechanisms of false lateralization.
Overhauling CAR T Cells to Improve Efficacy, Safety and Cost
Authors: Chicaybam Leonardo , Bonamino Martín H. , Luckow Invitti Adriana , Bortman Rozenchan Patricia , de Luna Vieira Igor , Strauss Bryan E.
Published: August 2020

Gene therapy is now surpassing 30 years of clinical experience and in that time a variety of approaches has been applied for the treatment of a wide range of pathologies. While the promise of gene therapy was over-stated in the 1990’s, the following decades were met with polar extremes between demonstrable success and devastating setbacks. Currently, the field of gene therapy is enjoying the rewards of overcoming the hurdles that come with turning new ideas into safe and reliable treatments, including for cancer. Among these modalities, the modification of T cells with chimeric antigen receptors (CAR-T cells) has met with clear success and holds great promise for the future treatment of cancer. We detail a series of considerations for the improvement of the CAR-T cell approach, including the design of the CAR, routes of gene transfer, introduction of CARs in natural killer and other cell types, combining the CAR approach with checkpoint blockade or oncolytic viruses, improving pre-clinical models as well as means for reducing cost and, thus, making this technology more widely available. While CAR-T cells serve as a prime example of translating novel ideas into effective treatments, certainly the lessons learned will serve to accelerate the current and future development of gene therapy drugs.
Feasibility, Image Quality and Clinical Evaluation of Contrast-Enhanced Breast MRI Performed in a Supine Position Compared to the Standard Prone Position
Authors: Fausto Alfonso , Fanizzi Annarita , Volterrani Luca , Mazzei Francesco Giuseppe , Calabrese Claudio , Casella Donato , Marcasciano Marco , Massafra Raffaella , La Forgia Daniele , Mazzei Maria Antonietta
Published: August 2020

Background: To assess the feasibility, image quality and diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed in a supine compared to a prone position. Methods: One hundred and fifty-one patients who had undergone a breast MRI in both the standard prone and supine position were evaluated retrospectively. Two 1.5 T MR scanners were used with the same image resolution, sequences and contrast medium in all examinations. The image quality and the number and dimensions of lesions were assessed by two expert radiologists in an independent and randomized fashion. Two different classification systems were used. Histopathology was the standard of reference. Results: Two hundred and forty MRIs from 120 patients were compared. The analysis revealed 134 MRIs with monofocal (U), 68 with multifocal (M) and 38 with multicentric (C) lesions. There was no difference between the image quality and number of lesions in the prone and supine examinations. A significant difference in the lesion extension was observed between the prone and supine position. No significant differences emerged in the classification of the lesions detected in the prone compared to the supine position. Conclusions: It is possible to perform breast MRI in a supine position with the same image quality, resolution and diagnostic value as in a prone position. In the prone position, the lesion dimensions are overestimated with a higher wash-in peak than in the supine position.
Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Colon Cancer
Authors: Roth Marc , Eng Cathy
Published: August 2020

Early stage colon cancer is typically managed with surgical resection, although not all patients experience a durable remission. Adjuvant chemotherapy with a fluoropyrimidine, with or without oxaliplatin, is commonly utilized to increase the chance of cure, but its efficacy in the neoadjuvant setting is not well established. Preoperative chemotherapy has demonstrated safety and efficacy in other gastrointestinal malignancies, but there is a paucity of data from large, prospective randomized trials, although multiple are ongoing. In this review, we will discuss the theoretical risks and benefits, logistical difficulties, and available safety and efficacy data pertaining to the use of chemotherapy in locally advanced colon cancer.
Detection of Oral Dysplastic and Early Cancerous Lesions by Polarization-Sensitive Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Chen Ping-Hsien , Lee Hung-Yi , Chen Yi-Fen , Yeh Yi-Chen , Chang Kuo-Wei , Hou Ming-Chih , Kuo Wen-Chuan
Published: August 2020

