bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Description of Longidorella (Saevadorella) caspica n. sp. (Dorylaimida: Nordiidae) from north Iran
Authors: Heydari Fariba , Atighi Mohammad Reza , Pourjam Ebrahim , Pedram Majid
Published: February 2021

This contribution provides the morphological and molecular identification of a new species of the genus Longidorella (Saevadorella). L. (S.) caspica n. sp., was recovered from the rhizospheric soil of grasses in Mazandaran province in the seashore of the Caspian Sea. It is characterized by females with a length of 788 to 874 μm and a cephalic region with prominent papillae; and separated from the rest of the body by a remarkable constriction, an odontostyle of 32 to 33 μm, vulva at 52.5 to 59.0%, and a tail of 33 to 38 μm with a rounded tip. Males have 32 to 35 μm long spicules of dorylaimoid form and five to seven ventral supplements ending at 48 to 55 μm distance from cloacal pair. The new species was morphologically compared with seven nominal species viz. L. (S.) arenicola, L. (S.) cuspidata, L. (S.) magna, L. (S.) perplexa, L. (S.) saadi, L. (S.) saevae, and L. (S.) tharensis. It was further compared with similar species under the subgenus Longidorella (Enchodorella) viz. L. (E.) deliblatica and L. (E.) murithi. Besides morphological studies, molecular phylogenetic studies using partial sequences of D2 to D3 expansion fragments of 28S rDNA were performed for the new species and its phylogenetic relationships with other species and genera were discussed.
First report and new molecular and morphological characterizations of root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne javanica, infecting ginger and long coriander in Vietnam
Authors: Phan Ke Long , LE Thi Mai Linh , Nguyen Huu Tien , Nguyen Thi Duyen , Trinh Quang Phap
Published: February 2021

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) and long coriander (Eryngium foetidum L.) are commonly grown and used as important spices and medicinal plants in Vietnam. Our study recovered for the first time one of the most damaging tropical root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne javanica, associated with these plants in the Western Highlands of Vietnam. In this study, M. javanica was characterized based on morphology and molecular characterization of D2-D3 fragment of 28S rRNA, ITS, and Nad5 mtDNA regions. The identification of this species was done based on a combination of morphology, multiplex-PCR with specific primer, network haplotype analysis, and PPNID program.
Smart pH-responsive Co-polymeric Hydrogels for Controlled Delivery of Capecitabine: Fabrication, Optimization and In Vivo Toxicology Screening
Authors: Rehman Umaira , Sarfraz Rai Muhammad , Mahmood Asif , Hussain Zahid , Thu Hnin Ei , Zafar Nadiah , Ashraf Muhammad Umar , Batool Nighat
Published: February 2021

Background:

Despite exhibiting promising anticancer potential, the clinical significance
of capecitabine (a potent prodrug of 5-fluorouracil used for the treatment of colorectal cancer) is
limited owing to its acidic and enzymatic hydrolysis, lower absorption following the oral administration,
poor bioavailability, short plasma half-life, and poor patient compliance.

Objectives:

The present study was aimed to fabricate the capecitabine as a smart pH-responsive hydrogel
network to efficiently facilitate its oral delivery while shielding its stability in the gastric media.

Methods:

The smart pH-sensitive HP-β-CD/agarose-g-poly(MAA) hydrogel network was developed
using an aqueous free radical polymerization technique. The developed hydrogels were characterized
for drug-loading efficiency, structural and compositional features, thermal stability,
swelling behaviour, morphology, physical form, and release kinetics. The pH-responsive behaviour
of developed hydrogels was established by conducting the swelling and release behaviour at different
pH values (1.2 and 7.4), demonstrating significantly higher swelling and release at pH 7.4 as
compared with pH 1.2. The capecitabine-loaded hydrogels were also screened for acute oral toxicity
in animals by analysing the body weight, water and food intake, dermal toxicity, ocular toxicity,
biochemical analysis, and histological examination.

Results:

The characteristic evaluations revealed that capecitabine (anticancer agent) was successfully
loaded into the hydrogel network. The range of capecitabine loading was from 71.22% to
90.12%. An interesting feature of hydrogel was its pH-responsive behaviour which triggers release
at basic pH (94.25%). Optimum swelling (95%)was seen at pH 7.4. Based upon regression coefficient
R2(0.96 – 0.99) the best-fit model was zero-order. The extensive toxicity evaluations evidenced
a good safety profile with no signs of oral, dermal, or ocular toxicities, as well as no variations
in blood parameters and histology of vital organs.

Conclusion:

Our findings conclusively evinced that the developed hydrogel exhibited excellent
pharmaceutical and therapeutic potential and thus can be employed as a pH-responsive system for
the controlled delivery of anticancer agents.
Trimetazidine Dihydrochloride Pulsatile–Release Tablets for the Treatment of Morning Anginal Symptoms: Dual Optimization, Characterization and Pharmacokinetic Evaluation
Authors: Othman Abdelrahman I. , Amin Maha M. , Abu-Elyazid Sherif K. , Abdelbary Ghada A.
Published: February 2021

Objective:

This research work aimed to target the early morning peak symptoms of chronic stable angina through formulating antianginal drug, Trimetazidine (TMZ) in a pulsatile-release tablet.

