bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
First-Session Therapeutic Relationship and Outcome in High Risk Adolescents Intensive Group Psychotherapeutic Programme
Authors: Hauber Kirsten , Boon Albert
Published: June 2022

Background

An important determinant of therapy outcome is the quality of the therapeutic relationship. This study evaluated the association between the client’s assessment of first-session therapeutic relationship (FSTR) and outcome in an intensive treatment for adolescents with personality disorders.

Method

Patients (N = 92) were measured weekly during intensive group treatment. The therapeutic relationship was measured with the Child version of the Session Rating Scale (C-SRS) that was completed after each group therapy session by the patient. Outcome was measured with the Child version of the Outcome Rating Scale (C-ORS). Reliable change index (RCI) was calculated for the both instruments to determine significant changes in therapeutic relationship and outcome.

Results

A good FRST gave twice as much chance of a significantly better outcome. Especially for those with moderate FSTR, establishing and maintaining a good working relationship during treatment could increase the chances of a good outcome considerably. In contrast, adolescents with low FSTR had little chance of positive outcome regardless of any improvement in the therapeutic relationship.

Conclusion

Adolescents assessment of FRST is indicative of the chance of a good outcome.
The Role of Teachers’ Grit and Motivation in Self-Directed Professional Development
Authors: Lan Yuling
Published: June 2022

Through English language teaching (ELT), educator professional development is an interesting and significant subject due to the fact it is in the interest of the educators’ career to make sure that its participants perform consistently with the highest degrees of agreed criteria. Correspondingly, educators mostly state a willingness to enhance their own education that allows them to enhance learners’ knowledge and consistent with the advent of the information-based community, the self-directed learning is vital for the employees. The self-directed professional development (PD) method is considered one option to improve vocational educators’ skills to improve their professionalism, learning development, and school development. Within the learning procedure, self-directed PD has used the rules of learning that are covered within the rules of individual teaching and the mental traits and ideas including motivation and grit that could have a mediating function in this area. Grit is critical within English language educator PD and improving it within educator PD means modeling it as a determinant of the learners’ success. In addition, comprehending motivation is vital for everybody intending to reduce expenses for PD, motivate employees, or be self-directed in their learning about the job. The purpose of the present literature review is to examine the function of such constructs in self-directed PD which is considered a great dimension of educator quality. Briefly, many applications are suggested for the scholastic beneficiaries.
Associations Among Depression, Hemoglobin A1c Level, and Prognosis in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease: A Prospective Study
Authors: Li Weiya , Yin Han , Liu Quanjun , Chen Yilin , Liang Yanting , Zhou Haofeng , Ma Huan , Geng Qingshan
Published: June 2022

Background

Depression is ubiquitous in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). The relationship between depression and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is controversial. The combined effect of high HbA1c and depression on prognosis is unclear, especially in non-diabetic CAD patients. We sought to explore these associations.

Methods

558 CAD patients were included in this prospective study. Patients were grouped by HbA1c levels and the status of clinical depression. The average follow-up period was about 2.2 years, and Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare the differences of prognosis in all the groups.

Results

Clinical depression had no associations with HbA1c in all CAD patients (P for Pearson correlation = 0.74). In the all four groups, compared to group 1 (patients without clinical depression and low HbA1c), group 3 (without clinical depression and high HbA1c) had a higher risk of MACE (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.97; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2–3.25) and composite events (aHR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.09–2.053). Group 4 (patients with clinical depression and high HbA1c) had higher HRs for MACE (aHR, 2.9; 95%CI, 1.32–6.38) and composite events (aHR, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.06–4.25). In CAD patients without diabetes, patients with clinical depression and high HbA1c had a higher risk of MACE (HR, 2.71; 95% CI, 1.02–7.19), non-cardiac readmission (HR,3.48; 95% CI, 1.26–9.57) and composite events (HR,2.44; 95% CI, 1.08–5.53) than those with no clinical depression and low HbA1c. In patients with comorbidities of depression and diabetes, patients with depression and high HbA1c more likely to experienced non-cardiac readmissions (HR, 4.49; 95% CI, 1.31–15.38) than patients with no depression and low HbA1c only. In all the above analysis, p-values for interaction between clinical depression and HbA1c were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

The presence of both depression and high HbA1c lead to a worse prognosis in CAD patients than one risk factor alone, no matter with or without the comorbidity of diabetes in these CAD patients. For patients with CAD and depression, lower HbA1c may be required.
The Elusive “Switch Process” in Bipolar Disorder and Photoperiodism: A Hypothesis Centering on NADPH Oxidase-Generated Reactive Oxygen Species Within the Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis
Authors: Raitiere Martin N.
Published: June 2022

