bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of supplementing feed grade L-methionine in plant sourced diet on the performance of broiler chicken
Authors: Mahmud T , Hossain MA , Uddin MJ , Jahan I , Ahmad MH , Hossain MM
Published: November 2021

The study was conducted to investigate the productivity and profitability of broiler on L-methionine supplemented diet. A total of 160 day-old broiler chicks (Cobb 500) was randomly distributed to four dietary supplements, D0 (Control), D1 (0.30 % L-Met), D2 (0.35 % L- Met) and D3 (0.40 % L- Met). Each treatment was replicated five times with 8 birds per cage. The chicks were reared in the battery cages while they were fed with broiler starter diet (crumble) until Day14 of age. The birds with fed with L-Met supplemented diets starting from Day15 until Day35 of age All the diets were iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous.. Results revealed that the L-Met supplementations were in favor of higher live weight (LW) and better (p<0.05) feed conversion ratio without affecting the feed intake (FI). The D3 diet resulted higher (p<0.01) LW in the birds than all others on Day35 of age. The livability (%) was unaffected (p>0.05) by the dietary supplements. No significant (p>0.05) difference was observed in the relative weights of visceral organs (small intestine, proventriculus, gizzard, liver and heart) except for the spleen. Relatively increased (p<0.05) spleen weight (%) was observed in the D3 diet. The breast weight (%) was increased marginally (p<0.07) in the D3 group, while the other carcass parts; breast weight, thigh weight, wing weight, shank weight, drumstick weight, neck weight, and abdominal fat content were found to be similar (p>0.05) in the dietary groups. Higher profit (p<0.01) and lower production cost (p<0.05) were observed in the D3 group than that of the others. It can be inferred that 0.40% L-Met supplementation in the broiler diet is better for growth performance and profitability.
Bang. J. Livs. Res. Vol. 27 (1&2), 2020: P. 1-14
Financial loss due to foot and mouth disease outbreak in cattle in some affected areas of Bangladesh
Authors: Giasuddin M , Ali MZ , Sayeed MA , Islam E
Published: November 2021

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a severe and highly contagious disease that causes immense financial losses due to mortality, reduced milk production, treatment cost of affected cattle, weight loss of fattening cattle and manpower loss for taking care of affected cattle, which occurs in Bangladesh almost every year. Outbreak of this disease causes financial loss to the farmers as well as the national economy of Bangladesh. Therefore, an attempt was made to assess the morbidity and mortality by FMD and to estimate financial loss incurred therein. For this study, data were collected from 850 affected households of Dhaka, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Khulna and Chattogram divisions of Bangladesh during July 2017 to June 2018 using a pre-tested interview schedule responding to the study objectives. In total, there were 4857 crossbred and 2138 native cattle in the affected household. The study revealed that the overall morbidity and mortality rates were 55.43% and 5.15%, respectively in crossbred cattle and 77.83% and 12.39%, respectively in native cattle and it differed significantly (p<0.01) with areas and category of cattle. Infection period for an FMD affected crossbred cattle were an average of 18.46±0.27 days and for native cattle were an average of 19.56±0.40 days. The total financial loss due to the FMD outbreak was calculated as Taka 53172067 (Tk. 53.17 million or US$ 0.63 million) for 850 affected households. The percentage of loss incurred was the highest for the death of affected cattle (63.47%) followed by veterinary cost (10.71%), weight loss of fattening cattle (10.68%), reduction in milk yield (9.17%) and manpower loss for taking care of affected cattle (5.98%). Based on this calculation the projected financial loss due to the FMD outbreak would be Taka 18856.96 crore (Tk. 188.57 billion or US$ 2.22 billion) per year in Bangladesh.
Bang. J. Livs. Res. Vol. 27 (1&2), 2020: P. 82-94
ANALYSIS OF THE USE OF BANKSY IMAGE IN IMPROVING STUDENTS’ WRITING SKILL
Authors: Hadi Muhamad Sofian , Izzah Lidiyatul , Putra Azhar Dwiyan
Published: November 2021

This study aims to improve students’ Writing abilities using Bansky Image. The method used in research is a quantitative method with Pre Experimental as a research design. Both pre-test and post-test used as the instruments in collecting the data. The writer used one classes of the tenth grade of MA Al Fathiyah, Jakarta Timur, for the population. The sampling technique used was cluster sampling, in which one class was determined as experimental and the control class. The data was analyzed statistically by using a t-test. The result of this analysis indicated that the average value of the students was 75.7, the statistical calculation showed that the results of to (t-observation)> tt (t-table) in which to obtained was 25.357 while the value of tt was 2.037 with a significant level of 5% (0.05), since, to was higher than tt. Therefore alternative hypothesis (Ha) was accepted while null hypothesis was rejected. From these analysis results, this research summarized that Banksy Image was an effective medium to improve students’ Writing skills.
Identificação da análise de marcas de mordida em odontologia forense: uma revisão da literatura
Authors: Melo Mariana Vieira , Costa Larissa Cristina Pereira , Pereira Rafael Martins Afonso , Machado Fabrício Campos , Martins Victor da Mota , Rocha Aletheia Moraes
Published: November 2021

