bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Relationship between Psychological Stress and Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors during COVID-19 among Students in a US Midwest University
Authors: Moriarty Terence , Bourbeau Kelsey , Fontana Fabio , McNamara Scott , Pereira da Silva Michael
Published: April 2021

The gripping coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has imposed dramatic changes to many areas of daily living in all sectors of society across the world. We examined the relationship between perceived stress and health behaviors among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online survey with measures of psychological stress, physical activity and exercise, and sleep and social connectedness was distributed in June and July of 2020. The survey was completed by 550 college students (mean age: 21.3 ± 3.8 years, 74.2% female, 94.4% Caucasian). Being female and unemployed and having a lower annual income were significantly associated with higher levels of stress. In addition, regression analysis found that reduced exercise and sleep during the COVID-19 pandemic significantly predicted the levels of stress of participants after controlling for gender, employment status, and annual income. University officials should aim to implement health-promotion strategies directed at preventing reductions in exercise and sleep duration, especially in those at greater risk of increased perceived stress such as females and economically disadvantaged students.
Surviving and Thriving: Qualitative Results from a Multi-Year, Multidimensional Intervention to Promote Well-Being among Caregivers of Adults with Dementia
Authors: Faw Meara H. , Luxton India , Cross Jennifer E. , Davalos Deana
Published: April 2021

(1) Introduction: Caring for an adult with dementia is both challenging and rewarding. Research indicates that community-based, social support, and/or arts engagement interventions can play a key role in ameliorating the negative outcomes associated with caregiving while enhancing its more positive attributes. This study explores the psychosocial outcomes experienced by dementia caregivers who participated in a multi-year, multidimensional intervention aimed at promoting caregiver and care recipient well-being. This intervention included bringing caregivers and people with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias (ADRD) to local symphony performances, hosting a social reception prior to the performance, and assessing the outcomes of participation for both caregiver and the care recipient. (2) Materials, Methods, and Analysis: Qualitative data from participant phone interviews (n = 55) as well as focus groups are analyzed using thematic analysis from a phenomenological perspective. (3) Results: Across three years of participation, caregivers reported three main program benefits: relationship building (both with other participants as well as within the broader community); restored humanity (experiencing a greater sense of personal dignity and momentary return to normalcy), and positivity (experiencing positive emotions during the program). (4) Discussion: These findings point to the value of creating caregiver programming that brings together multiple dimensions of successful interventions in order to enhance caregiver experiences and positive intervention outcomes.
Mental Health of COVID-19 Patients—A Cross-Sectional Survey in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alamri Hasan Saeed , Mousa Wesam F. , Algarni Abdullah , Megahid Shehata F. , Al Bshabshe Ali , Alshehri Nada N. , Bashah Dalal M. , Alosaimi Roaa , Alshehri Ahlam , Alsamghan Awad , Alsabaani Abdullah
Published: April 2021

Background: This study aims to investigate the mental health of COVID-19 patients in Saudi Arabia. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out targeting confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia. Due to travel and time constraints as well as the accessibility of patients, cases were included from East Jeddah Hospital, King Abdulaziz Hospital, and the Oncology Center in Jeddah. The data were collected using a predesigned self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire addressed COVID-19 cases, personal data, medical history, smoking, traveling abroad, and work-related conditions. Additionally, data regarding contact level with COVID-19 cases were considered. The mental health statuses of the patients were assessed using a validated Arabic version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale. The study included 261 COVID-19 patients whose ages ranged from 18 to 65 years. Results: The survey findings revealed that 13% of COVID-19 patients had a borderline level of anxiety, 26.8% were considered anxiety cases, while 60.2% were normal. The findings also revealed that 29.9% had a borderline level of depression, 18.4% were considered depression cases, while 51.7% were normal. Conclusions: This study concluded that COVID-19 patients experience anxiety and depression, and as the COVID-19 epidemic continues to spread, the results of the study are particularly useful in developing a strategy to psychologically support COVID-19 patients.
Stand Out in Class: Investigating the Potential Impact of a Sit–Stand Desk Intervention on Children’s Sitting and Physical Activity during Class Time and after School
Authors: Chen Yu-Ling , Tolfrey Keith , Pearson Natalie , Bingham Daniel D. , Edwardson Charlotte , Cale Lorraine , Dunstan David , Barber Sally E. , Clemes Stacy A.
Published: April 2021

