bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Indoor Air Quality and Health Outcomes in Employees Working from Home during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Pilot Study
Authors: Roh Taehyun , Moreno-Rangel Alejandro , Baek Juha , Obeng Alexander , Hasan Nishat Tasnim , Carrillo Genny
Published: December 2021

Indoor air quality (IAQ) has a substantial impact on public health. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, more employees have worked remotely from home to minimize in-person contacts. This pilot study aims to measure the difference in workplace IAQ before and during the pandemic and its impact on employees’ health. The levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and total volatile organic chemicals (tVOC) were measured in the employees’ offices before the COVID-19 pandemic and at homes while working from home during the pandemic using Foobot air monitors. The frequencies of six sick building syndrome (SBS) symptoms were evaluated at each period of monitoring. The result showed PM2.5 levels in households while working from home were significantly higher than in offices while working at the office for all participants (p < 0.05). The PM2.5 levels in all households exceeded the health-based annual mean standard (12 µg/m3), whereas 90% of offices were in compliance. The tVOC levels were all below the standard (500 µg/m3). We also found a higher frequency of SBS symptoms were observed while working from home as the IAQ was worse at home. This study suggested that working from home might have a detrimental health impact due to poor IAQ and providing interventions to remote employees should be considered.
Review on Parameterization Schemes of Visibility in Fog and Brief Discussion of Applications Performance
Authors: Long Qiang , Wu Bingui , Mi Xinyue , Liu Shuang , Fei Xiaochen , Ju Tingting
Published: December 2021

Low visibility, associated with fog, severely affects land, marine, and air transportation. Visibility is an important indicator to identify different intensities of fog; therefore, improving the ability to forecast visibility in fog is an urgent need for social and economic development. Establishing a proper visibility parameterization scheme is crucial to improving the accuracy of fog forecast operation. Considering various visibility impact factors, including RH, Nd, D, LWC, the parameterization formula of visibility in fog, as well as their performance in meteorology operation, are reviewed. Moreover, the estimated ability of the visibility parameterization formulas combined with the numerical model is briefly described, and their advantages and shortcomings are pointed out.
A Method to Generate Experimental Aerosol with Similar Particle Size Distribution to Atmospheric Aerosol
Authors: Ren Jianlin , He Junjie , Li Jiayu , Liu Junjie
Published: December 2021

The SARS-CoV virus spreads in the atmosphere mainly in the form of aerosols. Particle air filters are widely used in indoor heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems and filtration equipment to reduce aerosol concentration and improve indoor air quality. Requirements arise to rate filters according to their mass-based filtration efficiency. The size distribution of test aerosol greatly affects the measurement results of mass-based filtration efficiency and dust loading of filters, as well as the calibration of optical instruments for fine-particle (PM2.5) mass concentration measurement. The main objective of this study was to find a new method to generate a chemically nontoxic aerosol with a similar particle size distribution to atmospheric aerosol. We measured the size distribution of aerosols generated by DEHS (di-ethyl-hexyl-sebacate), PSL (poly-styrene latex), olive oil, and 20% sucrose solution with a collision nebulizer in a wide range of 15 nm–20 μm. Individually, none of the solutions generated particles that share a similar size distribution to atmospheric aerosol. We found that the 20% sucrose solution + olive oil mixture solution (Vss:Voo = 1:2) could be used to generate a chemically nontoxic aerosol with similar particle number/volume size distribution to the atmospheric aerosol (t-test, p < 0.05). The differences in the mass-base filtration efficiency measured by the generated aerosol and the atmospheric aerosol were smaller than 2% for MERV 7, 10, 13, and 16 rated filters. The aerosol generated by the new method also performed well in the calibration of optical-principle-based PM2.5 concentration measurement instruments. The average relative difference measured by a tapered element oscillating microbalance (TEOM) and a Dusttrak Model 8530 (calibrated by aerosol generated by the new method) was smaller than 5.8% in the real-situation measurement.
Applying Grey Relational Analysis in the Evaluation of the Balance of Children with Intellectual Disability
Authors: Chang Chih-Sheng
Published: December 2021

In addition to intellectual performance, children with intellectual disability also seem to have lower performance than children without intellectual disability in terms of balance. Therefore, they often experience walking instability or fall due to imbalance, causing injuries. With regard to balance training courses provided by medical or special education personnel for children with intellectual disability, although there are subjective observation scales that describe their balance in a qualitative way, there are still few direct measurement methods that can provide personnel with the ability to evaluate the training results of an intervention program. The purpose of this study was to provide a method for evaluating the balance of children with intellectual disability to facilitate a general inspection or evaluation of balance before and after the implementation of various intervention programs that help movement development. In recent years, the force platform system has been widely used in the research of the elderly balance, yet the research on balance assessment tools applied to children is rare. This study used the objective, fast, and accurate characteristics of the force platform system to analyze the key points of the sit-to-stand movement and the movement balance parameters of children with intellectual disability and children without intellectual disability. Using the grey relational analysis (GRA) method, the time factors and weight factors from the average performance of children without intellectual disabilities was used as the analysis data. After analyzing the relevance between each participant and the target, a norm for evaluating the balance of children with intellectual disability was established. Hence, this valuable result can provide researchers, special education teachers, and related professionals with an effective and time-saving evaluation of the balance of children with intellectual disability.
Is There a Foreign Accent Effect on Moral Judgment?
Authors: Foucart Alice , Brouwer Susanne
Published: December 2021

