bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Likelihood of High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Incursion Into the Gamebird Sector in Great Britain via Designated Hatcheries
Authors: Fujiwara Mayumi , Auty Harriet , Brown Ian , Boden Lisa
Published: April 2022

The outbreaks of High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) in the United Kingdom in 2017 and 2021 had a substantial impact on the gamebird industry and highlighted to policymakers the importance of existing knowledge gaps for effective disease control. Despite the size of the industry, the impact of HPAI on the gamebird industry is not well-understood. To improve future disease preparedness, a veterinary risk assessment to explore the risk of HPAI incursion into the gamebird sector in Great Britain via a designated hatchery was commissioned by Scottish Government Animal Health and Welfare Division. Hatchery designation is a legal requirement for hatcheries located within disease control zones or that have business links to premises located in disease control zones to continue operating during an HPAI outbreak. Several risk pathways were identified, which involved various management procedures associated with egg production through to the delivery of day-old chicks. The overall likelihood of the HPAI virus introduction into a designated hatchery through hatching egg movement is considered to be low (high uncertainty). The overall likelihood of onward transmission of the HPAI virus into gamebird rearing sites from a designated hatchery through day-old chick movement is also considered to be low (medium uncertainty). These risk levels are based on the assumption that relevant control measures are observed, as enhanced biosecurity is one of the requirements for hatchery designation. However, high uncertainties and variabilities were identified in the level of compliance with these biosecurity measures. Factors increasing the likelihood level include management practices typical to this sector, such as having multiple egg production sites, raising birds at outdoor sites, catching birds from the wild for egg production, having various scale of satellite farms in various locations, importing eggs and day-old chicks from overseas, as well as the proximity of the game farm to the infected premise or to higher risk areas. This study offers evidence for policymakers to help develop criteria for hatchery designation and proposes important mitigation strategies for future disease outbreaks specific for the gamebird sector.
Results of the Study of the Influence of External Cargo Parameters on the Helicopter Controllability
Authors: Babenko Grigory , Efimov Vadim , Kiselev Mikhail , Shkurin Maksim
Published: April 2022

Helicopters are widely used for air transportation and aerial work with cargo on external cables, one of the most challenging and dangerous uses. The main reason for the flight complication is the change in the controllability characteristics of the helicopter because of the presence of cargo. As of today, flight tests are mainly conducted to determine the feasibility of aerial transportation and aerial work involving external cargo. In addition, they are conducted to determine safe flight regimes when performing such operations. From a flight safety perspective, it is always desirable to know the changes in the control parameters before flight tests are performed. A proposal was made to use theoretical methods, including numerical simulations, to solve these problems. At present, work is progressing to isolate the effects of different cargoes on the external cable suspension and its direct effects on the static and dynamic characteristics of the helicopter’s control and stability. The effect of cargo mass and sail weight on the control efficiency is expressed by the helicopter’s angular acceleration, which is gained by deviating the cyclic pitch handle—a static control and stability indicator. When considering dynamic control and stability, the influence of the length of the external suspension cable on the transition time was investigated. The results obtained were refined for inclusion in all flight manuals for Mi-8 helicopters concerning flights with cargoes attached to the external suspension cables, the size and weight of the suspension cables as well as the methods of instruction and for preparing the crew for flights with upgraded cargo, including instruction via flight simulators.
One Health Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance Phenotypes in Selected Communities in Thailand
Authors: Sudatip Duangdao , Tiengrim Surapee , Chasiri Kittipong , Kritiyakan Anamika , Phanprasit Wantanee , Morand Serge , Thamlikitkul Visanu
Published: April 2022

Integrated surveillance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) using the One Health approach that includes humans, animals, food, and the environment has been recommended by responsible international organizations. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of AMR phenotypes in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species isolated from humans, pigs, chickens, and wild rodents in five communities in northern Thailand. Rectal swabs from 269 pigs and 318 chickens; intestinal contents of 196 wild rodents; and stool samples from 69 pig farmers, 155 chicken farmers, and 61 non-farmers were cultured for E. coli and Klebsiella species, which were then tested for resistance to ceftriaxone, colistin, and meropenem. The prevalence of ceftriaxone-resistant E. coli and Klebsiella species in pigs, chickens, rodents, pig farmers, chicken farmers, and non-farmers was 64.3%, 12.9%, 4.1%, 55.1%, 38.7%, and 36.1%, respectively. Colistin resistance in pigs, chickens, rodents, pig farmers, chicken farmers, and non-farmers was 41.3%, 9.8%, 4.6%, 34.8%, 31.6%, and 24.6%, respectively. Meropenem resistance was not detected. The observed high prevalence of AMR, especially colistin resistance, in study food animals/humans is worrisome. Further studies to identify factors that contribute to AMR, strengthened reinforcement of existing regulations on antimicrobial use, and more appropriate interventions to minimize AMR in communities are urgently needed.
Computational Design of Inhibitors Targeting the Catalytic β Subunit of Escherichia coli FOF1-ATP Synthase
Authors: Avila-Barrientos Luis Pablo , Cofas-Vargas Luis Fernando , Agüero-Chapin Guillermin , Hernández-García Enrique , Ruiz-Carmona Sergio , Valdez-Cruz Norma A. , Trujillo-Roldán Mauricio , Weber Joachim , Ruiz-Blanco Yasser B. , Barril Xavier , García-Hernández Enrique
Published: April 2022

