bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selective Changes in Complexity of Visual Scanning for Social Stimuli in Infancy
Authors: Tomalski Przemysław , López Pérez David , Radkowska Alicja , Malinowska-Korczak Anna
Published: November 2021

In the 1st year of life, infants gradually gain the ability to control their eye movements and explore visual scenes, which support their learning and emerging cognitive skills. These gains include domain-general skills such as rapid orienting or attention disengagement as well as domain-specific ones such as increased sensitivity to social stimuli. However, it remains unknown whether these developmental changes in what infants fixate and for how long in naturalistic scenes lead to the emergence of more complex, repeated sequences of fixations, especially when viewing human figures and faces, and whether these changes are related to improvements in domain-general attentional skills. Here we tested longitudinally the developmental changes in the complexity of fixation sequences at 5.5 and 11 months of age using Recurrence Quantification Analysis. We measured changes in how fixations recur in the same location and changes in the patterns (repeated sequences) of fixations in social and non-social scenes that were either static or dynamic. We found more complex patterns (i.e., repeated and longer sequences) of fixations in social than non-social scenes, both static and dynamic. There was also an age-related increase in the length of repeated fixation sequences only for social static scenes, which was independent of individual differences in orienting and attention disengagement. Our results can be interpreted as evidence for fine-tuning of infants' visual scanning skills. They selectively produce longer and more complex sequences of fixations on faces and bodies before reaching the end of the 1st year of life.
Agreement Between Parental Report and Clinician Observation of Infant Developmental Skills
Authors: Federico Alexis , Shi Dexin , Bradshaw Jessica
Published: November 2021

Understanding the convergence between parent report and clinician observation measures of development is important and became even more critical during the COVID-19 pandemic as clinician contact with families was significantly limited. Previous research points to inconsistencies in the degree of agreement between parents and clinicians and very little research has examined these associations for infants within the first year of life. This study investigated the association between parent report and clinician observation measures of social communication and motor skills in 27 young infants who were assessed at 9 and 12 months of age. Results suggest a strong relation between clinician and parent rated motor skills, but weak to moderate associations between clinician and parent rated communication skills. Infant temperament played a significant role in parent ratings of infant communication. Together, these results provide support for data collection via parent report or clinician observation of infant motor skills, but suggest that multiple measures of infant communication may be helpful to obtain high-quality, perhaps more accurate, assessment social-communication skills. Specifically, multiple parent report measures along with an observation of parent-infant interactions will likely provide a more rich and accurate characterization of infant social-communication abilities.
Age-Related Differences in Hamstring Flexibility in Prepubertal Soccer Players: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Abate Daga Federico , Panzolini Marco , Allois Ruben , Baseggio Luca , Agostino Samuel
Published: November 2021

This study aimed to investigate the hamstring flexibility rate among prepubertal soccer players from U8 to U12 and the role of age and soccer years of practice on the course of hamstring flexibility. Six hundred eleven young Italian soccer players from a local soccer school in Turin were recruited for this research and assigned to each group according to their chronological age (U8 = 124 players; U9 = 130 players; U10 = 151 players; U11 = 89 players; and U12 = 120 players). Hamstring flexibility was measured using the Sit and Reach Test (SAR), while data analysis was run using a one-way analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA). Furthermore, Tuckey’s post hoc was used to determine differences among the classes of age. Finally, a bivariate ordinal regression analysis was used to evaluate a potential association between age categories and hamstrings flexibility. In addition, multivariable ordinal regression was used to analyze this relationship adjusted for the Body Mass Index (BMI). The one-way ANOVA showed significant differences in flexibility among groups (F = 32.76, P < 0.0001). Tuckey’s post hoc identified significant differences between U8 and U10 (p < 0.01; −2,39 cm of hamstring stretching), U8 and U11 (p < 0.05; −2.19 cm), U8 and U12 (p < 0.0001; −5.90), U9 and U12 (p < 0.0001; −4.98 cm), U10 and U12 (p < 0.0001; −3.5 cm), U11 and U12 (p < 0,001; −3.70 cm). In the bivariate ordinal regression analysis, there was a negative association between the age categories and hamstrings flexibility (R2 = 0.137; p < 0.0001). The association persisted in multivariable ordinal regression analysis adjusted for BMI (R2 = 0.138; p < 0.0001). This study underlines changes in hamstring flexibility across different age groups of prepubertal soccer players. The older and more experienced in soccer are less flexible than the younger, considering the hamstring muscles. Thus, appropriate stretching protocols should be included in prepubertal soccer training to avoid the risk of lead players to excess hamstring tightness.
Unraveling the Mystery About the Negative Valence Bias: Does Arousal Account for Processing Differences in Unpleasant Words?
Authors: Vieitez Lucía , Haro Juan , Ferré Pilar , Padrón Isabel , Fraga Isabel
Published: November 2021

