bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hepatites virais no contexto brasileiro: uma revisão integrativa
Authors: Novaes Andressa Cristina , Tiroli Carla Fernanda , Ribeiro Beatriz Queiroz , Ferreira Natália Marciano de Araujo , Furuya Rejane Kiyomi , Galhardi Ligia Carla Faccin , Tomedi Danieli Juliani Garbuio , Cotarelli Lucas Fraga , Pieri Flávia Meneguetti
Published: January 2021

Introdução: enfrentar as hepatites virais tem sido um grande desafio, principalmente para países que apresentam alta prevalência da doença e vulnerabilidades sociais que dificultam o acesso à atenção. Objetivo: investigar a produção científica nacional sobre as estratégias de prevenção, controle e tratamento acerca das hepatites virais. Metodologia: trata-se de uma revisão integrativa operacionalizada mediante consulta às bases/bibliotecas: Banco de Dados em Enfermagem (BDENF), Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS), Scientific Eletronic Library Online (SciELO) e National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health (PubMed) via MEDLINE, de janeiro de 1998 a dezembro de 2019. A pergunta norteadora foi: No que concerne às HV em seres humanos, quais as estratégias desempenhadas pelos serviços de saúde para o controle, tratamento e prevenção, descritos em estudos quantitativos nacionais publicados no período de janeiro de 1998 a dezembro de 2019? Utilizou-se do fluxograma PRISMA para seleção dos artigos. Resultados: foram encontrados 2722 artigos empíricos, 26 deles atenderam aos critérios de seleção e foram agrupados nas seguintes categorias: I. Tratamento - 84,6% (22); e II. Prevenção e Controle - 15,3% (4). Nesse âmbito, destaca-se o tratamento da Hepatite C com uso de Interferons com ou sem Ribavirina (86,3%) e os principais efeitos adversos: cefaleia, anemia e fadiga. Conclusão: evidenciaram-se, na literatura nacional, abordagem maior sobre tratamento, principalmente da Hepatite C, e uma escassez de estudos sobre as estratégias de prevenção e controle das hepatites virais, o que denota a relevância de ampliar as publicações, sistematizando os planos efetivos de intervenção que os serviços de Saúde desempenham.
VARIASI PEMBELAJARAN BAHASA INDONESIA MAHASISWA UNIVERSITAS BINA DARMA DI MASA PANDEMI
Authors: Indah Sari Ayu Puspita , Mayrita Hastari
Published: January 2021

This study aims to describe the variations in teaching lecturers, variations in assignments and inhibiting factors for learning Indonesian for Bina Darma University students during the pandemic using qualitative descriptive methods as well as through interviews and observations. Data analysis was carried out through data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. The results showed: (1) The teaching variations of the lecturers were very diverse, which was adjusted to the mastery and skills of the lecturers in using IT to interact with students, such as using E-Learning, E-Mail, Zoom, Google Classroom, WhatsApp, Youtube content; (2) Variations in assignment are also very diverse according to the ability of lecturers to use IT; (3) External and internal factors are inhibiting factors for the variation of Indonesian Language learning among Bina Darma University Students during the Pandemic Period.
RANCANG BANGUN SISTEM PENDUKUNG KEPUTUSAN MENENTUKAN KANDIDAT CALON KEPALA DESA DENGAN METODE FANP BERBASIS WEB
Authors: Rahayu Tri , Wibisono M. Bayu
Published: January 2021

Metode Fuzzy Analytic Network Process (FANP) dapat dijadikan sebagai alat bantu dalam menentukan kandidat calon kepala desa dengan adanya data kuantitatif serta adanya tingkat validitas konsistensi network, sehingga dapat menentukan kandidat yang akan diikutkan dalam pemilihan kepala desa nantinya. Sehingga pendaftaran kandidat tidak perlu dibatasi karena nantinya akan ada sistem seleksi 5 peserta kandidat dengan nilai tertinggi. Hasil pembobotan antar kriteria dapat dijadikan sebagai rekomendasi alternatif, dalam hal ini nilai pembobotan kriteria yang tertinggi adalah uji Tes Kompetensi, yaitu (43%)  dan yang lainnya Karir Organisasi (28%), Forum Group Diskusi (17%) dan Tingkat Pendidikan (11%). Sehingga uji Tes Kompetensi faktor penentu dalam penilaian tertinggi bagi peserta kandidat calon kepala desa. Didalam merancang Aplikasi system Menentukan kandidat calon kepala Desa berbasis web dapat bekerja dengan baik sehingga diharapkan dapat meningkatkan pelayanan dalam mekanisme proses pendaftaran atau penerimaan kandidat calon kepala desa yang dilaksanakan. Dengan adanya aplikasi ini diharapkan pada informasi yang telah dihasilkan adalah hasil yang sebenar-benarnya agar penerima informasi memiliki rasa nilai kepercayaan akan halnya transparan data yang telah dibuka secara luas oleh masyarakat desa.
Somlyó György költői indulásáról
Authors: Szemes Péter
Published: January 2021

