bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Disparity in the risk of exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust among non-manual and manual employees in the construction industry
Authors: Fluck Ben , Mahdjoubi Lamine , Fluck David , Fry Christopher H. , Han Thang S.
Published: July 2021

Construction workers are at increased health risk due to exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust. We examined differences in health risk among non-manual and manual employees in the construction industry. The participants were drawn randomly from the construction industry by targeting UK construction workers’ websites. Online survey of construction industry employees using a questionnaire consisted of 17 items to obtain information on demographic data, employment history and health risk exposure. Chi-squared tests were used to explore differences in health risk between manual and non-manual employees, and logistic regression to determine the risk of adverse events in manual workers. Of the 47 employees invited, 45 completed the questionnaire (95% response rate). Seventeen were non-manual (professional, project managers and managers) and 28 were manual employees (tradesmen and construction workers). There was a significantly higher percentage of non-manual employees below 45 years than older group (70.6% vs 39.3%; χ2 = 4.2, p = 0.039) and they worked less than 20 years than those working longer (82.4% vs 32.1%; χ2 = 10.7, p = 0.001). Compared to non-manual workers, manual workers were more likely to work >20 years: OR = 2.2 (95% CI = 1.3–3.6); be exposed to RCS dust and smoke: unadjusted OR = 1.8 (1.1–3.1), age and length of time working in construction industry adjusted OR = 2.2(1.2–4.2); and have breathing problems: unadjusted OR = 3.9 (1.5–10.4), age, smoking and length of time working in construction industry adjusted OR = 3.7 (1.1–12.5). The risk of breathing problems was increased among individuals working more than 20 years: OR = 4.8 (1.2–18.6), exposed to dust and smoking: unadjusted OR = 3.8 (1.0–14.1), age and length of time working in construction industry adjusted OR = 5.4 (1.2–24.4), whilst those with adequate information on health hazards were associated with lower risk of breathing problems. There is an increased risk of exposure to RCS dust and pulmonary symptoms among manual employees in the construction industry. Further efforts are required to provide greater protection for this group of workers to reduce their health risk.
Conversion Between Cubic Bezier Curves and Catmull–Rom Splines
Authors: Tayebi Arasteh Soroosh , Kalisz Adam
Published: July 2021

Splines are one of the main methods of mathematically representing complicated shapes, which have become the primary technique in the fields of Computer Graphics (CG) and Computer-Aided Geometric Design (CAGD) for modeling complex surfaces. Among all, Bézier and Catmull–Rom splines are the most common in the sub-fields of engineering. In this paper, we focus on conversion between cubic Bézier and Catmull–Rom curve segments, rather than going through their properties. By deriving the conversion equations, we aim at converting the original set of the control points of either of the Catmull–Rom or Bézier cubic curves to a new set of control points, which corresponds to approximately the same shape as the original curve, when considered as the set of the control points of the other curve. Due to providing simple linear transformations of control points, the method is very simple, efficient, and easy to implement, which is further validated in this paper using some numerical and visual examples.
From computer ethics and the ethics of AI towards an ethics of digital ecosystems
Authors: Stahl Bernd Carsten
Published: July 2021

Ethical, social and human rights aspects of computing technologies have been discussed since the inception of these technologies. In the 1980s, this led to the development of a discourse often referred to as computer ethics. More recently, since the middle of the 2010s, a highly visible discourse on the ethics of artificial intelligence (AI) has developed. This paper discusses the relationship between these two discourses and compares their scopes, the topics and issues they cover, their theoretical basis and reference disciplines, the solutions and mitigations options they propose and their societal impact. The paper argues that an understanding of the similarities and differences of the discourses can benefit the respective discourses individually. More importantly, by reviewing them, one can draw conclusions about relevant features of the next discourse, the one we can reasonably expect to follow after the ethics of AI. The paper suggests that instead of focusing on a technical artefact such as computers or AI, one should focus on the fact that ethical and related issues arise in the context of socio-technical systems. Drawing on the metaphor of ecosystems which is widely applied to digital technologies, it suggests preparing for a discussion of the ethics of digital ecosystems. Such a discussion can build on and benefit from a more detailed understanding of its predecessors in computer ethics and the ethics of AI.
The delay, symptoms, and survival of Ivorian adolescent girls and young adults with uterine cervical cancer
Authors: Aka Edele Kacou , Horo Apollinaire , Fanny Mohamed , Koffi Abdoul , Olou Luc , Konan Perel , Toure-Ecra Ana , Kone Mamourou
Published: July 2021

Objective

To generate data on the nature and duration of cervical cancer symptoms, risk factors for delayed consultation, and diagnosis of adolescent and young adult groups in Côte d'Ivoire.

Methods

This is a hospital-based cross-sectional study, conducted from July 2012 to May 2018, at the Department of Gynecology of the Yopougon teaching hospital in Cote d’Ivoire. The inclusion criteria were those who were under 40 years of age at the time of diagnosis with oral and written consent. Those whose information was more than 10% insufficient for the standards were excluded from the study. The survey files standardized anonymous pre-established data collected using medical records followed by phone calls.