Detection of oral dysplastic and early-stage cancerous lesions is difficult with the current tools. Half of oral cancers are diagnosed in a late stage. Detection of early stromal change to predict malignant transformation is a new direction in the diagnosis of early-stage oral cancer. The application of new optical tools to image stroma in vivo is under investigation, and polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) is potentially one of those tools. This is a preliminary study to sequentially image oral stromal changes from normal, hyperplasia, and dysplasia to early-stage cancer by PS-OCT in vivo. We used 4-Nitroquinoline-1-oxide drinking water to induce dysplasia and early-stage oral cancer in 19 K14-EGFP-miR-211-GFP transgenic mice. A total of 8 normal, 12 hyperplastic, 11 dysplastic, and 4 early-stage cancerous lesions were enrolled. A new analytic process of PS-OCT imaging was proposed, called an en-face birefringence map. From the birefringence map, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive values to detect dysplasia and early-stage cancer were 100.00%, 95.00%, 93.75%, and 100.00%, respectively, and the kappa value of these images between two investigators was 0.942. The mean size of malignant lesions detected in this study is 1.66 ± 0.93 mm. This pilot animal study validates the use of PS-OCT to detect small and early-stage oral malignancy with high accuracy and consistency.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Bone Metastases in Breast Cancer: Radiotherapy, Local Approach and Systemic Therapy in a Guide for Clinicians
Authors: Marazzi Fabio , Orlandi Armando , Manfrida Stefania , Masiello Valeria , Di Leone Alba , Massaccesi Mariangela , Moschella Francesca , Franceschini Gianluca , Bria Emilio , Gambacorta Maria Antonietta , Masetti Riccardo , Tortora Giampaolo , Valentini Vincenzo
Published: August 2020

The standard care for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is systemic therapies with imbrication of focal treatment for symptoms. Recently, thanks to implementation of radiological and metabolic exams and development of new target therapies, oligometastatic and oligoprogressive settings are even more common—paving the way to a paradigm change of focal treatments role. In fact, according to immunophenotype, radiotherapy can be considered with radical intent in these settings of patients. The aim of this literature review is to analyze available clinical data on prognosis of bone metastases from breast cancer and benefits of available treatments for developing a practical guide for clinicians.
Implications of CLSPN Variants in Cellular Function and Susceptibility to Cancer
Authors: Azenha Diana , Hernandez-Perez Santiago , Martin Yuse , Viegas Marta S. , Martins Alexandra , Lopes Maria C. , Lam Eric W. -F. , Freire Raimundo , Martins Teresa C.
Published: August 2020

Claspin is a multifunctional protein that participates in physiological processes essential for cell homeostasis that are often defective in cancer, namely due to genetic changes. It is conceivable that Claspin gene (CLSPN) alterations may contribute to cancer development. Therefore, CLSPN germline alterations were characterized in sporadic and familial breast cancer and glioma samples, as well as in six cancer cell lines. Their association to cancer susceptibility and functional impact were investigated. Eight variants were identified (c.-68C>T, c.17G>A, c.1574A>G, c.2230T>C, c.2028+16G>A, c.3595-3597del, and c.3839C>T). CLSPN c.1574A>G (p.Asn525Ser) was significantly associated with breast cancer and was shown to cause partial exon skipping and decreased Claspin expression and Chk1 activation in a minigene splicing assay and in signalling experiments, respectively. CLSPN c.2028+16G>A was significantly associated with familial breast cancer and glioma, whereas c.2230T>C (p.Ser744Pro), was exclusively detected in breast cancer and glioma patients, but not in healthy controls. The remaining variants lacked a significant association with cancer. Nevertheless, the c.-68C>T promoter variant increased transcriptional activity in a luciferase assay. In conclusion, some of the CLSPN variants identified in the present study appear to modulate Claspin’s function by altering CLSPN transcription and RNA processing, as well as Chk1 activation.
Cotargeting of Mitochondrial Complex I and Bcl-2 Shows Antileukemic Activity against Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells Reliant on Oxidative Phosphorylation
Authors: Liu Fangbing , Kalpage Hasini A. , Wang Deying , Edwards Holly , Hüttemann Maik , Ma Jun , Su Yongwei , Carter Jenna , Li Xinyu , Polin Lisa , Kushner Juiwanna , Dzinic Sijana H. , White Kathryn , Wang Guan , Taub Jeffrey W. , Ge Yubin
Published: August 2020