A Odontologia Forense é uma área das ciências forenses responsável por ajudar a justiça principalmente nos casos de identificação humana. As técnicas de identificação remontam desde a época de 49 DC, e seu uso vem sendo relatado ao longo da história. A análise através das marcas de mordida é uma técnica complexa e que traz muitas subjetividades, dividindo opiniões e gerando muitas controvérsias. O presente trabalho consiste de uma revisão de caráter narrativo e discute como é feita a identificação através das marcas de mordida, destacando sua importância e suas limitações, apontando também o papel do cirurgião-dentista. Foi realizada uma busca nas bases de dados “PubMed”, “Scielo”, e “Lilacs” dos últimos 20 anos utilizando os descritores em português: “Mordida Humana”, “Odontologia Forense”, “Mordida" e em inglês “Bite Human”, “Forensic dentistry” e “Bite”. Essas marcas são encontradas principalmente em crimes de abuso sexual, homicídio e negligencia infantil, onde o criminoso utiliza os dentes como arma, deixando uma marca sobre a pele da vítima ou em objetos deixados na cena do crime. Partindo do princípio de que a arcada dentaria é única para cada ser humano, é feita uma comparação entre a marca deixada no local com a dentição do suspeito, podendo incriminar o indivíduo. Diante disso, conclui-se que as marcas de mordida podem ser uma importante ferramenta na resolução de crimes, desde que realizada de maneira criteriosa, por profissionais qualificados e respeitando suas limitações.
Uji Bakteri Coliform dan (Escherichia coli) pada Air Tercemar Dengan Penggunaan Susunan Filter
Authors: Purwanti Linda , Syauqi Ahmad , Laili Saimul
Published: November 2021

Clean water is a serious problem in Indonesia, the availability of clean water has shrunk drastically due to deteriorating environment and pollution. Drinking water that meets safety standards is increasingly scarce. More than 100 million people need safe water sources. Filter media is able to remove chemicals in water such as turbid, odor, oily, yellowish, rusty and muddy making it unfit for consumption. In addition, the purpose of the clarification results must also be considered whether to drink household needs or other needs. This study uses Lauryl Tryptose Broth (LTB) media and petrifilm media. Petrifilm results show that it is very easy to count the bacteria Colifrom and Escerichia coli using petrifilm media. From the analysis of calculations using the Paired Samples T-Test on the sample before filtering and after filtering it was obtained the Tcount value of 2.28 with a P value 0.015 which showed very successful or significant results between the samples before and after the filter. In this analysis have normally distributed data with a significant value of P = 0.015 (<0.05). In this case the Paired Samples T-Test was tested for normality (Shapiro-Wilk) and the results were obtained in the form of a P value of <.001 which would indicate that the data was normally distributed, indicated by a P value <0.05. The filter on this filter is very useful for filtering on Escerichia coli bacteria because this filter removes the bacteria, but Colifrom bacteria can still escape the use of the filter, because it depends on environmental conditions. Colifrom and Escerichia coli bacteria occur is seen from the relationship between sources of pollution such as, for example, such as septic tanks, distance of wells with waste, trash, and livestock pollution. The quality of drinking water is very close to the presence of Colifrom and Escerichia coli bacteria which are likely to have pathogenic bacteria that are harmful to health in the quality of well water. Water samples to be observed using well water using 2 treatments as many as 12 repetitions. Thus the total sample obtained as many as 24 water samples will be observed. While the test making of Lauryl Triptose Broth medium was observed by incubating 48 hours at 35oC + gas. Before making the test tube medium must be sterilized first. Subsequent tests were observed with a petrifilm medium to determine the presence or absence of Colifrom and Escherichia coli bacteria by looking at the color of the battery being sought.

Keywords: Drinking Water, Coliform Bacteria and Escherichia coli
Potensi Murraya keonigii sebagai Herbisida Alami
Authors: Dewi Lussana Rossita , Rahayu Praptining
Published: November 2021

Various kinds of agricultural products are needed to support organic farms to produce superior quality products, one of it was natural herbicides. Some plants have the potential to become natural herbicides by producing chemical compounds, namely allelopathy which can inhibit the growth of surrounding plants and Murraya keonigii is one of it. This study aims to see the potential of M. keonigii to become a natural herbicide. Grass seeds were given M keonigii’s extract at a dose of 0 gr / l (control / M0), 50 gr / lt (M1), 60 gr / lt (M2), and 70 gr / lt (M3). The results showed that the aromatic or allelopathic compounds in M ​​keonigii affected the germination. Germination was slower at doses of 60 gr / l (M2) and 70 gr / lt (M3) compared to controls (M0) and 50 gr / lt (M1). Radicle length did not increase rapidly in M2 and M3 treatment. Germination power of grass seeds in control and M0 had a value of 100% or all germinated, while M1 and M2 had 67% germination. The higher the dose of M keonigii extract, the slower the process of grass seed germination.
ESTUDIO DE LAS INNOVACIONES EMPRESARIALES NO SUSTENTADAS EN LA TECNOLOGÍA DE PUNTA
Authors: Hueza Pablo
Published: November 2021

