bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploration of Novel Prognostic Markers in Grade 3 Neuroendocrine Neoplasia
Authors: Abdelmalak Rebecca , Lythgoe Mark P. , Evans Joanne , Flynn Michael , Waters Justin , Webb Andy , Pinato David J. , Sharma Rohini
Published: August 2021

Background: High-grade neuroendocrine tumours and carcinomas (NET/NECs) behave aggressively, typically presenting at an advanced stage. Prognosis is poor, with median survival between 5 and 34 months. The mainstay of treatment is palliative systemic therapy. However, therapy carries a risk of toxicity, which can reduce quality of life. Therefore, accurate prognostic scores for risk stratification of patients with high-grade NET/NECs are needed to help guide patient management to decide whether active treatment is likely to improve overall survival (OS). We aimed to compare the prognostic ability of published prognostic scores to predict OS in a cohort of patients with high-grade NET/NECs of any primary site. Methods: Treatment, biochemical and clinicopathological data were collected retrospectively from 77 patients with high-grade NET/NECs across three hospitals between 2016 and 2020. Variables including performance status (PS), Ki-67, age at diagnosis, previous treatment and presence of liver metastases were recorded. Pre-treatment neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio, modified Glasgow prognostic score (mGPS), and gastrointestinal neuroendocrine carcinoma (GI-NEC) score were derived. Univariable and multivariable survival analyses were used to assess prognostic ability. Results: The median age of the cohort was 63 years (range: 31–85); 53% of subjects were female. Grade 3 NETs (G3-NETs) were identified in 32 patients and NECs in 45 patients. The median OS was 13.45 months (range: 0.87–65.37) with no difference observed between G3-NETs and NECs. Univariable analysis revealed that NLR (n = 72, p = 0.049), mGPS (n = 56, p = 0.003), GI-NEC score (n = 27, p = 0.0007) and Ki-67 (n = 66, p = 0.007) were significantly associated with OS. Multivariable analysis confirmed that elevated mGPS (p = 0.046), GI-NEC score (p = 0.036), and Ki-67 (p = 0.02) were independently prognostic for reduced OS across the entire cohort. mGPS was identified as an independent prognostic factor in G3-NETs. Independent predictors of OS in NECs were PS and Ki-67. Conclusions: mGPS, PS and Ki-67 are independent prognostic markers in high-grade NET/NEC patients. Our study supports the use of these prognostic scores for risk stratification of patients with high grade cancers and as useful tools to guide treatment decisions.
Quantitative Tyrosine Phosphoproteome Profiling of AXL Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Signaling Network
Authors: Wu Xinyan , Wang Li , Pearson Nicole A. , Renuse Santosh , Cheng Ran , Liang Ye , Mun Dong-Gi , Madugundu Anil K. , Xu Yaoyu , Gill Parkash S. , Pandey Akhilesh
Published: August 2021

Overexpression and amplification of AXL receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) has been found in several hematologic and solid malignancies. Activation of AXL can enhance tumor-promoting processes such as cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion and survival. Despite the important role of AXL in cancer development, a deep and quantitative mapping of its temporal dynamic signaling transduction has not yet been reported. Here, we used a TMT labeling-based quantitative proteomics approach to characterize the temporal dynamics of the phosphotyrosine proteome induced by AXL activation. We identified >1100 phosphotyrosine sites and observed a widespread upregulation of tyrosine phosphorylation induced by GAS6 stimulation. We also detected several tyrosine sites whose phosphorylation levels were reduced upon AXL activation. Gene set enrichment-based pathway analysis indicated the activation of several cancer-promoting and cell migration/invasion-related signaling pathways, including RAS, EGFR, focal adhesion, VEGFR and cytoskeletal rearrangement pathways. We also observed a rapid induction of phosphorylation of protein tyrosine phosphatases, including PTPN11 and PTPRA, upon GAS6 stimulation. The novel molecules downstream of AXL identified in this study along with the detailed global quantitative map elucidating the temporal dynamics of AXL activation should not only help understand the oncogenic role of AXL, but also aid in developing therapeutic options to effectively target AXL.
Contemporary Enzyme-Based Methods for Recombinant Proteins In Vitro Phosphorylation
Authors: Slovakova Marcela , Bilkova Zuzana
Published: August 2021

Phosphorylation is a reversible, enzyme-controlled posttranslational process affecting approximately one-third of all proteins in eukaryotic cells at any given time. Any deviation in the degree and/or site of phosphorylation leads to an abnormal conformation of proteins, resulting in a decline or loss of their function. Knowledge of phosphorylation-related pathways is essential for understanding the understanding of the disease pathogenesis and for the design of new therapeutic strategies. Recent availability of various kinases at an affordable price differs in activity, specificity, and stability and provides the opportunity of studying and modulating this reaction in vitro. We can exploit this knowledge for other applications. There is an enormous potential to produce fully decorated and active recombinant proteins, either for biomedical or cosmetic applications. Closely related is the possibility to exploit current achievements and develop new safe and efficacious vaccines, drugs, and immunomodulators. In this review, we outlined the current enzyme-based possibilities for in vitro phosphorylation of peptides and recombinant proteins and the added value that immobilized kinases provide.
Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity of rGO-CuO Nanocomposites for the Degradation of Organic Pollutants
Authors: Sagadevan Suresh , Lett Jayasingh Anita , Weldegebrieal Getu Kassegn , Garg Seema , Oh Won-Chun , Hamizi Nor Aliya , Johan Mohd Rafie
Published: August 2021

Copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles (NPs) were decorated on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) through the effective synthetic route method. Powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, ultraviolet-visible absorption, and scanning electron microscopy techniques were used to analyze the chemical structure, functional groups, absorbance, and morphology. Under visible light illumination, the CuO/rGO nanocomposites have higher catalytic activity compared to the bare CuO NPs which were suitable for degradation of methylene blue (MB) and Congo red (CR) dyes. According to the findings, the CuO/rGO nanocomposites possess excellent photocatalytic efficiency. Thus, the synthesized CuO/rGO nanocomposite is a promising photocatalyst for the deterioration of organic pollutants in water and wastewater treatment.
Application of a Combined Adsorption−Ozonation Process for Phenolic Wastewater Treatment in a Continuous Fixed-Bed Reactor
Authors: Ferreiro Cristian , de Luis Ana , Villota Natalia , Lomas Jose , Lombraña José , Camarero Luis
Published: August 2021

This work studied the removal of phenol from industrial effluents through catalytic ozonation in the presence of granular activated carbon in a continuous fixed-bed reactor. Phenol was chosen as model pollutant because of its environmental impact and high toxicity. Based on the evolution of total organic carbon (TOC) and phenol concentration, a kinetic model was proposed to study the effect of the operational variables on the combined adsorption–oxidation (Ad/Ox) process. The proposed three-phase model expressed the oxidation phenomena in the liquid and the adsorption and oxidation on the surface of the granular activated carbon in the form of two kinetic constants, k1 and k2 respectively. The interpretation of the constants allow to study the benefits and behaviour of the use of activated carbon during the ozonisation process under different conditions affecting adsorption, oxidation, and mass transfer. Additionally, the calculated kinetic parameters helped to explain the observed changes in treatment efficiency. The results showed that phenol would be completely removed at an effective contact time of 3.71 min, operating at an alkaline pH of 11.0 and an ozone gas concentration of 19.0 mg L−1. Under these conditions, a 97.0% decrease in the initial total organic carbon was observed.
Glucocorticoid-Induced Leucine Zipper (GILZ) in Cardiovascular Health and Disease
Authors: Cappetta Donato , Bereshchenko Oxana , Cianflone Eleonora , Rossi Francesco , Riccardi Carlo , Torella Daniele , Berrino Liberato , Urbanek Konrad , De Angelis Antonella , Bruscoli Stefano
Published: August 2021

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are essential in regulating functions and homeostasis in many biological systems and are extensively used to treat a variety of conditions associated with immune/inflammatory processes. GCs are among the most powerful drugs for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, but their long-term usage is limited by severe adverse effects. For this reason, to envision new therapies devoid of typical GC side effects, research has focused on expanding the knowledge of cellular and molecular effects of GCs. GC-induced leucine zipper (GILZ) is a GC-target protein shown to mediate several actions of GCs, including inhibition of the NF-κB and MAPK pathways. GILZ expression is not restricted to immune cells, and it has been shown to play a regulatory role in many organs and tissues, including the cardiovascular system. Research on the role of GILZ on endothelial cells has demonstrated its ability to modulate the inflammatory cascade, resulting in a downregulation of cytokines, chemokines, and cellular adhesion molecules. GILZ also has the capacity to protect myocardial cells, as its deletion makes the heart, after a deleterious stimulus, more susceptible to apoptosis, immune cell infiltration, hypertrophy, and impaired function. Despite these advances, we have only just begun to appreciate the relevance of GILZ in cardiovascular homeostasis and dysfunction. This review summarizes the current understanding of the role of GILZ in modulating biological processes relevant to cardiovascular biology.
EGFR Status Assessment for Better Care of Early Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma: What Is Changing in the Daily Practice of Pathologists?
Authors: Hofman Paul
Published: August 2021

The recent emergence of novel neoadjuvant and/or adjuvant therapies for early stage (I-IIIA) non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), mainly tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) targeting EGFR mutations and immunotherapy or chemo-immunotherapy, has suddenly required the evaluation of biomarkers predictive of the efficacy of different treatments in these patients. Currently, the choice of one or another of these treatments mainly depends on the results of immunohistochemistry for PD-L1 and of the status of EGFR and ALK. This new development has led to the setup of different analyses for clinical and molecular pathology laboratories, which have had to rapidly integrate a number of new challenges into daily practice and to establish new organization for decision making. This review outlines the impact of the management of biological samples in laboratories and discusses perspectives for pathologists within the framework of EGFR TKIs in early stage NSCLC.
Proteomic Analysis of Niemann-Pick Type C Hepatocytes Reveals Potential Therapeutic Targets for Liver Damage
Authors: Balboa Elisa , Marín Tamara , Oyarzún Juan Esteban , Contreras Pablo S. , Hardt Robert , van den Bosch Thea , Alvarez Alejandra R. , Rebolledo-Jaramillo Boris , Klein Andres D. , Winter Dominic , Zanlungo Silvana
Published: August 2021

