bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chain Transfer to Solvent and Monomer in Early Transition Metal Catalyzed Olefin Polymerization: Mechanisms and Implications for Catalysis
Authors: Zaccaria Francesco , Budzelaar Peter H. M. , Zuccaccia Cristiano , Cipullo Roberta , Macchioni Alceo , Busico Vincenzo , Ehm Christian
Published: February 2021

Even after several decades of intense research, mechanistic studies of olefin polymerization by early transition metal catalysts continue to reveal unexpected elementary reaction steps. In this mini-review, the recent discovery of two unprecedented chain termination processes is summarized: chain transfer to solvent (CTS) and chain transfer to monomer (CTM), leading to benzyl/tolyl and allyl type chain ends, respectively. Although similar transfer reactions are well-known in radical polymerization, only very recently they have been observed also in olefin insertion polymerization catalysis. In the latter context, these processes were first identified in Ti-catalyzed propene and ethene polymerization; more recently, CTS was also reported in Sc-catalyzed styrene polymerization. In the Ti case, these processes represent a unique combination of insertion polymerization, organic radical chemistry and reactivity of a M(IV)/M(III) redox couple. In the Sc case, CTS occurs via a σ-bond metathesis reactivity, and it is associated with a significant boost of catalytic activity and/or with tuning of polystyrene molecular weight and tacticity. The mechanistic studies that led to the understanding of these chain transfer reactions are summarized, highlighting their relevance in olefin polymerization catalysis and beyond.
Cannabigerol Is a Potential Therapeutic Agent in a Novel Combined Therapy for Glioblastoma
Authors: Lah Tamara T. , Novak Metka , Pena Almidon Milagros A. , Marinelli Oliviero , Žvar Baškovič Barbara , Majc Bernarda , Mlinar Mateja , Bošnjak Roman , Breznik Barbara , Zomer Roby , Nabissi Massimo
Published: February 2021

Glioblastoma is the most aggressive cancer among primary brain tumours. As with other cancers, the incidence of glioblastoma is increasing; despite modern therapies, the overall mean survival of patients post-diagnosis averages around 16 months, a figure that has not changed in many years. Cannabigerol (CBG) has only recently been reported to prevent the progression of certain carcinomas and has not yet been studied in glioblastoma. Here, we have compared the cytotoxic, apoptotic, and anti-invasive effects of the purified natural cannabinoid CBG together with CBD and THC on established differentiated glioblastoma tumour cells and glioblastoma stem cells. CBG and THC reduced the viability of both types of cells to a similar extent, whereas combining CBD with CBG was more efficient than with THC. CBD and CBG, both alone and in combination, induced caspase-dependent cell apoptosis, and there was no additive THC effect. Of note, CBG inhibited glioblastoma invasion in a similar manner to CBD and the chemotherapeutic temozolomide. We have demonstrated that THC has little added value in combined-cannabinoid glioblastoma treatment, suggesting that this psychotropic cannabinoid should be replaced with CBG in future clinical studies of glioblastoma therapy.
IL-17A and TNF Modulate Normal Human Spinal Entheseal Bone and Soft Tissue Mesenchymal Stem Cell Osteogenesis, Adipogenesis, and Stromal Function
Authors: Russell Tobias , Watad Abdulla , Bridgewood Charlie , Rowe Hannah , Khan Almas , Rao Abhay , Loughenbury Peter , Millner Peter , Dunsmuir Robert , Cuthbert Richard , Altaie Ala , Jones Elena , McGonagle Dennis
Published: February 2021

Objective: The spondylarthritides (SpA) are intimately linked to new bone formation and IL-17A and TNF pathways. We investigated spinal soft tissue and bone mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) responses to IL-17A and TNF, including their osteogenesis, adipogenesis, and stromal supportive function and ability to support lymphocyte recruitment. Methods: Normal spinal peri-entheseal bone (PEB) and entheseal soft tissue (EST) were characterized for MSCs by immunophenotypic, osteogenic, chondrogenic, and adipogenic differentiation criteria. Functional and gene transcriptomic analysis was carried out on undifferentiated, adipo- differentiated, and osteo-differentiated MSCs. The enthesis C-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 20-C-C Motif Chemokine Receptor 6 (CCL20-CCR6) axis was investigated at transcript and protein levels to ascertain whether entheseal MSCs influence local immune cell populations. Results: Cultured MSCs from both PEB and EST displayed a tri-lineage differentiation ability. EST MSCs exhibited 4.9-fold greater adipogenesis (p < 0.001) and a 3-fold lower osteogenic capacity (p < 0.05). IL-17A induced greater osteogenesis in PEB MSCs compared to EST MSCs. IL-17A suppressed adipogenic differentiation, with a significant decrease in fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), Cell Death Inducing DFFA Like Effector C (CIDEC), and Perilipin-1 (PLIN1). IL-17A significantly increased the CCL20 transcript (p < 0.01) and protein expression (p < 0.001) in MSCs supporting a role in type 17 lymphocyte recruitment. Conclusions: Normal spinal enthesis harbors resident MSCs with different in vitro functionalities in bone and soft tissue, especially in response to IL-17A, which enhanced osteogenesis and CCL20 production and reduced adipogenesis compared to unstimulated MSCs. This MSC-stromal-enthesis immune system may be a hitherto unappreciated mechanism of “fine tuning” tissue repair responses at the enthesis in health and could be relevant for SpA understanding.
Recent Advances in Optical, Electrochemical and Field Effect pH Sensors
Authors: Vivaldi Federico , Salvo Pietro , Poma Noemi , Bonini Andrea , Biagini Denise , Del Noce Lorenzo , Melai Bernardo , Lisi Fabio , Francesco Fabio Di
Published: February 2021