Methods:

The core formulae were optimized using 22.31 factorial design to minimize disintegration time (DT) and maximize drug release after 5 minutes (Q5min). Different ratios of Eudragit S100 and Eudragit L100 were used as a coating mixture for the selected core with or without a second coating layer of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC E50). The different formulation variables were statistically optimized for their effect on lag time and drug release after 7 hours (Q7h) using Box-Behnken design. The optimized formula (PO) was subjected to stability study and pharmacokinetic assessment on New Zealand rabbits.

Results:

The optimal core (F8) was found to have 1.76 min disintegration time and 61.45% Q5min PO showed a lag time of 6.17 h with 94.80% Q7h and retained good stability over three months. The pharmacokinetic study confirmed the pulsatile–release pattern with Cmax of 206.19 ng/ml at 5.33 h (Tmax), as well as 95.85% relative bioavailability compared to TMZ solution.

Conclusion:

Overall pulsatile-release tablets of TMZ succeeded in releasing the drug rapidly after a desirable lag time, providing a promising approach for early morning anginal symptoms relief.
Diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment Using Cognitive Tasks: A Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Study
Authors: Yoo So-Hyeon , Woo Seong-Woo , Shin Myung-Jun , Yoon Jin A. , Shin Yong-Il , Hong Keum-Shik
Published: February 2021

Background:

Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is essential in preventing its
progression to dementia. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) can be indicative of early-stage AD. In this
study, we propose a channel-wise feature extraction method of functional near-infrared spectroscopy
(fNIRS) data to diagnose MCI when performing cognitive tasks, including two-back, Stroop, and
semantic verbal fluency tasks (SVFT).

Methods:

A new channel-wise feature extraction method is proposed as follows: A region-of-interest
(ROI) channel is defined as such channel having a statistical difference (p <0.05) in t-values between
two groups. For each ROI channel, features (the mean, slope, skewness, kurtosis, and peak value of
oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin) are extracted. The extracted features for the two classes (MCI, HC) are
classified using the linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and support vector machine (SVM). Finally, the
classifiers are validated using the area under curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristics.
Furthermore, the suggested feature extraction method is compared with the conventional approach.
Fifteen MCI patients and fifteen healthy controls (HCs) participated in the study.

Results:

In the two-back and Stroop tasks, HCs showed activation in the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex
(VLPFC). However, in the case of MCI, the VLPFC was not activated. Instead, Ch. 30 was activated.
In the SVFT task, the PFC was activated in both groups, but the t-values of HCs were higher than those
of MCI. For the SVFT, the classification accuracies using the proposed feature extraction method were
80.77% (LDA) and 83.33% (SVM), showing the highest among the three tasks; for the Stroop task,
79.49% (LDA) and 73.08% (SVM); and for the two-back task, 73.08% (LDA) and 69.23% (SVM).

Conclusion:

The cognitive disparities between the MCI and HC groups were detected in the ventrolateral
prefrontal cortex using fNIRS. The proposed feature extraction method has shown an improvement in the
classification accuracies, see Subsection 3.3. Most of all, the suggested method contains a groupdistinction
information per cognitive task. The obtained results successfully discriminated MCI patients
from HCs, which reflects that the proposed method is an efficient tool to extract features in fNIRS signals.
Characterization of Proteins from Putative Human DNA and RNA
Viruses
Authors: Polanco Carlos , Uversky Vladimir N. , Vargas-Alarcón Gilberto , Buhse Thomas , Huberman Alberto , Márquez Manlio F. , Andrés Leire
Published: February 2021

Background:

In the vast variety of viruses known, there is a particular interest in those transmitted to humans and whose ability to disseminate represents a significant public health issue.

Objective:

The present study’s objective is to bioinformatically characterize the proteins of the two main divisions of viruses, RNA-viruses and DNA-viruses.

Methods:

In this work, a set of in-house computational programs was used to calculate the polarity/charge profiles and intrinsic disorder predisposition profiles of the proteins of several groups of viruses representing both types extracted from UniProt database. The efficiency of these computational programs was statistically verified.

Results:

It was found that the polarity/charge profile of the proteins is, in most cases, an efficient discriminant that allows the re-creation of the taxonomy known for both viral groups. Additionally, the entire set of "reviewed" proteins in UniProt database was analyzed to find proteins with the polarity/charge profiles similar to those obtained for each viral group. This search revealed a substantial number of proteins with such polarity-charge profiles.

Conclusion:

Polarity/charge profile represents a physicochemical metric, which is easy to calculate, and which can be used to effectively identify viral groups from their protein sequences.
Withdrawal Notice: Applying Peer Mentoring to Improve Learning Human Anatomy
Authors: Nikolenko Vladimir N. , Rizaeva Negoriya A. , Oganesyan Marine V. , Kudryashova Valentina A. , Dubrovina Polina I. , Dubovets Alexandra A. , Bolotskaya Anastasia A. , Bulygin Kirill V. , Muresanu Cristian , Somasundaram Siva G. , Kirkland Cecil E. , Aliev Gjumrakch
Published: February 2021

The article has been withdrawn at the request of the co-authors due to the death of the corresponding author (Dr. Aliev).

Bentham Science apologizes to the readers of the journal for any inconvenience this may have caused.