Sedentary behaviour (sitting) is a risk factor for adverse health outcomes. The classroom environment has traditionally been associated with prolonged periods of sitting in children. The aim of this study was to examine the potential impact of an environmental intervention, the addition of sit–stand desks in the classroom, on school children’s sitting and physical activity during class time and after school. The ‘Stand Out in Class’ pilot trial was a two-arm cluster randomised controlled trial conducted in eight primary schools with children from a mixed socioeconomic background. The 4.5 month environmental intervention modified the physical (six sit–stand desks replaced standard desks) and social (e.g., teachers’ support) environment. All children wore activPAL and ActiGraph accelerometers for 7 days at baseline and follow-up. In total 176 children (mean age = 9.3 years) took part in the trial. At baseline, control and intervention groups spent more than 65% of class time sitting, this changed to 71.7% and 59.1% at follow-up, respectively (group effect p < 0.001). The proportion of class time spent standing and stepping, along with the proportion of time in light activity increased in the intervention group and decreased in the control group. There was no evidence of any compensatory effects from the intervention after school. Incorporating sit–stand desks to change the classroom environment at primary school appears to be an acceptable strategy for reducing children’s sedentary behaviour and increasing light activity especially during class time. Trial registration: ISRCTN12915848 (registered: 09/11/16).
Current Practice of Physical Activity Counselling within Physiotherapy Usual Care and Influences on Its Use: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Zhu Shiyi , Sherrington Catherine , Jennings Matthew , Brady Bernadette , Pinheiro Marina , Dennis Sarah , Christie Lauren J. , Sidhu Balwinder , Haynes Abby , Greaves Colin , Hassett Leanne
Published: April 2021

Physical activity counselling has demonstrated effectiveness at increasing physical activity when delivered in healthcare, but is not routinely practised. This study aimed to determine (1) current use of physical activity counselling by physiotherapists working within publicly funded hospitals; and (2) influences on this behaviour. A cross-sectional survey of physiotherapists was conducted across five hospitals within a local health district in Sydney, Australia. The survey investigated physiotherapists’ frequency of incorporating 15 different elements of physical activity counselling into their usual healthcare interactions, and 53 potential influences on their behaviour framed by the COM-B (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation-Behaviour) model. The sample comprised 84 physiotherapists (79% female, 48% <5 years of experience). Physiotherapists reported using on average five (SD:3) elements of physical activity counselling with at least 50% of their patients who could be more active. A total of 70% of physiotherapists raised or discussed overall physical activity, but less than 10% measured physical activity or contacted community physical activity providers. Physiotherapists reported on average 25 (SD:9) barriers influencing their use of physical activity counselling. The most common barriers were related to “opportunity”, with 57% indicating difficulty locating suitable community physical activity opportunities and >90% indicating their patients lacked financial and transport opportunities. These findings confirm that physical activity counselling is not routinely incorporated in physiotherapy practice and help to identify implementation strategies to build clinicians’ opportunities and capabilities to deliver physical activity counselling.
Implementation of an Intervention Plan for Emotional Development in People with Down Syndrome
Authors: Castellary-López Macarena , Muñoz Muñoz Juan Rafael , Figueredo-Canosa Victoria , Ortiz-Jiménez Luis
Published: April 2021

The importance of music, as well as the different and diverse possibilities that it offers, favors the emotional development of any person. This research is based on the development and application of a set of activities, whose transversal axis is the use of music, to favor and promote the emotional development of people with Down syndrome. This application of activities was developed with a group of eight participants, between the ages of twenty and forty-five years old. Additionally, under a total duration of eight working sessions. In these sessions, listening, vocal, instrumental, and movement activities were developed. For each of the emotions worked on; joy, fear, anger, sadness, calm, and love, a story and a song from the story were selected for each one of them. The methodology used was qualitative, using program evaluation. For this purpose, on the one hand, the data obtained during the different sessions were analyzed, and on the other hand, the data collected in the two discussion groups carried out were analyzed. Finally, the data obtained were organized into six categories: image recognition, observation of emotions, experience of emotions, identification of emotions, recognition of emotions, and finally, enjoyment of emotions. It could be seen that, after the sessions, there was a significant improvement in the different categories. However, in the categories of identification of emotions and recognition of emotions, the results were more favorable compared to the rest.
The Role of LGR4 (GPR48) in Normal and Cancer Processes
Authors: Ordaz-Ramos Alejandro , Rosales-Gallegos Victor Hugo , Melendez-Zajgla Jorge , Maldonado Vilma , Vazquez-Santillan Karla
Published: April 2021

Leucine-rich repeats containing G protein-coupled receptor 4 (LGR4) is a receptor that belongs to the superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors that can be activated by R-spondins (RSPOs), Norrin, circLGR4, and the ligand of the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B (RANKL) ligands to regulate signaling pathways in normal and pathological processes. LGR4 is widely expressed in different tissues where it has multiple functions such as tissue development and maintenance. LGR4 mainly acts through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway to regulate proliferation, survival, and differentiation. In cancer, LGR4 participates in tumor progression, invasion, and metastasis. Furthermore, recent evidence reveals that LGR4 is essential for the regulation of the cancer stem cell population by controlling self-renewal and regulating stem cell properties. This review summarizes the function of LGR4 and its ligands in normal and malignant processes.
Suppression of PGC-1α Drives Metabolic Dysfunction in TGFβ2-Induced EMT of Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells
Authors: Shu Daisy Y. , Butcher Erik R. , Saint-Geniez Magali
Published: April 2021