Como proceso multidimensional, la innovación ha sido abordada por diversas disciplinas: La Economía, donde su principal investigador fue el economista Joseph Schumpeter, dando nacimiento a la visión Schumpeteriana (hoy Neo-Schumpeterina). La Administración de Empresas, donde Peter Drucker (Drucker, 1985) desarrolla siete fuentes básicas de innovación a ser exploradas. Desde la Tecnología y sus diversas especializaciones, colocando el acento en el desarrollo tecnológico como fuente de innovación; entre otras. Es notable sin embargo, la escasez de estudios acerca de la innovación como metodología que puede ser desentrañada y aplicada;  en otras palabras: estudiar y analizar si existen principios dan lugar  a las innovaciones. El objetivo de la presente investigación es recopilar y analizar las innovaciones no sustentadas en tecnologías de punta; o que utilizándola, no constituya esta última el factor innovador; con el objeto de derivar agrupaciones en función a principios que posean en común. Dichos principios pretenden ser aplicables a diversas estructuras, sentando bases para un modelo sistemático en la búsqueda de innovaciones. La recopilación se realizará mediante revistas especializadas en papel y digitales sectoriales, de negocios, organismos gubernamentales y no gubernamentales, y libros de textos, la dimensión temporal refiere a los últimos veinte años.
Form and Function Predict Acoustic Transmission Properties of the Songs of Male and Female Canyon Wrens
Authors: Benedict Lauryn , Hardt Braelei , Dargis Lorraine
Published: November 2021

To function effectively, animal signals must transmit through the environment to receivers, and signal transmission properties depend on signal form. Here we investigated how the transmission of multiple parts of a well-studied signal, bird song, varies between males and females of one species. We hypothesized that male and female songs would have different transmission properties, reflecting known differences in song form and function. We further hypothesized that two parts of male song used differentially in broadcast singing and aggressive contests would transmit differently. Analyses included male and female songs from 20 pairs of canyon wrens (Catherpes mexicanus) played and re-recorded in species-typical habitat. We found that male song cascades used in broadcast singing propagated farther than female songs, with higher signal-to-noise ratios at distance. In contrast, we demonstrated relatively restricted propagation of the two vocalization types typically used in short-distance aggressive signaling, female songs and male “cheet” notes. Of the three tested signals, male “cheet” notes had the shortest modeled propagation distances. Male and female signals blurred similarly, with variable patterns of excess attenuation. Both male song parts showed more consistent transmission across the duration of the signal than did female songs. Song transmission, thus, varied by sex and reflected signal form and use context. Results support the idea that males and females of the same species can show distinctly different signal evolution trajectories. Sexual and social selection pressures can shape sex-specific signal transmission, even when males and females are communicating in shared physical environments.
A Systematic Scoping Review of New Attention Problems Following Traumatic Brain Injury in Children
Authors: Stojanovski Sonja , Scratch Shannon E. , Dunkley Benjamin T. , Schachar Russell , Wheeler Anne L.
Published: November 2021

Objective: To summarize existing knowledge about the characteristics of attention problems secondary to traumatic brain injuries (TBI) of all severities in children.

Methods: Computerized databases PubMed and PsychINFO and gray literature sources were used to identify relevant studies. Search terms were selected to identify original research examining new ADHD diagnosis or attention problems after TBI in children. Studies were included if they investigated any severity of TBI, assessed attention or ADHD after brain injury, investigated children as a primary or sub-analysis, and controlled for or excluded participants with preinjury ADHD or attention problems.

Results: Thirty-nine studies were included in the review. Studies examined the prevalence of and risk factors for new attention problems and ADHD following TBI in children as well as behavioral and neuropsychological factors associated with these attention problems. Studies report a wide range of prevalence rates of new ADHD diagnosis or attention problems after TBI. Evidence indicates that more severe injury, injury in early childhood, or preinjury adaptive functioning problems, increases the risk for new ADHD and attention problems after TBI and both sexes appear to be equally vulnerable. Further, literature suggests that cases of new ADHD often co-occurs with neuropsychiatric impairment in other domains. Identified gaps in our understanding of new attention problems and ADHD include if mild TBI, the most common type of injury, increases risk and what brain abnormalities are associated with the emergence of these problems.

Conclusion: This scoping review describes existing studies of new attention problems and ADHD following TBI in children and highlights important risk factors and comorbidities. Important future research directions are identified that will inform the extent of this outcome across TBI severities, its neural basis and points of intervention to minimize its impact.
Circuits for State-Dependent Modulation of Locomotion
Authors: Pernía-Andrade Alejandro J. , Wenger Nikolaus , Esposito Maria S. , Tovote Philip
Published: November 2021

Brain-wide neural circuits enable bi- and quadrupeds to express adaptive locomotor behaviors in a context- and state-dependent manner, e.g., in response to threats or rewards. These behaviors include dynamic transitions between initiation, maintenance and termination of locomotion. Advances within the last decade have revealed an intricate coordination of these individual locomotion phases by complex interaction of multiple brain circuits. This review provides an overview of the neural basis of state-dependent modulation of locomotion initiation, maintenance and termination, with a focus on insights from circuit-centered studies in rodents. The reviewed evidence indicates that a brain-wide network involving excitatory circuit elements connecting cortex, midbrain and medullary areas appears to be the common substrate for the initiation of locomotion across different higher-order states. Specific network elements within motor cortex and the mesencephalic locomotor region drive the initial postural adjustment and the initiation of locomotion. Microcircuits of the basal ganglia, by implementing action-selection computations, trigger goal-directed locomotion. The initiation of locomotion is regulated by neuromodulatory circuits residing in the basal forebrain, the hypothalamus, and medullary regions such as locus coeruleus. The maintenance of locomotion requires the interaction of an even larger neuronal network involving motor, sensory and associative cortical elements, as well as defined circuits within the superior colliculus, the cerebellum, the periaqueductal gray, the mesencephalic locomotor region and the medullary reticular formation. Finally, locomotor arrest as an important component of defensive emotional states, such as acute anxiety, is mediated via a network of survival circuits involving hypothalamus, amygdala, periaqueductal gray and medullary premotor centers. By moving beyond the organizational principle of functional brain regions, this review promotes a circuit-centered perspective of locomotor regulation by higher-order states, and emphasizes the importance of individual network elements such as cell types and projection pathways. The realization that dysfunction within smaller, identifiable circuit elements can affect the larger network function supports more mechanistic and targeted therapeutic intervention in the treatment of motor network disorders.
WNK3 Maintains the GABAergic Inhibitory Tone, Synaptic Excitation and Neuronal Excitability via Regulation of KCC2 Cotransporter in Mature Neurons
Authors: Lim Wee Meng , Chin Eunice W. M. , Tang Bor Luen , Chen Tingting , Goh Eyleen L. K.
Published: November 2021

