bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A interdisciplinaridade Aplicada ao Despacho Otimizado das Redes Integradas de Energia Elétrica e de Gás Natural utilizando o Algoritmo Genético
Authors: Costa Heictor Alves de Oliveira , Costa Denis Carlos Lima , Meneses Lair Aguiar de
Published: February 2021

Este artigo propõe um método baseado em algoritmo genético (AG) para o despacho ótimo com restrição de segurança de redes integradas de energia elétrica e gás natural, considerando cenários operacionais em ambos os sistemas de energia, demonstrando a importância do ensino interdisciplinar nos conteúdos acadêmicos de Matemática, Física e Computação na modelagem de problemas das Engenharias. A formulação matemática do problema de otimização consiste em uma função multiobjetivo que visa minimizer, tanto os custos da geração térmica (utilizando processos baseados em óleo diesel e gás natural), quanto à produção e ao transporte do gás natural. O sistema gás-eletricidade é modelado por dois grupos separados de equações não lineares, que são resolvidos pela combinação do método de Newton com AG. A aplicabilidade do método proposto é testada na rede de gás belga integrada ao sistema de teste IEEE de 14 barras e em uma rede de gás natural de 15 nós integrada ao sistema de teste IEEE-118 barras. Os resultados demonstram, com excelentes níveis de precisão e acurácia, que o método proposto oferece soluções eficientes e seguras para diferentes cenários de operação em ambos os sistemas de energia, doravante o estudo de caso executado pelo grupo de pesquisa Gradiente de Modelagem Matemática e Simulação Computacional – GM²SC, vinculado ao Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Pará – IFPA Campus Ananindeua.
A LAMP-SNP Assay Detecting C580Y Mutation in Pfkelch13 Gene from Clinically Dried Blood Spot Samples
Authors: Khammanee Thunchanok , Sawangjaroen Nongyao , Buncherd Hansuk , Tun Aung Win , Thanapongpichat Supinya
Published: February 2021

Artemisinin resistance (ART) has been confirmed in Greater Mekong Sub-region countries. Currently, C580Y mutation on Pfkelch13 gene is known as the molecular marker for the detection of ART. Rapid and accurate detection of ART in field study is essential to guide malaria containment and elimination interventions. A simple method for collection of malaria-infected blood is to spot the blood on filter paper and is fast and easy for transportation and storage in the field study. This study aims to evaluate LAMP-SNP assay for C580Y mutation detection by introducing an extra mismatched nucleotide at the 3’ end of the FIP primer. The LAMP-SNP assay was performed in a water bath held at a temperature of 56°C for 45 min. LAMP-SNP products were interpreted by both gel-electrophoresis and HNB-visualized changes in color. The method was then tested with 120 P. falciparum DNA from dried blood spot samples. In comparing the LAMP-SNP assay results with those from DNA sequencing of the clinical samples, the 2 results fully agreed to detect C580Y. The sensitivity and specificity of the LAMP-SNP assay showed 100%. There were no cross-reactions with other Plasmodium species and other Pfkelch13 mutations. The LAMP-SNP assay performed in this study was rapid, reliable, and useful in detecting artemisinin resistance in the field study.
Echinostoma mekongi: Discovery of Its Metacercarial Stage in Snails, Filopaludina martensi cambodjensis, in Pursat Province, Cambodia
Authors: Chai Jong-Yil , Sohn Woon-Mok , Cho Jaeeun , Jung Bong-Kwang , Chang Taehee , Lee Keon Hoon , Khieu Virak , Huy Rekol
Published: February 2021

Echinostoma mekongi was reported as a new species in 2020 based on specimens collected from humans in Kratie and Takeo Province, Cambodia. In the present study, its metacercarial stage has been discovered in Filopaludina martensi cambodjensis snails purchased from a local market nearby the Tonle Sap Lake, Pursat Province, Cambodia. The metacercariae were fed orally to an experimental hamster, and adult flukes were recovered at day 20 post-infection. They were morphologically examined using light and scanning electron microscopes and molecularly analyzed by sequencing of their mitochondrial cox1 and nad1 genes. A total of 115 metacercariae (1-8 per snail) were detected in 60 (60.0%) out of 100 Filopaludina snails examined. The metacercariae were round, 174 µm in average diameter (163-190 µm in range), having a thin cyst wall, a head collar armed with 37 collar spines, and characteristic excretory granules. The adult flukes were elongated, ventrally curved, 7.3 (6.4-8.2)×1.4 (1.1-1.7) mm in size, and equipped with 37 collar spines on the head collar (dorsal spines in 2 alternating rows), being consistent with E. mekongi. In phylogenetic analyses, the adult flukes showed 99.0-100% homology based on cox1 sequences and 98.9-99.7% homology based on nad1 sequences with E. mekongi. The results evidenced that F. martensi cambodjensis snails act as the second intermediate host of E. mekongi, and hamsters can be used as a suitable experimental definitive host. As local people favor to eat undercooked snails, these snails seem to be an important source of human infection with E. mekongi in Cambodia.
Cerebral Coenurosis of a Long-Tailed Goral, Naemorhedus caudatus, in Korea
Authors: Ahn Sangjin , Oh Hyeongseok , Choi Soo-Young , Kim Jong-Taek , Kim Hyeon-Cheol
Published: February 2021

