bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Authenticity Scale: Validation in Russian Culture
Authors: Nartova-Bochaver Sofya , Reznichenko Sofia , Maltby John
Published: January 2021

The correlational study is aimed at validating theAuthenticity Scalein Russian culture. Authenticity is considered a trait responsible for a person’s ability to be oneself. It helps people resist environment pressure and prevent self-alienation, which contributes to maintaining psychological wellbeing. The original Authenticity Scale includes three subscales:Authentic Living, Accepting External Influence, andSelf-Alienation. In total, 2,188 respondents (Mage= 26.30,SDage= 13.81; 78.1% female) participated in the survey. The dimensionality of theAuthenticity Scaleand its measurement invariance across sex, age, and depression rate subgroups was examined with exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses; the original tripartite structure was kept. Convergent validity was tested through correlation analyses with theWarwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale, theInternational Positive and Negative Affect Schedule Short-Form, theCentre of Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale, theRosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and theSatisfaction with Life Scale. According to the CFA results, the structure of the Russian version differs from the original one slightly (item 1 was moved from the subscaleAuthentic Livingto the subscaleAccepting External Influenceand item 4 was excluded); however, the modified factor model showed the best absolute and comparative fit statistics [CFI = 0.961, TLI = 0.949, RMSEA = 0.050 (90% CI [0.40; 0.60]) and SRMR = 0.037]. The reliability (McDonald’s Omega) of theAuthenticity Scalesubscales was satisfactory and ranged from 0.78 to 0.84. It was revealed that youth are more likely to have high scores onAccepting External InfluenceandSelf-Alienationthan adults. Men and women did not significantly differ on the sub-scores ofAuthenticity Scale. Multigroup CFA also showed thatAuthenticity Scalescores may be biased in people with high levels of clinical depression, in terms of the item intercepts.Authentic Livingis positively connected with mental wellbeing, self-esteem, positive affect, satisfaction with life, and negatively with depressive symptoms and negative affect; reverse trends were found forAccepting External InfluenceandSelf-Alienationsubscales. The Russian version of theAuthenticity Scaleis a valid, reliable tool that may be recommended for use in various areas of non-clinical practice.
Applications of Phenomenological Loudness Models to Cochlear Implants
Authors: McKay Colette M.
Published: January 2021

Cochlear implants electrically stimulate surviving auditory neurons in the cochlea to provide severely or profoundly deaf people with access to hearing. Signal processing strategies derive frequency-specific information from the acoustic signal and code amplitude changes in frequency bands onto amplitude changes of current pulses emitted by the tonotopically arranged intracochlear electrodes. This article first describes how parameters of the electrical stimulation influence the loudness evoked and then summarizes two different phenomenological models developed by McKay and colleagues that have been used to explain psychophysical effects of stimulus parameters on loudness, detection, and modulation detection. The Temporal Model is applied to single-electrode stimuli and integrates cochlear neural excitation using a central temporal integration window analogous to that used in models of normal hearing. Perceptual decisions are made using decision criteria applied to the output of the integrator. By fitting the model parameters to a variety of psychophysical data, inferences can be made about how electrical stimulus parameters influence neural excitation in the cochlea. The Detailed Model is applied to multi-electrode stimuli, and includes effects of electrode interaction at a cochlear level and a transform between integrated excitation and specific loudness. The Practical Method of loudness estimation is a simplification of the Detailed Model and can be used to estimate the relative loudness of any multi-electrode pulsatile stimuli without the need to model excitation at the cochlear level. Clinical applications of these models to novel sound processing strategies are described.
How Do People Experience and Respond to Social Control From Their Partner? Three Daily Diary Studies
Authors: Scholz Urte , Stadler Gertraud , Berli Corina , Lüscher Janina , Knoll Nina
Published: January 2021

Positive and negative forms of social control are commonly used to regulate another person’s health-related behaviors, especially in couples. Social control efforts have been shown to result in desirable, but also undesirable effects on different outcomes. Little is known for which outcomes, when, and under which contextual conditions these different effects unfold in people’s everyday lives. Using the dual-effects model of health-related social control, we predicted that same-day and previous-day positive social control would result in desirable effects on target behavior, and same-day positive control on affect. Same-day and previous-day negative control was assumed to result in undesirable effects on reactant responses (i.e., doing the opposite of what the partner wanted and hiding the unhealthy behavior), and same-day negative control on affect. Further, we explored whether it makes a difference if one or both partners intend to change their health behavior. Three daily diary studies addressed these questions for smoking (Studies 1 and 2), and physical activity (Study 3). Receiving more positive control related to more desirable target behavior, and feeling better; more negative control was associated with more reactant responses and feeling worse. Social control unfolded its effects within 1 day, but hardly across days, indicating that control and its reactions to it are fast-acting processes in daily life. The pattern of results were the same for couples with one and both partners intending to change their behavior. Further, results replicated when using partner-reported provided control. Based on these results, social control cannot be unanimously recommended as a behavior change strategy in couples. Future studies should follow up on dyadic and temporal dynamics of social control in couples’ everyday lives in different contexts.
Social Support Mediates the Effect of Burnout on Health in Health Care Professionals
Authors: Ruisoto Pablo , Ramírez Marina R. , García Pedro A. , Paladines-Costa Belén , Vaca Silvia L. , Clemente-Suárez Vicente J.
Published: January 2021