Niemann-Pick type C disease (NPCD) is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by mutations in the NPC1 gene. The most affected tissues are the central nervous system and liver, and while significant efforts have been made to understand its neurological component, the pathophysiology of the liver damage remains unclear. In this study, hepatocytes derived from wild type and Npc1−/− mice were analyzed by mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics in conjunction with bioinformatic analysis. We identified 3832 proteins: 416 proteins had a p-value smaller than 0.05, of which 37% (n = 155) were considered differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), 149 of them were considered upregulated, and 6 were considered downregulated. We focused the analysis on pathways related to NPC pathogenic mechanisms, finding that the most significant changes in expression levels occur in proteins that function in the pathways of liver damage, lipid metabolism, and inflammation. Moreover, in the group of DEPs, 30% (n = 47) were identified as lysosomal proteins and 7% (n = 10) were identified as mitochondrial proteins. Importantly, we found that lysosomal DEPs, including CTSB/D/Z, LIPA, DPP7 and GLMP, and mitocondrial DEPs, AKR1B10, and VAT1 had been connected with liver fibrosis, damage, and steatosis in previous studies, validiting our dataset. Our study found potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of liver damage in NPCD.
Proteomic Analysis of Hydromethylthionine in the Line 66 Model of Frontotemporal Dementia Demonstrates Actions on Tau-Dependent and Tau-Independent Networks
Authors: Schwab Karima , Melis Valeria , Harrington Charles R. , Wischik Claude M. , Magbagbeolu Mandy , Theuring Franz , Riedel Gernot
Published: August 2021

Abnormal aggregation of tau is the pathological hallmark of tauopathies including frontotemporal dementia (FTD). We have generated tau-transgenic mice that express the aggregation-prone P301S human tau (line 66). These mice present with early-onset, high tau load in brain and FTD-like behavioural deficiencies. Several of these behavioural phenotypes and tau pathology are reversed by treatment with hydromethylthionine but key pathways underlying these corrections remain elusive. In two proteomic experiments, line 66 mice were compared with wild-type mice and then vehicle and hydromethylthionine treatments of line 66 mice were compared. The brain proteome was investigated using two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry to identify protein networks and pathways that were altered due to tau overexpression or modified by hydromethylthionine treatment. Overexpression of mutant tau induced metabolic/mitochondrial dysfunction, changes in synaptic transmission and in stress responses, and these functions were recovered by hydromethylthionine. Other pathways, such as NRF2, oxidative phosphorylation and protein ubiquitination were activated by hydromethylthionine, presumably independent of its function as a tau aggregation inhibitor. Our results suggest that hydromethylthionine recovers cellular activity in both a tau-dependent and a tau-independent fashion that could lead to a wide-spread improvement of homeostatic function in the FTD brain.
Evaluating TiO2 Photocatalysis Performance in Microtubes on Paper Background by Smartphone: Principles and Application Examples
Authors: Liu Xian , Xu Chengxiang , Xie Shiwei , Zhu Lei , Wang Xun
Published: August 2021

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) photocatalysis is a popular and promising technology in water treatment, but the performance evaluation usually depends on expensive equipment. In this study, using a smartphone for colorimetric detection, a self-invented method based on paper and microtubes (PMTs) is proposed to test the photocatalytic performance of TiO2. Firstly, the study has identified that PMTs achieved a correlation coefficient of above 0.9 between the greyscale values and concentrations during the physical process of different color dyes (i.e., rhodamine B (RhB), reactive yellow (RY), methylene blue (MB), and mixtures of the two or three dyes). The results indicate that when the principle of solution color follows the CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) color model, its photo color on white paper background conforms to the RGB (Red, Green, Blue) color model. Compared to the results obtained from the absorbance method, the PMTs method showed high reliabilities up to 99.36% on the monitoring of the photocatalytic process of the different dye solutions. Interestingly, the colorless solution of salicylic acid (SA) could also be analyzed by the PMTs after complexed with Fe(III) ion to develop a purple solution. These results suggest that the PMTs could be an alternative analysis method to evaluating physical and chemical reaction processes when the high-tech analysis equipment is unviable.
Fabrication of an All-Solid-State Carbonate Ion-Selective Electrode with Carbon Film as Transducer and Its Preliminary Application in Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Field Exploration
Authors: Zhang Chuqing , He Yang , Wu Jianbo , Ai Manqing , Cai Wei , Ye Ying , Tao Chunhui , Zhang Pingping , Jin Quan
Published: August 2021