Many studies have found that the emotional content of words affects visual word recognition. However, most of them have only considered affective valence, finding inconsistencies regarding the direction of the effects, especially in unpleasant words. Recent studies suggest that arousal might explain why not all unpleasant words elicit the same behavior. The aim of the present research was to study the role of arousal in unpleasant word recognition. To do that, we carried out an ERP experiment in which participants performed a lexical decision task that included unpleasant words which could vary across three levels of arousal (intermediate, high, and very high) and words which were neutral in valence and had an intermediate level of arousal. Results showed that, within unpleasant words, those intermediate in arousal evoked smaller LPC amplitudes than words that were high or very high in arousal, indicating that arousal affects unpleasant word recognition. Critically, arousal determined whether the effect of negative valence was found or not. When arousal was not matched between unpleasant and neutral valenced words, the effect of emotionality was weak in the behavioral data and absent in the ERP data. However, when arousal was intermediate in both unpleasant and neutral valenced words, larger EPN amplitudes were reported for the former, pointing to an early allocation of attention. Interestingly, these unpleasant words which had an intermediate level of arousal showed a subsequent inhibitory effect in that they evoked smaller LPC amplitudes and led to slower reaction times and more errors than neutral words. Our results highlight the relevance that the arousal level has for the study of negative valence effects in word recognition.
Psychometric Properties of the Grit-S in Chinese Nurses
Authors: He Changjiu , Wu Dongmei , Yang Lu , Yang Lei , Yue Yuchuan
Published: November 2021

Grit, as a positive psychological trait, could affect the stability of nursing workforce and nurses’ physical and mental health continuously. The Short Grit Scale (Grit-S) with fewer items than the original Grit Scale was widely used to measure individual trait-level grit. However, the psychological properties of Grit-S among Chinese nurses have not been verified. A self-designed sociodemographic questionnaire was used to investigate 709 Chinese nurses in the study, and Grit-S, Big Five Inventory-44, Brief Self-Control Scale, 10-item Connor-Davidson resilience scale, and Task Performance Scale were adopted to collect information of grit, personality, self-control, resilience, and work performance. The confirmatory factor analysis, Pearson correlation analysis, hierarchical regression analysis, and multi-group confirmatory factor analysis were conducted to verify the psychometric properties of the Grit-S. The results demonstrated that the Grit-S had sound validity and reliability among Chinese nurse samples and had good measurement invariance across nurses in general hospitals and psychiatric hospitals. The results of this study provide confidence in using the grit measurement among Chinese nurse in the future.
Soil Phosphorus Exchange as Affected by Drying-Rewetting of Three Soils From a Hawaiian Climatic Gradient
Authors: Helfenstein Julian , Frossard Emmanuel , Pistocchi Chiara , Chadwick Oliver , Vitousek Peter , Tamburini Federica
Published: November 2021

Current understanding of phosphorus (P) dynamics is mostly based on experiments carried out under steady-state conditions. However, drying-rewetting is an inherent feature of soil behavior, and as such also impacts P cycling. While several studies have looked at net changes in P pool sizes with drying-rewetting, few studies have dynamically tracked P exchange using isotopes, which would give insights on P mean residence times in a given pool, and thus P availability. Here, we subjected three soils from a climatic gradient on the Kohala peninsula from Hawaii to 5-month drying-rewetting treatments. The hypotheses were that physico-chemical and biotic processes would be differently affected by repeated drying-rewetting cycles, and that response would depend on climatic history of the soils. Soils were labeled with 33P and 18O enriched water. At select time intervals, we carried out a sequential extraction and measured P concentration, 33P recovery (only first 3 months), and incorporation of 18O from water into phosphate. This allowed tracing P dynamics in sequentially extracted pools as well as O dynamics in phosphate, which are driven by biological processes. Results showed that P concentration and 33P recovery were predominantly driven by soil type. However, across all soils we observed faster dilution of 33P from resin-P into less mobile inorganic pools under drying-rewetting. On the other hand, O dynamics in phosphate were mostly governed by drying-rewetting treatment. Under drying-rewetting, considerably less O was incorporated from water into phosphate of resin-P, microbial-P and HCl-P, suggesting that drying-rewetting reduced biological P cycling. Hence, our results suggest that repeated drying-rewetting increases inorganic P exchange while reducing biological P cycling due to reduced microbial activity, independent of climatic history of the soils. This needs to be considered in P management in ecosystems as well as model representations of the terrestrial P cycle.
Using Deep Learning to Detect Spinal Cord Diseases on Thoracolumbar Magnetic Resonance Images of Dogs
Authors: Biercher Anika , Meller Sebastian , Wendt Jakob , Caspari Norman , Schmidt-Mosig Johannes , De Decker Steven , Volk Holger Andreas
Published: November 2021

