bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Education as a Predictor Factor for Knowledge of COVID-19 in Portugal
Authors: Gomes da Silva Joana , Silva Carla Sofia , Alexandre Bárbara , Morgado Pedro
Published: September 2021

Introduction/Objective: Pandemic of COVID-19 is a major public health problem. At the time of development of this study, no specific medication/vaccine for this disease was approved. Therefore, preventive measures were the main key to control this pandemic. Health literacy (HL) is the ability to obtain, understand and use the information to make free and informed decisions about the health of an individual and to promote community empowerment. Thus, the HL of COVID-19 is important for community empowerment and the adoption of preventive measures. This article aims to understand possible predictors of HL of COVID-19, functional domain.

Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed, applying the Questionnaire of COVID-19 (previously designed and submitted to a preliminary pilot testing) through an online platform from April 23 to June 23, 2020. An Index of Health Knowledge of COVID-19 Questionnaire (IHK-COV19) was constructed. Associations between independent variables (“Gender,” “Age,” “Education,” and “Risk Factor” for COVID-19 codified by ICPC-2) and HL were assessed using multivariate analyses (mixed effects models). The level of significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results: Our sample includes 864 subjects (median age, 44.33 years), mostly women (n = 619; 71.76%), undergraduate (n = 392; 45.37%) and with at least one risk factor for COVID-19 (n = 266; 30.79%). Univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated “Age” as a negative predictor of IHK-COV19 and “Education” and “Risk Factor” as positive predictors of IHK-COV19.

Conclusions: Health knowledge regarding COVID-19 is associated with the level of education. Future interventions should consider including HL mechanisms in interventions designed to improve communication.
Current Insights into Potential Effects of Micro-Nanoplastics on Human Health by in-vitro Tests
Authors: Llorca Marta , Farré Marinella
Published: September 2021

Humans are exposed to micro and nanoplastics (MNPLs) through inhalation, ingestion and, to a lesser extent, dermal contact. In recent years, new insights indicate the potential of MNPLs to cause damages to human health. Particle toxicity can include oxidative stress, inflammatory lesions, and then increased internalization or translocation through tissues. On the other hand, plastic additives are used in plastic particles, once internalized, can release toxic substances. It is noteworthy that the potential effects of MNPLs encompass a wide range of polymers and chemical additives, showing various physicochemical and toxicological properties, and the size, shape and surface properties are other variables influencing their effects. In spite of the research carried out recently, MNPLs research is in its early stages, and further investigation is required. In this review article, the knowledge of human exposure routes and the recent results on the toxicological effects of MNPLs in human health are presented and discussed. Finally, the current limitations and the main gaps in the body of knowledge are summarised.
Buttons on Demand Sliding Mechanism Driven by Smart Materials and Mechanical Design
Authors: Renata Christianto , Kalairaj Manivannan Sivaperuman , Chen Hong Mei , Lau Gih Keong , Huang Wei Min
Published: September 2021

In this paper, we describe a novel human interaction platform in a car, called buttons on demand, that will serve as buttons inside the interior of a car, which can be called upon and activated when required but remain concealed and inactive when not required. The mechanism to obtain such interaction is driven by a combination of smart materials and mechanical design. The elaboration of smart materials and mechanical design employed to achieve this mechanism is discussed. A demonstration of how the buttons on demand mechanism described in this paper can potentially substitute or minimize the use of bulkier physical buttons in cars and provide the user with haptic and tactile feedback with low power consumption and fast response time is also presented.
Fault-Tolerant Control of a Three-Phase Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor for Lightweight UAV Propellers via Central Point Drive
Authors: Suti Aleksander , Di Rito Gianpietro , Galatolo Roberto
Published: September 2021

This paper deals with the development and the performance characterization of a novel Fault-Tolerant Control (FTC) aiming to the diagnosis and accommodation of electrical faults in a three-phase Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) employed for the propulsion of a modern lightweight fixed-wing UAV. To implement the fault-tolerant capabilities, a four-leg inverter is used to drive the reference PMSM, so that a system reconfiguration can be applied in case of a motor phase fault or an inverter fault, by enabling the control of the central point of the three-phase connection. A crucial design point is to develop Fault-Detection and Isolation (FDI) algorithms capable of minimizing the system failure transients, which are typically characterized by high-amplitude high-frequency torque ripples. The proposed FTC is composed of two sections: in the first, a deterministic model-based FDI algorithm is used, based the evaluation of the current phasor trajectory in the Clarke’s plane; in the second, a novel technique for fault accommodation is implemented by applying a reference frame transformation to post-fault commands. The FTC effectiveness is assessed via detailed nonlinear simulation (including sensors errors, digital signal processing, mechanical transmission compliance, propeller loads and electrical faults model), by characterizing the FDI latency and the post-fault system performances when open circuit faults are injected. Compared with reports in the literature, the proposed FTC demonstrates relevant potentialities: the FDI section of the algorithm provides the smallest ratio between latency and monitoring samples per electrical period, while the accommodation section succeeds in both eliminating post-fault torque ripples and maintaining the mechanical power output with negligible efficiency degradation.
Effect of Planting Distance on the Mechanical Harvesting of Hot Pepper
Authors: Kang Seokho , Kim Yeongsu , Park Hyunggyu , Woo Seungmin , Uyeh Daniel Dooyum , Ha Yushin
Published: September 2021