We intended to describe a case of cerebral coenurosis in a long-tailed goral, Naemorhedus caudatus, from Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon-do (Province), in the Korea. The goral, a 10-year-old male, was suffering from neurological symptoms, such as turning the circle to one side without lifting the head straight, and died at 30 days after admission to the wildlife medical rescue center in Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do. A fluid-filled cyst was detected in the left cerebral hemisphere by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. The cyst removed from the deceased goral was transparent, about 3×3 cm in size, contained a clear fluid and approximately 320 protoscolices invaginating from the internal germinal layer. The protoscolex had 4 suckers and a rostellum with 28 hooklets arranged in 2 rows. By the present study, a case of cerebral coenurosis was first confirmed in a long-tailed goral, N. caudatus, from Gangwon-do, in Korea. The residents frequently exposed in the sylvatic environment should be careful the accidental infections of zoonotic metacestode of Taenia multiceps, Coenurus cerebralis, in Korea.
Relationship between hyperventilation and excessive CO2 output during recovery from repeated cycling sprints
Authors: Yano T , Yunoki T , Matsuura R , Arimitsu T
Published: February 2021

The purpose of the present study was to examine whether excessive CO2 output (VCO2excess) is dominantly attributable to hyperventilation during the period of recovery from repeated cycling sprints. A series of four 10-sec cycling sprints with 30-sec passive recovery periods was performed two times. The first series and second series of cycle sprints (SCS) were followed by 360-sec passive recovery periods (first recovery and second recovery). Increases in blood lactate (DeltaLa) were 11.17+/-2.57 mM from rest to 5.5 min during first recovery and 2.07+/-1.23 mM from the start of the second SCS to 5.5 min during second recovery. CO2 output (VCO2) was significantly higher than O2 uptake (VO2) during both recovery periods. This difference was defined as VCO2excess. VCO2excess was significantly higher during first recovery than during second recovery. VCO2excess was added from rest to the end of first recovery and from the start of the second SCS to the end of second recovery (CO2excess). DeltaLa was significantly related to CO2excess (r=0.845). However, ventilation during first recovery was the same as that during second recovery. End-tidal CO2 pressure (PETCO2) significantly decreased from the resting level during the recovery periods, indicating hyperventilation. PETCO2 during first recovery was significantly higher than that during second recovery. It is concluded that VCO2excess is not simply determined by ventilation during recovery from repeated cycle sprints.
Emerging role of interleukin-1 in cardiovascular diseases
Authors: Vicenová B , Vopálenský V , Burýšek L , Pospíšek M
Published: February 2021

There is an increasing evidence linking dysbalance between
various proinflammatory mediators and higher risk of
cardiovascular events and pathologies. Likewise, some of the
cardiovascular diseases lately appeared to have an autoimmune
component. Interleukin-1 (IL-1), a master regulator of diverse
inflammatory processes in higher eukaryotes and the key player
in numerous autoimmune disorders including rheumatoid
arthritis, diabetes mellitus or systemic sclerosis, has recently
been proved to be involved in development of several
cardiovascular diseases as well. This report aims to give a
summary on current knowledge about the IL-1 signaling
pathways and about the implication of IL-1 and the IL-1 receptor
antagonist (IL-1Ra) in some of the diseases of the cardiovascular
system.
Dumb and Forked: The Street Tree Poetics of Millay and Williams
Authors: Daniel Julia E.
Published: February 2021

This urban ecocritical study reads the poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay and William Carlos Williams in the context of the American street tree movement, a civic health and beautification program that advocated for the planting of shade trees along urban thoroughfares. It argues that both poets critique the ‘ideal’ street tree forwarded by the movement. In ‘City Trees,’ Millay presents a shade tree whose therapeutic effects are overwhelmed by the noise pollution in New York City, much like the speaker herself. In ‘Young Sycamore,’ Williams eschews the visual ideal of symmetrical, evenly-spaced shade trees in favor of a wily, asymmetrical organism that actively torques toward the light. By extension, these poets present city habitats as alternately more toxic and more wild than the street tree movement had imagined, a critique with ramifications for contemporary urban reforestation movements today.
Capitalism, migration, and adult education
Authors: Heinemann Alisha M.B. , Monzó Lilia
Published: February 2021

Migration has become both a consequence of and support structure for global racialised capitalism. A presumed source of support for the people who migrate is adult education, especially the second language learning class. However, as a state organized institution, the policies and practices that govern second-language courses serve to inculcate the ideologies and values that support a racialised capitalist system. We draw on two case examples – the U.S. and Germany – to demonstrate these entanglements. We engage Freire’s critical pedagogy wherein learning contexts encourage students to question the realities of their lives, and Foucault’s ideas regarding heterotopian places where the hegemonic norm is suspended and different approaches of pedagogical work can be implemented. We conclude with the suggestion of different pedagogical paths – a ‘pedagogy of dreaming’ and a ‘pedagogy of courage.’
Novel Insights Into Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Strategies of Hepatic Encephalopathy, From the Gut Microbiota Perspective
Authors: Liu Jiachen , Xu Yantao , Jiang Bimei
Published: February 2021

