bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Country report Indonesia
Authors: Idris Abdul Malik Sadat
Published: April 2021

As the fifth most populated country in the world, Indonesia has been facing huge challenges in food security. With a growing population and a more competitive environment, these challenges will only increase in the future. Climate change has put more pressure on the agricultural sector. These conditions will make farmers more vulnerable to poverty in light of their present relatively low standard of living. Under these circumstances, high‐level attention on the part of all stakeholders is needed currently as never before. The decrease in world water availability and an increase in water‐disaster‐related hazards make integrated water resource management (IWRM) even more relevant. Collaboration between government–private, upstream–downstream users and operators, intra‐government institutions, and communities are encouraged through not only a sound policy and regulatory framework, but also a robust institutional framework and financing. Implementing a broader view of water resources in their natural cycle may help us to understand better the importance of maintaining their availability, accessibility and quality for the process of acquiring food security and nutrition.
Inhibited effect of an RGD peptide hydrogel on the expression of β1‐integrin, FAK, and Akt in Tenon's capsule fibroblasts
Authors: Chen Baoji , Wu Ping , Liang Liang , Zhao Chenchen , Wang Zheng , He Liye , Zhang Ran , Xu Na
Published: April 2021

Tenon's capsule fibroblasts are the main cellular components of filtration tract scar that limit the success rate of glaucoma filtration surgery. Scar formation results from infiltration and proliferation of fibroblasts into damaged areas, meanwhile synthesis of extracellular matrix glycoproteins. Integrins are cell surface receptors for extracellular molecules that mediate cell adhesion, spreading, migration, and invasion. They bind their ligands often through recognition of short amino‐acid sequences—arginine‐glycine‐aspartic acid (RGD). Peptides that contain RGD sequence can compete with RGD containing insoluble matrix proteins for binding to the integrin receptor and thus prevent the downstream signaling pathway. Increasing evidence supports that β1‐integrin/focal adhesion kinase (FAK)/Akt signal pathway plays an important role in fibrogenesis and scar formation in different tissues. In consideration of advantages of peptide hydrogel, that is well biocompatibility, gel state, degradability, good drug loading, we designed and fabricated an RGD peptide hydrogel, and hypothesized that it could inhibit the expression of β1‐integrin, FAK, and Akt in Tenon's capsule fibroblasts. Rheology results showed that 1% wt Fmoc‐FFGGRGD peptide solution could self‐assemble into hydrogel. Western blot analysis revealed that there were statistical differences between control group and 1% wt group in β1‐integrin/β‐actin, FAK/β‐actin, Akt/β‐actin respectively (*p < .05). The relative mRNA expression of β1‐integrin, FAK, Akt in control group and 1% wt group were also statistically different respectively (*p < .05). We proved that 1% wt Fmoc‐FFGGRGD self‐assembly peptide hydrogel could inhibit the expression of β1‐integrin, FAK and Akt in Tenon's capsule fibroblasts. It is a promising way to solve scar formation of glaucoma filter channel.
Role of the renin–angiotensin system in the development of cataract formation in angiotensin‐II‐induced experimental rats
Authors: Choudhary Rajesh , Shree Jaya , Singh Amrita , Bodakhe Surendra H.
Published: April 2021

Previously, we established several facts regarding hypertension‐associated cataractogenesis. As a follow‐on study, we evaluated the role of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) in angiotensin‐II (Ang‐II)‐induced cataract formation in experimental hypertensive rats. Sprague–Dawley male albino rats (150–180 g) were used for the present experiment. The animals were divided into four groups, with six animals in each group. During the 12 weeks of the experimental protocol, the normal group received sterile water (1 ml/kg/day, subcutaneously (sc), and the Ang‐II control group received angiotensin (1 mg/kg/day) subcutaneously. The ARB (O) group received olmesartan (2 mg/kg/day) orally, and the ARB (T) group received two drops of olmesartan (5 mM) topically on the cornea; concurrently, both groups were treated with Ang‐II (1 mg/kg/day, sc) to induce hypertension. Biweekly, the systolic and the diastolic blood pressures were recorded, and the eyes were examined; moreover, cataractogenic parameters, such as oxidative stress markers and protein contents in the lenses, were evaluated after completion of the experimental protocol. Twelve weeks of olmesartan administered, orally or topically, significantly reduced the progression of cataract formation and restored antioxidants, lipid peroxidation, nitrite content, and protein contents in the lenses of the mice in groups O and T, respectively, as compared with those in the Ang‐II control group. On the basis of our results, we conclude that the ocular RAS exacerbates the lenticular oxidative stress that may lead to cataract formation. The results showed that the RAS has an independent and important role in cataract formation under hypertensive conditions.
Pharmacogenomics and Morphine
Authors: Ofoegbu Adaku , B. Ettienne Earl
Published: April 2021