Hot peppers are well known for being spicy and also have a high nutrient content. Human resources have formerly been used to harvest hot peppers; however, a high level of musculoskeletal risk to the human workforce has been reported. Therefore, to reduce the risk to farmers and replace the human workforce, the mechanical harvesting of hot pepper and steps to improve the harvesting efficiency of farmers were conducted. To achieve this, the effect of planting distance on the mechanical harvesting of hot peppers was analyzed at three planting distances (30, 40, and 50 cm) with several cultivars. Subsequently, machine-harvested hot peppers were classified into five groups (marketable, damaged, lost, unharvested, and twigged hot pepper), depending on their postharvest status. The average weight ratio of each group was then calculated, after which statistical analyses were conducted. The effect of planting distance on mechanical harvesting was then analyzed by comparing the differences between each group’s average weight ratio and the total weight of hot pepper, which was simultaneously harvested mechanically at each planting distance. Results showed that the average weight ratio of marketable, unharvested, and twigged hot pepper improved as the planting distance increased. However, no effect on the average weight ratio of damaged and lost hot pepper was observed. The highest yield of marketable hot pepper was found at a planting distance of 40 cm, and the average weight ratio to the whole was lower than at 50 cm of planting distance. Thus, the most suitable planting distance for mechanical harvesting was 40 cm.
Temporal Rhythm Affects the Efficiency of Asian Citrus Psyllid (Diaphorina citri) to Acquire Huanglongbing Pathogen
Authors: Guo Yan-Jun , Li Yi-Han , Su Zheng-Qin , Xu Pei-Ping , Qiu Bao-Li , Ji Qian-Hua , Khan Muhammad Musa
Published: September 2021

Huanglongbing, commonly known as citrus greening, is a devastating disease of citrus worldwide. Candidatus liberibacter asiaticus is the putative cause of citrus greening disease in China and is spread through the process of plant grafting and feeding by insect vectors. Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri) is a destructive pest due to insecticide resistance development and the main cause of dissemination of Huanglongbing. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of Huanglongbing present in Guangdong province and the acquisition of the pathogen by D. citri through feeding. Six different city areas of Guangdong province were sampled. The results demonstrated that Yunfu currently has the highest infestation rate of CLas in Guangdong province, followed by Chaozhou, Jiangmen, and Foshan. In comparison, Zhongshan and Maoming have the lowest infestation rates. Results also showed that CLas acquisition was directly proportional to the insect feeding duration. The longer an insect fed on an infested plant, the more CLas it acquired. The acquisition efficiency of the pathogen was higher at night compared to during the daytime. During the time period of 15:00–07:00 D. citri acquires more pathogens than during the period of 07:00–15:00. This study provides a basic understanding of the feeding pattern of D. citri, which aids in devising a management program for effective control of direct and indirect losses caused by D. citri.
Impact of Nano-Bromocriptine on Egg Production Performance and Prolactin Expression in Layers
Authors: Dawod Ahmed , Osman Noha , Heikal Hanim S. , Ali Korany A. , Kandil Omaima M. , Shehata Awad A. , Hafez Hafez M. , Mahboub Hamada
Published: September 2021

The current study aimed to investigate the potential use of nano-bromocriptine in improving the laying performance of late laying hens by modulating the prolactin gene expression. A total of 150 NOVOgen brown laying hens aged 70 weeks were randomly allocated into three groups of 50 birds each. The first group was kept as a control, while the second and the third groups were treated with bromocriptine and nano-bromocriptine, respectively, at a dose of 100 µg/kg body weight per week. The pause days, egg production, feed per dozen egg, and Haugh unit were determined on a monthly basis. Also, the relative prolactin gene expression in the pituitary gland was quantified using qPCR and the number of the ovarian follicles was determined after slaughtering at the 84th week of age. It was found that nano-bromocriptine and bromocriptine improved egg laying performance with minimal pause days, reduced feed per dozen egg, and depressed the relative prolactin gene expression; however, nano-bromocriptine treatment was significantly effective compared to bromocriptine. In conclusion, nano-bromocriptine might be beneficial for elongating sequences and reducing pauses.
Salivary Chromogranin A (CgA) Response to the Noradrenaline Transporter Blocker Atomoxetine in Dogs
Authors: Kooriyama Takanori , Mukhopadhyay Abhijit , Moore George E. , Ogata Niwako
Published: September 2021

Since salivary chromogranin A (CgA) is one of the known sympathetic adrenomedullar system (SAM) stress markers in humans and pigs, this study aimed to investigate whether salivary CgA in dogs reflects SAM activation. Our hypothesis was that salivary CgA would increase when central noradrenaline was pharmacologically induced. A selective noradrenaline transporter blocker, atomoxetine, was orally administered without causing any aversive responses in nine laboratory dogs to see if it would increase salivary CgA. Three treatment groups (i.e., atomoxetine, placebo, and pre-administration of a selective alpha-2 adrenoreceptor agonist (dexmedetomidine) followed by atomoxetine) were prepared with a randomized crossover design. Saliva sample collection, heart rate measurement and behavior observation were performed at Time 0 (baseline) and at 30, 60, 90 and 150 min after each treatment administration. The results demonstrated that salivary CgA significantly increased at 90 min in the atomoxetine treatment (p < 0.05), whereas it was not observed in the other two treatments. The present study showed that salivary CgA was increased by atomoxetine-induced SAM activation. However, this increase was blocked if dexmedetomidine was pre-administered. Overall, the results indicate that salivary CgA is a potential candidate for SAM-mediated stress markers in dogs. Further study to determine the dynamics of salivary CgA will be helpful in its practical use.
Antibacterial Activity of LCB10-0200 against Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Oh Sang-Hun , Kim Young-Rok , Park Hee-Soo , Oh Kyu-Man , Cho Young-Lag , Kwak Jin-Hwan
Published: September 2021