Deep Learning based Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) are the state-of-the-art machine learning technique with medical image data. They have the ability to process large amounts of data and learn image features directly from the raw data. Based on their training, these networks are ultimately able to classify unknown data and make predictions. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the imaging modality of choice for many spinal cord disorders. Proper interpretation requires time and expertise from radiologists, so there is great interest in using artificial intelligence to more quickly interpret and diagnose medical imaging data. In this study, a CNN was trained and tested using thoracolumbar MR images from 500 dogs. T1- and T2-weighted MR images in sagittal and transverse planes were used. The network was trained with unremarkable images as well as with images showing the following spinal cord pathologies: intervertebral disc extrusion (IVDE), intervertebral disc protrusion (IVDP), fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE)/acute non-compressive nucleus pulposus extrusion (ANNPE), syringomyelia and neoplasia. 2,693 MR images from 375 dogs were used for network training. The network was tested using 7,695 MR images from 125 dogs. The network performed best in detecting IVDPs on sagittal T1-weighted images, with a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 95.1%. The network also performed very well in detecting IVDEs, especially on sagittal T2-weighted images, with a sensitivity of 90.8% and specificity of 98.98%. The network detected FCEs and ANNPEs with a sensitivity of 62.22% and a specificity of 97.90% on sagittal T2-weighted images and with a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 90% on transverse T2-weighted images. In detecting neoplasms and syringomyelia, the CNN did not perform well because of insufficient training data or because the network had problems differentiating different hyperintensities on T2-weighted images and thus made incorrect predictions. This study has shown that it is possible to train a CNN in terms of recognizing and differentiating various spinal cord pathologies on canine MR images. CNNs therefore have great potential to act as a “second eye” for imagers in the future, providing a faster focus on the altered image area and thus increasing workflow in radiology.
Support Vector Machine Applied to the Optimal Design of Composite Wing Panels
Authors: dos Santos Rogério Rodrigues , Machado Tulio Gomes de Paula , Castro Saullo Giovani Pereira
Published: November 2021

One of the core technologies in lightweight structures is the optimal design of laminated composite stiffened panels. The increasing tailoring potential of new materials added to the simultaneous optimization of various design regions, leading to design spaces that are vast and non-convex. In order to find an optimal design using limited information, this paper proposes a workflow consisting of design of experiments, metamodeling and optimization phases. A machine learning strategy based on support vector machine (SVM) is used for data classification and interpolation. The combination of mass minimization and buckling evaluation under combined load is handled by a multi-objective formulation. The choice of a deterministic algorithm for the optimization cycle accelerates the convergence towards an optimal design. The analysis of the Pareto frontier illustrates the compromise between conflicting objectives. As a result, a balance is found between the exploration of new design regions and the optimal design refinement. Numerical experiments evaluating the design of a representative upper skin wing panel are used to show the viability of the proposed methodology.
Effect of Joint Clearance on Landing Gear Retraction Failure
Authors: Cho Sungjoon , Cho Hwanjeong , Lee Dooyoul
Published: November 2021

A simple method of investigating the effect of joint clearances on landing gear retraction failure is presented and applied to the main landing gear with a single sidestay and a hydraulic actuator. A geometric model is presented with assumptions of each link as a rigid body and their relative positions geometrically determined by considering the size of the clearances. We conducted a sensitivity analysis based on a geometric model of the main landing gear. The model was calibrated using the data from the technical order. A Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) was conducted, and whose input was the distance of each clearance based on the experimental design that combined the modified Latin hypercube sampling (LHS) and central composite design (CCD). As a result, we were able to find that the joint had a high potential to operate abnormally. We validated the model by using the actual failure data. Finally, the physical meaning of the sensitivity analysis results was interpreted by comparing them with the values obtained through an amplification index method that is a modified linearization method.
Effects of Postpartum Supplemental Oral Ca for Dairy Cows Fed Prepartum Dietary Acidogenic Salts
Authors: Vagnoni David B. , Davidson Michayla , Rubio Livia , Oetzel Garrett R. , Comets Emmanuelle
Published: November 2021

Postpartum hypocalcemia is a problem in dairy cows. Both the Jersey vs. Holstein breed and increasing parity are known risk factors. Our objectives were: (1) to evaluate a simple approach to provide dietary acidogenic salts suitable for application on small dairies and (2) to evaluate the combined effects of degree of acidification and oral Ca supplementation along with breed and parity group on periparturient Ca status of Holstein and Jersey cows. Cows were moved weekly from the far-off dry pen at 260 days pregnant to the close-up pen, where all cows received the acidogenic diets. The diet was offered as a total mixed ration and CaCl2, and our source of acidogenic salts was top-dressed in liquid form and mixed in by hand. Thirty-six cows were blocked by parity group (parity = 2 vs. parity ≥ 3) and breed (Holstein vs. Jersey) and assigned to one of two treatments (no intervention or postpartum oral Ca bolus supplementation) in an alternating fashion, based on expected date of parturition. Urinary acidification appeared complete within 3–4 days. Increased urinary Ca excretion was >93% of maximum from 7–21 days before falling to <5% of maximum by 28 days. Serum Ca concentrations 12–24 h postpartum were lower for Jerseys vs. Holsteins and for parity ≥ 3 vs. parity = 2 cows. Serum Ca over 6–48 h postpartum decreased and increased, respectively, with oral Ca supplementation for parity = 2 and parity ≥ 3 cows. Decreased prepartum urinary Ca excretion and increased colostrum yield appear to be independent risk factors of hypocalcemia for parity ≥ 3 Jerseys.
Effects of Replacing Medical Zinc Oxide with Different Ratios of Inorganic: Organic Zinc or Reducing Crude Protein Diet with Mixed Feed Additives in Weaned Piglet Diets
Authors: Oh Han Jin , Kim Myung Hoo , Song Min Ho , Lee Ji Hwan , Kim Yong Ju , Chang Se Yeon , An Jae Woo , Go Young Bin , Song Dong Cheol , Cho Hyun Ah , Kim Min Ji , Kim Hyeun Bum , Cho Jin Ho
Published: November 2021