Targeting oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) is a promising strategy to improve treatment outcomes of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. IACS-010759 is a mitochondrial complex I inhibitor that has demonstrated preclinical antileukemic activity and is being tested in Phase I clinical trials. However, complex I deficiency has been reported to inhibit apoptotic cell death through prevention of cytochrome c release. Thus, combining IACS-010759 with a BH3 mimetic may overcome this mechanism of resistance leading to synergistic antileukemic activity against AML. In this study, we show that IACS-010759 and venetoclax synergistically induce apoptosis in OXPHOS-reliant AML cell lines and primary patient samples and cooperatively target leukemia progenitor cells. In a relatively OXPHOS-reliant AML cell line derived xenograft mouse model, IACS-010759 treatment significantly prolonged survival, which was further enhanced by treatment with IACS-010759 in combination with venetoclax. Consistent with our hypothesis, IACS-010759 treatment indeed retained cytochrome c in mitochondria, which was completely abolished by venetoclax, resulting in Bak/Bax- and caspase-dependent apoptosis. Our preclinical data provide a rationale for further development of the combination of IACS-010759 and venetoclax for the treatment of patients with AML.
Midkine Is a Potential Therapeutic Target of Tumorigenesis, Angiogenesis, and Metastasis in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Shin Dong Hoon , Jo Jeong Yeon , Kim Sun Ha , Choi Minyoung , Han Chungyong , Choi Beom K. , Kim Sang Soo
Published: August 2020

Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) induced by reduced O2 availability activate the transcription of target genes encoding proteins that play important roles in communication between cancer and stromal cells. Cancer cells were incubated under hypoxic conditions: H1299, A549 (NSCLC); Hep3B, HepG2 (HCC); HCT116, CT26 (Colon cancer); MCF-7, MDAMB231 (Breast cancer); MKN1, MKN5 (Gastric cancer); U87MG, SHSY5Y (Brain cancer); and SKOV3, SNU840 (Ovary cancer). All cells expressed HIF-1α and HIF-2α mRNA and proteins. However, cell proliferation of NSCLC, breast, gastric, and brain cancer cells under hypoxia was more dependent on HIF-1α except for HCC cells where it was more dependent on HIF-2α. Among HIF-1α dependent cells H1299 was the most affected in terms of cell proliferation by HIF-1α knockdown. To examine which cytokines are secreted in NSCLC cells by HIF-1α to communicate with stromal cells, we performed a cytokine-profiling array with H1299. We screened the top 14 cytokines which were dependent on the HIF-1α expression pattern. Among them, midkine (MDK) expression was affected the most in response to HIF-1α. MDK is a heparin-binding growth factor that promotes angiogenesis and carcinogenesis. Indeed, MDK significantly increased HUVEV endothelial cell migration and neo- vascularization in chick chorioallantoic membrane assay (CAM) assay via paracrine signaling. In addition, MDK secreted from NSCLC cells interacted with Notch2 which activated the Notch signaling pathway and induced EMT, upregulated NF-κB, and increased cancer promotion. However, in response to MDK knock down, siRNA or the MDK inhibitor, iMDK treatment not only decreased MDK-induced migration and angiogenesis of endothelial cells but also abrogated the progression and metastasis of NSCLC cells in in vitro and in vivo orthotopic and spontaneous lung metastasis models. Consequently, iMDK treatment significantly increased mice survival rates compared with the control or MDK expression group. MDK plays a very important role in the progression and metastasis of NSCLC cells. Moreover, the MDK targeting strategy provides a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of MDK-expressing lung cancers.
Phosphorus Feast and Famine in Cyanobacteria: Is Luxury Uptake of the Nutrient Just a Consequence of Acclimation to Its Shortage?
Authors: Solovchenko Alexei , Gorelova Olga , Karpova Olga , Selyakh Irina , Semenova Larisa , Chivkunova Olga , Baulina Olga , Vinogradova Elizaveta , Pugacheva Tatiana , Scherbakov Pavel , Vasilieva Svetlana , Lukyanov Alexandr , Lobakova Elena
Published: August 2020