With the uncontrolled growth of multidrug-resistant bacteria, there is an urgent need to search for new therapeutic targets, to develop drugs with novel modes of bactericidal action. FoF1-ATP synthase plays a crucial role in bacterial bioenergetic processes, and it has emerged as an attractive antimicrobial target, validated by the pharmaceutical approval of an inhibitor to treat multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. In this work, we aimed to design, through two types of in silico strategies, new allosteric inhibitors of the ATP synthase, by targeting the catalytic β subunit, a centerpiece in communication between rotor subunits and catalytic sites, to drive the rotary mechanism. As a model system, we used the F1 sector of Escherichia coli, a bacterium included in the priority list of multidrug-resistant pathogens. Drug-like molecules and an IF1-derived peptide, designed through molecular dynamics simulations and sequence mining approaches, respectively, exhibited in vitro micromolar inhibitor potency against F1. An analysis of bacterial and Mammalia sequences of the key structural helix-turn-turn motif of the C-terminal domain of the β subunit revealed highly and moderately conserved positions that could be exploited for the development of new species-specific allosteric inhibitors. To our knowledge, these inhibitors are the first binders computationally designed against the catalytic subunit of FOF1-ATP synthase.
Advancing Radiation-Detected Resonance Ionization towards Heavier Elements and More Exotic Nuclides
Authors: Warbinek Jessica , Anđelić Brankica , Block Michael , Chhetri Premaditya , Claessens Arno , Ferrer Rafael , Giacoppo Francesca , Kaleja Oliver , Kieck Tom , Kim EunKang , Laatiaoui Mustapha , Lantis Jeremy , Mistry Andrew , Münzberg Danny , Nothhelfer Steven , Raeder Sebastian , Rey-Herme Emmanuel , Rickert Elisabeth , Romans Jekabs , Romero-Romero Elisa , Vandebrouck Marine , Van Duppen Piet , Walther Thomas
Published: April 2022

RAdiation-Detected Resonance Ionization Spectroscopy (RADRIS) is a versatile method for highly sensitive laser spectroscopy studies of the heaviest actinides. Most of these nuclides need to be produced at accelerator facilities in fusion-evaporation reactions and are studied immediately after their production and separation from the primary beam due to their short half-lives and low production rates of only a few atoms per second or less. Only recently, the first laser spectroscopic investigation of nobelium (Z=102) was performed by applying the RADRIS technique in a buffer-gas-filled stopping cell at the GSI in Darmstadt, Germany. To expand this technique to other nobelium isotopes and for the search for atomic levels in the heaviest actinide element, lawrencium (Z=103), the sensitivity of the RADRIS setup needed to be further improved. Therefore, a new movable double-detector setup was developed, which enhances the overall efficiency by approximately 65% compared to the previously used single-detector setup. Further development work was performed to enable the study of longer-lived (t1/2>1 h) and shorter-lived nuclides (t1/2<1 s) with the RADRIS method. With a new rotatable multi-detector design, the long-lived isotope 254Fm (t1/2=3.2 h) becomes within reach for laser spectroscopy. Upcoming experiments will also tackle the short-lived isotope 251No (t1/2=0.8 s) by applying a newly implemented short RADRIS measurement cycle.
Wound Healing Modulation through the Local Application of Powder Collagen-Derived Treatments in an Excisional Cutaneous Murine Model
Authors: Benito-Martínez Selma , Pérez-Köhler Bárbara , Rodríguez Marta , Izco Jesús María , Recalde José Ignacio , Pascual Gemma
Published: April 2022

Wound healing includes dynamic processes grouped into three overlapping phases: inflammatory, proliferative, and maturation/remodeling. Collagen is a critical component of a healing wound and, due to its properties, is of great interest in regenerative medicine. This preclinical study was designed to compare the effects of a new collagen-based hydrolysate powder on wound repair to a commercial non-hydrolysate product, in a murine model of cutaneous healing. Circular excisional defects were created on the dorsal skin of Wistar rats (n = 36). Three study groups were established according to the treatment administered. Animals were euthanized after 7 and 18 days. Morphometric and morphological studies were performed to evaluate the healing process. The new collagen treatment led to the smallest open wound area throughout most of the study. After seven days, wound morphometry, contraction, and epithelialization were similar in all groups. Treated animals showed reduced granulation tissue formation and fewer inflammatory cells, and induction of vasculature with respect to untreated animals. After 18 days, animals treated with the new collagen treatment showed accelerated wound closure, significantly increased epithelialization, and more organized repair tissue. Our findings suggest that the new collagen treatment, compared to the untreated control group, produces significantly faster wound closure and, at the same time, promotes a slight progression of the reparative process compared with the rest of the groups.
Identification of Exosomal microRNAs and Their Targets in Papillary Thyroid Cancer Cells
Authors: Maggisano Valentina , Capriglione Francesca , Verrienti Antonella , Celano Marilena , Gagliardi Agnese , Bulotta Stefania , Sponziello Marialuisa , Mio Catia , Pecce Valeria , Durante Cosimo , Damante Giuseppe , Russo Diego
Published: April 2022