PGC-1α, a key orchestrator of mitochondrial metabolism, plays a crucial role in governing the energetically demanding needs of retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE). We previously showed that silencing PGC-1α induced RPE to undergo an epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT). Here, we show that induction of EMT in RPE using transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGFβ2) suppressed PGC-1α expression. Correspondingly, TGFβ2 induced defects in mitochondrial network integrity with increased sphericity and fragmentation. TGFβ2 reduced expression of genes regulating mitochondrial dynamics, reduced citrate synthase activity and intracellular ATP content. High-resolution respirometry showed that TGFβ2 reduced mitochondrial OXPHOS levels consistent with reduced expression of NDUFB5. The reduced mitochondrial respiration was associated with a compensatory increase in glycolytic reserve, glucose uptake and gene expression of glycolytic enzymes (PFKFB3, PKM2, LDHA). Treatment with ZLN005, a selective small molecule activator of PGC-1α, blocked TGFβ2-induced upregulation of mesenchymal genes (αSMA, Snai1, CTGF, COL1A1) and TGFβ2-induced migration using the scratch wound assay. Our data show that EMT is accompanied by mitochondrial dysfunction and a metabolic shift towards reduced OXPHOS and increased glycolysis that may be driven by PGC-1α suppression. ZLN005 effectively blocks EMT in RPE and thus serves as a novel therapeutic avenue for treatment of subretinal fibrosis.
Molecular Mechanisms Underlying TDP-43 Pathology in Cellular and Animal Models of ALS and FTLD
Authors: Wood Alistair , Gurfinkel Yuval , Polain Nicole , Lamont Wesley , Lyn Rea Sarah
Published: April 2021

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) are neurodegenerative disorders that exist on a disease spectrum due to pathological, clinical and genetic overlap. In up to 97% of ALS cases and ~50% of FTLD cases, the primary pathological protein observed in affected tissues is TDP-43, which is hyperphosphorylated, ubiquitinated and cleaved. The TDP-43 is observed in aggregates that are abnormally located in the cytoplasm. The pathogenicity of TDP-43 cytoplasmic aggregates may be linked with both a loss of nuclear function and a gain of toxic functions. The cellular processes involved in ALS and FTLD disease pathogenesis include changes to RNA splicing, abnormal stress granules, mitochondrial dysfunction, impairments to axonal transport and autophagy, abnormal neuromuscular junctions, endoplasmic reticulum stress and the subsequent induction of the unfolded protein response. Here, we review and discuss the evidence for alterations to these processes that have been reported in cellular and animal models of TDP-43 proteinopathy.
Lumican Inhibits Osteoclastogenesis and Bone Resorption by Suppressing Akt Activity
Authors: Lee Jin-Young , Kim Da-Ae , Kim Eun-Young , Chang Eun-Ju , Park So-Jeong , Kim Beom-Jun
Published: April 2021

Lumican, a ubiquitously expressed small leucine-rich proteoglycan, has been utilized in diverse biological functions. Recent experiments demonstrated that lumican stimulates preosteoblast viability and differentiation, leading to bone formation. To further understand the role of lumican in bone metabolism, we investigated its effects on osteoclast biology. Lumican inhibited both osteoclast differentiation and in vitro bone resorption in a dose-dependent manner. Consistent with this, lumican markedly decreased the expression of osteoclastogenesis markers. Moreover, the migration and fusion of preosteoclasts and the resorptive activity per osteoclast were significantly reduced in the presence of lumican, indicating that this protein affects most stages of osteoclastogenesis. Among RANKL-dependent pathways, lumican inhibited Akt but not MAP kinases such as JNK, p38, and ERK. Importantly, co-treatment with an Akt activator almost completely reversed the effect of lumican on osteoclast differentiation. Taken together, our findings revealed that lumican inhibits osteoclastogenesis by suppressing Akt activity. Thus, lumican plays an osteoprotective role by simultaneously increasing bone formation and decreasing bone resorption, suggesting that it represents a dual-action therapeutic target for osteoporosis.
SWATH Based Quantitative Proteomics Reveals Significant Lipid Metabolism in Early Myopic Guinea Pig Retina
Authors: Bian Jingfang , Sze Ying-Hon , Tse Dennis Yan-Yin , To Chi-Ho , McFadden Sally A. , Lam Carly Siu-Yin , Li King-Kit , Lam Thomas Chuen
Published: April 2021