Results

The average age of the participants was 34±4.95 years with a minimum of 21 years. The mean parity per woman was 3.49 ± 3.54. 34.9% were HIV positive. The median patient delay was 122 days with a long delay in 84.62% of patients. The median time to total diagnosis was 209 days with a longer total delay in diagnosis of 87.18%. 41% of patients honored their treatment, 68.75% of which had received surgery, and 31.25% of which had received chemotherapy. The 5-year survival rate was 65%.

Conclusion

The Ivorian health system must focus on primary and secondary prevention, the only guarantee to decrease the morbidity and mortality indicators linked to cervical cancer.
Inclusive Business Models
Authors: Mukherji Sourav
Published: July 2021

Inclusive Business Models talks about organizations that employ principles of business to address the needs of the poor. It takes an analytical approach to derive insights about business models by comparison with other inclusive models seen within the same sector and through comparisons with models from a different sector. This cross sector comparison, especially with a number of case studies, would enable readers to cumulate their learning, and act as a guide to management students, practicing managers and entrepreneurs for understanding and analyzing any business model that intends or claims to be inclusive. This book is beneficial for students of entrepreneurship, social enterprises and human resource management. Sections of this book would be relevant for courses on social enterprises, developmental economics and inclusive business models taught globally, given that India today has emerged as a hotbed of experiments and innovations to deal with the problems of poverty and inequality.
The Nile
Authors: Bunbury Judith , Rowe Reim
Published: July 2021

The ancient Egyptian kingdoms, at their greatest extent, stretched more than 2000 kilometres along the Nile and passed through diverse habitats. In the north, the Nile traversed the Mediterranean coast and the Delta, while further south a thread of cultivation along the Nile Valley passed through the vast desert of the Sahara. As global climate and landscapes changed and evolved, the habitable parts of the kingdoms shifted. Modern studies suggest that episodes of desertification and greening swept across Egypt over periods of 1000 years. Rather than isolated events, the changes in Egypt are presented in context, often as responses to global occurrences, characterised by a constant shift of events, so although broadly historic, this narrative follows a series of habitats as they change and evolve through time.
Vernacular Rights Cultures
Authors: Madhok Sumi
Published: July 2021

Vernacular Rights Cultures offers a bold challenge to the dominant epistemologies and political practices of global human rights. It argues that decolonising global human rights calls for a serious epistemic accounting of the historically and politically specific encounters with human rights, and of the forms of world-making that underpin the stakes and struggles for rights and human rights around the globe. Through combining ethnographic investigations with political theory and philosophy, it goes beyond critiquing the Eurocentrism of global human rights, in order to document and examine the different political imaginaries, critical conceptual vocabularies, and gendered political struggles for rights and justice that animate subaltern mobilisations in 'most of the world'. Vernacular Rights Cultures demonstrates that these subaltern struggles call into being different and radical ideas of justice, politics and citizenship, and open up different possibilities and futures for human rights.
Evidence for the Disproportionation of Iron in a Eucrite Meteorite: Implications for Impact Processes on Vesta
Authors: Guo Zhuang , Li Yang , Chen Hongyi , Zhang Mingming , Wu Yanxue , Hui Bo , Liu Shen , Coulson Ian M. , Li Shijie , Li Xiongyao , Liu Jianzhong , Ouyang Ziyuan
Published: July 2021

Pure metallic iron is a common component in extraterrestrial samples (e.g., ordinary chondrite, returned lunar samples), and is thought to be an indicator of extremely reducing conditions. However, tiny pure metallic iron (<1 mm) particles are rarely found in Howardite–Eucrite–Diogenite meteorites, and their formation mechanism on Vesta is poorly understood. Sub‐micron sized pure metallic iron particles were identified by transmission electron microscope studies of a melt pocket in the basaltic eucrite meteorite Northwest Africa 11592. Our results demonstrate that the pure metallic iron likely formed through a dissociation reaction of ferrous iron (i.e., 3Fe2+ = Fe0 + 2Fe3+) in pyroxene. Another disproportionation reaction product, ferric iron, was confirmed to be incorporated into Al‐rich clinopyroxene in the melt pocket by electron energy loss spectra analyses. The temperature conditions required for the formation of the melt pocket are estimated to be above 1,310°C, as indicated by the crystallization of nano‐sized hercynite within acicular plagioclase. Such high temperatures on Vesta could only have been reached if an impact occurred during peak thermal metamorphism, early in the asteroid's evolution. This formation mechanism of these pure metallic iron particles could play a role in redox environment of the Vesta.
Modulation of Snow on the Daily Evolution of Surface Heating Over the Tibetan Plateau During Winter: Observational Analyses
Authors: Xin Yufei , Liu Ge , Chen Yueli
Published: July 2021