Recent studies have shown that people make more utilitarian decisions when dealing with a moral dilemma in a foreign language than in their native language. Emotion, cognitive load, and psychological distance have been put forward as explanations for this foreign language effect. The question that arises is whether a similar effect would be observed when processing a dilemma in one’s own language but spoken by a foreign-accented speaker. Indeed, foreign-accented speech has been shown to modulate emotion processing, to disrupt processing fluency and to increase psychological distance due to social categorisation. We tested this hypothesis by presenting 435 participants with two moral dilemmas, the trolley dilemma and the footbridge dilemma online, either in a native accent or a foreign accent. In Experiment 1, 184 native Spanish speakers listened to the dilemmas in Spanish recorded by a native speaker, a British English or a Cameroonian native speaker. In Experiment 2, 251 Dutch native speakers listened to the dilemmas in Dutch in their native accent, in a British English, a Turkish, or in a French accent. Results showed an increase in utilitarian decisions for the Cameroonian- and French-accented speech compared to the Spanish or Dutch native accent, respectively. When collapsing all the speakers from the two experiments, a similar increase in the foreign accent condition compared with the native accent condition was observed. This study is the first demonstration of a foreign accent effect on moral judgements, and despite the variability in the effect across accents, the findings suggest that a foreign accent, like a foreign language, is a linguistic context that modulates (neuro)cognitive mechanisms, and consequently, impacts our behaviour. More research is needed to follow up on this exploratory study and to understand the influence of factors such as emotion reduction, cognitive load, psychological distance, and speaker’s idiosyncratic features on moral judgments.
Relationship between Resting-State Alpha Coherence and Cognitive Control in Individuals with Internet Gaming Disorder: A Multimodal Approach Based on Resting-State Electroencephalography and Event-Related Potentials
Authors: Park Minkyung , Yoo So Young , Lee Ji-Yoon , Koo Ja Wook , Kang Ung Gu , Choi Jung-Seok
Published: December 2021

The human brain is constantly active, even at rest. Alpha coherence is an electroencephalography (EEG) rhythm that regulates functional connectivity between different brain regions. However, the relationships between resting-state alpha coherence and N2/P3 components associated with response inhibition and cognitive processes have not been investigated in addictive disorders. The present study investigated the relationships between alpha coherence during the resting state and N2/P3 components of event-related potentials during the Go/Nogo task in healthy controls (HCs) and patients with Internet gaming disorder (IGD). A total of 64 young adults (HC: n = 31; IGD: n = 33) participated in this study. Alpha coherence values at left fronto-central and bilateral centro-temporal electrode sites were significantly correlated with P3 latency in HCs, whereas inverse correlations were observed in patients with IGD. Furthermore, significant differences were observed in the correlation values between the groups. Our results suggest that patients with IGD lack dynamic interactions of functional connectivity between the fronto-centro-temporal regions during the resting state and the event-related potential (ERP) index during cognitive tasks. The findings of this study may have important implications for understanding the neurophysiological mechanisms linking resting-state EEG and task-related ERPs underlying IGD.
Effects of Intraoperative Dexmedetomidine Infusion on Postoperative Pain after Craniotomy: A Narrative Review
Authors: Syrous Nesjla Sofia , Sundstrøm Terje , Søfteland Eirik , Jammer Ib
Published: December 2021

Craniotomy involves procedures with high incidences of postoperative pain. Dexmedetomidine, a highly selective a2-adrenoreceptor agonist, has been shown to be beneficial in neuroanaesthesia. The purpose of this narrative review was to assess the effect and safety of dexmedetomidine given intraoperatively during anaesthesia compared to placebo and demonstrate the effect on acute postoperative pain in adult patients undergoing craniotomy. Literature published from 1996 until 2021 were analysed through a search of PubMed, Medline and Embase. Randomised controlled trials investigating intraoperative administration of Dexmedetomidine with evaluation of postoperative pain were included. Medical Subject Headings terms and free-text words were used to identify articles related to the intraoperative use of Dexmedetomidine and postcraniotomy pain. Thirteen distinct randomized controlled trials with 882 recruited patients undergoing craniotomy were identified as eligible for final inclusion. Intraoperative administration of dexmedetomidine is associated with decreased postoperative pain and opioid consumption, and it assures haemodynamic stability. Dexmedetomidine is an efficacious adjunct in craniotomy in adults, showing benefits in reduction of postoperative pain and analgesic consumption. Dexmedetomidine also offers haemodynamic stability. However, widespread methodological heterogeneity of the papers prohibits a valid meta-analysis.
Relationship between Objectively and Subjectively Measured Physical Activity in Adolescents during and after COVID-19 Restrictions
Authors: Cocca Armando , Greier Klaus , Drenowatz Clemens , Ruedl Gerhard
Published: December 2021