Somlyó György költővé válása szinte magától értetődő volt, erre tehetsége mellett apai öröksége is predesztinálta. Mindazonáltal mégsem vezetett teljesen egyenes út a sikerig, a szélsőjobboldali támadástól a Nyugat főszerkesztőjének elutasításáig többféle buktató nehezítette indulását. A tanulmány e kivételes költő pályájának első időszakát veszi górcső alá az inspiráló József Attila-találkozástól Baráth Ferenc ösztönző kritikájáig: „a jövőben kötelessége lesz félredobnia a tengernyi reminiszcenciát, és mankó nélkül saját lábára állnia, saját szellemi talaján!” (Baráth 1939)
A „megkötöttség” vagy a távozás verse?
Authors: Czetter Ibolya
Published: January 2021

A dolgozat az újraolvasás és újrakontextualizálás jegyében Ady Sípja régi babonának című versét értelmezi, a nyelvi megformáltság összetevőire koncentrálva. Arra a kérdésre keresi a választ, hogy a nyelvi megformáltság összetevői felől milyen fontosabb, életművet, műfajt, líraelméleti kérdéseket, a korszerű Ady-képet is érintő összefüggésekre láthatunk rá, mi újat, fontosat képes mondani egy-egy újraolvasott szöveg. A tanulmány a paradoxitás életműben betöltött szerepéből kiindulva, a paradoxon versbéli működésének alakzati, figurális, szerkezeti kérdéseit járja körül, műfapoétikai és verstani szempontok bevonásával.
Evaluation of Major and Environmentally Driven Genes for Resistance in Pakistani Wheat Landraces and their Prospected Potential against Yellow Rust
Authors: Tariq-Khan Muhammad , Younas Muhammad T. , Mirza Javed I. , Awan Shahid I. , Jameel Muhammad , Saeed Muhammad , Mahmood Basharat
Published: January 2021

Yellow rust is caused by Pst (Puccinia striiformis tritici), the most devastating wheat disease with continuous challenge of emerging virulences breaking vertical resistance worldwide resulting in epidemics. Vertical resistance genes incorporation is sustainable, economical and environment-friendly approach to control rust diseases. Wheat landraces (WLR) acquired vertical resistance through long time exposure of host pathogen survival competition in specific area having unique agronomic traits, genetic base and resistance against biotic and abiotic agents can be exploitable commodity for future food production. Fifty Pakistani WLRs already with known vertical resistance were screened against 7 potential Pakistani Pst races at seedling stage under glasshouse conditions to postulate resistance genes. Resistance magnitude was compared among the landraces. Six genes Yr1, Yr8, Yr9, Yr43, Yr44, and YrTr1 were successfully postulated either singly or in combination along with unidentified genes in 45 landraces. Pakistani Pst races are avirulent to Yr5, Yr10, Yr15, Yr24, Yr32, YrSp and YrTye. Most frequently postulated genes are Yr44 found in 22 genotypes, YrTr1 in 21, Yr9 in 19, Yr43 in 18, Yr8 and Yr1 in 14 wheat landraces. Multiple Yr gene pyramiding was observed in (B-74, B-281, B-530) with the presence of Yr8, Yr9, Yr43, Yr44, and YrTr1 and single gene were postulated from 12 genotypes. WLRs (B-03, B-158, B-160, B-171) reaction was immune showing presence of novel Yr genes. Study provides information regarding yellow rust resistance genes originated independently against localized Pst races with desirable agronomic traits since long and can be option for food security in changing environmental challenges.
Impact of Farm Management Practices on Downy Mildew Disease of Cucumber in High Tunnels
Authors: Shahid Muhammad N. , Abid Muhammad , Chohan Sobia , Binyameen Muhammad , Sajid Muhammad
Published: January 2021