Studying the daily evolution of turbulent fluxes modulated by snowfall over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) is of great importance to understand the features of the change in the TP heat source/sink and its contribution to Asian atmospheric circulation and weather processes. However, the lack of data over the TP restricts the detailed studies. Based on observations from four sites of the Third TP Atmospheric Scientific Experiment, the process of surface energy balance impacted by snow is investigated. The results show that the surface albedo largely increases on the first day of snow and then slowly decreases. Correspondingly, the sensible heat (H) flux sharply decreases after snow and then gradually recovers to the original level during the following approximately 10 days. The latent heat (LE) flux becomes more active and stronger after snowfall and persists for a longer period than H, since the soil moisture may still contribute to a high LE after snowmelt. As the synergistic result of H and LE modulated by snow, the surface turbulent heating (i.e., the sum H and LE) of the TP decreases at the early period of snow events and then even enhances to a higher level after the snowmelt than before snow. Comparison analyses reveal that the impact of snow on the H and LE over the TP is much stronger than over similar latitude low‐altitude regions in North America and Europe, which may be partly attributed to the larger and more drastic change of the surface net solar radiation associated with snow processes in the TP. The ERA5 and CFS reanalysis data sets fail to reproduce the modulation of snow on the heat fluxes, which suggests that the physical schemes of the models should be further improved based on the observational analyses over TP. This study may help further understand the detailed physical processes of modulation of snow events on Asian weather processes during winter and is also conducive to the improvement of surface parameterization schemes of models.
The Effects of Climate Change on Chinese Medicinal Yam Over North China Under the High‐Resolution PRECIS Projection
Authors: Fan Dongli , Jiang Zhiyu , Tian Zhan , Dong Guangtao , Sun Laixiang
Published: July 2021

The arid and semi‐arid regions are highly vulnerable to climate change and variability. Agricultural production in these regions is particularly vulnerable because of its heavy dependence on climate conditions. Therefore, it is important to improve the projections of future agro‐climatic conditions. This study investigates the changes in agroclimatic conditions for growing Chinese Medicinal Yam (CMY) in the semi‐arid North China during 2031–2050 under the Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 and 8.5 emission scenarios. It employs high‐resolution climate data provided by the regional climate model (RCM) of Providing Regional Climates for Impacts Studies (PRECIS‐2.0). The changes in CMY yield and producing area under future climate change are simulated by the Agro‐Ecological Zone model. The simulations are based on newly calibrated cultivar parameters. The results show that the high‐resolution RCM simulation corresponds better with the observations of precipitation and temperature than the general circulation model (GCM). Because of the increased temperature and precipitation, the agroclimatic conditions for CMY are going to improve. While the traditional yam production area will maintain suitable for CMY production, the CMY production areas will further expand northward in the future. The average yield will increase by 1,196 and 1,336 kg DM/ha under RCP 4.5 and 8.5 emission scenarios, respectively.
Simulating 195 Million Years of Global Climate in the Mesozoic
Authors: Lee Jack
Published: July 2021

An ensemble of climate simulations identifies factors that drove long-term trends of a prehistoric greenhouse climate.
Global Induced Stress Field From Large Earthquakes Since 1900 and Chained Earthquake Occurrence
Authors: Lee Junhyung , Hong Tae‐Kyung
Published: July 2021

Megathrust earthquake occurrence is dependent on the physical properties and stress environments of convergent plate boundaries. Local and regional earthquakes may modulate the stress environment fractionally that affects the nucleation of next earthquakes. This study investigates the influence of precedent earthquakes on the induction of forthcoming earthquakes around the circum‐Pacific plate boundaries. We assess the global stress perturbation induced by 1,636 earthquakes combining 1,457 earthquakes with moment magnitudes greater than or equal to7.0 and 179 earthquakes with moment magnitudes6.4–6.9 in 1900–2020. We stack the induced Coulomb stress changes for optimally oriented reverse faults. The circum‐Pacific region is divided by eight subregions. The cumulative Coulomb stress changes reach up to the order of tens to hundreds of bar at the convergent plate boundaries. Descendant large earthquakes dominantly occurred in the regions with large lateral gradients of cumulative Coulomb stress changes induced by precedent earthquakes. The cumulative Coulomb stress changes for 120 years are comparable among subduction zones. The seismicity in subduction zones may depend on the strength of the stress field as well as the lateral gradient in the stress field. The instability and inhomogeneity in stress fields may play a major role in the nucleation of megathrust earthquakes.
Heat Safety in the Workplace: Modified Delphi Consensus to Establish Strategies and Resources to Protect the US Workers
Authors: Morrissey Margaret C. , Casa Douglas J. , Brewer Gabrielle J. , Adams William M. , Hosokawa Yuri , Benjamin Courteney L. , Grundstein Andrew J. , Hostler David , McDermott Brendon P. , McQuerry Meredith L. , Stearns Rebecca L. , Filep Erica M. , DeGroot David W. , Fulcher Juley , Flouris Andreas D. , Huggins Robert A. , Jacklitsch Brenda L. , Jardine John F. , Lopez Rebecca M. , McCarthy Ronda B. , Pitsiladis Yannis , Pryor Riana R. , Schlader Zachary J. , Smith Caroline J. , Smith Denise L. , Spector June T. , Vanos Jennifer K. , Williams W. Jon , Vargas Nicole T. , Yeargin Susan W.
Published: July 2021