Morphine is an opioid analgesic indicated in the treatment of acute and chronic moderate to severe pain. From a pharmacodynamic standpoint, morphine exerts its effects by agonizing mu‐opioid receptors predominantly, resulting in analgesia and sedation. Pharmacokinetically, morphine is primarily metabolized in the liver via glucuronidation by the enzyme uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase family 2 member B7 and encounters the transporter proteins organic cation transporter isoform 1 and P‐glycoprotein (adenosine triphosphate–binding cassette subfamily B member 1) as it is being distributed throughout the body. The genes coding for the proteins impacting either the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of morphine may bear genetic variations, also known as polymorphisms, which may alter the function of the proteins in such a manner that an individual may have disparate treatment outcomes. The purpose of this review is to highlight some of the genes coding for proteins that impact morphine pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and present some treatment considerations.
Correlations between left atrial volumes and strains in healthy adults: Detailed analysis from the three‐dimensional speckle‐tracking echocardiographic MAGYAR‐Healthy Study
Authors: Nemes Attila , Kormányos Árpád , Domsik Péter , Kalapos Anita , Gyenes Nándor , Lengyel Csaba
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Little is known about the relationship between left atrium (LA) volumes and contractility features along the cardiac cycle. The present study aimed to assess, by three‐dimensional speckle‐tracking echocardiography (3DSTE), correlations between LA volumes, volume‐based functional properties, and strains during the cardiac cycle in healthy adults.

Methods

We included 217 healthy adult volunteers (mean age 33.4 ± 12.7 years, 112 males) who underwent complete two‐dimensional Doppler echocardiography with 3DSTE.

Results

LA stroke volumes were greater in subjects with the greater maximum LA volume (Vmax) in reservoir, conduit, and booster pump phases of LA function. While LA emptying fraction in LA reservoir phase was not different between subjects depending in their Vmax value, a significantly lower LA emptying fraction could be detected in LA conduit phase in subjects whose Vmax was >50 mL. In booster pump function, LA emptying fraction was not significantly different whatever the Vmax. Only global and mean segmental peak LA radial strain (RS) and 3D strain (3DS) and the same strains at atrial contraction appeared greater in subjects with greater Vmax, whereas the other strain parameters were not different.

Conclusions

In healthy subjects, LA‐RS and LA‐3DS, objective features of LA contractility, are greater in subjects with greater LA volumes up to a point beyond which this association disappears.
The fiscal management of permanent and temporary foreign aid: Evidence from sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Abdelwahed Loujaina
Published: April 2021

This paper argues that whether aid receipts are permanent or temporary is an important yet overlooked determinant of the fiscal management of foreign aid. I present a theoretical framework that shows that permanent aid and temporary aid differently affect the recipient governments' choice between taxes and debt issuance. Empirically, I assess how the fiscal deficit responds to permanent aid and temporary aid in a panel of sub‐Saharan African aid‐recipient countries. Results show that while permanent aid leads to higher deficit, temporary aid reduces the deficit. The different responses of government spending to permanent aid and temporary aid help explain this pattern. Results provide important policy implications for the design of foreign aid programmes to developing countries.
Hspa8 and ICAM-1 as damage-induced mediators of γδ T cell activation
Authors: Johnson Margarete D , Otuki Michel F , Cabrini Daniela A , Rudolph Ross , Witherden Deborah A , Havran Wendy L
Published: April 2021

Tissue-resident γδ T cells form the first line of defense at barrier surfaces where they survey host tissue for signs of stress or damage. Following recognition of injury, γδ T cells play a crucial role in the wound-healing response through the production of growth factors and cytokines that promote proliferation in surrounding epithelial cells. To initiate this response, γδ T cells require interactions with a variety of epithelial-expressed costimulatory molecules in addition to primary signaling through their TCR. In the epidermis these signals include the coxsackie and adenovirus receptor (CAR), histocompatibility antigen 60c (H60c), and plexin B2, which interact with γδ T cell-expressed junctional adhesion molecule-like protein (JAML), NKG2D, and CD100, respectively. Here we identify heat shock protein family A member 8 (Hspa8) and ICAM-1 as two additional keratinocyte-expressed costimulatory molecules for epidermal resident γδ T cells (termed DETC). These molecules were rapidly up-regulated in the epidermis following wounding in both mouse and human tissue. Both Hspa8 and ICAM-1 had a costimulatory effect on DETC, inducing proliferation, CD25 up-regulation, and IL-2 production. We also provide evidence that DETC can be activated through the potential ICAM-1 and Hspa8 receptors LFA-1 and CD316. Finally, knockdown of Hspa8 in keratinocytes reduced their ability to activate DETC in culture and ICAM-1−/− mice exhibited impaired rates of healing in skin-organ culture suggesting a role for these proteins in the DETC-mediated damage response. Together with previous work on CAR, H60c, and plexin B2, these results add to a picture of a complex keratinocyte wound signature that is required for efficient DETC activation.
Effects of the combination therapy of electric field stimulation and polyethylene glycol in the ex vivo spinal cord of female rats after compression
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Wang Aihua , Zhang Guanghao , Rong Wei , Wu Changzhe , Huo Xiaolin
Published: April 2021

The application of electric field stimulation (EFS) can reduce the cation influx after spinal cord injury. However, regenerated cation influx and reestablished injury potential are observed after EFS. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is popular as an effective cell membrane fusion agent. This study aims to determine the effects of the combination therapy of EFS and PEG in the ex vivo spinal cord after compression. The ex vivo spinal cords of female rats with compression injury were incubated in a double sucrose gap recording chamber (DSGRC) and randomly divided into the following four groups: (1) compression group: compression only, (2) EFS group: EFS for 15 min, (3) PEG group: PEG treatment for 4 min, and (4) EFS + PEG group: EFS for 15 min and PEG treatment for 4 min. The hematoxylin–eosin staining was performed to measure the necrotic area of the spinal cords. The gap potential was detected, and the area under the curve of the gap potential was calculated. The intracellular cation concentration, membrane permeability, and compound action potential were measured and quantified. Results revealed no significant difference in the necrotic areas among different groups, and the compression model of the ex vivo spinal cord in the DSGRC had high consistency and stability. The combination therapy could attenuate cation inflow, promote cell membrane restoration, and promote the functional recovery of the spinal cord conduction after compression in ex vivo spinal cords.
Sex differences in synaptic plasticity underlying learning
Authors: Gall Christine M. , Le Aliza A. , Lynch Gary
Published: April 2021

