bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Occurrence of Sexual Risk Behaviors and Its Association With Psychological Well-Being Among Kenyan Adolescents
Authors: Ssewanyana Derrick , Abubakar Amina , Mabrouk Adam , Kagonya Vincent A. , Nasambu Carophine , Dzombo Judith Tumaini , Angwenyi Vibian , Kabue Margaret , Scerif Gaia , Newton Charles R.
Published: July 2021

Objective: Sexual risk behavior during adolescence is an important public health problem. Self-esteem and hopefulness are potentially important psychological factors that may play a role in the behavioral regulation mechanisms of adolescents. These factors are inadequately explored in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed at exploring patterns and associated factors for sexual risk behavior (SRB), self-esteem, and hopefulness among adolescents from a resource-poor setting in Kenya.

Method: A cross-sectional study conducted in 2019 among 296 adolescents (12–17 years old) from rural Kilifi (n = 133) and urban informal settings of Nairobi (n = 163) in Kenya. Participants completed the Kilifi Health Risk Behavior Questionnaire, Rosenberg self-esteem questionnaire, and Hope scale administered via computerized tablets. A binary outcome variable based on the experience of adolescents of at least one of the five forms of SRB: transactional sex, sexual violence, intergenerational sex, early sexual debut, and condom non-use was generated. Bi-variate analysis was conducted to summarize various social-demographic and psychosocial factors. A multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to investigate factors associated with the occurrence of SRB, self-esteem, and hopefulness among adolescents.

Results: About 13% of the participants had experienced a form of SRB, and among these, 36% reported co-occurrence of multiple forms of SRB. Adolescent SRB was largely characterized by having experienced sexual violence, as well as intergenerational and transactional sex. Higher scores of hopefulness were reported among adolescents who never experienced SRB (P = 0.03) at bivariate analysis level. However, both self-esteem and hopefulness were not significantly associated with the occurrence of SRB in the adjusted logistic regression analysis. Having depressive symptoms (Adj. OR = 3.8, 95% CI: 1.39–10.4), feeling unsafe in the neighborhood (Adj. OR = 3.4, 95% CI: 1.6–7.2), and being in higher compared with lower primary education level (Adj. OR = 0.3, 95% CI: 0.1–0.8) were statistically significantly associated with the occurrence of SRB.

Conclusion: Targeted reproductive health interventions, designed with the cognizance of structural and social drivers of adolescent SRB, are needed to concurrently tackle multiple forms of SRB. It is important to integrate mental health promotion within these interventions. More research is needed to understand the mechanisms and implications of self-esteem and hopefulness for adolescent sexual and reproductive health.
“Learning to Listen to Them and Ask the Right Questions.” Bennet Omalu, Scientific Objectivities, and the Witnessing of a Concussion Crisis
Authors: Hollin Gregory
Published: July 2021

The death of American Football player Mike Webster has become foundational to narratives of sport's twenty-first century concussion crisis. Bennet Omalu, the neuropathologist who conducted Webster's autopsy and subsequently diagnosed Webster with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), has, likewise, become a central figure in the concussion crisis. Indeed, it is frequently argued that there is something about Omalu in particular that made it possible for him to “witness” CTE when the disease entity had hitherto remained invisible to a great many medics and scientists. In this article, and drawing upon auto/biographies, I consider Omalu's self-described mode of scientific witnessing which purportedly allowed him to (re)discover CTE. I find Omalu's described objectivity to be shaped by three factors: First, the importance of “trained judgment” within which Omalu's scientific training is emphasized. Second, the infusion of religiosity within scientific practice. Third, a self-described position as an “outsider” to both football and American culture. Throughout this analysis, I pay attention not only to the ways in which Omalu's narratives depart from conventional depictions of scientific objectivity; I also note the similarities with particular bodies of social scientific work, most notably within a feminist “turn to care” in Science and Technology Studies (STS) and related standpoint epistemologies. Following these analyses, I argue that, first, Omalu's writing affords the dead a “response-ability” that is often absent within analyses of the concussion crisis and, second, that a focus upon diverse forms of objectivity, such as those described in Omalu's work, complements existing work into concussion science that has foregrounded scientific conflict of interest.
Effect of Bovine Tuberculosis on Selected Productivity Parameters and Trading in Dairy Cattle Kept Under Intensive Husbandry in Central Ethiopia
Authors: Tschopp Rea , Conlan Andrew J. K. , Gemechu Gizachew , Almaw Gizat , Hattendorf Jan , Zinsstag Jakob ,   the ETHICOBOTS consortium, Wood James L. N.
Published: July 2021