Real-time measurements of carbonate ion concentrations in the ocean are critical to advancing marine environmental monitoring and research into deep-sea hydrothermal activity. Herein, we report the first example of deep-sea hydrothermal field exploration using a carbonate ion-selective electrode (ISE). The novel carbonate ISE was composed of a Ni wire as substrate, carbon film as transducers and carbonate-selective membrane layers. This paper describes the preparation process of the electrode and characterises its performance via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical analysis. The detection limit of the electrode for CO32− is 2.821 × 10−6 mol/L, the linear response range is 1.0 × 10−5–1.0 × 10−1 mol/L and the Nernst slope was −30.4 mV/decade. In April 2021, the carbonate ISE was mounted on multi-parameter sensors with pH and Eh (redox) electrodes for the search of hydrothermal activity at the Southwest Indian Ridge. The simultaneous potential anomalies appeared at this carbonate electrode with the pH and Eh electrodes when passing through the hydrothermal field. The study of the hydrothermal field was supported by the in situ camera video and the sulphide samples. Additionally, the carbonate electrode provides enhanced information of water chemistry for the study of the hydrothermal field.
Service Quality in Early Intervention Centres: An Analysis of Its Influence on Satisfaction and Family Quality of Life
Authors: Jemes-Campaña Inmaculada-Concepción , Romero-Galisteo Rita-Pilar , Gálvez-Ruiz Pablo , Labajos-Manzanares Maria-Teresa , Moreno-Morales Noelia
Published: August 2021

Early Intervention (EI) is a set of interventions focused on responding to the needs of children with or at risk of developmental problems. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between the perceived quality of service, satisfaction and family quality of life. Methods: to conduct a multi-centre, transversal study with a non-probabilistic sample. The participants (N = 1551) were families from 24 Early Intervention Centres (EICs) located in Spain. Results: The results indicated an adequate fit of the measurement and structural models, with the latter showing a capacity of 73% to predict the family quality of life. The structural model established that the perceived service quality was a positive and significant predictor of satisfaction (β = 0.85; p < 0.001). Both the perceived quality of service (β = 0.28; p < 0.001) and satisfaction (β = 0.33; p < 0.001) obtained a similar positive and significant relationship with family quality of life, which was slightly stronger than satisfaction. Conclusions: This study provided a better understanding of the importance of the services offered in EICs and their influence on the satisfaction and family quality of life of their users. Thus, delving into these relationships was highly relevant for decision-making in the context of EI.
Consecutive Nights of Moderate Sleep Loss Does Not Affect Mood in Healthy Young Males
Authors: Harous Christiana , Roach Gregory D. , Kontou Thomas G. , Montero Ashley J. , Stuart Nicole , Sargent Charli
Published: August 2021

Sleep loss causes mood disturbance in non-clinical populations under severe conditions, i.e., two days/nights of sleep deprivation or a week of sleep restriction with 4–5 h in bed each night. However, the effects of more-common types of sleep loss on mood disturbance are not yet known. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine mood disturbance in healthy adults over a week with nightly time in bed controlled at 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 h. Participants (n = 115) spent nine nights in the laboratory and were given either 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 h in bed over seven consecutive nights. Mood was assessed daily using the Profile of Mood States (POMS-2). Mixed-linear effects models examined the effect of time in bed on total mood disturbance and subscales of anger-hostility, confusion-bewilderment, depression-dejection, fatigue-inertia, tension-anxiety, vigour-activity and friendliness. There was no effect of time in bed on total mood disturbance (F(4, 110.42) = 1.31, p = 0.271) or any of the subscales except fatigue-inertia. Fatigue-inertia was higher in the 5 h compared with the 9 h time in bed condition (p = 0.012, d = 0.75). Consecutive nights of moderate sleep loss (i.e., 5–7 h) does not affect mood but does increase fatigue in healthy males.
Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis of Particle Deposition Induced by a Showerhead Electrode in a Capacitively Coupled Plasma Reactor
Authors: Kim Ho Jun , Yoon Jung Hwan
Published: August 2021

Defect formation in the deposition of thin films for semiconductors is not yet sufficiently understood. In a showerhead-type capacitively coupled plasma (CCP) deposition reactor, the showerhead acts as both the gas distributor and the electrode. We used computational fluid dynamics to investigate ways to enhance cleanliness by analyzing the particle deposition induced by the showerhead electrode in a CCP reactor. We analyzed particle transport phenomena using a three-dimensional complex geometry, whereas SiH4/He discharges were simulated in a two-dimensional simplified geometry. The process volume was located between the RF-powered showerhead and the grounded heater. We demonstrated that the efficient transportation of particles with a radius exceeding 1 μm onto the heater is facilitated by acceleration inside the showerhead holes. Because the available space in which to flow inside the showerhead is constricted, high gas velocities within the showerhead holes can accelerate particles and lead to inertia-enhanced particle deposition. The effect of the electrode spacing on the deposition of particles generated in plasma discharges was also investigated. Smaller electrode spacing promoted the deposition of particles fed from the showerhead on the heater, whereas larger electrode spacing facilitated the deposition of particles generated in plasma discharges on the heater.
Preparation and Application of Polyurethane Coating Material Based on Epoxycyclohexane-Epoxychloropropane Protective for Paper
Authors: Liu Juan , Jin Shan-Shan , Qi Ying-Ping , Shen Yong-Feng , Li Hua
Published: August 2021