One of the most striking and least understood aspects of mood disorders involves the “switch process” which drives the dramatic state changes characteristic of bipolar disorder. In this paper we explore the bipolar switch mechanism as deeply grounded in forms of seasonal switching (for example, from summer to winter phenotypes) displayed by many mammalian species. Thus we develop a new and unifying hypothesis that involves four specific claims, all converging to demonstrate a deeper affinity between the bipolar switch process and the light-sensitive (photoperiodic) nonhuman switch sequence than has been appreciated. First, we suggest that rapid eye movement (REM) sleep in both human and nonhuman plays a key role in probing for those seasonal changes in length of day that trigger the organism's characteristic involutional response (in certain animals, hibernation) to shorter days. Second, we claim that this general mammalian response requires the integrity of a neural circuit centering on the anterior bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. Third, we propose that a key molecular mediator of the switch process in both nonhumans and seasonal humans involves reactive oxygen species (ROS) of a particular provenance, namely those created by the enzyme NADPH oxidase (NOX). This position diverges from one currently prominent among students of bipolar disorder. In that tradition, the fact that patients afflicted with bipolar-spectrum disorders display indices of oxidative damage is marshaled to support the conclusion that ROS, escaping adventitiously from mitochondria, have a near-exclusive pathological role. Instead, we believe that ROS, originating instead in membrane-affiliated NOX enzymes upstream from mitochondria, take part in an eminently physiological signaling process at work to some degree in all mammals. Fourth and finally, we speculate that the diversion of ROS from that purposeful, genetically rooted seasonal switching task into the domain of human pathology represents a surprisingly recent phenomenon. It is one instigated mainly by anthropogenic modifications of the environment, especially “light pollution.”
Effects of Arts and Psychomotor Therapies in Personality Disorders. Developing a Treatment Guideline Based on a Systematic Review Using GRADE
Authors: Haeyen Suzanne
Published: June 2022

What is the effect of arts and psychomotor therapies, using art, dance, drama, music, movement and body awareness, in personality disorder treatment? This was explored by developing a treatment guideline based on a systematic review using the GRADE system within the context of the Dutch national multidisciplinary guidelines for treatment of personality disorders. Conclusions were formulated by a work group and based on the scientific substantiation and were integrated with other indications in the functioning of arts and psychomotor therapies in personality disorders. The first general search yielded 1,900 records which was brought back to 53 full-texts. Ultimately, 1 RCT and 2 pilot studies were included. Recommendations for treatment are that arts and psychomotor therapies are included in treatment, independent of age, sex or specific diagnostic characteristics. Arts and psychomotor therapies can be considered for purposes of coming into emotional contact with difficult aspects of patients and their experiences, to work on goals such as regulation of emotions, stress, identity/self-image, self-expression, mood/anxiety, relaxation, changing patterns and social functioning. Enlisting arts and psychomotor therapies for patients with a personality disorder is recommended because they value these therapies and perceive these to be effective. It could be considered to ask arts and psychomotor therapies to provide a contribution to the diagnostic process, to the problem analysis via observation and to determining treatment indication and treatment goals. More research is needed.
Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in University Students–The Role of Gender, Age, Field of Study, Targeted Degree, and Study Semester
Authors: Edelmann Dennis , Pfirrmann Daniel , Heller Sebastian , Dietz Pavel , Reichel Jennifer L. , Werner Antonia M. , Schäfer Markus , Tibubos Ana N. , Deci Nicole , Letzel Stephan , Simon Perikles , Kalo Kristin
Published: June 2022

Background

Physical inactivity and sedentary behavior are modifiable risk factors for an unhealthy lifestyle in university students. The aim of this study was to identify subgroups among German university students with an increased risk for unhealthy behavior. For this purpose, differences in physical activity and sedentary behavior with respect to sociodemographic and study related factors were examined.

Methods

A total of 4,351 students participated in an online survey. The amount of physical activity (metabolic equivalent of task-min/week) and the sitting time (h/day) were assessed using the German short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Differences in gender and age as well as field of study, targeted degree and study semester were analyzed using a single factorial ANOVA with Tukey correction or a Welch-ANOVA with Games-Howell correction.

Results

For physical activity, significant differences were found for gender (F(2, 80.46) = 17.79, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.009), for field of study (F(5, 1738.09) = 7.41, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.01), and for study semester (F(1, 948.12) = 5.53, p < 0.05, ηp2 =0.001), but not for age and targeted degree (p > 0.05). For sedentary behavior, significant differences were found for field of study (F(5, 3816) = 5.69, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.01) and targeted degree (F(3, 3868) = 3.94, p < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.003), but not for gender, age and study semester (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Female students, students enrolled in “natural sciences, mathematics and informatics” and first year students appear to have an increased risk of an unhealthy lifestyle. Future research should identify barriers to and incentives of physical activity as well as reasons for high amounts of SB in sub-populations of university students. Suitable prevention and intervention programs are necessary.
SperoPredictor: An Integrated Machine Learning and Molecular Docking-Based Drug Repurposing Framework With Use Case of COVID-19
Authors: Ahmed Faheem , Lee Jae Wook , Samantasinghar Anupama , Kim Young Su , Kim Kyung Hwan , Kang In Suk , Memon Fida Hussain , Lim Jong Hwan , Choi Kyung Hyun
Published: June 2022