Background: Studying the relationship between subjectively and objectively measured physical activity (PA) can provide viable information on youths’ behaviors. However, the restrictions due to COVID-19 pandemic, which reduced children’s possibilities to be active, may negatively affect it. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between subjectively and objectively measured PA levels (light, moderate, vigorous, and moderate-to-vigorous) during COVID-19-based restrictions and after they were lifted, and to determine whether such relationships changed in these two periods. Methods: A total of 26 adolescents (58% girls; mean age = 12.4 ± 0.5) wore accelerometers during public restrictions and after they were removed. Participants also completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire during the same periods. Results: High significant correlations were found at all levels of PA (r = 0.767–0.968) in both time periods, except for moderate PA during restrictions. Comparing the two periods, significantly higher correlations were found for moderate PA (p < 0.001) and moderate-to-vigorous PA (p = 0.003) after restrictions were lifted. Conclusions: In this highly active cohort of adolescents, results emphasize the potential threat of lockdown conditions for youths’ ability to accurately perceive their behaviors, with possible detrimental consequences on the short- and long-term health.
Optimization of Useful Daylight Illuminance for Vertical Shading Fins Covered by Photovoltaic Panels for a Case Study of an Office Room in the City of Wroclaw, Poland
Authors: Brzezicki Marcin , Regucki Paweł , Kasperski Jacek
Published: December 2021

A building’s facade is its main interface with the external environment, as it controls almost all energy flows in the building—losses and gains. In this context, the most recent invention of adaptive façades allows for the introduction of an optimized system for both daylight management and electrical energy production. The authors of the presented paper propose a novel adaptive façade system that is equipped with vertical shading fins of 1 × 4 m that are covered with PV panels. The fins are kinetic and rotate around a vertical axis in order to optimize solar irradiation for producing electricity. The presented adaptive façade is analyzed in two stages. Firstly, the number of vertical shading fins is optimized in the context of useful daylight illuminance (UDI) and daylight glare probability (DGP) using Radiance-cored software. Next, two scenarios of PV installation are verified for fixed and the Sun-tracking solution. The results show that the Sun-tracking system is more efficient than the fixed one, but electricity production is only increased by 3.21%. The reason for this is the fact that—while following the Sun’s azimuth position—fins shade each other and reduce the effective area of the adjacent PV panels. Based on this, the authors conclude that the Sun-tracking system might be justified due to its protective or decorative function and not because of its improved effectiveness in generating electrical energy.
RETRACTED: An Investigation of Bearing Capacity of High-Strength SRC Columns under Eccentric Axial Load
Authors: Wang Jun , Duan Yuxin , Sun Wenze , Yi Xinyu
Published: December 2021

This paper investigates the eccentric compression performance of high-strength steel reinforced concrete (SRC) columns. In addition, the feasibility of the calculation codes used for the load-carrying capacity of these columns is verified by eccentric compression tests on 10 high-strength SRC columns with Q460 and Q690 steels and two normal SRC columns with Q235 steel. Moreover, the influence of the steel strength, relative eccentricity, steel ratio, and stirrup spacing on the bearing capacity and ductility of the specimens is analyzed. It was found that the bearing capacity and ductility of the specimens significantly increases when the steel strength increases from 276.5 MPa to 774.2 MPa; the bearing capacity of the Q690 SRC column is slightly higher than that of the Q460 SRC column. In addition, the ductility coefficient of the Q690 SRC columns is significantly higher than that of the Q460 SRC columns. It was also found that increasing the eccentricity and steel ratio can improve the ductility of the specimens and the smaller stirrup spacing can enlarge the contribution of Q690 steel under the ultimate bearing capacity. It is demonstrated that Eurocode 4-2004 and AISC360-16 codes significantly underestimate the test results. In contrast, JGJ138-2016 slightly underestimates the test results when the relative eccentricity is 0.2 but overestimates the test results when the relative eccentricity is 0.6. Furthermore, in order to maximize the contribution of Q690 steel under ultimate bearing capacity, the expanded parameter analysis is carried out using a finite element model. Following the analysis results, the suggestions for designing high-strength SRC columns under eccentric load are provided.
Champions of Social Procurement in the Australian Construction Industry: Evolving Roles and Motivations
Authors: Loosemore Martin , Keast Robyn , Barraket Jo , Denny-Smith George
Published: December 2021

There has been a recent proliferation of social procurement policies in Australia that target the construction industry. This is mirrored in many other countries, and the nascent research in this area shows that these policies are being implemented by an emerging group of largely undefined professionals who are often forced to create their own roles in institutional vacuums with little organisational legitimacy and support. By mobilising theories of how organisational champions diffuse innovations in other fields of practice, this paper contributes new insights into the evolving nature of these newly emerging roles and the motivations which drive these professionals to overcome the institutional inertia they invariably face. The results of semi-structured interviews, with fifteen social procurement champions working in the Australian construction industry, indicate that social procurement champions come from a wide range of professional backgrounds and bring diverse social capital to their roles. Linked by a shared sense of social consciousness, these champions challenge traditional institutional norms, practices, supply chain relationships, and traditional narratives about the concepts of value in construction. We conclude that, until normative standards develop around social procurement in the construction industry, its successful implementation will depend on external institutional pressures and the practical demonstration of what is possible in practice within the performative constraints of traditional project objectives.
Two-Stage Lifecycle Energy Optimization of Mid-Rise Residential Buildings with Building-Integrated Photovoltaic and Alternative Composite Façade Materials
Authors: Ansah Mark Kyeredey , Chen Xi , Yang Hongxing
Published: December 2021