Although sex differences in learning behaviors are well documented, sexual dimorphism in the synaptic processes of encoding is only recently appreciated. Studies in male rodents have built upon the discovery of long‐term potentiation (LTP), and acceptance of this activity‐dependent increase in synaptic strength as a mechanism of encoding, to identify synaptic receptors and signaling activities that coordinate the activity‐dependent remodeling of the subsynaptic actin cytoskeleton that is critical for enduring potentiation and memory. These molecular substrates together with other features of LTP, as characterized in males, have provided an explanation for a range of memory phenomena including multiple stages of consolidation, the efficacy of spaced training, and the location of engrams at the level of individual synapses. In the present report, we summarize these findings and describe more recent results from our laboratories showing that in females the same actin regulatory mechanisms are required for hippocampal LTP and memory but, in females only, the engagement of both modulatory receptors such as TrkB and synaptic signaling intermediaries including Src and ERK1/2 requires neuron‐derived estrogen and signaling through membrane‐associated estrogen receptor α (ERα). Moreover, in association with the additional ERα involvement, females exhibit a higher threshold for hippocampal LTP and spatial learning. We propose that the distinct LTP threshold in females contributes to as yet unappreciated sex differences in information processing and features of learning and memory.
Application of INSM1 in Diagnosis and Grading of Laryngeal Neuroendocrine Carcinoma
Authors: Yuan Cuncun , Jiao Feng , Zhai Changwen , Zhang Jiahao , Wang Shuyi , Zhu Li
Published: April 2021

Objective

Chromogranin (CHG), synaptophysin (Syn), and CD56 are generally used in a panel to support diagnoses of laryngeal neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs). However, the absence of expression of these markers does not completely exclude the diagnosis. INSM1 is a novel marker that is considered sufficiently sensitive and specific for NE differentiation. The aim of this study is not only to detect its sensitivity and specificity, but also to evaluate its application in grading for laryngeal NECs.

Methods

The clinicopathological characteristics of the 25 cases with laryngeal NECs were retrospectively analyzed. The expressions of INSM1, CHG, Syn, and CD56 were detected by immunohistochemistry.

Results

Of the 25 laryngeal NECs, INSM1 had higher sensitivity (92%) than Syn (84%), CHG (76%) and CD56 (76%). The average H scores of INSM1, CD56, Syn, and CHG were 160, 37.5, 300, 300 for well‐differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma (WD‐NEC); 190, 149, 209, 215 for moderately differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma (MD‐NEC); 251, 208, 104, 25 for poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma with small cell (SCNEC); 109, 160, 98, 26 for large cell types (LCNEC), respectively. Of these 98 non‐neuroendocrine tumors, INSM1 expression was seen in nine (9%) tumors, all were squamous cell carcinoma. And INSM1 staining was generally focal.

Conclusion

INSM1 has high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosis of laryngeal NECs. For grading laryngeal NECs, Syn and CHG showed significant advantages in the diagnosis of WD‐NEC and MD‐NEC, whereas INSM1 and CD56 showed greater diagnostic value in the diagnosis of SCNEC and LCNEC, especially in SCNEC.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 131:E2662–E2668, 2021
Ecological resilience in tropical Andean lakes: A paleolimnological perspective
Authors: Benito Xavier , Luethje Melina , Schneider Tobias , Fritz Sherilyn C. , Baker Paul A. , Pedersen Eric J. , Gaüzère Pierre , de Novaes Nascimento Majoi , Bush Mark , Ruhi Albert
Published: April 2021

Little is known about whether changes in lake ecosystem structure over the past 150 years are unprecedented when considering longer timescales. Similarly, research linking environmental stressors to lake ecological resilience has traditionally focused on a few sentinel sites, hindering the study of spatially synchronous changes across large areas. Here, we studied signatures of paleolimnological resilience by tracking change in diatom community composition over the last 2000 years in four Ecuadorian Andean lakes with contrasting ecoregions. We focused on climate and anthropogenic change, and the type of biological responses that these changes induced: gradual, elastic, or threshold. We combined multivariate ordination techniques with nonlinear time‐series methods (hierarchical generalized additive models) to characterize trajectories of community responses in each lake, and coherence in such trajectories across lakes. We hypothesized that remote, high‐elevation lakes would exhibit synchronous trends due to their shared climatic constraints, whereas lower elevation lakes would show less synchronous trends as a consequence of human density and land‐cover alteration. We found that gradual and elastic responses dominated. Threshold‐type responses, or regime shifts, were only detected in the less remote lake, after a long period of gradual and elastic changes. Unexpected synchrony was observed in diatom assemblages from geographically distant and human‐impacted lakes, whereas lakes under similar broad‐scale environmental factors (climate and ecoregion) showed asynchronous community trajectories over time. Our results reveal a complex ecological history and indicate that Andean lakes in Ecuador can gradually adapt and recover from a myriad of disturbances, exhibiting resilience over century to millennial timescales.
High‐Frequency Oscillations in the Pallidum: A Pathophysiological Biomarker in Parkinson's Disease?
Authors: Johnson Luke A. , Aman Joshua E. , Yu Ying , Escobar Sanabria David , Wang Jing , Hill Meghan , Dharnipragada Rajiv , Patriat Remi , Fiecas Mark , Li Laura , Schrock Lauren E. , Cooper Scott E. , Johnson Matthew D. , Park Michael C. , Harel Noam , Vitek Jerrold L.
Published: April 2021