The Bentham Editorial Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at https://benthamscience.com/editorial-policies-main.php

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of their article is transferred to the publishers if and when the article is accepted for publication.
Effect of Direct-Acting Antiviral Drugs on Erectile Functions among Hepatitis
C Patients: A Prospective Interventional Study
Authors: Alhefnawy Mohamed , Mohey Ahmed , Fathi Ahmed , Mansour Ahmed , Abd-Elsalam Sherief , Eissa Ahmed , Hagras Ayman , Puliatti Stefano , Almekaty Khaled
Published: February 2021

Background & Objective:

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of the extrahepatic manifestations
of hepatitis C virus infection that greatly affects patients’ quality of life. Unfortunately,
some of the drugs used for HCV treatment may have a negative impact on the patient’s erectile
function, such as the pegylated interferon. Currently, with the introduction of direct-acting antiviral
drugs, there is scarce data in the literature about its potential impact on erectile function. In these
settings, we aimed to assess the impact of sofosbuvir-based therapy on male erectile function.

Methods:

This prospective interventional study was carried out in Benha University hospitals between
January 2019 and May 2020. The study included all consecutive HCV patients with simultaneous
ED coming to the hepatology outpatient clinic. Patients were divided into a study group who
received sofosbuvir-based therapy (group A) or a control group who received silymarin therapy
(group B). The International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) was used for the assessment of
erectile function at different time points (pretreatment, 6 months, and 12 months after treatment).
Different variables in both groups have been statistically analyzed.

Results:

Overall, 75 patients who received sofosbuvir-based therapy and a control group (n = 35)
matched for age and pretreatment variables (Child–Turcotte–Pugh score and Fibrosis‐4 score).
There was no significant difference between both groups in the pretreatment data. On the other
hand, the posttreatment IIEF-5 was significantly higher in the sofosbuvir arm compared to the silymarin
arm both at six months (p<0.001) and at 12 months (p<0.001). Furthermore, the age and the
stage of liver fibrosis were negatively correlated with IIEF-5 at all-time points.

Conclusion:

The age and the stage of liver fibrosis are significantly correlated with the degree of
ED. Furthermore, sofosbuvir-based therapy may be associated with significant improvement in patients
with erectile function.
Antibiotic Resistance of Bacteria Isolated from Water Supplies Used in Poultry Production in Ashanti Region of Ghana
Authors: Osei Frank B. , Boamah Vivian E. , Boakye Yaw D. , Agyare Christian , Abaidoo Robert C.
Published: February 2021

Objective:

Water plays an important role in both domestic and commercial settings. Pathogenic microbial contaminants, however, render water unsafe for use. There are several reports on the quality of water used for drinking purposes in humans but few studies have been conducted on the microbial quality of water used in animal farming.

Methods:

In this study, the resistance pattern of bacterial isolates from drinking water used in poultry production in the Ashanti region of Ghana from our previously published report was determined. The presence of Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative Staphylococci was determined using selective culture media (pour plate method) and confirmed through Gram staining and biochemical reactions. Antibiotic sensitivity of isolates was determined followed by detection of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) producing Gram-negative isolates.

Results:

The study revealed that water used in poultry farms contains sources of multi-drug resistant strains of E. coli, S. typhi, S. aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci. E. coli, S. typhi, S. aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci were recovered from 31%, 36%, 64% and 19% of samples, respectively. Majority of these isolates were resistant to cephalosporins and penicillins. Almost 95% of the bacterial isolates were multi-drug resistant. None of E. coli and S. typhi isolates produced ESBL.

Conclusion:

There is a need for stringent regulations and stringent measures should be taken to make these various sources of water safe for use in animal husbandry as these waters are a potential source of pathogenic and resistant bacterial strains which can cause infections to the animals and farm workers.
Determinants of the Discriminatory Behavior Experienced by People Living with HIV in Indonesia: A Cross-sectional Study of the Demographic Health Survey
Authors: Nursalam Nursalam , Sukartini Tintin , Arifin Hidayat , Pradipta Rifky Octavia , Mafula Dluha , Ubudiyah Masunatul
Published: February 2021

Introduction:

The discriminatory behavior experienced by People Living With HIV (PLWH) remains an unresolved problem in Indonesia. The aims of this research were to determine the factors associated with the discriminatory behavior experienced by PLWH in Indonesia.

Methods:

This study used cross-sectional design data by processing secondary data from the Indonesian Demographic Health Survey (IDHS) conducted in 2017. The total sample in this study was 15,413 records obtained via the two-stage stratified cluster sampling technique. The variables in this study were knowledge, information, socioeconomic and demographic details and the discriminatory behavior experienced by PLWH. The instrument refers to IDHS 2017. The data were analyzed using a chi-squared test and multinomial logistic regression.

Results:

The results obtained show that approximately 78.87% of respondents exhibited discriminatory behavior against PLWH in Indonesia. Respondents who had more knowledge about HIV [RRR: 25.35; CI: 2.85, 225.18] and who had earnings [RRR: 2.15; CI: 1.18, 3.92] were more at risk of discriminatory behavior than others. Respondents who lived in a rural area were less likely to engage in discriminatory behavior against PLWH than those who lived in urban areas [RRR: 0.51; CI: 0.29, 0.91].