Burnout is characterized by emotional exhaustion and caused by exposure to excessive and prolonged stress related to job conditions. Moreover, burnout is highly prevalent among health care professionals. The aim of this study is, first, to examine the mediating role of social support over the effect of burnout in health care professionals and, second, to explore potential gender differences. A convenience sample of 1,035 health professionals from Ecuador, including 608 physicians and 427 nurses (68% women, with and age M = 40 + 9 years old), was surveyed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), Social Support Survey (MOS), and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) as measures of burnout, social support, and general health, respectively. Social support was found to mediate the negative effects of burnout on health regardless of gender. Differences across the three dimensions of burnout and health are further discussed, along with their implications for designing effective burnout interventions for health care professionals in Ecuador.
DAILY—A Personalized Circadian Zeitgeber Therapy as an Adjunctive Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder Patients: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Hühne Anisja , Hoch Eva , Landgraf Dominic
Published: January 2021

Background: Hallmarks of alcohol use disorder (AUD) are disturbances of circadian rhythms and everyday structures. While circadian rhythms dictate the timing of daily recurring activities such as sleep, activity, and meals, conversely, these activities represent time cues, so called Zeitgebers, that the circadian system uses to synchronize with the environment. Here we present a study protocol for our newly developed therapy approach for AUD patients, in which we take advantage of this mutual influence and stabilize and strengthen their circadian system by creating strict daily schedules for daily Zeitgeber activities. Since every person has a circadian system with its own characteristics and is subject to social obligations, the daily plans are personalized for each test person. Our hypothesis is that a regular exposure to Zeitgebers stabilizes behavioral and physiological circadian rhythms and thereby reduces the risk of alcohol relapses and depressive symptoms and facilitates physical recovery in AUD patients during the 1st weeks of their addiction therapy.

Methods/design: The study is a 6-weeks single site trial with a controlled, randomized, single-blinded, parallel-group design including patients with a diagnosis of AUD. The study runs parallel to the standard addiction therapy of the clinic. Patients are randomly assigned to either an intervention group (DAILY) or a sham control group (placebo treatment). Questionnaires and physiological assessments of both groups are conducted before and immediately after the intervention or control treatment. According to our hypothesis, the primary outcomes of this study are improvements of regularity, alcohol consumption, and relapse rate in AUD patients compared to AUD patients receiving control treatment. Secondary outcomes are reduced depressive symptoms and increased physical recovery.

Discussion: This study is a randomized controlled trial to investigate the efficacy of a personalized circadian Zeitgeber therapy as an adjunctive treatment for alcohol use disorder patients. The overall goal of this and more extended future studies is the development of an adjunctive therapy for AUD patients that is uncomplicated in its use and easy to implement in the clinical and everyday routine.

Trial registration: This study is registered at the German Clinical Trial Register with the trial number DRKS00019093 on November 28, 2019.
Health Conditions and Psychotic Experiences: Cross-Sectional Findings From the American Life Panel
Authors: Oh Hans , Smith Lee , Koyanagi Ai
Published: January 2021

Background: People with psychotic disorders have poor health, but studies have shown that people who have a milder and more prevalent form of psychosis (psychotic experiences) are also at risk for health problems. More research is needed to examine a broad range of health conditions to discover new relations with psychotic experiences.

Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional data from the American Life Panel, a nationally representative sample of the United States adult population. Using multivariable logistic regression, we examined the associations between health conditions (categories of conditions, specific conditions, count of conditions) and lifetime psychotic experiences.

Results: Approximately 71% of the weighted sample reported at least one health condition, and around 18% reported a lifetime psychotic experience. Using multivariable logistic regression, we found that several health conditions were associated with psychotic experiences, including pain due to other causes, neck pain, other injury, any gastrointestinal/kidney problem, liver diseases/cirrhosis, any nervous/sensory problem, migraine, nerve problem causing numbness/pain, any other disorder, specifically sleep disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, and chronic pain. Further, the count of specific health conditions and the count of categories were associated with greater odds of psychotic experiences.

Conclusion: We found that numerous health conditions were associated with psychotic experiences.
A Multiple Correspondence Analysis of Patterns of CBD Use in Hemp and Marijuana Users
Authors: Vilches Joseph R. , Taylor Mackenzie B. , Filbey Francesca M.
Published: January 2021

Background: With the passing of the 2018 Agriculture Improvement Act that legalized hemp-derived products, i.e., cannabidiol (CBD), the use of CBD has increased exponentially. To date, the few studies that have characterized individuals who use CBD suggest that co-use of CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-dominant cannabis, i.e., marijuana, is highly prevalent. It is, therefore, important to investigate the relationship between CBD use and marijuana use to understand the antecedents and consequences of co-use of these two cannabis products.

Methods: We conducted an online survey using structured questionnaires to determine differences in CBD users with (CBD+MJ) and without co-morbid marijuana use. Group comparisons were carried out using chi-square tests and ANOVA. Multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) with bootstrap ratio testing was performed to examine the relationship between the categorical data.