Reducing the lifecycle energy use of buildings with renewable energy applications has become critical given the urgent need to decarbonize the building sector. Multi-objective optimizations have been widely applied to reduce the operational energy use of buildings, but limited studies concern the embodied or whole lifecycle energy use. Consequently, there are issues such as sub-optimal design solutions and unclear correlation between embodied and operational energy in the current building energy assessment. To address these gaps, this study integrates a multi-objective optimization method with building energy simulation and lifecycle assessment (LCA) to explore the optimal configuration of different building envelopes from a lifecycle perspective. Major contributions of the study include the integrated optimization which reflects the dynamics of the whole lifecycle energy use. Insights from the study reveal the optimal configuration of PV and composite building façades for different regions in sub-Saharan Africa. The lifecycle energy use for the optimized building design resulted in 24.59, 33.33, and 36.93% energy savings in Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Nigeria, respectively. Additionally, PV power generation can efficiently cover over 90% of the total building energy demand. This study provides valuable insights for building designers in sub-Saharan Africa and similar areas that minimize lifecycle energy demand.
Building Fire Evacuation: An IoT-Aided Perspective in the 5G Era
Authors: Fang Hongqiang , Lo Siuming , Lo Jacqueline T. Y.
Published: December 2021

Complex and tall buildings have been constructed in many cities recently. Fire safety should be a major concern of building designers, engineers, and governments. Previous fire experience has made us understand the importance of acquiring fire-ground information to facilitate firefighting operations, evacuation processes, rescues, etc. Recently, the rapid advancement in Information Technology, Data Analytics, and other detection and monitoring systems has provided the basis for fire safety researchers to re-think fire safety strategies in the built environment. Amongst all fire safety studies, evacuation in tall buildings, including elevator evacuations, has attracted much attention. IoT-aided building fire evacuation is a new concept of the building evacuation mode, which improves the building evacuation process by making decisions of escape based on the real-time fire-ground information, such as the fire environment and occupant situations. Focusing on IoT applications in building fire evacuation, this paper explores the advantages and insufficiencies of current smart building fire evacuation systems. A conceptual design of an IoT-aided building fire evacuation control system is described. The system is introduced in the sequence of information needs, information sources and data transmission, and potential services and applications. Finally, new insights into promising 5G technologies for future building fire evacuations are discussed.
Mapping the Melanoma Plasma Proteome (MPP) Using Single-Shot Proteomics Interfaced with the WiMT Database
Authors: Almeida Natália , Rodriguez Jimmy , Pla Parada Indira , Perez-Riverol Yasset , Woldmar Nicole , Kim Yonghyo , Oskolas Henriett , Betancourt Lazaro , Valdés Jeovanis Gil , Sahlin K. Barbara , Pizzatti Luciana , Szasz A. Marcell , Kárpáti Sarolta , Appelqvist Roger , Malm Johan , B. Domont Gilberto , C. S. Nogueira Fábio , Marko-Varga György , Sanchez Aniel
Published: December 2021

Plasma analysis by mass spectrometry-based proteomics remains a challenge due to its large dynamic range of 10 orders in magnitude. We created a methodology for protein identification known as Wise MS Transfer (WiMT). Melanoma plasma samples from biobank archives were directly analyzed using simple sample preparation. WiMT is based on MS1 features between several MS runs together with custom protein databases for ID generation. This entails a multi-level dynamic protein database with different immunodepletion strategies by applying single-shot proteomics. The highest number of melanoma plasma proteins from undepleted and unfractionated plasma was reported, mapping >1200 proteins from >10,000 protein sequences with confirmed significance scoring. Of these, more than 660 proteins were annotated by WiMT from the resulting ~5800 protein sequences. We could verify 4000 proteins by MS1t analysis from HeLA extracts. The WiMT platform provided an output in which 12 previously well-known candidate markers were identified. We also identified low-abundant proteins with functions related to (i) cell signaling, (ii) immune system regulators, and (iii) proteins regulating folding, sorting, and degradation, as well as (iv) vesicular transport proteins. WiMT holds the potential for use in large-scale screening studies with simple sample preparation, and can lead to the discovery of novel proteins with key melanoma disease functions.
Insights into the Role of Matrix Metalloproteinases in Precancerous Conditions and in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Pezeshkian Zahra , Nobili Stefania , Peyravian Noshad , Shojaee Bahador , Nazari Haniye , Soleimani Hiva , Asadzadeh-Aghdaei Hamid , Ashrafian Bonab Maziar , Nazemalhosseini-Mojarad Ehsan , Mini Enrico
Published: December 2021