Most of the previous myopic animal studies employed a single-candidate approach and lower resolution proteomics approaches that were difficult to detect minor changes, and generated limited systems-wide biological information. Hence, a complete picture of molecular events in the retina involving myopic development is lacking. Here, to investigate comprehensive retinal protein alternations and underlying molecular events in the early myopic stage, we performed a data-independent Sequential Window Acquisition of all Theoretical Mass Spectra (SWATH) based proteomic analysis coupled with different bioinformatics tools in pigmented guinea pigs after 4-day lens-induced myopia (LIM). Myopic eyes compared to untreated contralateral control eyes caused significant changes in refractive error and choroid thickness (p < 0.05, n = 5). Relative elongation of axial length and the vitreous chamber depth were also observed. Using pooled samples from all individuals (n = 10) to build a species-specific retinal ion library for SWATH analysis, 3202 non-redundant proteins (with 24,616 peptides) were identified at 1% global FDR. For quantitative analysis, the 10 individual retinal samples (5 pairs) were analyzed using a high resolution Triple-TOF 6600 mass spectrometry (MS) with technical replicates. In total, 37 up-regulated and 21 down-regulated proteins were found significantly changed after LIM treatment (log2 ratio (T/C) > 0.26 or < −0.26; p ≤ 0.05). Data are accepted via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD025003. Through Ingenuity Pathways Analysis (IPA), “lipid metabolism” was found as the top function associated with the differentially expressed proteins. Based on the protein abundance and peptide sequences, expression patterns of two regulated proteins (SLC6A6 and PTGES2) identified in this pathway were further successfully validated with high confidence (p < 0.05) using a novel Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) assay on a QTRAP 6500+ MS. In summary, through an integrated discovery and targeted proteomic approach, this study serves as the first report to detect and confirm novel retinal protein changes and significant biological functions in the early LIM mammalian guinea pigs. The study provides new workflow and insights for further research to myopia control.
Exploring the Ion Channel TRPV2 and Testicular Macrophages in Mouse Testis
Authors: Eubler Katja , Rantakari Pia , Gerke Heidi , Herrmann Carola , Missel Annika , Schmid Nina , Walenta Lena , Lahiri Shibojyoti , Imhof Axel , Strauss Leena , Poutanen Matti , Mayerhofer Artur
Published: April 2021

The cation channel TRPV2 is known to be expressed by murine macrophages and is crucially involved in their functionality. Macrophages are frequent cells of the mouse testis, an immune-privileged and steroid-producing organ. TRPV2 expression by testicular macrophages and possible changes associated with age or inflammation have not been investigated yet. Therefore, we studied testes of young adult and old wild-type (WT) and AROM+ mice, i.e., transgenic mice overexpressing aromatase. In these animals, inflammatory changes are described in the testis, involving active macrophages, which increase with age. This is associated with impaired spermatogenesis and therefore AROM+ mice are a model for male infertility associated with sterile inflammation. In WT animals, testicular TRPV2 expression was mapped to interstitial CD206+ and peritubular MHC II+ macrophages, with higher levels in CD206+ cells. Expression levels of TRPV2 and most macrophage markers did not increase significantly in old mice, with the exception of CD206. As the number of TRPV2+ testicular macrophages was relatively small, their possible involvement in testicular functions and in aging in WT mice remains to be further studied. In AROM+ testis, TRPV2 was readily detected and levels increased significantly with age, together with macrophage markers and TNF-α. TRPV2 co-localized with F4/80 in macrophages and further studies showed that TRPV2 is mainly expressed by unusual CD206+MHC II+ macrophages, arising in the testis of these animals. Rescue experiments (aromatase inhibitor treatment and crossing with ERαKO mice) restored the testicular phenotype and also abolished the elevated expression of TRPV2, macrophage and inflammation markers. This suggests that TRPV2+ macrophages of the testis are part of an inflammatory cascade initiated by an altered sex hormone balance in AROM+ mice. The changes in testis are distinct from the described alterations in other organs of AROM+, such as prostate and spleen. When we monitored TRPV2 levels in another immune-privileged organ, namely the brain, we found that levels of TRPV2 were not elevated in AROM+ and remained stable during aging. In the adrenal, which similar to the testis produces steroids, we found slight, albeit not significant increases in TRPV2 in both AROM+ and WT mice, which were associated with age. Thus, the changes in the testis are specific for this organ.
Gut Susceptibility to Viral Invasion: Contributing Roles of Diet, Microbiota and Enteric Nervous System to Mucosal Barrier Preservation
Authors: Julio-Pieper Marcela , López-Aguilera Alejandra , Eyzaguirre-Velásquez Johana , Olavarría-Ramírez Loreto , Ibacache-Quiroga Claudia , Bravo Javier A. , Cruz Gonzalo
Published: April 2021

The gastrointestinal lumen is a rich source of eukaryotic and prokaryotic viruses which, together with bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms comprise the gut microbiota. Pathogenic viruses inhabiting this niche have the potential to induce local as well as systemic complications; among them, the viral ability to disrupt the mucosal barrier is one mechanism associated with the promotion of diarrhea and tissue invasion. This review gathers recent evidence showing the contributing effects of diet, gut microbiota and the enteric nervous system to either support or impair the mucosal barrier in the context of viral attack.
Axial Load Behavior of Ultrahigh Strength Concrete-Filled Steel Tube Columns of Various Geometric and Reinforcement Configurations
Authors: Hossain Khandaker M. A. , Chu Katie , Anwar Muhammed S.
Published: April 2021