Results: We received 182 survey responses from current CBD users. CBD+MJ had more types of CBD administration (F = 17.07, p < 0.001) and longer lifetime duration of CBD use (χ2 = 12.85, p < 0.05). Results from the MCA yielded two statistically significant dimensions that accounted for 77% of the total variance. Dimension 1 (representing 57% of the variance) associated CBD+MJ with indication of CBD use for medical ailments, use of CBD for more than once a day for longer than 2 years, applying CBD topically or consuming it via vaping or edibles, being female, and, having lower educational attainment. Dimension 2 (representing 20% of the variance) separated the groups primarily on smoking-related behaviors where CBD+MJ was associated with smoking CBD and nicotine.

Conclusions: Identifying the factors that influence use of CBD and marijuana can inform future studies on the risks and benefits associated with each substance as well as the impacts of policies related to cannabis-based products.
Learning More About Earthworms With Citizen Science
Authors: Burton Victoria J. , Cameron Erin K.
Published: January 2021

Have you ever wanted to conduct scientific research? Citizen, or community science involves non-scientists in assisting scientists with research. The term covers a huge variety of projects: from online-only where you can classify galaxies, to practical outdoor activities, and even helping with scientific expeditions. Ideally, citizen science benefits everyone—scientists collect more data, and over larger geographic areas than they could on their own. Non-scientists benefit by learning something new and experiencing how science works, and hopefully having fun! The small size of most soil organisms is challenging for citizen science. However, earthworms are easy to recognize and relatively large, so there have been several citizen science projects focused on them. In this article, we discuss earthworm citizen science from its origins with 18th and 19th century natural historians, to the modern day. Discover what non-scientists have contributed to earthworm science and how you can design your own earthworm investigations.
Os Joelhos! Os Joelhos! Protective Embodiment and Occasional Injury in Capoeira
Authors: Delamont Sara , Ribeiro Duarte Tiago , Lloyd Issie , Stephens Neil
Published: January 2021

Capoeira, the African-Brazilian dance and martial art has enthusiastic devotees in Britain. Most practitioners are acutely aware of theircapoeiraembodiment, and have strategies to protect themselves from injury, and ways to seek treatment for any injuries they get. Drawing on data from a long-term ethnography and a set of 32 open-ended interviews with advanced students, the paper explores student strategies to preventcapoeirainjuries, and their discoveries of effective remedies to recover from them, before it presents an analysis of their injury narratives using Frank's three-fold typology of illness narratives. Thecapoeirastudy therefore adds to the research on sports and dance injuries, and to the intellectual debates on the nature of narrative in research on illness and injury as well as exploring one aspect of the culture ofcapoeirastudents in the UK.
Significance of Cooling Effect on Comprehension of Kink Oscillations of Coronal Loops
Authors: Shukhobodskaia Daria , Shukhobodskiy Alexander A. , Nelson Chris J. , Ruderman Michael S. , Erdélyi Robert
Published: January 2021

Kink oscillations of coronal loops have been widely studied, both observationally and theoretically, over the past few decades. It has been shown that the majority of observed driven coronal loop oscillations appear to damp with either exponential or Gaussian profiles and a range of mechanisms have been proposed to account for this. However, some driven oscillations seem to evolve in manners which cannot be modeled with purely Gaussian or exponential profiles, with amplification of oscillations even being observed on occasions. Recent research has shown that incorporating the combined effects of coronal loop expansion, resonant absorption, and cooling can cause significant deviations from Gaussian and exponential profiles in damping profiles, potentially explaining increases in oscillation amplitude through time in some cases. In this article, we analyze 10 driven kink oscillations in coronal loops to further investigate the ability of expansion and cooling to explain complex damping profiles. Our results do not rely on fitting a periodicity to the oscillations meaning complexities in both temporal (period changes) and spatial (amplitude changes) can be accounted for in an elegant and simple way. Furthermore, this approach could also allow us to infer some important diagnostic information (such as, for example, the density ratio at the loop foot-points) from the oscillation profile alone, without detailed measurements of the loop and without complex numerical methods. Our results imply the existence of correlations between the density ratio at the loop foot-points and the amplitudes and periods of the oscillations. Finally, we compare our results to previous models, namely purely Gaussian and purely exponential damping profiles, through the calculation of χ2 values, finding the inclusion of cooling can produce better fits in some cases. The current study indicates that thermal evolution should be included in kink-mode oscillation models in the future to help us to better understand oscillations that are not purely Gaussian or exponential.
Impact of High-Pressure Homogenization on the Extractability and Stability of Phytochemicals
Authors: Yong Shireena Xhiang Mun , Song Cher Pin , Choo Wee Sim
Published: January 2021