Klebsiella pneumoniae is one of the important clinical organisms that causes various infectious diseases, including urinary tract infections, necrotizing pneumonia, and surgical wound infections. The increase in the incidence of multidrug-resistance K. pneumoniae is a major problem in public healthcare. Therefore, a novel antibacterial agent is needed to treat this pathogen. Here, we studied the in vitro and in vivo activities of a novel antibiotic LCB10-0200, a siderophore-conjugated cephalosporin, against clinical isolates of K. pneumoniae. In vitro susceptibility study found that LCB10-0200 showed potent antibacterial activity against K. pneumoniae, including the beta-lactamase producing strains. The in vivo efficacy of LCB10-0200 was examined in three different mouse infection models, including systemic, thigh, and urinary tract infections. LCB10-0200 showed more potent in vivo activity than ceftazidime in the three in vivo models against the drug-susceptible and drug-resistant K. pneumoniae strains. Taken together, these results show that LCB10-0200 is a potential antibacterial agent to treat infection caused by K. pneumoniae.
Ameliorative Effect of Annona muricata (Graviola) Extract on Hyperglycemia Induced Hepatic Damage in Type 2 Diabetic Mice
Authors: Son Yiseul , Lee Heaji , Son Su-Young , Lee Choong-Hwan , Kim Sun-Yeou , Lim Yunsook
Published: September 2021

Annona muricata (AM) is evergreen plant of the Annonaceae family and known to have anticancer and antidiabetic effects. However, anti-diabetic mechanisms of AM extracts (AME) associated with hepatic glucose regulation and lipid metabolism remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of AME extracted on hepatic damage in diabetic mice. Diabetes was induced by a high-fat diet with two-times streptozotocin (STZ) injection (60 mg/kg BW) in C57BL/6 male mice. The diabetic mice were daily administered with AME (50 or 100 mg/kg BW) by gavage for 9 weeks. Biomarkers related to energy metabolism and insulin signaling were examined to identify the effect of AME on hyperglycemia induced hepatic damage. AME supplementation reduced levels of FBG, HbA1c, HOMA-IR and hepatic lipid profiles as well as enhanced insulin signaling by increased the protein levels of IRS-1 accompanied GLUT2 in diabetic mice. Especially low dose of AME showed the beneficial effect of reducing oxidative stress (4-HNE, protein carbonyls, Nrf2, NQO1) and improved hepatic morphology demonstrated by lipid droplets along with upregulation of lipophagy (pAMPK, p-mTOR/mTOR, LC3-2/LC3-1) in diabetic mice. Moreover, AME supplementation ameliorated hepatic lipid metabolism (FAS, SREBP1c, C/EBPα, PPARγ, CPT1A, PPARα) and energy metabolism (pAMPK, PGC1α) in diabetic mice. Taken together, this study suggested that AME could be helpful to prevent hepatic abnormality by regulation of insulin signaling associated with energy metabolism and autophagy in diabetes.
Methods to Determine Chain-Breaking Antioxidant Activity of Nanomaterials beyond DPPH•. A Review
Authors: Baschieri Andrea , Amorati Riccardo
Published: September 2021

This review highlights the progress made in recent years in understanding the mechanism of action of nanomaterials with antioxidant activity and in the chemical methods used to evaluate their activity. Nanomaterials represent one of the most recent frontiers in the research for improved antioxidants, but further development is hampered by a poor characterization of the ‘‘antioxidant activity’’ property and by using oversimplified chemical methods. Inhibited autoxidation experiments provide valuable information about the interaction with the most important radicals involved in the lipid oxidation, namely alkylperoxyl and hydroperoxyl radicals, and demonstrate unambiguously the ability to stop the oxidation of organic materials. It is proposed that autoxidation methods should always complement (and possibly replace) the use of assays based on the quenching of stable radicals (such as DPPH• and ABTS•+). The mechanisms leading to the inhibition of the autoxidation (sacrificial and catalytic radical trapping antioxidant activity) are described in the context of nanoantioxidants. Guidelines for the selection of the appropriate testing conditions and of meaningful kinetic analysis are also given.
Deep Representation of a Normal Map for Screen-Space Fluid Rendering
Authors: Choi Myungjin , Park Jee-Hyeok , Zhang Qimeng , Hong Byeung-Sun , Kim Chang-Hun
Published: September 2021