This paper presents the behavior of concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) columns infilled with fiber-reinforced self-consolidating ultrahigh strength concrete (UHSC) subjected to axial concentric monotonic loading to failure. UHSC is expected to improve ease of fabrication, strength, and ductility of CFST columns. Seventeen columns having varying geometric properties such as tube wall thickness, cross-sectional shape (circular, rectangular, and square), and slenderness were constructed and tested by applying load through both steel tube and concrete core. Circular columns were further distinguished by the presence or absence of main and hoop steel reinforcing bars in the core concrete. Axial load-displacement response, axial/transverse strain development, and failure modes were recorded during the loading history to analyze the performance. Experimental confined concrete strength and axial strength of UHSC-filled CFST columns were compared with those obtained from three suggested analytical models and three code-based design procedures including Eurocode 4, Canadian CAN/CSA S16, and American AISC. Analytical models were found to over-predict the confined concrete strength and the axial strength of CFST columns. Canadian and American codes were found to be most applicable for predicting axial strength of UHSC-filled CFST columns while remaining conservative.
The Future Role of Inorganic Crystal Scintillators in Dark Matter Investigations
Authors: Belli Pierluigi , Bernabei Rita , Cappella Fabio , Caracciolo Vincenzo , Cerulli Riccardo , Danevich Fedor , Incicchitti Antonella , Kasperovych Dmytro , Merlo Vittorio , Polischuk Oksana , Tretyak Vladimir
Published: April 2021

Crystal scintillators and in particular inorganic scintillators play an important role in the investigation of Dark Matter (DM) and other rare processes. The investigation of a DM signature, as the annual modulation, or the directionality technique requires the use of highly radiopure detectors able to explore the very low energy region maintaining a high stability of the running conditions. In this paper, the cases of NaI(Tl), ZnWO4 and SrI2(Eu) crystal scintillators are described in the framework of our activities at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory of the INFN. Their role, the obtained results in DM investigation, as well as their potential and perspectives for the future are reviewed.
Intelligent Wavelet Based Pre-Filtering Method for Ultrasonic Sensor Fusion Inverse Algorithm Performance Optimization
Authors: Kovács György , Nagy Szilvia
Published: April 2021

Certain obstacle mapping applications require the live evaluation of the measured data to prevent collision with obstacles. The fusion of different or similar sensors usually has a high calculation demand, which increases significantly with the area to be evaluated and the number of sensors. In the present considerations, we propose a wavelet-based adaptive optimization method, which can greatly decrease the number of grid points to be evaluated, and thus the necessary computation time. The basis of the method is to use the fact that the areas to be evaluated mostly face a rather small number of obstacles, which cover a smaller percentage of the whole environment. The first step in a pre-filtering process is the determination of the zones where no obstacles are present. This step can already result in a considerable decrease in the computation time, however with the transformation to polar coordinates, the method will not only be more fitted to the problem to be solved, but the area of the evaluation can also be increased with the same number of grid points. As a last step, we applied wavelet transformation to identify the regions of interest, where the application of a refined raster is necessary, and thus further decreasing the number of grid points where the calculation has to be carried out. We used our previously developed probability-based ultrasonic sensor fusion inverse algorithm to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed method.
Is the Focal Muscle Vibration an Effective Motor Conditioning Intervention? A Systematic Review
Authors: Fattorini Luigi , Rodio Angelo , Pettorossi Vito E. , Filippi Guido M.
Published: April 2021

Mechanical vibration, applied to single or few muscles, can be a selective stimulus for muscle spindles, able to modify neuromuscular management, inducing short and long-term effects, are now mainly employed in clinic studies. Several studies reported as treatments with focal vibratory (FVT) can influence neuromuscular parameters also in healthy people. However, the application modalities and the consequent effects are remarkably fragmented. This paper aims to review these studies and to characterize the FVT effectiveness on long-term conditional capacities in relation to FVT characteristics. A systematic search of studies published from 1985 to 2020 in English on healthcare databases was performed. Articles had to meet the following criteria: (1) treatment based on a locally applied vibration on muscle belly or tendon; (2) healthy adults involved; (3) outcomes time analysis enduring for more than 24 h. Twelve studies were found, all of them presented an excellent quality score of ≥75%. All selected papers reported positive changes, comparable with traditional long-lasting training effects. Muscle force and power were the most investigated parameters. The after-effects persisted for up to several months. Among the different FV administration modalities, the most effective seems to show a stimulus frequency of ≈100 Hz, repeated more times within three-five days on a voluntary contracted muscle.
Laboratory Experimental Study on the Formation of Authigenic Carbonates Induced by Microbes in Marine Sediments
Authors: Wei Zilin , Xu Tianfu , Shang Songhua , Tian Hailong , Cao Yuqing , Wang Jiamei , Shi Zhenya , Liu Xiao
Published: April 2021

Authigenic carbonates are widely distributed in marine sediments, microbes, and anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) play a key role in their formation. The authigenic carbonates in marine sediments have been affected by weathering and diagenesis for a long time, it is difficult to understand their formation process by analyzing the samples collected in situ. A pore water environment with 10 °C, 6 MPa in the marine sediments was built in a bioreactor to study the stages and characteristics of authigenic carbonates formation induced by microbes. In experiments, FeCO3 is formed preferentially, and then FeCO3-MgCO3 complete isomorphous series and a small part of CaCO3 isomorphous mixture are formed. According to this, it is proposed that the formation of authigenic carbonates performed by AOM and related microbes needs to undergo three stages: the rise of alkalinity, the preferential formation of a carbonate mineral, and the formation of carbonate isomorphous series. This work provides experimental experience and reference basis for further understanding the formation mechanism of authigenic carbonates in marine sediments.
An Evolutionary View of the U.S. Supreme Court
Authors: Giansiracusa Noah
Published: April 2021