Conclusion:

An increased understanding of HIV-AIDS and Indonesian people's acceptance of PLWH can occur through the provision of accurate information that is designed to prevent discriminatory behavior against PLWH. The government can consider this problem and further related policies so that PLWH can coexist in society and enjoy the same rights as those living without discrimination.
An Efficient One-pot Stereoselective Synthesis of 2,6-disubstituted 4-thiocyanatotetrahydropyrans
Authors: Sudhakar Chithaluri , Ramudu Pochamoni
Published: February 2021

An efficient stereoselective synthesis of 2,6-disubstituted-4-thiocyanatotetrahydropyrans
has been developed through a one-pot three-component reaction of aldehydes, trimethyl allylsilane,
and NH4SCN in the presence of BF3.Et2O at room temperature. The products are formed rapidly
(10-30 min) in excellent yields (78-98%).
Líquenes como biosensores para la evaluación de contaminación atmosférica urbana y sub urbana en un valle de montaña tropical, Rionegro, Antioquia.
Authors: Quijano Abril Mario Alberto , Ramírez Ospina Diana Marcela , Domínguez Rave María Isabel , Londoño Valencia James
Published: February 2021

Se realizó un estudio con el objetivo de evaluar la calidad del aire usando líquenes como bioindicadores de contaminación atmosférica. El estudio se realizó en el municipio de Rionegro, Colombia, a una altura de 2130 msnm, en 19 localidades agrupadas en 7 grandes zonas, que representan áreas urbanas con actividades generadoras de contaminación del aire y áreas sub-urbanas con pocas o ninguna fuente de contaminación. Para el área de estudio se calculó el índice de pureza atmosférica (IPA), el cual fue obtenido en función del número de especies de líquenes encontrados y de su frecuencia en la localidad monitoreada con esta información se realizó un mapa bidimensional de zonas de isocontaminación. La identificación taxonómica de los líquenes se realizó mediante comparación con especímenes de herbario y cortes histológicos. En total fueron encontrados 354 líquenes agrupados en 25 familias, 53 géneros y 126 especies. Las familias de líquenes mejor representadas con base al muestreo realizado fueron: Parmeliaceae, Physciaceae y Graphidaceae; asimismo, fueron encontrados 95 forofitos agrupados en 36 especies, 31 géneros y 21 familias. Se evidenció para las zonas con mayor contaminación, el hábito de crecimiento de los líquenes era costroso y folioso y para las de menor contaminación, era fruticoso. Los resultados del presente análisis de biosensores son congruentes con los obtenidos en la medición con equipos convencionales, por lo cual este método representa una fuente eficaz y económica para evaluar los niveles de contaminación en centros urbanos.
Optimización en la aclimatación de plántulas micropropagadas de banano (Musa sp.) utilizando tres insumos orgánicos.
Authors: Mora-González Andy Fabricio , Naranjo-Morán Jaime Alberto , Albiño-Quitiaquez Alexander , Flores-Cedeño José Alcides , Oviedo-Anchundia Rodrigo , Galarza-Romero Luis , Vera-Oyague Marisol , Barcos-Arias Milton Senen
Published: February 2021

El éxito de la micropropagación de plantas in vitro depende en parte de la fase de aclimatación, esta etapa presenta problemas de supervivencia y conlleva extensas semanas de adaptación. En este sentido, la utilización de microorganismos eficientes nativos son una alternativa biotecnológica para adaptar plantas in vitro. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo evaluar el efecto de la aplicación de Trichoderma ghanense, micorrizas arbusculares y un biofertilizante líquido en plantas meristemáticas de banano variedad William en las fases de aclimatación y vivero. Para los ensayos en las fases de aclimatación y vivero se realizaron 20 tratamientos y se utilizó un diseño factorial 2(k) con una duración de seis semanas en ambas fases. Los resultados demuestran que en la fase de aclimatación el mejor tratamiento fue el B10 con incrementos del 29,6 % de altura y 19,9 % de diámetro respecto al control; mientras que, para el área foliar fue el B19 con 84,7 % de incremento en comparación al control. En fase de vivero el mejor tratamiento fue el B19 presentando incrementos del 14,5 % altura, 19,3 % diámetro del pseudotallo, 13,4 % área foliar, 91,8 % longitud radicular, 39,98 % peso húmedo y 90,5 % peso seco en comparación al control. Ambas fases alcanzaron porcentaje de micorrización mayores al 45 %. Los porcentajes de supervivencia fueron del 100 % en fase de aclimatación. Por lo expuesto, se concluye que los insumos orgánicos constituyen una alternativa para el manejo y adaptación de plantas producidas in vitro.
Remoción de cinco productos farmacéuticos catalogados como contaminantes emergentes en medio acuoso utilizando la especie vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides)
Authors: Checa-Artos Miriam , Sosa del Castillo Daynet , Vanegas María Eulalia , Ruiz-Barzola Omar , Barcos-Arias Milton
Published: February 2021

Los productos farmacéuticos constituyen un grupo único de contaminantes emergentes de gran interés, debido a que se ha determinado su presencia frecuente en aguas superficiales, subterráneas y agua potable. Debido al metabolismo y la absorción incompletos en el organismo humano, una cantidad significativa de estos fármacos se excretan y liberan al ambiente a través de las aguas residuales. Por lo que el objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el potencial de la especie vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides) para eliminar del medio acuoso cinco productos farmacéuticos comúnmente recetados y de venta libre como ciprofloxacina, ibuprofeno, sulfametaxazol, diclofenaco y acetaminofén. La especie fue aclimatada en invernado, donde se llevó a cabo los experimentos en condiciones controladas de temperatura y a un pH de 6,5. Las muestras fueron analizadas utilizando espectrofotometría UV-Vis para leer en forma directa las absorbancias de cada producto farmacéutico. Para el análisis estadístico de los datos se empleó la metodología de superficies de respuesta con el fin de encontrar los modelos que ayuden a determinar tiempos y concentraciones óptimas donde se maximiza la absorción de cada fármaco, así como la obtención de las pendientes de crecimiento para determinar hacia donde se deberá buscar el óptimo. Se utilizó el software estadístico R versión 3.6.0 y RStudio versión 1.1.453.
Los resultados obtenidos indican que C. zizanioides removió de manera más eficiente ciprofloxacina (98,3%) a una concentración de 3mg/L en un tiempo de 149h, seguido por ibuprofeno y diclofenaco con un máximo de remoción de 73,33% y sulfametaxazol con 66,53%, obteniéndose el menor porcentaje de remoción para acetaminofén de 38,49% a las 192h, donde se realizó toma de muestras cada 48 horas de las soluciones de cada fármaco a diferentes concentraciones (3 mg/L, 6 mg/L, 9 mg/L, 12 mg/L).
En este trabajo de investigación se demostró la capacidad removedora de Chrysopogon zizanioides de los cinco fármacos estudiados en medio acuoso en condiciones controladas, vislumbrando un gran potencial en el ámbito de la biotecnología ambiental para el tratamiento terciario de aguas residuales.
Phytochemical screening and antioxidant activity of Epidendrum nocturnum
Authors: Mencias Fernando , Salazar Telmo , Cerna Marco
Published: February 2021