Although its first definition dates back to more than a century ago, pH and its measurement are still studied for improving the performance of current sensors in everyday analysis. The gold standard is the glass electrode, but its intrinsic fragility and need of frequent calibration are pushing the research field towards alternative sensitive devices and materials. In this review, we describe the most recent optical, electrochemical, and transistor-based sensors to provide an overview on the status of the scientific efforts towards pH sensing.
Structural and Electronic Properties of Polycrystalline InAs Thin Films Deposited on Silicon Dioxide and Glass at Temperatures below 500 °C
Authors: Curran Anya , Gocalinska Agnieszka , Pescaglini Andrea , Secco Eleonora , Mura Enrica , Thomas Kevin , Nagle Roger E. , Sheehan Brendan , Povey Ian M. , Pelucchi Emanuele , O’Dwyer Colm , Hurley Paul K. , Gity Farzan
Published: February 2021

Polycrystalline indium arsenide (poly InAs) thin films grown at 475 °C by metal organic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE) are explored as possible candidates for low-temperature-grown semiconducting materials. Structural and transport properties of the films are reported, with electron mobilities of ~100 cm2/V·s achieved at room temperature, and values reaching 155 cm2/V·s for a heterostructure including the polycrystalline InAs film. Test structures fabricated with an aluminum oxide (Al2O3) top-gate dielectric show that transistor-type behavior is possible when poly InAs films are implemented as the channel material, with maximum ION/IOFF > 250 achieved at −50 °C and ION/IOFF = 90 at room temperature. Factors limiting the ION/IOFF ratio are investigated and recommendations are made for future implementation of this material.
Impact to Coral Reef Populations at Hā‘ena and Pila‘a, Kaua‘i, Following a Record 2018 Freshwater Flood Event
Authors: Rodgers Ku’ulei S. , Stefanak Matthew P. , Tsang Anita O. , Han Justin J. , Graham Andrew T. , Stender Yuko O.
Published: February 2021

Many corals and reef-dwelling organisms are susceptible to the impacts of storm events, which are typically characterized by large inputs of freshwater, sediment, and nutrients. The majority of storm effects are focused on shallow, nearshore reef flats, as low salinity and sedimentation tend to dissipate with depth and distance from shore. In April 2018, record rainfall on the northern coast of Kaua‘i caused extensive flooding and landslides, introducing large amounts of freshwater and sediment into nearshore reefs. Using benthic and fish transects from 2016–2019 and temperature, sediment, and rainfall data gathered pre- and post-flood, this study aimed to quantify and explicate the effects of flooding on the various biotic populations of two reef habitats at Pila‘a and Hā‘ena, Kaua‘i. Results from the shallow Pila‘a reef suggest sediment and freshwater-associated declines in mean urchin abundance (−52.0%) and increases in mean coral bleaching (+54.5%) at the flood-prone eastern sector. Additionally, decreases in mean urchin (−65.7%) and fish (−42.3%) populations were observed at shallow Hā‘ena transects, but not deep sites, supporting the occurrence of depth-specific affliction. Multivariate community-level analyses affirmed much of these results, showing a significant shift in community structure before and after the flood at both Pila‘a and Hā‘ena. The outcomes of this study are pertinent to strategic design and solution development by local aquatic resource managers, especially as anthropogenic climate change continues to increase the frequency, duration, and intensity of storm events.
Error Exponents and α-Mutual Information
Authors: Verdú Sergio
Published: February 2021

Over the last six decades, the representation of error exponent functions for data transmission through noisy channels at rates below capacity has seen three distinct approaches: (1) Through Gallager’s E0 functions (with and without cost constraints); (2) large deviations form, in terms of conditional relative entropy and mutual information; (3) through the α-mutual information and the Augustin–Csiszár mutual information of order α derived from the Rényi divergence. While a fairly complete picture has emerged in the absence of cost constraints, there have remained gaps in the interrelationships between the three approaches in the general case of cost-constrained encoding. Furthermore, no systematic approach has been proposed to solve the attendant optimization problems by exploiting the specific structure of the information functions. This paper closes those gaps and proposes a simple method to maximize Augustin–Csiszár mutual information of order α under cost constraints by means of the maximization of the α-mutual information subject to an exponential average constraint.
Unsupervised Anomaly Detection with Distillated Teacher-Student Network Ensemble
Authors: Xiao Qinfeng , Wang Jing , Lin Youfang , Gongsa Wenbo , Hu Ganghui , Li Menggang , Wang Fang
Published: February 2021