The purpose of this consensus document was to develop feasible, evidence‐based occupational heat safety recommendations to protect the US workers that experience heat stress. Heat safety recommendations were created to protect worker health and to avoid productivity losses associated with occupational heat stress. Recommendations were tailored to be utilized by safety managers, industrial hygienists, and the employers who bear responsibility for implementing heat safety plans. An interdisciplinary roundtable comprised of 51 experts was assembled to create a narrative review summarizing current data and gaps in knowledge within eight heat safety topics: (a) heat hygiene, (b) hydration, (c) heat acclimatization, (d) environmental monitoring, (e) physiological monitoring, (f) body cooling, (g) textiles and personal protective gear, and (h) emergency action plan implementation. The consensus‐based recommendations for each topic were created using the Delphi method and evaluated based on scientific evidence, feasibility, and clarity. The current document presents 40 occupational heat safety recommendations across all eight topics. Establishing these recommendations will help organizations and employers create effective heat safety plans for their workplaces, address factors that limit the implementation of heat safety best‐practices and protect worker health and productivity.
Polarization Reversal of Low‐Frequency Magnetic Variation in the Lunar Wake
Authors: Nakagawa Tomoko , Takahashi Futoshi , Saito Yoshifumi , Shimizu Hisayoshi
Published: July 2021

A structure of polarization of magnetic field variation in the frequency range from 0.01 to 0.3 Hz was found by Kaguya in the lunar wake. In a dawnward‐directed magnetic field, the polarization was left‐handed in the southern hemisphere and right‐handed in the northern hemisphere of the lunar wake. The sense of rotation was consistent with vortices behind an obstacle in a fast stream, although no such vortices were detected by Kaguya. The direction of magnetic field variation was predominantly perpendicular to the background magnetic field, suggesting that the waves were of shear Alfvén mode. The same polarization structure was found in rotated magnetic fields. In a selenocentric coordinate system with x axis antiparallel to the solar wind flow and the magnetic field in x‐z plane, the polarization was dependent only on y position of the spacecraft. The polarization structure was stable and unchanged in various solar wind conditions showing no preferences. It was observed in the magnetosheath as well as in the solar wind, but not in the terrestrial magnetosphere. The power density showed preferences to high‐temperature, high‐speed solar wind. The power density was higher at the wake boundary than in the center of the wake, suggesting that the magnetic fluctuations were generated at the wake boundary by ions refilling the wake, and propagate into the deep wake as shear Alfvén waves.
Analysis of the Seasonal and Interannual Variations of Air‐Sea CO2 Flux in the Chukchi Sea Using a Coupled Ocean‐Sea Ice‐Biogeochemical Model
Authors: Zheng Zijia , Luo Xiaofan , Wei Hao , Zhao Wei , Qi Di
Published: July 2021

Understanding the responses of air‐sea carbon dioxide (CO2) flux to rapid environmental changes in the highly productive Chukchi Sea is of great significance for the climate prediction in the Arctic Ocean. Through analyzing the 1998–2015 hindcast simulation of a coupled ocean–sea ice–biogeochemical model, this study identifies that the key factors influencing oceanic carbon uptake in the Chukchi Sea vary seasonally. The effects of these seasonal carbon uptakes on the total annual carbon sink vary at different timescales. The model solution suggests that the Chukchi Sea acts as a perennial carbon sink of atmospheric CO2 with the annual mean influx of −3.73 ± 3.90 mmol m−2 d−1. Quantitative analyses reveal that the sea ice concentration predominates the annual cycle of air‐sea CO2 flux, while primary production and wind speed strengthen the capacity for carbon uptake during June–July (melt season) and October–December (freeze season), respectively. The total annual carbon sink shows an increasing trend during 1998–2015 with a multi‐year average of 9.22 ± 1.93 Tg C y−1. The carbon uptakes during June–July and August–September (open water season), which are respectively regulated by primary production and open water area at interannual scale, present significant long‐term increases and jointly determine the secular increase trend of the total annual carbon sink. Interannual CO2 absorption during the freeze season is sensitive to the sea ice concentration and wind conditions, presenting the greatest year‐to‐year variation but insignificant long‐term trend, and modulates the interannual amplitude of the total annual carbon sink.
Stressors Reveal Ecosystems' Hidden Characteristics
Authors: Matheny Ashley M.
Published: July 2021

Vegetation responds dynamically to local microclimates at both short and long time scales via mechanisms ranging from physiological behaviors, such as stomatal closure, to acclimation and adaptation. These responses influence the carbon, water, and energy cycles directly and are therefore crucial to understanding and predicting Earth system responses to a changing climate. Several recent studies have demonstrated that differences in microclimate can induce structural and functional acclimations, and potentially adaptations, within the same ecosystem. Such microclimate divergence can be caused by variability in slopes, disturbance history, or even localized resource availability. Ecosystem stressors such as low soil water availability, limited photoperiod, or high vapor pressure deficit have been shown to reveal the large impact of the subtle differences within these systems such as the number of sun versus shade leaves or differences in whole‐plant water acquisition and use. These findings highlight the linkages between plant canopy structure and ecosystem function, alongside the need for comprehensive analyses of vegetation within the broader context of its environment. This commentary addresses some of the key implications of ecosystem stress responses and accompanying acclimations across three ecosystem types for ecosystem ecology, plant physiology, ecohydrology and trait‐based modeling of vegetation‐climate dynamics.
Accurate Simulation of Both Sensitivity and Variability for Amazonian Photosynthesis: Is It Too Much to Ask?
Authors: Gallup Sarah M. , Baker Ian T. , Gallup John L. , Restrepo‐Coupe Natalia , Haynes Katherine D. , Geyer Nicholas M. , Denning A. Scott
Published: July 2021

