bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emotional Regulation in Teens and Improvement of Constructive Skills (EmoTIConS): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Pedrini Laura , Rossi Roberta , Magni Laura Rosa , Lanfredi Mariangela , Meloni Serena , Ferrari Clarissa , Macis Ambra , Lopizzo Nicola , Zonca Valentina , Cattaneo Annamaria
Published: December 2021

Background

Emotional dysregulation (ED) constitutes a relevant factor involved in the onset and maintenance of many mental disorders. Targeting ED during adolescence could be a determinant both to identify high-risk individuals and to promote preventive interventions. This study will aim to evaluate the impact of a brief Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)-based intervention for adolescent students by measuring changes in emotional regulation skills and impulsive behaviors. Moreover, alterations in biological features related to stress response and inflammation will be assessed as potential biological variables associated with ED.

Methods

This is a randomized trial. A total of 20 classes of adolescent students will be recruited among high schools in Brescia, a city in northern Italy. They will be randomized to the psychoeducational intervention (experimental group) or to a control condition (control group). The intervention will be based on DBT Skills Training for Emotional Problem Solving for Adolescents, and will consist of four monthly, 2-h sessions (for a total of 8 h) scheduled during regular school time. Participants will be assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and at 3 and 6 months of follow-up. The primary outcome measures will be represented by changes in the use of emotional regulation skills and by changes in the frequency of impulsive behaviors. Salivary samples will be collected at baseline and post-intervention to explore possible biological features underlying ED.

Discussion

Data from the present project will offer the opportunity to better understand the complex phenomenon of ED. Repeated assessment will cover several domains (emotional, behavioral, social, biological) as potential factors associated with ED. Moreover, it will be possible to establish the effect of the proposed intervention, thus helping to improve knowledge on the impact of school-based universal preventive programs. Finally, the current trial will propose an integrated screening and intervention-based model. Ultimately, this could reduce barriers to youths’ mental health care by fostering collaboration between schools and mental health services.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04349709?cond=emotional+dysregulation&cntry=IT&draw=2&rank=1. Registered on April 16, 2020.
The ability of a submaximal cycle ergometer test to detect longitudinal changes in VO2max
Authors: Björkman Frida , Ekblom Örjan , Ekblom-Bak Elin , Bohman Tony
Published: December 2021

Background

The purpose of the present study was to examine the ability of a submaximal cycling test to detect longitudinal changes in maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and examine the conformity between changes in measured and estimated VO2max over a time span of 5–8 years.

Methods

A total of 35 participants (21 men and 14 women), aged 29 to 63 years, performed the Ekblom-Bak (EB) submaximal cycle test for estimation of VO2max and a maximal treadmill running test for direct measurement of VO2max. The baseline tests were conducted between 2009 and 2012, and the follow-up tests were completed 5 to 8 years later. Pearson’s coefficient of correlation (r) and paired samplet-test were used to analyse the association between change in measured and estimated VO2max. Random and systematic errors between the measured and estimated VO2max were evaluated using Bland-Altman plots. Repeated measures ANOVA were used to test differences between changes over time.

Results

There was no significant change in mean measured VO2max between baseline and follow-up (p= 0.91), however large individual variations were noted (− 0.78 to 0.61 L/min). The correlation between individual change in measured and estimated VO2max wasr= 0.75 (p< 0.05), and the unstandardised B-coefficient from linear regression modelling was 0.88 (95% CI 0.61 to 1.15), i.e., for each litre of change in estimated VO2max, the measured value had changed 0.88 L. The correlation between baseline and follow-up errors (the difference between estimated-measured VO2max at each occasion) wasr= 0.84 (p< 0.05). With regard to the testing procedure, repeated measures ANOVA revealed that there was no significant difference between the group who exercised at the same work rates at baseline and follow-up (n = 25), and those who required a change in work rate (n = 10).

Conclusions

The EB test detected a change in VO2max with reasonably good precision over a time span of 5–8 years. Further studies are needed to evaluate if the test can be used in clinical populations and in subjects with different medications.
Lipid A-Ara4N as an alternate pathway for (colistin) resistance in Klebsiella pneumonia isolates in Pakistan
Authors: Masood Kiran Iqbal , Umar Seema , Hasan Zahra , Farooqi Joveria , Razzak Safina Abdul , Jabeen Nazish , Rao Jason , Shakoor Sadia , Hasan Rumina
Published: December 2021

Objectives

This study aimed to explore mechanism of colistin resistance amongst Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates through plasmid mediated mcr-1 gene in Pakistan. Carbapenem and Colistin resistant K. pneumoniae isolates (n  = 34) stored at − 80 °C as part of the Aga Khan University Clinical Laboratory strain bank were randomly selected and subjected to mcr-1 gene PCR. To investigate mechanisms of resistance, other than plasmid mediated mcr-1 gene, whole genome sequencing was performed on 8 clinical isolates, including 6 with colistin resistance (MIC  >  4 μg/ml) and 2 with intermediate resistance to colistin (MIC  >  2 μg/ml).