The global spread of the SARS coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), its manifestation in human hosts as a contagious disease, and its variants have induced a pandemic resulting in the deaths of over 6,000,000 people. Extensive efforts have been devoted to drug research to cure and refrain the spread of COVID-19, but only one drug has received FDA approval yet. Traditional drug discovery is inefficient, costly, and unable to react to pandemic threats. Drug repurposing represents an effective strategy for drug discovery and reduces the time and cost compared to de novo drug discovery. In this study, a generic drug repurposing framework (SperoPredictor) has been developed which systematically integrates the various types of drugs and disease data and takes the advantage of machine learning (Random Forest, Tree Ensemble, and Gradient Boosted Trees) to repurpose potential drug candidates against any disease of interest. Drug and disease data for FDA-approved drugs (n = 2,865), containing four drug features and three disease features, were collected from chemical and biological databases and integrated with the form of drug-disease association tables. The resulting dataset was split into 70% for training, 15% for testing, and the remaining 15% for validation. The testing and validation accuracies of the models were 99.3% for Random Forest and 99.03% for Tree Ensemble. In practice, SperoPredictor identified 25 potential drug candidates against 6 human host-target proteomes identified from a systematic review of journals. Literature-based validation indicated 12 of 25 predicted drugs (48%) have been already used for COVID-19 followed by molecular docking and re-docking which indicated 4 of 13 drugs (30%) as potential candidates against COVID-19 to be pre-clinically and clinically validated. Finally, SperoPredictor results illustrated the ability of the platform to be rapidly deployed to repurpose the drugs as a rapid response to emergent situations (like COVID-19 and other pandemics).
Study on the Rehabilitation Therapist Estimation Under Institutional Perspective by Applying the Workload Indicators of Staffing Needs in the Aging Context
Authors: Jing Qi , Xing Yang , Duan Mingxue , Guo Peiwu , Cai Weiqin , Gao Qianqian , Gao Runguo , Ji Lihong , Lu Jun
Published: June 2022

Background

The need for rehabilitation therapy has increased dramatically with the aging of the population, the prevalence of non-communicable diseases, and the increase in the number of disabilities. Rehabilitation therapists are crucial to provide high quality rehabilitation therapy; however, there is a significant shortage of these professionals in China. One of the effective strategies to address this challenge is using the norm of the workforce for rehabilitation therapy, which is an index for assessing the personnel required in a facility. This research aimed to create a rehabilitation therapist-required norm under institutional perspective in Shandong Province, China, based on the Workload Indicators of Staffing Needs (WISN) method, which was created by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1998 to analyse staff utilization at various levels of the health care system.

Methods

We conducted descriptive and quantitative research from October to November 2020 in the rehabilitation department of a tertiary hospital in Weifang City, China. Focus groups, online interviews, and document reviews were conducted to gather data and calculations of the WISN method performed.

Results

Admission assessment, pre-treatment evaluation, rehabilitation therapy, post-treatment evaluation, and health education for patients were identified as the main priority group activities. Interviews and analysis of documents summarized five factors related to rehabilitation therapists' health service activities. In this study, the annual working time of each therapist was 1,776 h per year. The WISN method calculations showed that the norm of rehabilitation therapists in this tertiary hospital was 23 therapists. As the department had 13 therapists, there was a shortage of 10 therapists based on the WISN calculation, with a ratio of 0.57, which represented the actual compared to the ideal number of therapists.

Conclusion

Workload pressure was high for therapists in this tertiary hospital. This model revealed a demand for ten more therapists in the rehabilitation department. The WISN method can help hospital administrators in therapist workforce monitoring, including in regard to therapists. Therefore, the WISN method should be embraced as part of hospital human resource planning and recruitment strategies to meet increasing rehabilitation needs.
Port Sustainability as a Service: The Design of Bespoke Service Level Agreements (SLAs) to Improve Operational Efficiency at Harbours by Prioritising Social Satisfaction
Authors: Peoples Cathryn , Moore Adrian , Georgalas Nektarios
Published: June 2022

The maritime industry is a complex ecosystem which is important to manage carefully given the role it plays in handling global trade. Effective operation at a port is dependent on a timely passage of goods, involving multiple competing objectives, one of which is sustainability. Unsurprisingly, given the extent of a port's operations, it is a significant contributor of emissions. A port is a physically demanding industry in which to work, and any degradation in workforce productivity can have a detrimental effect on the port's effective running. Slow operations, combined with dependencies between port stakeholders, can further amplify unsustainability. There are some efforts to explore the digitalization of ports, including the creation of green and smart ports. However, there is general widespread resistance to the introduction of technology in this domain. There are therefore a number of areas in which to make technical contributions to improve the efficiency of port operations. In this paper, we propose using the satisfaction of staff at a port to influence the efficiency of its operations. In recognition of widespread low staff morale at ports in general, we recognize that staff become dissatisfied as operations move out of their control and the resulting consequences of interruptions to performance can lead to disruptions unable to be rectified quickly or easily, with staff motivation remaining low. Once low and unmotivated, there is a possibility that motivation will remain low even for operations which staff are in control of, with a detrimental effect on the efficiency, and therefore sustainability of the port. We believe that measuring and improving the satisfaction of staff for the efficiency it can bring will be possible through the roll-out of sensors supporting an Internet of Things (IoT) architecture across a port. With satisfied staff, they are likely to be motivated to work in an efficient manner, which will carry through to situations when unexpected circumstances outside their control occur. It is therefore through increased IoT use that port sustainability will be supported in our proposal. Enabling this, staff efficiency and satisfaction can be tracked using a connected service made available using Service Level Agreements (SLAs). The cost of the service and subsequent extent to which staff can be monitored and managed for sustainability objectives can be agreed with a service provider in advance. When staff are satisfied, the port will be operated to sustain low costs. When staff satisfaction begins to decline, however, operation will become focused on the performance of the port to identify where bottlenecks exist in inefficient operations and staff output. While simultaneously managing both cost and performance through the satisfaction of staff, the goal is an overall positive contribution to a port's efficiency and sustainability.
How Does Photosynthesis Wake up in the Morning?
Authors: Townsend Hope , Imes Avery , Wang Xin
Published: June 2022