We propose a novel method for addressing the problem of efficiently generating a highly refined normal map for screen-space fluid rendering. Because the process of filtering the normal map is crucially important to ensure the quality of the final screen-space fluid rendering, we employ a conditional generative adversarial network (cGAN) as a filter that learns a deep normal map representation, thereby refining the low-quality normal map. In particular, we have designed a novel loss function dedicated to refining the normal map information, and we use a specific set of auxiliary features to train the cGAN generator to learn features that are more robust with respect to edge details. Additionally, we constructed a dataset of six different typical scenes to enable effective demonstrations of multitype fluid simulation. Experiments indicated that our generator was able to infer clearer and more detailed features for this dataset than a basic screen-space fluid rendering method. Moreover, in some cases, the results generated by our method were even smoother than those generated by the conventional surface reconstruction method. Our method improves the fluid rendering results via the high-quality normal map while preserving the advantages of the screen-space fluid rendering methods and the traditional surface reconstruction methods, including that of the computation time being independent of the number of simulation particles and the spatial resolution being related only to image resolution.
Freeze-Drying Ethylcellulose Microparticles Loaded with Etoposide for In Vitro Fast Dissolution and In Vitro Cytotoxicity against Cancer Cell Types, MCF-7 and Caco-2
Authors: Abdellatif Ahmed A. H. , Aldhafeeri Mashari A. , Alharbi Waleed H. , Alharbi Fahad H. , Almutiri Waleed , Amin Mohammed A. , Aldawsari Mohammed F. , Maswadeh Hamzah M.
Published: September 2021

The aim of this study was to improve the solubility of etoposide–ethylcellulose (ET–ETO) microparticles using the freeze-drying technique. Ethylcellulose (EC) microparticles loaded with etoposide (ETO) were prepared with different drug–polymer molar ratios of 1:1, 1:3, 1:6, and 1:20 by the solvent evaporation method. The size of the prepared microparticles was 0.088 µm. The results showed that the amount of ETO encapsulated into the microparticles was 387.3, 365.0, 350.0, and 250 µg/50 mg microparticles for microparticles with drug–polymer ratios of 1:1, 1:3, 1:6, and 1:20, respectively. The FT-IR spectra showed no chemical interaction between ETO and the polymer in the solid state. The results obtained from the dissolution experiment showed that the freeze-dried microparticles were stable in 0.1 N HCl (gastric pH) for 2 h. At pH 7.4, the ETO release was 60 to 70% within the first 15 min and approximately 100% within 30 min. Results from the application of different dissolution models showed that the equations that best fit the dissolution data for the ET–ETO microparticles at pH 7.4 were the Higuchi and Peppas model equations. The in vitro cytotoxicity assay of free ETO and freeze-dried microspheres prepared in this study with a drug–polymer ratio of 1:1 was performed in two mammalian cancer cell lines, MCF-7 (for bone cancer of the mammary organ) and Caco-2 (for mammalian epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma). The results showed that the half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50 values) for ETO and freeze-dried ET–ETO microparticles were 18.6 µM and 27.1 µM, respectively. In conclusion, freeze-dried ET–ETO is a promising formulation for developing a fast-dissolving form of ETO with a significant antiproliferative activity against the tested cell lines used in this study. It is a promising formulation for local duodenal area targeting.
Green Shipping—Multifunctional Marine Scrubbers for Emission Control: Silencing Effect
Authors: Kyaw Oo D’Amore Giada , Biot Marco , Mauro Francesco , Kašpar Jan
Published: September 2021

Scrubber systems abate the sulphur oxide emissions of engines when cheap fuel oils that are high in sulphur content are employed as combustibles. However, the ships with these voluminous devices installed on board is space demanding. This work analyses the feasibility of incorporating the acoustic abatement of the exhaust gas noise functionality into the scrubber design to provide a combined scrubber–silencer system. For this purpose, a finite element analysis is performed on a simple expansion chamber, which is assessed using both analytical and experimental data. The transmission loss is the acoustic parameter chosen in this work. The numerical model depicts a good correlation with the transmission loss measured on a model scale scrubber. Finally, scrubber geometry modifications alter the transmission loss, changing and/or enhancing its featuring. These abilities indicate the feasibility to confer to scrubber silencing effects.
Development of Cybersecurity Technology and Algorithm Based on Quantum Computing
Authors: Ko Kyung-Kyu , Jung Eun-Sung
Published: September 2021

Many hacking incidents are linked to work files because most companies work with them. However, a variety of file encryption and decryption methods have been proposed. Existing file encryption/decryption technologies are under threat as hacking technologies advance, necessitating the development of stronger encryption algorithms. Therefore, in this study, we propose a modified advanced encryption standard (AES) algorithm and use quantum computing to encrypt/decrypt AES image files. Because the shift is regular during the AES Shift Row procedure, the change technique led the shift to become irregular when using quantum random walk. Computing resources and speeds were simulated using IBM Qiskit quantum simulators for performance evaluation, whereas encryption performance was assessed using number of pixels change rate (NPCR) and unified average changing intensity (UACI).
ALARP Criteria to Estimate Acceptability and Tolerability Thresholds of the Investment Risk
Authors: Maselli Gabriella , Macchiaroli Maria , Nesticò Antonio
Published: September 2021