The activation of chloride (Cl−)permeable gamma (γ)-aminobutyric acid type A(GABAA) receptors induces synaptic inhibition in mature and excitation in immature neurons. This developmental “switch” in GABA function controlled by its polarity depends on the postnatal decrease in intraneuronal Cl−concentration mediated by KCC2, a member of cation-chloride cotransporters (CCCs). The serine-threonine kinase WNK3 (With No Lysine [K]), is a potent regulator of all CCCs and is expressed in neurons. Here, we characterized the functions of WNK3 and its role in GABAergic signaling in cultured embryonic day 18 (E18) hippocampal neurons. We observed a decrease in WNK3 expression as neurons mature. Knocking down of WNK3 significantly hyperpolarizedEGABAin mature neurons (DIV13–15) but had no effect on immature neurons (DIV6–8). This hyperpolarizedEGABAin WNK3-deficient neurons was not due to the total expression of NKCC1 and KCC2, that remained unchanged. However, there was a reduction in phosphorylated KCC2 at the membrane, suggesting an increase in KCC2 chloride export activity. Furthermore, hyperpolarizedEGABAobserved in WNK3-deficient neurons can be reversed by the KCC2 inhibitor, VU024055, thus indicating that WNK3 acts through KCC2 to influenceEGABA. Notably, WNK3 knockdown resulted in morphological changes in mature but not immature neurons. Electrophysiological characterization of WNK3-deficient mature neurons revealed reduced capacitances but increased intrinsic excitability and synaptic excitation. Hence, our study demonstrates that WNK3 maintains the “adult” GABAergic inhibitory tone in neurons and plays a role in the morphological development of neurons and excitability.
The Effect of STAT3 Signal Pathway Activation on Retinopathy of Prematurity
Authors: Ren Jianbing , Jiang Jingbo , Ou Weiming , Luo Xianqiong , Xiang Jianwen , Liu Guosheng , Huang Shuiqing , He Longkai , Gan Jiamin , Li Hongping , Nie Chuan
Published: November 2021

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of activation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signal pathway in the process of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

Methods: Sixty newborn Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly separated into the hyperoxia and air control groups (n = 30/in each group). The serum hepcidin level on 21 d was measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of HAMP and STAT3 protein in the liver was determined using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting. Retinal neovasculature was evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) stain and fluorescein lectin. The retinal endothelial cells were treated with 250 μmol/L cobalt chloride for 72 h and added S3I-201. The STAT3 level was determined by western blotting.

Results: The expression of STAT3 protein increased significantly after hyperoxia stimulation. The expression of HAMP mRNA in the hyperoxia group was significantly higher than that of the control group. The proliferation of retinal cells was inhibited, and the expression of STAT3 was increased. No significant difference was noted in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA. The expression of STAT3 and VEGF mRNA was significantly reduced.

Conclusion: The activation of the STAT3 signal pathway increased hepcidin expression, contributing to the pathogenesis of ROP. S3I-201 inhibited the expression of STAT3 and VEGF mRNA levels. This information provides potential novel therapeutic approach to the prevention and treatment of ROP.
Home-Based HIIT and Traditional MICT Prescriptions Improve Cardiorespiratory Fitness to a Similar Extent Within an Exercise Referral Scheme for At-Risk Individuals
Authors: Hesketh Katie , Jones Helen , Kinnafick Florence , Shepherd Sam O. , Wagenmakers Anton J. M. , Strauss Juliette A. , Cocks Matthew
Published: November 2021

Exercise referral schemes (ERS) are used to promote physical activity within primary care. Traditionally, ERS are conducted in a gym or leisure-center setting, with exercise prescriptions based on moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT). Home-based high-intensity interval training (Home-HIIT) has the potential to reduce perceived barriers to exercise, including lack of time and access to facilities, compared to traditional MICT prescription used with ERS and improve health related outcomes. We hypothesized that Home-HIIT would mediate greater improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) by virtue of greater adherence and compliance to the exercise prescription, compared to MICT.

Methods: Patients enrolled on an ERS (Liverpool, United Kingdom) were recruited for a pragmatic trial. Participants self-selected either 12 weeks of MICT (45–135 min/week at 50–70% HRmax) or Home-HIIT (4–9 min × 1 min intervals at ≥80% of HRmax, interspersed with 1 min rest). The primary outcome was the change in CRF (VO2peak) at post-intervention (12 weeks) and follow-up (3-month post intervention), using intention-to-treat analysis.

