bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spectrum of Kidney Injury Following COVID-19 Disease: Renal Biopsy Findings in a Single Italian Pathology Service
Authors: Gambella Alessandro , Barreca Antonella , Biancone Luigi , Roccatello Dario , Peruzzi Licia , Besso Luca , Licata Carolina , Attanasio Angelo , Papotti Mauro , Cassoni Paola
Published: February 2022

The onset of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as a pandemic infection, has led to increasing insights on its pathophysiology and clinical features being revealed, such as a noticeable kidney involvement. In this study, we describe the histopathological, immunofluorescence, and ultrastructural features of biopsy-proven kidney injury observed in a series of SARS-CoV-2 positive cases in our institution from April 2020 to November 2021. We retrieved and retrospectively reviewed nine cases (two pediatric and seven adults) that experienced nephrotic syndrome (six cases), acute kidney injury (two cases), and a clinically silent microhematuria and leukocyturia. Kidney biopsies were investigated by means of light microscopy, direct immunofluorescence, and electron microscopy. The primary diagnoses were minimal change disease (four cases), acute tubular necrosis (two cases), collapsing glomerulopathy (two cases), and C3 glomerulopathy (one case). None of the cases showed viral or viral-like particles on ultrastructural analysis. Novel and specific histologic features on kidney biopsy related to SARS-CoV-2 infection have been gradually disclosed and reported, harboring relevant clinical and therapeutic implications. Recognizing and properly diagnosing renal involvement in patients experiencing COVID-19 could be challenging (due to the lack of direct proof of viral infection, e.g., viral particles) and requires a proper integration of clinical and pathological data.
Placebo-Related Adverse Events in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Sharma Ratna Shree , Pallua Johannes , Schirmer Michael
Published: February 2022

Prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled studies are considered to provide the highest quality of interventional evidence. This meta-analysis summarizes the frequencies of adverse events according to the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA) in the placebo arms of 101 such studies in rheumatoid arthritis, including a total of 17,150 patients in the placebo arms and 37,819 patients in the verum arms. Placebo-treated patients reported more than one adverse event in a median of 55.0%, 65.5%, and 72.5% (compared to 72.3% in the verum arms), and a serious adverse event in 2.5%, 5.8%, and 8.6% (compared to 5.9% in the verum arms), with stable doses of corticosteroids, conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and biological DMARDs as background therapies, respectively. Odds ratios were comparable between placebo and verum arms for nausea (1.00 with 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.86–1.17), for hepatobiliary disorders (1.08 with CI 0.85–1.36), for abnormal hepatic functions (1.09 with CI 0.83–1.44), and general disorders and administration site conditions (1.39 with CI 0.95–2.03). A publication bias has to be assumed for nausea (p = 0.018; Egger’s test), diarrhoea (p = 0.022), and serious infections and infestations (p = 0.009). In conclusion, patients should be aware that “adverse events” may occur even with placebo medication, independent from an additional verum medication added to the background therapy. Further studies are warranted to respect and overcome the psychological and other issues related to these placebo-related “adverse events”.
Immunotherapeutic Approaches for Glioblastoma Treatment
Authors: Yaghi Nasser K. , Gilbert Mark R.
Published: February 2022

Glioblastoma remains a challenging disease to treat, despite well-established standard-of-care treatments, with a median survival consistently of less than 2 years. In this review, we delineate the unique disease-specific challenges for immunotherapies, both brain-related and non-brain-related, which will need to be adequately overcome for the development of effective treatments. We also review current immunotherapy treatments, with a focus on clinical applications, and propose future directions for the field of GBM immunotherapy.
The Role of Mitochondrial miRNAs in the Development of Radon-Induced Lung Cancer
Authors: Kussainova Assiya , Bulgakova Olga , Aripova Akmaral , Khalid Zumama , Bersimbaev Rakhmetkazhi , Izzotti Alberto
Published: February 2022

MicroRNAs are short, non-coding RNA molecules regulating gene expression by inhibiting the translation of messenger RNA (mRNA) or leading to degradation. The miRNAs are encoded in the nuclear genome and exported to the cytosol. However, miRNAs have been found in mitochondria and are probably derived from mitochondrial DNA. These miRNAs are able to directly regulate mitochondrial genes and mitochondrial activity. Mitochondrial dysfunction is the cause of many diseases, including cancer. In this review, we consider the role of mitochondrial miRNAs in the pathogenesis of lung cancer with particular reference to radon exposure.
Ceramides and Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Inflammatory Parameters and Left Ventricular Function in AMI Patients
Authors: Michelucci Elena , Rocchiccioli Silvia , Gaggini Melania , Ndreu Rudina , Berti Sergio , Vassalle Cristina
Published: February 2022