Downy mildew of cucumber caused by Pseudoperonospora cubensisis is a serious threat to the cucurbits production in high tunnels. In this study, the disease incidence and severity were recorded from nine high tunnel farms, located at Vehari District, Pakistan. The results revealed that downy mildew incidence was ranged from 24 to 80%. The disease development was correlated with plant genotype, sowing time, commonly used fungicides, and plant growth stages. "Kaan" was the most resistant while "Yayla" was the highly susceptible plant genotype against the disease. Cucumber sowing at mid-November showed significantly less disease over early and late sowing. Flowering was the most vulnerable stage of plants for disease development. ‘Champion’ (Copper hydroxide) followed by ‘Score’ (Difenoconazole) fungicides reduced the disease to 55% and 43%, respectively, which increased the yield 8-15 %. We conclude that the use of resistant genotype “Kaan”, protectant fungicide ‘Champion’ and appropriate sowing time Mid-November may reduce the disease incidence appreciably in high tunnels.
Responses of Water and Pigments Status, Dry Matter Partitioning, Seed Production, and Traits of Yield and Quality to Foliar Application of GA3 in Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.)
Authors: Islam Mohammad Sohidul , Hasan Md. K. , Islam Bushra , Renu Nowrin Akhter , Hakim Mohammad A. , Islam Mohammad Rafiqul , Chowdhury M. Kaium , Ueda Akihiro , Saneoka Hirofumi , Ali Raza Muhammad , Fahad Shah , Barutçular Celaleddin , Çig Fatih , Erman Murat , El Sabagh Ayman
Published: January 2021

This study evaluated the role of gibberellic acid [GA3; (0, 100, 200, and 300 ppm)] in modulation of the growth, physiology, yield, and quality traits in two varieties (BARI Mung-6 and BARI Mung-8) of mungbean (Vigna radiataL.). Irrespective of the two varieties (BARI Mung-6 and BARI Mung-8), 100, 200, and 300 ppm of GA3differentially modulated the tested parameters (relative water content, RWC; photosynthetic pigments: chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids; growth parameters: fresh and dry weights of leaves, petioles, stems, and roots; yield contributing traits such as plant height, number of pods plant−1, number of grains pod−1, pod length, and 100-grain weight; quality traits such as grain nitrogen and protein). However, compared to the lowest GA3(100 ppm) and the highest GA3(300 ppm), the moderate concentration of GA3(200 ppm) led to highest values of leaf-RWC, where this parameter exhibited 16.1 and 13.4% increase in BARI Mung-8 and BARI Mung-6, respectively. Similarly, the tested herein growth parameters and the yield traits significantly increased up to the foliar application of the moderate GA3concentration (200 ppm), and thereafter these traits decreased with 300 ppm GA3. The 200 ppm-led changes in the growth and yield traits were significantly higher in BARI Mung-8 when compared to BARI Mung-6. Considering the quality traits, GA3positively influenced the nitrogen and protein content in grains, where 200 ppm of GA3led to increases of 25.2% in N, and 17.7% in protein over control in BARI Mung-6; whereas, BARI Mung-8 exhibited 28.3% in N, and 18.3% in protein with 200 ppm GA3over control. Overall, BARI Mung-8 significantly responded to the foliar supply of 200 ppm GA3when compared to BARI Mung-6. Hence, in order to high yield and grain protein content, the application of 200 ppm GA3may be applied inV. radiatabefore and during flowering. The major mechanisms underlying the responses of the water relation, growth, and yield traits to the GA3concentrations need to be explored.
Suppression of Hypertrophy During in vitro Chondrogenesis of Cocultures of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Nasal Chondrocytes Correlates With Lack of in vivo Calcification and Vascular Invasion
Authors: Anderson-Baron Matthew , Liang Yan , Kunze Melanie , Mulet-Sierra Aillette , Osswald Martin , Ansari Khalid , Seikaly Hadi , Adesida Adetola B.
Published: January 2021

Objective

Human nasal septal chondrocytes (NC) are a promising minimally invasive derivable chondrogenic cell source for cartilage repair. However, the quality of NC-derived cartilage is variable between donors. Coculture of NC with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) mitigates the variability but with undesirable markers of chondrocyte hypertrophy, such as type X collagen, and the formation of unstable calcifying cartilage at ectopic sites. In contrast, monoculture NC forms non-calcifying stable cartilage. Formation of a stable NC-MSC coculture cartilage is crucial for clinical application. The aim of this study was to explore the utility of parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP) hormone to suppress chondrocyte hypertrophy in NC-MSC cocultures and form stable non-calcifying cartilage at ectopic sites.