We address the problem of unsupervised anomaly detection for multivariate data. Traditional machine learning based anomaly detection algorithms rely on specific assumptions of normal patterns and fail to model complex feature interactions and relations. Recently, existing deep learning based methods are promising for extracting representations from complex features. These methods train an auxiliary task, e.g., reconstruction and prediction, on normal samples. They further assume that anomalies fail to perform well on the auxiliary task since they are never trained during the model optimization. However, the assumption does not always hold in practice. Deep models may also perform the auxiliary task well on anomalous samples, leading to the failure detection of anomalies. To effectively detect anomalies for multivariate data, this paper introduces a teacher-student distillation based framework Distillated Teacher-Student Network Ensemble (DTSNE). The paradigm of the teacher-student distillation is able to deal with high-dimensional complex features. In addition, an ensemble of student networks provides a better capability to avoid generalizing the auxiliary task performance on anomalous samples. To validate the effectiveness of our model, we conduct extensive experiments on real-world datasets. Experimental results show superior performance of DTSNE over competing methods. Analysis and discussion towards the behavior of our model are also provided in the experiment section.
Channel Impulse Response at 60 GHz and Impact of Electrical Parameters Properties on Ray Tracing Validations
Authors: Obeidat Huthaifa , Ullah Atta , AlAbdullah Ali , Manan Waqas , Obeidat Omar , Shauieb Wafa , Dama Yousef , Kara-Zaïtri Chakib , Abd-Alhameed Raed
Published: February 2021

This paper outlines a study of the effect of changing the electrical properties of materials when applied in the Wireless InSite (WI) ray-tracing software. The study was performed at 60 GHz in an indoor propagation environment and supported by Line of Sight (LoS) and Non-LoS measurements data. The study also investigates other factors that may affect the WI sensitivity, including antenna dimensions, antenna pattern, and accuracy of the environment design. In the experiment, single and double reflections from concrete walls and wooden doors are analysed. Experimental results were compared to those obtained from simulation using the WI. It was found that materials selected from the literature should be similar to those of the environment under study in order to have accurate results. WI was found to have an acceptable performance provided certain conditions are met.
Output Voltage Ripple Reduction in a Symmetric Multistage-Stacked Boost Architecture (MSBA) Converter
Authors: Rosas-Caro Julio C.
Published: February 2021

This article proposes a different operation mode in a recently proposed converter, the multistage-stacked boost architecture (MSBA) converter working under the symmetric operation mode. The operation mode of the converter is analyzed with a modified pulse width modulation (PWM) scheme, in which the switching function of transistors is obtained from an interleaved scheme. The results show that the modified PWM results in a similar operation of the converter, with a reduced output voltage ripple, without increasing the switching frequency. A mathematical model of the converter is provided, the output voltage ripple calculation is performed in the traditional, and the modified PWM scheme, simulation, and experimental results are provided to verify the operation mode and the obtained equations.
Step-by-Step Development and Implementation of FS-MPC for a FPGA-Based PMSM Drive System
Authors: Mishra Ipsita , Tripathi Ravi Nath , Singh Vijay Kumar , Hanamoto Tsuyoshi
Published: February 2021

In this paper, finite-set model-predictive control (FS-MPC) is inducted for a motor drive system. The dynamic response and multiple constraint handling nature of FS-MPC are the major factors that stand out among the controller family. However, for real-time implementation, the computational burden of FS-MPC is a primary concern. Due to the parallel processing nature and discrete nature of the hardware platform, the field-programmable gate array (FPGA) can be an alternative solution for the real-time implementation of the controller algorithm. The FPGA is capable of handling the computational requirements for FS-MPC implementation; however, the system development involves multiple steps that lead to a time-consuming debugging process. Moreover, specific hardware coding skill makes it more complex, corresponding to an increase in system complexity, which leads to a tedious task for the system development. This paper presents a FPGA-based implementation of the predictive current control of a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM). FS-MPC of the PMSM drive system is designed and implemented using the digital model integration approach provided by the Xilinx system generator (XSG) and VIVADO platform. The step change in the load disturbance as well as the reference speed is considered for the analysis of the controller for the motor drive system. Moreover, the steady state error and harmonic distortion in the motor current is considered for an in-depth analysis of the system performance corresponding to different sampling frequencies.
Optimising Hardware Accelerated Neural Networks with Quantisation and a Knowledge Distillation Evolutionary Algorithm
Authors: Stewart Robert , Nowlan Andrew , Bacchus Pascal , Ducasse Quentin , Komendantskaya Ekaterina
Published: February 2021