The release of molecules in exosomal cargoes is involved in tumor development and progression. We compared the profiles of exosomal microRNAs released by two thyroid cancer cell lines (TPC-1 and K1) with that of non-tumorigenic thyroid cells (Nthy-ori-3-1), and we explored the network of miRNA–target interaction. After extraction and characterization of exosomes, expression levels of microRNAs were investigated using custom TaqMan Advanced array cards, and compared with those expressed in the total cell extracts. The functional enrichment and network-based analysis of the miRNAs’ targets was also performed. Five microRNAs (miR-21-5p, miR-31-5p, miR-221-3p, miR-222-3p, and let-7i-3p) were significantly deregulated in the exosomes of tumor cells vs. non-tumorigenic cells, and three of them (miR-31-5p, miR-222-3p, and let-7i-3p) in the more aggressive K1 compared to TPC-1 cells. The network analysis of the five miRNAs identified some genes as targets of more than one miRNAs. These findings permitted the identification of exosomal microRNAs secreted by aggressive PTC cells, and indicated that their main targets are regulators of the tumor microenvironment. A deeper analysis of the functional role of the targets of exosomal miRNAs will provide further information on novel targets of molecular treatments for these neoplasms.
SARS-CoV-2 Infection, Sex-Related Differences, and a Possible Personalized Treatment Approach with Valproic Acid: A Review
Authors: Stakišaitis Donatas , Kapočius Linas , Valančiūtė Angelija , Balnytė Ingrida , Tamošuitis Tomas , Vaitkevičius Arūnas , Sužiedėlis Kęstutis , Urbonienė Daiva , Tatarūnas Vacis , Kilimaitė Evelina , Gečys Dovydas , Lesauskaitė Vaiva
Published: April 2022

Sex differences identified in the COVID-19 pandemic are necessary to study. It is essential to investigate the efficacy of the drugs in clinical trials for the treatment of COVID-19, and to analyse the sex-related beneficial and adverse effects. The histone deacetylase inhibitor valproic acid (VPA) is a potential drug that could be adapted to prevent the progression and complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection. VPA has a history of research in the treatment of various viral infections. This article reviews the preclinical data, showing that the pharmacological impact of VPA may apply to COVID-19 pathogenetic mechanisms. VPA inhibits SARS-CoV-2 virus entry, suppresses the pro-inflammatory immune cell and cytokine response to infection, and reduces inflammatory tissue and organ damage by mechanisms that may appear to be sex-related. The antithrombotic, antiplatelet, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, glucose- and testosterone-lowering in blood serum effects of VPA suggest that the drug could be promising for therapy of COVID-19. Sex-related differences in the efficacy of VPA treatment may be significant in developing a personalised treatment strategy for COVID-19.
Novel Tissue-Engineered Multimodular Hyaluronic Acid-Polylactic Acid Conduits for the Regeneration of Sciatic Nerve Defect
Authors: Roca Fernando Gisbert , Santos Luis Gil , Roig Manuel Mata , Medina Lara Milian , Martínez-Ramos Cristina , Pradas Manuel Monleón
Published: April 2022

The gold standard for the treatment of peripheral nerve injuries, the autograft, presents several drawbacks, and engineered constructs are currently suitable only for short gaps or small diameter nerves. Here, we study a novel tissue-engineered multimodular nerve guidance conduit for the treatment of large nerve damages based in a polylactic acid (PLA) microfibrillar structure inserted inside several co-linear hyaluronic acid (HA) conduits. The highly aligned PLA microfibers provide a topographical cue that guides axonal growth, and the HA conduits play the role of an epineurium and retain the pre-seeded auxiliary cells. The multimodular design increases the flexibility of the device. Its performance for the regeneration of a critical-size (15 mm) rabbit sciatic nerve defect was studied and, after six months, very good nerve regeneration was observed. The multimodular approach contributed to a better vascularization through the micrometrical gaps between HA conduits, and the pre-seeded Schwann cells increased axonal growth. Six months after surgery, a cross-sectional available area occupied by myelinated nerve fibers above 65% at the central and distal portions was obtained when the multimodular device with pre-seeded Schwann cells was employed. The results validate the multi-module approach for the regeneration of large nerve defects and open new possibilities for surgical solutions in this field.
Overview of Neural Tube Defects: Gene–Environment Interactions, Preventative Approaches and Future Perspectives
Authors: Isaković Jasmina , Šimunić Iva , Jagečić Denis , Hribljan Valentina , Mitrečić Dinko
Published: April 2022