In photosynthesis, plants use energy from sunlight to turn carbon from CO2 in the air into a solid form of carbon that can build the plant’s body. Photosynthesis consists of two portions: the reactions that absorb sunlight energy and another set of reactions called the Calvin-Benson-Bassham (CBB) cycle. When the plant “wakes up” in the morning, after a night of darkness, these two processes do not wake up at the same pace, which can damage the plant cells. However, plant cells prevent this problem by regulating these two processes carefully. To understand how photosynthetic organisms switch from night to day, a type of photosynthetic bacteria called cyanobacteria were used to explore how another pathway, called the oxidative pentose phosphate (OPP) pathway, helps with this dark-to-light transition. Our research found that the OPP pathway can help photosynthesis quickly reactivate when light is available and can prevent cell damage from too much light.
Effect of an Early Oral Food Intake Strategy on the Quality of Life of Postoperative Patients With Esophageal Cancer
Authors: Yang Renmei , Yuan Wenxiu , Li Zhengfang , Yang Manrong , Jiang Yuequan
Published: June 2022

Objective

To explore the early oral food intake on the quality of life of postoperative patients with esophageal cancer.

Methods

A total of 100 patients with esophageal cancer were randomized into an observation group and a control group, with 50 patients in each group. The patients in the control group were routinely indwelt with a gastric tube and fasted for seven days. If no abnormality was found in examinations, the patients were instructed to attempt drinking water and gradually try eating liquid, semi-liquid, and common foods. The patients in the observation group were subjected to the early oral food intake strategy. The recovery and gastrointestinal symptoms of the patients were evaluated using the six-minute walk test and gastrointestinal symptom rating scale (GSRS) at discharge. The quality of life of patients was evaluated using the QLQ-C30 scale and QLQ-OES18 scale during the return visit to the hospital one month after discharge.

Results

The GSRS score of the observation group was markedly lower than that of the control group. The six-minute walk distance in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group; the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01). In comparing the QLQ-C30 scores of the two groups, the scores in physical function, emotional function, and general health condition in the observation group were higher than those in the control group. In comparing the QLQ-OES18 scores of the two groups, the scores in dysphagia, eating, reflux, pain domains, and choking symptoms in the observation group were lower than those in the control group; the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.01), and there were no statistically significant differences in other symptoms and related functions between the two groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

The early oral food intake strategy can reduce gastrointestinal symptoms, promote recovery of postoperative patients with esophageal cancer, and improve quality of life.
Clinicopathological and Prognostic Value of USP22 Expression in Gastric Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis and Database Validation
Authors: Wang Yuhang , Jia Zirui , Gao Jiacheng , Zhou Tingting , Zhang Xiangwen , Zu Guo
Published: June 2022

Background

It has been reported that there is a correlation between the level of ubiquitin-specific protease 22 (USP22) and the clinicopathological parameters and prognosis of gastric cancer (GC) patients, but the conclusions are inconsistent. Hence, a meta-analysis must be conducted to clarify the relationship between USP22 expression and clinicopathological and prognostic value of GC patients to provide more accurate evidence.

Methods

According to the predetermined selection criteria, systematic file retrieval was performed. The hazard ratio (HR) or odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to evaluate the relationship between USP22 expression and clinicopathological and prognostic value of GC patients.

Results

In a total of 802 patients, those with GC were finally included in 6 studies. The pooled results demonstrated that the expression of USP22 was significantly increased in GC tissues compared with control tissues (OR = 9.947, 95% CI, 6.074–16.291, P = 0.000), and USP22 expression was related to lymph node metastasis (OR = 2.415, 95% CI, 1.082, P = 0.031), distant metastasis (OR = 3.956, 95% CI, 1.365–11.464, P = 0.011) and TNM stage (OR = 2.973, 95% CI, 1.153–7.666, P = 0.024). Nevertheless, the expression of USP22 was not correlated with gender (OR = 1.202, 95% CI, 0.877–1.648, P = 0.253), age (OR = 1.090, 95% CI, 0.811–1.466, P = 0.568), tumor size (OR = 0.693,95% CI, 0.348–1.380, P = 0.297), tumor differentiation (OR = 1.830, 95%CI, 0.948–3.531, P = 0.072) and depth of invasion (OR = 2.320, 95% CI, 0.684–7.871, P = 0.177). Moreover, a high expression of USP22 predicted a poor overall survival (OS) in GC patients (HR = 2.012, 95% CI, 1.522–2.658, P = 0.000). The database of Kaplan–Meier plotter confirmed that a high expression of USP22 was correlated with poor prognostics in GC patients (HR = 1.41, 95% CI, 1.18–1.68, P < 0.01).