Background: Ceramides, biologically active lipids correlated to oxidative stress and inflammation, have been associated with adverse outcomes in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The purpose of this study was to assess the association between ceramides/ratios included in the CERT1 score and increased cardiovascular (CV) risk, inflammatory and left ventricular function parameters in AMI. Methods: high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to identify Cer(d18:1/16:0), Cer(d18:1/18:0), and Cer(d18:1/24:1) levels and their ratios to Cer(d18:1/24:0), in 123 AMI patients (FTGM coronary unit, Massa, Italy). Results: Cer(d18:1/16:0): higher in female patients (<0.05), in patients with dyslipidemia (<0.05), and it directly and significantly correlated with aging, brain natriuretic peptide-BNP, erythrocyte sedimentation rate-ESR and fibrinogen. Cer(d18:1/18:0): higher in females (<0.01) and patients with dyslipidemia (<0.01), and increased according to the number of CV risk factors (considering hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes). Moreover, it significantly correlated with BNP, troponin at admission, ESR, C reactive protein-CRP, and fibrinogen. Cer(d18:1/24:1): significantly correlated with aging, BNP, fibrinogen and neutrophils. Cer(d18:1/16:0)/Cer(d18:1/24:0): higher in female patients (<0.05), and in patients with higher wall motion score index-WMSI (>1.7; ≤0.05), and in those with multivessel disease (<0.05). Moreover, it significantly correlated with aging, BNP, CRP, ESR, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio-NRL, and fibrinogen. Cer(d18:1/18:0)/Cer(d18:1/24:0): higher in female patients (<0.001), and increased according to age. Moreover, it was higher in patients with lower left ventricular ejection fraction (<35%, ≤0.01), higher WMSI (>1.7, <0.05), and in those with multivessel disease (0.13 ± 0.06 vs. 0.10 ± 0.05 µM, <0.05), and correlates with BNP, ESR, CRP, fibrinogen and neutrophils, platelets, NLR, and troponin at admission. Multiple regression analysis showed that Cer(d18:1/16:0)/Cer(d18:1/24:0) and Cer(d18:1/18:0)/Cer(d18:1/24:0) remained as independent determinants for WMSI after multivariate adjustment (Std coeff 0.17, T-value 1.9, ≤0.05; 0.21, 2.6, <0.05, respectively). Conclusion: Distinct ceramide species are associated with CV risk, inflammation and disease severity in AMI. Thus, a detailed analysis of ceramides may help to better understand CV pathobiology and suggest these new biomarkers as possible risk predictors and pharmacological targets in AMI patients.
P-Delta Effects on Nonlinear Seismic Behavior of Steel Moment-Resisting Frame Structures Subjected to Near-Fault and Far-Fault Ground Motions
Authors: Cheng Hu , Zhang Rui , Zhang Tao , Wang Haitao , Qu Chunxu , Zhang Pengbo
Published: February 2022

This paper presents a comparison of P-Delta effects on the nonlinear seismic behavior of the steel moment-resisting frame structures (MRFs) subjected to near-fault and far-fault ground motions. The 3-, 9- and 20-story MRFs designed for the American SAC Phase II Steel Project are used as benchmark models. The 40 near-fault ground motions with large velocity pulses, as well as ten typical far-fault ground motions, are selected and scaled for the nonlinear time-history analysis. The P-Delta effect is quantified based on peak inter-story drift ratio (PIDR) demands. The displacement demands of the whole structure and the distortion of the structural components are compared and analyzed. It was found that, at each floor, the P-Delta effect under near-fault ground motions is more significant than that under the far-fault ground motions. The P-Delta effect under near-fault ground motions also increases more rapidly with decreasing structure height even for low-rise structures or low earthquake intensity. It was also found that the P-Delta effect cause the PIDR demands to increase by 10% for all three structures subjected to far-fault ground motions. In contrast, considering the P-Delta effect, the PIDR demands rapidly increase by 45% for the high-rise building subjected to near-fault ground motions. Note that the increasing PIDR demands occur at the weakest floor and with the stronger earthquake intensity. However, the P-Delta effect does not change the location of the weakest floor and the yield sequence of components. The seismic behaviors under far-fault and near-fault ground motions are significantly different, because near-fault ground motions not only have velocity pulse but also possibly trigger structural higher vibration modes. In addition, the P-Delta effect may change the distortion direction of the components so that the prediction of the structural collapse direction may be affected. In addition, it was found that if the structure’s period is near the pulse period, the P-Delta effect becomes more significant with the increase of earthquake intensity, and accordingly, it should not be ignored. Moreover, the P-Delta effect cannot be neglected either for the structures susceptible to near-fault ground motions, even if those structures are not tall or the earthquake intensity is not strong.
Sustainability Performance of Green Building Rating Systems (GBRSs) in an Integration Model
Authors: Assefa Sintayehu , Lee Hsin-Yun , Shiue Fang-Jye
Published: February 2022

In most countries, more than one green building rating system (GBRS) is available on the market. Because of their different approaches, it is difficult to confirm which system can respond to sustainability requirements better. A building considered to be “green” by one Green Building Council (GBC) may fail to satisfy the requirements set by another council. The aim of this study is to evaluate the sustainability performance of GBRSs and establish an integrated model of multi-certification for optimal sustainability. A direct content analysis method was utilized to evaluate GBRSs’ qualitative performance using the ISO sustainable building standards. In this study, seven purposively selected multi-certified buildings were evaluated, and an integrated model was proposed as a better mechanism for the multi-certification process. The proposed integrated model contributes to the achievement of sustainability indicators. The model was implemented on case study buildings, and the proposed combination shows better sustainability performance than existing practice. The developed model helps practitioners in their selection of GBRSs in the multi-certification process. In addition, the performance evaluation of GBRSs will support the future update of GBRSs. The qualitative performance evaluation was performed considering mandatory requirements and prerequisite and credit requirements of selected rating systems, making the work a stronger approach than previous studies.
Structural and Electrochemical Characteristics of Platinum Nanoparticles Supported on Various Carbon Carriers
Authors: Kozlova Margarita , Butrim Sergey , Solovyev Maksim , Pushkarev Artem , Pushkareva Irina , Kalinichenko Valery , Akelkina Svetlana , Grigoriev Sergey
Published: February 2022