Results

RT-PCR conducted revealed absence of mcr-1 gene in all isolates tested. Whole genome sequencing results revealed modifications in Lipid A-Ara4N pathway. Modifications in Lipid A-Ara4N pathway were detected in ArnA_ DH/FT, UgdH, ArnC and ArnT genes. Mutation in ArnA_ DH/FT gene were detected in S3, S5, S6 and S7 isolates. UgdH gene modifications were found in all isolates except S3, mutations in ArnC were present in all except S1, S2 and S8 and ArnT were detected in all except S4 and S7. In the absence of known mutations linked with colistin resistance, lipid pathway modifications may possibly explain the phenotype resistance to colistin, but this needs further exploration.
Detection of the sentinel lymph node with hybrid tracer (ICG-[99mTc]Tc-albumin nanocolloid) in intermediate- and high-risk endometrial cancer: a feasibility study
Authors: Sánchez-Izquierdo Nuria , Vidal-Sicart Sergi , Campos Francisco , Torné Aureli , Angeles Martina Aida , Migliorelli Federico , Munmany Meritxell , Saco Adela , Diaz-Feijoo Berta , Glickman Ariel , Ordi Jaume , Perissinotti Andrés , del Pino Marta , Paredes Pilar
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Indocyanine green (ICG) is frequently used for the detection of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) in gynecology, but it carries the loss of the presurgical SLN mapping provided by [99mTc]-based colloids. Hybrid tracers such as ICG-[99mTc]Tc-albumin nanocolloid combine the benefits of both components. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and applicability of this hybrid tracer injected by transvaginal ultrasound-guided myometrial injection of radiotracer (TUMIR) approach in the detection of SLNs in patients with intermediate- and high-risk EC.

Methods

Fifty-two patients with intermediate- and high-risk EC underwent SLN biopsy after injection of a hybrid tracer using the TUMIR approach, followed by pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy. SLNs were detected preoperatively by lymphoscintigraphic study and intraoperatively by gamma probe and near-infrared (NIR) optical laparoscopic camera.

Results

Preoperative lymphatic drainage was obtained in 69% and intraoperative detection in 71.4% of patients. A total of 146 SLNs (4.17 SLNs/patient) were biopsied. Pelvic bilateral detection was observed in 57% of the women and paraaortic drainage in 34% of the patients. The radioactive component allowed the detection of SLN in 97.1% of the patients, while the fluorescent component detected 80%. In more than 17% of the patients with intraoperative detection, SLNs were detected only by the radioactive signal. Lymph node metastasis was identified in 14.3% of patients submitted to SLNB. The sensitivity and negative predictive value for metastatic involvement were 100%.

Conclusion

TUMIR injection of a hybrid tracer in patients with intermediate- and high-risk EC combines the benefits of the radiotracer and the fluorescence methods with a single tracer. The method increases the paraaortic detection rate and allows a potential increase in SLN detection. Notwithstanding, based on our findings, the radioactive component of the hybrid tracer cannot be obviated.
Dynamic scene deblurring and image de-raining based on generative adversarial networks and transfer learning for Internet of vehicle
Authors: Wei Bingcai , Zhang Liye , Wang Kangtao , Kong Qun , Wang Zhuang
Published: December 2021

Extracting traffic information from images plays an increasingly significant role in Internet of vehicle. However, due to the high-speed movement and bumps of the vehicle, the image will be blurred during image acquisition. In addition, in rainy days, as a result of the rain attached to the lens, the target will be blocked by rain, and the image will be distorted. These problems have caused great obstacles for extracting key information from transportation images, which will affect the real-time judgment of vehicle control system on road conditions, and further cause decision-making errors of the system and even have a bearing on traffic accidents. In this paper, we propose a motion-blurred restoration and rain removal algorithm for IoV based on generative adversarial network and transfer learning. Dynamic scene deblurring and image de-raining are both among the challenging classical research directions in low-level vision tasks. For both tasks, firstly, instead of using ReLU in a conventional residual block, we designed a residual block containing three 256-channel convolutional layers, and we used the Leaky-ReLU activation function. Secondly, we used generative adversarial networks for the image deblurring task with our Resblocks, as well as the image de-raining task. Thirdly, experimental results on the synthetic blur dataset GOPRO and the real blur dataset RealBlur confirm the effectiveness of our model for image deblurring. Finally, as an image de-raining task based on transfer learning, we can fine-tune the pre-trained model with less training data and show good results on several datasets used for image rain removal.
Net zero 2050 as an EU priroty: modeling a system for efficient investments in eco innovation for climate change mitigation
Authors: Jesic Jelena , Okanovic Andrea , Panic Andrea Andrejevic
Published: December 2021

Background

The study background is based on the fact that The Recovery Plan for Europe envisages investing 30% of the huge budget in climate change, with the goal of zero gas emission by 2050. This ambitious plan will require (for now indefinitely) investments in research and innovation. The study’s main objective is to check and analyze the existing and propose a new model of effective investments in eco-innovation. This will contribute to effective long-term investment policy, climate change impact, and mitigation of consequences.