Since the 1950s, gradual changes in the gut microbiota of patients with hepatic encephalopathy have been observed. Previous research has indicated potential associations between the gut and brain, and the gut microbiota is becoming a hot topic in research on diseases of the nervous system. However, for the past few decades, studies of hepatic encephalopathy have been restricted to controlling the gut microbiota during macroscopic manipulation, such as probiotic intervention, while its clinical use remains controversial, and the cellular mechanisms underlying this condition are still poorly understood. This thesis seeks to comprehensively understand and explain the role of gut microbiota in hepatic encephalopathy as well as analyze the effects of intervention by regulating the gut microbiota. Evidence is presented that shows that dysbiosis of the gut microbiota is the primary pathological driver of hepatic encephalopathy and impacts pathologic progression via complex regulatory networks. As a result, suggestions were identified for future mechanistic research and improvements in therapeutic strategies for hepatic encephalopathy.
A Protective and Pathogenic Role for Complement During Acute Toxoplasma gondii Infection
Authors: Sikorski Patricia M. , Commodaro Alessandra G. , Grigg Michael E.
Published: February 2021

The infection competence of the protozoan pathogenToxoplasma gondiiis critically dependent on the parasite’s ability to inactivate the host complement system.Toxoplasmaactively resists complement-mediated killing in non-immune serum by recruiting host-derived complement regulatory proteins C4BP and Factor H (FH) to the parasite surface to inactivate surface-bound C3 and limit formation of the C5b-9 membrane attack complex (MAC). While decreased complement activation on the parasite surface certainly protectsToxoplasmafrom immediate lysis, the biological effector functions of C3 split products C3b and C3a are maintained, which includes opsonization of the parasite for phagocytosis and potent immunomodulatory effects that promote pro-inflammatory responses and alters mucosal defenses during infection, respectively. In this review, we discuss how complement regulation byToxoplasmacontrols parasite burden systemically but drives exacerbated immune responses locally in the gut of genetically susceptible C57BL/6J mice. In effect,Toxoplasmahas evolved to strike a balance with the complement system, by inactivating complement to protect the parasite from immediate serum killing, it generates sufficient C3 catabolites that signal through their cognate receptors to stimulate protective immunity. This regulation ultimately controls tachyzoite proliferation and promotes host survival, parasite persistence, and transmissibility to new hosts.
Multimodality Cardiac Imaging for Procedural Planning and Guidance of Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement and Mitral Paravalvular Leak Closure
Authors: Garcia-Sayan Enrique , Chen Tiffany , Khalique Omar K.
Published: February 2021

Transcatheter mitral valve interventions are an evolving and growing field in which multimodality cardiac imaging is essential for diagnosis, procedural planning, and intraprocedural guidance. Currently, transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve with a balloon-expandable valve is the only form of transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) approved by the FDA, but valve-in-ring and valve-in-mitral annular calcification interventions are increasingly being performed. Additionally, there are several devices under investigation for implantation in a native annulus. Paravalvular leak (PVL) is a known complication of surgical or transcatheter valve implantation, where regurgitant flow occurs between the prosthetic sewing ring and the native mitral annulus. We sought to describe the role and applications of multimodality cardiac imaging for TMVR, and PVL closure, including the use of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography Angiography and 3-Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography for diagnosis, prosthetic valve evaluation, pre-procedural planning, and intraprocedural guidance, as well as evolving technologies such as fusion imaging and 3D printing.
Real Time Responses: Front Line Educators’ View to the Challenges the Pandemic has Posed on Students and Faculty
Authors: Keown Stacey , Carroll Rob , Smothers Moriah
Published: February 2021

After months of school closures, a variety of educators were surveyed with the goal of understanding their lived experience of teaching during a pandemic and the supports they needed to be successful during this challenge. The educators span different grade levels, school districts, and states. Their responses were illuminating for educational leaders when planning for a new school year. The purpose of this research brief was to collect real time responses from educators as they attempted to meet the varied challenges of educating during a pandemic. The questions focused on strengths needed by the educator, characteristics observed in successful students, and school supports that were helpful to gain successful outcomes. A variety of educators, spanning from kindergarten through high school, were surveyed. All participants were asked the same questions, and their responses were collected, coded, and organized around different educational leadership themes: teacher efficacy, school culture, and student resiliency. The goal of this research brief was to gain crucial information while educators were facing the pandemic and use their responses to frame a conversation for educational leaders as they plan for upcoming challenges they may face. From this research brief, characteristics of success begin to emerge. What does an educator need to focus on to be successful? What can we learn from our most successful students? What role can a school’s culture play, even when no one is there?
Feature Selection Stability and Accuracy of Prediction Models for Genomic Prediction of Residual Feed Intake in Pigs Using Machine Learning
Authors: Piles Miriam , Bergsma Rob , Gianola Daniel , Gilbert Hélène , Tusell Llibertat
Published: February 2021