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third and second cancer for incidence and mortality worldwide, respectively, and is becoming prevalent in developing countries. Most CRCs derive from polyps, especially adenomatous polyps, which can gradually transform into CRC. The family of Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) plays a critical role in the initiation and progression of CRC. Prominent MMPs, including MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-8, MMP-9, MMP-12, MMP-13, MMP-14, and MMP-21, have been detected in CRC patients, and the expression of most of them correlates with a poor prognosis. Moreover, many studies have explored the inhibition of MMPs and targeted therapy for CRC, but there is not enough information about the role of MMPs in polyp malignancy. In this review, we discuss the role of MMPs in colorectal cancer and its pathogenesis
Barriers to Immunotherapy in Ovarian Cancer: Metabolic, Genomic, and Immune Perturbations in the Tumour Microenvironment
Authors: Johnson Racheal , Cummings Michele , Thangavelu Amudha , Theophilou Georgios , de Jong Diederick , Orsi Nicolas
Published: December 2021

A lack of explicit early clinical signs and effective screening measures mean that ovarian cancer (OC) often presents as advanced, incurable disease. While conventional treatment combines maximal cytoreductive surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy, patients frequently develop chemoresistance and disease recurrence. The clinical application of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) aims to restore anti-cancer T-cell function in the tumour microenvironment (TME). Disappointingly, even though tumour infiltrating lymphocytes are associated with superior survival in OC, ICB has offered limited therapeutic benefits. Herein, we discuss specific TME features that prevent ICB from reaching its full potential, focussing in particular on the challenges created by immune, genomic and metabolic alterations. We explore both recent and current therapeutic strategies aiming to overcome these hurdles, including the synergistic effect of combination treatments with immune-based strategies and review the status quo of current clinical trials aiming to maximise the success of immunotherapy in OC.
Therapeutic Targets of KRAS in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Rahman Shafia , Garrel Shimon , Gerber Michael , Maitra Radhashree , Goel Sanjay
Published: December 2021

Patients with metastatic colorectal cancer have a 5-year overall survival of less than 10%. Approximately 45% of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer harbor KRAS mutations. These mutations not only carry a predictive role for the absence of response to anti-EGFR therapy, but also have a negative prognostic impact on the overall survival. There is a growing unmet need for a personalized therapy approach for patients with KRAS-mutant colorectal cancer. In this article, we focus on the therapeutic strategies targeting KRAS- mutant CRC, while reviewing and elaborating on the discovery and physiology of KRAS.
Catalytic Pyrolysis of Lignin Model Compound (Ferulic Acid) over Alumina: Surface Complexes, Kinetics, and Mechanisms
Authors: Kulik Tetiana , Nastasiienko Nataliia , Palianytsia Borys , Ilchenko Mykola , Larsson Mats
Published: December 2021

Studies of the thermochemical properties of the important model compound of lignin-ferulic acid (FA) and its surface complexes are substantial for developing technologies for catalytic pyrolysis of renewable biomass into biofuels and lignin-derived chemicals as well as for bio-oil upgrading. In this work, the catalytic pyrolysis of ferulic acid over alumina was studied by temperature-programmed desorption mass spectrometry (TPD MS), in situ FT-IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and DFT calculations. We established that both the carboxyl group and the active groups (HO and CH3O) of the aromatic ring interact with the alumina surface. We calculated the kinetic parameters of formation of the main products of catalytic pyrolysis: 4-vinylguaiacol, guaiacol, hydroxybenzene, benzene, toluene, cresol, naphthalene, and PACs. Possible methods of their forming from the related surface complexes of FA are suggested.
Highly Sensitive Amperometric Sensor Based on Laccase-Mimicking Metal-Based Hybrid Nanozymes for Adrenaline Analysis in Pharmaceuticals
Authors: Demkiv Olha , Stasyuk Nataliya , Gayda Galina , Gonchar Mykhailo
Published: December 2021

Nanozymes are nanomaterials which exhibit artificial enzymatic activities and are considered as alternatives to natural enzymes. They are characterized by good catalytic activity and high stability, as well as ease and low cost of preparation. In this study, the mimetics of laccase or “nanolaccases” (NLacs) were synthesized by a simple method of chemical reduction of transition metal salts. The NLacs were tested for their catalytic activity in solution and on the electrode surface. The most effective NLacs, namely nAuCePt and nPtFe, were found to possess excellent laccase-like activities capable of oxidizing the endocrine hormone adrenaline (AD). These NLacs were characterized in detail and used for the development of amperometric sensors for AD determination. The amperometric sensors containing the best NLacs, as well as a natural fungal laccase, were constructed. The most effective nAuCePt-containing sensor had good specificity in relation to AD and improved analytical characteristics. It possessed a 384-fold higher sensitivity than adrenaline (230,137 A·M−1·m−2), a 64-fold lower limit of detection (0.025 µM), and a broader linear range (0.085–45 µM) in comparison with the sensor based on natural laccase. The constructed nAuCePt-containing sensor was successfully used for AD analysis in pharmaceutical formulation.
C4d Deposition after Allogeneic Renal Transplantation in Rats Is Involved in Initial Apoptotic Cell Clearance
Authors: Reuter Stefan , Kentrup Dominik , Grabner Alexander , Köhler Gabriele , Buscher Konrad , Edemir Bayram
Published: December 2021