High-pressure homogenization (HPH) and high-pressure processing (HPP) are emerging technologies for the food industry. Both technologies employ high pressure to preserve foods. However, the principal mechanism of HPH is based on shear stress distribution in a material instead of a decrease in volume due to an increase in pressure as occurring in HPP. HPH can be used in extraction or preservation of bioactive compounds and phytochemicals. This review first describes the mechanism of HPH processing. Next, this review discusses the impact of HPH on extractability and stability of phytochemicals such as carotenoids, vitamin C, polyphenols, and anthocyanins in various food matrices. In general, the use of HPH slightly improved or maintained the extractability of the phytochemicals. Similarly, HPH slightly reduced or maintained the stability of the phytochemicals but this is dependent on the food matrix and type of phytochemical. HPH has a great potential to be used to improve the extractability and maintaining the stability of these phytochemicals or to be used together with milder thermal processing. Besides understanding the impact of HPH on the extractability and stability of phytochemicals, the impact of HPH on the nutritional quality of the food matrices needs to be thoroughly evaluated.
Case Report: Trochlear Wedge Sulcoplasty, Tibial Tuberosity Transposition, and Lateral Imbrication for Correction of a Traumatic Patellar Luxation in a Miniature Companion Pig: A Case Report and Visual Description
Authors: Høy-Petersen Jennifer , Smith Joe S. , Merkatoris Paul T. , Black Kelley E. , Faivre Cosette M. , Miles Kristina G. , Tatarniuk Dane M. , Kraus Karl H.
Published: January 2021

The objective of this case report was to describe successful surgical and post-operative management of a medial patellar luxation in a Vietnamese Potbellied Pig. A two-year old, castrated, Vietnamese Potbellied Pig presented to a veterinary teaching hospital for right pelvic limb lameness of 2 weeks duration. Upon physical examination a grade 3 patellar luxation was diagnosed on the right pelvic limb. Surgical repair included a trochlear wedge sulcoplasty, tibial tuberosity transposition, and lateral imbrication as described for canine patellar luxation. The pig was managed post-operatively with meloxicam and a physical therapy regimen of seven weeks duration. At recheck examination the pig was sound, no complications were observed, and the owners were satisfied with the outcome. As miniature companion pigs, such as Vietnamese Potbellied Pigs are currently increasing in popularity as pets, this case demonstrated that comparative techniques from other veterinary species should be considered when considering a treatment plan for a pig with a medial patellar luxation.
Case Report: Microfragmented Adipose Tissue Drug Delivery in Canine Mesothelioma: A Case Report on Safety, Feasibility, and Clinical Findings
Authors: Zeira Offer , Ghezzi Erica , Pettinari Letizia , Re Valentina , Lupi Davide M. , Benali Silvia L. , Borgonovo Simone , Alessandri Giulio , Petrella Francesco , Paroni Rita , Dei Cas Michele , Tremolada Carlo , Coccè Valentina , Pessina Augusto
Published: January 2021

Mesothelioma is a rare lethal tumor of dogs and humans involving cavities of the body. Dogs are considered a model for new drugs and therapeutic methods since they present spontaneous diseases similar to humans. Microfragmented adipose tissue (MFAT) uploaded by paclitaxel (PTX) is a drug delivery medium providing slow release of chemotherapic drugs. A dog affected by pleural, pericardial, and peritoneal mesothelioma was treated by 17 intracavitary ultrasound-guided injections of MFAT-PTX over 22 months. A long-lasting improvement of general conditions was observed, treatment was well-tolerated, and no toxicity or hypersensitivity was reported. Pharmacokinetic (PK) data indicated low drug localization in the circulatory system and a tendency to enter or remain in the extravascular compartments of the body. Indeed, low levels of free-circulating drugs for a short time produced low toxicity, whereas, a higher intracavitary PTX concentration can have major pharmacological efficacy. To our knowledge, this is the first time that mesothelioma has been treated using such a procedure, and this should be considered as a novel therapeutic approach. The low systemic absorption suggests the possible role of MFAT-PTX for loco-regional/intratumoral therapy also useful in other types of tumors, and further investigation is warranted.
Epidemiological Study of Pesticide Poisoning in Domestic Animals and Wildlife in Portugal: 2014–2020
Authors: Grilo Andreia , Moreira Anabela , Carrapiço Belmira , Belas Adriana , São Braz Berta
Published: January 2021

Nowadays the intentional poisoning of domestic and wild animals is a crime in the European Union (EU), but as in the past the poison is still used in rural areas of a number of European countries to kill animals that were considered harmful for human activities. From January 2014 up until October 2020, the Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (LFT-FMV) has done the analytical detection of poisoning substances in 503 samples of wildlife and domestic animals and pesticides residues were found in 239 of the samples analyzed. In this retrospective study, toxicology results from domestic species (dog, cat, sheep, cows, and horses), wildlife species (red foxes, birds of prey, lynx, and wild boar), and food baits, are presented. During this period the samples analyzed at the LFT-FMV, were received from all over the country. Analytical detections were performed via solvent extraction followed by thin layer chromatography. Molluscicides (47%, n = 109) and Carbamates (24%, n = 57) were found to be the first category of pesticides involved in intoxications, in both domestic and wild animals, followed by rodenticides (13%, n = 30)—in this group second and third generation, were the most represented; Strychnine is the third (11%, n = 26) even though this pesticide has been banned in Portugal since 1988 and in the European Union since 2006 and finally Organophosphates (5%, n = 11) in the small number. This study allowed to realize that a great number of positive samples involved banned pesticides (i.e., Aldicarb and Strychnine) but, at the same time, many positives cases were due to the exposure to commercially available products (i.e., Methiocarb and Anticoagulant rodenticides). Also, it's possible to identify the areas where domestic species are the most affected (i.e., Setubal and Lisboa) and the areas where the wild animals are the mainly affected species (i.e., Faro, Castelo Branco, and Bragança).
Interactions Between Allogeneic Mesenchymal Stromal Cells and the Recipient Immune System: A Comparative Review With Relevance to Equine Outcomes
Authors: Kamm J. Lacy , Riley Christopher B. , Parlane Natalie , Gee Erica K , McIlwraith C. Wayne
Published: January 2021