Paper historic relics are of great value to research and preserve. However, with the change of environment, paper cultural relics are constantly aging and damaged. Therefore, the reinforcement and conservation of the paper is an important topic in the field of cultural relics protection; thus, it is a crucial and arduous task to discover high-performance protective materials. The coating reinforcement method is a kind of commonsense method to strengthen the paper. Additionally, it is key to select appropriate reinforcing resins. Polyurethane has influence on the improvement of paper strength, stability, and appearance. The epoxycyclohexane-epoxychloropropane polyether polyol was prepared with epoxycyclohexane and epoxychloropropane as materials, glycerol as the initiator, boron trifluoride diethyl etherate as the catalyst, and dichloromethane as the solvent. Infrared (IR) spectroscopy as well as proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1HNMR) spectroscopy were adopted to characterize the structure of the synthetic copolyether. Then, polyurethane based on epoxycyclohexane-epoxychloropropane was prepared by the synthetic copolyether reacting with hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) trimer. The effect of the mass concentration of polyurethane on the tensile strength, elongation, folding endurance, and the tearing strength of paper samples were tested. When 10% polyurethane solution was applied to paper, not only were the mechanical properties greatly improved, but the gloss and brightness also changed slightly, which conformed to the principle of “repair as old”. The above results indicate that the synthetic polyurethane combines the advantages of epoxycyclohexane-poxychloropropane polyether polyol along with polyurethane, presenting excellent properties in paper reinforcement or conservation.
Fabrication of Mg Coating on PEEK and Antibacterial Evaluation for Bone Application
Authors: Ji Yang , Yu Xiaoming , Zhu Hao
Published: August 2021

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is an alternative biomedical polymer material to traditional metal and ceramic biomaterials. However, as a bioinert material, its wide application in the medical field is seriously restricted due to its lack of bioactivity. In this research, pure Mg was successfully deposited on a PEEK substrate by vapor deposition to improve the antibacterial properties of PEEK implants. The morphology and elemental composition of the coating were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The higher the deposition temperature, the larger the Mg particle size. The Mg coating possesses a hydrophilic surface and a higher surface free energy that create its good biocompatibility. The Mg coating on a PEEK substrate withstands up to 56 days’ immersion. The antibacterial test showed that the antibacterial rate of coated PEEK is 99%. Mg-coated PEEK demonstrates promising antibacterial properties.
Density Functional Theory of Coulombic Excited States Based on Nodal Variational Principle
Authors: Nagy Ágnes
Published: August 2021

The density functional theory developed earlier for Coulombic excited states is reconsidered using the nodal variational principle. It is much easier to solve the Kohn–Sham equations, because only the correct number of nodes of the orbitals should be insured instead of the orthogonality.
The Effect of Azithromycin Plus Zinc Sulfate on ACE2 Expression through IκBα of Human Respiratory Cells in SARS-CoV-2: In Vitro Study
Authors: Chang Chia-Wei , Lee Ming-Cheng , Lin Bor-Ru , Lu Yen-Pei , Hsu Yih-Jen , Chuang Chun-Yu , Huang Tsung-Tao , Chen Yin-Kai
Published: August 2021

Large-scale efforts have been persistently undertaken for medical prophylaxis and treatment of COVID-19 disasters worldwide. A variety of novel viral spike protein-targeted vaccines have been extensively distributed for global inoculation based on accelerated approval. With concerns of emerging spike protein mutations, we revisited the early but inconclusive clinical interest in the repurposed combination of azithromycin (AZT) and zinc supplements with safety advantages. The aim of this study is to provide in vitro proof of concept for IκBα associated rapid and synergistic suppression of angiotensin-converting enzymes 2 (ACE2) following combination treatments with AZT plus zinc sulfate in two human airway cells with ACE2 expression, Calu-3 and H322M, representative cells of the human upper and lower airway origin respectively. Clinical timing of AZT combined with zinc is indicated based on suppression of the key cellular entry molecule, ACE2, of SARS-CoV-2.
Foundations of Programmable Secure Computation
Authors: Laur Sven , Pullonen-Raudvere Pille
Published: August 2021