Estimates of Amazon rainforest gross primary productivity (GPP) differ by a factor of 2 across a suite of three statistical and 18 process models. This wide spread contributes uncertainty to predictions of future climate. We compare the mean and variance of GPP from these models to that of GPP at six eddy covariance (EC) towers. Only one model's mean GPP across all sites falls within a 99% confidence interval for EC GPP, and only one model matches EC variance. The strength of model response to climate drivers is related to model ability to match the seasonal pattern of the EC GPP. Models with stronger seasonal swings in GPP have stronger responses to rain, light, and temperature than does EC GPP. The model to data comparison illustrates a trade‐off inherent to deterministic models between accurate simulation of a mean (average) and accurate responsiveness to drivers. The trade‐off exists because all deterministic models simplify processes and lack at least some consequential driver or interaction. If a model's sensitivities to included drivers and their interactions are accurate, then deterministically predicted outcomes have less variability than is realistic. If a GPP model has stronger responses to climate drivers than found in data, model predictions may match the observed variance and seasonal pattern but are likely to overpredict GPP response to climate change. High or realistic variability of model estimates relative to reference data indicate that the model is hypersensitive to one or more drivers.
A Thermodynamic Analysis of the Impact of Temperature on the Capillary Pressure in Porous Media
Authors: Standnes Dag Chun , Fotland Per
Published: July 2021

A thermodynamic analysis of the capillary drainage, imbibition and hysteresis pressure in two‐phase porous media systems at different temperatures has been performed. Expressions for the work required or gained when the fluid saturations change, proportional to the capillary pressures, are presented. The expressions are determined using the criterion that changes in Helmholtz free energy equals zero at equilibrium. From these expressions, the variation of capillary drainage, imbibition and hysteresis pressures for increasing temperature are determined without calculating the actual capillary pressure values. The temperature dependency results show that the capillary drainage pressure declines with a fractional rate for increasing temperature with contribution from two terms, the air‐water interfacial tension and the entropy term, which give a total fractional reduction of −0.0082 K−1, close to the value −0.0084 K−1 found experimentally. The capillary imbibition pressure increases with a total fractional rate versus temperature equal +0.004 K−1 in line with the observation that water tables in soils are lifted upon day‐time heating. The total fractional temperature variation of the hysteresis capillary pressure term declines with a rate of −0.0143 K−1 for increasing temperature in qualitative agreement with experimental data. The results support the hypothesis that the thermodynamic approach applied under given assumptions can account for the major effects determining the temperature dependency of two‐phase capillary pressure in porous media. Furthermore, the entropy term adds an additional hysteresis term to the conventional term, even under isothermal conditions. The capillary pressure hysteresis phenomenon is therefore caused by two effects: Differences in interfacial areas including contact angle hysteresis plus the entropic contribution.
Oral health and oral health behavior in young adults with caries disease
Authors: Hagman Jennie , Wide Ulla , Werner Helene , Hakeberg Magnus
Published: July 2021

Objective

The aim of this study was to describe and analyze oral health, oral health behaviors, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in relation to the level of caries disease among caries-active young adults.

Material and methods

This study presents data from a sample of young adults (n = 135) with active caries disease who were enrolled in a clinical, randomized controlled trial. The independent variables of sociodemographics, oral health (gingivitis, plaque), oral health behaviors (such as toothbrushing, dental attendance, sugar-containing sweets and drinks), dental anxiety, self-rated oral health, and OHRQoL were collected. Multinomial logistic regression was used to simultaneously evaluate the associations between the independent variables and caries severity.

Results

Multinominal logistic regression showed that poor OHRQoL and gingivitis were associated with caries severity in a gradient fashion in accordance with caries disease activity. Also, irregular dental care and frequent consumption of sugary soda were significantly associated with very high caries severity.

Conclusions

The risk factors related to caries severity among young adults were poor OHRQoL, gingivitis, consumption of sugary soda and irregular dental care attendance, indicating the need for a combination of different interventions specifically health behavior change. Furthermore, these findings may contribute to identifying high caries-risk individuals.
ALCAP2 inhibits lung adenocarcinoma cell proliferation, migration and invasion via the ubiquitination of β-catenin by upregulating the E3 ligase NEDD4L
Authors: Zhang Weijie , Zhang Ruochen , Zeng Yuanyuan , Li Yue , Chen Yikun , Zhou Jieqi , Zhang Yang , Wang Anqi , Zhu Jianjie , Liu Zeyi , Yan Zhaowei , Huang Jian-an
Published: July 2021