The voting patterns of the nine justices on the United States Supreme Court continue to fascinate and perplex observers of the Court. While it is commonly understood that the division of the justices into a liberal branch and a conservative branch inevitably drives many case outcomes, there are finer, less transparent divisions within these two main branches that have proven difficult to extract empirically. This study imports methods from evolutionary biology to help illuminate the intricate and often overlooked branching structure of the justices’ voting behavior. Specifically, phylogenetic tree estimation based on voting disagreement rates is used to extend ideal point estimation to the non-Euclidean setting of hyperbolic metrics. After introducing this framework, comparing it to one- and two-dimensional multidimensional scaling, and arguing that it flexibly captures important higher-dimensional voting behavior, a handful of potential ways to apply this tool are presented. The emphasis throughout is on interpreting these judicial trees and extracting qualitative insights from them.
Marine Microbial-Derived Antibiotics and Biosurfactants as Potential New Agents against Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections
Authors: Zhang Shuai , Liang Xinjin , Gadd Geoffrey Michael , Zhao Qi
Published: April 2021

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are among the leading nosocomial infections in the world and have led to the extensive study of various strategies to prevent infection. However, despite an abundance of anti-infection materials having been studied over the last forty-five years, only a few types have come into clinical use, providing an insignificant reduction in CAUTIs. In recent decades, marine resources have emerged as an unexplored area of opportunity offering huge potential in discovering novel bioactive materials to combat human diseases. Some of these materials, such as antimicrobial compounds and biosurfactants synthesized by marine microorganisms, exhibit potent antimicrobial, antiadhesive and antibiofilm activity against a broad spectrum of uropathogens (including multidrug-resistant pathogens) that could be potentially used in urinary catheters to eradicate CAUTIs. This paper summarizes information on the most relevant materials that have been obtained from marine-derived microorganisms over the last decade and discusses their potential as new agents against CAUTIs, providing a prospective proposal for researchers.
First Report of blaNDM-1 Bearing IncX3 Plasmid in Clinically Isolated ST11 Klebsiella pneumoniae from Pakistan
Authors: Bilal Hazrat , Zhang Gaojian , Rehman Tayyab , Han Jianxion , Khan Sabir , Shafiq Muhammad , Yang Xuegang , Yan Zhongkang , Yang Xingyuan
Published: April 2021

The New Delhi Metallo-β-lactamase (NDM) is among the most threatening forms of carbapenemases produced by K. pneumoniae, well-known to cause severe worldwide infections. The molecular epidemiology of blaNDM-1-harboring K. pneumoniae is not well elucidated in Pakistan. Herein, we aim to determine the antibiotics-resistance profile, genes type, molecular type, and plasmid analysis of 125 clinically isolated K. pneumoniae strains from urine samples during July 2018 to January 2019 in Pakistan. A total of 34 (27.2%) K. pneumoniae isolates were carbapenemases producers, and 23 (18.4%) harbored the blaNDM-1 gene. The other carbapenemases encoding genes, i.e., blaIMP-1 (7.2%), blaVIM-1 (3.2%), and blaOXA-48 (2.4%) were also detected. The Multi Locus Sequence Typing (MLST) results revealed that all blaNDM-1-harboring isolates were ST11. The other sequence types detected were ST1, ST37, and ST105. The cluster analysis of Xbal Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) revealed variation amongst the clusters of the identical sequence type isolates. The blaNDM-1 gene in all of the isolates was located on a 45-kb IncX3 plasmid, successfully transconjugated. For the first time, blaNDM-1-bearing IncX3 plasmids were identified from Pakistan, and this might be a new primary vehicle for disseminating blaNDM-1 in Enterobacteriaceae as it has a high rate of transferability.
Virulence and Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of Salmonella enterica Serovars Isolated from Chicken at Wet Markets in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Authors: Siddiky Nure Alam , Sarker Md Samun , Khan Md. Shahidur Rahman , Begum Ruhena , Kabir Md. Ehsanul , Karim Md. Rezaul , Rahman Md. Tanvir , Mahmud Asheak , Samad Mohammed A.
Published: April 2021