This paper formalises the security of programmable secure computation focusing on simplifying security proofs of new algorithms for existing computation frameworks. Security of the frameworks is usually well established but the security proofs of the algorithms are often more intuitive than rigorous. This work specifies a transformation from the usual hybrid execution model to an abstract model that is closer to the intuition. We establish various preconditions that are satisfied by natural secure computation frameworks and protocols, thus showing that mostly the intuitive proofs suffice. More elaborate protocols might still need additional proof details.
Comparative Study of the Sensitivity of PLA, ABS, PEEK, and PETG’s Mechanical Properties to FDM Printing Process Parameters
Authors: Algarni Mohammed , Ghazali Sami
Published: August 2021

Significant advances in fused deposition modeling (FDM), as well as its myriad applications, have led to its growing prominence among additive manufacturing (AM) technologies. When the technology was first developed, it was used for rapid prototyping to examine and analyze a product in the design stage. FDM facilitates rapid production, requires inexpensive tools, and can fabricate complex-shaped parts; it, therefore, became popular and its use widespread. However, various FDM processing parameters have proven to affect the printed part’s mechanical properties to different extents. The values for the printing process parameters are carefully selected based on the part’s application. This study investigates the effects of four process parameters (raster angle, layer thickness, infill percentage, and printing speed) on the mechanical behavior of printed parts that are based on available literature data. These process parameter’s influence on part’s mechanical properties varies depending on the FDM material. The study focuses on four FDM materials: polylactic acid (PLA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), and polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG). This paper summarizes the state-of-the-art literature to show how sensitive the material’s mechanical properties are to each process parameter. The effect of each parameter on each material was quantified and ranked using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results show that infill percentage then layer thickness are the most influential process parameter on most of the material’s mechanical properties. In addition, this work identifies gaps in existing studies and highlights opportunities for future research.
Watch and Wait Approach for Rectal Cancer Following Neoadjuvant Treatment: The Experience of a High Volume Cancer Center
Authors: Rega Daniela , Granata Vincenza , Romano Carmela , D’Angelo Valentina , Pace Ugo , Fusco Roberta , Cervone Carmela , Ravo Vincenzo , Tatangelo Fabiana , Avallone Antonio , Petrillo Antonella , Delrio Paolo
Published: August 2021

Multimodal treatments for rectal cancer, along with significant research on predictors to response to therapy, have led to more conservative surgical strategies. We describe our experience of the rectal sparing approach in rectal cancer patients with clinical complete response (cCR) after neoadjuvant treatment. We also specifically highlight our clinical and imaging criteria to select patients for the watch and wait strategy (w&w). Data came from 39 out of 670 patients treated for locally advanced rectal cancer between January 2016 until February 2020. The selection criteria were a clinical complete response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy managed with a watch and wait (w&w) strategy. A strict follow-up period was adopted in these selected patients and follow-ups were performed every three months during the first two years and every six months after that. The median follow-up time was 28 months. Six patients had a local recurrence (15.3%); all were salvageable by total mesorectal excision (TME). Five patients had a distant metastasis (12.8%). There was no local unsalvageable disease after w&w strategy. The rectal sparing approach in patients with clinical complete response after neoadjuvant treatment is the best possible treatment and is appropriate to analyze from this perspective. The watch and wait approach after neoadjuvant treatment for rectal cancer can be successfully explored after inflexible and strict patient selection.
Morphological and Morphometric Characteristics of Anterior Maxilla Accessory Canals and Relationship with Nasopalatine Canal Type—A CBCT Study
Authors: Vasiljevic Milica , Milanovic Pavle , Jovicic Nemanja , Vasovic Miroslav , Milovanovic Dragan , Vojinovic Radisa , Selakovic Dragica , Rosic Gvozden
Published: August 2021

This study aimed to evaluate principal morphological and morphometric characteristics of accessory canals (ACs) of the anterior maxilla, as well as to analyze the relationship with nasopalatine canal (NPC) type. The results of our study showed that ACs were observed in almost 50% of participants. They were mostly presented bilaterally and in a curved shape, with a palatal foramen position. The morphometric characteristics of ACs were significantly influenced by NPC type. NPC type had the strongest impact on the distance between the NPC and AC, as well as on the distance between the AC and the facial aspect of buccal bone wall, in inferior parts of the alveolar ridge. On the other hand, the distance between the AC and central incisors was not significantly influenced by NPC shape in the lower region of the anterior maxilla. However, the participants with the banana-type of the NPC expressed the reduction in distance from the AC to the central incisor at the upper part in comparison with the subjects with the cylindrical-type of the NPC. On the basis of the results of this study, the simultaneous estimation of ACs and the NPC seems reasonable, as this approach may be useful in the prevention of complications which could occur during implant surgery interventions.
IVUS Longitudinal and Axial Registration for Atherosclerosis Progression Evaluation
Authors: Tsiknakis Nikos , Spanakis Constantinos , Tsompou Panagiota , Karanasiou Georgia , Karanasiou Gianna , Sakellarios Antonis , Rigas George , Kyriakidis Savvas , Papafaklis Michael , Nikopoulos Sotirios , Gijsen Frank , Michalis Lampros , Fotiadis Dimitrios I. , Marias Kostas
Published: August 2021

