bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interdisciplinary Approaches Suggested for Children With Multiple Hospital Referrals Presenting With Non-specific Conditions
Authors: Elgen Irene , Lygre Ragnhild , Greve Gottfried , Griffiths Silja , Heggestad Torhild
Published: April 2021

Aims: To describe the care patterns of patients with repeated referrals to both mental and somatic specialist healthcare, and to study their diagnostic processes.

Methods: In a previous register study patients aged 6–12 years referred to Haukeland University Hospital from 2013 to 2015, we found 922 children with at least three referrals including both somatic and mental health services. Of these, more than one in four (250) were randomly selected and observed from their first hospital episode ever and further after inclusion followed during their next three referrals or until July 2017. Data on referral patterns and diagnostics were collected from patient hospital records.

Results: Mean number of referrals was 6.5 prior to inclusion and 4.2 in the follow-up period. At the end of the study period 15% of patients still had a non-specific diagnosis. During the follow-up period, more than half of the children were again referred across the border between somatic and mental healthcare.

Conclusion: Very complex care patterns were found for these patients, who were repeatedly being referred and “crossing over” between mental and somatic healthcare. This indicates a need for more interdisciplinary-based approaches both within specialist care and between different care levels to broaden the perspective and achieve shorter time lag before reaching a diagnostic conclusion.

Trial Registration: Data was obtained from Haukeland university hospital the patient registry system No. 2017/12470. Start of registration was April 1th 2017 and patients included was from 2013 to 15.
The Energy of Muscle Contraction. III. Kinetic Energy During Cyclic Contractions
Authors: Ross Stephanie A. , Domínguez Sebastián , Nigam Nilima , Wakeling James M.
Published: April 2021

During muscle contraction, chemical energy is converted to mechanical energy when ATP is hydrolysed during cross-bridge cycling. This mechanical energy is then distributed and stored in the tissue as the muscle deforms or is used to perform external work. We previously showed how energy is distributed through contracting muscle during fixed-end contractions; however, it is not clear how the distribution of tissue energy is altered by the kinetic energy of muscle mass during dynamic contractions. In this study we conducted simulations of a 3D continuum muscle model that accounts for tissue mass, as well as force-velocity effects, in which the muscle underwent sinusoidal work-loop contractions coupled with bursts of excitation. We found that increasing muscle size, and therefore mass, increased the kinetic energy per unit volume of the muscle. In addition to greater relative kinetic energy per cycle, relatively more energy was also stored in the aponeurosis, and less was stored in the base material, which represented the intra and extracellular tissue components apart from the myofibrils. These energy changes in larger muscles due to greater mass were associated lower mass-specific mechanical work output per cycle, and this reduction in mass-specific work was greatest for smaller initial pennation angles. When we compared the effects of mass on the model tissue behaviour to that ofin situmuscle with added mass during comparable work-loop trials, we found that greater mass led to lower maximum and higher minimum acceleration in the longitudinal (x) direction near the middle of the muscle compared to at the non-fixed end, which indicates that greater mass contributes to tissue non-uniformity in whole muscle. These comparable results for the simulated andin situmuscle also show that this modelling framework behaves in ways that are consistent with experimental muscle. Overall, the results of this study highlight that muscle mass is an important determinant of whole muscle behaviour.
Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cell Senescence Promotes the Proliferation of PASMCs by Paracrine IL-6 in Hypoxia-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Wang Ai-Ping , Yang Fang , Tian Ying , Su Jian-Hui , Gu Qing , Chen Wei , Gong Shao-Xin , Ma Xiao-Feng , Qin Xu-Ping , Jiang Zhi-Sheng
Published: April 2021

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a critical and dangerous disease in cardiovascular system. Pulmonary vascular remodeling is an important pathophysiological mechanism for the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell (PASMC) proliferation, hypertrophy, and enhancing secretory activity are the main causes of pulmonary vascular remodeling. Previous studies have proven that various active substances and inflammatory factors, such as interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-8, chemotactic factor for monocyte 1, etc., are involved in pulmonary vascular remodeling in PH. However, the underlying mechanisms of these active substances to promote the PASMC proliferation remain to be elucidated. In our study, we demonstrated that PASMC senescence, as a physiopathologic mechanism, played an essential role in hypoxia-induced PASMC proliferation. In the progression of PH, senescence PASMCs could contribute to PASMC proliferation via increasing the expression of paracrine IL-6 (senescence-associated secretory phenotype). In addition, we found that activated mTOR/S6K1 pathway can promote PASMC senescence and elevate hypoxia-induced PASMC proliferation. Further study revealed that the activation of mTOR/S6K1 pathway was responsible for senescence PASMCs inducing PASMC proliferation via paracrine IL-6. Targeted inhibition of PASMC senescence could effectively suppress PASMC proliferation and relieve pulmonary vascular remodeling in PH, indicating a potential for the exploration of novel anti-PH strategies.
Serum Creatinine-to-Cystatin C Ratio in the Progression Monitoring of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Li Shaobo , Lu Jing , Gu Geng , Bai Wenkun , Ye Yafen , Bao Yuqian , Yu Haoyong , Han Junfeng
Published: April 2021

Background

The simultaneous assessment of visceral adiposity and muscle mass might be useful to monitor the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) progression in large population. We aimed to investigate the value of serum creatinine-to-cystatin C ratio (CCR) in evaluating these two parameters and predicting liver steatosis and fibrosis.