Methods

The basic methodological tools for solving the problems discussed in this study were correlation analysis, regression analysis, and paired sample t-test. All calculations were performed in the SPSS 20 statistical software. Time series data of the selected indicators were obtained from the European Innovation Scoreboard 2020. The database used to collect the data for the EU member countries and selected third countries for the analysis is the European Innovation Scoreboard 2020. To avoid sample selection bias, the authors considered all of the available data for all the member countries and selected third countries in the European Innovation Scoreboard 2020 for the 2012 to 2019 period.

Results

The study results show the path developing countries should follow in directing their inevitable and increasing eco-innovation investments, taking into account the arguments of structural differences in financing Research and Development (R&D). The authors’ findings support the thesis that investments in R&D is low in developing countries, while in developed EU countries, there are more investments in R&D from the business sector for the 2012–2019 period.

Conclusions

Study conclusions are summarized as a proposal of the appropriate R&D financing model approach to developing countries with a greater share of eco-innovation and self-sustainable R&D financing for climate preserving products. This study is important as it provides new evidence on financing R&D investments in innovation leader countries and emerging innovator countries according to Summary Innovation Index.
Driving mosaicism: somatic variants in reference population databases and effect on variant interpretation in rare genetic disease
Authors: Avramović Vladimir , Frederiksen Simona Denise , Brkić Marjana , Tarailo-Graovac Maja
Published: December 2021

Background

Genetic variation databases provide invaluable information on the presence and frequency of genetic variants in the ‘untargeted’ human population, aggregated with the primary goal to facilitate the interpretation of clinically important variants. The presence of somatic variants in such databases can affect variant assessment in undiagnosed rare disease (RD) patients. Previously, the impact of somatic mosaicism was only considered in relation to two Mendelian disease-associated genes. Here, we expand the analyses to identify additional mosaicism-prone genes in blood-derived reference population databases.

Results

To identify additional mosaicism-prone genes relevant to RDs, we focused on known/previously established ClinVar pathogenic and likely pathogenic single-nucleotide variants, residing in genes associated with early onset, severe autosomal dominant diseases. We asked whether any of these variants are present in a higher-than-expected frequency in the reference population databases and whether there is evidence of somatic origin (i.e., allelic imbalance) rather than germline heterozygosity (~ half of the reads supporting alternative allele). The mosaicism-prone genes identified were further categorized according to the processes they are involved in. Beyond the previously reportedASXL1andDNMT3A, we identified 7 additional autosomal dominant RD-associated genes with known pathogenic single-nucleotide variants present in the reference population databases and good evidence of allelic imbalance:BRAF,CBL,FGFR3, IDH2,KRAS, PTPN11andSETBP1. From this group of 9 genes, the majority (n = 7) was important for hematopoiesis. In addition, 4 of these genes were involved in cell proliferation. Further assessment of the known 156 hematopoietic genes led to identification of 48 genes (21 not yet associated with RDs) with at least some evidence of mosaicism detectable in reference population databases.

Conclusions

These results stress the importance of considering genes involved in hematopoiesis and cell proliferation when interpreting the presence and frequency of genetic variants in blood-derived reference population databases, both public and private. This is especially important when considering new variants of uncertain significance in known hematopoietic/cell proliferation RD genes and future novel gene–disease associations involving this class of genes.
Determination of the source parameters of the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake from three-component pre-P gravity signals recorded by dense arrays in Japan
Authors: Kimura Masaya , Kame Nobuki , Watada Shingo , Araya Akito , Kunugi Takashi , Wang Rongjiang
Published: December 2021

Dynamic earthquake rupture causes mass redistribution around the fault, and the emitted propagating seismic waves are accompanied by bulk density perturbations. Both processes cause transient gravity changes prior to the arrival of P-waves. Such pre-P gravity signals have been detected in previous studies of several large earthquakes. However, the detections were limited to the vertical component of the signal owing to the high noise level in the horizontal records. In this study, we analyzed dense tiltmeter array data in Japan to search for the horizontal components of the signal from the 2011 Mw 9.1 Tohoku-Oki earthquake. Based on the synthetic waveforms computed for a realistic Earth model, we stacked the horizontal records and identified a signal that evidently exceeded the noise level. We further performed a waveform inversion analysis to estimate the source parameters. The horizontal tiltmeter data, combined with the vertical component of the broadband seismometer array data, yielded a constraint on the dip angle and magnitude of the earthquake in the ranges of 11.5°–15.3° and 8.75°–8.92°, respectively. Our results indicate that the analysis of the three components of the pre-P gravity signal avoids the intrinsic trade-off problem between the dip angle and seismic moment in determining the source mechanism of shallow earthquakes. Pre-P gravity signals open a new observation window for earthquake source studies.

Graphical Abstract
Socio-economic and health costs of porcine/human cysticercosis, neurocysticercosis and epilepsy to small-scale pig producers in Tanzania
Authors: Kayuni Emmanuel Nestory
Published: December 2021

Background

Porcine cysticercosis, human cysticercosis, neurocysticercosis, and epilepsy pose a serious public health risk and lead to economic losses to the small-scale pig farmers in Tanzania’s rural areas. It also resulted in lowering the pig’s prices, high treatment expenses, lower labour productivity, and social discrimination. In Tanzania, small-scale pig producers are unaware of the methods that are used to manage and prevent the diseases associated with Taenia solium.