In the context of transplantation, complement activation is associated with poor prognosis and outcome. While complement activation in antibody-mediated rejection is well-known, less is known about complement activation in acute T cell-mediated rejection (TCMR). There is increasing evidence that complement contributes to the clearance of apoptotic debris and tissue repair. In this regard, we have analysed published human kidney biopsy transcriptome data clearly showing upregulated expression of complement factors in TCMR. To clarify whether and how the complement system is activated early during acute TCMR, experimental syngeneic and allogeneic renal transplantations were performed. Using an allogeneic rat renal transplant model, we also observed upregulation of complement factors in TCMR in contrast to healthy kidneys and isograft controls. While staining for C4d was positive, staining with a C3d antibody showed no C3d deposition. FACS analysis of blood showed the absence of alloantibodies that could have explained the C4d deposition. Gene expression pathway analysis showed upregulation of pro-apoptotic factors in TCMR, and apoptotic endothelial cells were detected by ultrastructural analysis. Monocytes/macrophages were found to bind to and phagocytise these apoptotic cells. Therefore, we conclude that early C4d deposition in TCMR may be relevant to the clearance of apoptotic cells.
Adolescent THC Treatment Does Not Potentiate the Behavioral Effects in Adulthood of Maternal Immune Activation
Authors: Stollenwerk Todd M. , Hillard Cecilia J.
Published: December 2021

Both in utero exposure to maternal immune activation and cannabis use during adolescence have been associated with increased risk for the development of schizophrenia; however, whether these exposures exert synergistic effects on brain function is not known. In the present study, mild maternal immune activation (MIA) was elicited in mice with prenatal exposure to polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)), and ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) was provided throughout adolescence in cereal (3 mg/kg/day for 5 days). Neither THC nor MIA pretreatments altered activity in assays used to characterize hyperdopaminergic states in adulthood: amphetamine hyperlocomotion and prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle reflex. Adolescent THC treatment elicited deficits in spatial memory and enhanced spatial reversal learning in adult female mice in the Morris water maze, while exposure to MIA elicited female-specific deficits in fear extinction learning in adulthood. There were no effects in these assays in adult males, nor were there interactions between THC and MIA in adult females. While doses of poly(I:C) and THC were sufficient to elicit behavioral effects, particularly relating to cognitive performance in females, there was no evidence that adolescent THC exposure synergized with the risk imposed by MIA to worsen behavioral outcomes in adult mice of either sex.
Leptin Is an Important Endocrine Player That Directly Activates Gonadotropic Cells in Teleost Fish, Chub Mackerel
Authors: Ohga Hirofumi , Ito Kosuke , Kakino Kohei , Mon Hiroaki , Kusakabe Takahiro , Lee Jae Man , Matsuyama Michiya
Published: December 2021

Leptin, secreted by adipocytes, directly influences the onset of puberty in mammals. Our previous study showed that leptin stimulation could promote the secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) from pituitary cells in primary culture and ovarian development in chub mackerel. This study aimed to elucidate the detailed mechanism of leptin-induced effects on gonadotropin hormone-producing cells. We produced recombinant leptin using silkworm pupae and investigated the effects of leptin on FSH and LH secretion and gene expression in the primary culture of pituitary cells from chub mackerel. The presence or absence of co-expression of lepr mRNA, FSH and LH b-subunit mRNA in gonadotropic cells was examined by double-labeled in situ hybridization. The addition of leptin significantly increased the secretion and gene expression of FSH and LH from male and female pituitary cells in primary culture. In contrast, gonadotropin-releasing hormone 1 affected neither FSH secretion in cells from females nor fshb and lhb expression in cells from males and females. The expression of lepr was observed in FSH- and LH-producing cells of both males and females. The results indicate that leptin directly regulates gonadotropin synthesis and secretion and plays an important role in the induction of puberty in teleost fish.
Structural Alternation in Heat Shock Proteins of Activated Macrophages
Authors: Zhang Wenhao , Wei Ying , Zhang Huaijin , Liu Jing , Zong Zhaoyun , Liu Zongyuan , Zhu Songbiao , Hou Wenxuan , Chen Yuling , Deng Haiteng
Published: December 2021

The inflammatory response of macrophages is an orderly and complex process under strict regulation accompanied by drastic changes in morphology and functions. It is predicted that proteins will undergo structural changes during these finely regulated processes. However, changes in structural proteome in macrophages during the inflammatory response remain poorly characterized. In the present study, we applied limited proteolysis coupled mass spectrometry (LiP-MS) to identify proteome-wide structural changes in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophages. We identified 386 structure-specific proteolytic fingerprints from 230 proteins. Using the Gene Ontology (GO) biological process enrichment, we discovered that proteins with altered structures were enriched into protein folding-related terms, in which HSP60 was ranked as the most changed protein. We verified the structural changes in HSP60 by using cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) and native CETSA. Our results showed that the thermal stability of HSP60 was enhanced in activated macrophages and formed an HSP10-less complex. In conclusion, we demonstrate that in situ structural systems biology is an effective method to characterize proteomic structural changes and reveal that the structures of chaperone proteins vary significantly during macrophage activation.
Outcome Quality of Inpatient and Day-Clinic Treatment in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry—A Naturalistic Study
Authors: Thun-Hohenstein Leonhard , Weltjen Franka , Kunas Beatrix , Winkler Roman , Fritz Corinna
Published: December 2021