Conclusion

USP22 overexpression in GC tissues is positively related to lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis and TNM stage and indicates a poor clinical outcome of GC patients, but it is not associated with age, gender, depth of invasion, tumor differentiation and tumor size of GC patients.

Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier: 338361.
Seroprevalence and Molecular Evidence of Coxiella burnetii in Dromedary Camels of Pakistan
Authors: Hussain Shujaat , Saqib Muhammad , El-Adawy Hosny , Hussain Muhammad Hammad , Jamil Tariq , Sajid Muhammad Sohail , Alvi Mughees Aizaz , Ghafoor Muzafar , Tayyab Muhammad Haleem , Abbas Zaeem , Mertens-Scholz Katja , Neubauer Heinrich , Khan Iahtasham , Khalid Mansoor Muhammad , Muhammad Ghulam
Published: June 2022

Coxiellosis is a zoonosis in animals caused by Coxiella burnetii. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 920 (591 female and 329 male) randomly selected camels (Camelus dromedarius) of different age groups from 13 districts representative of the three different ecological zones in the Province Punjab, Pakistan to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of coxiellosis. The blood samples were collected and tested for anti-C. burnetti antibodies using indirect multispecies ELISA. Real-time PCR was used for the detection of C. burnetii DNA to determine the prevalence in heparinized blood pools. Out of 920 investigated camels, anti-C. burnetii antibodies were detected in 288 samples (31.3%) (95% CI: 28.3–34.4%). The highest (78.6%) and lowest (1.8%) seroprevalence were detected in Rahimyar Khan (southern Punjab) and in Jhang (central Punjab), respectively. Potential risk factors associated with seropositivity of the Q fever in camels included desert area (42.5%; OR = 2.78, 95% CI 1.12–3.21) summer season (35.7%; OR = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.31–3.2), sex (female) (39.1; OR = 2.35, 95% CI: 1.34–2.98), tick infestation (51.3%;OR = 2.81, 95% CI: 1.34–3.02), age (>10 years; 46.4%; OR = 1.56, 95% CI: 0.33–2.05) and herd size (38.5%; OR = 1.21, 95% CI: 0.76–1.54). Coxiella burnetii DNA was amplified in 12 (20%) and 1 (10%) of 60 ELISA-negative and 10 suspected camels, respectively. DNA could not be detected in ELISA positive blood pools. This study emphasizes the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of coxiellosis as well as its potential to spill over to animals and humans in contact with these camel herds.
Brief Research Report: Ebola Virus Differentially Infects Human Iris and Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells
Authors: Todd Shawn , Ma Yuefang , Ashander Liam M. , Appukuttan Binoy , Michael Michael Z. , Blenkinsop Timothy A. , Yeh Steven , Marsh Glenn A. , Smith Justine R.
Published: June 2022

Uveitis is a common manifestation of post-Ebola syndrome, associated with persistence of Ebola virus (EBOV; Zaire ebolavirus) inside the eye. The iris and retinal pigment epithelia are key components of the blood-ocular barriers, but have the capacity to act as hosts for microorganisms. We investigated the ability of EBOV to productively infect these cell populations. Donor-matched human iris and retinal pigment epithelial isolates (n = 5) were infected with EBOV at a multiplicity of infection of 1 for up to 72 hours. Parallel cultures were infected with Reston virus (RESTV; Reston ebolavirus) or Zika virus (ZIKV), or held uninfected under the same conditions. Viral transcript expression by RT-qPCR on total cellular RNA, cytoimmunofluorescence, and assays of 50% tissue culture infected dose of culture supernatant showed that both iris and retinal pigment epithelial isolates were permissive to infection, and supported replication and release of EBOV, as well as RESTV and ZIKV. However, in comparison to cells isolated from iris, those from retina demonstrated obvious EBOV-induced cytopathic effect, had higher intracellular EBOV nucleoprotein transcript, expressed intracellular EBOV protein more widely, and released EBOV at higher titer. Comparable results were obtained for isolates infected with RESTV and ZIKV. Consistent with observations of retinal pigment epithelial scars in Ebola survivors, our results suggest that an early event in post-Ebola uveitis is infection of the retinal pigment epithelium. Relative susceptibility of retinal pigment epithelial cells to infection with RESTV and ZIKV, as well as EBOV, implies this phenomenon may relate to a cell-specific attribute, such as high phagocytic activity.
Intricacy of Mitochondrial Dynamics and Antiviral Response During RNA Virus Infection
Authors: Singh Sneha , Dirani Karim , Kumar Ashok
Published: June 2022