Main body

The main goal of the reviewed article was to investigate the socio-economic and health costs of porcine/human cysticercosis, neurocysticercosis, and epilepsy on small-scale pig producers in Tanzania. Several search engines yielded 80 peer-reviewed publications, 44 of which were considered to be relevant to the study. Taenia solium cysticercosis has been reported to cause huge financial losses in the management of pigs posing a burden in terms of vaccination and treatment.

Conclusion

The information on porcine/human cysticercosis, neurocysticercosis, and epilepsy is still insufficient in Tanzania. Poor habits, negative perceptions, and attitudes are the result of this misinformation. This review suggests that health education should be emphasized as one of the intervention methods for eliminating all forms of cysticercosis and epilepsy in Tanzania to promote and increase awareness about all forms of cysticercosis and epilepsy in rural areas.
RIPASA versus Alvarado score in the assessment of suspected appendicitis in children: a prospective study
Authors: Öztaş Tülin , Asena Muhammet
Published: December 2021

Background

Diagnosis of acute appendicitis remains a problem in children with right lower quadrant pain.

Challenging diagnosis and fears of missing an inflamed appendix may lead to a negative appendectomy. Many scoring systems have been developed to reduce ambiguities in the diagnosis of appendicitis. Alvarado is one of the most commonly used scoring methods in pediatric patients. The RIPASA score is considered to be a better diagnostic scoring method in adults compared to Alvarado. The present study aims to compare RIPASA and Alvarado scoring systems in determining the possibility of acute appendicitis in children with right lower quadrant pain.

This study included 179 consecutive pediatric patients who were referred to pediatric surgery with suspicion of acute appendicitis. The cut-off value was >7.5 for the RIPASA score vs. ≥7 for the Alvarado score. The possibility of appendicitis was divided into three groups for the Alvarado score and four groups for the RIPASA score.

Results

In this study, 158 of 179 patients were operated on. In 140 of the operated patients, the diagnosis of appendicitis was confirmed by histopathology. The negative appendectomy rate was 11.4%. Specificity and negative predictive value of RIPASA score were higher than those of Alvarado (p<0.001). No difference was found between the two scores concerning sensitivity, positive predictive value, and the area under the receiver operator characteristics curve (p>0.05).

Conclusion

The RIPASA scoring system can be used as an alternative to the Alvarado scoring system in the management of patients with right lower quadrant pain in emergency services and pediatric outpatient clinics. With the use of the RIPASA score, more patients with a low likelihood of appendicitis can be detected and further contributed to the reduction of the negative appendectomy rate.
Outcomes of Patients Placed in an Emergency Department Observation Unit of a Comprehensive Cancer Center
Authors: Chaftari Patrick , Lipe Demis N. , Wattana Monica K. , Qdaisat Aiham , Krishnamani Pavitra P. , Thomas Jomol , Elsayem Ahmed F. , Sandoval Marcelo
Published: December 2021

PURPOSE:

Emergency department observation units (EDOUs) have been shown to decrease length of stay and improve cost effectiveness. Yet, compared with noncancer patients, patients with cancer are placed in EDOUs less often. In this study, we aimed to describe patients who were placed in a cancer center's EDOU to discern their clinical characteristics and outcomes.

METHODS:

We performed a retrospective observational study that included all patients age 18 years and older who presented to our emergency department (ED) and were placed in the EDOU between March 1, 2019, and February 29, 2020. The patients' electronic medical records were queried for demographics, comorbidities, diagnosis at the time of placement in the EDOU, length of stay, disposition from the EDOU, ED return within 72 hours after discharge from the EDOU, and mortality outcomes at 14 and 30 days.

RESULTS:

A total of 2,461 visits were eligible for analysis. Cancer-related pain was the main reason for observation in more than one quarter of the visits. The median length of stay in the EDOU was approximately 23 hours, and 69.6% of the patients were discharged. The ED return rate for unscheduled visits at 72 hours was 1.9%. The 14- and 30-day mortality rates were significantly higher for patients who were admitted than for those who were discharged (14 days: 1.7% v 0.3%, P < .001; 30 days: 5.9% v 1.8%, P < .001).