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are the second most common congenital malformations of humans, characterized by impaired development of the central nervous system. Even though the etiology of most birth defects remains undetermined, genetic and environmental risk factors in the background of NTDs have been identified and extensively reported. On top of genetic and nutritional risks which include mutations in both coding and non-coding regions and maternal folate status, respectively, recent years have seen a rise in the identification of a variety of teratogens that could be implicated in NTD development. These include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, arsenic, pesticides, maternal hyperthermia and antibiotics as well as pain and seizure medication. With an increase in understanding of teratogens leading to NTD formation, preventative and treatment approaches have witnessed great advances throughout the years. While the most common preventative approach includes folic acid food fortification as well as suggested inositol supplementation, treatment and management approaches differ greatly depending on the developmental stage and the site of the lesion and include prenatal surgery, stem cell transplantation and postnatal surgery. Because NTDs still represent a large health and financial burden for the patient and society as a whole, it is crucial to investigate potential risk factors and develop novel approaches in order to fully prevent this category of disorders.
Different Effects of Valproic Acid on SLC12A2, SLC12A5 and SLC5A8 Gene Expression in Pediatric Glioblastoma Cells as an Approach to Personalised Therapy
Authors: Damanskienė Eligija , Balnytė Ingrida , Valančiūtė Angelija , Alonso Marta Marija , Stakišaitis Donatas
Published: April 2022

Valproic acid (VPA) is a histone deacetylase inhibitor with sex-specific immunomodulatory and anticancer effects. This study aimed to investigate the effect of 0.5 and 0.75 mM VPA on NKCC1 (SLC12A2), KCC2 (SLC12A5) and SLC5A8 (SLC5A8) co-transporter gene expressions in pediatric PBT24 (boy’s) and SF8628 (girl’s) glioblastoma cells. The SLC12A2, SLC12A5 and SLC5A8 RNA expressions were determined by the RT-PCR method. The SLC12A2 and SLC5A8 expressions did not differ between the PBT24 and SF8628 controls. The SLC12A5 expression in the PBT24 control was significantly higher than in the SF8628 control. VPA treatment significantly increased the expression of SLC12A2 in PBT24 but did not affect SF8628 cells. VPA increased the SLC12A5 expression in PBT24 and SF8628 cells. The SLC12A5 expression of the PBT24-treated cells was significantly higher than in corresponding SF8628 groups. Both VPA doses increased the SLC5A8 expression in PBT24 and SF8628 cells, but the expression was significantly higher in the PBT24-treated, compared to the respective SF8628 groups. The SLC5A8 expression in PBT24-treated cells was 10-fold higher than in SF8628 cells. The distinct effects of VPA on the expression of SLC12A2, SLC12A5 and SLC5A8 in PBT24 and SF8628 glioblastoma cells suggest differences in tumor cell biology that may be gender-related.
New Treatment Targets and Innovative Lipid-Lowering Therapies in Very-High-Risk Patients with Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Burger Achim Leo , Pogran Edita , Muthspiel Marie , Kaufmann Christoph Clemens , Jäger Bernhard , Huber Kurt
Published: April 2022

The effective and fast reduction of circulating low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a cornerstone for secondary prevention of atherosclerotic disease progression. Despite the substantial lipid-lowering effects of the established treatment option with statins and ezetimibe, a significant proportion of very-high-risk patients with cardiovascular disease do not reach the recommended treatment goal of <55 mg/dL (<1.4 mmol/L). Novel lipid-lowering agents, including the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) antibodies alirocumab and evolocumab, the small interfering ribonucleotide acid (si-RNA) inclisiran, as well as the recently approved bempedoic acid, now complete the current arsenal of LDL-C lowering agents. These innovative therapies have demonstrated promising results in clinical studies. Besides a strong reduction of LDL-C by use of highly effective agents, there is still discussion as to whether a very rapid achievement of the treatment goal should be a new strategic approach in lipid-lowering therapy. In this review, we summarize evidence for the lipid-modifying properties of these novel agents and their safety profiles, and discuss their potential pleiotropic effects beyond LDL-C reduction (if any) as well as their effects on clinical endpoints as cardiovascular mortality. In addition to a treatment strategy of “the lower, the better”, we also discuss the concept of “the earlier, the better”, which may also add to the early clinical benefit of large LDL-C reduction after an acute ischemic event.
Radiogenomics in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Review of the Current Status and Future Directions
Authors: Khaleel Sari , Katims Andrew , Cumarasamy Shivaram , Rosenzweig Shoshana , Attalla Kyrollis , Hakimi A Ari , Mehrazin Reza
Published: April 2022

Radiogenomics is a field of translational radiology that aims to associate a disease’s radiologic phenotype with its underlying genotype, thus offering a novel class of non-invasive biomarkers with diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic potential. We herein review current radiogenomics literature in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), the most common renal malignancy. A literature review was performed by querying PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases, identifying all relevant articles using the following search terms: “radiogenomics”, “renal cell carcinoma”, and “clear cell renal cell carcinoma”. Articles included were limited to the English language and published between 2009–2021. Of 141 retrieved articles, 16 fit our inclusion criteria. Most studies used computed tomography (CT) images from open-source and institutional databases to extract radiomic features that were then modeled against common genomic mutations in ccRCC using a variety of machine learning algorithms. In more recent studies, we noted a shift towards the prediction of transcriptomic and/or epigenetic disease profiles, as well as downstream clinical outcomes. Radiogenomics offers a platform for the development of non-invasive biomarkers for ccRCC, with promising results in small-scale retrospective studies. However, more research is needed to identify and validate robust radiogenomic biomarkers before integration into clinical practice.
The Potential Clinical Use of Stem/Progenitor Cells and Organoids in Liver Diseases
Authors: Nikokiraki Christina , Psaraki Adriana , Roubelakis Maria G.
Published: April 2022