To cope with fluctuating phosphorus (P) availability, cyanobacteria developed diverse acclimations, including luxury P uptake (LPU)—taking up P in excess of the current metabolic demand. LPU is underexplored, despite its importance for nutrient-driven rearrangements in aquatic ecosystems. We studied the LPU after the refeeding of P-deprived cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. PCC 7118 with inorganic phosphate (Pi), including the kinetics of Pi uptake, turnover of polyphosphate, cell ultrastructure, and gene expression. The P-deprived cells deployed acclimations to P shortage (reduction of photosynthetic apparatus and mobilization of cell P reserves). The P-starved cells capable of LPU exhibited a biphasic kinetic of the Pi uptake and polyphosphate formation. The first (fast) phase (1–2 h after Pi refeeding) occurred independently of light and temperature. It was accompanied by a transient accumulation of polyphosphate, still upregulated genes encoding high-affinity Pi transporters, and an ATP-dependent polyphosphate kinase. During the second (slow) phase, recovery from P starvation was accompanied by the downregulation of these genes. Our study revealed no specific acclimation to ample P conditions in Nostoc sp. PCC 7118. We conclude that the observed LPU phenomenon does not likely result from the activation of a mechanism specific for ample P conditions. On the contrary, it stems from slow disengagement of the low-P responses after the abrupt transition from low-P to ample P conditions.
Loganin Attenuates High Glucose-Induced Schwann Cells Pyroptosis by Inhibiting ROS Generation and NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation
Authors: Cheng Yu-Chi , Chu Li-Wen , Chen Jun-Yih , Hsieh Su-Ling , Chang Yu-Chin , Dai Zen-Kong , Wu Bin-Nan
Published: August 2020

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is caused by hyperglycemia, which induces oxidative stress and inflammatory responses that damage nerve tissue. Excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation trigger the inflammation and pyroptosis in diabetes. Schwann cell dysfunction further promotes DPN progression. Loganin has been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory neuroprotective activities. This study evaluated the neuroprotective effect of loganin on high-glucose (25 mM)-induced rat Schwann cell line RSC96 injury, a recognized in vitro cell model of DPN. RSC96 cells were pretreated with loganin (0.1, 1, 10, 25, 50 μM) before exposure to high glucose. Loganin’s effects were examined by CCK-8 assay, ROS assay, cell death assay, immunofluorescence staining, quantitative RT–PCR and western blot. High-glucose-treated RSC96 cells sustained cell viability loss, ROS generation, NF-κB nuclear translocation, P2 × 7 purinergic receptor and TXNIP (thioredoxin-interacting protein) expression, NLRP3 inflammasome (NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1) activation, IL-1β and IL-18 maturation and gasdermin D cleavage. Those effects were reduced by loganin pretreatment. In conclusion, we found that loganin’s antioxidant effects prevent RSC96 Schwann cell pyroptosis by inhibiting ROS generation and suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation.
Factors Influencing Sense of Coherence: Family Relationships, High School Life and Autism Spectrum Tendency
Authors: Omiya Tomoko , Deguchi Naoko , Togari Taisuke , Yamazaki Yoshihiko
Published: August 2020

Adolescence is marked by significant life stress. Recently, school refusal and dropouts as well as suicide among Japanese adolescents have increased. Sense of coherence (SOC) is recognized as a competency that helps people deal with stress. The purpose of this study was to examine the factors influencing SOC in male and female high school students. We conducted a survey with 203 pairs of high school students and their mothers, in Tokyo, to explore their SOC, family relationships, school belonging, and autistic traits. Analysis of the data revealed a weak relationship between female students’ SOC and that of their mothers, and no relationship between male students’ SOC and their mothers’ SOC. Feelings of acceptance and recognition from teachers improved students’ SOC, irrespective of gender. Low SOC in mothers had a negative impact on female students’ SOC, and children’s lack of imagination (an autism spectrum tendency) had a negative impact on male students’ SOC. This study revealed the importance of support at home and school according to the needs of both genders.
Does Participation in Sports Influence the Prevalence of and Initiation into Multiple Substance Misuse in Adolescence? A Two-Year Prospective Analysis
Authors: Zenic Natasa , Rezic Martina , Zovko Ivana Cerkez , Vlahovic Hrvoje , Sattler Tine
Published: August 2020