This paper compares the latency, accuracy, training time and hardware costs of neural networks compressed with our new multi-objective evolutionary algorithm called NEMOKD, and with quantisation. We evaluate NEMOKD on Intel’s Movidius Myriad X VPU processor, and quantisation on Xilinx’s programmable Z7020 FPGA hardware. Evolving models with NEMOKD increases inference accuracy by up to 82% at the cost of 38% increased latency, with throughput performance of 100–590 image frames-per-second (FPS). Quantisation identifies a sweet spot of 3 bit precision in the trade-off between latency, hardware requirements, training time and accuracy. Parallelising FPGA implementations of 2 and 3 bit quantised neural networks increases throughput from 6 k FPS to 373 k FPS, a 62× speedup.
Many Ways Lead to the Goal—Possibilities of Autonomous and Infrastructure-Based Indoor Positioning
Authors: Shoushtari Hossein , Willemsen Thomas , Sternberg Harald
Published: February 2021

There are many ways to navigate in Global Navigation Satellite System-(GNSS) shaded areas. Reliable indoor pedestrian navigation has been a central aim of technology researchers in recent years; however, there still exist open challenges requiring re-examination and evaluation. In this paper, a novel dataset is used to evaluate common approaches for autonomous and infrastructure-based positioning methods. The autonomous variant is the most cost-effective realization; however, realizations using the real test data demonstrate that the use of only autonomous solutions cannot always provide a robust solution. Therefore, correction through the use of infrastructure-based position estimation based on smartphone technology is discussed. This approach invokes the minimum cost when using existing infrastructure, whereby Pedestrian Dead Reckoning (PDR) forms the basis of the autonomous position estimation. Realizations with Particle Filters (PF) and a topological approach are presented and discussed. Floor plans and routing graphs are used, in this case, to support PDR positioning. The results show that the positioning model loses stability after a given period of time. Fifth Generation (5G) mobile networks can enable this feature, as well as a massive number of use-cases, which would benefit from user position data. Therefore, a fusion concept of PDR and 5G is presented, the benefit of which is demonstrated using the simulated data. Subsequently, the first implementation of PDR with 5G positioning using PF is carried out.
The Impact of Cracks in BIPV Modules on Power Outputs: A Case Study Based on Measured and Simulated Data
Authors: Lee Kyung-Woo , Lee Hyo-Mun , Lee Ru-Da , Kim Dong-Su , Yoon Jong-Ho
Published: February 2021

Crack issues afflicting a building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) system are major concerns in terms of the system’s maintenance and power degradation. Although there may be many circumstances that bring about cracks in BIPV modules during the installation process, identifying the degradation of PV module efficiency resulting from the effects of cracks tends to be a very difficult task unless actual indoor or outdoor tests or detailed electroluminescence imaging tests are conducted. Many current studies have demonstrated that cracks may or may not impact the output performance of PV modules depending on the damage levels or where the damage is located. For BIPV applications such as replacement for building materials, there is still a lack of information and case studies addressing crack issues in a quantitative manner for evaluating BIPV output performance. Therefore, the objectives of this study are to investigate the effects of cracks in BIPV modules on power outputs and to identify detailed relationships between the cracks and power output based on experimental and simulated analysis. An experimental facility located in Daejeon, South Korea, was used to gather data from cracked and non-cracked BIPV modules. By using the field-measured data and facility’ information, a simulation model was developed using SolarPro software, and a simulated-based analysis was conducted to evaluate the impact of cracks in BIPV modules on output values after proper validation of the model. The results from this study reveal that cracks in BIPV modules exhibit significant degradation in BIPV modules’ outputs of up to 43% reduction during the experimental period. From the annual comparative results, output degradations of 34.6–35.4% were estimated when the BIPV modules included cracks. As a result, the cracks in the BIPV modules could be carefully addressed as issues occurring in the BIPV installation process.
Optimal Shape of Non-Linear Partially Wet Annular Fins for Maximum Efficiency
Authors: Huang Cheng-Hung , Chung Yun-Lung
Published: February 2021

Heat exchangers with annular finned-tube type and partially wetted condition are utilized widely in engineering systems, such as air-conditioning systems and refrigeration systems. In addition, the physical properties of fin materials should be considered as functions of temperature in reality and thus become a non-linear problem. Based on the above two conditions, an optimal partially wet annular fin design problem, with temperature-dependent thermal properties of the fin, to yield optimal fin efficiency was investigated in the present work, which has not been examined previously and it is the novelty of this study. An iterative regularization algorithm using the conjugate gradient method (CGM) is considered as the optimization tool based on the desired fin efficiency under a fixed fin volume constraint. The partially wet annular fin condition can result if the relative humidity of surrounding air is between 80 and 90%. Finally, the optimal fin shape, with the highest computed efficiency among examined fins under identical operational conditions, can be obtained. It is found that when the Biot numbers for ambient air (Bia) and relative humidity (φ) increased, the optimum computed fin efficiency and interfacial radius between wet and dry fin domains (rwd) will be increased, and the estimated optimum fin shape also changed. However, the shape of optimal fin remained approximately unchanged when the Biot numbers for the inner tube (Bii), the thermal conductivities of the tube (kw) and fin (kf) varied. It reveals that Bii, kw and kf have an insignificant influence on the optimal shape of the annular fin in a partially wet condition.
Development of Meat Products with Healthier Lipid Content: Vibrational Spectroscopy
Authors: Ruiz-Capillas Claudia , Herrero Ana M.
Published: February 2021