Bovine tuberculosis (BTB) has substantial impact on fertility, milk, and meat productivity in cattle. However, these assumptions are based on outdated data. Recent global studies on the impact of BTB on cattle productivity are scarce and show sometimes inconclusive and/or contradicting results. This pilot study is the first longitudinal study performed in urban upgraded dairy cattle in Ethiopia that are kept under intensive husbandry. We assessed whether BTB has an impact on various animal productivity parameters and animal movement. Animals (N = 890) included in the study were tested for BTB at least once using the comparative intradermal tuberculin test (CIDT). Fertility, mortality, and offtake were assessed in 21 dairy farms where herd follow-ups over 3 years were performed. In addition, an independent abattoir survey was conducted to assess carcass weight and visible TB-like lesions upon meat inspection. Animal movements (purchasing and offtakes) were documented for each farm. The impact of BTB status on the intervals been birth, service, and calving times and the intercalving intervals was analyzed using a Cox proportional hazards model. The hazard ratio associated with BTB-positive animals was smaller than 1 for all fertility parameters, suggesting that BTB status increases the time between events; however, the effect was small and only statistically significant (95% level) for the time between calving and service. Offtakes included a higher percentage of reactor animals (58%) as compared with non-reactor animals (42%) (p = 0.0001). Overall, reactors were eliminated from the farms within 238.6 days after receiving test results, which was 54.9 days faster than for negative animals. The majority of owners purchased animals within their town or its surrounding. Nearly a quarter of reactors were sold directly to other farms. Animals were also sold further away, including other regions, raising the question of disease spread and the need for an animal tracing mechanism. In the abattoir survey, a total of 349 carcasses were weighed, of which 8% showed visible TB-like lesions and 53.6% had fasciolosis. Negative adult bull carcasses were 7.5 kg heavier than reactor bulls.
Estimating Short- and Long-Term Associations Between Air Quality Index and COVID-19 Transmission: Evidence From 257 Chinese Cities
Authors: Cao Ru , Wang Yuxin , Pan Xiaochuan , Jin Xiaobin , Huang Jing , Li Guoxing
Published: July 2021

Objectives: To evaluate the long- and short-term effects of air pollution on COVID-19 transmission simultaneously, especially in high air pollution level countries.

Methods: Quasi-Poisson regression was applied to estimate the association between exposure to air pollution and daily new confirmed cases of COVID-19, with mutual adjustment for long- and short-term air quality index (AQI). The independent effects were also estimated and compared. We further assessed the modification effect of within-city migration (WM) index to the associations.

Results: We found a significant 1.61% (95%CI: 0.51%, 2.72%) and 0.35% (95%CI: 0.24%, 0.46%) increase in daily confirmed cases per 1 unit increase in long- and short-term AQI. Higher estimates were observed for long-term impact. The stratifying result showed that the association was significant when the within-city migration index was low. A 1.25% (95%CI: 0.0.04%, 2.47%) and 0.41% (95%CI: 0.30%, 0.52%) increase for long- and short-term effect respectively in low within-city migration index was observed.

Conclusions: There existed positive associations between long- and short-term AQI and COVID-19 transmission, and within-city migration index modified the association. Our findings will be of strategic significance for long-run COVID-19 control.
Integrative Analysis of DNA Methylation and Gene Expression Profiles Identifies Colorectal Cancer-Related Diagnostic Biomarkers
Authors: Xu Mingyue , Yuan Lijun , Wang Yan , Chen Shuo , Zhang Lin , Zhang Xipeng
Published: July 2021

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common human malignancy worldwide. The prognosis of patients is largely frustrated by delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis. DNA methylation alterations have been previously proved to be involved in CRC carcinogenesis.

Methods: In this study, we proposed to identify CRC-related diagnostic biomarkers by analyzing DNA methylation and gene expression profiles. TCGA-COAD datasets downloaded from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were used as the training set to screen differential expression genes (DEGs) and methylation CpG sites (dmCpGs) in CRC samples. A logistic regression model was constructed based on hyper-methylated CpG sites which were located in downregulated genes for CRC diagnosis. Another two independent datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) were used as a testing set to evaluate the performance of the model in CRC diagnosis.

Results: We found that CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) was a potential signature of poor prognosis by dividing CRC samples into CIMP and noCIMP groups based on a set of CpG sites with methylation standard deviation (sd) > 0.2 among CRC samples and low methylation levels (mean β < 0.05) in adjacent samples. Hyper-methylated CpGs tended to be more closed to CpG island (CGI) and transcription start site (TSS) relative to hypo-methylated CpGs (p-value < 0.05, Fisher exact test). A logistic regression model was finally constructed based on two hyper-methylated CpGs, which had an area under receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.98 in the training set, and 0.85 and 0.95 in the two independent testing sets.

Conclusions: In conclusion, our study identified promising DNA methylation biomarkers for CRC diagnosis.
Relative Late Gestational Muscle and Adipose Thickness Reflect the Amount of Mobilization of These Tissues in Periparturient Dairy Cattle
Authors: McCabe Conor , Suarez-Trujillo Aridany , Casey Theresa , Boerman Jacquelyn
Published: July 2021