The liver represents the most important metabolic organ of the human body. It is evident that an imbalance of liver function can lead to several pathological conditions, known as liver failure. Orthotropic liver transplantation (OLT) is currently the most effective and established treatment for end-stage liver diseases and acute liver failure (ALF). Due to several limitations, stem-cell-based therapies are currently being developed as alternative solutions. Stem cells or progenitor cells derived from various sources have emerged as an alternative source of hepatic regeneration. Therefore, hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are also known to differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells (HPLCs) and liver progenitor cells (LPCs) that can be used in preclinical or clinical studies of liver disease. Furthermore, these cells have been shown to be effective in the development of liver organoids that can be used for disease modeling, drug testing and regenerative medicine. In this review, we aim to discuss the characteristics of stem-cell-based therapies for liver diseases and present the current status and future prospects of using HLCs, LPCs or liver organoids in clinical trials.
The STEP Program—A Qualitative Study of the Supportive Therapeutic Excursion Program and Its Effect on Enabling Parental Self-Efficacy and Connectedness after the Stress-Experience of the NICU
Authors: McGuire-Brown Makini , Banihani Rudaina , Watson Jo , Ng Eugene , Rocha Colleen , Borges Laura , Church Paige Terrien
Published: April 2022

As a child is born, so are the parents with new roles assumed. Attachment is secured, and parents quickly become the experts in their child. With preterm birth, however, this quiet and essential period of discovery is interrupted. It is described as a traumatic and stressful experience. Programs that aim to address this focus on education and support. This qualitative study explores the effect on parents and staff of a novel and simple intervention of parents walking their baby in a stroller (Supportive Therapeutic Excursion Program, STEP). This study used a qualitative methodology that included 20 semi-structured interviews for content saturation to explore the experiences of parents and staff participating in the STEP program. We found an overall positive experience reported by both parents and nursing staff with STEP. Analysis revealed that as autonomy is fostered with parent education around transition to home, STEP brought a normalcy that was reported to bolster participating parents’ self-efficacy and connectedness, two important elements for recovery from stressful situations. The potential impact of STEP can be far reaching because, although future research is needed, these data suggest that inexpensive programs that promote normalcy may enable self-efficacy and connectedness prior to hospital discharge.
The Chemo-Gut Pilot Study: Associations between Gut Microbiota, Gastrointestinal Symptoms, and Psychosocial Health Outcomes in a Cross-Sectional Sample of Young Adult Cancer Survivors
Authors: Deleemans Julie M. , Chleilat Faye , Reimer Raylene A. , Baydoun Mohamad , Piedalue Katherine-Ann , Lowry Dana E. , Henning Jan-Willem , Carlson Linda E.
Published: April 2022

Chemotherapy adversely affects the gut microbiota, inducing dysbiosis, and negatively impacts gastrointestinal (GI) and psychosocial health during treatment, but little is known about the long-term effects or how these factors are related. Methods: This cross-sectional pilot study investigated the effects of chemotherapy on the gut microbiota, GI symptoms, and psychosocial outcomes in cancer survivors aged 18–39 years old, compared to healthy controls. Gut microbial diversity and composition were assessed from stool samples using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results: Survivors (n = 17) and healthy controls (n = 18) participated. Mean age at diagnosis was 31 years (±5.3). Mean time off treatment was 16.9 months (±16.4). Survivors had more severe GI symptoms, poorer psychosocial health, and increased relative abundance of Selenomondales, Veilloneliaceae, and Intestinibacter. In survivors, Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae and Intestinibacter correlated with psychosocial symptoms, while diarrhea correlated positively with Lachnospiraceae. Results are statistically significant. Survivors ≤6 months post-treatment had lower alpha diversity than survivors >6 months post-treatment (p = 0.04) and controls (p = 0.19). Conclusion: This small exploratory study demonstrates potential long-term gut microbial dysbiosis in cancer survivors, which may be associated with psychosocial symptoms. Larger trials concurrently and longitudinally examining gut microbiota, GI symptoms, and psychosocial outcomes are needed.
Multi-Focus Image Fusion Based on Multi-Scale Generative Adversarial Network
Authors: Ma Xiaole , Wang Zhihai , Hu Shaohai , Kan Shichao
Published: April 2022

The methods based on the convolutional neural network have demonstrated its powerful information integration ability in image fusion. However, most of the existing methods based on neural networks are only applied to a part of the fusion process. In this paper, an end-to-end multi-focus image fusion method based on a multi-scale generative adversarial network (MsGAN) is proposed that makes full use of image features by a combination of multi-scale decomposition with a convolutional neural network. Extensive qualitative and quantitative experiments on the synthetic and Lytro datasets demonstrated the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed MsGAN compared to the state-of-the-art multi-focus image fusion methods.
Exploring (Collaborative) Generation and Exploitation of Multiple Choice Questions: Likes as Quality Proxy Metric
Authors: Söbke Heinrich
Published: April 2022