Feature selection (FS, i.e., selection of a subset of predictor variables) is essential in high-dimensional datasets to prevent overfitting of prediction/classification models and reduce computation time and resources. In genomics, FS allows identifying relevant markers and designing low-density SNP chips to evaluate selection candidates. In this research, several univariate and multivariate FS algorithms combined with various parametric and non-parametric learners were applied to the prediction of feed efficiency in growing pigs from high-dimensional genomic data. The objective was to find the best combination of feature selector, SNP subset size, and learner leading to accurate and stable (i.e., less sensitive to changes in the training data) prediction models. Genomic best linear unbiased prediction (GBLUP) without SNP pre-selection was the benchmark. Three types of FS methods were implemented: (i) filter methods: univariate (univ.dtree, spearcor) or multivariate (cforest, mrmr), with random selection as benchmark; (ii) embedded methods: elastic net and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression; (iii) combination of filter and embedded methods. Ridge regression, support vector machine (SVM), and gradient boosting (GB) were applied after pre-selection performed with the filter methods. Data represented 5,708 individual records of residual feed intake to be predicted from the animal’s own genotype. Accuracy (stability of results) was measured as the median (interquartile range) of the Spearman correlation between observed and predicted data in a 10-fold cross-validation. The best prediction in terms of accuracy and stability was obtained with SVM and GB using 500 or more SNPs [0.28 (0.02) and 0.27 (0.04) for SVM and GB with 1,000 SNPs, respectively]. With larger subset sizes (1,000–1,500 SNPs), the filter method had no influence on prediction quality, which was similar to that attained with a random selection. With 50–250 SNPs, the FS method had a huge impact on prediction quality: it was very poor for tree-based methods combined with any learner, but good and similar to what was obtained with larger SNP subsets when spearcor or mrmr were implemented with or without embedded methods. Those filters also led to very stable results, suggesting their potential use for designing low-density SNP chips for genome-based evaluation of feed efficiency.
SIRT1-Related Signaling Pathways and Their Association With Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Authors: Yang Kun , Dong Wenbin
Published: February 2021

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic and debilitating disease that can exert serious and overwhelming effects on the physical and mental health of premature infants, predominantly due to intractable short- and long-term complications. Oxidative stress is one of the most predominant causes of BPD. Hyperoxia activates a cascade of hazardous events, including mitochondrial dysfunction, uncontrolled inflammation, reduced autophagy, increased apoptosis, and the induction of fibrosis. These events may involve, to varying degrees, alterations in SIRT1 and its associated targets. In the present review, we describe SIRT1-related signaling pathways and their association with BPD. Our intention is to provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms that regulate BPD and identify potential therapeutic targets for this debilitating condition.
MARSBOx: Fungal and Bacterial Endurance From a Balloon-Flown Analog Mission in the Stratosphere
Authors: Cortesão Marta , Siems Katharina , Koch Stella , Beblo-Vranesevic Kristina , Rabbow Elke , Berger Thomas , Lane Michael , James Leandro , Johnson Prital , Waters Samantha M. , Verma Sonali D. , Smith David J. , Moeller Ralf
Published: February 2021

Whether terrestrial life can withstand the martian environment is of paramount interest for planetary protection measures and space exploration. To understand microbial survival potential in Mars-like conditions, several fungal and bacterial samples were launched in September 2019 on a large NASA scientific balloon flight to the middle stratosphere (∼38 km altitude) where radiation levels resembled values at the equatorial Mars surface. Fungal spores ofAspergillus nigerand bacterial cells ofSalinisphaera shabanensis,Staphylococcus capitissubsp.capitis, andButtiauxellasp. MASE-IM-9 were launched inside the MARSBOx (Microbes in Atmosphere for Radiation, Survival, and Biological Outcomes Experiment) payload filled with an artificial martian atmosphere and pressure throughout the mission profile. The dried microorganisms were either exposed to full UV-VIS radiation (UV dose = 1148 kJ m−2) or were shielded from radiation. After the 5-h stratospheric exposure, samples were assayed for survival and metabolic changes. Spores from the fungusA. nigerand cells from the Gram-(–) bacteriumS. shabanensiswere the most resistant with a 2- and 4-log reduction, respectively. ExposedButtiauxellasp. MASE-IM-9 was completely inactivated (both with and without UV exposure) andS. capitissubsp.capitisonly survived the UV shielded experimental condition (3-log reduction). Our results underscore a wide variation in survival phenotypes of spacecraft associated microorganisms and support the hypothesis that pigmented fungi may be resistant to the martian surface if inadvertently delivered by spacecraft missions.
Posttranslational Modifications of Smurfs: Emerging Regulation in Cancer
Authors: Yang Longtao , Zhou Wenwen , Lin Hui
Published: February 2021

Smad ubiquitination regulatory factors (Smurfs) belong to the Nedd4 subfamily of HECT-type E3 ubiquitin ligases. Under normal situations, Smurfs are exactly managed by upstream regulators, and thereby strictly control tumor biological processes, including cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis, polarization, epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), and invasion. Disruption of Smurf activity has been implicated in cancer progression, and Smurf activity is controlled by a series of posttranslational modifications (PTMs), including phosphorylation, ubiquitination, neddylation, sumoylation, and methylation. The effect and function of Smurfs depend on PTMs and regulate biological processes. Specifically, these modifications regulate the functional expression of Smurfs by affecting protein degradation and protein interactions. In this review, we summarize the complexity and diversity of Smurf PTMs from biochemical and biological perspectives and highlight the understanding of their roles in cancer.
Contrast-Enhanced Spectral Mammography-Based Radiomics Nomogram for the Prediction of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy-Insensitive Breast Cancers
Authors: Wang Zhongyi , Lin Fan , Ma Heng , Shi Yinghong , Dong Jianjun , Yang Ping , Zhang Kun , Guo Na , Zhang Ran , Cui Jingjing , Duan Shaofeng , Mao Ning , Xie Haizhu
Published: February 2021

Purpose

We developed and validated a contrast-enhanced spectral mammography (CESM)-based radiomics nomogram to predict neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC)-insensitive breast cancers prior to treatment.