Graphene-like materials have attracted significant attention as alternative catalyst carriers due to the broad possibilities of changing their shape, composition, and properties. In this study we investigated the structural and electrochemical characteristics of platinum electrocatalysts supported on reduced graphene oxide (rGO), including those modified with amine functionalities, nitrogen heteroatoms (rGO-Am), and oxygen enriched (rGO-O). Synthesis of Pt nanoparticles (20 wt.%) on the graphene-like nanomaterials surface was carried out using a modified polyol procedure. The Pt20/rGO-Am showed a lower Pt nanoparticles size together with high Pt utilization and EASA values compared to rGO-supported catalysts and the Pt/C reference sample due to the uniform distribution of nucleation centers on the surface of graphene nanoparticles, and the greater ability of these centers to electrically bond with platinum.
Application of Elicitors at Two Maturation Stages of Vitis vinifera L. cv Monastrell: Changes in Skin Cell Walls
Authors: Paladines-Quezada Diego F. , Moreno-Olivares Juan D. , Fernández-Fernández José I. , Bleda-Sánchez Juan A. , Gil-Muñoz Rocío
Published: February 2022

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the application of two pre-harvest elicitors—methyl-jasmonate (MeJ) and benzothiadiazole (BTH)—to Monastrell grapes, at two maturation stages, affected the composition and structure of the skin cell walls (SCWs) to differing extents. This study was conducted in 2016–2017 on Vitis vinifera L. cv Monastrell. A water suspension of MeJ and BTH, and a mixture of both, was applied at veraison and mid-ripening. The composition of the berry SCW was analyzed. Environmental conditions caused substantial changes in SCW composition, especially at high temperatures. Indeed, a reduction of approximately 50% in the biosynthesis of hemicellulose, proteins and total phenols was observed, accompanied by a slight increase in cellulose and lignin. However, the application of the treatments also caused changes in some SCW constituents: increases in the concentration of phenols, proteins and lignin were observed, especially when the MeJ and MeJ + BTH treatments were applied at veraison. Likewise, a reduction in uronic acids was observed in the MeJ + BTH treatment applied at veraison. These changes in the SCWs could affect their structural characteristics, and therefore influence grape handling in the field and in the winery. Further studies are needed to determine the extent to which MeJ and BTH treatments affect other skin characteristics.
Neurobehavioral Phenotype and Dysexecutive Syndrome of Preterm Children: Comorbidity or Trigger? An Update
Authors: Gire Catherine , Garbi Aurélie , Zahed Meriem , Beltran Anzola Any , Tosello Barthélémy , Datin-Dorrière Valérie
Published: February 2022

Premature birth is a worldwide public health priority. One in ten children is born before 37 weeks of gestational age and, in developed countries, survival rates without major neonatal morbidity are increasing. Although severe sequelae associated with these births have decreased, their neurobehavioral difficulties, often associated in multiple fields, remain stable but still widespread. These neurobehavioral difficulties hamper the normal development of academic achievements and societal integration and intensify the children’s needs for rehabilitation during their preschool and academic years. Severe sequelae increase when gestational age decreases. This is even truer if the socio-cultural background is impeded by low income, education and language skills as compared with defined averages. However, moderate and/or minor neurocognitive and/or behavioral difficulties are almost identical for a moderate or a late preterm birth. Obtaining a better clinical description of neurobehavioral characteristics of those pretermly born, once they reach preschool age, is essential to detect behavioral issues as well as early specific cognitive difficulties (working memory, planning, inhibition, language expression and reception, attention and fine motor skills, etc.). Such information would provide a better understanding of the executive functions’ role in brain connectivity, neurodevelopment and neuroanatomical correlation with premature encephalopathy.
Speed, Change of Direction Speed, and Lower Body Power in Young Athletes and Nonathletes According to Maturity Stage
Authors: Živković Mladen , Stojiljković Nenad , Trajković Nebojša , Stojanović Nikola , Đošić Anđela , Antić Vladimir , Stanković Nemanja
Published: February 2022

The aim of this study was to establish the role of maturation on the development of physical performance in adolescent athletes and nonathletes. The total studied sample consisted of 231 participants (131 athletes: 72 boys with an average chronological age of 13.53 ± 0.7 and 59 girls with an average chronological age of 11.97 ± 0.8; 100 nonathletes: 47 boys with an average chronological age of 13.73 ± 0.47 and 53 girls with an average chronological age of 11.93 ± 0.33), distributed according to their biological maturity stage (Pre-, Mid-, and Post-Peak Height Velocity [PHV]) and to their gender. The assessment of physical performance was performed using the following tests: Countermovement jump (CMJ), countermovement jump with arm swing (CMJA), squat jump (SJ), five-jump test (5JT), 5 m sprint (5 m), 10 m sprint (10 m), 20 m sprint (20 m), T-test, Zig Zag, and Slalom. The differences in athletes according to biological maturity were identified in all variables except for 5 m (p = 0.33) and Slalom (p = 0.07), while in nonathletes the differences were found in 5JT (p = 0.01), 5 m (p = 0.02), 10 m (p = 0.01), and 20 m (p = 0.01) tests. Additionally, a significant interaction of gender and biological maturity was detected for CMJ (p = 0.03), CMJA (p = 0.01), and Zig Zag (p = 0.05) in athletes. The findings of the current study confirm the importance of maturity status in the assessment of physical performance. As a consequence, a more rational selection of talented athletes could be provided, also enabling the timely development of physical performance in nonathletes as a “window of opportunity”.
Should We Gain Confidence from the Similarity of Results between Methods?
Authors: Pernot Pascal , Savin Andreas
Published: February 2022