Methods

Human NC and bone marrow MSCs, and cocultures of NC and MSC (1:3 ratio) were aggregated in pellet form and subjected toin vitrochondrogenesis for 3 weeks in chondrogenic medium in the presence and absence of PTHrP. Followingin vitrochondrogenesis, the resulting pellets were implanted in immunodeficient athymic nude mice for 3 weeks.

Results

Coculture of NC and MSC resulted in synergistic cartilage matrix production. PTHrP suppressed the expression of hypertrophy marker, type X collagen (COL10A1), in a dose-dependent fashion without affecting the synergism in cartilage matrix synthesis, andin vivocalcification was eradicated with PTHrP. In contrast, cocultured control (CC) pellets without PTHrP treatment expressedCOL10A1, calcified, and became vascularizedin vivo.
Nitric Oxide Releasing Hydrogel Nanoparticles Decreases Epithelial Cell Injuries Associated With Airway Reopening
Authors: Shurbaji Samar , El-Sherbiny Ibrahim M. , Alser Maha , Ali Isra H. , Kordi Haya , Al-Sadi Ameena , Popelka Anton , Benslimane Fatiha , Yacoub Magdi , Yalcin Huseyin C.
Published: January 2021

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is an acute inflammatory lung condition. It is characterized by disruption of gas exchange inside the alveoli, accumulation of protein edema, and an increase in lung stiffness. One major cause of ARDS is a lung infection, such as SARS-COV-2 infection. Lungs of ARDS patients need to be mechanically ventilated for airway reopening. Consequently, ventilation might damage delicate lung tissue leading to excess edema, known as ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). Mortality of COVID-19 patients under VILI seems to be higher than non-COVID patients, necessitating effective preventative therapies. VILI occurs when small air bubbles form in the alveoli, injuring epithelial cells (EPC) due to shear stress. Nitric oxide (NO) inhalation was suggested as a therapy for ARDS, however, it was shown that it is not effective because of the extremely short half-life of NO. In this study, NO-releasing nanoparticles were produced and tested in an in vitro model, representing airways in the deep lung. Cellular injuries were quantified via fluorescent live/dead assay. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to assess cell morphology. qRT-PCR was performed to assess the expression of inflammatory markers, specifically IL6 and CCL2. ELISA was performed to assess IL6 and confirm qRT-PCR results at the protein level. Finally, ROS levels were assessed in all groups. Here, we show that NO delivery via nanoparticles enhanced EPC survival and recovery, AFM measurements revealed that NO exposure affect cell morphology, while qRT-PCR demonstrated a significant downregulation in IL6 and CCL2 expression when treating the cells to NO both before and after shear exposure. ELISA results for IL6 confirmed qRT-PCR data. ROS experiment results support our findings from previous experiments. These findings demonstrate that NO-releasing nanoparticles can be used as an effective delivery approach of NO to deep lung to prevent/reduce ARDS associated inflammation and cell injuries. This information is particularly useful to treat severe ARDS due to COVID-19 infection. These nanoparticles will be useful when clinically administrated to COVID-19 patients to reduce the symptoms originating from lung distress.
Enhanced Biosynthesis of Chlorogenic Acid and Its Derivatives in Methyl-Jasmonate-Treated Gardenia jasminoides Cells: A Study on Metabolic and Transcriptional Responses of Cells
Authors: Liu Zebo , Mohsin Ali , Wang Zejian , Zhu Xiaofeng , Zhuang Yingping , Cao Liming , Guo Meijin , Yin Zhongping
Published: January 2021