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) are an established medium of formal educational contexts. The collaborative generation of MCQs by students follows the perspectives of constructionist and situated learning and is an activity that fosters learning processes. The MCQs generated are—besides the learning processes—further outcomes of collaborative generation processes. Quality MCQs are a valuable resource, so that collaboratively generated quality MCQs might also be exploited in further educational scenarios. However, the quality MCQs first need to be identified from the corpus of all generated MCQs. This article investigates whether Likes distributed by students when answering MCQs are viable as a metric for identifying quality MCQs. Additionally, this study explores whether the process of collaboratively generating MCQs and using the quality MCQs generated in commercial quiz apps is achievable without additional extrinsic motivators. Accordingly, this article describes the results of a two-stage field study. The first stage investigates whether quality MCQs may be identified through collaborative inputs. For this purpose, the Reading Game (RG), a gamified, web-based software aiming at collaborative MCQ generation, is employed as a semester-accompanying learning activity in a bachelor course in Urban Water Management. The reliability of a proxy metric for quality calculated from the ratio of Likes received and appearances in quizzes is compared to the quality estimations of domain experts for selected MCQs. The selection comprised the ten best and the ten worst rated MCQs. Each of the MCQs is rated regarding five dimensions. The results support the assumption that the RG-given quality metric allows identification of well-designed MCQs. In the second stage, MCQs created by RG are provided in a commercial quiz app (QuizUp) in a voluntary educational scenario. Despite the prevailing pressure to learn, neither the motivational effects of RG nor of the app are found in this study to be sufficient for encouraging students to voluntarily use them on a regular basis. Besides confirming that quality MCQs may be generated by collaborative software, it is to be stated that in the collaborative generation of MCQs, Likes may serve as a proxy metric for the quality of the MCQs generated.
Do Radishes and Carrots Grow in a Bunch? Students’ Knowledge about the Growth of Food Plants and Their Ideas of a School Garden Design
Authors: Hellinger Felix , Benkowitz Dorothee , Lindemann-Matthies Petra
Published: April 2022

School gardens can be places of biodiversity and suitable learning environments for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). In particular, vegetable patches where students can make their own experiences in food growing are very apt to connect local acting and global thinking, which is one of the main concerns of ESD. Working in a school garden could be a chance to overcome the lack of perception and knowledge about plants and their life cycles, which is described as “plant blindness”. Concerning the impact of school gardening, studies often investigate teachers’ perspectives only. Therefore, in our study, we focused on students. Participants were mainly fifth and sixth graders in middle and grammar school (mean age 12.3 years, n = 2107). With a paper-pencil test, we investigated their knowledge about the growth of 10 selected crop plants and asked them to rate school garden design elements referring to their importance and suitability for taking over responsibility for nature. In addition, we asked for character traits necessary for a successful school gardener. The results showed that about 40% of the students are convinced that carrots and radishes grow in bunches underground, and nearly 50% thought kohlrabi is growing underground as well. Girls performed better than boys. Increasing age and experience in gardening had a positive effect on the answers. In the students’ opinion, fruit trees, birdhouses, and vegetable patches are the most important elements in school gardens. The liking of nature and patience were highly scored skills for successful school gardening. The influence of experiences in gardening on the answers showed the important role that school gardening could play to gain hands-on knowledge about plant growth and thus offer quality education for every student. This would not only contribute to the reduction of plant blindness but answer the requests of ESD and the goals postulated in the Agenda 2030.
Few-Shot Object Detection Method Based on Knowledge Reasoning
Authors: Wang Jianwei , Chen Deyun
Published: April 2022

Human beings have the ability to quickly recognize novel concepts with the help of scene semantics. This kind of ability is meaningful and full of challenge for the field of machine learning. At present, object recognition methods based on deep learning have achieved excellent results with the use of large-scale labeled data. However, the data scarcity of novel objects significantly affects the performance of these recognition methods. In this work, we investigated utilizing knowledge reasoning with visual information in the training of a novel object detector. We trained a detector to project the image representations of objects into an embedding space. Knowledge subgraphs were extracted to describe the semantic relation of the specified visual scenes. The spatial relationship, function relationship, and the attribute description were defined to realize the reasoning of novel classes. The designed few-shot detector, named KR-FSD, is robust and stable to the variation of shots of novel objects, and it also has advantages when detecting objects in a complex environment due to the flexible extensibility of KGs. Experiments on VOC and COCO datasets showed that the performance of the detector was increased significantly when the novel class was strongly associated with some of the base classes, due to the better knowledge propagation between the novel class and the related groups of classes.
Deep Neural Network Prediction of Mechanical Drilling Speed
Authors: Chen Haodong , Jin Yan , Zhang Wandong , Zhang Junfeng , Ma Lei , Lu Yunhu
Published: April 2022