This review focuses on the importance of developing meat products with healthier lipid content and strategies such as the use of structured lipids to develop these enriched products. The review also conducts a critical analysis of the use of vibrational spectroscopy as a tool to further these developments. Meat and meat products are extensively recognized and consumed in the world. They are an important nutritional contribution in our diet. However, their consumption has also been associated with some negative consequences for health due to some of its components. There are new trends in the design of healthy meat products focusing mainly on improving their composition. From among the different strategies, improving lipid content is the one that has received the most attention. A novel development is the formation of lipid materials based on structured lipids such emulsion gels (EGs) or oil-bulking agents (OBAs) that offer attractive applications in the reformulation of health-enhanced meat products. A deeper interpretation is required of the complicated relationship between the structure of their components and their properties in order to obtain structured lipids and healthier meat products with improved lipid content and acceptable characteristics. To this end, vibrational spectroscopy techniques (Raman and infrared spectroscopy) have been demonstrated to be suitable in the elucidation of the structural characteristics of lipid materials based on structured lipids (EGs or OBAs) and the corresponding reformulated health-enhanced meat products into which these fat replacers have been incorporated. Future research on these structures and how they correlate to certain technological properties could help in selecting the best lipid material to achieve specific technological properties in healthier meat products with improved lipid content.
Fabric Phase Sorptive Extraction of Selected Steroid Hormone Residues in Commercial Raw Milk Followed by Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Guedes-Alonso Rayco , Sosa-Ferrera Zoraida , Santana-Rodríguez José J. , Kabir Abuzar , Furton Kenneth G.
Published: February 2021

Hormones in edible matrices, such as milk, are a subject of concern because of their adverse effects on the endocrine system and cell signaling and the consequent disruption of homeostasis in human consumers. Therefore, the assessment of the presence of hormones in milk as potential endocrine-disrupting compounds is warranted. However, the complexity of milk as a sample matrix and the ultra-low concentration of hormones pose significant analytical challenges. Fabric phase sorptive extraction (FPSE) has emerged as a powerful analytical technique for the extraction of emerging pollutants from complex aqueous matrices. FPSE allows for substantially simplified sample handling and short extraction and desorption times, as well as the decreased use of organic solvents. It is considered a green alternative to traditional extraction methodologies. In this work, the FPSE technique was evaluated to perform the simultaneous extraction of 15 steroid hormones from raw milk without employing any sample pretreatment steps. Clean and preconcentrated hormone solutions obtained from FPSE of raw milk were analyzed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry to achieve low detection limits, which ranged from 0.047 to 1.242 ng·mL−1. Because of the presence of many interferents in milk, such as proteins, lipids, and sugar, the effect of fat content on the extraction procedure was also thoroughly studied. Additionally, for the first time, the effect of lactose on the extraction of steroid hormones was evaluated, and the results showed that the extraction efficiencies were enhanced in lactose-free samples. Finally, the optimized methodology was applied to commercial samples of cow and goat milk, and no measurable concentrations of the studied hormones were detected in these samples.
Health Promoting Properties of Cereal Vinegars
Authors: Kandylis Panagiotis , Bekatorou Argyro , Dimitrellou Dimitra , Plioni Iris , Giannopoulou Kanella
Published: February 2021

Vinegar has been used for its health promoting properties since antiquity. Nowadays, these properties are investigated, scientifically documented, and highlighted. The health benefits of vinegar have been associated with the presence of a variety of bioactive components such as acetic acid and other organic acids, phenolic compounds, amino acids, carotenoids, phytosterols, vitamins, minerals, and alkaloids, etc. These components are known to induce responses in the human body, such as antioxidant, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antitumor, antiobesity, antihypertensive, and anti-inflammatory effects. The diversity and levels of bioactive components in vinegars depend on the raw material and the production method used. Cereal vinegars, which are more common in the Asia-Pacific region, are usually made from rice, although other cereals, such as millet, sorghum, barley, malt, wheat, corn, rye, oats, bran and chaff, are also used. A variety of bioactive components, such as organic acids, polyphenols, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, alkaloids, melanoidins, butenolides, and specific compounds such as γ-oryzanol, tetramethylpyrazine, γ-aminobutyric acid, etc., have been associated with the health properties of cereal vinegars. In this work, the bioactive components and the related health effects of cereal vinegars are reviewed, and the most recent scientific literature is presented and discussed.
Ocular Phenotype Associated with DYRK1A Variants
Authors: Méjécase Cécile , Way Christopher M. , Owen Nicholas , Moosajee Mariya
Published: February 2021

Dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1A or DYRK1A, contributes to central nervous system development in a dose-sensitive manner. Triallelic DYRK1A is implicated in the neuropathology of Down syndrome, whereas haploinsufficiency causes the rare DYRK1A-related intellectual disability syndrome (also known as mental retardation 7). It is characterised by intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder and microcephaly with a typical facial gestalt. Preclinical studies elucidate a role for DYRK1A in eye development and case studies have reported associated ocular pathology. In this study families of the DYRK1A Syndrome International Association were asked to self-report any co-existing ocular abnormalities. Twenty-six patients responded but only 14 had molecular confirmation of a DYRK1A pathogenic variant. A further nineteen patients from the UK Genomics England 100,000 Genomes Project were identified and combined with 112 patients reported in the literature for further analysis. Ninety out of 145 patients (62.1%) with heterozygous DYRK1A variants revealed ocular features, these ranged from optic nerve hypoplasia (13%, 12/90), refractive error (35.6%, 32/90) and strabismus (21.1%, 19/90). Patients with DYRK1A variants should be referred to ophthalmology as part of their management care pathway to prevent amblyopia in children and reduce visual comorbidity, which may further impact on learning, behaviour, and quality of life.
Challenges and Opportunities in NUT Carcinoma Research
Authors: Gu Bin , Hakun Maxwell C.
Published: February 2021

NUT carcinoma (NC) is a type of aggressive cancer driven by chromosome translocations. Fusion genes between a DNA-binding protein, such as bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) proteins, and the testis-specific protein NUTM1 generated by these translocations drive the formation of NC. NC can develop in very young children without significant accumulation of somatic mutations, presenting a relatively clean model to study the genetic etiology of oncogenesis. However, after 20 years of research, a few challenging questions still remain for understanding the mechanism and developing therapeutics for NC. In this short review, we first briefly summarize the current knowledge regarding the molecular mechanism and targeted therapy development of NC. We then raise three challenging questions: (1) What is the cell of origin of NC? (2) How does the germline analogous epigenetic reprogramming process driven by the BET-NUTM1 fusion proteins cause NC? and (3) How will BET-NUTM1 targeted therapies be developed? We propose that with the unprecedented technological advancements in genome editing, animal models, stem cell biology, organoids, and chemical biology, we have unique opportunities to address these challenges.
Edith Södergran’s Genderqueer Modernism
Authors: Mier-Cruz Benjamin
Published: February 2021

This essay reads Edith Södergran’s poetic subject in Dikter (Poems) (1916) as multiple and, in their complex negotiation and revision of the cultural body assigned female at birth, representative of a gender expansiveness that we can identify today as trans and genderqueer. These queer readings of Södergran’s poems seek to move away from traditional interpretations of her work while resisting the application of fixed meanings onto them. Locating potential manifestations, opposed to identifications, of trans expression can open up new possibilities for understanding the complexity of Södergran’s writing and how contemporary readers can consider their own positionality as they navigate and renegotiate their place in the queer worlds Södergran built. This essay argues that Edith Södergran’s avant-gardist world-building of materially and aesthetically genderqueer poetic subjects contributes to her own revolutionary brand of Finland-Swedish modernism.
Implications of the COVID-19 Lockdown on Dengue Transmission in Malaysia
Authors: Ong Song-Quan , Ahmad Hamdan , Mohd Ngesom Ahmad Mohiddin
Published: February 2021

We aim to investigate the effect of large-scale human movement restrictions during the COVID-19 lockdown on both the dengue transmission and vector occurrences. This study compared the weekly dengue incidences during the period of lockdown to the previous years (2015 to 2019) and a Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMA) model that expected no movement restrictions. We found that the trend of dengue incidence during the first two weeks (stage 1) of lockdown decreased significantly with the incidences lower than the lower confidence level (LCL) of SARIMA. By comparing the magnitude of the gradient of decrease, the trend is 319% steeper than the trend observed in previous years and 650% steeper than the simulated model, indicating that the control of population movement did reduce dengue transmission. However, starting from stage 2 of lockdown, the dengue incidences demonstrated an elevation and earlier rebound by four weeks and grew with an exponential pattern. We revealed that Aedes albopictus is the predominant species and demonstrated a strong correlation with the locally reported dengue incidences, and therefore we proposed the possible diffusive effect of the vector that led to a higher acceleration of incidence rate.
Irregular Work Hours and the Risk of Sleep Disturbance Among Korean Service Workers Required to Suppress Emotion
Authors: Yun Sehyun , Kim Minsuk , Lee Won-Tae , Yoon Jin-Ha , Won Jong-Uk
Published: February 2021

Although a necessity in a modern society, irregular work schedule can lead to sleep problems. We investigated the effect of work schedule irregularity on sleep disturbance of 17,846 Korean service workers using the fifth Korean Working Conditions Survey. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for sleep disturbance occurrence were calculated through a multiple logistic regression model. The adjusted ORs for moderate and severe sleep disturbances for those with irregular work hours were 2.11 (95% CI 1.90–2.33) and 3.10 (95% CI 2.62–3.66), respectively. Work schedule irregularity and emotion suppression at work showed synergistic effect on both moderate and severe sleep disturbances. Sleep disturbances can lead to brain function deterioration and work-related injuries; therefore, appropriate measures should be addressed for the vulnerable population.
A Multilevel Perspective on the Health Effect of Social Capital: Evidence for the Relative Importance of Individual Social Capital over Neighborhood Social Capital
Authors: Lagaert Susan , Snaphaan Thom , Vyncke Veerle , Hardyns Wim , Pauwels Lieven J. R. , Willems Sara
Published: February 2021