One hundred twenty weaned piglets (9.34 ± 0.74 kg) were used in a four-week experiment to investigate the effects of replacing medical ZnO with a different ratio of inorganic and organic zinc (IZ:OZ) or a low-crude-protein diet (LP) with mixed feed additives (MFAs) in the weaned piglets’ diet. The dietary treatments included a control (CON), T1 (T1; ZnO 1000 mg/kg), T2 (IZ:OZ 850:150), T3 (IZ:OZ 700:300), T4 (IZ:OZ, 500:500), and T5 (LP with MFAs (0.1% essential oils + 0.08% protease + 0.02% xylanase)). The growth performance was decreased (p < 0.05) in the CON treatment compared with the T4 treatment. The diarrhea incidence was decreased (p < 0.05) in the T4 and the T5 treatment compared with the CON and the T1 treatments. The apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients were increased (p < 0.05) in the T4 and T5 treatments compared with the CON, T1, and T2 treatments. The T4 treatment had a higher (p < 0.05) ATTD of zinc than the T1, T2, and T3 treatments. The fecal microflora was improved (p < 0.05) in the T5 treatment compared with the CON and T3 treatments. In conclusion, IZ:OZ 500:500 could improve growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and zinc utilization while reducing diarrhea incidence in weaned piglets. Moreover, LP with MFA could replace medical ZnO.
Pelt Biting as a Practical Indicator of Social and Environment Stress in Farmed Red Deer
Authors: Pérez-Barbería Francisco Javier , García Andrés José , López-Quintanilla María , Landete-Castillejos Tomás
Published: November 2021

Agonistic behavioural interactions play a decisive role in the competition for food, space, mating opportunities, and establishing social rank. We used pelt biting (number of bites on an animal’s body) as a proxy for assessing the intensity of agonistic animal interactions and how it responded to social, population, and heat stress factors. We modelled a 14-year time series of pelt biting records and observational data of agonistic interactions on a population of captive Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus). We found that (i) the higher the social rank of deer, the lower the number of pelt bites received; (ii) increasing heat stress conditions caused deer to suffer more pelt bites; (iii) males received more bites than females; (iv) the heavier the deer, the lower the number of bites on their bodies; (v) the bigger the group, the more bites exhibited on its members; (vi) deer 5–6 years old suffered greater rate of pelt biting than younger or older deer; and (vii) hinds that gave birth earlier in the parturition period suffered less pelt biting than those that gave birth around the peak of the parturition season (p < 0.01 for all effects). Pelt biting is useful to predict management situations in which deer welfare could be at stake.
The Silkworm as a Source of Natural Antimicrobial Preparations: Efficacy on Various Bacterial Strains
Authors: Mastore Maristella , Quadroni Silvia , Caramella Sara , Brivio Maurizio Francesco
Published: November 2021

The global spread of multi-resistant pathogens responsible for infections, which cannot be treated with existing drugs such as antibiotics, is of particular concern. Antibiotics are becoming increasingly ineffective and drug resistance is leading to more difficult-to-treat infections; therefore, new bioactive compounds with antimicrobial activity are needed and new alternative sources should be found. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are synthesized by processes typical of the innate immune system and are present in almost all organisms. Insects are extremely resistant to bacterial infections as they can produce a wide range of AMPs, providing an effective first line of defense. The AMPs produced by insects therefore represent a possible source of natural antimicrobial molecules. In this paper, the possibility of using plasma preparations from silkworm (Bombyx mori) larvae as a source of antimicrobials was evaluated. After simple purification steps, insect plasma was analyzed and tested on different Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. The results obtained are encouraging as the assays on Escherichia coli and Enterobacter cloacae showed significant decrease in the growth of these Gram-negative bacteria. Similar results were obtained on Gram-positive bacteria, such as Micrococcus luteus and Bacillus subtilis, which showed strong susceptibility to the silkworm AMPs pool. In contrast, Staphylococcus aureus displayed high resistance to Bombyx mori plasma. Finally, the tested plasma formulations were assessed for possible storage not only at 4 °C, but also above room temperature. In conclusion, partially purified plasma from silkworm could be a promising source of AMPs which could be used in formulations for topical applications, without additional and expensive purification steps.
A Novel Intrusion Detection Approach Using Machine Learning Ensemble for IoT Environments
Authors: Verma Parag , Dumka Ankur , Singh Rajesh , Ashok Alaknanda , Gehlot Anita , Malik Praveen Kumar , Gaba Gurjot Singh , Hedabou Mustapha
Published: November 2021