Methods

We enrolled 117 patients with breast cancer who underwent CESM examination and NAC treatment from July 2017 to April 2019. The patients were grouped randomly into a training set (n = 97) and a validation set (n = 20) in a ratio of 8:2. 792 radiomics features were extracted from CESM images including low-energy and recombined images for each patient. Optimal radiomics features were selected by using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression with 10-fold cross-validation, to develop a radiomics score in the training set. A radiomics nomogram incorporating the radiomics score and independent clinical risk factors was then developed using multivariate logistic regression analysis. With regard to discrimination and clinical usefulness, radiomics nomogram was evaluated using the area under the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) and decision curve analysis (DCA).

Results

The radiomics nomogram that incorporates 11 radiomics features and 3 independent clinical risk factors, including Ki-67 index, background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) status, showed an encouraging discrimination power with AUCs of 0.877 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.816 to 0.924] and 0.81 (95% CI 0.575 to 0.948) in the training and validation sets, respectively. DCA revealed the increased clinical usefulness of this nomogram.

Conclusion

The proposed radiomics nomogram that integrates CESM-derived radiomics features and clinical parameters showed potential feasibility for predicting NAC-insensitive breast cancers.
Sevoflurane Postconditioning Attenuates Hypoxia/Reoxygenation Injury of Cardiomyocytes Under High Glucose by Regulating HIF-1α/MIF/AMPK Pathway
Authors: Ma Haiping , Li Yongjie , Hou Tianliang , Li Jing , Yang Long , Guo Hai , Li Lili , Xin Mingxiu , Gong Zhongcheng
Published: February 2021

Subject: Cardiovascular disease, as a very common and serious coexisting disease in diabetic patients, and is one of the risk factors that seriously affect the prognosis and complications of surgical patients. Previous studies have shown that sevoflurane post-conditioning (SPostC) exerts a protective effect against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury by HIF-1α, but the protective effect is weakened or even disappeared under hyperglycemia. This study aims to explore whether regulating the HIF-1α/MIF/AMPK signaling pathway can restore the protective effect and reveal the mechanism of SPostC on cardiomyocyte hypoxia/reoxygenation injury under high glucose conditions.

Methods: H9c2 cardiomyocytes were cultured in normal and high-concentration glucose medium to establish a hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury model of cardiomyocytes. SPostC was performed with 2.4% sevoflurane for 15 min before reoxygenation. Cell damage was determined by measuring cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase activity, and apoptosis; Testing cell energy metabolism by detecting reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, ATP content and mitochondrial membrane potential; Analysis of the change of HIF-1α, MIF and AMPKα mRNA expression by RT-PCR. Western blotting was used to examine the expression of HIF-1α, MIF, AMPKα and p-AMPKα proteins. HIF-1α and MIF inhibitors and agonists were administered 40 min before hypoxia.

Results: 1) SPostC exerts a protective effect by increasing cell viability, reducing LDH levels and cell apoptosis under low glucose (5 μM) after undergoing H/R injury; 2) High glucose concentration (35 μM) eliminated the cardioprotective effect of SPostC, which is manifested by a significantly decrease in the protein and mRNA expression level of the HIF-1α/MIF/AMPK signaling pathway, accompanied by decreased cell viability, increased LDH levels and apoptosis, increased ROS production, decreased ATP synthesis, and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential; 3. Under high glucose (35 μM), the expression levels of HIF-1α and MIF were up-regulated by using agonists, which can significantly increase the level of p-AMPKα protein, and the cardioprotective effect of SPostC was restored.

Conclusion: The signal pathway of HIF-1α/MIF/AMPK of H9c2 cardiomyocytes may be the key point of SPostC against H/R injure. The cardioprotective of SPostC could be restored by upregulating the protein expression of HIF-1α and MIF under hyperglycemia.
Advances in Mineral Nutrition Transport and Signal Transduction in Rosaceae Fruit Quality and Postharvest Storage
Authors: Bai Qian , Shen Yuanyue , Huang Yun
Published: February 2021