Confirming the result of a calculation by a calculation with a different method is often seen as a validity check. However, when the methods considered are all subject to the same (systematic) errors, this practice fails. Using a statistical approach, we define measures for reliability and similarity, and we explore the extent to which the similarity of results can help improve our judgment of the validity of data. This method is illustrated on synthetic data and applied to two benchmark datasets extracted from the literature: band gaps of solids estimated by various density functional approximations, and effective atomization energies estimated by ab initio and machine-learning methods. Depending on the levels of bias and correlation of the datasets, we found that similarity may provide a null-to-marginal improvement in reliability and was mostly effective in eliminating large errors.
Science Mapping the Academic Knowledge on Business Improvement Districts
Authors: Silva Diogo Gaspar , Cachinho Herculano , Ward Kevin
Published: February 2022

Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) are a contemporary urban revitalization policy that has been set in motion through international policymaking circuits. They have been presented as a panacea to the economic and social challenges facing many cities and traditional shopping districts. However, a comprehensive overview of the academic literature on this form of local governance remains to be conducted. Drawing on bibliometric methods and bibliometrix R-tool, this paper maps and examines the state-of-the-art of academic knowledge on BIDs published between 1979 and 2021. Findings suggest that (i) scientific production has increased since the early 2000s, has crossed US borders but remains highly Anglo-Saxon-centered; (ii) academic knowledge on BIDs is multidisciplinary and has been published in high-impact journals; (iii) influential documents on BIDs have centered on three issues: urban governance/politics, policy mobilities–mutation and impacts assessment and criticisms; (iv) while author collaboration networks exist, the interaction between them is limited; (v) the conceptualization of BIDs has changed over time, both in thematic and geographical focus. These results constitute the first science mapping on the academic literature on BIDs, and we argue they should inform future scientific debates about the studying of this form of local governance.
Anti-Metastatic Function of Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Nanog-Overexpressing Melanoma
Authors: Hatakenaka Tomohiro , Matsuki Nahoko , Minagawa Seiya , Khoo Celine Swee May , Saito Mikako
Published: February 2022

A metastatic melanoma cell line B16-F10 (F10) was modified to a more undifferentiated state by Nanog overexpression. The produced cell line Nanog+F10 showed a higher metastatic potential than F10. Instead of whole cells, the extracellular vesicles (EVs) therefrom were investigated about their possible role as an autovaccine against metastasis. EVs from Nanog+F10 cells (Nanog+F10-EVs) could suppress the metastasis, contrasting the EVs from less metastatic F10 cells (F10-EVs) enhanced metastasis. The involvement of TGF-β1 in the role of Nanog+F10-EVs was analyzed, as TGF-β1 was a secretory cytokine being affected most intensively by Nanog overexpression. It was suggested to be crucial that the TGF-β1 concentration in Nanog+F10-EVs should be as low as 1.6 pg/μg for its metastasis-suppressive role. In response to Nanog+F10-EVs, immunoreaction was observed in liver, indicating the specific decrease in the number of tumor-promotive CD163-positive macrophages. These indicate a possibility of Nanog+F10-EVs as a novel autovaccine candidate against melanoma metastasis.
Prevalence of Bovine Norovirus and Nebovirus and Risk Factors of Infection in Swedish Dairy Herds
Authors: Tråvén Madeleine , Axén Charlotte , Svensson Anna , Björkman Camilla , Emanuelson Ulf
Published: February 2022

Enteritis is the major cause of mortality in neonatal calves. Diagnostic work to detect the pathogens involved and identification of risk factors for such infections are imperative to improve calf health. Bovine norovirus (BNoV) and nebovirus prevalence was investigated using RT-PCR in 50 dairy herds in five geographic regions of Sweden. BNoV and nebovirus were found to be common infections in young dairy calves. BNoV was detected in 20% of 250 calves in 48% of the herds. Nebovirus was detected in 5% of the calves in 16% of the herds. Both infections were present in three herds (6%). BNoV-infected calves were younger (median age 7 days) than nebovirus-infected calves (median age 21 days). These infections were not detected in adult cows and young stock over 6 months of age tested in selected herds. Risk factors identified for BNoV infection were a high number of preweaned calves present at the time of sampling, colostrum uptake by suckling the dam only, calf kept in a single pen, and geographic location of herd, while no risk factors for nebovirus infection were identified in the multivariable analysis. Univariable analysis suggested risk factors for nebovirus infection to be geographic location and early separation from the dam.
To Contrast or Not to Contrast? On the Role of Contrast Enhancement in Hand MRI Studies of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Frenken Miriam , Rübsam Gesa , Mewes Alexander , Radke Karl Ludger , Li Lien , Wilms Lena M. , Nebelung Sven , Abrar Daniel B. , Sewerin Philipp
Published: February 2022