The Internet of Things (IoT) has gained significant importance due to its applicability in diverse environments. Another reason for the influence of the IoT is its use of a flexible and scalable framework. The extensive and diversified use of the IoT in the past few years has attracted cyber-criminals. They exploit the vulnerabilities of the open-source IoT framework due to the absentia of robust and standard security protocols, hence discouraging existing and potential stakeholders. The authors propose a binary classifier approach developed from a machine learning ensemble method to filter and dump malicious traffic to prevent malicious actors from accessing the IoT network and its peripherals. The gradient boosting machine (GBM) ensemble approach is used to train the binary classifier using pre-processed recorded data packets to detect the anomaly and prevent the IoT networks from zero-day attacks. The positive class performance metrics of the model resulted in an accuracy of 98.27%, a precision of 96.40%, and a recall of 95.70%. The simulation results prove the effectiveness of the proposed model against cyber threats, thus making it suitable for critical applications for the IoT.
A Robot Dynamic Target Grasping Method Based on Affine Group Improved Gaussian Resampling Particle Filter
Authors: Tao Yong , Ren Fan , Gao He , Wang Tianmiao , Jiang Shan , Wen Yufang , Lan Jiangbo
Published: November 2021

Tracking and grasping a moving target is currently a challenging topic in the field of robotics. The current visual servo grasping method is still inadequate, as the real-time performance and robustness of target tracking both need to be improved. A target tracking method is proposed based on improved geometric particle filtering (IGPF). Following the geometric particle filtering (GPF) tracking framework, affine groups are proposed as state particles. Resampling is improved by incorporating an improved conventional Gaussian resampling algorithm. It addresses the problem of particle diversity loss and improves tracking performance. Additionally, the OTB2015 dataset and typical evaluation indicators in target tracking are adopted. Comparative experiments are performed using PF, GPF and the proposed IGPF algorithm. A dynamic target tracking and grasping method for the robot is proposed. It combines an improved Gaussian resampling particle filter algorithm based on affine groups and the positional visual servo control of the robot. Finally, the robot conducts simulation and experiments on capturing dynamic targets in the simulation environment and actual environment. It verifies the effectiveness of the method proposed in this paper.
A Composite Velocity Map Imaging Spectrometer for Ions and 1 keV Electrons at the Shanghai Soft X-ray Free-Electron Laser
Authors: Ding Bocheng , Xu Weiqing , Wu Ruichang , Feng Yunfei , Tian Lifang , Li Xiaohong , Huang Jianye , Liu Zhi , Liu Xiaojing
Published: November 2021

Velocity map imaging (VMI) spectrometry is widely used to measure the momentum distribution of charged particles with the kinetic energy of a few tens of electronVolts. With the progress of femtosecond laser and X-ray free-electron laser, it becomes increasingly important to extend the electron kinetic energy to 1 keV. Here, we report on a recently built composite VMI spectrometer at the Shanghai soft X-ray free-electron laser, which can measure ion images and high-energy electron images simultaneously. In the SIMION simulation, we extended the electron kinetic energy to 1 keV with a resolution <2% while measuring the ions with the kinetic energy of 20 eV. The experimental performance is tested by measuring Ar 2p photoelectron spectra at Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, and O+ kinetic energy spectrum from dissociative ionization of O2 by 800 nm femtosecond laser. We reached a resolution of 1.5% at the electron kinetic energy of 500 eV. When the electron arm is set for 100 eV, a resolution of 4% is reached at the ion kinetic energy of 5.6 eV. This composite VMI spectrometer will support the experiment, such as X-ray multi-photon excitation/ionization, Auger electrons emission, attosecond streaking.
Study on Noise Reduction with Paving Different Low Noise Pavement Materials
Authors: Yuan Minmin , Wang Jie , Wang Yanqin , Shao Shegang
Published: November 2021

This paper evaluates the amount of noise reduction when using different pavement materials in two adjacent lanes, where the close-proximity (CPX) method is introduced to analyze the tire/road noise before and after pavement maintenance. We consider four types of pavement materials, including ECA-10, PUC-10, PAC-13, and double-layer porous asphalt pavement (PAC-13+PUC-10), where these materials and their combinations are paved on two adjacent lanes. We measure the tire/road noise with the CPX method using a two-wheel trailer that can install two types of tires in different tests. This study provides some guidelines on controlling traffic noise pollution by using the combination of low noise pavement materials. From the experimental and theoretical results, one can see that the highest amount of noise reduction can be obtained when both the inner and outer lanes use the double-layer porous asphalt pavement. To make a balance between the noise reduction performance and the road maintenance cost, one can have the suboptimal choice, where the inner lane uses PUC-10 and the outer lane uses the double-layer porous asphalt pavement.
In Vivo Evaluation of PVP-Gelatin-Chitosan Composite Blended with Egg-Yolk Oil for Radiodermatitis
Authors: Hung Yi-Chi , Hsieh Shu-Chih , Hou Syuan-Ren , Kung Jui-Yin , Tang Cheng-Ming , Chang Chen-Jung
Published: November 2021