Background

Abnormal oscillatory neural activity in the beta‐frequency band (13–35 Hz) is thought to play a role in Parkinson's disease (PD); however, increasing evidence points to alterations in high‐frequency ranges (>100 Hz) also having pathophysiological relevance.

Objectives

Studies have found that power in subthalamic nucleus (STN) high‐frequency oscillations is increased with dopaminergic medication and during voluntary movements, implicating these brain rhythms in normal basal ganglia function. The objective of this study was to investigate whether similar signaling occurs in the internal globus pallidus (GPi), a nucleus increasingly used as a target for deep brain stimulation (DBS) for PD.

Methods

Spontaneous and movement‐related GPi field potentials were recorded from DBS leads in 5 externalized PD patients on and off dopaminergic medication, as well as from 3 rhesus monkeys before and after the induction of parkinsonism with the neurotoxin 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6 tetrahydropyridine.

Results

In the parkinsonian condition, we identified a prominent oscillatory peak centered at 200–300 Hz that increased during movement. In patients the magnitude of high‐frequency oscillation modulation was negatively correlated with bradykinesia. In monkeys, high‐frequency oscillations were mostly absent in the naive condition but emerged after the neurotoxin 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6 tetrahydropyridine. In patients, spontaneous high‐frequency oscillations were significantly attenuated on‐medication.

Conclusions

Our findings provide evidence in support of the hypothesis that exaggerated, movement‐modulated high‐frequency oscillations in the GPi are pathophysiological features of PD. These findings suggest that the functional role(s) of high‐frequency oscillations may differ between the STN and GPi and motivate additional investigations into their relationship to motor control in normal and diseased states.
Asymptomatic common extensor tendon pathology in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome
Authors: Wee Tze Chao , Simon Neil G.
Published: April 2021

Introduction/Aims

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and lateral epicondylitis are both highly prevalent conditions. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of B‐mode ultrasound abnormalities of the common extensor tendon (CET) in patients with CTS and establish the relationship between CET stiffness, as measured by shear wave elastography (SWE) and CTS severity.

Methods

Patients without symptoms or signs of lateral epicondylitis were recruited from referrals to a neurophysiology laboratory for possible CTS. These patients were examined for clinical features of CTS before undergoing electrodiagnostic testing followed by an ultrasound examination, consisting of B‐mode, power Doppler, and SWE.

Results

Thirty‐nine limbs with clinically diagnosed CTS and 20 control limbs were included. Of the CTS limbs, 61.5% had sonographically abnormal CET compared with 35% of the controls. The mean CET sonographic abnormality score was higher in CTS patients compared with controls (P = .006). CTS patients with sonographically abnormal CET had more severe CTS by electrophysiological criteria. The mean CET stiffness in CTS patients was lower than in controls (P = .033).

Discussion

Sonographic abnormalities of the CET are common in CTS patients with no clinical evidence of lateral epicondylitis and may relate to common pathogenetic mechanisms. These findings suggest that isolated ultrasound abnormalities in the CET are not diagnostically useful in patients presenting with upper limb pain unless there are clinical features of lateral epicondylitis.
Design of super‐tough and antibacterialPPR/nano‐ZnOcomposites based on the excellent dispersion ofZnOparticles
Authors: Huang Chaojie , Mou Wenjie , Zhao Liangzhi , Liu Ye
Published: April 2021

Herein, polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) dispersants are used to disperse and isolate zinc oxide (ZnO) particles. A high‐pressure spray device is used to dry the dispersed nano‐fillers quickly to achieve the structure of PVP chains wrapping and isolating ZnO particles. Scanning electron microscopy shows that most of the size of the agglomerated ZnO nanoparticles in polypropylene random (PPR, obtained by random copolymerization of propylene and ethylene) is maintained below 100 nm, and only a small amount of large agglomerates with a particle size less than 400 nm. An excellent dispersion of nano‐ZnO fillers prepared by this method can greatly improve the toughness of PPR and endow it with good antibacterial properties. When the content of the ZnO nanoparticles is 3 wt%, the notched impact strength of PVZ3 increases to 48.85 kJ m−2(unbroken), which is 3.6 times than that of pure PPR. In addition, 3 phr ZnO nanoparticles give PPR excellent antibacterial properties, with an antibacterial rate of 99.9% (Escherichia coliandStaphylococcus aureus). The value of antibacterial activity (E. coli) of PVZ3 reached more than 6.0, which is nearly three times that of PZ.
How patients with cancer experience dignity: An integrative review
Authors: Xiao Jinnan , Ng Marques S. N. , Yan Tingting , Chow Ka Ming , Chan Carmen W. H.
Published: April 2021

Background

A diagnosis of cancer and its treatments can be associated with a prominent issue of loss of dignity or an undermined sense of dignity for patients. Research is increasingly being conducted into how patients with cancer experience dignity, with the aim to build clinical foundations for care that preserves patients' sense of dignity.