Mineral nutrition, taken up from the soil or foliar sprayed, plays fundamental roles in plant growth and development. Among of at least 14 mineral elements, the macronutrients nitrogen (N), potassium (K), phosphorus (P), and calcium (Ca) and the micronutrient iron (Fe) are essential to Rosaceae fruit yield and quality. Deficiencies in minerals strongly affect metabolism with subsequent impacts on the growth and development of fruit trees. This ultimately affects the yield, nutritional value, and quality of fruit. Especially, the main reason of the postharvest storage loss caused by physiological disorders is the improper proportion of mineral nutrient elements. In recent years, many important mineral transport proteins and their regulatory components are increasingly revealed, which make drastic progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms for mineral nutrition (N, P, K, Ca, and Fe) in various aspects including plant growth, fruit development, quality, nutrition, and postharvest storage. Importantly, many studies have found that mineral nutrition, such as N, P, and Fe, not only affects fruit quality directly but also influences the absorption and the content of other nutrient elements. In this review, we provide insights of the mineral nutrients into their function, transport, signal transduction associated with Rosaceae fruit quality, and postharvest storage at physiological and molecular levels. These studies will contribute to provide theoretical basis to improve fertilizer efficient utilization and fruit industry sustainable development.
Comparative Effectiveness of Multiple Psychological Interventions for Psychological Crisis in People Affected by Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis
Authors: Yang Yang , Sun Shaodan , Hu Shaowen , Tang Chunzhi , Zhang Yimin , Lin Haibo
Published: February 2021

Objective: The objective of our current research is to compare the different psychological interventions and distinguish the most effective way to treat psychological crisis according to different clinical manifestations in people affected by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). No previous systematic review has provided a comprehensive overview by performing a Bayesian network meta-analysis of this current topic.

Method: A systematic review and a Bayesian network meta-analysis were conducted on randomized controlled trials (RCTs), non-RCTs, case–control studies, self-controlled case series (SCCS), cohort studies, and cross-sectional studies of all the available interventions for psychological crisis in people affected by COVID-19. We searched the electronic databases EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library, as well as the Chinese databases such as Sinomed, Chinese Biomedicine Literature (CBM), Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP), WanFang Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), from 2019 to April 30, 2020. The main outcomes were self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), self-rating depression scale (SDS), patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9), and symptom checklist (SCL-90). The study is registered with Inplasy, number 202050076.

Result: Sixteen self-controlled case series (SCCS) comprising 1,147 participants compared five different psychological interventions with four different measurement scales were included in this study. For effectiveness, all the psychological therapies were significantly more effective than before intervention. Our results showed that supportive therapy (ST), which is adjusted to the COVID-19-related mental crisis, is the best treatment compared with behavioral therapy (BT), nursing-based psychological therapy (NBPT), traditional Chinese medicine therapy (TCMT), and COVID-19-related standard training (CRST) at reducing the anxiety-related symptoms assessed by SAS. When measured by SDS, BT was better than ST and NBPT treatment for reducing the depression symptoms. And ST was better than BT and ST+BT as assessed by PHQ-9. In the end, the last network meta-analysis indicated that NBPT was more effective than ST by the measurement of SCL-90.

Conclusion: Our research suggested the potential effectiveness of psychological interventions for decreasing psychological crisis in people affected by COVID-19 and try to introduce the best effective treatment options for clinical practice according to the clinical manifestations of psychological problems, but further confirmation from high-quality RCTs is needed.
Spouse-Appraised Memory Functioning Predicts Memory Decline Better Than Subjective Memory Complaints in Community Dwelling Older Adults at Genetic Risk for Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Bellaali Youssef , Woodard John L. , Hanseeuw Bernard , Ivanoiu Adrian
Published: February 2021

Objective: Alzheimer's disease (AD) begins with subtle memory decline, years before dementia onset. The presence of subjective memory complaints (SMC) has been proposed as a marker of preclinical AD. However, recent evidence has demonstrated early and progressive loss of awareness of memory difficulties in non-demented older adults harboring AD pathology. We investigated the respective contributions of SMC and spouse-appraised memory functioning (SAM) to predict memory decline in a large cohort of community dwelling older adults.

Methods: The Wisconsin Longitudinal Study collected cognitive data from a community-based cohort of 3,583 participants in both 2005 and 2011. The participant and the participant's spouse were each asked to rate the participant's memory functioning using a Likert scale. We predicted change in objective episodic memory with models including baseline SMC, baseline SAM, or both SMC and SAM. We also evaluated an awareness index (SMC minus SAM). We then tested the interaction between Apolipoprotein E (APOE ε4) carrier status and SMC/SAM to evaluate whether the effects were driven by individuals at-risk for AD pathology.

Results: In separate models, SMC (−0.081 ± 0.036, p = 0.025) and SAM (−0.084 ± 0.278, p = 0.003) were both associated with memory decline over ~6 years. However, the AI was not significantly associated with memory decline (0.031 ± 0.024, p = 0.19). When both predictors were included in the same model, SAM (−0.074 ± 0.03, p = 0.0092) was associated with memory decline, while SMC was not significant (−0.061 ± 0.04, p = 0.99). The association between SAM and memory decline was stronger in the APOE ε4 carriers than in the non-carriers (APOE-by-SAM interaction: F = 6.07; p = 0.002), and follow up analyses revealed that SAM was particularly predictive of decline only for APOE ε4 carriers. The association between SMC and memory decline was independent of APOE ε4 carrier status (APOE-by-SMC interaction: F = 2.29; p = 0.13).