Radiation-induced skin injury (RSI) is a frequent complication of radiotherapy. Severe cases affect the patient’s disease treatment and quality of life. The main purpose of this study is to examine the causative role of egg-yolk oil (EYO) in delayed radiation-induced skin injury, including impaired wound healing. Using polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP)-gelatin-chitosan (PGC) composite film as controlled release of egg-yolk oil (EYO) was studied in rats, which were used as a radiation-induced skin injury model. Different composition ratios were tested for their mechanical properties, moisture content, and degradation characteristics. The results showed that the PGC112 (w/w) substrate, which will hence be referred to as PGC, had the better properties. Further, the PGC was mixed with EYO (0.25% and 0.5%) to prepare the films (PGC/0.25EYO and PGC/0.5EYO, respectively). Furthermore, the mechanical and degradation properties and biocompatibility showed better results with PGC/0.5EYO. In animal studies, rats were irradiated with single-dose electron beams of 40 Gy. The animals were divided into five groups to perform wound treatment with various types of wound dressing for 30 days. Histological examination and CD68 immunochemical staining were then conducted, and observations were made. The results showed that PGC/0.5EYO has a significantly healing effects on radiodermatitis and good re-epithelialization.
The Vehicle Routing Problem: State-of-the-Art Classification and Review
Authors: Tan Shi-Yi , Yeh Wei-Chang
Published: November 2021

Transportation planning has been established as a key topic in the literature and social production practices. An increasing number of researchers are studying vehicle routing problems (VRPs) and their variants considering real-life applications and scenarios. Furthermore, with the rapid growth in the processing speed and memory capacity of computers, various algorithms can be used to solve increasingly complex instances of VRPs. In this study, we analyzed recent literature published between 2019 and August of 2021 using a taxonomic framework. We reviewed recent research according to models and solutions, and divided models into three categories of customer-related, vehicle-related, and depot-related models. We classified solution algorithms into exact, heuristic, and meta-heuristic algorithms. The main contribution of our study is a classification table that is available online as Appendix A. This classification table should enable future researchers to find relevant literature easily and provide readers with recent trends and solution methodologies in the field of VRPs and some well-known variants.
Dose-Dependent Suppression of Human Glioblastoma Xenograft Growth by Accelerator-Based Boron Neutron Capture Therapy with Simultaneous Use of Two Boron-Containing Compounds
Authors: Kanygin Vladimir , Razumov Ivan , Zaboronok Alexander , Zavjalov Evgenii , Kichigin Aleksandr , Solovieva Olga , Tsygankova Alphiya , Guselnikova Tatiana , Kasatov Dmitrii , Sycheva Tatiana , Mathis Bryan J. , Taskaev Sergey
Published: November 2021

(1) Background: Developments in accelerator-based neutron sources moved boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) to the next phase, where new neutron radiation parameters had to be studied for the treatment of cancers, including brain tumors. We aimed to further improve accelerator-BNCT efficacy by optimizing dosimetry control, beam parameters, and combinations of boronophenylalanine (BPA) and sodium borocaptate (BSH) administration in U87MG xenograft-bearing immunodeficient mice with two different tumor locations. (2) Methods: The study included two sets of experiments. In Experiment #1, BPA only and single or double irradiation in higher doses were used, while, in Experiment #2, BPA and BSH combinations and single or double irradiation with dosage adjustment were analyzed. Mice without treatment or irradiation after BPA or BPA+BSH injection were used as controls. (3) Results: Irradiation parameter adjustment and BPA and BSH combination led to 80–83% tumor-growth inhibition index scores, irradiation:BNCT ratios of 1:2, and increases in animal life expectancy from 9 to 107 days. (4) Conclusions: Adjustments in dosimetry control, calculation of irradiation doses, and combined use of two 10B compounds allowed for BNCT optimization that will be useful in the development of clinical-trial protocols for accelerator-based BNCT.
Comparable Efficacy in Ischemic and Non-Ischemic ICD Recipients for the Primary Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death
Authors: Ursaru Andreea Maria , Petris Antoniu Octavian , Costache Irina Iuliana , Dan Tesloianu Nicolae
Published: November 2021

(1) Background: In patients suffering from heart failure, the main causes of death are either hemodynamic failure, or ventricular arrhythmias. The only tool to significantly reduce arrhythmic sudden death is the implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), but not all patients benefit to the same extent from these devices. (2) Methods: The primary outcome of this single-center study was defined as cardiovascular death in patients with ischemic and non-ischemic heart failure who have benefited from ICD therapy. The secondary outcomes were death from any cause, sudden cardiac death, ICD-related therapies (appropriate antitachycardia pacing or shock therapy for ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation) and recurrences of ventricular tachyarrhythmias. (3) Results: A total of 403 consecutive ICD recipients—symptomatic heart failure patients with ICD for the primary prevention of sudden cardiac death—were included retrospectively: 59% ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICMP) and 41% non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICMP) patients. Within a median follow-up period of 36 months, the incidence of cardiovascular mortality was not significantly different in patients with NICMP and ICMP: the primary outcome had occurred in 9 patients (5.4%) in the NICMP group and in 14 patients (5.9%) in the ICMP group (hazard ratio 1; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.45 to 2.28; p = 0.97). All-cause mortality occurred in 14 of 166 patients (8.4%) in the NICMP group and 18 of 237 patients (7.6%) in the ICMP group. Sudden cardiac death occurred in two patients (1.2%) in the NICMP group and in four patients (1.7%) in the ICMP group (hazard ratio 0.71; 95% CI, 0.13 to 3.88; p = 0.69). The rate of appropriate device therapies was comparable in both groups. (4) Conclusions: In this study, ICD implantation for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death in patients with symptomatic systolic heart failure was associated with similar rates of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in patients with ischemic heart disease, and in patients with heart failure from other causes. NICMP and ICMP showed comparable rates of recurrent ventricular tachyarrhythmias and appropriate ICD therapies.
Two Faces of Macrophages: Training and Tolerance
Authors: Zubair Kiran , You Chaelin , Kwon Geunho , Kang Kyuho
Published: November 2021