Results: 154 participants (age 48 ± 10y; BMI 30.5 ± 6.1 kg/m2) were recruited between October 2017 and March 2019, 87 (56%) participants chose Home-HIIT and 67 (44%) MICT. VO2peak increased post-intervention in both groups (MICT 3.9 ± 6.0 ml.kg–1.min–1, Home-HIIT 2.8 ± 4.5 ml.kg–1.min–1, P < 0.001), and was maintained at follow-up (P < 0.001). Fat mass was only reduced post MICT (MICT −1.5 ± 6.3 kg, P < 0.05, Home-HIIT −0.2 ± 2.0 kg, P = 1.00), but the reduction was not maintained at follow-up (MICT −0.6 ± 5.1 kg, Home-HIIT 0.0 ± 2.2 kg, P > 0.05). Adherence to the prescribed programs was similar (MICT 48 ± 35%, Home-HIIT 39 ± 36%, P = 0.77).

Conclusion: This is the first study to evaluate the use of Home-HIIT for individuals in a primary care setting. Contrary to our hypothesis, adherence to both exercise prescriptions was poor, and CRF improved to a similar extent in both groups with improvements maintained at 3-month follow-up. We provide evidence that, although not superior, Home-HIIT could be an effective and popular additional exercise choice for patients within primary care based ERS.

Clinical Trial Registration: [ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT04553614].
Intolerance of Uncertainty and Tendency to Worry as Mediators Between Trust in Institutions and Social Support and Fear of Coronavirus and Consequences of the Pandemic
Authors: Gvozden Tatjana Vukosavljević , Baucal Aleksandar , Krstic Ksenija , Filipović Severina
Published: November 2021

The aim of this article is to formulate and test a model integrating cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) findings regarding the importance of intolerance of uncertainty (IU) and tendency to worry with findings regarding the importance of trust in institutions, other people, and social support. We assumed that trust in institutions, other people, and social support reduce fear of the coronavirus and of the consequences of the pandemic in a direct way, but also indirectly by enhancing one’s sense of control and diminishing the tendency to worry which, further, attenuates fear of the coronavirus and fear of the consequences of the pandemic. An online survey was conducted among the Serbian general population (N = 1409, 78.1% female, M = 38.82, SD = 9.24) at the end of April 2020, which included questionnaires on fear of SARS-CoV-2, fear of consequences of the pandemic, social support, trust in other people and trust in political and health institutions. The model has been validated by data from our study suggesting that it represents one possible pattern of interrelationships between social and intrapsychic variables in the pandemic situation. Results also showed that the COVID-19 related fears are related more strongly to intrapsychic variables – IU and tendency to worry – than to variables operationalizing social context relevant for coping with pandemic at the social and individual level.
Prevalence of HPV in Mexican Patients with Head and Neck Squamous Carcinoma and Identification of Potential Prognostic Biomarkers
Authors: Méndez-Matías Galo , Velázquez-Velázquez Cindy , Castro-Oropeza Rosario , Mantilla-Morales Alejandra , Ocampo-Sandoval Diana , Burgos-González Ana , Heredia-Gutiérrez Carlos , Alvarado-Cabrero Isabel , Sánchez-Sandoval Rosa , Barco-Bazán Abigail , Chilaca-Rosas Fátima , Piña-Sánchez Patricia
Published: November 2021

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) show a variety of biological and clinical characteristics that could depend on the association with the human papillomavirus (HPV). Biological and clinical characterization is essential to stratify patients based on prognostic and predictive factors. Reports on HNSCC are scarce in Mexico. Herein, we analyzed 414 Mexican patients with HNSCC, including oropharynx (OPSCC), larynx (LASCC), and oral cavity (OCSCC), and identified HPV DNA and p16 expression. Global gene expression profiles were analyzed in 25 HPV+/p16+ vs. HPV−/p16− cases. We found 32.3% p16+ and 22.3% HPV+ samples, HPV 16, 18, 39, 52, and 31 being the most frequent genotypes. For OPSCC, LASCC and OCSCC, 39.2, 14.7, and 9.6% were HPV+/p16+, respectively. High expression of SLIRP, KLF10, AREG, and LIMA was associated with poor survival; in contrast, high expression of MYB and SYCP2 correlated with better survival. In HPV+ cases, high expression of SLC25A39 and GJB2 was associated with poor survival. Likewise, EGFR, IL-1, IL-6, JAK-STAT, WNT, NOTCH, and ESR1 signaling pathways were downregulated in HPV+ cases. CSF1R, MYC, and SRC genes were identified as key hubs and therapeutic targets. Our study offers information regarding the molecular and clinical characteristics of HNSCC in Mexican patients.
Cirrhosis, Age, and Liver Stiffness-Based Models Predict Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Asian Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B
Authors: Lim Jihye , Chon Young Eun , Kim Mi Na , Lee Joo Ho , Hwang Seong Gyu , Lee Han Chu , Ha Yeonjung
Published: November 2021