Assessing the riskiness of investments in civil works is an integral part of the decision-making process. The main limitation is the absence, both in the regulatory landscape and in the literature of the sector, of threshold values that can guide the analyst in expressing an assessment on the acceptance of the investment risk. The aim of the paper is to define a risk management model that overcomes this gap by introducing acceptability and tolerability thresholds for project risk. The idea is to jointly use: (i) the As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP) logic, from which the concepts threshold of acceptability and tolerability of risk derive, for the first time applied to assess the project risk in the civil field; (ii) the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) and statistical methods to define an innovative methodology for estimating the aforementioned threshold values. According to the proposed approach, these risk limit values can be specified according to both the investment sector and the socio-economic context of the project. The implementation of the methodology in the civil company sector in Europe allows to validate the described model. The elaborations show that the financial performance of the project is widely acceptable if the Expected Internal Rate of Return is greater than 7.8%; unacceptable if the expected rate of return is less than 5.6%; and tolerable as an ALARP if the expected rate is between 5.6% and 7.8%. The estimated acceptability and tolerability thresholds can provide the economic operator with a more immediate and consistent evaluation of the triangular balance of risks, costs, and benefits. This allows the decision-making process to become more rational and transparent.
Syntheses and Structure–Activity Relationships of N-Phenethyl-Quinazolin-4-yl-Amines as Potent Inhibitors of Cytochrome bd Oxidase in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Hopfner Sarah M. , Lee Bei Shi , Kalia Nitin P. , Miller Marvin J. , Pethe Kevin , Moraski Garrett C.
Published: September 2021

The development of cytochrome bd oxidase (cyt-bd) inhibitors are needed for comprehensive termination of energy production in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) to treat tuberculosis infections. Herein, we report on the structure-activity-relationships (SAR) of 22 new N-phenethyl-quinazolin-4-yl-amines that target cyt-bd. Our focused set of compounds was synthesized and screened against three mycobacterial strains: Mycobacterium bovis BCG, Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv and the clinical isolate Mycobacterium tuberculosis N0145 with and without the cytochrome bcc:aa3 inhibitor Q203 in an ATP depletion assay. Two compounds, 12a and 19a, were more active against all three strains than the naturally derived cyt-bd inhibitor aurachin D.
Recent Progress in Electrochemical Immunosensors
Authors: Kim JeeYoung , Park Min
Published: September 2021

Biosensors used for medical diagnosis work by analyzing physiological fluids. Antibodies have been frequently used as molecular recognition molecules for the specific binding of target analytes from complex biological solutions. Electrochemistry has been introduced for the measurement of quantitative signals from transducer-bound analytes for many reasons, including good sensitivity. Recently, numerous electrochemical immunosensors have been developed and various strategies have been proposed to detect biomarkers. In this paper, the recent progress in electrochemical immunosensors is reviewed. In particular, we focused on the immobilization methods using antibodies for voltammetric, amperometric, impedimetric, and electrochemiluminescent immunosensors.
Effectiveness of Cell-Free and Concentrated Ascites Reinfusion Therapy in the Treatment of Malignancy-Related Ascites: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Chen Hao , Ishihara Masashi , Horita Nobuyuki , Tanzawa Shigeru , Kazahari Hiroki , Ochiai Ryusuke , Sakamoto Takahiko , Honda Takeshi , Ichikawa Yasuko , Watanabe Kiyotaka , Seki Nobuhiko
Published: September 2021

Background: Malignancy-related ascites (MRA) is one of the symptoms causing discomfort in advanced cancer patients. Cell-free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy (CART) is one of the palliative treatments widely conducted in Japan only. Methods: A systematic review following a meta-analysis of CART was performed. The efficiency and adverse events were evaluated. Results: A total of 2567 patients and 6013 procedures of CART were identified in this study. The mean volume of MRA collected was 4.29 (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.47–5.11) L, and the volume reinfused after concentrating was 0.49 (95% CI 0.39–0.60) L. A total of 86.1 (95% CI 77.1–95.2) g protein and 42.9 (95% CI 36.0–50.0) g albumin was reinfused. The mean time to the next paracentesis was 20.7 (95% CI 15.6–25.8) days. The body weight was reduced by 3.38 (95% CI 1.90–4.86; p < 0.01) kg, and abdominal circumference was reduced by 7.86 (95% CI 6.58–9.14; p < 0.001) cm. Serum albumin increased an average of 0.14 (95% CI −0.01–0.28; p = 0.07) mg/dL the day after CART. Abdominal distension, dyspnea, and fatigue were alleviated by 6.0 (95% CI 5.59–6.51), 2.66 (95% CI 2.05–3.28), and 2.64 (95% CI 1.86–3.42) points using a numerical rating scale system ranging from 0 to 10. Overall, 17% (95% CI 0.03–0.31%) of patients had improved performance status after CART. Significant body temperature elevation was observed, at an average of 0.4 °C (95% CI 0.18–0.62 °C). Conclusions: CART might be a safe and effective palliative therapy in MRA and further clinical trials are necessary.
Automated Analysis of Proliferating Cells Spatial Organisation Predicts Prognosis in Lung Neuroendocrine Neoplasms
Authors: Bulloni Matteo , Sandrini Giada , Stacchiotti Irene , Barberis Massimo , Calabrese Fiorella , Carvalho Lina , Fontanini Gabriella , Alì Greta , Fortarezza Francesco , Hofman Paul , Hofman Veronique , Kern Izidor , Maiorano Eugenio , Maragliano Roberta , Marchiori Deborah , Metovic Jasna , Papotti Mauro , Pezzuto Federica , Pisa Eleonora , Remmelink Myriam , Serio Gabriella , Marzullo Andrea , Trabucco Senia Maria Rosaria , Pennella Antonio , De Palma Angela , Marulli Giuseppe , Fassina Ambrogio , Maffeis Valeria , Nesi Gabriella , Naheed Salma , Rea Federico , Ottensmeier Christian H. , Sessa Fausto , Uccella Silvia , Pelosi Giuseppe , Pattini Linda
Published: September 2021