Methods

154 overweight/obese inpatients (49 males, 105 females) scheduled for bariatric surgery and 49 non-overweight/obese volunteers (18 males, 31 females) responded to the hospital advertisement were involved in the cross-sectional study. Liver steatosis and fibrosis were diagnosed with transient elastography (TE). The psoas muscle area (PMA) and visceral fat area (VFA) were measured using magnetic resonance imaging.

Results

The body mass index, insulin resistance, and lipid profiles showed significant differences between the CCR tertiles. Multiple regression analyses revealed that the CCR was significantly associated with the controlled attenuation parameter (β = −0.30, P = 0.006 in males; β = −0.19, P = 0.017 in females) and liver stiffness measurements in males (β = −0.246, P = 0.044). A low CCR was associated with moderate-to-severe steatosis (P < 0.001), significant liver fibrosis (P < 0.01), and excellent predictive power for these two conditions (P < 0.01). The CCR had a negative correlation with the VFA/PMA ratio (r = −0.584, P < 0.001 in males; r = −0.569, P < 0.001 in females).

Conclusions

The CCR is a serum marker for muscle-adjusted visceral fat mass, and a low CCR is associated with an increased risk of progressive NAFLD.
Coordinated and High-Level Expression of Biosynthetic Pathway Genes Is Responsible for the Production of a Major Floral Scent Compound Methyl Benzoate in Hedychium coronarium
Authors: Yue Yuechong , Wang Lan , Yu Rangcai , Chen Feng , He Jieling , Li Xinyue , Yu Yunyi , Fan Yanping
Published: April 2021

Methyl benzoate is a constituent of floral scent profile of many flowering plants. However, its biosynthesis, particularly in monocots, is scarcely reported. The monocot Hedychium coronarium is a popular ornamental plant in tropical and subtropical regions partly for its intense and inviting fragrance, which is mainly determined by methyl benzoate and monoterpenes. Interestingly, several related Hedychium species lack floral scent. Here, we studied the molecular mechanism of methyl benzoate biosynthesis in H. coronarium. The emission of methyl benzoate in H. coronarium was found to be flower-specific and developmentally regulated. As such, seven candidate genes associated with methyl benzoate biosynthesis were identified from flower transcriptome of H. coronarium and isolated. Among them, HcBSMT1 and HcBSMT2 were demonstrated to catalyze the methylation of benzoic acid and salicylic acid to form methyl benzoate and methyl salicylate, respectively. Methyl salicylate is a minor constituent of H. coronarium floral scent. Kinetic analysis revealed that HcBSMT2 exhibits a 16.6-fold lower Km value for benzoic acid than HcBSMT1, indicating its dominant role for floral methyl benzoate formation. The seven genes associated with methyl benzoate biosynthesis exhibited flower-specific or flower-preferential expression that was developmentally regulated. The gene expression and correlation analysis suggests that HcCNL and HcBSMT2 play critical roles in the regulation of methyl benzoate biosynthesis. Comparison of emission and gene expression among four Hedychium species suggested that coordinated and high-level expression of biosynthetic pathway genes is responsible for the massive emission of floral methyl benzoate in H. coronarium. Our results provide new insights into the molecular mechanism for methyl benzoate biosynthesis in monocots and identify useful molecular targets for genetic modification of scent-related traits in Hedychium.
The MADS-Box Transcription Factor EjAGL65 Controls Loquat Flesh Lignification via Direct Transcriptional Inhibition of EjMYB8
Authors: Ge Hang , Shi Yan-na , Zhang Meng-xue , Li Xian , Yin Xue-ren , Chen Kun-song
Published: April 2021

Loquat fruit accumulates lignin in its flesh when undergoing chilling injury during postharvest storage, making it a suitable model for the study of flesh lignification. Transcriptional regulation of lignin biosynthesis is principally controlled by the NAC-MYB transcriptional cascade in model plants. Previous research has demonstrated that EjMYB8 activates lignin biosynthesis through direct interaction with the promoter of Ej4CL1. However, the classic NAC-MYB gene regulation network has not been established. Here, the MADS-box gene EjAGL65 was discovered by screening a cDNA library using the EjMYB8 promoter as bait in yeast. A phylogenetic analysis and structural comparisons revealed that EjAGL65 belongs to the Mδ subgroup of the MADS-box family, whose members have not been reported as being involved in the regulation of lignin deposition. EjAGL65 transcription was downregulated at 0°C compared to 5°C, indicating a negative correlation with the change of lignin content. A dual-luciferase assay indicated that EjAGL65 is capable of inhibiting the promoter activity of EjMYB8 in vivo. These results showed that the Mδ MADS-box gene EjAGL65 transcriptionally regulates EjMYB8 during postharvest chilling induced flesh lignification, which differs from the classical regulation model of lignin biosynthesis that has been illustrated for developmental lignin accumulation.
Self-Regulation Failure? The Influence Mechanism of Leader Reward Omission on Employee Deviant Behavior
Authors: Wang Tian , Cao Zhoutao , Zhong Xi , Chen Chunhua
Published: April 2021