Due to insufficient dry matter intake and heightened nutrient requirements in early lactation, periparturient dairy cows mobilize adipose and muscle tissues to bridge energy and amino acid gaps, respectively. Our objective was to evaluate the relationship between the relative muscle thickness of late pregnant cows and their early lactation performance. At 35 d before expected calving (BEC), longissimus dorsi muscle thickness (LDT) was measured in forty-one multiparous Holstein cows via ultrasound. Tissue mobilization was evaluated via ultrasound images of LDT and backfat thickness (BFT) at 21 and 7 d BEC as well as at 0, 10, 30, and 60 DIM. Plasma concentrations of 3-methylhistidine (3-MH), creatinine (CRE), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) were evaluated weekly. Milk yield and milk component data were collected through 60 DIM. Cattle were assigned post hoc to high-muscle (HM; n = 20; LDT > 4.49 cm) or low-muscle (LM; n = 21; ≤4.37 cm) groups, with mean LDT at 35 d BEC greater in HM (5.05 ± 0.49) than in LM (3.52 ± 0.65) animals. Between 35 and 21 d BEC, LM cows gained LDT, whereas HM cows gained BFT. HM cows mobilized more muscle from 21 d BEC to 30 DIM, as reflected by a greater loss of LDT, greater 3-MH concentrations (532 vs. 438 ± 30 ng/mL), and a greater 3-MH:CRE ratio (0.164 vs. 0.131 ± 0.008) in the first three weeks postpartum. The LDT and BFT at 21 d BEC were related to the amount of respective tissue mobilized through 30 DIM (R2 = 0.37 and 0.88, respectively). Although calves born to HM cattle were larger (45.2 vs. 41.8 ± 0.7 kg), HM cows produced less milk (38.8 vs. 41.6 ± 0.8 kg/d) with a tendency towards higher fat content (4.33 vs. 4.05 ± 0.12%), likely related to the mobilization of more backfat from 0 to 60 DIM (1.78 vs. 0.68 ± 0.34 mm), compared to LM cattle. These findings suggest that a cow’s metabolic status, as measured by LDT and BFT prepartum, may influence the metabolic strategy the animal uses to meet energy and amino acid requirements in late gestation and early lactation.
Different Immune Responses of the Lymphoid Organ in Shrimp at Early Challenge Stage of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and WSSV
Authors: Wang Fuxuan , Li Shihao , Li Fuhua
Published: July 2021

The lymphoid organ is an essential part of the immune system involved in cellular and humoral immune responses in shrimp. However, its roles in the immune responses against different pathogens are still largely unclear. In the present study, transcriptomic analysis was applied to compare the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the lymphoid organ of shrimp after Vibrio or WSSV challenge. In total, 2127 DEGs were screened in the lymphoid organ of shrimp at 6 h post Vibrio parahaemolyticus injection, and 1569 DEGs were obtained at the same time after WSSV challenge. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of these DEGs revealed that two significantly enriched pathways including “neuroactive ligand–receptor interaction” and “protein digestion and absorption” were responsive to both pathogens. In contrast, “lysosome” was the significantly enriched pathway only in Vibrio challenge whereas carbohydrate metabolism related pathways were the significantly enriched pathways only in WSSV challenge. Further analysis on immune-related DEGs showed that Vibrio challenge induced broad immune responses in the lymphoid organ including activation of several pattern recognition receptors, the proPO activating system, phagocytosis related genes, and immune effectors. In contrast, the immune responses seemed to be inhibited after WSSV infection. The data suggest that the shrimp lymphoid organ plays different functions in response to the infection of distinct pathogens at the early stage, which provides new insights into the immune functions of lymphoid organ in shrimp.
Unripe Carica papaya Protects Methylglyoxal-Invoked Endothelial Cell Inflammation and Apoptosis via the Suppression of Oxidative Stress and Akt/MAPK/NF-κB Signals
Authors: Jarisarapurin Wattanased , Kunchana Khwandow , Chularojmontri Linda , Wattanapitayakul Suvara K.
Published: July 2021

Methylglyoxal (MGO), a highly reactive dicarbonyl compound, causes endothelial oxidative stress and vascular complications in diabetes. Excessive MGO-induced ROS production triggers eNOS uncoupling, inflammatory responses, and cell death signaling cascades. Our previous study reported that unripe Carica papaya (UCP) had antioxidant activities that prevented H2O2-induced endothelial cell death. Therefore, this study investigated the preventive effect of UCP on MGO-induced endothelial cell damage, inflammation, and apoptosis. The human endothelial cell line (EA.hy926) was pretreated with UCP for 24 h, followed by MGO-induced dicarbonyl stress. Treated cells were evaluated for intracellular ROS/O2•− formation, cell viability, apoptosis, NO releases, and cell signaling through eNOS, iNOS, COX-2, NF-κB, Akt, MAPK (JNK and p38), and AMPK/SIRT1 autophagy pathways. UCP reduced oxidative stress and diminished phosphorylation of Akt, stress-activated MAPK, leading to the decreases in NF-kB-activated iNOS and COX-2 expression. However, UCP had no impact on the autophagy pathway (AMPK and SIRT1). Although UCP pretreatment decreased eNOS phosphorylation, the amount of NO production was not altered. The signaling of eNOS and NO production were decreased after MGO incubation, but these effects were unaffected by UCP pretreatment. In summary, UCP protected endothelial cells against carbonyl stress by the mechanisms related to ROS/O2•− scavenging activities, suppression of inflammatory signaling, and inhibition of JNK/p38/apoptosis pathway. Thus, UCP shows considerable promise for developing novel functional food and nutraceutical products to reduce risks of endothelial inflammation and vascular complications in diabetes.
Oxidative Stress in Human Toxicology
Authors: Hofer Tim
Published: July 2021

This Special Issue (same name as title) focuses on human exposure to foreign chemicals (xenobiotics) that cause oxidative stress [...]
Technical-Economic Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Measures Applied to the Artificial Lighting System of a School
Authors: Baglivo Cristina , Bonomolo Marina , Congedo Paolo Maria , Beccali Marco , Antonaci Simona
Published: July 2021