Objectives: Predicting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic hepatitis B who received long-term therapy with potent nucleos(t)ide analogs is of utmost importance to refine the strategy for HCC surveillance. Methods: We conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study to validate the CAGE-B and SAGE-B scores, HCC prediction models developed for Caucasian patients receiving entecavir (ETV) or tenofovir (TFV) for >5 years. Consecutive patients who started ETV or TFV at two hospitals in Korea from January 2009 to December 2015 were identified. The prediction scores were calculated, and model performance was assessed using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves. Results: Among 1557 patients included, 57 (3.7%) patients had HCC during a median follow-up of 93 (95% confidence interval, 73–119) months. In the entire cohort, CAGE-B predicted HCC with an area under the ROC curve of 0.78 (95% CI, 0.72–0.84). Models that have “liver cirrhosis” in the calculation, such as AASL (0.79 (0.72–0.85)), CU-HCC (0.77 (0.72–0.82)), and GAG-HCC (0.79 (0.74–0.85)), showed accuracy similar to that of CAGE-B (p > 0.05); however, models without “liver cirrhosis”, including SAGE-B (0.71 (0.65–0.78)), showed a lower predictive ability than CAGE-B. CAGE-B performed well in subgroups of patients treated without treatment modification (0.81 (0.73–0.88)) and of male sex (0.79 (0.71–0.86)). Conclusions: This study validated the clinical usefulness of the CAGE-B score in a large number of Asian patients treated with long-term ETV or TFV. The results could provide the basis for the reappraisal of HCC surveillance strategies and encourage future prospective validation studies with liver stiffness measurements.
Cancer Detection and Classification by CpG Island Hypermethylation Signatures in Plasma Cell-Free DNA
Authors: Huang Jinyong , Soupir Alex C. , Schlick Brian D. , Teng Mingxiang , Sahin Ibrahim H. , Permuth Jennifer B. , Siegel Erin M. , Manley Brandon J. , Pellini Bruna , Wang Liang
Published: November 2021

Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) methylation has emerged as a promising biomarker for early cancer detection, tumor type classification, and treatment response monitoring. Enrichment-based cfDNA methylation profiling methods such as cfMeDIP-seq have shown high accuracy in the classification of multiple cancer types. We have previously optimized another enrichment-based approach for ultra-low input cfDNA methylome profiling, termed cfMBD-seq. We reported that cfMBD-seq outperforms cfMeDIP-seq in the enrichment of high-CpG-density regions, such as CpG islands. However, the clinical feasibility of cfMBD-seq is unknown. In this study, we applied cfMBD-seq to profiling the cfDNA methylome using plasma samples from cancer patients and non-cancer controls. We identified 1759, 1783, and 1548 differentially hypermethylated CpG islands (DMCGIs) in lung, colorectal, and pancreatic cancer patients, respectively. Interestingly, the vast majority of DMCGIs were overlapped with aberrant methylation changes in corresponding tumor tissues, indicating that DMCGIs detected by cfMBD-seq were mainly driven by tumor-specific DNA methylation patterns. From the overlapping DMCGIs, we carried out machine learning analyses and identified a set of discriminating methylation signatures that had robust performance in cancer detection and classification. Overall, our study demonstrates that cfMBD-seq is a powerful tool for sensitive detection of tumor-derived epigenomic signals in cfDNA.
From Focused Ultrasound Tumor Ablation to Brain Blood Barrier Opening for High Grade Glioma: A Systematic Review
Authors: Paun Luca , Moiraghi Alessandro , Jannelli Gianpaolo , Nouri Aria , DiMeco Francesco , Pallud Johan , Meling Torstein R. , Momjian Shahan , Schaller Karl , Prada Francesco , Migliorini Denis
Published: November 2021

Background: Focused Ultrasound (FUS) is gaining a therapeutic role in neuro-oncology considering its novelty and non-invasiveness. Multiple pre-clinical studies show the efficacy of FUS mediated ablation and Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) opening in high-grade glioma (HGG), but there is still poor evidence in humans, mainly aimed towards assessing FUS safety. Methods: With this systematic review our aim is, firstly, to summarize how FUS is proposed for human HGG treatment. Secondly, we focus on future perspectives and new therapeutic options. Using PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we reviewed case series and trials with description of patient characteristics, pre- and post-operative treatments and FUS outcomes. We considered nine case series (five about tumor ablation and four about BBB opening) with FUS-treated HGG patients between 1991 and 2021. Results: Sixty-eight patients were considered in total, mostly males (67.6%), with a mean age of 50.5 ± 15.3 years old. Major complication rates were found in the tumor ablation group (26.1%). FUS has been rarely applied for direct tumoral ablation in human HGG patients with controversial results, but at the best of current studies, FUS-mediated BBB opening is showing good results with very low complication rates, paving the way for a new reliable technique to improve local chemotherapy delivery and antitumoral immune response. Conclusions: FUS can become a complementary technique to surgical resection and standard radiochemotherapy in recurrent HGG. Ongoing trials could provide in the near future more data on FUS-mediated BBB opening impact on progression-free survival, overall survival and potential drug-delivery capacities.
Autophagy in Cisplatin Nephrotoxicity during Cancer Therapy
Authors: Hu Xiaoru , Ma Zhengwei , Wen Lu , Li Siyao , Dong Zheng
Published: November 2021