Lung neuroendocrine neoplasms (lung NENs) are categorised by morphology, defining a classification sometimes unable to reflect ultimate clinical outcome. Subjectivity and poor reproducibility characterise diagnosis and prognosis assessment of all NENs. Here, we propose a machine learning framework for tumour prognosis assessment based on a quantitative, automated and repeatable evaluation of the spatial distribution of cells immunohistochemically positive for the proliferation marker Ki-67, performed on the entire extent of high-resolution whole slide images. Combining features from the fields of graph theory, fractality analysis, stochastic geometry and information theory, we describe the topology of replicating cells and predict prognosis in a histology-independent way. We demonstrate how our approach outperforms the well-recognised prognostic role of Ki-67 Labelling Index on a multi-centre dataset comprising the most controversial lung NENs. Moreover, we show that our system identifies arrangement patterns in the cells positive for Ki-67 that appear independently of tumour subtyping. Strikingly, the subset of these features whose presence is also independent of the value of the Labelling Index and the density of Ki-67-positive cells prove to be especially relevant in discerning prognostic classes. These findings disclose a possible path for the future of grading and classification of NENs.
Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Recurrence after Liver Transplantation
Authors: Pelizzaro Filippo , Gambato Martina , Gringeri Enrico , Vitale Alessandro , Cillo Umberto , Farinati Fabio , Burra Patrizia , Russo Francesco Paolo
Published: September 2021

Recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after liver transplantation (LT), occurring in 10–15% of cases, is a major concern. A lot of work has been done in order to refine the selection of LT candidates with HCC and to improve the outcome of patients with recurrence. Despite this, the prognosis of these patients remains poor, partly due to the several areas of uncertainty in their management. Even if surveillance for HCC recurrence is crucial for early detection, there is currently no evidence to support a specific and cost-effective post-LT surveillance strategy. Concerning preventive measures, consensus on the best immunosuppressive drugs has not been reached and not enough data to support adjuvant therapy are present. Several therapeutic approaches (surgical, locoregional and systemic treatments) are available in case of recurrence, but there are still few data in the post-LT setting. Moreover, the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors is controversial in transplant recipients considered the risk of rejection. In this paper, the available evidence on the management of HCC recurrence after LT is comprehensively reviewed, considering pre- and post-transplant risk stratification, post-transplant surveillance, preventive strategies and treatment options.
Evaluation of the Chemotherapy Drug Response Using Organotypic Cultures of Osteosarcoma Tumours from Mice Models and Canine Patients
Authors: Brulin Bénédicte , Nolan John C. , Marangon Tecla , Kovacevic Milan , Chatelais Mathias , Meheust Pierre , Abadie Jérome , Le Nail Louis-Romée , Rosset Philippe , Brennan Meadhbh Á. , Layrolle Pierre
Published: September 2021

Improvements in the clinical outcome of osteosarcoma have plateaued in recent decades with poor translation between preclinical testing and clinical efficacy. Organotypic cultures retain key features of patient tumours, such as a myriad of cell types organized within an extracellular matrix, thereby presenting a more realistic and personalised screening of chemotherapeutic agents ex vivo. To test this concept for the first time in osteosarcoma, murine and canine osteosarcoma organotypic models were maintained for up to 21 days and in-depth analysis identified proportions of immune and stromal cells present at levels comparable to that reported in vivo in the literature. Cytotoxicity testing of a range of chemotherapeutic drugs (mafosfamide, cisplatin, methotrexate, etoposide, and doxorubicin) on murine organotypic culture ex vivo found limited response to treatment, with immune and stromal cells demonstrating enhanced survival over the global tumour cell population. Furthermore, significantly decreased sensitivity to a range of chemotherapeutics in 3D organotypic culture relative to 2D monolayer was observed, with subsequent investigation confirming reduced sensitivity in 3D than in 2D, even at equivalent levels of drug uptake. Finally, as proof of concept for the application of this model to personalised drug screening, chemotherapy testing with doxorubicin was performed on biopsies obtained from canine osteosarcoma patients. Together, this study highlights the importance of recapitulating the 3D tumour multicellular microenvironment to better predict drug response and provides evidence for the utility and possibilities of organotypic culture for enhanced preclinical selection and evaluation of chemotherapeutics targeting osteosarcoma.
Deactivation of Zeolite Catalysts in the Prins Reaction between Propene and Formaldehyde in the Liquid Phase
Authors: Bedenko Stanislav P. , Dement’ev Konstantin I. , Tret’yakov Valentin F.
Published: September 2021