Background: Child and adolescent psychiatry has only recently been established as a separate specialty and is practiced in different settings. The epidemiology of psychological problems in childhood is high and varied, thus qualitative work is essential. Assessment of outcome as part of quality management is central to assure the service of psychiatric care to be effective. Method: Over a three-year period consecutively admitted patients from inpatient and day-clinic treatment were prospectively evaluated. A total of 200 from 442 patients (m = 80, f = 120; age 15.1 ± 2.8 y) agreed to participate. Patients, caregivers, and therapists answered a range of questionnaires to provide a multi-personnel rating. Questionnaires used for outcome assessment were Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and Youth-Self-Report (YSR) (at admission, discharge, and 6 weeks after discharge) and the problem score of the Inventory of Quality of Life for children (ILK), treatment satisfaction, and process quality by the Questionnaire for Treatment Satisfaction (FBB, at discharge) and as real-life outcome control assessment of quality of life (ILK) was added (admission, discharge, and 6 wks after discharge). Results: There was a significant reduction in psychopathologicalsymptoms (CBCL, YSR) and in the problem score. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in quality of life. QoL score and YSR/CBCL scores returned to normal levels. Treatment satisfaction was high and so was satisfaction with process quality. Factors significantly influencing outcome were severity of disease and the relationship to the therapist. No differences were found for gender and setting. Conclusion: The quality management analysis revealed significant improvements of symptom load, a significant increase in QoL and a high treatment satisfaction. Furthermore, process quality was scored highly by parents and therapists.
New Strategy for Creating TiO2 Thin Films with Embedded Au Nanoparticles
Authors: Rubtsov Sofia , Musin Albina , Zinigrad Michael , Kalashnikov Alexander , Danchuk Viktor
Published: December 2021

This paper proposes a new strategy for producing thin films of TiO2 with embedded gold nanoparticles (TiO2/AuNP). One of the main tasks was the synthesis of a stable dispersion of TiO2 and gold nanoparticles in an aqueous solution of ethylene glycol, suitable for inkjet printing—ink with complex gold nanoparticles (AuCNP ink). The AuCNP were synthesized by a reduction from tetrachloroauric acid in the presence of TiO2 nanoparticles and ethylene glycol (EG). The final formation of TiO2/AuNP films occurred during the annealing of AuCNP layers, inkjet printed on a glass substrate. The TiO2/AuNP films demonstrate absorbance in the yellow-green range due to the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and are promising for solar cell application.
Surface and Physical Features of Thermo-Mechanically Modified Iroko and Tauari Wood for Flooring Application
Authors: Laskowska Agnieszka , Marchwicka Monika , Trzaska Agata , Boruszewski Piotr
Published: December 2021

The aim of the study was to determine the selected surface and physical properties of iroko (Milicia excelsa (Welw.) C.C. Berg) and tauari (Couratari spp.) wood after thermo-mechanical treatment (TMT) in relation to extractive content. During TMT, no chemicals are introduced into the wood, which distinguishes this method from a number of wood modification methods. The iroko and tauari wood were subjected to volumetric densification in a hydraulic press. The wood was densified in a radial direction at a temperature of 100 and 150 °C. The wood color parameters were measured using the mathematical CIE L*a*b* and L*C*h color space models. The roughness parameters of Ra and Rz parallel and perpendicular to the grain were investigated. The contact angle (CA) of the wood with distilled water was determined based on the sessile drop method. The equilibrium moisture content (EMC) and dimensional changes of the wood were determined for a climate with a temperature of 20 °C and a relative humidity (RH) of 9%, 34%, 55%, 75% and 98%. The tauari wood was less prone to color changes under the influence of TMT than the iroko wood. After densification, the iroko and tauari wood displayed a different character of roughness changes. The iroko wood featured the lowest level of roughness after TMT at 100 °C, and the tauari wood after TMT at 150 °C. The densified iroko and tauari wood were characterized by weaker dynamics in the changes in their respective contact angles than the non-densified wood. The higher the temperature of the TMT, the lower the EMC of the wood. Higher EMC values were observed for the tauari wood than for the iroko wood. This was due to the lower content of chloroform-ethanol extractives. Similar dependencies were obtained in the case of hot water extractives. The thermo-mechanically treated wood displayed a greater tendency towards dimensional changes in a climate with high relative air humidity, i.e., above 70%, compared to the non-modified wood.
Modeling of Surfactant-Enhanced Drying of Poly(styrene)-p-xylene Polymeric Coatings Using Machine Learning Technique
Authors: Arya Raj Kumar , Sharma Jyoti , Shrivastava Rahul , Thapliyal Devyani , Verros George D.
Published: December 2021