Currently, clinical indications for the application of gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCA) in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are increasingly being questioned. Consequently, this study aimed to evaluate the additional diagnostic value of contrast enhancement in MRI of the hand in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Thirty-one patients with RA (mean age, 50 ± 14 years (range, 18–72 years)) underwent morphologic MRI scans on a clinical 3 T scanner. MRI studies were analyzed based on (1) the Rheumatoid Arthritis Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score (RAMRIS) and (2) the GBCA-free RAMRIS version, termed RAMRIS Sine-Gadolinium-For-Experts (RAMRIS-SAFE), in which synovitis and tenosynovitis were assessed using the short-tau inversion-recovery sequence instead of the post-contrast T1-weighted sequence. The synovitis subscores in terms of Spearman’s ρ, as based on RAMRIS and RAMRIS-SAFE, were almost perfect (ρ = 0.937; p < 0.001), while the tenosynovitis subscores were less strongly correlated (ρ = 0.380 p = 0.035). Correlation between the total RAMRIS and RAMRIS-SAFE was also almost perfect (ρ = 0.976; p < 0.001). Inter-rater reliability in terms of Cohen’s κ was high (0.963 ≤ κ ≤ 0.925). In conclusion, RAMRIS-SAFE as the GBCA-free version of the well-established RAMRIS is a patient-friendly and resource-efficient alternative for assessing disease-related joint changes in RA. As patients with RA are subject to repetitive GBCA applications, non-contrast imaging protocols should be considered.
The Adult Congenital Heart Disease Anatomic and Physiological Classification: Associations with Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Atrial Arrhythmias
Authors: Kartas Anastasios , Papazoglou Andreas S. , Kosmidis Diamantis , Moysidis Dimitrios V. , Baroutidou Amalia , Doundoulakis Ioannis , Despotopoulos Stefanos , Vrana Elena , Koutsakis Athanasios , Rampidis Georgios P. , Ntiloudi Despoina , Liori Sotiria , Mousiama Tereza , Avramidis Dimosthenis , Apostolopoulou Sotiria , Frogoudaki Alexandra , Tzifa Afrodite , Karvounis Haralambos , Giannakoulas George
Published: February 2022

The implications of the adult congenital heart disease anatomic and physiological classification (AP-ACHD) for risk assessment have not been adequately studied. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from an ongoing national, multicentre registry of patients with ACHD and atrial arrhythmias (AA) receiving apixaban (PROTECT-AR study, NCT03854149). At enrollment, patients were stratified according to Anatomic class (AnatC, range I to III) and physiological stage (PhyS, range B to D). A follow-up was conducted between May 2019 and September 2021. The primary outcome was a composite of death from any cause, any major thromboembolic event, major or clinically relevant non-major bleeding, or hospitalization. Cox proportional-hazards regression modeling was used to evaluate the risks for the outcome among AP-ACHD classes. Over a median 20-month follow-up period, 47 of 157 (29.9%) ACHD patients with AA experienced the composite outcome. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the outcome in PhyS C and PhyS D were 1.79 (95% CI 0.69 to 4.67) and 8.15 (95% CI 1.52 to 43.59), respectively, as compared with PhyS B. The corresponding aHRs in AnatC II and AnatC III were 1.12 (95% CI 0.37 to 3.41) and 1.06 (95% CI 0.24 to 4.63), respectively, as compared with AnatC I. In conclusion, the PhyS component of the AP-ACHD classification was an independent predictor of net adverse clinical events among ACHD patients with AA.
Identifying Mitotic Kinesins as Potential Prognostic Biomarkers in Ovarian Cancer Using Bioinformatic Analyses
Authors: Liu Hailun , Chen Chen , Fehm Tanja , Cheng Zhongping , Neubauer Hans
Published: February 2022

Ovarian cancer (OC) is characterized by late-stage presentation, chemoresistance, and poor survival. Evaluating the prognosis of OC patients via effective biomarkers is essential to manage OC progression and to improve survival; however, it has been barely established. Here, we intend to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) as potential prognostic biomarkers of OC via bioinformatic analyses. Initially, a total of thirteen DEGs were extracted from different public databases as candidates. The expression of KIF20A, one of the DEGs, was correlated with a worse outcome of OC patients. The functional correlation of the DEGs with mitosis and the prognostic value of KIF20A imply a high correlation between mitotic kinesins (KIFs) and OC development. Finally, we found that KIF20A, together with the other nine mitotic KIFs (4A, 11, 14, 15, 18A, 18B, 23, C1, and2C) were upregulated and activated in OC tissues. Among the ten, seven overexpressed mitotic KIFs (11, 14, 18B, 20A, 23, and C1) were correlated with unfavorable clinical prognosis. Moreover, KIF20A and KIF23 overexpression was associated with worse prognosis in OC patients treated with platinum/taxol chemotherapy, while OCs overexpressing mitotic KIFs (11, 15, 18B, and C1) were resistant to MAPK pathway inhibitors. In conclusion, worse outcomes of OC patients were correlated with overexpression of several mitotic KIFs, which may serve both as prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for OC.
Zonal Estimators for Quasiperiodic Bosonic Many-Body Phases
Authors: Ciardi Matteo , Macrì Tommaso , Cinti Fabio
Published: February 2022