The Prins reaction between propene and formaldehyde was studied over H-BEA, H-FAU, H-MFI and H-MOR zeolites at 150 °C in liquid phase. It was found that the H-BEA sample is the most active and selective toward buta-1,3-diene; the H-MFI is a potential catalyst for 3-buten-1-ol synthesis, while H-FAU can be used for 4-methyl-1,3-dioxane production. It had been confirmed that zeolite textural and acidic properties influence catalyst behaviour: the acidic properties influence sample activity, while product distribution is controlled by pore volume and effective pore diameter. The sample’s deactivation process had been studied and the kinetic model of deactivation was proposed. It was shown that the deactivation rate for the H-MFI catalyst is four times greater than for the H-BEA catalyst, probably because its strong/weak acid sites ratio is much more high than for the H-BEA.
Crystalline ZnO Photocatalysts Prepared at Ambient Temperature: Influence of Morphology on p-Nitrophenol Degradation in Water
Authors: Mahy Julien G. , Lejeune Louise , Haynes Tommy , Body Nathalie , De Kreijger Simon , Elias Benjamin , Marcilli Raphael Henrique Marques , Fustin Charles-André , Hermans Sophie
Published: September 2021

Since the Industrial Revolution, technological advances have generated enormous emissions of various pollutants affecting all ecosystems. The detection and degradation of pollutants has therefore become a critical issue. More than 59 different remediation technologies have already been developed, such as biological remediation, and physicochemical and electrochemical methods. Among these techniques, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have been popularized in the treatment of wastewater. The use of ZnO as a photocatalyst for water remediation has been developing fast in recent years. In this work, the goals are to produce ZnO photocatalysts with different morphologies, by using a green sol-gel process, and to study both the influence of the synthesis parameters on the resulting morphology, and the influence of these different morphologies on the photocatalytic activity, for the degradation of an organic pollutant in water. Multiple morphologies were produced (nanotubes, nanorods, nanospheres), with the same crystalline phase (wurtzite). The most important parameter controlling the shape and size was found to be pH. The photoactivity study on a model of pollutant degradation shows that the resulting activity is mainly governed by the specific surface area of the material. A comparison with a commercial TiO2 photocatalyst (Evonik P25) showed that the best ZnO produced with this green process can reach similar photoactivity without a calcination step.
Getting the Most Out of Enzyme Cascades: Strategies to Optimize In Vitro Multi-Enzymatic Reactions
Authors: Siedentop Regine , Claaßen Christiane , Rother Dörte , Lütz Stephan , Rosenthal Katrin
Published: September 2021

In vitro enzyme cascades possess great benefits, such as their synthetic capabilities for complex molecules, no need for intermediate isolation, and the shift of unfavorable equilibria towards the products. Their performance, however, can be impaired by, for example, destabilizing or inhibitory interactions between the cascade components or incongruous reaction conditions. The optimization of such systems is therefore often inevitable but not an easy task. Many parameters such as the design of the synthesis route, the choice of enzymes, reaction conditions, or process design can alter the performance of an in vitro enzymatic cascade. Many strategies to tackle this complex task exist, ranging from experimental to in silico approaches and combinations of both. This review collates examples of various optimization strategies and their success. The feasibility of optimization goals, the influence of certain parameters and the usage of algorithm-based optimizations are discussed.
Amperometric Oxygen Sensor Based on Bimetallic Pd-Cu/C Electrocatalysts
Authors: Lee Yuan-Gee , Hou Ya-Tian , Weng Yu-Ching
Published: September 2021

A laminated Pd-Cu alloy/C/Nafion multilayer was prepared to sense O2 atmosphere in a metal-air structure. As a matrix, palladium was doped with various amounts of copper to conduct a preliminary test with optimum response, and four compositions, Pd, Pd8Cu2, Pd6Cu4, and Pd5Cu5, were selected as the candidate electrodes. It was found that the Pd6Cu4/C electrode showed higher sensitivity for all the electrodes. According to the phase identification of X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy tests, the high sensitivity was attributed to the doped Cu, which was merged into the Pd matrix to repel the Pd out of the matrix as a Pd-skin layer on the surface. In the Pd-Cu alloy, the Cu site served as a template reaction site to break the O-O bond and reduce the interaction force of adsorbated oxygen on the Pd site. During the oxygen reduction reaction, not only did the decomposition of O2 molecules occur on the electrode, but the electrode itself proceeded with a phase transformation to high valance of oxide, PdO3. The sensing potential for O2 sensing was determined by polarization curves in which the flat region resulting from a diffusion-control was adopted. Chronoamperometric measurements were employed to construct calibration curves for the selected electrodes. A successive response was measured to test the endurance, which showed appreciable sensitivity decay. We also tested the selectivity by introducing a series of disturbance gases, CO, SO2, and NO2, in which the Pd6Cu4 electrode prevailed over the other electrodes.
Dexpanthenol Promotes Cell Growth by Preventing Cell Senescence and Apoptosis in Cultured Human Hair Follicle Cells
Authors: Shin Jae Young , Kim Jaeyoon , Choi Yun-Ho , Kang Nae-Gyu , Lee Sanghwa
Published: September 2021