Virulent and multi drug resistant (MDR) Salmonellaenterica is a foremost cause of foodborne diseases and had serious public health concern globally. The present study was undertaken to identify the pathogenicity and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles of Salmonellaenterica serovars recovered from chicken at wet markets in Dhaka, Bangladesh. A total of 870 cecal contents of broiler, sonali, and native chickens were collected from 29 wet markets. The overall prevalence of S. Typhimurium, S. Enteritidis, and untyped Salmonella spp., were found to be 3.67%, 0.57%, and 1.95% respectively. All isolates were screened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for eight virulence genes, namely invA, agfA, IpfA, hilA, sivH, sefA, sopE, and spvC. S. Enteritidis isolates carried all virulence genes whilst S. Typhimurium isolates carried six virulence genes except sefA and spvC. A diverse phenotypic and genotypic AMR pattern was found. Harmonic descending trends of resistance patterns were observed among the broiler, sonali, and native chickens. Interestingly, virulent and MDR Salmonella enterica serovars were found in native chicken, although antimicrobials were not used in their production cycle. The research findings anticipate that virulent and MDR Salmonella enterica are roaming in the wet markets which can easily anchor to the vendor, consumers, and in the food chain.
Does the Kis-Balaton Water Protection System (KBWPS) Effectively Safeguard Lake Balaton from Toxic Cyanobacterial Blooms?
Authors: Marinović Zoran , Tokodi Nada , Backović Damjana Drobac , Šćekić Ilija , Kitanović Nevena , Simić Snežana B. , Đorđević Nevena B. , Ferincz Árpád , Staszny Ádám , Dulić Tamara , Meriluoto Jussi , Urbányi Béla , Lujić Jelena , Svirčev Zorica
Published: April 2021

Lake Balaton is the largest shallow lake in Central Europe. Its water quality is affected by its biggest inflow, the Zala River. During late 20th century, a wetland area named the Kis-Balaton Water Protection System (KBWPS) was constructed in the hopes that it would act as a filter zone and thus ameliorate the water quality of Lake Balaton. The aim of the present study was to test whether the KBWPS effectively safeguards Lake Balaton against toxic cyanobacterial blooms. During April, May, July and September 2018, severe cyanobacterial blooming was observed in the KBWPS with numbers reaching up to 13 million cells/mL at the peak of the bloom (July 2018). MC- and STX-coding genes were detected in the cyanobacterial biomass. Five out of nine tested microcystin congeners were detected at the peak of the bloom with the concentrations of MC-LR reaching 1.29 µg/L; however, accumulation of MCs was not detected in fish tissues. Histopathological analyses displayed severe hepatopancreas, kidney and gill alterations in fish obtained throughout the investigated period. In Lake Balaton, on the other hand, cyanobacterial numbers were much lower; more than 400-fold fewer cells/mL were detected during June 2018 and cyanotoxins were not detected in the water. Hepatic, kidney and gill tissue displayed few alterations and resembled the structure of control fish. We can conclude that the KBWPS acts as a significant buffering zone, thus protecting the water quality of Lake Balaton. However, as MC- and STX-coding genes in the cyanobacterial biomass were detected at both sites, regular monitoring of this valuable ecosystem for the presence of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins is of paramount importance.
Development of Personalized Nutrition: Applications in Lactose Intolerance Diagnosis and Management
Authors: Porzi Millie , Burton-Pimentel Kathryn J. , Walther Barbara , Vergères Guy
Published: April 2021

Recent discoveries in the “omics” field and the growing focus on preventive health have opened new avenues for personalized nutrition (PN), which is becoming an important theme in the strategic plans of organizations that are active in healthcare, food, and nutrition research. PN holds great potential for individual health optimization, disease management, public health interventions, and product innovation. However, there are still multiple challenges to overcome before PN can be truly embraced by the public and healthcare stakeholders. The diagnosis and management of lactose intolerance (LI), a common condition with a strong inter-individual component, is explored as an interesting example for the potential role of these technologies and the challenges of PN. From the development of genetic and metabolomic LI diagnostic tests that can be carried out in the home, to advances in the understanding of LI pathology and individualized treatment optimization, PN in LI care has shown substantial progress. However, there are still many research gaps to address, including the understanding of epigenetic regulation of lactase expression and how lactose is metabolized by the gut microbiota, in order to achieve better LI detection and effective therapeutic interventions to reverse the potential health consequences of LI.
A Vector Finder Toolkit for Track Reconstruction in MPD ITS
Authors: Zinchenko Dmitry , Nikonov Eduard , Vasendina Veronika , Zinchenko Alexander
Published: April 2021

As a part of the future upgrade program of the Multi-Purpose Detector (MPD) experiment at the Nuclotron-Based Ion Collider Facility (NICA) complex, an Inner Tracking System (ITS) made of Monolitic Active Pixel Sensors (MAPSs) is proposed between the beam pipe and the Time Projection Chamber (TPC). It is expected that the new detector will enhance the experimental potential for the reconstruction of short-lived particles—in particular, those containing the open charm particle. To study the detector performance and select its best configuration, a track reconstruction approach based on a constrained combinatorial search was developed and implemented as a software toolkit called Vector Finder. This paper describes the proposed approach and demonstrates its characteristics for primary and secondary track finding in ITS, ITS-to-TPC track matching and hyperon reconstruction within the MPD software framework. The results were obtained on a set of simulated central gold–gold collision events at sNN=9 GeV with an average multiplicity of ∼1000 charged particles in the detector acceptance produced with the Ultra-Relativistic Quantum Molecular Dynamics (UrQMD) generator.
The Reality of Casas Grandes Potters: Realistic Portraits of Spirits and Shamans
Authors: VanPool Christine S. , VanPool Todd L.
Published: April 2021