Aim

This review summarises and synthesises the available empirical literature on the experience of dignity in patients with cancer regarding both the perception of dignity and associated factors.

Method

An integrative review method was used. A literature search was conducted in 11 databases using the search terms ‘dignity’ OR ‘existential’ OR ‘existentialism’ combined with ‘cancer’. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (version 2011) was adopted to appraise the methodological quality of the included studies.

Results

Nine qualitative studies and 13 quantitative studies met the selection criteria and were included in the review. The ways that patients with cancer perceived dignity include autonomy/control, respect, self‐worth, family connectedness, acceptance, hope/future and God/religious. Factors associated with dignity include demographics, physical and psychosocial distress, experiences of suffering and coping strategies.

Conclusion

Dignity‐conserving care should respect patients' human autonomy to strengthen their sense of self‐worth, acceptance, hope, reinforce family connectedness, and foster coping strategies to control the physical, psychosocial factors and experience of sufferings that threaten their sense of dignity.
Natural products: A lead for drug discovery and development
Authors: Chopra Bhawna , Dhingra Ashwani Kumar
Published: April 2021

Natural products are used since ancient times in folklore for the treatment of various ailments. Plant‐derived products have been recognized for many years as a source of therapeutic agents and structural diversity. A literature survey has been carried out to determine the utility of natural molecules and their modified analogs or derivatives as pharmacological active entities. This review presents a study on the importance of natural products in terms of drug discovery and development. It describes how the natural components can be utilized after small modifications in new perspectives. Various new modifications in structure offer a unique opportunity to establish a new molecular entity with better pharmacological potential. It was concluded that in this current era, new attempts are taken to utilize the compounds derived from natural sources as novel drug candidates, with a focus to find and discover new effective molecules that were referred to as “new entities of natural product drug discovery.”
Spectrally accurate quantitative analysis of isotope‐labeled compounds
Authors: Kuehl Don , Wang Yongdong , Wang Peter L. , Zhou Dawei
Published: April 2021

Calculated profile mode mass spectrometry (MS) data are fitted to lineshape‐calibrated liquid chromatography LC/MS data using a Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) model to quantitate the relative concentrations of stable or radiolabeled compound mixtures. This alternative approach significantly improves the precision and accuracy over existing MS methods while providing the much‐needed statistical diagnostics on the goodness‐of‐fit model and thus reliability of the quantitative results obtained. Test compound data containing S/Cl atoms have been measured with either stable deuterium labeling or radioisotope uniform 14C labeling onto an aromatic ring. Since the entire relative distribution of variously labeled compounds is automatically obtained through this approach, it is feasible to directly calculate the Specific Activity (SA) from such mass spectral analysis without radioactivity detection and the usual standard curve quantitation. The applicability of this approach to systematically and accurately accommodate and account for incomplete labeling chemistry or other impurities is also discussed, with wide‐ranging implications including metabolic flux, HDX (Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange), and quantitative proteomics.
Adaptive constraint‐following control for uncertain nonlinear mechanical systems with measurement error
Authors: Yang Zeyu , Huang Jin , Hu Zhanyi , Yin Hui , Zhong Zhihua
Published: April 2021

This study proposes an adaptive constraint‐following control scheme for an uncertain nonlinear mechanical system. The concerned system is required to follow a class of (holonomic and nonholonomic) equality constraints. Uncertainties (possibly fast time‐varying) exist in the dynamics equation and the equality constraints. Meanwhile, the system contains state measurement errors. Both the uncertainties and measurement errors are assumed to be bounded. Based on Udwadia–Kalapa approach and a saturation type adaptive law, an adaptive control scheme is proposed to drive the system to follow the prescribed constraints approximately. Through Lyapunov minimax analysis, it is proved that the resulting control guarantees the uniform boundedness and uniform ultimate boundedness of the closed‐loop constrained mechanical system despite the presence of the uncertainties and the measurement errors. Numerical simulations of the vehicle lateral motion control are presented. The results validate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology.
Innovation Ecosystem framework directed to Sustainable Development Goal #17 partnerships implementation
Authors: Oliveira‐Duarte Larissa , Reis Diane Aparecida , Fleury Andre Leme , Vasques Rosana Aparecida , Fonseca Filho Homero , Koria Mikko , Baruque‐Ramos Julia
Published: April 2021

Partnerships are demanded to implement a more integrated approach to sustainable development problems. The complex character of sustainability requires the participation of many societal spheres to resolve them. Sustainable Development Goal #17 “Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development” recognizes multi‐stakeholder partnerships as important vehicles for mobilizing and sharing knowledge, expertise, technologies, and financial resources to support the achievement of the SDGs in all countries. Innovation Ecosystems (IE) are dynamic purposive multi‐stakeholders' networks with complex relationships built on trust, co‐creation of value, and exchange of complementary technologies or competencies. Few studies investigated the IEs relating to sustainability and specially within the SDGs. This study provides a descriptive analysis of the relationship between IE and the SDGs, concerning the question about how the IE framework can orient the SDG #17 partnership implementation. The methodology is based on the literature review and analysis of documents from the United Nations, available at the UN Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform ‐ 2021. Four core drivers were identified and discussed: Geographical Governance, Collaboration, Knowledge Transmission, and Value co‐creation. Considering the IE lens, the SDGs can be addressed as the purpose engaging the Major Groups, which are the key contributors in terms of being part of the challenges and solutions. There is a need to prepare stakeholders to be ecosystem conscious and aware of the demanded innovations. Future research should include describing methods to measure IE performance considering the SDGs and empirical studies to analyze the ecosystem roles and relations of the Major Groups.
Bayesian network meta‐regression hierarchical models using heavy‐tailed multivariate random effects with covariate‐dependent variances
Authors: Li Hao , Lim Daeyoung , Chen Ming‐Hui , Ibrahim Joseph G. , Kim Sungduk , Shah Arvind K. , Lin Jianxin
Published: April 2021