In this work, we explore the relevant methodology for the investigation of interacting systems with contact interactions, and we introduce a class of zonal estimators for path-integral Monte Carlo methods, designed to provide physical information about limited regions of inhomogeneous systems. We demonstrate the usefulness of zonal estimators by their application to a system of trapped bosons in a quasiperiodic potential in two dimensions, focusing on finite temperature properties across a wide range of values of the potential. Finally, we comment on the generalization of such estimators to local fluctuations of the particle numbers and to magnetic ordering in multi-component systems, spin systems, and systems with nonlocal interactions.
The Odyssey of Entropy: Cryptography
Authors: Zolfaghari Behrouz , Bibak Khodakhast , Koshiba Takeshi
Published: February 2022

After being introduced by Shannon as a measure of disorder and unavailable information, the notion of entropy has found its applications in a broad range of scientific disciplines. In this paper, we present a systematic review on the applications of entropy and related information-theoretical concepts in the design, implementation and evaluation of cryptographic schemes, algorithms, devices and systems. Moreover, we study existing trends, and establish a roadmap for future research in these areas.
A Short Review on Minimum Description Length: An Application to Dimension Reduction in PCA
Authors: Bruni Vittoria , Cardinali Maria Lucia , Vitulano Domenico
Published: February 2022

The minimun description length (MDL) is a powerful criterion for model selection that is gaining increasing interest from both theorists and practicioners. It allows for automatic selection of the best model for representing data without having a priori information about them. It simply uses both data and model complexity, selecting the model that provides the least coding length among a predefined set of models. In this paper, we briefly review the basic ideas underlying the MDL criterion and its applications in different fields, with particular reference to the dimension reduction problem. As an example, the role of MDL in the selection of the best principal components in the well known PCA is investigated.
From Shorter to Longer Timescales: Converging Integrated Information Theory (IIT) with the Temporo-Spatial Theory of Consciousness (TTC)
Authors: Northoff Georg , Zilio Federico
Published: February 2022

Time is a key element of consciousness as it includes multiple timescales from shorter to longer ones. This is reflected in our experience of various short-term phenomenal contents at discrete points in time as part of an ongoing, more continuous, and long-term ‘stream of consciousness’. Can Integrated Information Theory (IIT) account for this multitude of timescales of consciousness? According to the theory, the relevant spatiotemporal scale for consciousness is the one in which the system reaches the maximum cause-effect power; IIT currently predicts that experience occurs on the order of short timescales, namely, between 100 and 300 ms (theta and alpha frequency range). This can well account for the integration of single inputs into a particular phenomenal content. However, such short timescales leave open the temporal relation of specific phenomenal contents to others during the course of the ongoing time, that is, the stream of consciousness. For that purpose, we converge the IIT with the Temporo-spatial Theory of Consciousness (TTC), which, assuming a multitude of different timescales, can take into view the temporal integration of specific phenomenal contents with other phenomenal contents over time. On the neuronal side, this is detailed by considering those neuronal mechanisms driving the non-additive interaction of pre-stimulus activity with the input resulting in stimulus-related activity. Due to their non-additive interaction, the single input is not only integrated with others in the short-term timescales of 100–300 ms (alpha and theta frequencies) (as predicted by IIT) but, at the same time, also virtually expanded in its temporal (and spatial) features; this is related to the longer timescales (delta and slower frequencies) that are carried over from pre-stimulus to stimulus-related activity. Such a non-additive pre-stimulus-input interaction amounts to temporo-spatial expansion as a key mechanism of TTC for the constitution of phenomenal contents including their embedding or nesting within the ongoing temporal dynamic, i.e., the stream of consciousness. In conclusion, we propose converging the short-term integration of inputs postulated in IIT (100–300 ms as in the alpha and theta frequency range) with the longer timescales (in delta and slower frequencies) of temporo-spatial expansion in TTC.
An Italian Adaptation of the Burnout Assessment Tool-Core Symptoms (BAT-C) for Students
Authors: Romano Luciano , Angelini Giacomo , Consiglio Piermarco , Fiorilli Caterina
Published: February 2022

Burnout is psychological, physical, and emotional suffering that may affect students with low or inadequate resources to face stressful events at school. Although the existing instruments are used worldwide to assess school burnout risk, they show several flaws and mainly focus on the emotional facets of the syndrome. No previous studies have developed a multi-component tool to reveal students’ burnout by simultaneously analyzing cognitive, behavioral, and emotional problems. The central core of the current study is to adapt the Burnout Assessment Tool-Core symptoms (BAT-C; Schaufeli et al., 2020), comprising four subscales, exhaustion, mental distance, cognitive impairment, and emotional impairment, for a sample of Italian students. The factor structure, the reliability, and the validity of the scale are investigated. The participants are 745 middle school students (male, 52.2%; aged 9–13, M = 11.84, and SD = 1.21). Confirmatory factor analyses confirmed the best fit of the second-order model (four first-order factors and one second-order factor). Specifically, four factors were loaded onto a main high-order factor, which constitutes the BAT-C. Our findings support the Italian adaptation of the BAT-C for students’ samples as a valid instrument for measuring the core symptoms of school burnout.
Modeling, Trajectory Analysis and Waypoint Guidance System of a Biomimetic Underwater Vehicle Based on the Flapping Performance of Its Propulsion System
Authors: Algarín-Pinto Juan Antonio , Garza-Castañón Luis E. , Vargas-Martínez Adriana , Minchala-Ávila Luis I.
Published: February 2022