Rate of penetration (ROP) prediction is critical for the optimization of drilling parameters and ROP improvement during drilling. However, it is still challenging to accurately predict ROP based on traditional empirical formula methods. This is usually the case for the development of the Wushi 17-2 oilfield block in the South China Sea. The Liushagang Formation is complex and the ROP is relatively low and difficult to increase. Ordinary data-driven ROP prediction models are not applicable because they do not take into account the complexity of formation conditions. In this work, we characterize the formation with acoustic transit time and build a data-driven ROP prediction model based on a deep neural network approach. By using the exploratory well data of the Wushi 17-2 oilfield for training and testing, the matching degree of the established model with the real data can reach 82%. In addition, we have developed a drilling parameter optimization process based on the ROP prediction model to improve ROP. Through on-site simulation, we found that the process can well meet the construction requirements. The established models and process flow are also applicable to the development of other formations and fields.
Towards a Blockchain-Based Peer-to-Peer Energy Marketplace
Authors: Mezquita Yeray , Gil-González Ana Belén , Martín del Rey Angel , Prieto Javier , Corchado Juan Manuel
Published: April 2022

Blockchain technology is used as a distributed ledger to store and secure data and perform transactions between entities in smart grids. This paper proposes a platform based on blockchain technology and the multi-agent system paradigm to allow for the creation of an automated peer-to-peer electricity market in micro-grids. The use of a permissioned blockchain network has multiple benefits as it reduces transaction costs and enables micro-transactions. Moreover, an improvement in security is obtained, eliminating the single point of failure in the control and management of the platform along with creating the possibility to trace back the actions of the participants and a mechanism of identification. Furthermore, it provides the opportunity to create a decentralized and democratic energy market while complying with the current legislation and regulations on user privacy and data protection by incorporating Zero-Knowledge Proof protocols and ring signatures.
Subsurface Fluid Flow Feature as Hydrocarbon Indicator in the Alamein Basin, Onshore Egypt; Seismic Attribute Perspective
Authors: Harishidayat Dicky , Farouk Sherif , Abioui Mohamed , Aziz Osama Ahmed
Published: April 2022

The interpretation of subsurface fluid flow features in seismic reflection data is a key part of identifying the presence of hydrocarbon and active petroleum systems. Currently, this kind of study is mainly conducted utilizing offshore seismic reflection data with very limited cases utilizing onshore seismic reflection data. In addition, the Alamein basin is an area of prolific study in onshore Egypt, with most related studies concentrating on basin analysis and reservoir characterization. Therefore, in our study we aimed to make practical and effective use of onshore seismic reflection data with seismic attribute analysis to describe seismic facies, delineating and interpreting subsurface fluid flow features. The relatively vertical V-shaped and pipe or concave-up-shaped features with distorted reflections inside them are revealed through the analysis of variance, sweetness, chaos, instantaneous frequency and the RMS amplitude of seismic attributes. These subsurface fluid flow features are a product of mature source rock that migrates hydrocarbon vertically through faults (especially deep-seated faults) and fracture systems (fault and fracture-related subsurface fluid flow features). The classification scheme presented in our study could be implemented in the onshore case worldwide.
Ultra-Short-Term Wind Power Combined Prediction Based on Complementary Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition, Whale Optimisation Algorithm, and Elman Network
Authors: Zhu Anfeng , Zhao Qiancheng , Wang Xian , Zhou Ling
Published: April 2022

Accurate wind power forecasting helps relieve the regulation pressure of a power system, which is of great significance to the power system’s operation. However, achieving satisfactory results in wind power forecasting is highly challenging due to the random volatility characteristics of wind power sequences. This study proposes a novel ultra-short-term wind power combined prediction method based on complementary ensemble empirical mode decomposition, the whale optimization algorithm (WOA), and the Elman neural network model. The model can not only solve the phenomenon of easy modal mixing in decomposition but also avoid the problems of reconstruction error and low efficiency in the decomposition process. Furthermore, a new metaheuristic algorithm, WOA, was introduced to optimize the model and improve the accuracy of wind power prediction. Considering a wind farm as an example, several wind turbines were selected to simulate and analyse wind power by using the established prediction model, and the experimental results suggest that the proposed method has a higher prediction accuracy of ultra-short-term wind power than other prediction models.
The Impact of Thermal Inertia on the Indoor Thermal Environment of Light Steel Framing Constructions
Authors: Roque Eduardo , Vicente Romeu , Almeida Ricardo M. S. F. , Ferreira Victor M.
Published: April 2022