Conclusions: Spouse-appraised memory functioning was more predictive of memory decline than SMC or an awareness index, particularly in APOE ε4 carriers, who are at increased risk for AD pathology.
Applying Deep Reinforcement Learning to Cable Driven Parallel Robots for Balancing Unstable Loads: A Ball Case Study
Authors: Grimshaw Alex , Oyekan John
Published: February 2021

The current pandemic has highlighted the need for rapid construction of structures to treat patients and ensure manufacturing of health care products such as vaccines. In order to achieve this, rapid transportation of construction materials from staging area to deposition is needed. In the future, this could be achieved through automated construction sites that make use of robots. Toward this, in this paper a cable driven parallel manipulator (CDPM) is designed and built to balance a highly unstable load, a ball plate system. The system consists of eight cables attached to the end effector plate that can be extended or retracted to actuate movement of the plate. The hardware for the system was designed and built utilizing modern manufacturing processes. A camera system was designed using image recognition to identify the ball pose on the plate. The hardware was used to inform the development of a control system consisting of a reinforcement-learning trained neural network controller that outputs the desired platform response. A nested PID controller for each motor attached to each cable was used to realize the desired response. For the neural network controller, three different model structures were compared to assess the impact of varying model complexity. It was seen that less complex structures resulted in a slower response that was less flexible and more complex structures output a high frequency oscillation of the actuation signal resulting in an unresponsive system. It was concluded that the system showed promise for future development with the potential to improve on the state of the art.
Case Report: A Rare Condition of Abdominal Pain: Chemotherapy Induced Portal Vein Pneumatosis Mimicking the Bowel Necrosis
Authors: Chen Chong-Cheng , Chen Yi , Zhang Yue-Xin , Chen Ze-Hua , Yang Kun
Published: February 2021

Portal vein pneumatosis is the presence of air in the portal venous system, which is one of the classic radiologic features of bowel ischemia or necrosis. However, there are several other morbidities that can have portal vein pneumatosis as a complication. This is a case of a 44-year-old man who suffered from severe abdominal pain after chemotherapy for soft tissue sarcoma of his left hip. The physical signs, laboratory findings, as well as the portal venous pneumatosis sign of the CT scan strongly indicated the probability of bowel necrosis and subjected the treatment decision of the patient finally to laparotomy. However, nothing abnormal except a segment of swollen small intestine was detected. Caution should be kept in mind when encountering a patient with suspected bowel necrosis following chemotherapy since several chemotherapeutic agents could cause portal vein pneumatosis. Diagnostic laparoscopy might be a better option for such cases.
Case Report: First Evidence of a Benign Bone Cyst in an Adult Teckel Dog Treated With Shark Teeth-Derived Bioapatites
Authors: García-González Mario , Muñoz Guzón Fernando María , González-Cantalapiedra Antonio , López-Peña Mónica , de Frutos Pachón Felipe , Pereira-Espinel Plata Teresa , González Fernández Pío Manuel , Serra Rodríguez Julia Asunción
Published: February 2021

Bone cysts are a very rare orthopedic pathology in veterinary medicine, the general prevalence of which is unknown. A unicameral bone cyst was diagnosed in an adult female Teckel dog with a limp that was treated surgically by filling the defect with marine bioapatites. The treatment was effective and at 8 weeks the defect had remodeled 50.24%. Eighteen months after surgery, the defect had remodeled 94.23%. The limp disappeared after surgery, and functional recovery was good in all stages after surgery. No adverse reactions were observed at the local or systemic level. This is the first report of a benign bone cyst in an lame adult female Teckel successfully treated with a novel marine bioapatite.
Effect of Mixing Alfalfa with Whole-Plant Corn in Different Proportions on Fermentation Characteristics and Bacterial Community of Silage
Authors: Wang Musen , Gao Run , Franco Marcia , Hannaway David B. , Ke Wencan , Ding Zitong , Yu Zhu , Guo Xusheng
Published: February 2021

The influence of mixing alfalfa with whole-plant corn in different proportions on the fermentation characteristics and bacterial community of silage was investigated. Alfalfa and whole-plant corn, harvested at dry matter content of 276.47 and 328.43 g/kg fresh weight, accordingly, were chopped to approximately 2 cm and mixed at ratios of 100:0 (C0, control), 80:20 (C20), 60:40 (C40), 40:60 (C60), 20:80 (C80) and 0:100 (C100) on a fresh weight basis, respectively. Silos of each treatment were produced in triplicate and anaerobically fermented in darkness for 100 days at room temperature (20–21 °C). At silo opening, silage fermentation characteristics and bacterial composition and diversity were analyzed. The C0 silage was weakly preserved, evidenced by a low lactic acid concentration and a high value of pH, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid and ammonia nitrogen. With corn proportion in the mixture increasing from 0% to 40%, silage pH, acetic acid, butyric acid and ammonia nitrogen level decreased, whereas the value of lactic acid and lactic acid to acetic acid ratio increased. The C40, C60, C80 and C100 silages’ Flieg score, used to evaluate the overall fermentation quality, was above 80 and higher than C0 (25) and C20 (61) silages. The C0 silage contained a complex bacterial community at the genus level, consisting mainly of Enterococcus (38.86%), Enterobacteria (20.61%), Rhizobium (8.45%), Lactobacillus (8.15%), Methylobacterium (5.54%) and Weissella (5.24%). As corn percentage increased from 0% to 40%, the relative abundance of desirable Lactobacillus increased and undesirable Rhizobium and Methylobacterium population reduced. With corn proportion in the mixture increasing from 0% to 40%, inclusion of corn to alfalfa at ensiling significantly improved silage fermentation quality and shifted the bacterial community for better silage preservation. Overall, high quality silage was produced when alfalfa was combined with at least 40% whole-plant corn on a fresh weight basis.
Urban Food Strategy in the Making: Context, Conventions and Contestations
Authors: Andreola Mattia , Pianegonda Angelica , Favargiotti Sara , Forno Francesca
Published: February 2021