Viruses are known to hijack the intracellular organelles, including mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, lipid droplets, and cytoskeleton to promote its replication. The host responds to invading viruses by mounting antiviral responses and rearrangement of its organelles. In particular, the mitochondria are one of the target organelles exploited by viruses and their proteins to suppress the host antiviral response. In this review, we have comprehensively summarized the impact of mitochondrial dynamics in modulating antiviral response during emerging and re-emerging RNA virus infections caused by genus Flavivirus (Dengue virus, Zika virus, Hepatitis C virus), and SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to knowledge gaps in mitochondria-virus interaction studies, we discuss recent advancements in therapeutics regulating the mitochondrial dynamics to combat viral infections.
Long Non-Coding RNA MCM3AP-AS1: A Crucial Role in Human Malignancies
Authors: Ma Tao , Wu Fa-Hong , Wu Hong-Xia , Fa Qiong , Chen Yan
Published: June 2022

The incidence of cancer continues to grow and is one of the leading causes of death in the world. Long noncoding RNAs (LncRNAs) is a group of RNA transcripts greater than 200 nucleotides in length, and although it cannot encode proteins, it can regulate different biological functions by controlling gene expression, transcription factors, etc. LncRNA micro-chromosome maintenance protein 3-associated protein antisense RNA 1 (MCM3AP-AS1) is involved in RNA processing and cell cycle-related functions, and MCM3AP-AS1 is dysregulated in expression in various types of cancers. This biomarker is involved in many processes related to carcinogens, such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, and migration. In this review, we summarize the roles of MCM3AP-AS1 in different human cancers and its biological functions with a view to providing ideas for future research.
Optimizing Cybersecurity Investments over Time
Authors: Mazzoccoli Alessandro , Naldi Maurizio
Published: June 2022

In the context of growing vulnerabilities, cyber-risk management cannot rely on a one-off approach, instead calling for a continuous re-assessment of the risk and adaptation of risk management strategies. Under the mixed investment–insurance approach, where both risk mitigation and risk transfer are employed, the adaptation implies the re-computation of the optimal amount to invest in security over time. In this paper, we deal with the problem of computing the optimal balance between investment and insurance payments to achieve the minimum overall security expense when the vulnerability grows over time according to a logistic function, adopting a greedy approach, where strategy adaptation is carried out periodically at each investment epoch. We consider three liability degrees, from full liability to partial liability with deductibles. We find that insurance represents by far the dominant component in the mix and may be relied on as a single protection tool when the vulnerability is very low.
Could Surplus Food in Blind Box Form Increase Consumers’ Purchase Intention?
Authors: Yang Chun , Chen Xuqi , Sun Jie , Wei Wei , Miao Wei , Gu Chao
Published: June 2022

Surplus foods are fresh raw material of food that has not been processed, and a large number of surplus foods are discarded and wasted every day. As a new business model, a surplus food blind box can attract consumers to purchase to reduce food waste. The main purpose of this study is to find out how to improve consumers’ degree of cognition of surplus food blind box to improve the purchase intention. Therefore, this study analyzes the relevant factors affecting consumers’ purchase intention of surplus food blind box, and through conceptualization and hypothesis verification, establishes a perceived model of consumers’ purchase intention of surplus food blind box that can be used for future research. The results can be used by relevant practitioners, consumers, governments, and researchers to reduce food waste.
Farrowing Pens for Individually Loose-Housed Sows: Results on the Development of the SowComfort Farrowing Pen
Authors: Andersen Inger Lise , Ocepek Marko
Published: June 2022

The objective of the present paper was to discuss the design of farrowing pens and present the first production results of the “SowComfort farrowing pen” (SOWCOMF). The biggest difference between this pen and the traditional pen (TRAD) presented in the study, is that SOWCOMF contains a nest area equipped with a rubber mattress, floor heating, a rack for straw and no separate creep area. It was predicted that SOWCOMF would result in lower piglet mortality compared to TRAD due to a more stimulating and comfortable environment, and that the use of rubber mats in SOWCOMF would reduce the incidence of carpal joint lesions of the piglets. Results from both farms showed that percent mortality of live born piglets was lower in SOWCOMF than TRAD (p = 0.004), especially due to starvation (p < 0.0001) and other causes (p < 0.0001). In contrast, percentage of overlying was higher in SOWCOMF (p < 0.0001). The lower incidence of starved piglets in SOWCOMF than TRAD can possibly be explained by more sow-initiated communication with the piglets (p < 0.001). Most causes of mortality declined over consecutive batches. Percentage of piglets per litter without carpal lesions were significantly higher in the SOWCOMF than in TRAD (p < 0.0001), showing that rubber mats provide more protection of carpal joints.
A Comparative Study of the Effects of Osaterone Acetate and Deslorelin Acetate on Sperm Kinematics and Morpho-Functional Parameters in Dogs
Authors: Niżański Wojciech , Eberhardt Maria , Ochota Małgorzata , Fontaine Christelle , Levy Xavier , Pasikowska Joanna
Published: June 2022