The objective of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of Epidendrum nocturnum using the DPPH technique to determine the capacity for scavenging free radicals, as well as to identify secondary metabolites in ethanolic extracts of the previously mentioned species by phytochemical screening, with analysis of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, and triterpenes. The results determined in the phytochemical screening that the secondary metabolites that were most present were flavonoids, tannins, and saponins; no alkaloids or triterpenes were found. In the analysis of antioxidant activity, Epidendrum nocturnun in the three extracts showed that with an average concentration of 3.50 ppm, it could inhibit 50% of the free radicals present in the test solution.
Prediction of Smoking Risk From Repeated Sampling of Environmental Images: Model Validation (Preprint)
Authors: Engelhard Matthew M , D'Arcy Joshua , Oliver Jason A , Kozink Rachel , McClernon F Joseph
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND

Viewing their habitual smoking environments increases smokers’ craving and smoking behaviors in laboratory settings. A deep learning approach can differentiate between habitual smoking versus nonsmoking environments, suggesting that it may be possible to predict environment-associated smoking risk from continuously acquired images of smokers’ daily environments.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we aim to predict environment-associated risk from continuously acquired images of smokers’ daily environments. We also aim to understand how model performance varies by location type, as reported by participants.

METHODS

Smokers from Durham, North Carolina and surrounding areas completed ecological momentary assessments both immediately after smoking and at randomly selected times throughout the day for 2 weeks. At each assessment, participants took a picture of their current environment and completed a questionnaire on smoking, craving, and the environmental setting. A convolutional neural network–based model was trained to predict smoking, craving, whether smoking was permitted in the current environment and whether the participant was outside based on images of participants’ daily environments, the time since their last cigarette, and baseline data on daily smoking habits. Prediction performance, quantified using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and average precision (AP), was assessed for out-of-sample prediction as well as personalized models trained on images from days 1 to 10. The models were optimized for mobile devices and implemented as a smartphone app.

RESULTS

A total of 48 participants completed the study, and 8008 images were acquired. The personalized models were highly effective in predicting smoking risk (AUC=0.827; AP=0.882), craving (AUC=0.837; AP=0.798), whether smoking was permitted in the current environment (AUC=0.932; AP=0.981), and whether the participant was outside (AUC=0.977; AP=0.956). The out-of-sample models were also effective in predicting smoking risk (AUC=0.723; AP=0.785), whether smoking was permitted in the current environment (AUC=0.815; AP=0.937), and whether the participant was outside (AUC=0.949; AP=0.922); however, they were not effective in predicting craving (AUC=0.522; AP=0.427). Omitting image features reduced AUC by over 0.1 when predicting all outcomes except craving. Prediction of smoking was more effective for participants whose self-reported location type was more variable (Spearman ρ=0.48; P=.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Images of daily environments can be used to effectively predict smoking risk. Model personalization, achieved by incorporating information about daily smoking habits and training on participant-specific images, further improves prediction performance. Environment-associated smoking risk can be assessed in real time on a mobile device and can be incorporated into device-based smoking cessation interventions.
Web-Based Return of Individual Patient-Reported Outcome Results Among Patients With Lymphoma: Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)
Authors: Oerlemans Simone , Arts Lindy Paulina Johanna , Kieffer Jacobien M , Prins Judith , Hoogendoorn Mels , van der Poel Marjolein , Koster Ad , Lensen Chantal , Stevens Wendy Bernadina Catharina , Issa Djamila , Pruijt Johannes F M , Oosterveld Margriet , van der Griend René , Nijziel Marten , Tick Lidwine , Posthuma Eduardus F M , van de Poll-Franse Lonneke V
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND

There has been a cultural shift toward patient engagement in health, with a growing demand from patients to access their results.

OBJECTIVE

The Lymphoma Intervention (LIVE) trial is conducted to examine the impact of return of individual patient-reported outcome (PRO) results and a web-based self-management intervention on psychological distress, self-management, satisfaction with information, and health care use in a population-based setting.

METHODS

Return of PRO results included comparison with age- and sex-matched peers and was built into the Patient-Reported Outcomes Following Initial Treatment and Long-Term Evaluation of Survivorship registry. The self-management intervention is an adaptation of a fully automated evidence-based intervention for breast cancer survivors. Patients with lymphoma who completed the web-based questionnaire were equally randomized to care as usual, return of PRO results, and return of PRO results plus self-management intervention. Patients completed questionnaires 9 to 18 months after diagnosis (T0; n=227), 4 months (T1; n=190), 12 months (T2; n=170), and 24 months (T3; n=98).