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging offers accurate cross-sectional vessel information. To this end, registering temporal IVUS pullbacks acquired at two time points can assist the clinicians to accurately assess pathophysiological changes in the vessels, disease progression and the effect of the treatment intervention. In this paper, we present a novel two-stage registration framework for aligning pairs of longitudinal and axial IVUS pullbacks. Initially, we use a Dynamic Time Warping (DTW)-based algorithm to align the pullbacks in a temporal fashion. Subsequently, an intensity-based registration method, that utilizes a variant of the Harmony Search optimizer to register each matched pair of the pullbacks by maximizing their Mutual Information, is applied. The presented method is fully automated and only required two single global image-based measurements, unlike other methods that require extraction of morphology-based features. The data used includes 42 synthetically generated pullback pairs, achieving an alignment error of 0.1853 frames per pullback, a rotation error 0.93° and a translation error of 0.0161 mm. In addition, it was also tested on 11 baseline and follow-up, and 10 baseline and post-stent deployment real IVUS pullback pairs from two clinical centres, achieving an alignment error of 4.3±3.9 for the longitudinal registration, and a distance and a rotational error of 0.56±0.323 mm and 12.4°±10.5°, respectively, for the axial registration. Although the performance of the proposed method does not match that of the state-of-the-art, our method relies on computationally lighter steps for its computations, which is crucial in real-time applications. On the other hand, the proposed method performs even or better that the state-of-the-art when considering the axial registration. The results indicate that the proposed method can support clinical decision making and diagnosis based on sequential imaging examinations.
Using Operational Scenarios in a Virtual Reality Enhanced Design Process
Authors: Aylward Katie , Dahlman Joakim , Nordby Kjetil , Lundh Monica
Published: August 2021

Maritime user interfaces for ships’ bridges are highly dependent on the context in which they are used, and rich maritime context is difficult to recreate in the early stages of user-centered design processes. Operations in Arctic waters where crews are faced with extreme environmental conditions, technology limitations and a lack of accurate navigational information further increase this challenge. There is a lack of research supporting the user-centered design of workplaces for hazardous Arctic operations. To meet this challenge, this paper reports on the process of developing virtual reality-reconstructed operational scenarios to connect stakeholders, end-users, designers, and human factors specialists in a joint process. This paper explores how virtual reality-reconstructed operational scenarios can be used as a tool both for concept development and user testing. Three operational scenarios were developed, implemented in a full mission bridge simulator, recreated in virtual reality (VR), and finally tested on navigators (end-users). Qualitative data were captured throughout the design process and user-testing, resulting in a thematic analysis that identified common themes reflecting the experiences gained throughout this process. In conclusion, we argue that operational scenarios, rendered in immersive media such as VR, may be an important and reusable asset when supporting maritime design processes and in maritime training and education.
Design, Validity and Effect of an Intra-Curricular Program for Facilitating Self-Regulation of Learning Competences in University Students with the Support of the 4Planning App
Authors: Lobos Karla , Sáez-Delgado Fabiola , Bruna Daniela , Cobo-Rendon Rubia , Díaz-Mujica Alejandro
Published: August 2021

Background: Smartphone applications have the potential to support university students for the benefit of learning in higher education. Objective: To design and evaluate the effect of an intra-curricular program using a mobile application on self-regulated learning strategies in university students. Method: The 4Planning mobile application was designed following a systematic literature review, expert judgement and application. The instrument to assess the effect of the intervention was the SRL Readiness Practices Scale, with a one-factor structure (CFI = 0.98; TLI = 0.97; RMSEA = 0.05) with reliability of α = 0.89. The design was quasi-experimental with pre- and post-test measures and experimental and control groups. The sample consisted of 473 first-year university students (37.02% male) from seven Chilean universities with a mean age of 19.35 (SD = 2.49). Statistical analysis was an ANOVA performed in R software version 4.0.3. Results: Statistically significant differences were identified in the levels of self-regulated learning between the experimental group compared to the control group. Conclusion: The development of the 4Planning app proved to be effective in promoting the development of self-regulated learning strategies in university students.
Context-Based Testing as Assessment Tool in Chemistry Learning on University Level
Authors: Bortnik Boris , Stozhko Natalia , Pervukhina Irina
Published: August 2021

Testing as an assessment technique has been widely used at all levels of education—from primary to higher school. The main purpose of the paper is to evaluate the effect of context-based testing in teaching and learning of analytical chemistry in a Russian university. The paper formulates the objectives of context-based testing, discusses its features and compares with conventional testing; proposes a model of constructing and administering context-based testing; provides examples of context-based tests. The experiment was conducted at the Ural Sate University of Economics (Russia) with bachelor’s degree students with nonscience majors. Students were assigned to one of the experimental conditions: in the control group, traditional tests were carried out, while the experimental group students experienced context-based testing. The statistical data—students’ test scores—obtained at all stages of the experiment were analyzed on the basis of statistical criteria (Shapiro–Wilk, Student’s T, Fisher). The findings of our experiment enable us to answer the guided research questions. Context-based testing may be considered as an essential component of context-based teaching and learning. In comparison with conventional testing, context-based testing could impact developing knowledge of fundamental analytical chemistry concepts and contribute to more solid knowledge.
Digital Resources and Digital Competence: A Cross-Sectional Survey of University Students of the Childhood Education Degree of the University of Jaén
Authors: Martínez-Serrano María del Carmen , Ocaña-Moral María Teresa , Pérez-Navío Eufrasio
Published: August 2021