Lung cancer is recognized as the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) being the predominant subtype, accounting for approximately 85% of lung cancer cases. Although great efforts have been made to treat lung cancer, no proven method has been found thus far. Considering β, β-dimethyl-acryl-alkannin (ALCAP2), a natural small-molecule compound isolated from the root of Lithospermum erythrorhizon. We found that lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) cell proliferation and metastasis can be significantly inhibited after treatment with ALCAP2 in vitro, as it can induce cell apoptosis and arrest the cell cycle. ALCAP2 also significantly suppressed the volume of tumours in mice without inducing obvious toxicity in vivo. Mechanistically, we revealed that ALCAP2-treated cells can suppress the nuclear translocation of β-catenin by upregulating the E3 ligase NEDD4L, facilitating the binding of ubiquitin to β-catenin and eventually affecting the wnt-triggered transcription of genes such as survivin, cyclin D1, and MMP9. As a result, our findings suggest that targeting the oncogene β-catenin with ALCAP2 can inhibit the proliferation and metastasis of LUAD cells, and therefore, ALCAP2 may be a new drug candidate for use in LUAD therapeutics.
TRAIL-receptor 2—a novel negative regulator of p53
Authors: Willms Anna , Schupp Hella , Poelker Michelle , Adawy Alshaimaa , Debus Jan Frederik , Hartwig Torsten , Krichel Tim , Fritsch Jürgen , Singh Steven , Walczak Henning , von Karstedt Silvia , Schäfer Heiner , Trauzold Anna
Published: July 2021

TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) receptor 2 (TRAIL-R2) can induce apoptosis in cancer cells upon crosslinking by TRAIL. However, TRAIL-R2 is highly expressed by many cancers suggesting pro-tumor functions. Indeed, TRAIL/TRAIL-R2 also activate pro-inflammatory pathways enhancing tumor cell invasion, migration, and proliferation. In addition, nuclear TRAIL-R2 (nTRAIL-R2) promotes malignancy by inhibiting miRNA let-7-maturation. Here, we show that TRAIL-R2 interacts with the tumor suppressor protein p53 in the nucleus, assigning a novel pro-tumor function to TRAIL-R2. Knockdown of TRAIL-R2 in p53 wild-type cells increases the half-life of p53 and the expression of its target genes, whereas its re-expression decreases p53 protein levels. Interestingly, TRAIL-R2 also interacts with promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML), a major regulator of p53 stability. PML-nuclear bodies are also the main sites of TRAIL-R2/p53 co-localization. Notably, knockdown or destruction of PML abolishes the TRAIL-R2-mediated regulation of p53 levels. In summary, our finding that nTRAIL-R2 facilitates p53 degradation and thereby negatively regulates p53 target gene expression provides insight into an oncogenic role of TRAIL-R2 in tumorigenesis that particularly manifests in p53 wild-type tumors.
Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.): a comprehensive review of phytochemistry, medicinal properties, and product development
Authors: Yao Peifen , Gao Yan , Simal-Gandara Jesus , Farag Mohamed A. , Chen Weijie , Yao Dongning , Delmas Dominique , Chen Zhejie , Liu Kunmeng , Hu Hao , Xiao Jianbo , Rong Xianglu , Wang Shengpeng , Hu Yuanjia , Wang Yitao
Published: July 2021

Litchi is recognized as a famous functional food for the management of various ailments. This study provides a comprehensive review of its phytochemistry, medicinal properties, and product development.
Rh(iii)-Catalyzed C(sp2)–H functionalization/cyclization cascade of N-carboxamide indole and iodonium reagents for access to indoloquinazolinone derivatives
Authors: Han Zhi-Peng , Xu Meng-Meng , Zhang Rui-Ying , Xu Xiao-Ping , Ji Shun-Jun
Published: July 2021

The sustainable synthesis of indoloquinazolinone derivatives from N-methoxycarbamoyl indoles and iodonium ylide reagents in methanol is described.
The journey of PDMS-based nanocomposites for EMI shielding applications: from bench to translational research
Authors: Sharma Devansh , Bose Suryasarathi
Published: July 2021

Diverse use of PDMS for EMI shielding application.
A rutile TiO2 nanobundle as a precursor of an efficient visible-light photocatalyst embedded with Fe2O3
Authors: Mani Durai , Tahawy Rafat , Doustkhah Esmail , Shanmugam Mahalingam , Arivanandhan Mukannan , Jayavel Ramasamy , Ide Yusuke
Published: July 2021

A rutile nanobundle was synthesized via a layered titanate’s conversion at room temperature and used as a precursor of a mesoporous rutile embedded with a tiny Fe2O3 cocatalyst to improve the visible-light photocatalytic activity.
An azo-bridged ring system enabled by-standing immobilization of a chiral diene ligand
Authors: Xue Ze-Jian , Lu Han-Yu , Fu Jian-Guo , Feng Chen-Guo , Lin Guo-Qiang
Published: July 2021

A family of 9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonadiene ligands were developed, and the nitrogen atom in the bridged ring enables a facile immobilization of diene ligands to silica.
A new hydrodynamic interpretation of liquid metal droplet motion induced by an electrocapillary phenomenon
Authors: Ye Jiao , Tan Si-Cong , Wang Lei , Liu Jing
Published: July 2021