RESULTS

Of all invited patients, 51.1% (456/892) responded and web-based participants (n=227) were randomly assigned to care as usual (n=76), return of PRO results (n=74), or return of PRO results and access to Living with lymphoma (n=77). Return of PRO results was viewed by 76.7% (115/150) of those with access. No statistically significant differences were observed for psychological distress, self-management, satisfaction with information provision, and health care use between patients who received PRO results and those who did not (P>.05). Use of the self-management intervention was low (2/76, 3%), and an effect could therefore not be determined.

CONCLUSIONS

Return of individual PRO results seems to meet patients’ wishes but had no beneficial effects on patient outcome. No negative effects were found when individual PRO results were disclosed, and the return of individual PRO results can therefore be safely implemented in daily clinical practice.

CLINICALTRIAL

Netherlands Trial Register NTR5953; https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/5790

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT

RR2-10.1186/s13063-017-1943-2
Senti-BAS: A BERT-based model with sentiment computing for happiness research (Preprint)
Authors: Zeng Zeyuan , Zhang Yijia , Yang Liang , Lin Hongfei
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND

Happiness becomes a rising topic that we all care about recently. It can be described in various forms. For the text content, it is an interesting subject that we can do research on happiness by utilizing natural language processing (NLP) methods.

OBJECTIVE

As an abstract and complicated emotion, there is no common criterion to measure and describe happiness. Therefore, researchers are creating different models to study and measure happiness.

METHODS

In this paper, we present a deep-learning based model called Senti-BAS (BERT embedded Bi-LSTM with self-Attention mechanism along with the Sentiment computing).

RESULTS

Given a sentence that describes how a person felt happiness recently, the model can classify the happiness scenario in the sentence with two topics: was it controlled by the author (label ‘agency’), and was it involving other people (label ‘social’). Besides language models, we employ the label information through sentiment computing based on lexicon.

CONCLUSIONS

The model performs with a high accuracy on both ‘agency’ and ‘social’ labels, and we also make comparisons with several popular embedding models like Elmo, GPT. Depending on our work, we can study the happiness at a more fine-grained level.
Self-care Mobile Application for Pregnant Women at Work: Development and Usability Study (Preprint)
Authors: Lee Yaelim , Choi Soeun , Jung Heejae
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND

Pregnant women at work often encounter barriers to maintaining proper self-care practices due to their working conditions. Participating in prenatal education or even drinking enough water and eating healthy food are often limited in this population.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to develop a mobile-based intervention application for pregnant women at work to enhance their self-care practices, which can contribute to a healthy pregnancy.

METHODS

The Self-care for Pregnant Women at Work (SPWW) mobile application was developed based on the findings of a systematic review of this topic. The usability tests were performed by 31 pregnant women at work and expert reviews were performed by ten women’s health-care clinicians. Both groups used the application for two weeks and evaluated its usability. The instruments used in this study were a modified Health Practices in Pregnancy Questionnaire II (HPQ-II) and a System Usability Scale (SUS). Descriptive analyses and t-tests were performed using SPSS 25.0. The participants’ open-ended answers were analyzed using ATLAS.ti 8.

RESULTS

The application program was developed focusing on four self-care topics: healthy dieting, physical activity, sufficient rest, and stress management. A total of eight education sessions covering the four topics were delivered through the application. The pregnant women’s health practices on enhancing exercise, drinking adequate fluid, and limiting daily caffeine intake significantly improved after using the application for two weeks. The SUS scores from both the experts and the pregnant women demonstrated good usability. Several improvements for feasibility, usability, and acceptability were suggested by expert and pregnant women.

CONCLUSIONS

The application developed in this study aimed to enhance the self-care practices of pregnant women at work. The application showed adequate levels of feasibility, usability, and acceptability from both the experts and the pregnant women. Future research is necessary to test the long-term effects of this application on larger sample sizes.
Novel Observations of Peroxiredoxin-2 Profile and Protein Oxidation in Skeletal Muscle From Pigs of Differing Residual Feed Intake and Health Status
Authors: Patterson Brian M. , Outhouse Amanda C. , Helm Emma T. , Johnson Logan , Steadham Edward M. , Dekkers Jack C. M. , Schwartz Kent J. , Gabler Nicholas K. , Lonergan Steven M. , Huff-Lonergan Elisabeth
Published: February 2021