Network meta‐analysis (NMA) is gaining popularity in evidence synthesis and network meta‐regression allows us to incorporate potentially important covariates into network meta‐analysis. In this article, we propose a Bayesian network meta‐regression hierarchical model and assume a general multivariate t
distribution for the random treatment effects. The multivariate t distribution is desired for heavy‐tailed random effects and converges to the multivariate normal distribution when the degrees of freedom go to infinity. Moreover, in NMA, some treatments are compared only in a single study. To overcome such sparsity, we propose a log‐linear regression model for the variances of the random effects and incorporate aggregate covariates into modeling the variance components. We develop a Markov chain Monte Carlo sampling algorithm to sample from the posterior distribution via the collapsed Gibbs technique. We further use the deviance information criterion and the logarithm of the pseudo‐marginal likelihood for model comparison. A simulation study is conducted and a detailed analysis from our motivating case study is carried out to further demonstrate the proposed methodology.
Size Effect on the Fatigue Performance of 18CrNiMo7‐6 Alloy Steel
Authors: Wang Gang , Gao Chen , Zhang Yue , Xu GuangTao , Zhao MingHao
Published: April 2021

The size effect on the fatigue performance of 18CrNiMo7‐6 alloy steel is investigated. From rotating bending fatigue tests at room temperature, the relationship between the stress amplitude and the number of cycles of specimens with different diameters is obtained. The surface topography, residual stress, and fracture surface of the specimen are measured. The results show that the fatigue strength increases with increasing diameter of the specimen. The fracture of the small specimens tends to be brittle fracture, whereas the fracture of the large specimens is inclined to be ductile fracture. The effects of the surface condition, relative stress gradient (RSG), residual stress, and fatigue crack propagation life on the fatigue performance of the alloy are discussed. The reasons for the size effect are interpreted in terms of the change in the RSG caused by residual stress, the trend of the RSG significantly changes with changing specimen size under different stress levels. The crack propagation life of the large specimens is longer than those of the small specimens.
Working mechanism evaluations and simplified models of corner bracket type inter‐module connections
Authors: Zhao Fengtao , Yu Yujie , Lin Siwen , Man Mengke , Ding Faxing
Published: April 2021

In modular steel buildings, the corner bracket type inter‐module connection is a commonly used way of connecting adjacent modules together. However, the detailed working mechanisms of this connection are still not well known. In this study, the mechanical properties of two corner bracket type inter‐module connections were identified based on reported tests and refined finite element simulations. A simplified multi‐spring model of the corner bracket type inter‐module connections was proposed and was then incorporated into the two‐dimensional analysis of a framed modular building and a braced modular building to investigate the effect of connection properties on lateral sway performance of modular structures. Results indicated that the corner bracket type inter‐module connection had a lower tensile stiffness and resistance than compressive ones. Tensile and bending resistances of the connection were correlated with each other and were determined by the out‐of‐plane prying deformation of bracket endplates. The inter‐module connection possessed the extrusion‐resisting and separation‐permitting behavior between assembled brackets. The lateral sway performance of the pure framed modular building was closely related to the vertical shear stiffness of inter‐module connections. However, in the braced modular building, the tension and horizontal shear stiffnesses of inter‐module connections were the critical aspects.
Just Societal Transformation: Perspectives of Pastoralists in the Lower Omo Valley in Ethiopia
Authors: Troeger Sabine
Published: April 2021

Pastoralists’ livelihoods in Africa are highly endangered by adverse forces – the climate change being one among those. Against this background, climate change adaptation is conceptualized as strategic agency in the field of risk-laden livelihood environments, that is, agency in the face of risky options and non-calculable uncertainties.

The chapter conceptualizes pastoralists’ livelihoods exposed to a four-fold hierarchy of environmental risks and forces defining the actors’ arena of strategic decision making: From the global scale of ever extending impacts by the climate change imperative, to the national scale of government policies in terms of decentralization, challenging people to govern and define their communal efforts in terms of climate change adaptation, and down to the regional scale, which in the presented case is dominated by a large-scale investment, the Kuraz Sugar Development Project, which again confronts local actors with adverse forces toward villagization and eviction from pasture grounds. Right at the end of this hierarchy and in accordance with discourses on “climate services,” the end-users and local actors, the pastoralists, are confronted with and offered a product that they can input into their decision making: cattle feed from the residues of the irrigated sugar cane. The question remains whether substantive aspects of processes turning into true environmental and social justice in terms of recognition, procedures, and distribution will be paid attention to.
Rescuing a black hole in the large-q coupled SYK model
Authors: Lensky Yuri D. , Qi Xiao-Liang
Published: April 2021