CONCLUSION:

Our data suggest that placing patients with cancer in EDOUs is safe, reduces admissions, and reserves hospital resources for patients who can receive the most benefit without compromising care.
DamID transcriptional profiling identifies the Snail/Scratch transcription factor Kahuli as an Alk target in the Drosophila visceral mesoderm
Authors: Mendoza-Garcia Patricia , Basu Swaraj , Sukumar Sanjay Kumar , Arefin Badrul , Wolfstetter Georg , Anthonydhason Vimala , Molander Linnea , Uçkun Ezgi , Lindehell Henrik , Lebrero-Fernandez Cristina , Larsson Jan , Larsson Erik , Bemark Mats , Palmer Ruth H.
Published: December 2021

Development of the Drosophila visceral muscle depends on Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (Alk) receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling, which specifies founder cells (FCs) in the circular visceral mesoderm (VM). Although Alk activation by its ligand Jelly Belly (Jeb) is well characterized, few target molecules have been identified. Here, we used targeted DamID (TaDa) to identify Alk targets in embryos overexpressing Jeb versus embryos with abrogated Alk activity, revealing differentially expressed genes, including the Snail/Scratch family transcription factor Kahuli (Kah). We confirmed Kah mRNA and protein expression in the VM, and identified midgut constriction defects in Kah mutants similar to those of pointed (pnt). ChIP and RNA-Seq data analysis defined a Kah target-binding site similar to that of Snail, and identified a set of common target genes putatively regulated by Kah and Pnt during midgut constriction. Taken together, we report a rich dataset of Alk-responsive loci in the embryonic VM and functionally characterize the role of Kah in the regulation of embryonic midgut morphogenesis.
Maternal Smc3 protects the integrity of the zygotic genome through DNA replication and mitosis
Authors: Yueh Wei-Ting , Singh Vijay Pratap , Gerton Jennifer L.
Published: December 2021

Aneuploidy is frequently observed in oocytes and early embryos, begging the question of how genome integrity is monitored and preserved during this crucial period. SMC3 is a subunit of the cohesin complex that supports genome integrity, but its role in maintaining the genome during this window of mammalian development is unknown. We discovered that, although depletion of Smc3 following meiotic S phase in mouse oocytes allowed accurate meiotic chromosome segregation, adult females were infertile. We provide evidence that DNA lesions accumulated following S phase in SMC3-deficient zygotes, followed by mitosis with lagging chromosomes, elongated spindles, micronuclei, and arrest at the two-cell stage. Remarkably, although centromeric cohesion was defective, the dosage of SMC3 was sufficient to enable embryogenesis in juvenile mutant females. Our findings suggest that, despite previous reports of aneuploidy in early embryos, chromosome missegregation in zygotes halts embryogenesis at the two-cell stage. Smc3 is a maternal gene with essential functions in the repair of spontaneous damage associated with DNA replication and subsequent chromosome segregation in zygotes, making cohesin a key protector of the zygotic genome.
Flight activity and age cause wing damage in house flies
Authors: Wehmann Henja-Niniane , Engels Thomas , Lehmann Fritz-Olaf
Published: December 2021

Wing damage attenuates aerial performance in many flying animals such as birds, bats and insects. Insect wings are especially light in order to reduce inertial power requirements for flight at elevated wing flapping frequencies. There is a continuing debate on the factors causing wing damage in insects, including collisions with objects, mechanical stress during flight activity, and aging. This experimental study addressed the reasons for and significance of wing damage for flight in the house fly Musca domestica. We determined natural wing area loss under two housing conditions and recorded flight activity and flight ability throughout the animals' lifetime. Our data show that in animals with eventually pronounced damage, wing damage occurs on average after 6 h of flight, is sex specific and depends on housing conditions. Statistical tests show that physiological age and flight activity have similar significance as predictors for wing damage. Tests on freely flying flies showed that minimum wing area for active flight is approximately 10–34% below the initial area and requires a left–right wing area asymmetry of less than approximately 25%. Our findings broadly confirm predictions from simple aerodynamic theory based on mean wing velocity and area, and are also consistent with previous wing damage measurements in other insect species.
Tissue- and substrate-dependent mitochondrial responses to acute hypoxia–reoxygenation stress in a marine bivalve (Crassostrea gigas
)
Authors: Adzigbli Linda , Sokolov Eugene P. , Ponsuksili Siriluck , Sokolova Inna M.
Published: December 2021

Hypoxia is a major stressor for aquatic organisms, yet intertidal organisms such as the oyster Crassostrea gigas are adapted to frequent oxygen fluctuations by metabolically adjusting to shifts in oxygen and substrate availability during hypoxia–reoxygenation (H/R). We investigated the effects of acute H/R stress (15 min at ∼0% O2 and 10 min reoxygenation) on isolated mitochondria from the gill and the digestive gland of C. gigas respiring on different substrates (pyruvate, glutamate, succinate, palmitate and their mixtures). Gill mitochondria showed better capacity for amino acid and fatty acid oxidation compared with mitochondria from the digestive gland. Mitochondrial responses to H/R stress strongly depended on the substrate and the activity state of mitochondria. In mitochondria oxidizing NADH-linked substrates, exposure to H/R stress suppressed oxygen consumption and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the resting state, whereas in the ADP-stimulated state, ROS production increased despite little change in respiration. As a result, electron leak (measured as H2O2 to O2 ratio) increased after H/R stress in the ADP-stimulated mitochondria with NADH-linked substrates. In contrast, H/R exposure stimulated succinate-driven respiration without an increase in electron leak. Reverse electron transport (RET) did not significantly contribute to succinate-driven ROS production in oyster mitochondria except for a slight increase in the OXPHOS state during post-hypoxic recovery. A decrease in NADH-driven respiration and ROS production, enhanced capacity for succinate oxidation and resistance to RET might assist in post-hypoxic recovery of oysters mitigating oxidative stress and supporting rapid ATP re-synthesis during oxygen fluctuations, as is commonly observed in estuaries and intertidal zones.
Fuzzy set-based set-up planning system with the ability for online learning
Authors: Hazarika M , Deb S , Dixit U S , Davim J P
Published: December 2021