This study’s objective was to determine the impact of a dual respiratory and enteric bacterial health challenge on the antioxidant protein peroxiredoxin-2 (Prdx-2) profile and protein oxidation in the skeletal muscle of pigs from 2 lines that were divergently selected for residual feed intake (RFI). The hypotheses were that (1) differences exist in the Prdx-2 profile between 2 RFI lines and infection status and (2) muscle from less efficient high-RFI and health-challenged pigs have greater cellular protein oxidation. Barrows (50 ± 7 kg, N = 24) from the 11th generation of the high-RFI (n = 12) and low-RFI (n = 12) Iowa State University lines were used. Pigs (n = 6 per line) were inoculated with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and Lawsonia intracellularis (MhLI) on day 0 post infection to induce a respiratory and enteric health challenge. Uninoculated pigs served as controls (n = 6 per line). Necropsy was at 21 d post infection. Sarcoplasmic protein oxidation, various forms of Prdx-2, and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) content were determined. Neither RFI line nor infection status significantly affected protein carbonylation. Under nonreducing conditions, MhLI pigs had a greater amount of a slower-migrating GAPDH band (P = 0.017), indicating oxidative modification. Regardless of health status, the low-RFI pigs had less total Prdx-2 (P = 0.035), Prdx-2 decamer (P = 0.0007), and a higher ratio of hyperoxidized peroxiredoxin relative to Prdx-2 (P = 0.028) than the high-RFI pigs. The increased pool of active Prdx-2 in high-RFI pigs suggests greater oxidative stress in muscle in high- versus low-RFI pigs. The increase in oxidized GAPDH seen in muscle from MhLI pigs—particularly the high-RFI MhLI pigs—may be a response to the greater oxidative stress in the high-RFI MhLI. This work suggests that antioxidant proteins are important in growth and health-challenge situations.
Stone Tools in the High Molise Mountains (Italy): a first Report
Authors: Mironti Vittorio , Vilmercati Melissa , Lucci Enrico , Modesto Rachele
Published: February 2021

In the last decades, several researches focused on the inland areas of Molise Region (Central-Southern Italy) to investigate the occupation and exploitation of this environment during Pleistocene and Holocene.

The “Molise Survey Project” started in 2015 with the aim to explore, through systematic surveys, an area of 60 square kilometres, chiefly characterized by a mountainous landscape and part of the Central-Southern Italy Apennines. The project seeks to investigate the patterns of human occupation in the mountainous landscape between the provinces of Campobasso and Isernia. The surveys, carried out during the last four years, allowed the identification of 19 prehistoric sites ranging from Palaeolithic to Bronze Age: the archaeological materials belonging to the latter period are being studied by the team of “Paletnologia” of Sapienza University of Rome. This work aims to show the preliminary results of the analysis of the lithic assemblage acquired during the summer of 2016 surveys, focusing on raw material procurement and the related chaîne opératoire, also considering post-depositional agents. The obtained data allowed to reassess the human presence over inland and high-altitude areas of Molise during prehistoric times, stressing a seasonal use of the territory, from Palaeolithic to Late Prehistory, with different patterns of occupation and exploitation.
Chert procurement in Corsica during the Neolithic: Inferring social territories in the Tyrrhenian islands
Authors: Leandri Céline , Fernandes Paul
Published: February 2021

From the Neolithic, foreign siliceous materials were imported into Corsica as the island lacks local chert and obsidian. Such a context constitutes a real opportunity to investigate the relationship of the island with surrounding areas, in perspective with cultural evolutions. For 20 years, chert sourcing studies were carried out. We took into account 26 sites, dating from the Ancient Neolithic to the Final Neolithic. The work is based on non-destructive petro-archaeological observations of the artefacts. and on the survey and characterization of Sardinian sources (320 samples collected and 60 different lithotypes characterized).

The study aims to better understand the place of chert among the lithic assemblages throughout time and identify the provenance of most of the chert material introduced into Corsica. It reveals procurement evolution in terms of preferred facies and of stages of introduction, depending on the chronology and geographical situation of the sites. The results confirm connections with Sardinia, among which Perfugas basin constitutes a major source of raw material for Corsica. It also shows relations with the Italian Peninsula for some Middle Neolithic sites in Northern Corsica. Comparisons with data from Sardinia show the affinities and differences between the two islands and open further avenues for research.
ВОЗМОЖНОСТИ МИКРОЭЛЕКТРОННЫХ ТЕХНОЛОГИЙ С ТОПОЛОГИЧЕСКИМИ РАЗМЕРАМИ МЕНЕЕ 5 НМ
Authors: Красников Г.Я.
Published: February 2021

Рассмотрены особенности технологических процессов в производстве интегральных схем с различными минимальными проектными нормами, а также возможности применения технологий с топологическими размерами менее 5 нм для создания МОП-транзисторов и интегральных схем на их основе.
ОБРАБОТКА ШУМОПОДОБНЫХ СИГНАЛОВ НА СБИС 1888ВС058
Authors: Ландышев С.В.
Published: February 2021

В статье рассматриваются принципы обработки шумоподобных сигналов на СБИС 1888ВС058. Описываются архитектурные особенности СБИС и программные модели аппаратных блоков. Аппаратные средства СБИС рассматриваются в контексте их применения в системах связи с реализацией пользовательских протоколов.
РАЗРАБОТКА МЕТОДОВ УМЕНЬШЕНИЯ ВЛИЯНИЯ МНОГОЛУЧЕВОГО РАСПРОСТРАНЕНИЯ СИГНАЛА НА АППАРАТУРУ ГНСС С ПРИМЕНЕНИЕМ НЕЙРОННЫХ СЕТЕЙ
Authors: Клименко М.Ю.
Published: February 2021

В статье рассматривается метод уменьшения влияния эффекта многолучевого распространения сигнала на навигационную аппаратуру потребителей ГНСС, построенный на базе применения нейронных сетей. Приводится огибающая ошибки многолучевости, полученная в результате теоретического моделирования.(test)
РАЗРАБОТКА ЦИФРОВЫХ МОДЕМОВ РАДИОРЕЛЕЙНОЙ И ТРОПОСФЕРНОЙ СВЯЗИ С ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЕМ СИСТЕМЫ НА КРИСТАЛЛЕ 5580ТР016(TEST)
Authors: Александров А.В. , Ерохин В.В. , Архипкин В.Я. , Халиков Р.Р. , Леохин Ю.Л.
Published: February 2021