Abstract

In this paper, we develop a general effective theory for two copies of the Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev (SYK) model with a time-dependent bilinear coupling. For a quantum quench problem with an initial state of the thermofield double state, we show how the evolution of the system is described by a complex reparametrization field with a classical Hamiltonian. We study correlation functions in this system and compare the large-qtheory with the bulk low energy effective theory. In particular, we study the special case of a “rescued black hole”, which describes how a time-evolved thermofield double state can evolve to the ground state of a coupled SYK model by a carefully tuned time-dependent coupling. In the low energy region, there is a holographic dual interpretation, which is a geometry that crosses over from an eternal black hole to a global AdS2vacuum. This family of geometries allow us to access the bulk region that would be the black hole interior without the rescue process. By comparing the large-qand low energy theory, we find that even in the low energy region the deviation from the low energy theory cannot be neglected if the rescue process starts late. This provides evidence that the low energy effective theory of the bulk fails near the inner horizon of the black hole. We note the possibility of a connection to a two-dimensional analog of the higher-dimensional black hole singularity.
Revisit on two-dimensional self-gravitating kinks: superpotential formalism and linear stability
Authors: Zhong Yuan
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Self-gravitating kink solutions of a two-dimensional dilaton gravity are revisited in this work. Analytical kink solutions are derived from a concise superpotential formalism of the dynamical equations. A general analysis on the linear stability is conducted for an arbitrary static solution of the model. After gauge fixing, a Schrödinger-like equation with factorizable Hamiltonian operator is obtained, which ensures the linear stability of the solution.
Evidenzbasierte Public Health: Perspektiven und spezifische Umsetzungsfaktoren
Authors: Rehfuess Eva A. , Zhelyazkova Ana , von Philipsborn Peter , Griebler Ursula , De Bock Freia
Published: April 2021

Evidenzbasierung stellt auch im öffentlichen Gesundheitswesen eine zentrale Anforderung dar. 5 allgemeine Prinzipien gelten in der evidenzbasierten Medizin wie in der evidenzbasierten Public Health (EBPH). Sie umfassen Systematik, Transparenz im Umgang mit Unsicherheit, Integration und Partizipation, Umgang mit Interessenkonflikten sowie einen strukturierten, reflektierten Prozess. Dieser Artikel hat das Ziel, ein gemeinsames Verständnis von evidenzbasierter Public Health zu fördern.

Mit einer systematischen Literaturrecherche zu Perspektiven der Evidenzbasierung in Public Health wurde das internationale Verständnis von EBPH beleuchtet. So wurden 20 englischsprachige und eine deutschsprachige Quelle identifiziert und einer Inhaltsanalyse unterzogen. Über die allgemeinen Prinzipien hinausgehende Charakteristika dieser Perspektiven befassen sich mit Aspekten der Bevölkerungsorientierung, dem zugrunde liegenden Verständnis von Evidenz, zu beteiligenden Disziplinen und Interessengruppen sowie relevanten Kriterien und notwendigen Kompetenzen für eine Umsetzung von Evidenzbasierung.

Darauf aufbauend und unter Berücksichtigung methodischer Entwicklungen im Umgang mit Komplexität lassen sich 4 spezifische Umsetzungsfaktoren der EBPH ableiten. Sie umfassen Theorie, Interdisziplinarität, Kontextabhängigkeit und Komplexität sowie allgemeine gesellschaftliche Aspekte.

Die praktische Umsetzung von EBPH erfordert personelle und finanzielle Ressourcen sowie Kompetenzen – unter anderem für die Durchführung systematischer Übersichtsarbeiten zur Wirksamkeit von Maßnahmen unter Alltagsbedingungen, für die wissenschaftliche Betrachtung weiterer relevanter Fragestellungen sowie für die Etablierung transparenter Prozesse zur Formulierung von Empfehlungen.
HPV-Impfung zur Prävention von Genitalwarzen und Krebsvorstufen – Evidenzlage und Bewertung
Authors: Osmani Vanesa , Klug Stefanie J.
Published: April 2021

Humane Papillomviren (HPV) verursachen benigne und maligne Tumorerkrankungen. Bisher wurden mehr als 200 HPV-Typen entdeckt, von denen aktuell 12 als Hochrisiko für das Zervixkarzinom klassifiziert werden. HPV-Typen, die den Anogenitaltrakt befallen, werden sexuell übertragen. Seit 2006 sind prophylaktische HPV-Impfstoffe erhältlich. Die Impfung soll vor dem ersten sexuellen Kontakt erfolgen.

HPV infizieren Epithelzellen und sind die häufigsten sexuell übertragenen Viren weltweit. Neben dem Zervixkarzinom verursachen HPV auch andere anogenitale Tumore, wie Vulva‑, Vagina- und Analkarzinom, aber auch Oropharynxkarzinome. Vor allem die Hochrisiko-HPV-Typen 16 und 18 werden hier gefunden. Des Weiteren sind die HPV-Typen 6 und 11 ursächlich für die Entstehung von genitalen Warzen. Aber auch harmlose Hautwarzen werden von HPV verursacht.

HPV-Impfstoffe sind sicher und hochwirksam, wenn vor der Impfung noch keine HPV-Infektion vorliegt. Systematische Reviews und Metaanalysen haben gezeigt, dass die HPV-Impfung eine HPV-Infektion, aber auch präkanzeröse Läsionen im Anogenitaltrakt und Genitalwarzen wirksam verhindert. Mittlerweile liegen erste direkte Hinweise vor, dass die HPV-Impfung die Inzidenz des Zervixkarzinoms reduziert.