Despite significant immunosuppressive activity, allogeneic mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) carry an inherent risk of immune rejection when transferred into a recipient. In naïve recipients, this immune response is initially driven by the innate immune system, an immediate reaction to the foreign cells, and later, the adaptive immune system, a delayed response that causes cell death due to recognition of specific alloantigens by host cells and antibodies. This review describes the actions of MSCs to both suppress and activate the different arms of the immune system. We then review the survival and effectiveness of the currently used allogeneic MSC treatments.
Morphometric and Molecular Analyses of Ostertagia leptospicularis Assadov, 1953 from Ruminants: Species Diversity or Host Influence?
Authors: Wyrobisz-Papiewska Anna , Kowal Jerzy , Łopieńska-Biernat Elżbieta , Nosal Paweł , Polak Iwona , Paukszto Łukasz , Rehbein Steffen
Published: January 2021

Ostertagia leptospicularis Assadov, 1953 was formally described in roe deer Capreolus capreolus and has been reported in a wide range of ruminants, including other Cervidae, as well as Bovidae. Nematode specimens derived from various host species exhibit morphological similarity; however, some differences can be observed. It is unclear if this is due to the differential reaction of one nematode species in different host species (i.e., host-induced changes) or because of distinct nematode species in these hosts (i.e., species complex). This paper focuses on specimens resembling O. leptospicularis f. leptospicularis and its closely related species (Ostertagia ostertagi f. ostertagi) collected from various hosts. Morphometric and molecular techniques were applied to assess host-induced changes in nematode morphology and to clarify its systematic classification. There was an overall effect of host species on measurements of nematodes resembling O. leptospicularis (both males and females), but the distinctiveness of the specimens from cattle Bos taurus were highlighted. The results obtained may suggest that the specimens of O. leptospicularis from cattle in Germany and cervids in central Europe belong to different strains. Furthermore, nematodes from the cervid strain appear to circulate within particular host species, which can be seen in the stated morphological variations.
Combination of Freezing, Low Sodium Brine, and Cold Smoking on the Quality and Shelf-Life of Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) Fillets as a Strategy to Innovate the Market of Aquaculture Products
Authors: Messina Concetta Maria , Arena Rosaria , Ficano Giovanna , La Barbera Laura , Morghese Maria , Santulli Andrea
Published: January 2021

Aquaculture is playing a leading role in both meeting the growing demand for seafood and increasing the sustainability of the fish production sector. Thus, innovative technologies that improve its sustainability, competitiveness, and safety are necessary for growth in the sector. This study aimed to develop cold smoked sea bass fillets from aquaculture. The aptitude of frozen and fresh fillets for cold smoking was investigated by processing both fresh and thawed fillets kept previously at −20 °C for 15, 30, 60, and 90 days. Moreover, to develop a low-salt product, fillets were immersed in low-sodium or standard brine. Sensory, biochemical, and physical-chemical analyses were performed on both the raw fillets and the smoked fillets during vacuum packaged storage for 35 days at 1 ± 0.5 °C. Young modulus values, representative of texture and sensory evaluation, showed that the quality of fresh fillets was better compared to the thawed ones, thus affecting the quality of the final product as the correlation between parameters showed (principal component analysis). Cold smoking was effective in both maintaining the total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) below the threshold for spoilage and preventing lipid peroxidation. Moreover, partial sodium replacement by potassium did not alter the sensory attributes of smoked fillets, which maintained high scores up to 21 days.
The Fate of Tannins from Birdsfoot Trefoil and Their Effect on the Nitrogen Balance in Growing Lambs Fed Diets Varying in Protein Level
Authors: Seoni Eleonora , Rothacher Myriam , Arrigo Yves , Ampuero Kragten Silvia , Bee Giuseppe , Dohme-Meier Frigga
Published: January 2021