Typically, reinforced concrete and brick masonry construction is the most common construction system of the majority of the southern European residential building stock. However, the lightweight steel framing (LSF) construction system has been progressively assuming a relevant position in the residential sector. Since LSF is not the traditional construction system, the indoor thermal environment of these buildings has not been widely studied and discussed considering the southern European climate context. The low thermal inertia of this construction system is commonly pointed to as a possible weakness in warmer climates. The present work aims to address this research gap by evaluating and comparing the LSF and masonry construction systems in terms of the indoor thermal environment focusing on the level of thermal inertia. The considered methodology lies in a long-term experimental campaign based on the construction and monitoring of two identical experimental test cells, differing only in the construction system. The test cells are in the central region of Portugal. The monitoring period elapsed over an entire year. Dynamic simulations are also carried out with a model experimentally validated to consider a wider range of climatic conditions. It is shown that internally insulating the ground floor has an impact on the indoor thermal environment of the LSF test cell by accentuating the indoor air temperature fluctuations and magnitude of the extreme peak values. However, the results also reveal that the faster and closer response to the outdoor conditions may be beneficial for LSF buildings during the heating season.
Blood Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Gene Expression Differences between Yangtze Finless Porpoises from Two Habitats: Natural and Ex Situ Protected Waters
Authors: Liu Wang , Yin Denghua , Lin Danqing , Yan Yan , Zhu Xiaoyan , Ying Congping , Zhang Jialu , Xu Pao , Liu Kai
Published: April 2022

The Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis, YFP) is a critically endangered small odontocete species, mainly distributed in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Poyang Lake, and Dongting Lake. Under the influence of human activities, many factors are threatening the survival and reproduction of YFPs in their natural habitat. Ex situ conservation is of great significance to strengthen the rescuing conservation of YFPs by providing suitable alternative habitats and promoting the reproduction and growth of the ex situ population. To reveal the differences in gene expression of YFPs in natural and ex situ protected waters, and to investigate the effects of environmental factors on YFPs and their mechanisms, we performed transcriptome sequencing for blood tissues of YFPs collected from natural waters and ex situ protected waters. Using RNA-seq we identified 4613 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), of which 4485 were up-regulated and 128 were down-regulated in the natural population. GO analysis showed that DEGs were significantly enriched in entries related to binding, catalytic activity, and biological regulation; KEGG analysis showed that DEGs were enriched mainly in signal transduction, endocrine system, immune system, and sensory system-related pathways. Further analysis revealed that water pollution in natural waters may affect the hormone secretion of YFPs by altering the expression pattern of endocrine genes, thus interfering with normal endocrine activities; noise pollution may induce oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in YFPs, thus impairing the auditory function of YFPs. This study provides a new perspective for further research on the effect of habitat conditions on the YFPs and suggests that improving the habitat environment may help in the conservation of YFPs.
Nutritional Composition of Beach-Cast Marine Algae from the Brazilian Coast: Added Value for Algal Biomass Considered as Waste
Authors: Mandalka Andrea , Cavalcanti Maria Irisvalda Leal Gondim , Harb Talissa Barroco , Toyota Fujii Mutue , Eisner Peter , Schweiggert-Weisz Ute , Chow Fungyi
Published: April 2022

In some coastal areas, large quantities of beach-cast macroalgae can accumulate and are usually considered waste and disposed of. However, due to their biofunctional and nutritional properties, they have great potential as a new source of raw materials. Increasing population growth has made the search for alternative raw materials with valuable nutritional properties urgent; here, beach-cast macroalgae could provide great potential. Our research goal was to characterize the nutritional profile of 12 beach-cast seaweed species from the Brazilian coast to assess their potential valorization. A considerable number of nutritional compounds was observed, such as ash (6.5–59.3%), total dietary fibers (22.1–65.8%), proteins (5.1–21.5%), and carbohydrates (31.4–81.0%), with an expressive abundance of minerals, free amino acids, and fatty acids. Spatoglossum schroederi and Alsidium seaforthii showed protein contents of 21.5 ± 0.2%, 19.7 ± 0.1%, and high amounts of total dietary fiber of 59.2 ± 0.4%, 61.7 ± 4.9%, respectively. The overall profile suggests that beach-cast seaweeds are suitable for nutritional and other bioeconomical purposes, to which different species with different characteristics contribute. Contamination of these seaweeds with unwanted toxic compounds like micropollutants was not studied. However, this must be considered before they are used for human consumption.
Improving the Viability of Probiotics under Harsh Conditions by the Formation of Biofilm on Electrospun Nanofiber Mat
Authors: Shi Jiao , Li Shu-Fang , Feng Kun , Han Shuang-Yan , Hu Teng-Gen , Wu Hong
Published: April 2022

For improving probiotics’ survivability under harsh conditions, this study used Lactiplantibacillus plantarum GIM1.648 as a model microorganism to investigate its ability to produce biofilms on electrospun ethyl cellulose nanofiber mats. SEM observations confirmed that biofilm was successfully formed on the nanofibers, with the latter being an excellent scaffold material. The optimal cultivation conditions for biofilm formation were MRS medium without Tween 80, a culture time of 36 h, a temperature of 30 °C, a pH of 6.5, and an inoculum concentration of 1% (v/v). The sessile cells in the biofilm exhibited improved gastrointestinal and thermal tolerance compared to the planktonic cells. Additionally, the RT-qPCR assay indicated that the luxS gene played a crucial role in biofilm formation, with its relative expression level being 8.7-fold higher compared to the planktonic cells. In conclusion, biofilm formation on electrospun nanofiber mat has great potential for improving the viability of probiotic cells under harsh conditions.