Dexpanthenol (D-panthenol) is a precursor of vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) and is widely used for dietary supplements and topical applications. D-panthenol has long been used in hair care products for the purpose of anti-hair loss, its effects and the underlying mechanisms, however, were barely reported. In this study, the effects of D-panthenol on human hair follicle cells, including dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) and outer root sheath cells (hORSCs), were investigated. D-panthenol enhanced the cell viability, increasing the cellular proliferation marker Ki67 in cultured hDPCs. The markers for apoptosis (Caspase3/9) and cell senescence (p21/p16), reported to be expressed in aged or resting phase follicles, were significantly reduced by D-panthenol. Anagen-inducing factors (ALP; β-catenin; versican), which trigger or elongate the anagen phase, were stimulated by D-panthenol. On the other hand, D-panthenol reduced TGF-β1 expressions in both mRNA and protein levels. The expression of VEGF, which is important for peripheral blood vessel activation; was up-regulated by D-panthenol treatment. In cultured hORSCs, cell proliferation and viability were enhanced, while the mRNA expression of cell senescence markers (p21/p16) was significantly down-regulated. The expressions of both VEGF and its receptor (VEGFR) were up-regulated by D-panthenol. In conclusion, our data suggest that the hair growth stimulating activity of D-panthenol was exerted by increasing the cell viability, suppressing the apoptotic markers, and elongating the anagen phase in hair follicles.
Durability of Structural Lightweight Concrete Containing Different Types of Natural or Artificial Lightweight Aggregates
Authors: Badogiannis Efstratios , Stratoura Maria , Aspiotis Konstantinos , Chatzopoulos Alexandros
Published: September 2021

Different structural lightweight concrete mixtures of specific density and strength classes were produced by using various lightweight aggregates (LWAs) such as pumice, perlite, and rice husk ash. Their properties were evaluated in fresh and hardened states with regards to compressive strength and durability parameters such as water absorption (open porosity and capillary absorption), chloride’s penetration resistance, and carbonation depth. According to the results, most LWA concrete mixtures performed satisfactorily in terms of the designed strength and density and they could be used as structural LWA concrete mixtures. As far as the durability of LWA concrete was concerned, open porosity and resistance to the carbonation of LWA concrete were burdened with the porous nature of LWAs, while sorptivity in some mixtures and especially chlorides’ penetration resistance in all mixtures were reported to be significantly improved. The overall strength and durability performance of the designed LWA concrete mixtures could mitigate the concerns stemming from its vulnerability to extreme exposure conditions.
Study of an Attenuator Supporting Meander-Line Slow Wave Structure for Ka-Band TWT
Authors: Wang Hexin , Wang Shaomeng , Wang Zhanliang , Li Xinyi , He Tenglong , Xu Duo , Duan Zhaoyun , Lu Zhigang , Gong Huarong , Gong Yubin
Published: September 2021

An attenuator supporting meander-line (ASML) slow wave structure (SWS) is proposed for a Ka-band traveling wave tube (TWT) and studied by simulations and experiments. The ASML SWS simplifies the fabrication and assembly process of traditional planar metal meander-lines (MLs) structures, by employing an attenuator to support the ML on the bottom of the enclosure rather than welding them together on the sides. To reduce the surface roughness of the molybdenum ML caused by laser cutting, the ML is coated by a thin copper film by magnetron sputtering. The measured S11 of the ML is below −20 dB and S21 varies around −8 dB to −12 dB without the attenuator, while below −40 dB with the attenuator. Particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation results show that with a 4.4-kV, 200-mA sheet electron beam, a maximum output power of 126 W is obtained at 38 GHz, corresponding to a gain of 24.1 dB and an electronic efficiency of 14.3%, respectively.
The Fourth-Order Single-Switch Improved Super-Boost Converter with Reduced Input Current Ripple
Authors: Garza-Arias Enrique , Rosas-Caro Julio C. , Valdez-Resendiz Jesus E. , Mayo-Maldonado Jonathan C. , Escobar-Valderrama Gerardo , Guillen Daniel , Rodríguez Alma
Published: September 2021

This paper introduces a new single switch DC-DC fourth-order boost converter. The proposed converter is the improved version of an existing converter known as the super-boost converter. The improved super-boost ISP converter achieves a smaller input current ripple than the super-boost converter when the same parameters in passive components are used. Conversely, smaller components can be used to achieve the same input current ripple, which leads to a compact and cheaper design. A comparative evaluation showed a reduction of 37.3% of stored energy in inductors to comply with a required input current ripple in comparison with the super-boost converter for a particular design. Experimental results are provided to corroborate this benefit of the ISB proposed topology.
Straightforward Heterogeneous Computing with the oneAPI Coexecutor Runtime
Authors: Nozal Raúl , Bosque Jose Luis
Published: September 2021

Heterogeneous systems are the core architecture of most computing systems, from high-performance computing nodes to embedded devices, due to their excellent performance and energy efficiency. Efficiently programming these systems has become a major challenge due to the complexity of their architectures and the efforts required to provide them with co-execution capabilities that can fully exploit the applications. There are many proposals to simplify the programming and management of acceleration devices and multi-core CPUs. However, in many cases, portability and ease of use compromise the efficiency of different devices—even more so when co-executing. Intel oneAPI, a new and powerful standards-based unified programming model, built on top of SYCL, addresses these issues. In this paper, oneAPI is provided with co-execution strategies to run the same kernel between different devices, enabling the exploitation of static and dynamic policies. This work evaluates the performance and energy efficiency for a well-known set of regular and irregular HPC benchmarks, using two heterogeneous systems composed of an integrated GPU and CPU. Static and dynamic load balancers are integrated and evaluated, highlighting single and co-execution strategies and the most significant key points of this promising technology. Experimental results show that co-execution is worthwhile when using dynamic algorithms and improves the efficiency even further when using unified shared memory.