Cisplatin is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent but its clinical use is often limited by nephrotoxicity. Autophagy is a lysosomal degradation pathway that removes protein aggregates and damaged or dysfunctional cellular organelles for maintaining cell homeostasis. Upon cisplatin exposure, autophagy is rapidly activated in renal tubule cells to protect against acute cisplatin nephrotoxicity. Mechanistically, the protective effect is mainly related to the clearance of damaged mitochondria via mitophagy. The role and regulation of autophagy in chronic kidney problems after cisplatin treatment are currently unclear, despite the significance of research in this area. In cancers, autophagy may prevent tumorigenesis, but autophagy may reduce the efficacy of chemotherapy by protecting cancer cells. Future research should focus on developing drugs that enhance the anti-tumor effects of cisplatin while protecting kidneys during cisplatin chemotherapy.
The Role of the Innate Immune System in Cancer Dormancy and Relapse
Authors: Chernosky Noah M. , Tamagno Ilaria
Published: November 2021

Metastatic spread and recurrence are intimately linked to therapy failure, which remains an overarching clinical challenge for patients with cancer. Cancer cells often disseminate early in the disease process and can remain dormant for years or decades before re-emerging as metastatic disease, often after successful treatment. The interactions of dormant cancer cells and their metastatic niche, comprised of various stromal and immune cells, can determine the length of time that cancer cells remain dormant, as well as when they reactivate. New studies are defining how innate immune cells in the primary tumor may be corrupted to help facilitate many aspects of dissemination and re-emergence from a dormant state. Although the scientific literature has partially shed light on the drivers of immune escape in cancer, the specific mechanisms regulating metastasis and dormancy in the context of anti-tumor immunity are still mostly unknown. This review follows the journey of metastatic cells from dissemination to dormancy and the onset of metastatic outgrowth and recurrent tumor development, with emphasis on the role of the innate immune system. To this end, further research identifying how immune cells interact with cancer cells at each step of cancer progression will pave the way for new therapies that target the reactivation of dormant cancer cells into recurrent, metastatic cancers.
Anti-Disturbance Compensation-Based Nonlinear Control for a Class of MIMO Uncertain Nonlinear Systems
Authors: Abdul-Adheem Wameedh Riyadh , Alkhayyat Ahmed , Al Mhdawi Ammar K. , Bessis Nik , Ibraheem Ibraheem Kasim , Abdulkareem Ahmed Ibraheem , Humaidi Amjad J. , AL-Qassar Arif A.
Published: November 2021

Multi-Inputs-Multi-Outputs (MIMO) systems are recognized mainly in industrial applications with both input and state couplings, and uncertainties. The essential principle to deal with such difficulties is to eliminate the input couplings, then estimate the remaining issues in real-time, followed by an elimination process from the input channels. These difficulties are resolved in this research paper, where a decentralized control scheme is suggested using an Improved Active Disturbance Rejection Control (IADRC) configuration. A theoretical analysis using a state-space eigenvalue test followed by numerical simulations on a general uncertain nonlinear highly coupled MIMO system validated the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme in controlling such MIMO systems. Time-domain comparisons with the Conventional Active Disturbance Rejection Control (CADRC)-based decentralizing control scheme are also included.
Information-Theoretic Features of Many Fermion Systems: An Exploration Based on Exactly Solvable Models
Authors: Plastino Angel Ricardo , Monteoliva Diana , Plastino Angelo
Published: November 2021

Finite quantum many fermion systems are essential for our current understanding of Nature. They are at the core of molecular, atomic, and nuclear physics. In recent years, the application of information and complexity measures to the study of diverse types of many-fermion systems has opened a line of research that elucidates new aspects of the structure and behavior of this class of physical systems. In this work we explore the main features of information and information-based complexity indicators in exactly soluble many-fermion models of the Lipkin kind. Models of this kind have been extremely useful in shedding light on the intricacies of quantum many body physics. Models of the Lipkin kind play, for finite systems, a role similar to the one played by the celebrated Hubbard model of solid state physics. We consider two many fermion systems and show how their differences can be best appreciated by recourse to information theoretic tools. We appeal to information measures as tools to compare the structural details of different fermion systems. We will discover that few fermion systems are endowed by a much larger complexity-degree than many fermion ones. The same happens with the coupling-constants strengths. Complexity augments as they decrease, without reaching zero. Also, the behavior of the two lowest lying energy states are crucial in evaluating the system’s complexity.
Semi-Analytical Rate Decline Solutions for a Refractured Horizontal Well Intercepted by Multiple Reorientation Fractures with Fracture Face Damage in an Anisotropic Tight Reservoir
Authors: Wang Mingxian , Dou Xiangji , Ming Ruiqing , Li Weiqiang , Zhao Wenqi , Tan Chengqian
Published: November 2021