Ensuring optimum interior lighting is a topic of great importance, as this influences not only the well-being of users but also the optimal performance of visual tasks. Lighting can be natural, but if not sufficient, it can be compensated with artificial lighting. This study highlights a methodology for designing a new lighting system that takes into account both technical and economic aspects. The method was applied to an existing school located in southern Italy, in which the electricity consumption is related to the current lighting system. The school is chosen as being representative of the construction type and layout of many local schools. In addition, the coexistence of several visual tasks with different design requisites (e.g., illuminance levels) makes the school a very complex environment. The school lighting is modelled in Google SketchUp and imported into Daysim to simulate the yearly and hourly daylight indoor contribution. Dialux Evo has been used to simulate and design artificial lighting. The results show a reduction of energy consumption of 33% with the simple replacement of fluorescent luminaires with LEDs, while the LED lamp dimming and modulation for rows of luminaires leads to a 95% reduction in energy consumption compared with the current state.
Ammonia Gas Sensing Characteristic of P3HT-rGO-MWCNT Composite Films
Authors: Khanh Tran Si Trong , Trung Tran Quang , Giang Le Thuy Thanh , Nguyen Tran Quang , Lam Nguyen Dinh , Dinh Nguyen Nang
Published: July 2021

In this work, the P3HT:rGO:MWCNTs (PGC) nanocomposite film applied to the ammonia gas sensor was successfully fabricated by a drop-casting technique. The results demonstrated that the optimum weight ratio of the PGC nanocomposite gas sensor is 20%:60%:20% as the weight ratio of P3HT:rGO:MWCNTs (called PGC-60). This weight ratio leads to the formation of nanostructured composites, causing the efficient adsorption/desorption of ammonia gas in/out of the film surface. The sensor based on PGC-60 possessed a response time of 30 s, sensitivity up to 3.6% at ammonia gas concentration of 10 ppm, and relative sensitivity of 0.031%/ppm. These results could be attributed to excellent electron transportation of rGO, the main adsorption activator to NH3 gas of P3HT, and holes move from P3HT to the cathodes, which works as charge “nano-bridges” carriers of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs). In general, these three components of PGC sensors have significantly contributed to the improvement of both the sensitivity and response time in the NH3 gas sensor.
A Multi-User Interactive Coral Reef Optimization Algorithm for Considering Expert Knowledge in the Unequal Area Facility Layout Problem
Authors: Salas-Morera Lorenzo , García-Hernández Laura , Carmona-Muñoz Carlos
Published: July 2021

The problem of Unequal Area Facility Layout Planning (UA-FLP) has been addressed by a large number of approaches considering a set of quantitative criteria. Moreover, more recently, the personal qualitative preferences of an expert designer or decision-maker (DM) have been taken into account too. This article deals with capturing more than a single DM’s personal preferences to obtain a common and collaborative design including the whole set of preferences from all the DMs to obtain more complex, complete, and realistic solutions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that the preferences of more than one expert designer have been considered in the UA-FLP. The new strategy has been implemented on a Coral Reef Optimization (CRO) algorithm using two techniques to acquire the DMs’ evaluations. The first one demands the simultaneous presence of all the DMs, while the second one does not. Both techniques have been tested over three well-known problem instances taken from the literature and the results show that it is possible to obtain sufficient designs capturing all the DMs’ personal preferences and maintaining low values of the quantitative fitness function.
Machine-Learning-Aided Prediction of Flexural Strength and ASR Expansion for Waste Glass Cementitious Composite
Authors: Sun Junbo , Wang Yufei , Yao Xupei , Ren Zhenhua , Zhang Genbao , Zhang Chao , Chen Xianghong , Ma Wei , Wang Xiangyu
Published: July 2021

Waste glass (WG) is unsustainable due to its nonbiodegradable property. However, its main ingredient is silicon dioxide, which can be utilised as a supplementary cementitious material. Before reusing WG, the flexural strength (FS) and alkali–silica reaction (ASR) expansion of WG concrete are two essential properties that must be investigated. This study produced mortar containing activated glass powder using mechanical, chemical, and mechanical–chemical (combined) approaches. The results showed that mortar containing 30% WG powder using the combined method was optimal for improving the FS and mitigating the ASR expansion. The microstructure analysis was implemented to explore the activation effect on the glass powder and mortar. Moreover, a random forest (RF) model was proposed with hyperparameters tuned by beetle antennae search (BAS), aiming at predicting FS and ASR expansion precisely. A large database was established from the experimental results based on 549 samples prepared for the FS test and 183 samples produced for the expansion test. The BAS-RF model presented high correlation coefficients for both FS (0.9545) and ASR (0.9416) data sets, showing much higher accuracy than multiple linear regression and logistic regression. Finally, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to rank the variables based on importance. Apart from the curing time, the particle granularity and content of WG were demonstrated to be the most sensitive variable for FS and expansion, respectively.
Kalman Filter and Variants for Estimation in 2DOF Serial Flexible Link and Joint Using Fractional Order PID Controller
Authors: Gupta Sagar , Singh Abhaya Pal , Deb Dipankar , Ozana Stepan
Published: July 2021

Robotic manipulators have been widely used in industries, mainly to move tools into different specific positions. Thus, it has become necessary to have accurate knowledge about the tool position using forward kinematics after accessing the angular locations of limbs. This paper presents a simulation study in which an encoder attached to the limbs gathers information about the angular positions. The measured angles are applied to the Kalman Filter (KF) and its variants for state estimation. This work focuses on the use of fractional order controllers with a Two Degree of Freedom Serial Flexible Links (2DSFL) and Two Degree of Freedom Serial Flexible Joint (2DSFJ) and undertakes simulations with noise and a square wave as input. The fractional order controllers fit better with the system properties than integer order controllers. The KF and its variants use an unknown and assumed process and measurement noise matrices to predict the actual data. An optimisation problem is proposed to achieve reasonable estimations with the updated covariance matrices.
Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) Systems Applied to Pronunciation Assessment of L2 Spanish for Japanese Speakers
Authors: Tejedor-García Cristian , Cardeñoso-Payo Valentín , Escudero-Mancebo David
Published: July 2021