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common problems in older male dogs that often has a huge impact on their health and welfare. This article presents a comparison between osaterone acetate (Ypozane®; Virbac®)(OA) and deslorelin acetate (Suprelorin®; Virbac®)(DA), medications that are the main therapeutic alternative to castration in dogs with BPH. Forty dogs were divided into four groups: I—negative control (five dogs without BPH); II—positive control (10 individuals diagnosed with BPH); III—15 dogs treated with DA, and IV—10 individuals treated with OA. Semen fractions were collected on days 0 (day of treatment), 7, 14, and 21, and weeks 8, 12, 16, and 20. Macroscopic, microscopic and CASA analyses were performed. Both DA and OA significantly affected the properties of the canine ejaculate. The DA lead to the lack of libido and had lesser effects to the sperm function before it caused azoospermia, whereas OA had no effect on libido and only temporary reduction in seminal plasma volume was observed, which resulted in temporary deterioration in the percentage of motile and progressive spermatozoa.
Oxidant and Antioxidant Parameters’ Assessment Together with Homocysteine and Muscle Enzymes in Racehorses: Evaluation of Positive Effects of Exercise
Authors: Arfuso Francesca , Rizzo Maria , Giannetto Claudia , Giudice Elisabetta , Cirincione Roberta , Cassata Giovanni , Cicero Luca , Piccione Giuseppe
Published: June 2022

This study aimed to evaluate the changes in serum oxidant and antioxidant parameters together with the serum values of homocysteine (Hcy) and muscle enzymes including creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in regularly trained athletic horses during official races of 1200, 1600 and 2000 m. Thirty Thoroughbred horses were divided into three groups of 10 subjects each according to the race distance: Group 1, 1200 m race; Group 2, 1600 m race; Group 3, 2000 m race. Blood samples were collected from horses 1 week prior to the race (1WB), on the day of the race at rest (TREST), immediately after the race (TPOST), and after 30 (TPOST30) and 120 (TPOST120) minutes. Serum total proteins, reactive oxygen metabolites (dROMs), thiol antioxidant barrier (SHp), antioxidant barrier (Oxy-ads), Hcy, CK, AST and LDH values were assessed. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA did not show differences referable to the race distance (Group effect) on all investigated parameters (p > 0.05). An exercise effect on oxidative stress markers, Hcy and muscle enzymes herein investigated was found in all groups (p < 0.001). A Pearson’s test showed dROMs positively correlated with SHp, Oxy-ads and Hcy after exercise (p < 0.05). This study suggests that, though well-trained racing horses are subjected to oxidative stress during a race, a proper antioxidant capacity may improve their ability to cope with exercise-induced oxidative stress.
Use of Artificial Neural Networks to Predict the Progression of Glaucoma in Patients with Sleep Apnea
Authors: Anton Nicoleta , Lisa Catalin , Doroftei Bogdan , Curteanu Silvia , Bogdanici Camelia Margareta , Chiselita Dorin , Branisteanu Daniel Constantin , Nechita-Dumitriu Ionela , Ilie Ovidiu-Dumitru , Ciuntu Roxana Elena
Published: June 2022

Aim: To construct neural models to predict the progression of glaucoma in patients with sleep apnea. Materials and Methods: Modeling the use of neural networks was performed using the Neurosolutions commercial simulator. The built databases gather information on a group of patients with primitive open-angle glaucoma and normal-tension glaucoma, who have been associated with sleep apnea syndrome and various stages of disease severity. The data within the database were divided as follows: 65 were used in the neural network training stage and 8 were kept for the validation stage. In total, 21 parameters were selected as input parameters for neural models including: age of patients, BMI (body mass index), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, intraocular pressure, central corneal thickness, corneal biomechanical parameters (IOPcc, HC, CRF), AHI, desaturation index, nocturnal oxygen saturation, remaining AHI, type of apnea, and associated general conditions (diabetes, hypertension, obesity, COPD). The selected output parameters are: c/d ratio, modified visual field parameters (MD, PSD), ganglion cell layer thickness. Forward-propagation neural networks (multilayer perceptron) were constructed with a layer of hidden neurons. The constructed neural models generated the output values for these data. The obtained results were then compared with the experimental values. Results: The best results were obtained during the training stage with the ANN network (21:35:4). If we consider a 25% confidence interval, we find that very good results are obtained during the validation stage, except for the average GCL thickness, for which the errors are slightly higher. Conclusions: Excellent results were obtained during the validation stage, which support the results obtained in other studies in the literature that strengthen the connection between sleep apnea syndrome and glaucoma changes.
Tensile Properties and Tensile Failure Criteria of Layered Rocks
Authors: Gao Min , Liang Zhengzhao , Jia Shanpo , Zou Jiuqun
Published: June 2022