The movement of liquid metal droplet induced by the Marangoni effect in an electric field is directly driven by viscous forces of the solution rather than interfacial tension.
Superior actuation performance and healability achieved in a transparent, highly stretchable dielectric elastomer film
Authors: Nie Run-Pan , Tang Wen-Bin , Chen Chao , Huang Hua-Dong , Li Yue , Dai Kun , Lei Jun , Li Zhong-Ming
Published: July 2021

A transparent, stretchable, and self-healable dielectric elastomer with high electromechanical properties is tolerant to various operating environments, which provides a promising strategy for fabricating multifunctional soft materials.
Reduced Gaussian process regression based random forest approach for fault diagnosis of wind energy conversion systems
Authors: Mansouri Majdi , Fezai Radhia , Trabelsi Mohamed , Nounou Hazem , Nounou Mohamed , Bouzrara Kais
Published: July 2021

This paper proposes a novel Reduced Gaussian Process Regression (RGPR)‐based Random Forest (RF) technique (RGPR‐RF) for fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) of wind energy conversion (WEC) systems. First, two RGPR models are proposed to deal with WEC features extraction and selection. The proposed RGPR models extract the most relevant information from the WEC system data while reducing the computation burden compared to the classical GPR model. The complexity reduction is ensured by the selection of the most effective samples through the dimensionality reduction (DR) metrics including Hierarchical K‐means (HKmeans) clustering and Euclidean distance (ED). Next, in order to classify the WEC faults and improve the diagnosis abilities, RF classifier is developed. The proposed RGPR‐RF and RGPR‐RF techniques boost the classification speed and accuracy using a reduced number of features where only the most relevant and sensitive characteristics are kept in case of redundancy. The open‐circuit, wear‐out, and short‐circuit are the three transistor faults considered in order to illustrate the effectiveness and robustness of the developed techniques. The obtained results show that the proposed RGPR‐RF technique is characterized by a low computation time and high diagnosis accuracy (an average accuracy of 99.9%) compared to the conventional RF classifiers.
An innovative industrial control system architecture for real‐time response, fault‐tolerant operation and seamless plant integration
Authors: Kalyvas Marios
Published: July 2021

Large‐scale infrastructure and industrial projects face schedule delays, cost overruns and performance shortfalls. One cause is the late delivery of their control systems that end up being complex and unsuited. To overcome this problem, an innovative industrial control system is proposed that can be commissioned almost effortlessly and delivered on time without functional defects in most large‐scale industrial and infrastructure construction projects, while offering high capacity (>25,000 filed devices scanning >100,000 signals) and straightforward scalability, upgradability and maintainability. Designed with a central controller and distributed sensing and actuating devices, and equipped with a cluster of servers and an Ethernet network transporting video, voice and data (>300 video and >750 voice streams), it integrates plant automation technologies with data communication techniques, allowing industrial and information technology applications to coexist and cooperate. While being tolerant to faults and fast in its response, it provides high safety integrity level (>SIL 2) and real‐time automatic reaction in repetitive stimuli or occasional events (programmable from 5 to 250 ms). In this paper, with the provided system blueprint and engineering guidelines, this novel system architecture can be built with off‐the‐shelf components seamlessly integrated in the context of Cyber Physical Systems.
Historie der idiopathischen entzündlichen
Myopathien
Authors: Reimers Carl D.
Published: July 2021

Die ersten Beschreibungen idiopathischer entzündlicher Myopathien
(Myositiden), initial durchweg Dermatomyositiden, reichen über 150 Jahre
zurück (E. L. Wagner, C E. Potain, H. Unverricht). G. Stertz vermutete
1916 erstmals einen Zusammenhang zwischen einem Malignom und einer
Dermatomyositis. Die charakteristischen Hautveränderungen und
histopathologischen Veränderungen bei den Dermatomyositiden sind schon
früh beschrieben worden, wohingegen die typischen proximalen
Extremitätenparesen in den ersten Jahrzehnten keineswegs
regelmäßig in den Beschreibungen auftauchten. Die
Behandlungsmöglichkeit mit Glukokortikoiden wurde erst vor 70 Jahren in
den U.S.A. entdeckt, eine bis heute akzeptierte Klassifikation 1977 vom
US-Amerikaner Bohan und Mitarbeitern beschrieben. Der Beitrag beschreibt die
Erstbeschreibungen der nicht infektiösen entzündlichen
Myopathien und deren Therapie.
Viral-Induced Inflammatory Coagulation Disorders: Preparing for Another Epidemic
Authors: Iba Toshiaki , Levy Jerrold H. , Levi Marcel
Published: July 2021

Several viral infectious diseases have emerged or re-emerged from wildlife vectors that have generated serious threats to global health. Increased international travel and commerce increase the risk of transmission of viral or other infectious diseases. In addition, recent climate changes accelerate the potential spread of domestic disease. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is an important example of the worldwide spread, and the current epidemic will unlikely be the last. Viral hemorrhagic fevers, such as dengue and Lassa fevers, may also have the potential to spread worldwide with a significant impact on public health with unpredictable timing. Based on the important lessons learned from COVID-19, it would be prudent to prepare for future pandemics of life-threatening viral diseases. The key concept that connect COVID-19 and viral hemorrhagic fever is the coagulation disorder. This review focuses on the coagulopathy of acute viral infections since hypercoagulability has been a major challenge in COVID-19, but represents a different presentation compared with viral hemorrhagic fever. However, both thrombosis and hemorrhage are understood as the result of thromboinflammation due to viral infections, and the role of anticoagulation is important to consider.
Transfusion in Elective Proximal Aortic Reconstruction: Where Do We Currently Stand?
Authors: Pupovac Stevan S. , Hemli Jonathan M. , Scheinerman S Jacob , Hartman Alan R. , Brinster Derek R.
Published: July 2021

Aortic procedures are associated with higher risks of bleeding, yet data regarding perioperative transfusion in this patient population are lacking. We evaluated transfusion patterns in patients undergoing proximal aortic surgery to provide a benchmark against which future standards can be assessed.