Рассмотрен подход к разработке цифровых модемов для радиорелейных и тропосферных станций на базе отечественной системы на кристалле 5580ТР016.
Análisis de la Ley n.° 17.852 sobre contaminación acústica
Authors: Iglesias Rossini Gonzalo F.
Published: February 2021

Uruguay cuenta desde el año 2004 con una ley que tiene como objetivo la prevención, vigilancia y corrección de las situaciones de contaminación acústica. Sin embargo, pese a contar con casi dos décadas, dicha ley aún no ha sido reglamentada, por lo que existen diversos vacíos que deberían ser colmados para atender esta problemática, que afecta no sólo la salud de las personas, sino también la de otros seres vivos, y el ambiente. Pero además, si bien la contaminación acústica es uno de los grandes problemas que enfrenta nuestra sociedad, existe poco desarrollo doctrinario y jurisprudencial sobre la misma. El presente estudio intenta abordar la normativa existente sobre la contaminación acústica, así como los desafíos que enfrenta dicha problemática.
Mediación empresarial y coaching en la transformación pacífica de conflictos de empresas familiares
Authors: Herrera Bernal Luis Lauro , Vázquez Gutiérrez Reyna Lizeth
Published: February 2021

En este trabajo se presenta un análisis sobre las principales características que definen a las empresas de composición familiar, las dificultades a las que se enfrentan al gestionar los conflictos internos con la necesidad de que las relaciones entre los miembros del cuerpo laboral, administrativo y o directivo continúen y no dañen aspectos como productividad, crecimiento y proyección. En el ámbito empresarial existen diversos mecanismos a los cuales recurrir, legales y alternativos para solventar las situaciones conflictivas entre los miembros internos de una empresa, sin embargo, este trabajo se enfoque en destacar las ventajas de los mecanismos alternativos como formas con mayor bondad en el caso de este tipo de empresas y dentro de ello se menciona también que el coaching en su disciplina ontológica sería quizá una figura de exitosa dentro de cualquier empresa de composición familiar para gestionar positivamente los conflictos y con ello asegurar la continuidad y el crecimiento empresarial.
AN ANALYSIS OF STUDENTS’ ATTITUDES TOWARDS MATHEMATICAL PROBLEM SOLVING ABILITY
Authors: Jusra Hella , Luthfiyah Aulia Iskandar
Published: February 2021

This study aims to identify the attitudes of students on the ability to solve problems with mathematics. The attitudes of students evaluated in this study include self-confidence, anxiety, enthusiasm, and self-regulated mathematics learning. The research subjects were 79 students in grade VIII. The researcher re-concentrated on three students from all of them, who had mathematical problem-solving skills in the high, medium, and low groups. These subjects were selected from students who focused on problem-solving mathematical skills, questionnaires on the attitudes of students, and interviews with researchers. The instruments used to collect were an instrument of problem-solving mathematical ability and an instrument of students’ attitudes in the form of student attitudes towards mathematics questionnaire. The research method used is descriptive qualitative. The findings have shown that the majority of students are balanced between excited and unexcited on mathematics. The majority reason for students who are enthusiastic about mathematics is that they can improve their abilities, talents, and knowledge. Others have different explanations such as having the resources; formulas and problems, making them feel challenged; thinking that mathematics is important. The majority of students had a low category of self-confidence and anxiety towards mathematics, and had a moderate level of enthusiasm in mathematics and self-regulated learning.
INVESTIGATION ON THE ATTITUDE OF MATHEMATICS EDUCATION STUDENTS TOWARDS LEARNING MATHEMATICS IN GUILIN
Authors: Zhou Ying  , Tanu Wijaya Tommy , Gao Ya
Published: February 2021

The aim of this study is to know attitude of mathematics education students towards mathematics learning in Guilin, China. The method used in this study is a qualitative method. The sample is taken using cluster random sampling from third and fifth semester students at Guangxi Normal University. Data were collected using questionnaire. The results of the research show that 27 male and 133 female students have a very good attitude towards mathematics. While, there are 4 male and 12 female students have a good attitude towards mathematics and 17 male and 5 female students have an average attitude towards mathematics. For the 5th semester students, there are 21 male and 151 female students with a very good attitude towards mathematics. On the other hand, there are 4 male and 18 female students that have a good attitude toward mathematics and 3 male and 7 female students have an average attitude towards mathematics.
Evidence for a low-penetrant extended phenotype of RTPS1 from a kindred with gain of SMARCB1 exon 6
Authors: Kordes Uwe , Mautner Victor , Oyen Florian , Hagel Christian , Hartmann Christian , Heuser Michael , Frühwald Michael , Hasselblatt Martin , Oehl-Huber Kathrin , Siebert Reiner , Schneppenheim Reinhard , Schüller Ulrich
Published: February 2021

We report on a long-term survivor of an atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor
(ATRT-TYR) as an index patient, who carries a SMARCB1 exon 6 gain
inherited from his father. The father was diagnosed with an unusual
sequence of a myxopapillary INI1-negative ependymoma and a relapsing
BRAF V600 wild type hairy-cell leukemia. He has two yet healthy sisters
aged 33 and 38 years carrying the same variant, from which one had lost
an infant to a malignant brain tumor. This family highlights the
existence of RTPS1-associated SMARCB1 germline alterations with reduced
penetrance and extends the spectrum of involved diseases