Contingent reinforcement behavior is generally regarded as one of the key elements of being a “good” leader, yet the question of what happens when this behavior is absent has received little attention in past empirical research. Drawing upon self-regulation theory, we develop and test a model that specifies the effects of leader reward omission on employes’ deviant behavior. Using the data of 230 workers from two manufacturing companies located in South China collected across three time points, we find that leader reward omission is positively associated with deviant behavior. Moreover, the indirect effects of leader reward omission on employes’ deviant behavior are mediated by moral disengagement. Our study also reveals that Machiavellianism can aggravate the positive effect of leader reward omission on moral disengagement, and subsequently exacerbate the indirect effect on employes’ deviant behavior. Taken together, our findings reveal the consequences of leader reward omission, and the importance of examining subordinate self-regulation under the lack of positive reinforcement.
Motivation for the Family Visit and On-the-Spot Activities Shape Children’s Learning Experience in a Science Center
Authors: Tõugu Pirko
Published: April 2021

Children’s learning often happens in the interactions with more knowledgeable members of the society, frequently parents, as stated by the sociocultural theory. Parent-child conversations provide children with a new understanding and foster knowledge development, especially in informal learning contexts. However, the family conversations in museums and science centers can be contingent on the motivation for the family visit or the activities organized on the spot. In order to establish how family motivation and on-the-spot activities influence children’s informal learning experience, the present study was carried out in a family science center. The study focused on children’s learning experience in a hands-on exhibit featuring objects that allow for the exploration of the concepts of sound waves and light. Thirty-nine 7–10-year-old children (21 boys and 18 girls) and their families participated in the study. Twenty families received a worksheet to prompt an experimentation activity with one of the light exhibits. Motivation for the family visit was probed at the end of the visit. The target children of the families wore a GoPro HERO 5 camera attached to a chest harness throughout their visit. The video was coded for family interaction and experimentation with the light exhibit. Family conversations were coded for open-ended questions, responses to open-ended questions, explanations, associations, attention directing, and reading signage aloud. Family motivation for the visit was related to the quality of family conversation during the visit. The experimentation activity prompt did not affect the likelihood of noticing and engaging with the particular exhibit. At the same time, it did affect the quality of engagement: children who received the experimentation activity prompt were more likely to explore the effects the exhibit provided and experiment rather than play with the exhibit. Family motivation and on-the-spot activities are discussed as two possible factors to influence children’s learning experience in science centers.
Do Smartphones Hurt Our Eyes by Causing Shortsightedness?
Authors: McCrann Saoirse , Loughman James , Butler John S. , Flitcroft Daniel Ian
Published: April 2021

Shortsightedness is caused by the eye growing too long, which results in faraway objects, such as the board in school, appearing blurry. People who are shortsighted wear glasses or contact lenses to see better. But would not it be incredible to figure out and avoid whatever causes shortsightedness, so we could wave goodbye to our never-clean, always-lost, forever-slipping-down-our-face glasses? Well, scientists have already started to solve the puzzle of shortsightedness and have discovered that time spent doing close-up tasks, such as reading, may put us at risk of shortsightedness. But now there is another near task we must consider, our ground-breaking, picture-taking, TikTok-making smartphones! We therefore carried out the first ever study looking at shortsightedness and smartphone data use and discovered that young people growing up with smartphones appear to be at greater risk of shortsightedness.
Comparison of Novel Seismic Protection Devices to Attenuate the Earthquake Induced Energy
Authors: Hansu Osman , Güneyisi Esra Mete
Published: April 2021

This study addresses an alternative use of viscous dampers (VDs) associated with buckling restrained braces (BRBs) as innovative seismic protection devices. For this purpose, 4-, 8- and 12-story steel bare frames were designed with 6.5 m equal span length and 4 m story height. Thereafter, they were seismically improved by mounting the VDs and BRBs in three patterns, namely outer bays, inner bays, and all bays over the frame heights. The structures were modeled using SAP 2000 software and evaluated by the nonlinear time history analyses subjected to the six natural ground motions. The seismic responses of the structures were investigated for the lateral displacement, interstory drift, absolute acceleration, maximum base shear, and time history of roof displacement. The results clearly indicated that the VDs and BRBs reduced seismic demands significantly compared to the bare frame. Moreover, the all-bay pattern performed better than the others.
Numerical Evaluation of Structural Safety of Linear Actuator for Flap Control of Aircraft Based on Airworthiness Standard
Authors: Kim Dong-Hyeop , Kim Young-Cheol , Kim Sang-Woo
Published: April 2021

Airworthiness standards of Korea recommend verifying structural safety by experimental tests and analytical methods, owing to the development of analysis technology. In this study, we propose a methodology to verify the structural safety of aircraft components based on airworthiness requirements using an analytical method. The structural safety and fatigue integrity of a linear actuator for flap control of aircraft was evaluated through numerical analysis. The static and fatigue analyses for the given loads obtained from the multibody dynamics analysis were performed using the finite element method. Subsequently, the margin of safety and vulnerable area were acquired and the feasibility of the structural safety evaluation using the analytical method was confirmed. The proposed numerical analysis method in this study can be adopted as an analytical verification methodology for the airworthiness standards of civilian aircraft in Korea.
The Effect of Botanicals with Nematicidal Activity on the Structural and Functional Characteristics of the Soil Nematode Community
Authors: Monokrousos Nikolaos , Argyropoulou Maria D. , Tzani Kalliopi , Menkissoglou-Spiroudi Urania , Boutsis George , D’Addabbo Trifone , Ntalli Nikoletta
Published: April 2021