General-purpose automatic speech recognition (ASR) systems have improved in quality and are being used for pronunciation assessment. However, the assessment of isolated short utterances, such as words in minimal pairs for segmental approaches, remains an important challenge, even more so for non-native speakers. In this work, we compare the performance of our own tailored ASR system (kASR) with the one of Google ASR (gASR) for the assessment of Spanish minimal pair words produced by 33 native Japanese speakers in a computer-assisted pronunciation training (CAPT) scenario. Participants in a pre/post-test training experiment spanning four weeks were split into three groups: experimental, in-classroom, and placebo. The experimental group used the CAPT tool described in the paper, which we specially designed for autonomous pronunciation training. A statistically significant improvement for the experimental and in-classroom groups was revealed, and moderate correlation values between gASR and kASR results were obtained, in addition to strong correlations between the post-test scores of both ASR systems and the CAPT application scores found at the final stages of application use. These results suggest that both ASR alternatives are valid for assessing minimal pairs in CAPT tools, in the current configuration. Discussion on possible ways to improve our system and possibilities for future research are included.
Architecture and Process Integration Overview of 3D NAND Flash Technologies
Authors: Lee Geun Ho , Hwang Sungmin , Yu Junsu , Kim Hyungjin
Published: July 2021

In the past few decades, NAND flash memory has been one of the most successful nonvolatile storage technologies, and it is commonly used in electronic devices because of its high scalability and reliable switching properties. To overcome the scaling limit of planar NAND flash arrays, various three-dimensional (3D) architectures of NAND flash memory and their process integration methods have been investigated in both industry and academia and adopted in commercial mass production. In this paper, 3D NAND flash technologies are reviewed in terms of their architecture and fabrication methods, and the advantages and disadvantages of the architectures are compared.
Unexpected Ferromagnetism—A Review
Authors: Lungu Iulia Ioana , Grumezescu Alexandru Mihai , Fleaca Claudiu
Published: July 2021

The study of magnetism in materials without partially filled d or f bands has gained much attention in the past years. Even though it has challenged the understanding of traditional magnetism, there is a wide range of studies debating the nature of magnetism in such materials. Theories on whether the exhibited ferromagnetic behavior is due to sample impurities or intrinsic structural defects have been published throughout the years. Materials such as hexaborides, non-magnetic oxides, and carbon nanostructures have been of great interest due to their potential applications. For a better understanding, herein, we present a literature review combining past and up-to-date studies on these materials.
Relationship between Air Temperature Change and Southern Baltic Coastal Lagoons Ice Conditions
Authors: Girjatowicz Józef Piotr , Świątek Małgorzata
Published: July 2021

The relationship between air temperature (mainly winter, December-March) in Świnoujście, Gdynia, and Elbląg and ice parameters (dates of the first ice and disappearance of the last ice, the length of the ice season, number of days with ice, maximum ice height) of southern Baltic coastal lagoons (Szczecin, Puck, and Vistula) was investigated. Trends in these parameters were determined, too. The observation material comes from the archives of the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management and spanned the winters from 1950/51 through to 2019/20. Relationships between the selected ice parameters for the study basins and the values of air temperature were examined using correlation and regression methods. The regression equations and trends, as well as their correlation and determination coefficients, were determined. The statistical significance of these relationships was examined using the Fisher-Snedecor test. Strong correlations between ice parameters values and air temperature were obtained, characterized by high values of both correlation coefficients and statistical significance. All trends of ice parameters indicate mitigation of ice conditions. An acceleration in both temperature and ice condition mildening occurred in the late 1980s, and especially in the last years of the study period. These trends, except the first ice date, are statistically significant, some even at α < 0.001. The length of the ice season becomes significantly shorter, the number of days with ice and the maximum thickness is smaller, and the last ice is disappearing early. An increase in the correlation and determination coefficients and a characterized trend of ice parameters values towards the East was found. It shows the increased impact of a warming climate in this direction on the southern Baltic coast. Strong correlations and trends may be of prognostic significance.
Sensitivity of Tropical Cyclone Idai Simulations to Cumulus Parametrization Schemes
Authors: Bopape Mary-Jane M. , Cardoso Hipolito , Plant Robert S. , Phaduli Elelwani , Chikoore Hector , Ndarana Thando , Khalau Lino , Rakate Edward
Published: July 2021