This work is part of a broader investigation whose main objective is to determine the domain and preferences of the students of the Childhood Education Degree of the University of Jaén regarding digital competence. The research was focused on the “use of digital resources” dimension and was developed under a quantitative and descriptive methodology, of basic type and non-experimental cross-sectional design. We worked with a sample of 135 students from the four courses of the Childhood Education Degree of the University of Jaén, who answered a developed questionnaire voluntarily and anonymously. Data collection was carried out using a virtual questionnaire on the Google Form platform. In addition, the measurement instrument was considered valid and reliable, having obtained a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (α) of 0.925 and a Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin sampling adequacy index (KMO) of 7.741. The results show that there are no significant differences based on the independent variables studied among most of the analyzed items. The use of ICT is beneficial for students’ participation in research.
A Metaheuristic Based Approach for the Customer-Centric Perishable Food Distribution Problem
Authors: El Raoui Hanane , Oudani Mustapha , Pelta David A. , El Hilali Alaoui Ahmed
Published: August 2021

High transportation costs and poor quality of service are common vulnerabilities in various logistics networks, especially in food distribution. Here we propose a many-objective Customer-centric Perishable Food Distribution Problem that focuses on the cost, the quality of the product, and the service level improvement by considering not only time windows but also the customers’ target time and their priority. Recognizing the difficulty of solving such model, we propose a General Variable Neighborhood Search (GVNS) metaheuristic based approach that allows to efficiently solve a subproblem while allowing us to obtain a set of solutions. These solutions are evaluated over some non-optimized criteria and then ranked using an a posteriori approach that requires minimal information about decision maker preferences. The computational results show (a) GVNS achieved same quality solutions as an exact solver (CPLEX) in the subproblem; (b) GVNS can generate a wide number of candidate solutions, and (c) the use of the a posteriori approach makes easy to generate different decision maker profiles which in turn allows to obtain different rankings of the solutions.
Utility DERMS for Active Management of Emerging Distribution Grids with High Penetration of Renewable DERs
Authors: Strezoski Luka , Stefani Izabela
Published: August 2021

Operational and planning challenges caused by ever-increasing integration of electronically coupled renewable distributed energy resources (DERs) have become a reality all over the globe. These challenges range from technical constraint violations to malfunctional setting and coordination of the protective equipment and inaccurate operational planning. Moreover, to enable the preconditions for the integration of high penetration of renewable DERs, utilities are faced with potentially huge investment requirements in strengthening the grid assets. However, recent advances in specialized software solutions for integration and active management of high penetration of DERs could turn these challenges into operational and monetary benefits. Hence, if planned, managed, and operated in an optimal way, the high penetration of DERs could be a valuable resource for increasing the efficiency of the overall management of distribution grids. Utility distributed energy resource management systems (utility DERMSs) aim to provide all of these capabilities integrated into a single software solution. In this paper, a utility DERMS concept is introduced, and the capabilities of state-of-the-art utility DERMS solutions for helping the key stakeholders to pave the way towards stable, optimal, and secure emerging distribution systems with high penetration of electronically coupled renewable DERs are explored.
Analysis of Cooperative Skills Development through Relational Coordination in a Gamified Online Learning Environment
Authors: Estriegana Rosa , Medina-Merodio Jose-Amelio , Robina-Ramírez Rafael , Barchino Roberto
Published: August 2021

One of the main problems of the sudden digital transition to online education due to the COVID-19 pandemic is the increased isolation of students. On the other hand, one of the main goals of higher education is to develop students’ cooperative competence. This experimental study presents an online learning environment, consisting of a set of web-based resources such as virtual laboratories, interactive activities, educational videos and a game-based learning methodology. The study also examines the influence of the combination of such resources with active and collaborative learning on the improvement of students’ relationships and the development of cooperative competence. To this end, an analysis was conducted based on the data collected from a core subject of the Computer Engineering and Computer Science Engineering degree courses. The answers of an online survey (n = 289) were examined by using the structural equation modeling technique (SEM). The results suggest that the proposed learning environment has a significant and positive impact on the two dimensions of relational coordination; communication and relationships, and plays a key role in the acquisition and development of cooperative competence. Findings also indicate that effective, accurate, frequent and timely communication, positively influences on students’ relationships. Additionally, this study addresses other important issues with significant theoretical and practical implications for higher education.