We investigated the effects of three botanicals with nematicidal properties (anise-Pimpinella anisum, parsley-Petroselinum crispum, and rocket-Eruca sativa) on the soil nematode community, in terms of trophic structure and nematode genera composition. We compared effects with those of fluopyram (synthetic nematicide) and Nemagold (bionematicide). We assessed the role of time, by sampling 15 and 45 days after treatments and analyzing nematode genera and microbial phospholipid fatty acid biomarkers (PLFA). Soil incorporation of botanicals reduced plant parasitic nematodes, increased bacterivores, especially the enrichment opportunists and among them Rhabditis, having no effect on fungivores and non-parasitic plant feeders. Neither the number nor the composition and dominance hierarchy of nematode genera were affected. Nemagold did not induce any significant change, while fluopyram decreased both free-living and parasitic nematodes, but with no uniform effect against all genera. The least affected genus was the fungivorous Aphelenchus. While most microbial PLFAs increased with time, the abundances of nematode genera did not change, except the Meloidogyne incognita second stage juveniles, which emerged in soil only 45 days after treatments. The low enrichment index and high channel index values of the fluopyram soil samples indicated a stressful environment. The opposite was observed in the botanical treatments, especially parsley and rocket.
Can We Use Machine Learning for Agricultural Land Suitability Assessment?
Authors: Møller Anders Bjørn , Mulder Vera Leatitia , Heuvelink Gerard B. M. , Jacobsen Niels Mark , Greve Mogens Humlekrog
Published: April 2021

It is vital for farmers to know if their land is suitable for the crops that they plan to grow. An increasing number of studies have used machine learning models based on land use data as an efficient means for mapping land suitability. This approach relies on the assumption that farmers grow their crops in the best-suited areas, but no studies have systematically tested this assumption. We aimed to test the assumption for specialty crops in Denmark. First, we mapped suitability for 41 specialty crops using machine learning. Then, we compared the predicted land suitabilities with the mechanistic model ECOCROP (Ecological Crop Requirements). The results showed that there was little agreement between the suitabilities based on machine learning and ECOCROP. Therefore, we argue that the methods represent different phenomena, which we label as socioeconomic suitability and ecological suitability, respectively. In most cases, machine learning predicts socioeconomic suitability, but the ambiguity of the term land suitability can lead to misinterpretation. Therefore, we highlight the need for increasing awareness of this distinction as a way forward for agricultural land suitability assessment.
Multi-Scale Spatial Prediction of Wild Boar Damage Risk in Hunchun: A Key Tiger Range in China
Authors: Jin Yongchao , Kong Weiyao , Yan Hong , Bao Guangdao , Liu Ting , Ma Qiongfang , Li Xinhai , Zou Hongfei , Zhang Minghai
Published: April 2021

Hunchun, a typical area suffering wild boar (Sus scrofa) damage, is an important region for the Siberian Tiger (Panthera tigris) in China. By incorporating the maximum entropy model with 22 variables in the home range scale (12 variables) and in the feeding site scale (10 variables), we predicted wild boar damage risks in this area of China and analyzed how spatial factors influence damage risk. Damage risk was found to be high in areas close to the forest edge, areas with a higher forest cover and lower to medium deciduous forest proportion, low road density, and a medium river density and farmland proportion. The proportion of farmland which was identified as being in the high damage risk zone was 23.55%, of which 38.68% was within the habitat area of the Siberian Tiger. Finally, we propose wild boar damage prevention based on different management goals.
Antibiotic-Resistant Escherichia coli and Salmonella from the Feces of Food Animals in the East Province of Rwanda
Authors: Manishimwe Rosine , Moncada Paola M. , Musanayire Vestine , Shyaka Anselme , Scott H. Morgan , Loneragan Guy H.
Published: April 2021

In Rwanda, information on antibiotic resistance in food animals is scarce. This study was conducted to detect and phenotypically characterize antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli and Salmonella in feces of cattle, goats, pigs, and poultry in the East province of Rwanda. We isolated non-type-specific (NTS) E. coli and Salmonella using plain culture media. In addition, we used MacConkey agar media supplemented with cefotaxime at 1.0 μg/mL and ciprofloxacin at 0.5 μg/mL to increase the probability of detecting E. coli with low susceptibility to third-generation cephalosporins and quinolones, respectively. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the disk diffusion test. Among 540 NTS E. coli isolates, resistance to tetracycline was the most frequently observed (35.6%), followed by resistance to ampicillin (19.6%) and streptomycin (16.5%). Percentages of NTS E. coli resistant to all three antibiotics and percentages of multidrug-resistant strains were higher in isolates from poultry. All isolated Salmonella were susceptible to all antibiotics. The sample-level prevalence for resistance to third-generation cephalosporins was estimated at 35.6% with all third-generation cephalosporin-resistant E. coli, expressing an extended-spectrum beta-lactamase phenotype. The sample-level prevalence for quinolone resistance was estimated at 48.3%. These results provided a baseline for future research and the development of integrated surveillance initiatives.
Mathematical Modeling of the Manufacturing Sector’s Dominant Part as a Base for Automation
Authors: Grešová Elena , Svetlík Jozef
Published: April 2021