Two experimental periods were employed to investigate the fate of ingested CT from BT and their effects on the intake, digestibility, and N balance in lambs fed diets differing in CP levels. In period 1, 24 lambs were fed a basal diet either treated with polyethylene glycol (PEG+) to deactivate CT or without polyethylene glycol (PEG−). In period 2, the same lambs were used in a 2 × 2 factorial design and fed either the basal diet (BP) or a high protein diet (HP), again treated with or without PEG. In both experimental periods, feeding lambs diets without PEG caused a reduction in the dry matter (DM) intake and an increase in the DM digestibility. Urinary and total N excretion decreased in lambs fed diets without PEG, but only in absolute terms and not in relation to the N intake. The total N intake, total N excretion, and body N retention were higher with a higher dietary CP level. Related to the CT intake, less soluble and protein-bound CT were excreted by lambs fed diets without PEG, and more protein-bound and fiber-bound CT were excreted by lambs fed BP diets. Regardless of the PEG treatment and CP level, not all CT that are ingested are also excreted. The effect of PEG treatment on the N excretion pathway was independent of the CP level.
Study on the Performances of an Approximating Spline Filter Based on the ADRF Function in Surface Roughness Evaluation
Authors: He Baofeng , Zheng Haibo , Yang Ruizhao , Shi Zhaoyao
Published: January 2021

Isotropy is an important feature of an area filter in the three-dimensional surface roughness evaluation. First, the transmission characteristic deviation between the approximating spline filter and the Gaussian filter is reduced by cascading approximating. Second, the approximating spline filter is superimposed on the orthogonal direction to obtain an isotropic areal filter. Then, four direct methods for the solving approximating spline matrix are applied. Based on the profile filtering and areal filtering, the computational efficiency and accuracy are compared. The experimental results show that the improved square root method (LDLT decomposition) combines both computational efficiency and filtering precision, and is a good choice for solving the approximating spline matrix. Finally, six kinds of robust approximating spline filters are constructed. Taking the output value of robust Gaussian regression filter (RGRF) as reference, and the honing profile and step surface with deep valley characteristics were used as test surfaces to compare their robustness and iteration time. The experimental results show that the approximating spline filter based on the ADRF function has the shortest iteration times, while its roughness is close to the robust Gaussian regression filter.
Anomalous Atmospheric Circulation Associated with the Extremely Persistent Dense Fog Events over Eastern China in the Late Autumn of 2018
Authors: Chen Shengjie , Liu Duanyang , Kang Zhiming , Shi Yan , Liu Mei
Published: January 2021

Under a declining trend of fog days in China, the duration of fog events since the 1990s reached a significant peak in the late autumn of 2018 over Eastern China. The average anomalous fog days were 4.74 d in November 2018 over Jiangsu Province in Eastern China, with a 1.73 standard deviation departure from climatology. Those fogs can thus be identified as a significantly abnormal climatic event with long duration, strong intensity, and extensive coverage. Based on the daily evolutions and correlations of atmospheric parameters, the dense fogs are revealed to be well configured by favorable metrological conditions such as weak dynamic progress, strong inversion in the lower troposphere and saturated air near the surface. If not disturbed, the intensification or duration of these conditions will further promote and maintain the development of fogs. The anomalous atmospheric background associated with those favorable meteorological conditions is revealed by composing the standardized anomalies of circulation fields during the fog days. Over the fog areas, vortex activities or cold air invasion is effectively hampered and the atmosphere inclines to be stable, due to the anomalous circulation pattern composed of the broadened jet stream, weakened jet core over Eastern China, undermined East Asian trough, declined East Asian winter monsoon, and enhanced anomalous southerly flows that transport abnormal warm and wet air to Eastern China. The vapor supplement is intensified by both sustained anomalous northward wind at the lower troposphere and anomalous westward wind in the near-surface. Overall, the numbers of standardized anomalies of 1000–200-hPa height, temperature, wind, and moisture fields during these fog days all significantly depart from climatology for that locale and time of the season, further demonstrating that the persistent dense fogs over Eastern China in the late autumn of 2018 is an unusual weather event with extreme synoptic-scale departures from normal.
Casimir-Polder Interaction of an Atom with a Cavity Wall Made of Phase-Change Material out of Thermal Equilibrium
Authors: Klimchitskaya Galina L. , Mostepanenko Vladimir M.
Published: January 2021

We consider the out-of-thermal-equilibrium Casimir-Polder interaction between atoms of He*, Na, Cs, and Rb and a cavity wall made of sapphire coated with a vanadium dioxide film which undergoes the dielectric-to-metal phase transition with increasing wall temperature. Numerical computations of the Casimir-Polder force and its gradient as the functions of atom-wall separation and wall temperature are made when the latter exceeds the temperature of the environment. The obtained results are compared with those in experiment on measuring the gradient of the Casimir-Polder force between 87Rb atoms and a silica glass wall out of thermal equilibrium. It is shown that the use of phase-change wall material significantly increases the force magnitude and especially the force gradient, as opposed to the case of a dielectric wall.
Does KRAS Play a Role in the Regulation of Colon Cancer Cells-Derived Exosomes?
Authors: Eng Shu-Kee , Imtiaz Ilma Ruzni , Goh Bey-Hing , Ming Long Chiau , Lim Ya-Chee , Lee Wai-Leng
Published: January 2021