Rocks are less resistant to tension than to compression or shear. Tension cracks commonly initiate compression or shear failure. The mechanical behavior of layered rocks under compression has been studied extensively, whereas the tensile behavior still remains uncertain. In this paper, we study the effect of layer orientation on the strength and failure patterns of layered rocks under direct and indirect tension through experimental and numerical testing (RFPA2D: numerical software of Rock Failure Process Analysis). The results suggest that the dip angle of the bedding planes significantly affects the tensile strength, failure patterns, and progressive deformation of layered rocks. The failure modes of the layered specimens indicate that the tensile strength obtained by the Brazilian disc test is not as accurate as that obtained by the direct tension test. Therefore, the modified Single Plane of Weakness (MSPW) failure criterion is proposed to predict the tensile strength of the layered rocks based on the failure modes of direct tension. The analytical predictions of the MSPW failure criterion agrees closely with the experimental and numerical results. In rock engineering, the MSPW failure criterion can conveniently predict the tensile strength and reflect the failure modes of layered rocks (such as shale, slate, and layered sandstone) with satisfactory accuracy.
Virtual Reality-Based Interface for Advanced Assisted Mobile Robot Teleoperation
Authors: Solanes J. Ernesto , Muñoz Adolfo , Gracia Luis , Tornero Josep
Published: June 2022

This work proposes a new interface for the teleoperation of mobile robots based on virtual reality that allows a natural and intuitive interaction and cooperation between the human and the robot, which is useful for many situations, such as inspection tasks, the mapping of complex environments, etc. Contrary to previous works, the proposed interface does not seek the realism of the virtual environment but provides all the minimum necessary elements that allow the user to carry out the teleoperation task in a more natural and intuitive way. The teleoperation is carried out in such a way that the human user and the mobile robot cooperate in a synergistic way to properly accomplish the task: the user guides the robot through the environment in order to benefit from the intelligence and adaptability of the human, whereas the robot is able to automatically avoid collisions with the objects in the environment in order to benefit from its fast response. The latter is carried out using the well-known potential field-based navigation method. The efficacy of the proposed method is demonstrated through experimentation with the Turtlebot3 Burger mobile robot in both simulation and real-world scenarios. In addition, usability and presence questionnaires were also conducted with users of different ages and backgrounds to demonstrate the benefits of the proposed approach. In particular, the results of these questionnaires show that the proposed virtual reality based interface is intuitive, ergonomic and easy to use.
Editorial on Special Issue “Biomaterials, Polymers and Tissue Engineering”
Authors: Chiulan Ioana
Published: June 2022

The development of new materials, new manufacturing methods, and new techniques has attracted interest from many researchers in recent decades [...]
User-BS Selection Strategy Optimization with RSSI-Based Reliability in 5G Wireless Networks
Authors: Shen Jie , Hao Yijun , Yang Yuqian , Zhao Cong
Published: June 2022

Although fifth-generation (5G) wireless communication can ] support well a high data rate of transmission, issues such as base station (BS) failure and poor BS signals may cause serious interruption problems. This paper studies the user-BS selection strategy with received signal strength indication (RSSI)-based reliability in 5G wireless networks. First, reliability is defined on the basis of the RSSI and failure probability of the BS. The problem is modeled as a selection strategy optimization problem with BS capacity and receiving sensitivity as constraints. Second, the original problem can be transformed into a resource allocation problem with probabilistic constraints. For the situation where user distribution is known, we used dynamic programming to obtain the optimal BS selection strategy. For the situation where user distribution is unknown, starting from user trajectory data, we used the space–time density estimation method based on the Epanechnikov kernel to estimate user density and bring it into dynamic programming to obtain the optimal selection strategy. Simulation results show that our density estimation algorithm is more accurate than the commonly used density estimation algorithm. Compared with the distance-based optimization method, our RSSI-based optimization method also improved the communication signal quality under different scenarios.
Jointed Rock Failure Mechanism: A Method of Heterogeneous Grid Generation for DDARF
Authors: Ma Hai-Ping , Daud Nik Norsyahariati Nik
Published: June 2022

The original DDARF (discontinuous deformation analysis for rock failure) can only generate uniform grids, and the increase in the number of grids reduces the efficiency of calculation, which limits the use of DDARF in large-scale geotechnical engineering. This is a problem that needs to be solved in the original DDARF. A new method is proposed in this paper to optimize the generation of grids in DDARF, and the optimized DDARF can generate heterogeneous grids. The model of the Brazilian disc-splitting experiment was established by using the optimized DDARF, fine grids were generated in the crack propagation region of the model, andsparse grids were generated at the edge of the model. The simulation results show that the Brazilian disc-splitting experiment simulated by the optimized DDARF is more consistent with the physical experiment than the original DDARF. The optimized DDARF and the original DDARF were used to generate a heterogeneous grid model and a uniform grid model, respectively, to simulate the uniaxial compression experiment. Through the analysis of the experimental results, it can be concluded that the optimized DDARF is more accurate in simulating the cracking and propagation of joints in rock blocks, the results of optimized DDARF are more consistent with the simulation results of other software, and the computational efficiency of the optimized DDARF simulation experiment is much higher than that of the original DDARF at the same time.