Weather simulations are sensitive to subgrid processes that are parameterized in numerical weather prediction (NWP) models. In this study, we investigated the response of tropical cyclone Idai simulations to different cumulus parameterization schemes using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model with a 6 km grid length. Seventy-two-hour (00 UTC 13 March to 00 UTC 16 March) simulations were conducted with the New Tiedtke (Tiedtke), New Simplified Arakawa–Schubert (NewSAS), Multi-Scale Kain–Fritsch (MSKF), Grell–Freitas, and the Betts–Miller–Janjic (BMJ) schemes. A simulation for the same event was also conducted with the convection scheme switched off. The twenty-four-hour accumulated rainfall during all three simulated days was generally similar across all six experiments. Larger differences in simulations were found for rainfall events away from the tropical cyclone. When the resolved and convective rainfall are partitioned, it is found that the scale-aware schemes (i.e., Grell–Freitas and MSKF) allow the model to resolve most of the rainfall, while they are less active. Regarding the maximum wind speed, and minimum sea level pressure (MSLP), the scale aware schemes simulate a higher intensity that is similar to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) dataset, however, the timing is more aligned with the Global Forecast System (GFS), which is the model providing initial conditions and time-dependent lateral boundary conditions. Simulations with the convection scheme off were found to be similar to those with the scale-aware schemes. It was found that Tiedtke simulates the location to be farther southwest compared to other schemes, while BMJ simulates the path to be more to the north after landfall. All of the schemes as well as GFS failed to simulate the movement of Idai into Zimbabwe, showing the potential impact of shortcomings on the forcing model. Our study shows that the use of scale aware schemes allows the model to resolve most of the dynamics, resulting in higher weather system intensity in the grey zone. The wrong timing of the peak shows a need to use better performing global models to provide lateral boundary conditions for downscalers.
Impact of Land Cover Composition and Structure on Air Temperature Based on the Local Climate Zone Scheme in Hangzhou, China
Authors: Yan Hai , Yang Shimin , Guo Xiaohui , Wu Fan , Wu Renwu , Shao Feng , Bao Zhiyi
Published: July 2021

At present, conflicts between urban development and the climate environment are becoming increasingly apparent under rapid urbanization in China. Revealing the dynamic mechanism and controlling factors of the urban outdoor thermal environment is the necessary theoretical preparation for regulating and improving the urban climate environment. Taking Hangzhou as an example and based on the local climate zones classification system, we investigated the effects of land cover composition and structure on temperature variability at the local scale. The measurement campaign was conducted within four local climate zones (LCZ 2, 4, 5, and LCZ 9) during 7 days in the summer of 2018. The results showed that the temperature difference within the respective LCZ was always below 1.1 °C and the mean temperature difference between LCZs caused by different surface physical properties was as high as 1.6 °C at night. Among four LCZs, LCZ 2 was always the hottest, and LCZ 9 was the coolest at night. In particular, the percentage of pervious surface was the most important land cover feature in explaining the air temperature difference. For both daytime and nighttime, increasing the percentage of pervious surface as well as decreasing the percentage of impervious surface and the percentage of building surface could lower the local temperature, with the strongest influence radius range from 120 m to 150 m. Besides, the temperature increased with the SVF increased at day and opposite at night.
Efficacy of Novel Aminooxyacetic Acid Prodrugs in Colon Cancer Models: Towards Clinical Translation of the Cystathionine β-Synthase Inhibition Concept
Authors: Hellmich Mark R. , Chao Celia , Módis Katalin , Ding Ye , Zatarain John R. , Thanki Ketan , Maskey Manjit , Druzhyna Nadiya , Untereiner Ashley A. , Ahmad Akbar , Xue Yu , Chen Haiying , Russell William K. , Wang Jianmei , Zhou Jia , Szabo Csaba
Published: July 2021

Upregulation of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) biosynthesis, at least in part related to the upregulation of cystathionine β-synthetase (CBS) in cancer cells, serves as a tumor-promoting factor and has emerged as a possible molecular target for antitumor drug development. To facilitate future clinical translation, we have synthesized a variety of novel CBS-targeting, esterase-cleavable prodrugs based on the structure of the prototypical CBS inhibitor aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA). The pharmacological properties of these compounds were evaluated in cell-free assays with recombinant human CBS protein, the human colon cancer cell line HCT116, and in vivo using various tumor-bearing mice models. The prodrug YD0251 (the isopropyl ester derivative of AOAA) was selected for detailed characterization. YD0251 exhibits improved antiproliferative efficacy in cell culture models when compared to AOAA. It is up to 18 times more potent than AOAA at suppressing HCT116 tumor growth in vivo and is effective when administered to tumor-bearing mice either via subcutaneous injection or oral gavage. Patient-derived xenografts (PDTXs) with higher levels of CBS protein grew significantly larger than tumors with lower levels, and YD0251 treatment inhibited the growth of PDTXs with elevated CBS, whereas it had no significant effect on PDTXs with low CBS protein levels. The toxicity of YD0251 was assessed in mice subjected to subchronic administration of supratherapeutic doses the inhibitor; no significant alteration in circulating markers of organ injury or histopathological alterations were noted, up to 60 mg/kg/day × 5 days. In preparation to a future theranostic concept (to match CBS inhibitor therapy to high-CBS expressors), we identified a potential plasma marker of CBS-expressing tumors. Colon cancer cells produced significant levels of lanthionine, a rare metabolic intermediate of CBS-mediated H2S biosynthesis; forced expression of CBS into non-transformed epithelial cells increased lanthionine biogenesis in vitro and in vivo (measured in the urine of tumor-bearing mice). These current results may be useful to facilitate the translation of a CBS inhibition-based antitumor concept into the clinical space.
Noble Metals for Modern Implant Materials: MOCVD of Film Structures and Cytotoxical, Antibacterial, and Histological Studies
Authors: Dorovskikh Svetlana I. , Vikulova Evgeniia S. , Chepeleva Elena V. , Vasilieva Maria B. , Nasimov Dmitriy A. , Maksimovskii Eugene A. , Tsygankova Alphiya R. , Basova Tamara V. , Sergeevichev David S. , Morozova Natalya B.
Published: July 2021