Die Impfquoten variieren weltweit je nach Impfprogramm und Akzeptanz des HPV-Impfstoffs in der Bevölkerung. Deutschland hat im Vergleich zu anderen europäischen Ländern niedrige Impfquoten. Die Ständige Impfkommission (STIKO) empfiehlt die HPV-Impfung in Deutschland für alle Mädchen und Jungen im Alter von 9 bis 14 Jahren. Im Jahr 2018 waren nur die Hälfte aller 18-jährigen Mädchen in Deutschland vollständig gegen HPV geimpft.

Organisierte Impfprogramme, bevölkerungsbezogen oder schulbasiert, sind notwendig, um hohe Impfquoten zu erreichen.
The ethical application of biometric facial recognition technology
Authors: Smith Marcus , Miller Seumas
Published: April 2021

Biometric facial recognition is an artificial intelligence technology involving the automated comparison of facial features, used by law enforcement to identify unknown suspects from photographs and closed circuit television. Its capability is expanding rapidly in association with artificial intelligence and has great potential to solve crime. However, it also carries significant privacy and other ethical implications that require law and regulation. This article examines the rise of biometric facial recognition, current applications and legal developments, and conducts an ethical analysis of the issues that arise. Ethical principles are applied to mediate the potential conflicts in relation to this information technology that arise between security, on the one hand, and individual privacy and autonomy, and democratic accountability, on the other. These can be used to support appropriate law and regulation for the technology as it continues to develop.
A posteriori error bounds for fully-discrete hp-discontinuous Galerkin timestepping methods for parabolic problems
Authors: Georgoulis Emmanuil H. , Lakkis Omar , Wihler Thomas P.
Published: April 2021

We consider fully discrete time-space approximations of abstract linear parabolic partial differential equations (PDEs) consisting of an hp-version discontinuous Galerkin (DG) time stepping scheme in conjunction with standard (conforming) Galerkin discretizations in space. We derive abstract computable a posteriori error bounds resulting, for instance, in concrete bounds in "Equation missing"- and "Equation missing"-type norms when I is the temporal and "Equation missing" the spatial domain for the PDE. We base our methodology for the analysis on a novel space-time reconstruction approach. Our approach is flexible as it works for any type of elliptic error estimator and leaves their choice to the user. It also exhibits mesh-change estimators in a clear and concise way. We also show how our approach allows the derivation of such bounds in the "Equation missing" norm.
SKI activates the Hippo pathway via LIMD1 to inhibit cardiac fibroblast activation
Authors: Landry Natalie M. , Rattan Sunil G. , Filomeno Krista L. , Meier Thomas W. , Meier Simon C. , Foran Sarah J. , Meier Claire F. , Koleini Navid , Fandrich Robert R. , Kardami Elissavet , Duhamel Todd A. , Dixon Ian M. C.
Published: April 2021

We have previously shown that overexpression of SKI, an endogenous TGF-β1 repressor, deactivates the pro-fibrotic myofibroblast phenotype in the heart. We now show that SKI also functions independently of SMAD/TGF-β signaling, by activating the Hippo tumor-suppressor pathway and inhibiting the Transcriptional co-Activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ or WWTR1). The mechanism(s) by which SKI targets TAZ to inhibit cardiac fibroblast activation and fibrogenesis remain undefined. A rat model of post-myocardial infarction was used to examine the expression of TAZ during acute fibrogenesis and chronic heart failure. Results were then corroborated with primary rat cardiac fibroblast cell culture performed both on plastic and on inert elastic substrates, along with the use of siRNA and adenoviral expression vectors for active forms of SKI, YAP, and TAZ. Gene expression was examined by qPCR and luciferase assays, while protein expression was examined by immunoblotting and fluorescence microscopy. Cell phenotype was further assessed by functional assays. Finally, to elucidate SKI’s effects on Hippo signaling, the SKI and TAZ interactomes were captured in human cardiac fibroblasts using BioID2 and mass spectrometry. Potential interactors were investigated in vitro to reveal novel mechanisms of action for SKI. In vitro assays on elastic substrates revealed the ability of TAZ to overcome environmental stimuli and induce the activation of hypersynthetic cardiac myofibroblasts. Further cell-based assays demonstrated that SKI causes specific proteasomal degradation of TAZ, but not YAP, and shifts actin cytoskeleton dynamics to inhibit myofibroblast activation. These findings were supported by identifying the bi-phasic expression of TAZ in vivo during post-MI remodeling and fibrosis. BioID2-based interactomics in human cardiac fibroblasts suggest that SKI interacts with actin-modifying proteins and with LIM Domain-containing protein 1 (LIMD1), a negative regulator of Hippo signaling. Furthermore, we found that LATS2 interacts with TAZ, whereas LATS1 does not, and that LATS2 knockdown prevented TAZ downregulation with SKI overexpression. Our findings indicate that SKI’s capacity to regulate cardiac fibroblast activation is mediated, in part, by Hippo signaling. We postulate that the interaction between SKI and TAZ in cardiac fibroblasts is arbitrated by LIMD1, an important intermediary in focal adhesion-associated signaling pathways. This study contributes to the understanding of the unique physiology of cardiac fibroblasts, and of the relationship between SKI expression and cell phenotype.