Concurrent smoking and harmful drinking (CSHD) in adolescence is an important public health and social problem, while participation in sports is considered as being protective against CSHD. This study aimed to prospectively evaluate the influence of various facets of sports participation on the prevalence of and initiation into CSHD of adolescents. Participants were adolescents from southern Croatia (n = 711, 43.6% females, 16 years of age at study baseline), who were tested at baseline and at follow-up (two years later). Variables included gender, age, sports factors (participation in individual and team sports, sport experience, competitive success, intensity of involvement in sports), and CSHD. The CSHD prevalence did not increase significantly over the course of the study (from 5.6% to 7.5%, p > 0.05). Binomial logistic regression with age and gender as covariates suggested that team sports participation correlated to CSHD prevalence at baseline, and follow-up, with higher risk for CSHD among those adolescents who quit team sports (OR = 9.18 and 2.68, 95%CI = 2.04–22.26 and 1.05–6.83 for baseline and follow-up, respectively), and those never involved in team sports (OR = 9.00 and 3.70, 95%CI = 2.07–39.16 and 1.57–8.72 for baseline and follow-up, respectively). A higher risk of CSHD at baseline was seen among those adolescents who were involved in sports for longer (OR = 1.66, 95%CI = 1.16–2.38). The results are discussed in the context of the fact that the study included adolescents at the age of rigid sports selection (the transition from youth to professional-level sports). Since the majority of participants began CSHD at an earlier age, further studies in subjects of a younger age range are warranted.
Effects of TiB2 Particles Content on Microstructure, Mechanical Properties and Tribological Properties of Ni-Based Composite Coatings Reinforced with TiB2 Particles by Laser Cladding
Authors: Tang Binghui , Tan Yefa , Xu Ting , Sun Zhidan , Li Xiaotun
Published: August 2020

The effect of TiB2 particles content (10–40 wt.%) on the microstructure, mechanical properties and tribological properties of TiB2-reinforced Inconel 718 alloy composite coatings by laser cladding was investigated. From the perspective of solidification thermodynamics and dynamics, when the TiB2 particles content increases from 10 to 30 wt.%, the cooling rate increases for the increase in thermal conductivity and thermal diffusion coefficient, leading to the decrease in dendrite size, and the uniformity of TiB2 particles becomes better for the decrease in the critical capture speed of the solid–liquid interface, causing the improvement of microhardness and tribological properties. However, when the TiB2 particles content is too high (40 wt.%), the cooling rate decreases for the increase in heat released by solidification, so the dendrite size increases, and the Marangoni convection is too weak to drive the rearrangement of TiB2 particles, leading to the heterogeneous microstructure, large fluctuation of microhardness and the deterioration of tribological properties. When the TiB2 particles content is 30 wt.%, the composite coating has the finest and densest dendrites and evenly distributed TiB2 particles, the bonding strength is as high as 1.714 GPa, the microhardness is up to 844.33 HV0.2, which is 2.98 times that of Inconel 718 alloy coating, and the friction coefficient and the wear rate are 0.355 and 9.12 × 10−7 g/(N·m), which are 22.99% and 83.86% lower than those of the Inconel 718 alloy coating.
Improving the Adsorption Performance of Loofah Sponge towards Methylene Blue by Coating Ca2+ Crosslinked Sodium Alginate Layers on Its Fiber Surface
Authors: Qiang Xiaohu , Guo Xin , Quan Qiling , Su Hongxi , Huang Dajian
Published: August 2020

In this study, natural polymer sodium alginate (SA) was covered with high active carboxyl groups on the loofah sponge (LS) fiber surface to improve the adsorption ability of LS. The SA was covered on the LS fiber surface (LS@SA) through simple soaking in SA solution and then in situ hardening in Ca2+ solution. The influence of SA consistency on the SA loading ratio was estimated. The obtained LS@SA adsorbents were employed to absorb methylene blue (MB) from the water. The effects of various experimental parameters on the adsorption capacity of the LS@SA adsorbents were studied using a batch adsorption technique. Results indicated that the SA was successfully covered on the LS fiber surface and the SA loading rate increased with increasing SA concentration. The SA layer covering the LS fiber surface provided the LS@SA adsorbents with higher adsorption capacity towards MB than the original LS due to the high density of carboxyl groups on the SA molecular chain. In the adsorption process, the LS@SA adsorbents were pH dependent. The results also indicate that the LS@SA adsorbents have better reusability.
Is a COVID-19 Second Wave Possible in Emilia-Romagna (Italy)? Forecasting a Future Outbreak with Particulate Pollution and Machine Learning
Authors: Mirri Silvia , Delnevo Giovanni , Roccetti Marco
Published: August 2020