This work is aimed at developing the modification of the surface of medical implants with film materials based on noble metals in order to improve their biological characteristics. Gas-phase transportation methods were proposed to obtain such materials. To determine the effect of the material of the bottom layer of heterometallic structures, Ir, Pt, and PtIr coatings with a thickness of 1.4–1.5 μm were deposited by metal–organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) on Ti6Al4V alloy discs. Two types of antibacterial components, namely, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and discontinuous Ag coatings, were deposited on the surface of these coatings. AuNPs (11–14 nm) were deposited by a pulsed MOCVD method, while Ag films (35–40 nm in thickness) were obtained by physical vapor deposition (PVD). The cytotoxic (24 h and 48 h, toward peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs)) and antibacterial (24 h) properties of monophase (Ag, Ir, Pt, and PtIr) and heterophase (Ag/Pt, Ag/Ir, Ag/PtIr, Au/Pt, Au/Ir, and Au/PtIr) film materials deposited on Ti-alloy samples were studied in vitro and compared with those of uncoated Ti-alloy samples. Studies of the cytokine production by PBMCs in response to incubation of the samples for 24 and 48 h and histological studies at 1 and 3 months after subcutaneous implantation in rats were also performed. Despite the comparable thickness of the fibrous capsule after 3 months, a faster completion of the active phase of encapsulation was observed for the coated implants compared to the Ti alloy analogs. For the Ag-containing samples, growth inhibition of S. epidermidis, S. aureus, Str. pyogenes, P. aeruginosa, and Ent. faecium was observed.
Scent of a Woman—Or Man: Odors Influence Person Knowledge
Authors: Hovis Nicole , Sheehe Paul , White Theresa
Published: July 2021

First impressions of social traits are regularly, rapidly, and readily determined from limited information about another individual. Relatively little is known about the way that olfactory information, particularly from scents that are not body odors, alters a first impression. Can the attributes of an odorant be conferred onto a person associated with that scent? To explore this, 101 participants were asked to form an impression of a hypothetical person based on the following stimuli: A gender-neutral silhouette, a list of six personal characteristics, and one of five odorants. Participants then rated the likelihood that the hypothetical person possessed each of 51 personality traits that were determined a priori as falling into six attribute categories. Participants also directly rated all odorants for the six categories and intensity. A T-test showed that ratings of the hypothetical person were less disparate from the odor that was presented during impression formation than from other odors. ANOVA revealed that the effects were heterogeneous, with odorants varying in their effectiveness in associating the hypothetical person with categories. The present data suggest that a hypothetical person can be imbued with the specific attributes of an odor and that some odors are better at contributing to impressions than others.
Effects of Neurofeedback on the Working Memory of Children with Learning Disorders—An EEG Power-Spectrum Analysis
Authors: Martínez-Briones Benito J. , Bosch-Bayard Jorge , Biscay-Lirio Rolando J. , Silva-Pereyra Juan , Albarrán-Cárdenas Lucero , Fernández Thalía
Published: July 2021

Learning disorders (LDs) are diagnosed in children impaired in the academic skills of reading, writing and/or mathematics. Children with LDs usually exhibit a slower resting-state electroencephalogram (EEG), corresponding to a neurodevelopmental lag. Frequently, children with LDs show working memory (WM) impairment, associated with an abnormal task-related EEG with overall slower EEG activity (more delta and theta power, and less gamma activity in posterior sites). These EEG patterns indicate inefficient neural resource management. Neurofeedback (NFB) treatments aimed at normalizing the resting-state EEG of LD children have shown improvements in cognitive-behavioral indices and diminished EEG abnormalities. Given the typical findings of WM impairment in children with LDs, we aimed to explore the effects of an NFB treatment on the WM of children with LDs by analyzing the WM-related EEG power spectrum. EEGs of 18 children (8–11 y.o.) with LDs were recorded, pre- and post-treatment, during performance of a Sternberg-type WM task. Thirty sessions of an NFB treatment (NFB-group, n = 10) or 30 sessions of a placebo-sham treatment (sham-group, n = 8) were administered. We analyzed the before and after treatment group differences for the behavioral performance and the WM-related EEG power spectrum. The NFB group showed faster response times in the WM task post-treatment. They also exhibited a decreased theta power and increased beta and gamma power at the frontal and posterior sites post-treatment. We explain these findings in terms of NFB improving the efficiency of neural resource management, maintenance of memory representations, and improved subvocal memory rehearsal.
The Upper Motor Neuron—Improved Knowledge from ALS and Related Clinical Disorders
Authors: Menon Parvathi , Vucic Steve
Published: July 2021

Upper motor neuron (UMN) is a term traditionally used for the corticospinal or pyramidal tract neuron synapsing with the lower motor neuron (LMN) in the anterior horns of the spinal cord. The upper motor neuron controls resting muscle tone and helps initiate voluntary movement of the musculoskeletal system by pathways which are not completely understood. Dysfunction of the upper motor neuron causes the classical clinical signs of spasticity, weakness, brisk tendon reflexes and extensor plantar response, which are associated with clinically well-recognised, inherited and acquired disorders of the nervous system. Understanding the pathophysiology of motor system dysfunction in neurological disease has helped promote a greater understanding of the motor system and its complex cortical connections. This review will focus on the pathophysiology underlying progressive dysfunction of the UMN in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and three other related adult-onset, progressive neurological disorders with prominent UMN signs, namely, primary lateral sclerosis, hereditary spastic paraplegia and primary progressive multiple sclerosis, to help promote better understanding of the human motor system and, by extension, related cortical systems.
The Right Hemisphere Is Responsible for the Greatest Differences in Human Brain Response to High-Arousing Emotional versus Neutral Stimuli: A MEG Study
Authors: Kheirkhah Mina , Baumbach Philipp , Leistritz Lutz , Witte Otto W. , Walter Martin , Gilbert Jessica R. , Zarate Jr. Carlos A. , Klingner Carsten M.
Published: July 2021