Most Native American groups believed in a form of animism in which spirit essence(s) infused forces of nature (e.g., the wind and thunder), many living plants and creatures, and many inanimate objects. This animism created other-than-human persons in which spirits were fused with matter that allowed them to interact with and even influence humans. Art in Western culture tends to denote “imagination”, and many scholars studying Native American art bring a similar perspective to their analyses. However, many Native Americans do not equate art with imagination in the same way, but instead use art to realistically portray these other-than-human persons, even when they are not typically visible in the natural world (e.g., the Southwestern horned-plumed serpent). Here, we apply a cognitive framework to evaluate the interplay of spirits at various levels that were created as Casas Grandes artisans used art as a means of depicting the inherent structure of the Casas Grandes spirit world. In doing so, they created links between ceremonially important objects such as pots and spirits that transformed these objects into newly created animated beings. The art thus simultaneously reflected the structure of the unseen world while also helping to determine the characteristics of these newly created other-than-human persons. One technique commonly used was to decorate objects with literal depictions of spirit beings (e.g., horned-plumed serpents) that would produce a natural affinity among the ceremonial objects and the spirit creatures. This affinity in turn allowed the animated ceremonial objects to mediate the interaction between humans and spirits. This approach transcends a view in which Casas Grandes art is considered symbolically significant and instead emphasizes the art as a component that literally helped create other-than-human collaborators that aided Casas Grandes people as they navigate ontologically significant relationships.
Efficient Route Management Method for Mobile Nodes in 6TiSCH Network
Authors: Kim Min-Jae , Chung Sang-Hwa
Published: April 2021

The combination of time slotted access and channel hopping technology in IEEE 802.15 TSCH networks enables high reliability and low power operation to meet the stability and real-time requirements of industrial applications. Basically, TSCH and RPL, a routing protocol for TSCH, are proposed for static nodes that generate fewer control messages, so they allow collisions in shared cells when they exchange control messages. In a topology containing mobile nodes, the collision of control messages in a shared cell makes the network difficult to recover quickly. The proposed scheme minimizes the collision of control messages by allocating dedicated control cells to form preferred parent nodes quickly for mobile nodes. We also proposed a method for establishing a fixed route from the root node to the mobile node in RPL to minimize the delay time. Through the simulation using the 6TiSCH simulator, it was confirmed that the performance of the proposed method was approximately 2.5 times better in terms of overhead and resource use, and 33% better in terms of network participation time of mobile nodes compared with existing solutions.
Sustainable Irrigation System for Farming Supported by Machine Learning and Real-Time Sensor Data
Authors: Glória André , Cardoso João , Sebastião Pedro
Published: April 2021

Presently, saving natural resources is increasingly a concern, and water scarcity is a fact that has been occurring in more areas of the globe. One of the main strategies used to counter this trend is the use of new technologies. On this topic, the Internet of Things has been highlighted, with these solutions being characterized by offering robustness and simplicity, while being low cost. This paper presents the study and development of an automatic irrigation control system for agricultural fields. The developed solution had a wireless sensors and actuators network, a mobile application that offers the user the capability of consulting not only the data collected in real time but also their history and also act in accordance with the data it analyses. To adapt the water management, Machine Learning algorithms were studied to predict the best time of day for water administration. Of the studied algorithms (Decision Trees, Random Forest, Neural Networks, and Support Vectors Machines) the one that obtained the best results was Random Forest, presenting an accuracy of 84.6%. Besides the ML solution, a method was also developed to calculate the amount of water needed to manage the fields under analysis. Through the implementation of the system it was possible to realize that the developed solution is effective and can achieve up to 60% of water savings.
A Survey on the Energy Detection of OFDM Signals with Dynamic Threshold Adaptation: Open Issues and Future Challenges
Authors: Lorincz Josip , Ramljak Ivana , Begušić Dinko
Published: April 2021

Cognitive radio (CR), as a concept based on the ability to detect and share the unutilised spectrum, has been envisioned as a promising candidate to improve the efficiency of frequency spectrum assignments. For the realisation of the CR concept, energy detection (ED), as one of the available spectrum sensing methods, is broadly considered because of its low computational complexity and implementation costs. Due to the vast usage of the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) technique in contemporary communication systems, the ED of OFDM signals in the CR networks has become important for practical realisation. Since the ED accuracy of the OFDM signals can be improved by the sensing threshold adaptation, this paper surveys the impact of noise variations and dynamic threshold (DT) adaptation on the ED performance of OFDM signals. Analyses were performed by the simulation of the ED related to OFDM signals transmitted in the margin or rate adaptive and combined margin and rate adaptive OFDM systems. The results obtained through extensive simulations provide fundamental insights into how different factors, including the transmission power, the signal to noise ratio, the false alarm probability and the sample quantity, affect the ED efficiency. Comprehensive analyses of the obtained results indicate the main ED weaknesses and how the appropriate selection of analysed factors can enhance the ED processes for different OFDM systems. The observed ED weaknesses were further thoroughly surveyed, and the open issues and challenges related to the enhancement of the main ED limitations have been elaborated. The presented survey results can serve as a basis for the improvement of a broadly accepted ED method in CR networks.