Employing a multilevel perspective on the health effects of social capital, this study analyzes how individual and neighborhood differences in self-rated health in Ghent (Belgium), relate to individual and collective social mechanisms, when taking demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of individuals into account. This study estimates the health effects of social trust, informal social control and disorder at the neighborhood level and social support and network size at the individual level, using indicators indebted to both the normative and resource-based approaches to social capital. Instead of the mere aggregation of individual indicators of social capital, this study uses the key informant technique as a methodologically superior measurement of neighborhood social capital, which combined with a multilevel analysis strategy, allows to disentangle the health effects of individual and neighborhood social capital. The analysis highlights the health benefits of individual social capital, i.e., individual social support and network size. The study indicates that controlling for individual demographic and socioeconomic characteristics reduces the effect of the neighborhood-level counterparts and the neighborhood characteristics social trust and neighborhood disorder have significant, but small health effects. In its effects on self-rated health, social capital operates on the individual level, rather than the neighborhood level.
Influence of Work-Related and Personal Characteristics on the Burnout Risk among Full- and Part-Time Teachers
Authors: Seibt Reingard , Kreuzfeld Steffi
Published: February 2021

Teachers are at increased risk of stress-related illnesses and burnout symptoms. Thus, a cross-sectional study involving 6109 full-time and 5905 part-time teachers at upper-level secondary schools examined the influence of presumed work-related and personal characteristics on burnout risk between January and April 2018. Burnout was recorded using the Maslach Burnout Inventory—General Survey (MBI-GS). Work-related characteristics were weekly working hours and work stress, operationalized with the effort-reward imbalance (ERI) model. Overcommitment and the inability to recover were determined as personal characteristics. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed, adjusted for age and gender. Overall, 47% of the teachers reported burnout symptoms and 3% had an indication of burnout. Full-time and part-time teachers did not differ in their risk of burnout. ERI, overcommitment, and inability to recover were identified as predictors of burnout risk (explained variance: 29%), whereby the inability to recover was the strongest predictor. In contrast, weekly working hours, extent of employment, gender and age were not related to the burnout risk. ERI was found in 33%, inability to recover in 36% and overcommitment in 39% of all the teachers studied. In particular, the inability to recover should be taken into account as an early indicator of burnout.
Functional-Belief-Based Alcohol Use Questionnaire (FBAQ) as a Pre-Screening Tool for High-Risk Drinking Behaviors among Young Adults: A Northern Thai Cross-Sectional Survey Analysis
Authors: Yingchankul Nalinee , Jiraporncharoen Wichuda , Pateekhum Chanapat , Jiraniramai Surin , Thaikla Kanittha , Angkurawaranon Chaisiri , Phinyo Phichayut
Published: February 2021

Background: an alcohol-use disorders identification test (AUDIT) is a standard screening tool for high-risk drinking behavior. Standard drink calculation is difficult to comprehend and may lead to inaccurate estimates. This study intended to develop a practical pre-screening tool for the identification of high-risk drinkers among young adults. Methods: a cross-sectional survey was conducted in Northern Thailand from July 2016 to December 2016. Data was collected on relevant characteristics and health beliefs about drinking. The 12-month AUDIT was used as the reference standard. Logistic regression was used for the score derivation. The discriminative ability was measured with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AuROC). Result: a total of 1401 young adults were included. Of these, 791 people (56.5%) were current drinkers. Three functional-belief items were identified as independent predictors of high-risk drinking and were used to develop the functional-belief-based alcohol-use questionnaire (FBAQ). The FBAQ demonstrated an acceptable discriminative ability—AuROC 0.74 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.70, 0.77). Conclusion: The FBAQ contains only three simple belief questions and does not require unintelligible standard drink calculation. Implementing the FBAQ score and the AUDIT in a serial manner might be a more effective method in a mass-screening program for alcohol-use disorder in young adults.
Is Empowerment of Female Radiologists Still Needed? Findings of a Systematic Review
Authors: Fichera Giulia , Busch Isolde Martina , Rimondini Michela , Motta Raffaella , Giraudo Chiara
Published: February 2021

Considering that radiology is still a male-dominated specialty in which men make up more than two thirds of the workforce, this systematic review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the current role of women in radiological imaging, focusing on the main aspects such as career progression, leadership, academic practice, and perceived discrimination. Three electronic databases were searched up to 21 October 2020. To identify additional records, weekly automatic email alerts were set up on PubMed until December 2020 and reference lists of key studies and included papers were screened. Two reviewers independently performed the search, study selection, quality appraisal, data extraction, and formal narrative synthesis. In case of disagreement, a third reviewer was involved. Across the 61 included articles, women worked more often part-time and held fewer positions of power in hospitals, on editorial boards, and at the academic level (associate and full professors). Women were less often in relevant positions in scientific articles, had fewer publications, and had a lower H-index. Discrimination and sexual harassment were experienced by up to 40% and 47% of female radiologists, respectively. Our study highlights that women in radiology are still underrepresented and play a marginal role in the field, struggling to reach top and leading positions.
Gaming Behaviors among Polish Students with Visual Impairment
Authors: Wrzesińska Magdalena Agnieszka , Tabała Klaudia , Stecz Patryk
Published: February 2021