Contemporary food systems face several paradoxes regarding equity and sustainability. Considering food production—an issue that simultaneously affects both the supply (production) and demand (consumption) sides—several cities have begun to implement new strategies, called Urban Food Policies. These approaches aim to address the various challenges presented by food system failures, while also involving the existing network of grassroot initiatives. For this reason, these have established Food Policy Councils, arenas where institutions can engage with supply chain actors and food activists, deciding through the processes of participatory democracy their Urban Food Strategies. This article investigates the evolution of a new Urban Food Strategy in a middle-sized Italian town, Trento. Despite a growing number of case studies discussing the promises and problematic aspects of UFS, empirical research and analysis tend to overlook the role of the context in which these processes are embedded and how the system of political, economic, cultural, and environmental opportunities weigh upon the success of these policies. The paper draws upon a multi-method qualitative approach combining in-depth interviews, document analysis, and direct observations of the construction process of an Urban Food Strategy for the city of Trento.
Evaluation of the Effects of Spray Technology and Volume Rate on the Control of Grape Berry Moth in Mountain Viticulture
Authors: Michael Costas , Gil Emilio , Gallart Montserrat , Stavrinides Menelaos C.
Published: February 2021

The current work evaluated spray coverage and pest control effectiveness against the grape berry moth (Lobesia botrana) by two different spray technologies and volume rates: A spray gun (high-volume sprayer—HVS) calibrated at 1000 L ha−1 and a conventional orchard sprayer calibrated at 500 L ha−1 (OS500) or 250 L ha−1 (OS250). Experiments were carried out in three different grape varieties over two years in mountain vineyards on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus. The median coverage for HVS remained above 80% for all three varieties, while that for OS500 ranged from 26% to 56%, and that for OS250 from 18% to 37%. Infestation by the grape berry moth varied from about 2.5% for Palomino, to 8% for Carignan and 3.2% for Xynisteri. Infestation in sprayed plots remained below 1.8% for all treatments, varieties and study years. Although infestation levels in OS250 were not different than the control in two varieties, the infestation levels among sprayer treatments did not differ by more than one percentage point. The current work suggests that lowering application volume and pesticide amount to 50% or more, in some cases, provides adequate control and represents an effective option for reducing pesticide use in vineyards.
Modern Approaches for the Genetic Improvement of Rice, Wheat and Maize for Abiotic Constraints-Related Traits: A Comparative Overview
Authors: Benavente Elena , Giménez Estela
Published: February 2021

After a basic description of the different sets of genetic tools and genomic approaches most relevant for modern crop breeding (e. g., QTL mapping, GWAS and genomic selection; transcriptomics, qPCR and RNA-seq; transgenesis and gene editing), this review paper describes their history and the main achievements in rice, wheat and maize research, with a further focus on crop traits related to the improvement of plant responses to face major abiotic constrains, including nutritional limitations, drought and heat tolerance, and nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE). Remarkable differences have been evidenced regarding the timing and degree of development of some genetic approaches among these major crops. The underlying reasons related to their distinct genome complexity, are also considered. Based on bibliographic records, drought tolerance and related topics (i.e., water-use efficiency) are by far the most abundantly addressed by molecular tools among the breeding objectives considered. Heat tolerance is usually more relevant than NUE in rice and wheat, while the opposite is true for maize.
Comparison of Methods to Evaluate Rice (Oryza sativa) Germplasm for Tolerance to Low Temperature at the Seedling Stage
Authors: Sharma Nirmal , Reinke Russell , Sacks Erik J.
Published: February 2021

Low temperature stress at the seedling stage is a major constraint to rice (Oryza sativa) production. Previously developed screening protocols typically germinate seed and establish seedlings under warm constant-temperature conditions that are optimal for growth, prior to initiating a constant low-temperature challenge. We developed three controlled-environment protocols mimicking extreme cold boro (winter) seasons based on 25 years weather data from Bangladesh to test the hypothesis that by more closely replicating field conditions, greater information about cultivars could be obtained compared to standard protocols. Root and shoot growth after germination in a Petri dish at 20 °C for three weeks gave similar results as visual scores of transplanted seedlings in a standard five-week protocol. Moreover, transplanted seedlings at the end of the nine-week mimic protocols showed large differences in height and dry biomass, whereas for the standard protocols, growth during the warm pre-treatment substantially masked these genotypic differences. Thus, initial screening of large rice germplasm panels can be most efficiently accomplished with a short-duration germination test at low temperature. However, more effective differentiation of cultivars can be accomplished by measuring transplanted seedling growth from the newly-developed mimic protocols. These results will facilitate the development of improved rice cultivars.