Set-up planning is an important part of computer-aided process planning and it has been tackled in a number of ways. A brief review of the literature in the area of set-up planning is presented. Considering the fact that set-up planning has to be carried out in an environment of uncertainty, particularly in feature precedence relations and datum selection, a fuzzy set-based expert system using a C language integrated production system shell is proposed for the machining of prismatic parts in this work. The proposed expert system has the capability to modify and adapt itself to the changes based on the shop-floor data. Adaptation to the changing scenario is a crucial factor in this era of lean and agile manufacturing. Traditional softwares for automating set-up planning are static in nature and they do not respond to the changes in the situation. The proposed expert system provides set-ups, sequence of operation within a set-up, primary datum for each set-up, and a checklist to be used on the shop floor for providing the appropriate feedback. The feedback is used for modifying the set-up plan in an appropriate way. The methodology is illustrated with the help of an example.
An integrated evolutionary approach for modelling and optimization of wire electrical discharge machining
Authors: Kondayya D , Krishna A Gopala
Published: December 2021

This paper presents an application of an integrated evolutionary approach for modelling and optimization of a wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) process. The proposed methodology consists of two parts. In the first part, a novel application of genetic programming (GP) is proposed. GP is an evolutionary modelling algorithm which uses principles similar to genetic algorithms to model highly non-linear and complex processes, resulting in accurate and reliable models. Two important aspects of machining performance of WEDM, namely metal removal rate and surface roughness, are modelled based on experimental data using GP in terms of four prominent input variables. The effect of machining parameters on the performance measures is also reported. In the second part, as the chosen machining performances are opposite in nature, the problem under consideration is formulated as a multi-objective optimization problem and solved using an efficient evolutionary optimization algorithm, non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II (NSGA-II). The outcome of Pareto optimal solutions is presented. The work presents a fully fledged evolutionary approach for optimization of the process.
An analytical model for top width of jet footprint in abrasive waterjet milling: a case study on SiC ceramics
Authors: Srinivasu D S , Axinte D
Published: December 2021

In two-axis/five-axis macro/micro milling with abrasive waterjets (AWJs), the ‘top width of the jet footprint' is one of the critical measures that determine the dimensional accuracy of the part to be manufactured. In two-axis milling, the top width of the jet footprint is influenced by operating parameters such as the diameter of the focusing nozzle, the jet plume divergence in air, the standoff distance, and the jet feed rate, and in complex shape machining using five-axis milling, it is also influenced by the jet impingement angle, i.e. the angle between the jet axis and the horizontal workpiece plane. Hence, in this work, an analytical (i.e. geometrical) model for the top width of the jet footprint was proposed and tested on silicon carbide (SiC) workpeices by considering the diameter of the focusing nozzle, the jet plume divergence in air, the standoff distance, and jet impingement angle. The influence of jet feed rate was included in the model by the use of a parameter defined as the ‘effective jet plume divergence'. SiC workpieces were considered in this study, since they offer a reduction in the ‘noise' created by plastic deformations thus creating an appropriate environment for the calibration of the proposed geometrical model. Moreover, with its low machinability and chipping/fracture tendency, a SiC workpiece represents a good case study on niche applications of AWJs for manufacturing high-value-added products made of advanced materials. Assessment of the proposed model was carried out by comparing the top width of the jet footprint predicted by the proposed model with the experimental values obtained at various jet impingement angles in the range 40—90° at both high and low jet feed rates. From the results, it was observed that the top width of the jet footprint decreases gradually with an increase in jet impingement angle. Although the actual jet plume divergence does not change with the jet feed rate, the effective jet plume divergence, i.e. the divergence that can initiate erosion, decreases at higher jet feed rates. Furthermore, it was found that the prediction error slightly increases at shallower jet impingement angles owing to the instability in the leading portion of the jet structure and this is significant at higher jet feed rates.
Ultra-precision grinding of a hydrostatic mechanical sealing ring face with extremely shallow taper angle
Authors: Huo F W , Guo D M , Jin Z J , Kang R K , Zhang Z Y
Published: December 2021

This paper investigates the potential application of infeed grinding using a rotary table and cup grinding wheel to process a sealing ring with extremely shallow tapered faces. A mathematical model for the shape of the face of the ring is developed. The shape characteristics and the influence of machine parameters, such as the distance between the centres of the rotary table and the grinding wheel, the wheel's radius, the pitch angle, and the roll angle on the conical error, are investigated. An optimization model is developed that defines the minimum form error and the optimal machine configuration parameters. It is found that the face of the ring can be approximated as a circular conical surface. It is shown that the minimum theoretical form error is less than a nanometre for rings with an outer diameter of 300 mm. It is predicted that infeed grinding using a rotary table and cup grinding wheel is capable of processing the face of the ring to high form accuracy and this prediction is validated by experimental results.
The landscape of translational stall sites in bacteria revealed by monosome and disome profiling
Authors: Fujita Tomoya , Yokoyama Takeshi , Shirouzu Mikako , Taguchi Hideki , Ito Takuhiro , Iwasaki Shintaro
Published: December 2021