Exosomes are cell-derived nanovesicles, and lately, cancer-derived exosomes have been reported to carry KRAS protein, which contributes to the malignancy of many cancers. In this study, farnesylthiosalicylic acid (FTS) was used to inhibit the activities of mutated KRAS in colon cancer SW480 cells to discover the potential link between KRAS activities and cancer-derived exosomes. We observed that FTS inhibits KRAS activity in SW480 cells, but promotes their exosome production. When the exosomal proteins of SW480 cells were profiled, a total of 435 proteins were identified with 16 of them showing significant changes (greater than or equal to two-fold) in response to FTS treatment. Protein network analysis suggests KRAS inhibition may trigger stress in the cells. In addition, a high level of acetyl-coA synthetase family member 4 protein which plays an important role in colon cancer survival was identified in the exosomes secreted by FTS-treated SW480 cells. The uptake of these exosomes suppresses the growth of some cell types, but in general exosomes from FTS-treated cells enhance the recipient cell survival when compared to that of untreated cells. Together our findings suggest that FTS may trigger stress in SW480 cells, and induce more exosomes secretion as the survival messenger to mitigate the impact of KRAS inhibition in colon cancer cells.
Ionic Liquids for CO2 Capture and Reduction
Authors: Zakrzewska Małgorzata E.
Published: January 2021

As pointed out in the description of this thematic issue of C, with the current atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide being above 400 ppm, there is a growing interest in recycling this greenhouse gas in the form of valuable compounds [...]
Patterns of Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Association with Genomic and Clinical Features in Patients with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC)
Authors: Economopoulou Panagiota , Anastasiou Maria , Papaxoinis George , Spathas Nikolaos , Spathis Aris , Oikonomopoulos Nikolaos , Kotsantis Ioannis , Tsavaris Onoufrios , Gkotzamanidou Maria , Gavrielatou Niki , Vagia Elena , Kyrodimos Efthymios , Gagari Eleni , Giotakis Evangelos , Delides Alexander , Psyrri Amanda
Published: January 2021

Background: We sought to compare patterns of response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) with respect to clinical and genomic features in a retrospective cohort of patients with recurrent/metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Methods: One hundred seventeen patients with R/M HNSCC treated with ICI were included in this study. Tumor growth kinetics (TGK) prior to and TGK upon immunotherapy (IO) was available for 49 patients. The TGK ratio (TGKR, the ratio of tumor growth velocity before and upon treatment) was calculated. Hyperprogression (HPD) was defined as TGKR ≥ 2. Results: HPD was documented in 18 patients (15.4% of the whole cohort). Patients with HPD had statistically significant shorter progression free survival (PFS) (median PFS 1.8 months (95% CI, 1.03–2.69) vs. 6.1 months for patients with non-HPD (95% CI, 4.78–7.47), p = 0.0001) and overall survival (OS) (median OS 6.53 months (95% CI, 0–13.39) vs. 15 months in patients with non HPD (95% CI, 7.1–22.8), p = 0.0018). In a multivariate Cox analysis, the presence of HPD remained an independent prognostic factor (p = 0.049). Primary site in the oral cavity and administration of ICI in the second/third setting were significant predictors of HPD in multivariate analysis (p = 0.028 and p = 0.012, respectively). Genomic profiling revealed that gene amplification was more common in HPD patients. EGFR gene amplification was only observed in HPD patients, but the number of events was inadequate for the analysis to reach statistical significance. The previously described MDM2 amplification was not identified. Conclusions: HPD was observed in 15.4 % of patients with R/M HNSCC treated with IO and was associated with worse PFS and OS. EGFR amplification was identified in patients with HPD.
Role of Bladder Cancer Metabolic Reprogramming in the Effectiveness of Immunotherapy
Authors: Scholtes Mathijs P. , de Jong Florus C. , Zuiverloon Tahlita C. M. , Theodorescu Dan
Published: January 2021

Metabolic reprogramming (MR) is an upregulation of biosynthetic and bioenergetic pathways to satisfy increased energy and metabolic building block demands of tumors. This includes glycolytic activity, which deprives the tumor microenvironment (TME) of nutrients while increasing extracellular lactic acid. This inhibits cytotoxic immune activity either via direct metabolic competition between cancer cells and cytotoxic host cells or by the production of immune-suppressive metabolites such as lactate or kynurenine. Since immunotherapy is a major treatment option in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC), MR may have profound implications for the success of such therapy. Here, we review how MR impacts host immune response to UC and the impact on immunotherapy response (including checkpoint inhibitors, adaptive T cell therapy, T cell activation, antigen presentation, and changes in the tumor microenvironment). Articles were identified by literature searches on the keywords or references to “UC” and “MR”. We found several promising therapeutic approaches emerging from preclinical models that can circumvent suppressive MR effects on the immune system. A select summary of active clinical trials is provided with examples of possible options to enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy. In conclusion, the literature suggests manipulating the MR is feasible and may improve immunotherapy effectiveness in UC.
Synergism of Proneurogenic miRNAs Provides a More Effective Strategy to Target Glioma Stem Cells
Authors: Kosti Adam , Barreiro Rodrigo , Guardia Gabriela D. A. , Ostadrahimi Shiva , Kokovay Erzsebet , Pertsemlidis Alexander , Galante Pedro A. F. , Penalva Luiz O. F.
Published: January 2021