The current great expansion of automation and robotics affects a multiplicity of various fields. A prominent example is industry, where the different manufacturing processes and technologies embrace a certain level of automation and robotics. Thus, the use of robotics and automation implementation is part of a rapidly rising trend in industry. The presented paper deals with the manufacturing segment in the context of automation. The main subject is data analysis, with our own subsequent model building and final realization of the prediction corresponding to the machinery and electrical machinery sector as a highly relevant automation driver through the use of mathematical modeling. The design of the model is accompanied by optimization of the particular weights. Determination of the most suitable model is preceded by creating and testing a number of models to decide upon the final one. The construction of the mathematical model pursues the aim of making predictions relating to the machinery and electrical machinery sector for the specific national economy as the concluding investigation step. We apply a polynomial approximation as the research method. The software selected for our purposes is Matlab.
Learning Local Descriptor for Comparing Renders with Real Images
Authors: Ghimire Pamir , Jovančević Igor , Orteu Jean-José
Published: April 2021

We present a method to train a deep-network-based feature descriptor to calculate discriminative local descriptions from renders and corresponding real images with similar geometry. We are interested in using such descriptors for automatic industrial visual inspection whereby the inspection camera has been coarsely localized with respect to a relatively large mechanical assembly and presence of certain components needs to be checked compared to the reference computer-aided design model (CAD). We aim to perform the task by comparing the real inspection image with the render of textureless 3D CAD using the learned descriptors. The descriptor was trained to capture geometric features while staying invariant to image domain. Patch pairs for training the descriptor were extracted in a semisupervised manner from a small data set of 100 pairs of real images and corresponding renders that were manually finely registered starting from a relatively coarse localization of the inspection camera. Due to the small size of the training data set, the descriptor network was initialized with weights from classification training on ImageNet. A two-step training is proposed for addressing the problem of domain adaptation. The first, “bootstrapping”, is a classification training to obtain good initial weights for second training step, triplet-loss training, that provides weights for extracting the discriminative features comparable using l2 distance. The descriptor was tested for comparing renders and real images through two approaches: finding local correspondences between the images through nearest neighbor matching and transforming the images into Bag of Visual Words (BoVW) histograms. We observed that learning a robust cross-domain descriptor is feasible, even with a small data set, and such features might be of interest for CAD-based inspection of mechanical assemblies, and related applications such as tracking or finely registered augmented reality. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work that reports learning local descriptors for comparing renders with real inspection images.
Renewable Generation and Transmission Expansion Planning Coordination with Energy Storage System: A Flexibility Point of View
Authors: Ansari Mohammad Reza , Pirouzi Sasan , Kazemi Mostafa , Naderipour Amirreza , Benbouzid Mohamed
Published: April 2021

This paper presents a method for coordinated network expansion planning (CNEP) in which the difference between the total cost and the flexibility benefit is minimized. In the proposed method, the generation expansion planning (GEP) of wind farms is coordinated with the transmission expansion planning (TEP) problem by using energy storage systems (ESSs) to improve network flexibility. To consider the impact of the reactive power in the CNEP problem, the AC power flow model is used. The CNEP constraints include the AC power flow equations, planning constraints of the different equipment, and the system operating limits. Therefore, this model imposes hard nonlinearity onto the problem, which is linearized by the use of first-order Taylor’s series and the big-M method as well as the linearization of the circular plane. The uncertainty of loads, the energy price, and the wind farm generation are modeled by scenario-based stochastic programming (SBSP). To determine the effectiveness of the proposed solution approach, it is tested on the IEEE 6-bus and 24-bus test systems using GAMS software.
Study of Static and Dynamic Properties of Sand under Low Stress Compression
Authors: Frid Vladimir , Potirakis Stelios M. , Shulov Semen
Published: April 2021

The aim of this work was to investigate a wide range of grain sizes of sand in the pre-yield regime during compression through the combined study of ultrasound (US) wave speed and acoustic emission (AE). The specific study was performed using modified oedometer and uniaxial compression experimental set-ups. The studied samples were natural dune sand (poorly graded on the poorly graded sand (SP) index) as well as its three extracted fractions as follows: 2.36–0.6 mm, 0.6–0.3 mm and 0.3–0.075 mm. The maximum compression stress during the modified oedometer experiments was <150 kPa, while during the modified uniaxial compression experiments, it was <400 kPa. Each sample was loaded while measuring the US pressure (P) wave speed and AE at each loading stage. The results show that the stiffer the soil is, the higher the value of the P wave speed measured, resulting in similar P wave velocity values achieved at a much lower applied stress during the oedometer experiments in comparison with the uniaxial compression tests. Regarding the AE results, it is seen that the higher the stress level is, causing more friction between the sand particles, the more AE events there are during their movement. The following parameters of AE were shown to be the most sensitive to the stress increase: the number of AE hits and the signals’ energy.
Phytotoxic Substances Involved in Teak Allelopathy and Agroforestry
Authors: Kato-Noguchi Hisashi
Published: April 2021

Teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) is one of the most valuable timber species, and is cultivated in agroforestry systems in many countries across the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The species is also one of the most essential trees in home gardens in South Asia due to its wood quality and medicinal value in folk remedies. It is a deciduous tree species, and the amount of litter that falls from teak trees is huge. The decomposition rate of the litter is relatively fast in tropical humid conditions. The interactions between teak and weeds, or crops, under the teak trees have been evaluated in terms of allelopathy. Evidence of allelopathy is documented in the literature over the decades. The leachate and extracts of teak leaves suppress the germination and growth of several other plant species. Phytotoxic substances, such as phenolics, benzofurans, quinones, terpens, apocarotenoids and phenylpropanoids, in the teak leaves, were isolated and identified. Some phytotoxic substances may be released into the soil under teak trees from leaf leachate and the decomposition of the litters, which accumulate by annual leaf fall and can affect the germination and growth of undergrowth plant species as allelopathic substances. The allelopathy of teak is potentially useful for weed management options in agroforestry and other agriculture systems to reduce commercial herbicide dependency. It was also reported that agroforestry systems with teak enhance income through the production of crops and woods, and provide energy efficiency for crop cultivation.
Rotational-Shearing-Interferometer Response for a Star-Planet System without Star Cancellation
Authors: Bravo-Medina Beethoven , Strojnik Marija , Mora-Nuñez Azael , Santiago-Hernández Héctor
Published: April 2021

The Rotational Shearing Interforometer has been proposed for direct detection of extra-solar planets. This interferometer cancels the star radiation using destructive interference. However, the resulting signal is too small (few photons/s for each m2). We propose a novel method to enhance the signal magnitude by means of the star–planet interference when the star radiation is not cancelled. We use interferograms computationally simulated to confirm the viability of the technique.
Chaotic and Hyperchaotic Self-Oscillations of Lambda Diode Composed by Generalized Bipolar Transistors
Authors: Petrzela Jiri
Published: April 2021

This paper is focused on the investigation of self-oscillation regimes associated with very simple structure of lambda diode. This building block is constructed by using coupled generalized bipolar transistors. In the stage of mathematical modeling, each transistor is considered as two-port described by full admittance matrix with scalar polynomial forward trans-conductance and linear backward trans-conductance. Thorough numerical analysis including routines of dynamical flow quantification indicate the existence of self-excited dense strange attractors. Plots showing first two Lyapunov exponents as functions of adjustable parameters, signal entropy calculated from generated time sequence, sensitivity analysis, and other results are provided in this paper. By the construction of a flow-equivalent chaotic oscillator, robustness and long-time geometrical stability of the generated chaotic attractors is documented by the experimental measurement, namely by showing captured oscilloscope screenshots.
Special Issue Sources and Composition of Ambient Particulate Matter
Authors: Manousakas Manousos-Ioannis
Published: April 2021

Research related to ambient particulate matter (PM) remains very relative today due to the adverse effects PM have on human health [...]
Oxidative Potential, Cytotoxicity, and Intracellular Oxidative Stress Generating Capacity of PM10: A Case Study in South of Italy
Authors: Lionetto Maria , Guascito Maria , Giordano Maria , Caricato Roberto , De Bartolomeo Anna , Romano Maria , Conte Marianna , Dinoi Adelaide , Contini Daniele
Published: April 2021

Long and short-term exposure to atmospheric particulate matter (PM) has detrimental effects on human health. The effective mechanisms leading to PM toxicity are still not fully understood, even if it is known that physical-chemical properties, strongly influenced by sources and atmospheric processes, are known to play an important role. In this work, PM10 samples were collected, at an urban background site in southern Italy, to determine cytotoxicity (using MTT test on A549 cells), genotoxicity (using the comet assay), and intracellular oxidative stress on A549 cells exposed for 24 h to aqueous extracts of PM10 samples. Organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) content of PM10 and acellular determination of oxidative potential with DTT assay were performed to compare results of acellular and cellular biological assays. Cellular (OSGCV and MTTV) and acellular (OPDTTV) outcomes, normalized in volume, are well correlated (statistically significant results) with carbon content suggesting that combustion sources play an important role in determining cellular oxidative stress and cytotoxicity of PM10. Even if the number of data is limited, genotoxicity results are well correlated (Pearson r > 0.95) with OSGCV and MTTV, and a weaker, but statistically significant correlation was observed with OPDTTV. OSGCV is well correlated with the cell mortality observed with the MTTV test and a lower, but still statistically significant correlation is observed between MTTV and OPDDTV. A statistically significant correlation was found between OPDTTV and OSGCV results. When the outcomes of the cellular and acellular assay are compared normalized in mass (i.e., intrinsic values), the correlations become significantly weaker suggesting that the different sources acting on the site produces particulate matter with different toxicological potential influencing differently the biological tests studied.
Absence of Cold-Inducible RNA-Binding Protein (CIRP) Promotes Angiogenesis and Regeneration of Ischemic Tissue by Inducing M2-Like Macrophage Polarization
Authors: Kübler Matthias , Beck Sebastian , Fischer Silvia , Götz Philipp , Kumaraswami Konda , Ishikawa-Ankerhold Hellen , Lasch Manuel , Deindl Elisabeth
Published: April 2021

Cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRP) is an intracellular RNA-chaperone and extracellular promoter of inflammation, which is increasingly expressed and released under conditions of hypoxia and cold stress. The functional relevance of CIRP for angiogenesis and regeneration of ischemic muscle tissue has never been investigated and is the topic of the present study. We investigated the role of CIRP employing CIRP deficient mice along with a hindlimb model of ischemia-induced angiogenesis. 1 and 7 days after femoral artery ligation or sham operation, gastrocnemius muscles of CIRP-deficient and wildtype mice were isolated and processed for (immuno-) histological analyses. CIRP deficient mice showed decreased ischemic tissue damage as evidenced by Hematoxylin and Eosin staining, whereas angiogenesis was enhanced as demonstrated by increased capillary/muscle fiber ratio and number of proliferating endothelial (CD31+/BrdU+) cells on day 7 after surgery. Moreover, CIRP deficiency resulted in a reduction of total leukocyte count (CD45+), neutrophils (myeloperoxidase, MPO+), neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) (MPO+/CitH3+), and inflammatory M1-like polarized macrophages (CD68+/MRC1-), whereas the number of tissue regenerating M2-like polarized macrophages (CD68+/MRC1-) was increased in ischemic tissue samples. In summary, we show that the absence of CIRP ameliorates angiogenesis and regeneration of ischemic muscle tissue, most likely by influencing macrophage polarization in direction to regenerative M2-like macrophages.
Superoxide Dismutase 1 Nanoparticles (Nano-SOD1) as a Potential Drug for the Treatment of Inflammatory Eye Diseases
Authors: Vaneev Alexander N. , Kost Olga A. , Eremeev Nikolay L. , Beznos Olga V. , Alova Anna V. , Gorelkin Peter V. , Erofeev Alexander S. , Chesnokova Natalia B. , Kabanov Alexander V. , Klyachko Natalia L.
Published: April 2021

Inflammatory eye diseases remain the most common clinical problem in ophthalmology. The secondary processes associated with inflammation, such as overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and exhaustion of the endogenous antioxidant system, frequently lead to tissue degeneration, vision blurring, and even blindness. Antioxidant enzymes, such as copper–zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1), could serve as potent scavengers of ROS. However, their delivery into the eye compartments represents a major challenge due to the limited ocular penetration. This work presents a new therapeutic modality specifically formulated for the eye on the basis of multilayer polyion complex nanoparticles of SOD1 (Nano-SOD1), which is characterized by appropriate storage stability and pronounced therapeutic effect without side reactions such as eye irritation; acute, chronic, and reproductive toxicity; allergenicity; immunogenicity; mutagenicity even at high doses. The ability of Nano-SOD1 to reduce inflammatory processes in the eye was examined in vivo in rabbits with a model immunogenic uveitis—the inflammation of the inner vascular tract of the eye. It was shown during preclinical studies that topical instillations of Nano-SOD1 were much more effective compared to the free enzyme in decreasing uveitis manifestations. In particular, we noted statistically significant differences in such inflammatory signs in the eye as corneal and conjunctival edema, iris hyperemia, and fibrin clots. Moreover, Nano-SOD1 penetrates into interior eye structures more effectively than SOD itself and retains enzyme activity in the eye for a much longer period of time, decreasing inflammation and restoring antioxidant activity in the eye. Thus, the presented Nano-SOD1 can be considered as a potentially useful therapeutic agent for the treatment of ocular inflammatory disorders.
Highly Sensitive Twin Resonance Coupling Refractive Index Sensor Based on Gold- and MgF2-Coated Nano Metal Films
Authors: Ahmed Kawsar , AlZain Mohammed , Abdullah Hasan , Luo Yanhua , Vigneswaran Dhasarathan , Faragallah Osama , Eid Mahmoud , Rashed Ahmed
Published: April 2021

A plasmonic material-coated circular-shaped photonic crystal fiber (C-PCF) sensor based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is proposed to explore the optical guiding performance of the refractive index (RI) sensing at 1.7–3.7 μm. A twin resonance coupling profile is observed by selectively infiltrating liquid using finite element method (FEM). A nano-ring gold layer with a magnesium fluoride (MgF2) coating and fused silica are used as plasmonic and base material, respectively, that help to achieve maximum sensing performance. RI analytes are highly sensitive to SPR and are injected into the outmost air holes of the cladding. The highest sensitivity of 27,958.49 nm/RIU, birefringence of 3.9 × 10−4, resolution of 3.70094 × 10−5 RIU, and transmittance dip of −34 dB are achieved. The proposed work is a purely numerical simulation with proper optimization. The value of optimization has been referred to with an experimental tolerance value, but at the same time it has been ensured that it is not fabricated and tested. In summary, the explored C-PCF can widely be eligible for RI-based sensing applications for its excellent performance, which makes it a solid candidate for next generation biosensing applications.
A Self-Powered Portable Flexible Sensor of Monitoring Speed Skating Techniques
Authors: Lu Zhuo , Zhu Yongsheng , Jia Changjun , Zhao Tianming , Bian Meiyue , Jia Chaofeng , Zhang Yiqiao , Mao Yupeng
Published: April 2021