Ribosome pauses are associated with various cotranslational events and determine the fate of mRNAs and proteins. Thus, the identification of precise pause sites across the transcriptome is desirable; however, the landscape of ribosome pauses in bacteria remains ambiguous. Here, we harness monosome and disome (or collided ribosome) profiling strategies to survey ribosome pause sites in Escherichia coli. Compared to eukaryotes, ribosome collisions in bacteria showed remarkable differences: a low frequency of disomes at stop codons, collisions occurring immediately after 70S assembly on start codons, and shorter queues of ribosomes trailing upstream. The pause sites corresponded with the biochemical validation by integrated nascent chain profiling (iNP) to detect polypeptidyl-tRNA, an elongation intermediate. Moreover, the subset of those sites showed puromycin resistance, presenting slow peptidyl transfer. Among the identified sites, the ribosome pause at Asn586 of ycbZ was validated by biochemical reporter assay, tRNA sequencing (tRNA-seq), and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) experiments. Our results provide a useful resource for ribosome stalling sites in bacteria.
Complex respiratory and motor rehabilitation program in a patient with post-pulmonary tuberculosis conditions and multiple sequelae after SARS-CoV-2 infection: case report
Authors: DAIA Cristina , IONESCU Anca , IONESCU Elena Valentina , ILIESCU Mădălina Gabriela , STANCIU Liliana Elena , CAMBREA Simona Claudia , ILIESCU Dan Marcel , ARGHIR Oana Cristina , GEORGEANU Vlad , VOINEA Felix , BAZ Radu , PAZARA Loredana , ONOSE Gelu
Published: December 2021

Introduction: A great variety of medical issues can occur after the COVID-19 infection including fatigue, muscle weakness, locomotor disability, self-care dysfunction, polyneuropathy, persistent dyspnea on exertion and a hypercoagulable state.
Materials and methods: This paper presents the case of a nonsmoker 49-year-old male with right lung lower lobe lobectomy for post tuberculosis bronchiectasis and diabetes mellitus, who developed multiple serious physicals, neurological, hematological and respiratory consequences, related to critical COVID-19 infection and prolonged hospitalization,
Results: A favorable evolution of the patient’s respiratory sequels and motor impairment on both lower limbs was noticed after a complex individualized rehabilitation program started in the post COVID-19 Rehabilitation Department of Balneal and Rehabilitation Sanatorium, Techirghiol, Romania, consisting in better functional parameters and exercise tolerance, significant improvement in daily activities, remission of exertional dyspnea, social and family reintegration.
Conclusions: multidisciplinary approach and complex individualized programs of rehabilitation is required after a critical form of COVID in a patients known with tuberculosis, and other complex pathologies, in order to restore physical function and mobility and optimize respiratory parameters.

Keywords: COVID-19, Rehabilitation, Tuberculosis,
Occupational therapy interventions in pulmonary rehabilitation – an update in the COVID-19 ERA
Authors: CIUBEAN Alina Deniza , CIORTEA Viorela Mihaela , UNGUR Rodica Ana , BORDA Ileana Monica , DOGARU Bombonica Gabriela , POPA Theodor , IRSAY Laszlo
Published: December 2021

Background. As symptoms of COVID-19 infection are varying in severity and type, the long-term disability is yet to be established due to a short time-window since the pandemic started. Most survivors will have persistent pulmonary symptoms even after the infection, which raises the awareness of the importance of pulmonary rehabilitation in these patients, as they are mostly young, with severely diminished quality of life as they are unable to perform their basic activities of daily living as before. Occupational therapy is a form of rehabilitation treatment aimed at maximizing functionality and independence in performing activities of daily living, improvement of the patient’s autonomy and prevention of further functional decline.
Objective. The purpose of the current work is to review the most important occupational therapy interventions applicable during a pulmonary rehabilitation program for chronic pulmonary pathologies, that can also be applied in COVID-19 survivors with persistent respiratory symptoms.
Discussion. The main objectives of occupational therapy in pulmonary rehabilitation are training using breathing techniques at rest and during task performance, upper limbs training to increase exercise tolerance, programming and simplifying daily activities, informing patients of the importance of asking for help, planning the day/week, organizing the environment, educating the patient. All these objectives can be achieved in a simple way and at low-cost.
Conclusions. Occupational therapy intervention during comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation must be promoted to specifically evaluate and solve problems related to respiratory disability. Occupational tasks should be related to symptoms occurring during specific activities. Standardized protocols and definition of outcomes during occupational therapy intervention are lacking.