Studies investigating human brain response to emotional stimuli—particularly high-arousing versus neutral stimuli—have obtained inconsistent results. The present study was the first to combine magnetoencephalography (MEG) with the bootstrapping method to examine the whole brain and identify the cortical regions involved in this differential response. Seventeen healthy participants (11 females, aged 19 to 33 years; mean age, 26.9 years) were presented with high-arousing emotional (pleasant and unpleasant) and neutral pictures, and their brain responses were measured using MEG. When random resampling bootstrapping was performed for each participant, the greatest differences between high-arousing emotional and neutral stimuli during M300 (270–320 ms) were found to occur in the right temporo-parietal region. This finding was observed in response to both pleasant and unpleasant stimuli. The results, which may be more robust than previous studies because of bootstrapping and examination of the whole brain, reinforce the essential role of the right hemisphere in emotion processing.
Current Trends in Non-Invasive Imaging of Interactions in the Liver Tumor Microenvironment Mediated by Tumor Metabolism
Authors: Schobert Isabel Theresa , Savic Lynn Jeanette
Published: July 2021

With the increasing understanding of resistance mechanisms mediated by the metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells, there is a growing clinical interest in imaging technologies that allow for the non-invasive characterization of tumor metabolism and the interactions of cancer cells with the tumor microenvironment (TME) mediated through tumor metabolism. Specifically, tumor glycolysis and subsequent tissue acidosis in the realms of the Warburg effect may promote an immunosuppressive TME, causing a substantial barrier to the clinical efficacy of numerous immuno-oncologic treatments. Thus, imaging the varying individual compositions of the TME may provide a more accurate characterization of the individual tumor. This approach can help to identify the most suitable therapy for each individual patient and design new targeted treatment strategies that disable resistance mechanisms in liver cancer. This review article focuses on non-invasive positron-emission tomography (PET)- and MR-based imaging techniques that aim to visualize the crosstalk between tumor cells and their microenvironment in liver cancer mediated by tumor metabolism.
TUMOSPEC: A Nation-Wide Study of Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Families with a Predicted Pathogenic Variant Identified through Multigene Panel Testing
Authors: Lesueur Fabienne , Eon-Marchais Séverine , Bonnet-Boissinot Sarah , Beauvallet Juana , Dondon Marie-Gabrielle , Golmard Lisa , Rouleau Etienne , Garrec Céline , Martinez Mathilde , Toulas Christine , Nguyen Tan Dat , Brayotel Fanny , Crivelli Louise , Maugard Christine M. , Bubien Virginie , Sevenet Nicolas , Gesta Paul , Chieze-Valero Stéphanie , Nambot Sophie , Goussot Vincent , Mari Véronique , Popovici Cornel , Prieur Fabienne , Morin-Meschin Marie-Emmanuelle , Tinat Julie , Lortholary Alain , Dreyfus Hélène , Bidart Marie , Collonge-Rame Marie-Agnès , Mozelle-Nivoix Monique , Gladieff Laurence , Giraud Sophie , Boutry-Kryza Nadia , Chiesa Jean , Denizeau Philippe , Bignon Yves-Jean , Uhrhammer Nancy , Cohen-Haguenauer Odile , Vilquin Paul , Mailliez Audrey , Coupier Isabelle , Rey Jean-Marc , Lacaze Elodie , Béra Odile , Colas Chrystelle , Coulet Florence , Delnatte Capucine , Houdayer Claude , Lasset Christine , Lemonnier Jérôme , Longy Michel , Noguès Catherine , Stoppa-Lyonnet Dominique , Vaur Dominique , Andrieu Nadine , Caron Olivier
Published: July 2021

Assessment of age-dependent cancer risk for carriers of a predicted pathogenic variant (PPV) is often hampered by biases in data collection, with a frequent under-representation of cancer-free PPV carriers. TUMOSPEC was designed to estimate the cumulative risk of cancer for carriers of a PPV in a gene that is usually tested in a hereditary breast and ovarian cancer context. Index cases are enrolled consecutively among patients who undergo genetic testing as part of their care plan in France. First- and second-degree relatives and cousins of PPV carriers are invited to participate whether they are affected by cancer or not, and genotyped for the familial PPV. Clinical, family and epidemiological data are collected, and all data including sequencing data are centralized at the coordinating centre. The three-year feasibility study included 4431 prospective index cases, with 19.1% of them carrying a PPV. When invited by the coordinating centre, 65.3% of the relatives of index cases (5.7 relatives per family, on average) accepted the invitation to participate. The study logistics were well adapted to clinical and laboratory constraints, and collaboration between partners (clinicians, biologists, coordinating centre and participants) was smooth. Hence, TUMOSPEC is being pursued, with the aim of optimizing clinical management guidelines specific to each gene.