Macrophages are present in almost all body tissues. They detect and quickly respond to “environmental signals” in the tissue. Macrophages have been associated with numerous beneficial roles, such as host defense, wound healing, and tissue regeneration; however, they have also been linked to the development of diverse illnesses, particularly cancers and autoimmune disorders. Complex signaling, epigenetic, and metabolic pathways drive macrophage training and tolerance. The induced intracellular program differs depending on the type of initial stimuli and the tissue microenvironment. Due to the essential roles of macrophages in homeostatic and their association with the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases, recent studies have investigated the molecular mechanisms of macrophage training and tolerance. This review discusses the role of factors involved in macrophage training and tolerance, along with the current studies in human diseases.
High Channel Temperature Mapping Electronics in a Thin, Soft, Wireless Format for Non-Invasive Body Thermal Analysis
Authors: Park Wooyoung , Yiu Chunki , Liu Yiming , Wong Tsz Hung , Huang Xingcan , Zhou Jingkun , Li Jian , Yao Kuanming , Huang Ya , Li Hu , Li Jiyu , Jiao Yanli , Shi Rui , Yu Xinge
Published: November 2021

Hemodynamic status has been perceived as an important diagnostic value as fundamental physiological health conditions, including decisive signs of fatal diseases like arteriosclerosis, can be diagnosed by monitoring it. Currently, the conventional hemodynamic monitoring methods highly rely on imaging techniques requiring inconveniently large numbers of operation procedures and equipment for mapping and with a high risk of radiation exposure. Herein, an ultra-thin, noninvasive, and flexible electronic skin (e-skin) hemodynamic monitoring system based on the thermal properties of blood vessels underneath the epidermis that can be portably attached to the skin for operation is introduced. Through a series of thermal sensors, the temperatures of each subsection of the arrayed sensors are observed in real-time, and the measurements are transmitted and displayed on the screen of an external device wirelessly through a Bluetooth module using a graphical user interface (GUI). The degrees of the thermal property of subsections are indicated with a spectrum of colors that specify the hemodynamic status of the target vessel. In addition, as the sensors are installed on a soft substrate, they can operate under twisting and bending without any malfunction. These characteristics of e-skin sensors exhibit great potential in wearable and portable diagnostics including point-of-care (POC) devices.
Observing Pain in Individuals with Cognitive Impairment: A Pilot Comparison Attempt across Countries and across Different Types of Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Kunz Miriam , Crutzen-Braaksma Petra , Giménez-Llort Lydia , Invitto Sara , Villani Gaya , deTommaso Marina , Petrini Laura , Vase Lene , Tomczak Matthiesen Susan , Gottrup Hanne , Echeita Jone Ansuategui , Lautenbacher Stefan , Defrin Ruth
Published: November 2021

Facial expression is a key aspect in observational scales developed to improve pain assessment in individuals with cognitive impairments. Although these scales are used internationally in individuals with different types of cognitive impairments, it is not known whether observing facial expressions of pain might differ between regions or between different types of cognitive impairments. In a pilot study, facial responses to standardized experimental pressure pain were assessed among individuals with different types of cognitive impairments (dementia, mild cognitive impairment, Huntington’s disease, and intellectual disability) from different countries (Denmark, Germany, Italy, Israel, and Spain) and were analyzed using facial descriptors from the PAIC scale (Pain Assessment in Impaired Cognition). We found high inter-rater reliability between observers from different countries. Moreover, facial responses to pain did not differ between individuals with dementia from different countries (Denmark, Germany, and Spain). However, the type of cognitive impairment had a significant impact; with individuals with intellectual disability (all being from Israel) showing the strongest facial responses. Our pilot data suggest that the country of origin does not strongly affect how pain is facially expressed or how facial responses are being scored. However, the type of cognitive impairment showed a clear effect in our pilot study, with elevated facial responses in individuals with intellectual disability.
Volumetric Response of Limited Brain Metastatic Disease to Focal Hypofractionated Radiation Therapy
Authors: Wijetunga Asanka R. , Jayamanne Dasantha T. , Adams Jessica , Back Michael F.
Published: November 2021