Keywords: occupational therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, COVID-19, activities of daily living, quality of life,
The modelling and application of cross-scale human behavior in realizing the shop-floor digital twin
Authors: Liu Tingyu , Xia Mengming , Hong Qing , Sun Yifeng , Zhang Pei , Fu Liang , Chen Ke
Published: December 2021

The digital twin shop-floor has received much attention from the manufacturing industry as it is an important way to upgrade the shop-floor digitally and intelligently. As a key part of the shop-floor, humans' high autonomy and uncertainty leads to the difficulty in digital twin modeling of human behavior. Therefore, the modeling system for cross-scale human behavior in digital twin shop-floors was developed, powered by the data fusion of macro-behavior and micro-behavior virtual models. Shop-floor human macro-behavior mainly refers to the role of the human and their real-time position. Shop-floor micro-behavior mainly refers to real-time human limb posture and production behavior at their workstation. In this study, we reviewed and summarized a set of theoretical systems for cross-scale human behavior modeling in digital twin shop-floors. Based on this theoretical system, we then reviewed modeling theory and technology from macro-behavior and micro-behavior aspects to analyze the research status of shop-floor human behavior modeling. Lastly, we discuss and offer opinion on the application of cross-scale human behavior modeling in digital twin shop-floors. Cross-scale human behavior modeling is the key for realizing closed-loop interactive drive of human behavior in digital twin shop-floors.
Assessing equity and the determinants of socio-economic impacts of COVID-19: Results from a cross-sectional survey in three counties in Kenya
Authors: Oyando Robinson , Orangi Stacey , Mwanga Daniel , Pinchoff Jessie , Abuya Timothy , Muluve Eva , Mbushi Faith , Austrian Karen , Barasa Edwine
Published: December 2021

Background: COVID-19 mitigation measures have major ramifications on all aspects of people’s livelihoods. Based on data collected in February 2021, we present an analysis of the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 mitigation measures in three counties in Kenya.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional phone-based survey in three counties in Kenya to assess the level of disruption across seven domains: income, food insecurity, schooling, domestic tension/violence, communal violence, mental health, and decision-making. An overall disruption index was computed from the seven domains using principal component analysis. We used a linear regression model to examine the determinants of vulnerability to disruptions as measured by the index. We used concentration curves and indices to assess inequality in the disruption domains and the overall disruption index.

Results: The level of disruption in income was the highest (74%), while the level of disruption for domestic tension/violence was the lowest (30%). Factors associated with increased vulnerability to the overall disruption index included: older age, being married, belonging in the lowest socio-economic tertile and receiving COVID-19 related assistance. The concentration curves showed that all the seven domains of disruption were disproportionately concentrated among households in the lowest socio-economic tertile, a finding that was supported by the concentration index of the overall disruption index (CI = - 0.022; p = 0.074).

Conclusion: The COVID-19 mitigation measures resulted in unintended socio-economic effects that unfairly affected certain vulnerable groups such as those in the lowest socio-economic group and the elderly. Measures to protect households against the adverse socio-economic effects of the pandemic should be scaled up and targeted to the most vulnerable, with attention to the constantly evolving nature of the pandemic.
Characterising the transcriptome of hypersegmented human neutrophils
Authors: Fox Eleonore , Jones Rowena , Samanta Romit , Summers Charlotte
Published: December 2021

Background: Mature human neutrophils are characterised by their multilobed nuclear morphology. Neutrophil hypersegmentation, a pathologic nuclear phenotype, has been described in the alveolar compartment of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome and in several other contexts. This study aimed to characterise the transcriptional changes associated with neutrophil hypersegmentation.

Methods: A model of hypersegmentation was established by exposing healthy peripheral blood neutrophils to the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) captopril. Laser capture microdissection (LCM) was then adapted to isolate a population of hypersegmented neutrophils. Transcriptomic analysis of microdissected hypersegmented neutrophils was undertaken using ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequencing. Differential gene expression (DEG) and enrichment pathway analysis were conducted to investigate the mechanisms underlying hypersegmentation.

Results: RNA-Seq analysis revealed the transcriptomic signature of hypersegmented neutrophils, with five genes differentially expressed. VCAN, PADI4 and DUSP4 were downregulated, while LTF and PSMC4 were upregulated. Modulated pathways included histone modification, protein-DNA complex assembly and antimicrobial humoral response. The role of PADI4 was further validated using the small molecule inhibitor, Cl-amidine.

Conclusions: Hypersegmented neutrophils display a marked transcriptomic signature, characterised by the differential expression of five genes. This study provides insights into the mechanisms underlying neutrophil hypersegmentation and describes a novel method to isolate and sequence neutrophils based on their morphologic subtype.
The genome sequence of the iron prominent, Notodonta dromedarius (Linnaeus, 1767)
Authors: Boyes Douglas , Holland Peter W.H. ,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: December 2021

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Notodonta dromedarius (iron prominent; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Notodontidae). The genome sequence is 342 megabases in span. The majority of the assembly, 99.35%, is scaffolded into 31 chromosomal pseudomolecules, with the Z sex chromosome assembled.