Between June 2014 and July 2017, 247 patients underwent elective aortic reconstruction for aneurysm. Patients with acute aortic syndrome, endocarditis, and/or prior cardiac surgery were excluded. Transfusion data were analyzed by type of operation: ascending aorta replacement ± aortic valve procedure (group 1, n = 122, 49.4%); aortic root replacement with a composite valve–graft conduit ± ascending aorta replacement (group 2, n = 93, 37.7%); valve-sparing aortic root replacement (VSARR) ± ascending aorta replacement (group 3, n = 32, 13.0%).

Thirty-day mortality for the entire cohort was 2.02% (5 deaths). Overall, 75 patients (30.4%) did not require any transfusion of blood or other products. Patients in groups 1 and 3 were significantly more likely to avoid transfusion than those in group 2. Mean transfusion volume for any individual patient was modest; those who underwent VSARR (group 3) required less intraoperative red blood cells (RBC) than others. Intraoperative transfusion of RBC was independently associated with an increased risk of death at 30 days.

Elective proximal aortic reconstruction can be performed without the need for excessive utilization of blood products. Composite root replacement is associated with a greater need for transfusion than either VSARR or isolated replacement of the ascending aorta.
Klippel–Trénaunay Syndrome and Developmental Coxa Vara in the Same Limb: A Case Report with a Review of the Literature
Authors: Zacharia Balaji , Alex Jittu , Rajmohan Ashwin
Published: July 2021

We present a case of a 14-year-old girl who was first treated when she was 4 years old. She had progressive limping of the left lower limb from the age of 3 years. She was diagnosed to have developmental coxa vara of the left hip and treated by a subtrochanteric valgus osteotomy of the left femur. Later, she developed hypertrophy of the left upper and lower limbs. There were port-wine stains over the left lower limbs with multiple superficial varicosities. Her diagnosis was Klippel–Trénaunay syndrome (KTS). She is asymptomatic at the final follow-up. Both developmental coxa vara and KTS are rare conditions. We present this case to demonstrate the rarest combination of two rare conditions occurring in the same limb.
Advances in Environmental Detection and Clinical Diagnostic Tests for Legionella Species
Authors: Vittal Rajeshwari , Raj Juliet Roshini Mohan , Kumar Ballamoole Krishna , Karunasagar Indrani
Published: July 2021

Legionella is a fastidious organism that is difficult to culture in the lab but is widely distributed in environmental, domestic, and hospital settings. The clinical manifestations due to Legionella infections range from mild fever to fatal pneumonia and multiorgan pathologies. Legionella outbreaks though prevalent globally are not reported in developing countries due to difficulties in isolating this organism and the lack of simple diagnostic protocols. Here, we review the literature from across countries to present various methods used to detect Legionella from environmental and clinical samples. We compare the sensitivity and the specificity of the conventional culture-based assays with the recent methods and discuss approaches to develop better detection and diagnostic tests. With better cost-effective detection techniques and regular monitoring of the susceptible sites, which may harbor Legionella colonies, most of the Legionella infections can be prevented. As a result, considerable burden, caused by Legionella infections, on the healthcare system, in especially economically weaker countries, can be mitigated.
Perception about Etiology of Epilepsy and Help-Seeking Behavior in Patients with Epilepsy
Authors: Das Gautam , Biswas Samar , Dubey Souvik , Lahiri Durjoy , Ray Biman Kanti , Pandit Alak , Saha Sankar Prasad , Biswas Atanu
Published: July 2021

Objectives Patients with epilepsy and their family have diverse beliefs about the cause of their illness that generally determine their treatment-seeking behavior. In this study, our aim was to find out different beliefs about epilepsy that lead to different help-seeking patterns, which act as barrier to the intended modern medical management of epilepsy.

Materials and Methods One hundred and fifty consecutive consenting patients accompanied by a reliable informant/family member fulfilling the International Classification of Epileptic Seizures (ICES), simplified version, were included. Demographic and clinical data of all the eligible subjects was collected. Perceived cause of illness and help-seeking pattern were explored from patient/informant by administering proper instruments.

Results Respondents identified varied causes of epilepsy and explored multiple help-seeking options before reaching tertiary care centers. We observed that, generally, epileptic patients/relatives who had belief in causes like supernatural causes sought help from nonprofessional personnel and those attributed their symptom to bodily pathology had professional help-seeking.

Conclusions The belief in supernatural causes not being conformed to the biomedical models of the epileptic disorders increases the treatment gap.