The Nobel laureate Niels Bohr once said that: “Predictions are very difficult, especially if they are about the future”. Nonetheless, models that can forecast future COVID-19 outbreaks are receiving special attention by policymakers and health authorities, with the aim of putting in place control measures before the infections begin to increase. Nonetheless, two main problems emerge. First, there is no a general agreement on which kind of data should be registered for judging on the resurgence of the virus (e.g., infections, deaths, percentage of hospitalizations, reports from clinicians, signals from social media). Not only this, but all these data also suffer from common defects, linked to their reporting delays and to the uncertainties in the collection process. Second, the complex nature of COVID-19 outbreaks makes it difficult to understand if traditional epidemiological models, such as susceptible, infectious, or recovered (SIR), are more effective for a timely prediction of an outbreak than alternative computational models. Well aware of the complexity of this forecasting problem, we propose here an innovative metric for predicting COVID-19 diffusion based on the hypothesis that a relation exists between the spread of the virus and the presence in the air of particulate pollutants, such as PM2.5, PM10, and NO2. Drawing on the recent assumption of 239 experts who claimed that this virus can be airborne, and further considering that particulate matter may favor this airborne route, we developed a machine learning (ML) model that has been instructed with: (i) all the COVID-19 infections that occurred in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, one of the most polluted areas in Europe, in the period of February–July 2020, (ii) the daily values of all the particulates taken in the same period and in the same region, and finally (iii) the chronology according to which restrictions were imposed by the Italian Government to human activities. Our ML model was then subjected to a classic ten-fold cross-validation procedure that returned a promising 90% accuracy value. Finally, the model was used to predict a possible resurgence of the virus in all the nine provinces of Emilia-Romagna, in the period of September–December 2020. To make those predictions, input to our ML model were the daily measurements of the aforementioned pollutants registered in the periods of September–December 2017/2018/2019, along with the hypothesis that the mild containment measures taken in Italy in the so-called Phase 3 are obeyed. At the time we write this article, we cannot have a confirmation of the precision of our predictions. Nevertheless, we are projecting a scenario based on an original hypothesis that makes our COVID-19 prediction model unique in the world. Its accuracy will be soon judged by history—and this, too, is science at the service of society.
Terahertz Birefringence and Dichroism of KTA Crystal
Authors: Huang Jingguo , Li Yang , Gao Yanqing , Huang Zhiming , Nikolaev Nazar , Mamrashev Alexander , Lanskii Grigory , Andreev Yury
Published: August 2020

For the first time, we present the spectra of all three components of the refractive index and absorption coefficient of the KTiOAsO4 (KTA) crystal measured by the means of terahertz time-domain spectroscopy in the range of 0.3–2.1 THz. The dispersion of the refractive index is approximated and presented in the form of the Sellmeier equation. We observe a large birefringence ΔnZ-X ≈ 0.76 and dichroism which is attributed to a strong absorption peak in the vicinity of ~1.23–1.25 THz for the Z-axis. However, the crystal can be considered as almost uniaxial due to a close value of nX and nY as well as αX ≈ αY in the region below 0.5 THz. Moreover, KTA crystals can satisfy the phase-matching condition in principal XZ-plane for THz emission on difference frequency generation mechanism. Therefore, the crystal could be considered as an efficient candidate for terahertz wave generator under intense laser pump.
Applications of Gene Expression Programming and Regression Techniques for Estimating Compressive Strength of Bagasse Ash based Concrete
Authors: Javed Muhammad Faisal , Amin Muhammad Nasir , Shah Muhammad Izhar , Khan Kaffayatullah , Iftikhar Bawar , Farooq Furqan , Aslam Fahid , Alyousef Rayed , Alabduljabbar Hisham
Published: August 2020

Compressive strength is one of the important property of concrete and depends on many factors. Most of the concrete compressive strength predictive models mainly rely on available literature data, which are too simple to consider all the contributing factors. This study adopted a new approach to predict the compressive strength of sugarcane bagasse ash concrete (SCBAC). A vast amount of data from the literature study and fifteen laboratory tested concrete samples with different dosage of bagasse ash, were respectively used to calibrate and validate the models. The novel Gene Expression Programming, Multiple Linear Regression and Multiple Non-Linear Regression were used to model SCBAC compressive strength. The water cement ratio, bagasse ash percent replacement, quantity of fine and coarse aggregate and cement content were used as an input for models development. Various statistical indicators, i.e., NSE, R2 and RMSE were used to assess the performance of the models. The results indicated a strong correlation between observed and predicted values with NSE and R2 both above 0.8 during calibration and validation for the Gene Expression Programming (GEP). The outcomes from GEP outclassed all the models to predict SCBAC compressive strength. The validity of the model is further verified using data of fifteen tests conducted in the laboratory. Moreover, the cement content in the mix was revealed as the most sensitive parameter followed by water cement ratio form sensitivity analysis. The GEP fulfilled all the criteria for external validity. The simple formulae derived in this study could be used reliably for the prediction of SCBAC compressive strength.
The Permeability of Natural versus Anthropogenic Forest Edges Modulates the Abundance of Ground Beetles of Different Dispersal Power and Habitat Affinity
Authors: Magura Tibor , Lövei Gábor L.
Published: August 2020