With the development of 5G technology, contemporary technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT) and Big Data analyses have been widely applied to the sport industry. This paper focuses on the design of a portable, self-powered, flexible sensor, which does not require an external power supply. The sensor is capable of monitoring speed skating techniques, thereby helping professional athletes to enhance their performance. This sensor mainly consists of Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) with polarization after a silvering electrode and a flexible polyester substrate. Flexible sensors are attached to the push-off joint part of speed skaters and the ice skate blade. During motion, it produces different piezoelectricity signals depending on the states of motion. The monitoring and analyzing of the real-time sensor signals will adjust the athlete’s skating angle, frequency, and push-off techniques, thus improving user training and enhancing performance. Moreover, the production of piezoelectric signals can charge the capacitor, provide power for small electronic equipment (e.g., wireless device), and extend the applications of wearable flexible sensors to the Big Data and IoT technologies in the sport industry.
Electrochemical Detection of Electrolytes Using a Solid-State Ion-Selective Electrode of Single-Piece Type Membrane
Authors: Chen Li-Da , Wang Wei-Jhen , Wang Gou-Jen
Published: April 2021

This study aimed to develop simple electrochemical electrodes for the fast detection of chloride, sodium and potassium ions in human serum. A flat thin-film gold electrode was used as the detection electrode for chloride ions; a single-piece type membrane based solid-state ion-selective electrode (ISE), which was formed by covering a flat thin-film gold electrode with a mixture of 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) and ion-selective membrane (ISM), was developed for sodium and potassium ions detection. Through cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square-wave voltammetry (SWV), the detection data can be obtained within two minutes. The linear detection ranges in the standard samples of chloride, sodium, and potassium ions were 25–200 mM, 50–200 mM, and 2–10 mM, with the average relative standard deviation (RSD) of 0.79%, 1.65%, and 0.47% and the average recovery rates of 101%, 100% and 96%, respectively. Interference experiments with Na+, K+, Cl−, Ca2+, and Mg2+ ions demonstrated that the proposed detection electrodes have good selectivity. Moreover, the proposed detection electrodes have characteristics such as the ability to be prepared under relatively simple process conditions, excellent detection sensitivity, and low RSD, and the detection linear range is suitable for the Cl−, Na+ and K+ concentrations in human serum.
Detecting and Characterizing A-To-I microRNA Editing in Cancer
Authors: Marceca Gioacchino P. , Tomasello Luisa , Distefano Rosario , Acunzo Mario , Croce Carlo M. , Nigita Giovanni
Published: April 2021

Adenosine to inosine (A-to-I) editing consists of an RNA modification where single adenosines along the RNA sequence are converted into inosines. Such a biochemical transformation is catalyzed by enzymes belonging to the family of adenosine deaminases acting on RNA (ADARs) and occurs either co- or post-transcriptionally. The employment of powerful, high-throughput detection methods has recently revealed that A-to-I editing widely occurs in non-coding RNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs). MiRNAs are a class of small regulatory non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) acting as translation inhibitors, known to exert relevant roles in controlling cell cycle, proliferation, and cancer development. Indeed, a growing number of recent researches have evidenced the importance of miRNA editing in cancer biology by exploiting various detection and validation methods. Herein, we briefly overview early and currently available A-to-I miRNA editing detection and validation methods and discuss the significance of A-to-I miRNA editing in human cancer.
Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 2 Isoforms Detected via Novel RNA ISH as Predictive Biomarkers for Progestin Therapy in Atypical Hyperplasia and Low-Grade Endometrial Cancer
Authors: Sengal Asmerom T. , Smith Deborah , Rogers Rebecca , Snell Cameron E. , Williams Elizabeth D. , Pollock Pamela M.
Published: April 2021

Women with atypical hyperplasia (AH) or well-differentiated early-stage endometrioid endometrial carcinoma (EEC) who wish to retain fertility and/or with comorbidities precluding surgery, are treated with progestin. Clinically approved predictive biomarkers for progestin therapy remain an unmet need. The objectives of this study were to document the overall response rate (ORR) of levonorgestrel intrauterine device (LNG-IUD) treatment, and determine the association of FGFR2b and FGFR2c expression with treatment outcome. BaseScope RNA ISH assay was utilized to detect expression of FGFR2b and FGFR2c mRNA in the diagnostic biopsies of 89 women (40 AH and 49 EEC) treated with LNG-IUD. Detailed clinical follow-up was available for 69 women which revealed an overall response rate (ORR) of 44% (30/69) with a higher ORR seen in AH (64%) compared to EEC (23%). The recurrence rate in women who initially responded to LNG-IUD was 10/30 (33.3%). RNA ISH was successful in 72 patients and showed FGFR2c expression in 12/72 (16.7%) samples. In the 59 women with detailed clinical follow-up and RNA-ISH data, women with tumours expressing FGFR2c were 5-times more likely to have treatment failure in both univariable (HR 5.08, p < 0.0001) and multivariable (HR 4.5, p < 0.002) Cox regression analyses. In conclusion, FGFR2c expression appears to be strongly associated with progestin treatment failure, albeit the ORR is lower in this cohort than previously reported. Future work to validate these findings in an independent multi-institutional cohort is needed.