Tumor suppressor microRNAs (miRNAs) have been explored as agents to target cancer stem cells. Most strategies use a single miRNA mimic and present many disadvantages, such as the amount of reagent required and the diluted effect on target genes. miRNAs work in a cooperative fashion to regulate distinct biological processes and pathways. Therefore, we propose that miRNA combinations could provide more efficient ways to target cancer stem cells. We have previously shown that miR-124, miR-128, and miR-137 function synergistically to regulate neurogenesis. We used a combination of these three miRNAs to treat glioma stem cells and showed that this treatment was much more effective than single miRNAs in disrupting cell proliferation and survival and promoting differentiation and response to radiation. Transcriptomic analyses indicated that transcription regulation, angiogenesis, metabolism, and neuronal differentiation are among the main biological processes affected by transfection of this miRNA combination. In conclusion, we demonstrated the value of using combinations of neurogenic miRNAs to disrupt cancer phenotypes and glioma stem cell growth. The synergistic effect of these three miRNA amplified the repression of oncogenic factors and the effect on cancer relevant pathways. Future therapeutic approaches would benefit from utilizing miRNA combinations, especially when targeting cancer-initiating cell populations.
Significance of Lauren Classification in Patients Undergoing Neoadjuvant/Perioperative Chemotherapy for Locally Advanced Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction Cancers—Analysis from a Large Single Center Cohort in Germany
Authors: Schirren Rebekka , Novotny Alexander , Oesterlin Christian , Slotta-Huspenina Julia , Friess Helmut , Reim Daniel
Published: January 2021

Background: the purpose of this analysis was to analyze the outcomes of multimodal treatment that are related to Lauren histotypes in gastro-esophageal cancer (GEC). Methods: patients with GEC between 1986 and 2013 were analyzed. Uni- and multivariate regression analysis were performed to identify predictors for overall survival. Lauren histotype stratified overall survival (OS)-rates were analyzed by the Kaplan–Meier method. Further, propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to balance for confounders. Results: 1290 patients were analyzed. After PSM, the median survival was 32 months for patients undergoing primary surgery (PS) and 43 months for patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (nCTx) ahead of surgery. For intestinal types, median survival time was 34 months (PS) vs. 52 months (nCTx+surgery) p = 0.07, 36 months (PS) vs. (31) months (nCTx+surgery) in diffuse types (p = 0.44) and 31 months (PS) vs. 62 months (nCTx+surgery) for mixed types (p = 0.28). Five-/Ten-year survival rates for intestinal, diffuse, and mixed types were 44/29%, 36/17%, and 43/33%, respectively. After PSM, Kaplan–Meier showed a survival benefit for patients undergoing nCTx+surgery in intestinal and mixed types. Conclusion: the Lauren histotype might be predictive for survival outcome in GEC-patients after neoadjuvant/perioperative chemotherapy.
Child Injury Prevention: It Is Time to Address the Determinants of Health
Authors: Peden Amy E. , Franklin Richard C.
Published: January 2021

Injuries, although almost entirely preventable, accounted for more than 4 [...]
Excess Mortality in England during the 2019 Summer Heatwaves
Authors: Rustemeyer Natasha , Howells Mark
Published: January 2021

There is increasing evidence that rising temperatures and heatwaves in the United Kingdom are associated with an increase in heat-related mortality. However, the Public Health England (PHE) Heatwave mortality monitoring reports, which use provisional death registrations to estimate heat-related mortality in England during heatwaves, have not yet been evaluated. This study aims to retrospectively quantify the impact of heatwaves on mortality during the 2019 summer period using daily death occurrences. Second, using the same method, it quantifies the heat-related mortality for the 2018 and 2017 heatwave periods. Last, it compares the results to the estimated excess deaths for the same period in the PHE Heatwave mortality monitoring reports. The number of cumulative excess deaths during the summer 2019 heatwaves were minimal (161) and were substantially lower than during the summer 2018 heatwaves (1700 deaths) and summer 2017 heatwaves (1489 deaths). All findings were at variance with the PHE Heatwave mortality monitoring reports which estimated cumulative excess deaths to be 892, 863 and 778 during the heatwave periods of 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Issues are identified in the use of provisional death registrations for mortality monitoring and the reduced reliability of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) daily death occurrences database before 2019. These findings may identify more reliable ways to monitor heat mortality during heatwaves in the future.
Promoting Low-Carbon Tourism through Adaptive Regional Certification
Authors: Baumber Alex , Merson John , Lockhart Smith Chris
Published: January 2021

Climate change is a key issue in sustainable tourism, both in terms of the greenhouse gas emissions generated by the tourism sector and the potential impacts of climate change on tourism-dependent regions. Low-carbon tourism is an emerging paradigm based around emissions reduction by tourism businesses, as well as broader values of adaptation, transition and behavioral change. This article presents the results of a low-carbon tourism case study in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Australia, where the Low-Carbon Living Program has successfully designed and implemented a low-carbon rating and certification scheme. This scheme covers emissions related to energy, waste and water and is based on regionally-specific data. The program has also succeeded in its aim of using the tourism industry as a catalyst for broader community action, having been expanded to schools and retailers in the case study region. A transferable regional model has been developed that is being adapted for use in new regions under a modular and decentralised program structure. However, questions remain around the impact of the program on participants’ carbon footprints and customer levels over time, as well as the suitability of a common scorecard system to diverse participant types.