Refracturing treatment is an economical way to improve the productivity of poorly or damaged fractured horizontal wells in tight reservoirs. Fracture reorientation and fracture face damage may occur during refracturing treatment. At present, there is still no report on the rate decline solution for refractured horizontal wells in tight reservoirs. In this work, by taking a semi-analytical method, traditional rate decline and Blasingame-type rate decline solutions were derived for a refractured horizontal well intercepted by multiple reorientation fractures with fracture face damage in an anisotropic tight reservoir. The accuracy and reliability of the traditional rate decline solution were verified and validated by comparing it with a classic case in the literature and a numerical simulation case. The effects of fracture reorientation and fracture face damage on the rate decline were investigated in depth. These investigations demonstrate that fracture face damage is not conducive to increasing well productivity during the early flow period and there is an optimal matching relationship between the principal fracture section angle and permeability anisotropy, particularly for the reservoirs with strong permeability anisotropy. The fracture length ratio and fracture spacing have a weak effect on the production rate and cumulative production while the fracture number shows a strong influence on the rate decline. Furthermore, multifactor sensitivity analysis indicates that fracture conductivity has a more sensitive effect on well productivity than fracture face damage, implying the importance of improving fracture conductivity. Finally, a series of Blasingame-type rate decline curves were presented, and type curve fitting and parameter estimations for a field case were conducted too. This work deepens our understanding of the production performance of refractured horizontal wells, which helps to identify reorientation fracture properties and evaluate post-fracturing performance.
Magnetic Coupling-Based Battery Impedance Measurement Method
Authors: Li Chushan , Mao Junjie , Wu Qiang , Deng Yibo , Wu Jiande , Li Wuhua , He Xiangning
Published: November 2021

The battery impedance is an important indicator of battery health status. In this paper, a magnetic coupling-based impedance measurement method for electrochemical batteries is proposed. Without affecting the energy injection stage, the designed suppression resistance can minimize the influence of the primary circuit response, and the under-damped oscillation waveform containing the battery impedance information can be directly obtained on the primary inductance. The change of the mutual inductance value within a certain range will not affect the measurement results. Therefore, the measurement system has high stability and robustness. By utilizing the discrete Fourier transform (DFT)-based algorithm to calculate the damped oscillation parameters, the battery impedance is accurately derived from the calculated attenuation coefficient and damped oscillation frequency. The accuracy of this method under different coupling parameters is analyzed and verified by simulation and experiment on a Li-ion battery, which could be employed to estimate the state of charge (SOC).
A Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning Approach to Price and Comfort Optimization in HVAC-Systems
Authors: Blad Christian , Bøgh Simon , Kallesøe Carsten
Published: November 2021

This paper addresses the challenge of minimizing training time for the control of Heating, Ventilation, and Air-conditioning (HVAC) systems with online Reinforcement Learning (RL). This is done by developing a novel approach to Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning (MARL) to HVAC systems. In this paper, the environment formed by the HVAC system is formulated as a Markov Game (MG) in a general sum setting. The MARL algorithm is designed in a decentralized structure, where only relevant states are shared between agents, and actions are shared in a sequence, which are sensible from a system’s point of view. The simulation environment is a domestic house located in Denmark and designed to resemble an average house. The heat source in the house is an air-to-water heat pump, and the HVAC system is an Underfloor Heating system (UFH). The house is subjected to weather changes from a data set collected in Copenhagen in 2006, spanning the entire year except for June, July, and August, where heat is not required. It is shown that: (1) When comparing Single Agent Reinforcement Learning (SARL) and MARL, training time can be reduced by 70% for a four temperature-zone UFH system, (2) the agent can learn and generalize over seasons, (3) the cost of heating can be reduced by 19% or the equivalent to 750 kWh of electric energy per year for an average Danish domestic house compared to a traditional control method, and (4) oscillations in the room temperature can be reduced by 40% when comparing the RL control methods with a traditional control method.
Resiliency Analysis of Hybrid Energy Systems within Interconnected Infrastructures
Authors: Gabbar Hossam A.
Published: November 2021

There are world tendencies to implement interconnected infrastructures of energy-water-waste-transportation-food-health-social systems to enhance the overall performance in normal and emergency situations where there are multiple interactions among them with possible conversions and improved efficiencies. Hybrid energy systems are core elements within interconnected infrastructures with possible conversions among electricity, thermal, gas, hydrogen, waste, and transportation networks. This could be improved with storage systems and intelligent control systems. It is important to study resiliency of hybrid energy systems within interconnected infrastructures to ensure reduced risks and improved performance. This paper presents framework for the analysis of resiliency layers as related to protection layers. Case study of hybrid energy system as integrated with water, waste, and transportation infrastructures is presented where different resiliency and protection layers are assessed. Performance measures are modeled and evaluated for possible interconnection scenarios with internal and external factors that led to resiliency demands. Resiliency layers could trigger protection layers under certain conditions, which are evaluated to achieve high performance hybrid energy systems within interconnected infrastructures. The proposed approach will support urban, small, and remote communities to achieve high performance interconnected infrastructures for normal and emergency situations.
MPPT Improvement for PMSG-Based Wind Turbines Using Extended Kalman Filter and Fuzzy Control System
Authors: Honarbari Amirsoheil , Najafi-Shad Sajad , Saffari Pour Mohsen , Ajarostaghi Seyed Soheil Mousavi , Hassannia Ali
Published: November 2021

Variable speed wind turbines are commonly used as wind power generation systems because of their lower maintenance cost and flexible speed control. The optimum output power for a wind turbine can be extracted using maximum power point tracking (MPPT) strategies. However, unpredictable parameters, such as wind speed and air density could affect the accuracy of the MPPT methods, especially during the wind speed small oscillations. In this paper, in a permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG), the MPPT is implemented by determining the uncertainty of the unpredictable parameters using the extended Kalman filter (EKF). Also, the generator speed is controlled by employing a fuzzy logic control (FLC) system. This study aims at minimizing the effects of unpredictable parameters on the MPPT of the PMSG system. The simulation results represent an improvement in MPPT accuracy and output power efficiency.