Forest edges are formed by natural or anthropogenic processes and their maintaining processes cause fundamentally different edge responses. We evaluated the published evidence on the effect of various edges on the abundance of ground beetles of different habitat affinity and dispersal power. Our results, based on 23 publications and 86 species, showed that natural forest edges were impenetrable for open-habitat species with high dispersal power, preventing their influx into the forest interiors, while forest specialist species of limited dispersal power penetrated and reached abundances comparable to those in forest interiors. Anthropogenic edges, maintained by continued disturbance were permeable by macropterous open-habitat species, allowing them to invade the forest interiors, while such edges (except the forestry-induced ones) deterred brachypterous forest specialists. Different permeability of forest edges with various maintaining processes can affect ecosystem functions and services, therefore the preservation and restoration of natural forest edges are key issues in both forest ecology and nature conservation.
Platelet-Derived Microparticles Bearing PF4 and Anti-GAGS Immunoglobulins in Patients with Sepsis
Authors: Sartori Maria Teresa , Zurlo Chiara , Bon Maria , Bertomoro Antonella , Bendo Raffaele , Bertozzi Irene , Radu Claudia Maria , Campello Elena , Simioni Paolo , Fabris Fabrizio
Published: August 2020

PF4 is a megakaryocyte-derived cationic chemokine that plays a part in innate immunity through its activity on the macrophages. In bacterial sepsis, PF4 binds to glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) on the surface of aerobic bacteria, giving rise to an antigenic complex that induces the early formation of anti-PF4 IgG-IgA-IgM. This triggers the immune response in patients receiving heparin therapy who develop heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). These antibodies have also been identified in patients with chronic Gram-negative infections. Given the complexity of this innate immune response network, our study on 45 patients with sepsis focused on the immune response mediated by platelet PF4. We analyzed the role of IgG-IgA-IgM against PF4-GAGs, and the presence of specific PF4-bearing platelet microparticles (PMPs). Anti-GAGs/PF4 IgG-IgA-IgM levels were significantly higher in septic patients than in control groups (healthy controls or acute patients without sepsis, p < 0.001). PF4-bearing PMP levels were only significantly higher in septic patients (p < 0.001). The occurrence of IgG-IgA-IgM against PF4-GAGs and PF4+ PMPs correlated with an improvement in patients’ sepsis. In conclusion, we demonstrated that, in the course of bacterial sepsis, platelet activation leads to the formation of specific PF4-bearing PMPs. These specific microparticles bind to polyanionic sequences on the surface of aerobic bacteria, giving rise to an antigenic complex that induces the early formation of IgG-IgA-IgM against PF4-GAGs as an innate immune response to infection.
Clinical Remission in a 72-Year-Old Patient with a Massive Primary Cutaneous Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma-NOS of the Eyelid, Following Combination Chemotherapy with Etoposide Plus COP
Authors: Iluta Sabina , Termure Dragos-Alexandru , Petrushev Bobe , Fetica Bogdan , Badea Mindra-Eugenia , Moldovan-Lazar Madalina , Lenghel Manuela , Csutak Csaba , Roman Andrei , Pasca Sergiu , Zimta Alina-Andreea , Jitaru Ciprian , Tomuleasa Ciprian , Roman Rares-Calin
Published: August 2020