The access of people with disabilities to digital solutions promotes their inclusion and participation in many aspects of life. Computer games based on hearing or haptic devices have been gaining popularity among persons with visual impairment (VI), and players tend to display improved spatial and abstract reasoning skills, as well as better social interaction and self-confidence, after playing these games. However, a recent survey suggested that excessive gaming could represent a public health concern as a harmful form of behavior in young people associated with risk factors of negative psychosomatic and physical complaints. Young persons with VI are regular users of various technologies, but little is still known about their media patterns. This study aimed to determine the characteristics of the variables associated with gaming for adolescents with VI. The participants were 490 students, aged 13–24 years, from special schools for students with VI. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. The current survey indicated a tendency towards excessive gaming in a significant proportion of young persons with VI. Sociodemographic variables are important in predicting gaming prevalence or screen time, but further research focused on establishing possible mediators (such as parental attitudes towards media) are necessary for identifying problematic gaming behaviors among students with VI.
Impact of Fibromyalgia in the Hippocampal Subfields Volumes of Women—An MRI Study
Authors: Leon-Llamas Juan Luis , Villafaina Santos , Murillo-Garcia Alvaro , Gusi Narcis
Published: February 2021

Patients with fibromyalgia (FM) show widespread pain associated with other symptoms such as cognitive problems, depression, and anxiety among others associated with alterations in the central nervous system. The hippocampal subfields had differences in function, histology, and connectivity with other brain regions, and are altered in different diseases. This study evaluates the volumetric differences between patients with FM compared with a healthy control group. A total of 49 women with, and 43 healthy women completed this study. T1-weighted MRI was used to assess brain volume, and FreeSurfer software was used to segment the hippocampal subfields. Women with FM had a significant reduction in most of the hippocampal subfields. The regression equation models were obtained to predict the volume of specific subfields of the right and left hippocampus. These findings provide that women with FM have lower hippocampal subfields volumes compared with healthy women. Besides, regression models show that different covariates, such as age, cognitive impairment, or depression, are related to specific subfields.
The GGLEAM Study: Understanding Glaucoma in the Ohio Amish
Authors: Waksmunski Andrea R. , Song Yeunjoo E. , Kinzy Tyler G. , Laux Reneé A. , Sewell Jane , Fuzzell Denise , Fuzzell Sarada , Miller Sherri , Wiggs Janey L. , Pasquale Louis R. , Skarie Jonathan M. , Haines Jonathan L. , Cooke Bailey Jessica N.
Published: February 2021

Glaucoma leads to millions of cases of visual impairment and blindness around the world. Its susceptibility is shaped by both environmental and genetic risk factors. Although over 120 risk loci have been identified for glaucoma, a large portion of its heritability is still unexplained. Here we describe the foundation of the Genetics of GLaucoma Evaluation in the AMish (GGLEAM) study to investigate the genetic architecture of glaucoma in the Ohio Amish, which exhibits lower genetic and environmental heterogeneity compared to the general population. To date, we have enrolled 81 Amish individuals in our study from Holmes County, Ohio. As a part of our enrollment process, 62 GGLEAM study participants (42 glaucoma-affected and 20 unaffected individuals) received comprehensive eye examinations and glaucoma evaluations. Using the data from the Anabaptist Genealogy Database, we found that 80 of the GGLEAM study participants were related to one another through a large, multigenerational pedigree containing 1586 people. We plan to integrate the health and kinship data obtained for the GGLEAM study to interrogate glaucoma genetics and pathophysiology in this unique population.
A Multiple Subspaces-Based Model: Interpreting Urban Functional Regions with Big Geospatial Data
Authors: Zhu Jiawei , Tao Chao , Lin Xin , Peng Jian , Huang Haozhe , Chen Li , Wang Qiongjie
Published: February 2021

Analyzing the urban spatial structure of a city is a core topic within urban geographical information science that has the ability to assist urban planning, site selection, location recommendation, etc. Among previous studies, comprehending the functionality of places is a central topic and corresponds to understanding how people use places. With the help of big geospatial data which contain affluent information about human mobility and activity, we propose a novel multiple subspaces-based model to interpret the urban functional regions. This model is based on the assumption that the temporal activity patterns of places lie in a high-dimensional space and can be represented by a union of low-dimensional subspaces. These subspaces are obtained through finding sparse representations using the data science method known as sparse subspace clustering (SSC). The paper details how to use this method in the context of detecting functional regions. With these subspaces, we can detect the functionality of urban regions in a designated study area and further explore the characteristics of functional regions. We conducted experiments using real data in Shanghai. The experimental results and outperformance of our proposed model against the single subspace-based method prove the efficacy and feasibility of our model.