Background: This is a retrospective study aimed at assessing the volumetric response, morbidity and failure rates of hypofractionated radiation therapy (HFRT) for definitive focal management of limited brain metastasis. Methods: Patients managed with HFRT for unresected limited metastatic (≤10 lesions) brain disease were entered into an ethics-approved database. Included patients had been deemed unsuitable for surgical resection, and lesions managed with prior radiation therapy were excluded. HFRT was delivered using IMRT or VMAT with 25 Gy or 30 Gy in five fractions. Individual lesions had volumetric assessment performed at three timepoints. The primary endpoint was the change of volume from baseline (GTV0) to one month post-HFRT (GTV1) and to seven months post-HFRT (GTV7). Secondary endpoints were local failure, survival and rates of radiation necrosis. Results: One hundred and twenty-four patients with 233 lesions were managed with HFRT. Median follow-up was 23.5 months with 32 (25.8%) patients alive at censure. Median overall survival was 7.3 months with 36.3% survival at 12 months. Superior survival was predicted by smaller GTV0 (p = 0.003) and increased percentage of volumetric response (p < 0.001). Systemic therapy was delivered to 81.5% of patients. At one month post-HFRT, 206 metastases (88.4%) were available for assessment and at seven months post-HFRT, 118 metastases (50.6%) were available. Median metastasis volume at GTV0 was 1.6 cm3 (range: 0.1–19.1). At GTV1 and GTV7, this reduced to 0.7 cm3 (p < 0.001) and 0.3 cm3 (p < 0.001), respectively, correlating to percentage reductions of 54.9% and 83.3%. No significant predictors of volumetric response following HFRT were identified. Local failure was identified in 4.3% of lesions and radiation necrosis in 3.9%. Conclusion: HFRT is an effective therapy for limited metastatic disease in the brain to maximise initial volumetric response whilst minimising toxicity.
Resting-State Functional Connectivity following Phonological Component Analysis: The Combined Action of Phonology and Visual Orthographic Cues
Authors: Masson-Trottier Michèle , Sontheimer Anna , Durand Edith , Ansaldo Ana Inés
Published: November 2021

Anomia is the most frequent and pervasive symptom for people with aphasia (PWA). Phonological component analysis (PCA) is a therapy incorporating phonological cues to treat anomia. Investigations of neural correlates supporting improvements following PCA remain scarce. Resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) as a marker of therapy-induced neuroplasticity has been reported by our team. The present study explores the efficacy of PCA in French and associated therapy-induced neuroplasticity using whole-brain rsFC analysis. Ten PWA participated in a pre-/post-PCA fMRI study with cognitive linguistic assessments. PCA was delivered in French following the standard procedure. PCA led to significant improvement with trained and untrained items. PCA also led to changes in rsFC between distributed ROIs in the semantic network, visual network, and sub-cortical areas. Changes in rsFC can be interpreted within the frame of the visual and phonological nature of PCA. Behavioral and rsFC data changes associated with PCA in French highlight its efficacy and point to the importance of phonological and orthographic cues to consolidate the word-retrieval strategy, contributing to generalization to untrained words.
Effect of Wood Hemicellulose Composition on Binding Interactions with Caffeine
Authors: Kobetičová Klára , Nábělková Jana
Published: November 2021

Wood is one of the important construction materials and it is necessary to protect it from biological pests. Hemicellulose in wood consist of various sugar hexoses or pentoses depending on the tree species. This composition can have significant effects on interactions with chemical substance as biocides or coatings. Interactions of glucose, arabinose, mannan, galactomannan, glucogalactomannan, xylan, and hemicellulose corresponding its structure in spruce, pine and beech with biocidal substance caffeine was studied in the present study. Chemical analyses were performed spectrometrically at the caffeine optimal wavelength of 287 nm. The results indicate variable rate of interactions between caffeine and the tested sugar monomers or polymers. The largest interactions between caffeine were observed for simple sugars glucose (71%) and arabinose (67%). Mannan and hemicellulose composted of mannan units had very low interactive potential with caffeine (1–9%), the models of woody plants showed no statistically significant difference (25–30%). Nevertheless, hemicellulose in some previous research showed less potential to bind caffeine than lignin, but greater than completely inactive cellulose. It is evident that the structure of individual sugars and their mixture in polymer hemicellulose has effects on binding interactions with caffeine; however, other research in this area will be necessary in the future.
GCC2 as a New Early Diagnostic Biomarker for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Jeong Hyesun , Choi Byeong Hyeon , Park JinA , Jung Jik-Han , Shin Hyunku , Kang Ka-Won , Quan Yu Hua , Yu Jewon , Park Ji-Ho , Park Yong , Choi Yeonho , Kim Hyun Koo , Hong Sunghoi
Published: November 2021

No specific markers have been identified to detect non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell-derived exosomes circulating in the blood. Here, we report a new biomarker that distinguishes between cancer and non-cancer cell-derived exosomes. Exosomes isolated from patient plasmas at various pathological stages of NSCLC, NSCLC cell lines, and human pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells isolated using size exclusion chromatography were characterized. The GRIP and coiled-coil domain-containing 2 (GCC2) protein, involved in endosome-to-Golgi transport, was identified by proteomics analysis of NSCLC cell line-derived exosomes. GCC2 protein levels in the exosomes derived from early-stage NSCLC patients were higher than those from healthy controls. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of exosomal GCC2 to be 90% and 75%, respectively. A high area under the curve, 0.844, confirmed that GCC2 levels could effectively distinguish between the exosomes. These results demonstrate GCC2 as a promising early diagnostic biomarker for NSCLC.