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS) is the rarest subtype of primary cutaneous lymphoma, accounting for approximately 2% of cutaneous lymphomas. The rarity of primary cutaneous PTCL-NOS means that there is a paucity of data regarding clinical and histopathological features and its clinical course. This malignancy is an aggressive and life-threatening hematological malignancy that often presents mimicking other less severe plaque-like skin conditions. Due to the nonspecific nature of these lesions, CD4-positive cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is often misdiagnosed as either mycosis fungoides or Sezary syndrome. We describe a patient who presented with a large tumoral mass in the right frontal area, with involvement of the right upper eyelid and the ocular globe, causing loss of vision greatly impacting the quality of life. Biopsy revealed primary cutaneous PTCL-NOS, treated successfully with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) plus etoposide combination chemotherapy. As elderly patients are indicated to receive attenuated doses of chemotherapy, CHOP-based regimens represent viable options.
Averaged Optimization and Finite-Time Thermodynamics
Authors: Tsirlin Anatoly , Sukin Ivan
Published: August 2020

The paper considers typical extremum problems that contain mean values of control variables or some functions of these variables. Relationships between such problems and cyclic modes of dynamical systems are explained and optimality conditions for these modes are found. The paper shows how these problems are linked to the field of finite-time thermodynamics.
Development of Military Spending Determinants in Baltic Countries—Empirical Analysis
Authors: Odehnal Jakub , Neubauer Jiří , Dyčka Lukáš , Ambler Tereza
Published: August 2020

The article presents the use of the ARDL model to identify military expenditure determinants of the Baltic States (Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia). Factors influencing military expenditure include the variables characterizing the economic environment of the analyzed countries (GDP per Capita, Government Deficit/Surplus, General Government Gross Debt, Inflation), and the security environment measured by Risk of Foreign Pressures, Risk of Cross-border Conflict, and Democratic Accountability. General conclusions about the analysis of relationships between the military expenditure level and selected economics and security determinants were confirmed in the cases of Government Deficit/Surplus, GDP per Capita and Inflation. The results, therefore, indicate that the military expenditure of Estonia and Lithuania depended on the state budget deficit where military expenditure tended to go down in relation to an increasing deficit within the assessed period. As far as Estonia is concerned, the findings about relationship between the economic position and military expenditure was validated as an increasing economic performance tended to increase military expenditure.
Series Arc Fault Detection Method Based on Category Recognition and Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Han Xiangyu , Li Dingkang , Huang Lizong , Huang Hanqing , Yang Jin , Zhang Yilei , Wu Xuewei , Lu Qiwei
Published: August 2020

The influence of a series arc on line current is different with different loads, which makes it difficult to accurately extract arc fault characteristics suitable for all loads according to line current signal. To improve the accuracy of arc fault detection, a series arc fault detection method based on category recognition and an artificial neural network is proposed on the basis of analyzing the current characteristics of arc faults under different loads. According to the waveform of current and voltage, the load is divided into three types: Resistive category (Re), resistive-inductive category (RI), and rectifying circuit with a capacitive filter category (RCCF). Based on the wavelet transform, the characteristics of line current in the time domain and frequency domain when the series arc occurs under different types of loads are analyzed, and then the time and frequency indicators are taken as the inputs of the artificial neural network to establish three-layer neural networks corresponding to three types of loads to realize the detection of the series arc fault of lines under different categories of loads. To avoid the neural network falling into a local optimum, the initial weight and threshold of the neural network are optimized by a genetic algorithm, which further improves the accuracy of the neural network in arc identification. The experimental results show that the proposed arc detection method has the advantages of high recognition rate and a simple neural network model.
Pose Recognition of 3D Human Shapes via Multi-View CNN with Ordered View Feature Fusion
Authors: Wang Hui , He Peng , Li Nannan , Cao Junjie
Published: August 2020

Rapid pose classification and pose retrieval in 3D human datasets are important problems in shape analysis. In this paper, we extend the Multi-View Convolutional Neural Network (MVCNN) with ordered view feature fusion for orientation-aware 3D human pose classification and retrieval. Firstly, we combine each learned view feature in an orderly manner to form a compact representation for orientation-aware pose classification. Secondly, for pose retrieval, the Siamese network is adopted to learn descriptor vectors, where their L2 distances are close for pairs of shapes with the same poses and are far away for pairs of shapes with different poses. Furthermore, we also construct a larger 3D Human Pose Recognition Dataset (HPRD) consisting of 100,000 shapes for the evaluation of pose classification and retrieval. Experiments and comparisons demonstrate that our method obtains better results than previous works of pose classification and retrieval on the 3D human datasets, such as SHREC’14, FAUST, and HPRD.