The performance of biomimetic underwater vehicles directly depends on the correct design of their propulsion system and its control. These vehicles can attain highly efficient motion, hovering and thrust by properly moving part(s) of their bodies. In this article, a mathematical modeling and waypoint guidance system for a biomimetic autonomous underwater vehicle (BAUV) is proposed. The BAUV achieves sideways and dorsoventral thunniform motion by flapping its caudal fin through a parallel mechanism. Also, an analysis of the vehicle’s design is presented. A thrust analysis was performed based on the novel propulsion system. Furthermore, the vehicle’s kinematics and dynamic models were derived, where hydrodynamic equations were obtained as well. Computed models were validated using simulations where thrust and moment analysis was employed to visualize the vehicle’s performance while swimming. For the path tracking scheme, a waypoint guidance system was designed to correct the vehicle’s direction toward several positions in space. To accurately obtain waypoints, correction over the propeller’s flapping frequency and bias was employed to achieve proper thrust and orientation of the vehicle. The results from numerical simulations showed how by incorporating this novel propulsion strategy, the BAUV improved its performance when diving and maneuvering based on the dorsoventral and/or sideways configuration of its swimming mode. Furthermore, by designing proper strategies to regulate the flapping performance of its caudal fin, the BAUV followed the desired trajectories. The efficiency for the designed strategy was obtained by comparing the vehicle’s traveled distance and ideal scenarios of straight-line trajectories between targets. During simulations, the designed guidance system presented an efficiency of above 80% for navigation tasks.
A Run-Time Reconfiguration Method for an FPGA-Based Electrical Capacitance Tomography System
Authors: Wanta Damian , Smolik Waldemar T. , Kryszyn Jacek , Wróblewski Przemysław , Midura Mateusz
Published: February 2022

A desirable feature of an electrical capacitance tomography system is the adaptation possibility to any sensor configuration and measurement mode. A run-time reconfiguration of a system for electrical capacitance tomography is presented. An original mechanism is elaborated to reconfigure, on the fly, a modular EVT4 system with multiple FPGAs installed. The outlined system architecture is based on FPGA programmable logic devices (Xilinx Spartan) and PicoBlaze soft-core processors. Soft-core processors are used for communication, measurement control and data preprocessing. A novel method of FPGA partial reconfiguration is described, in which a PicoBlaze soft-core processor is used as a reconfiguration controller. Behavioral reconfiguration of the system is obtained by providing run-time access to the program code of a soft-core control processor. The tests using EVT4 hardware and different algorithms for tomographic scanning were performed. A test object was measured using 2D and 3D sensors. The time and resources required for the examined reconfiguration procedure are evaluated.
The Probabilistic Optimal Integration of Renewable Distributed Generators Considering the Time-Varying Load Based on an Artificial Gorilla Troops Optimizer
Authors: Ramadan Ashraf , Ebeed Mohamed , Kamel Salah , Agwa Ahmed M. , Tostado-Véliz Marcos
Published: February 2022

Renewable distributed generators (RDGs) are widely embedded in electrical distribution networks due to their economic, technological, and environmental benefits. However, the main problem with RDGs, photovoltaic generators, and wind turbines, in particular, is that their output powers are constantly changing due to variations in sun irradiation and wind speed, leading to power system uncertainty. Such uncertainties should be taken into account when selecting the optimal allocation of RDGs. The main innovation of this paper is a proposed efficient metaheuristic optimization technique for the sizing and placement of RDGs in radial distribution systems considering the uncertainties of the loading and RDG output power. A Monte Carlo simulation method, along with the backward reduction algorithm, is utilized to create a set of scenarios to model these uncertainties. To find the positions and ratings of the RDGs, the artificial gorilla troops optimizer (GTO), a new efficient strategy that minimizes the total cost, is used to optimize a multiobjective function, total emissions, and total voltage deviations, as well as the total voltage stability boosting. The proposed technique is tested on an IEEE 69-bus network and a real Egyptian distribution grid (East Delta Network (EDN) 30-bus network). The results indicate that the proposed GTO can optimally assign the positions and ratings of RDGs. Moreover, the integration of RDGs into an IEEE 69-bus system can reduce the expected costs, emissions, and voltage deviations by 28.3%, 52.34%, and 66.95%, respectively, and improve voltage stability by 5.6%; in the EDN 30-bus system, these values are enhanced by 25.97%, 51.1%, 67.25%, and 7.7%, respectively.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel from Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Wet Wastes
Authors: Cronin Dylan J. , Subramaniam Senthil , Brady Casper , Cooper Alan , Yang Zhibin , Heyne Joshua , Drennan Corinne , Ramasamy Karthikeyan K. , Thorson Michael R.
Published: February 2022

Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) uses heat and pressure to liquefy the organic matter in biomass/waste feedstocks to produce biocrude. When hydrotreated the biocrude is converted into transportation fuels including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Further, by liquifying the organic matter in wet wastes such as sewage sludge, manure, and food waste, HTL can prevent landfilling or other disposal methods such as anerobic digestion, or incineration. A significant roadblock to the development of a new route for SAF is the strict approval process, and the large volumes required (>400 L) for testing. Tier α and β testing can predict some of the properties required for ASTM testing with <400 mL samples. The current study is the first to investigate the potential for utilizing wet-waste HTL biocrude (WWHTLB) as an SAF feedstock. Herein, several WWHTLB samples were produced from food waste, sewage sludge, and fats, oils, and grease, and subsequently hydrotreated and distilled to produce SAF samples. The fuels (both undistilled and distilled samples) were analyzed via elemental and 2D-GC-MS. Herein, we report the Tier α and β analysis of an SAF sample derived originally from a WWHTLB. The results of this work indicate that the upgraded WWHTLB material exhibits key fuel properties, including carbon number distribution, distillation profile, surface tension, density, viscosity, heat of combustion, and flash point, which all fall within the required range for aviation fuel. WWHTLB has therefore been shown to be a promising candidate feedstock for the production of SAF.
Internal Combustion Engine Starting and Torque Boosting Control System Design with Vibration Active Damping Features for a P0 Mild Hybrid Vehicle Configuration
Authors: Pavković Danijel , Cipek Mihael , Plavac Filip , Karlušić Juraj , Krznar Matija
Published: February 2022

In order to meet the increasingly stricter emissions’ regulations, road vehicles require additional technologies aimed at the reduction of emissions from the internal combustion engine (ICE). A favorable solution from the standpoint of costs and simplicity of integration is a 48-V electrical architecture utilizing a low-voltage/high-power induction machine, which operates as the so-called engine belt starter generator (BSG) coupled via a timing belt with the ICE crankshaft within a P0 mild hybrid power train and used for starting up and boosting of the ICE power output, as well as for recuperating kinetic energy during vehicle deceleration. The aim of this work was to design a vibration damping system for the belt transmission within the so-called front end accessory drive (FEAD), which couples the BSG with the ICE crankshaft and to test the control system by means of simulations for realistic operating regimes of the P0 mild hybrid power train in order to show the functionality of the proposed approach in terms of mild hybrid vehicle performance improvement. Simulation results have pointed out effective attenuation of belt compliance-related vibrations using the proposed active damping control, with vibration magnitude reduced between three and five times compared to the default case during engine start-up phase. They have indicated the realistic belt slippage effects during engine start-up phase and have illustrated the effectiveness of the FEAD torque boosting capability with 30% gain in acceleration during vehicle launch.
Assessing Responsive Building Envelope Designs through Robustness-Based Multi-Criteria Decision Making in Zero-Emission Buildings
Authors: Moschetti Roberta , Homaei Shabnam , Taveres-Cachat Ellika , Grynning Steinar
Published: February 2022

Responsive building envelopes (RBEs) are central to developing sustainability strategies for zero emission/energy buildings (ZEBs). RBEs are a large group of complex technologies and systems, which is why multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) methods are helpful to navigate sustainability assessments considering various performance indicators. This article first provides a literature review of assessment criteria and key performance indicators for RBEs and an analysis of existing robustness-based MCDM methods. Then, a methodological approach to assess RBE designs in ZEB projects is proposed as an extension of a novel robustness-based MCDM method that normalizes the objective functions according to defined targets and combines them into one comprehensive indicator (MT-KPI), thereby eliminating the need to weight objectives. The proposed methodological approach is finally tested on a case study of a Norwegian ZEB, where five competitive RBE designs (including building integrated photovoltaics, phase change material, and electrochromic windows) and eight occupancy and climate scenarios are investigated considering three main performance areas: energy use, thermal comfort, and load matching. The results in the case study show that with the proposed MCDM approach the different designs have MT-KPI values between 1.4 and 12.8, where a lower value is better. In this specific case, the most robust building RBE alternative was identified as the one with electrochromic windows and a control based on incident solar radiation and indoor air temperature.
Modelling Decentralized Hydrogen Systems: Lessons Learned and Challenges from German Regions
Authors: Jarosch Charlotte , Jahnke Philipp , Giehl Johannes , Himmel Jana
Published: February 2022

Green hydrogen produced by power-to-gas will play a major role in the defossilization of the energy system as it offers both carbon-neutral chemical energy and the chance to provide flexibility. This paper provides an extensive analysis of hydrogen production in decentralized energy systems, as well as possible operation modes (H2 generation or system flexibility). Modelling was realized for municipalities—the lowest administrative unit in Germany, thus providing high spatial resolution—in the linear optimization framework OEMOF. The results allowed for a detailed regional analysis of the specific operating modes and were analyzed using full-load hours, share of used negative residual load, installed capacity and levelized cost of hydrogen to derive the operation mode of power-to-gas to produce hydrogen. The results show that power-to-gas is mainly characterized by constant hydrogen production and rarely provides flexibility to the system. Main drivers of this dominant operation mode include future demand for hydrogen and the fact that high full-load hours reduce hydrogen-production costs. However, changes in the regulatory, market and technical framework could promote more flexibility and support possible use cases for the central technology to succeed in the energy transition.