In this work, a machine learning technique based on a regression tree model was used to model the surfactant enhanced drying of poly(styrene)-p-xylene coatings. The predictions of the developed model based on regression trees are in excellent agreement with the experimental data. A total of 16,258 samples were obtained through experimentation. These samples were separated into two parts: 12,960 samples were used for the training of the regression tree, and the remaining 3298 samples were used to test the tree’s prediction accuracy. MATLAB software was used to grow the regression tree. The mean squared error between the model-predicted values and actual outputs was calculated to be 8.8415 × 10−6. This model has good generalizing ability; predicts weight loss for given values of time, thickness, and triphenyl phosphate; and has a maximum error of 1%. It is robust and for this system, can be used for any composition and thickness for this system, which will drastically reduce the need for further experimentations to explain diffusion and drying.
Plasma Confined Ground and Excited State Helium Atom: A Comparison Theorem Study Using Variational Monte Carlo and Lagrange Mesh Method
Authors: Doma Salah B. , Salem Mahmoud A. , Sen Kalidas D.
Published: December 2021

The energy eigenvalues of the ground state helium atom and lowest two excited states corresponding to the configurations 1s2s embedded in the plasma environment using Hulthén, Debye–Hückel and exponential cosine screened Coulomb model potentials are investigated within the variational Monte Carlo method, starting with the ultracompact trial wave functions in the form of generalized Hylleraas–Kinoshita functions and Guevara–Harris–Turbiner functions. The Lagrange mesh method calculations of energy are reported for the He atom in the ground and excited 1S and 3S states, which are in excellent agreement with the variational Monte Carlo results. Interesting relative ordering of eigenvalues are reported corresponding to the different screened Coulomb potentials in the He ground and excited electronic states, which are rationalized in terms of the comparison theorem of quantum mechanics.
Snapshot Angle-Resolved Spectroscopy and Its Application for Study of Highly Efficient Polariton OLEDs
Authors: Chang Jui-Fen , Hong Shun-Yu , Chen Yi , Huang Yan-Rong , Lin Chung-Ken , Ciou Guo-Sian
Published: December 2021

The multifunctional snapshot angle-resolved spectroscopy (ARS) system capable of electroluminescence, photoluminescence, and reflectance measurements for thin film devices is developed based on the k-space imaging technique. Compared with the conventional goniometric ARS system, this snapshot spectroscopy system offers great advantages of rapid and simple measurement, suitable for characterizing thin film devices that are unstable or degraded under long-time or high-power driving conditions, such as OLEDs. We perform a detailed calibration of the snapshot system and show that the measured results closely match with those obtained using a goniometric system. Furthermore, we show the capabilities of the system with application in studying polariton OLEDs. The result provides comprehensive information on the polariton mode dispersion and emission distribution, and shows an effective radiative pumping of the lower polariton branch for high emission efficiency.
Description of Lepiotaceous Fungal Species of the Genera Chlorophyllum, Clarkeinda, Macrolepiota, Pseudolepiota, and Xanthagaricus, from Laos and Thailand
Authors: Sysouphanthong Phongeun , Thongklang Naritsada , Liu Jian-Kui , Vellinga Else C.
Published: December 2021

In our ongoing research on lepiotaceous taxa (Agaricaceae s.l.) in Laos and northern Thailand, we focus here on Chlorophyllum, Clarkeinda, Macrolepiota, Pseudolepiota, and Xanthagaricus. Collections were obtained from various habitats, including agricultural habitats, grasslands, and rainforests. A total of 12 taxa were examined and investigated. Of these 12, two are new for science; viz. Xanthagaricus purpureosquamulosus with brownish-grey to violet-brown squamules on a pale-violet to violet background; it shares the pileus color with X. caeruleus and X. ianthinus, but differs in other characters; and Macrolepiota excelsa, rather similar to M. procera but related to M. detersa. Two species, Pseudolepiotazangmui and Xanthagaricus necopinatus are recorded for the first time in Thailand. Four species of Chlorophyllum and a total of four species of Macrolepiota were found, viz., C. demangei and C. hortense with white basidiospores, C. molybdites and C. globosum with green basidiospores, M. detersa, M. dolichaula, the new M. excelsa, and M. velosa. Another rather common striking species is Clarkeinda trachodes, with yellow-green basidiospores. Each species is described in detail, with color photographs and line drawings. Phylogenetic analyses based on internal transcribed spacer (nrITS) region, the large subunit nuclear ribosomal (nrLSU) DNA and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (rpb2) genes provide evidence for the placement of the species covered.
Absolute Quantification in Diagnostic SPECT/CT: The Phantom Premise
Authors: De Schepper Stijn , Gnanasegaran Gopinath , Dickson John C. , Van den Wyngaert Tim
Published: December 2021

The application of absolute quantification in SPECT/CT has seen increased interest in the context of radionuclide therapies where patient-specific dosimetry is a requirement within the European Union (EU) legislation. However, the translation of this technique to diagnostic nuclear medicine outside this setting is rather slow. Clinical research has, in some examples, already shown an association between imaging metrics and clinical diagnosis, but the applications, in general, lack proper validation because of the absence of a ground truth measurement. Meanwhile, additive manufacturing or 3D printing has seen rapid improvements, increasing its uptake in medical imaging. Three-dimensional printed phantoms have already made a significant impact on quantitative imaging, a trend that is likely to increase in the future. In this review, we summarize the data of recent literature to underpin our premise that the validation of diagnostic applications in nuclear medicine using application-specific phantoms is within reach given the current state-of-the-art in additive manufacturing or 3D printing.