Chlorogenic acid and its derivatives (CQAs) are considered as important bioactive secondary metabolites inGardenia jasminoidesEllis (G. jasminoides). However, few studies have investigated the biosynthesis and regulation of CQAs inG. jasminoides. In this study, methyl jasmonate (MeJA) was used to enhance CQAs accumulation in culturedG. jasminoidescells. Moreover, the possible molecular mechanism of MeJA-mediated accumulation of CQAs is also explored. To this end, time-course transcriptional profiles ofG. jasminoidescells responding to MeJA were used to investigate the mechanism from different aspects, including jasmonate (JAs) biosynthesis, signal transduction, biosynthesis of precursor, CQAs biosynthesis, transporters, and transcription factors (TFs). A total of 57,069 unigenes were assembled from the clean reads, in which 80.7% unigenes were successfully annotated. Furthermore, comparative transcriptomic results indicated that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were mainly involved in JAs biosynthesis and signal transduction (25 DEGs), biosynthesis of precursor for CQAs (18 DEGs), CQAs biosynthesis (19 DEGs), and transporters (29 DEGs). Most of these DEGs showed continuously upregulated expressions over time, which might activate the jasmonic acid (JA) signal transduction network, boost precursor supply, and ultimately stimulate CQAs biosynthesis. Additionally, various TFs from different TF families also responded to MeJA elicitation. Interestingly, 38 DEGs from different subgroups of the MYB family might display positive or negative regulations on phenylpropanoids, especially on CQAs biosynthesis. Conclusively, our results provide insight into the possible molecular mechanism of regulation on CQAs biosynthesis, which led to a high CQAs yield in theG. jasminoidescells under MeJA treatment.
Modeling the Distribution of Habitat-Forming, Deep-Sea Sponges in the Barents Sea: The Value of Data
Authors: Gonzalez-Mirelis Genoveva , Ross Rebecca E. , Albretsen Jon , Buhl-Mortensen Pål
Published: January 2021

The use of species occurrence as a proxy for habitat type is widespread, probably because it allows the use of species distribution modeling (SDM) to cost-effectively map the distribution of e.g., vulnerable marine ecosystems. We have modeled the distribution of epibenthic megafaunal taxa typical of soft-bottom, Deep-Sea Sponge Aggregations (DSSAs), i.e., “indicators,” to discover where in the Barents Sea region this habitat is likely to occur. The following taxa were collectively modeled: Hexadella cf. dedritifera, Geodia spp., Steletta sp., Stryphnus sp. The data were extracted from MarVid, the video database for the Marine AREAl database for NOrwegian waters (MAREANO). We ask whether modeling density data may be more beneficial than presence/absence data, and whether using this list of indicator species is enough to locate the target habitat. We use conditional inference forests to make predictions of probability of presence of any of the target sponges, and total density of all target sponges, for an area covering a large portion of the Norwegian Barents Sea and well beyond the data’s spatial range. The density models explain <31% of the variance, and the probability models have high classificatory power (AUC > 0.88), depending on the variables/samples used to train the model. The predicted surfaces were then classified on the basis of a probability threshold (0.75) and a density threshold (13 n/100 m2) to obtain polygons of “core area” and “hotspots” respectively (zones). The DSSA core area comprises two main regions: the Egga shelf break/Tromsøflaket area, and the shelf break southwest of Røst bank in the Træna trench. Four hotspots are detected within this core area. Zones are evaluated in the light of whole-community data which have been summarized as taxon richness and density of all megafauna. Total megafaunal density was significantly higher inside the hotspots relative to the background. Richness was not different between zones. Hotspots appeared different to one another in their richness and species composition although no tests were possible. We make the case that the effectiveness of the indicator species approach for conservation planning rests on the availability of density data on the target species, and data on co-occurring species.
Malignant Eccrine Spiradenoma of the External Auditory Canal: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: You Dong , Ma Zhao , Liu Jing , Song Xiao , Dong Wei
Published: January 2021

Spiradenocarcinoma, or malignant eccrine spiradenoma (MES), is a rare sweat gland tumor originating from eccrine sweat glands. To the best of our knowledge, only two cases of MES of the external auditory canal have been reported to date. Here, we report a third case of MES located in the external auditory canal.
Case Report: Case Series of Children With Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome Following SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Switzerland
Authors: Fouriki Athina , Fougère Yves , De Camaret Caroline , Blanchard Rohner Géraldine , Grazioli Serge , Wagner Noémie , Relly Christa , Pachlopnik Schmid Jana , Trück Johannes , Kottanatu Lisa , Perez Estefania , Perez Marie-Helene , Schaffner Damien , Asner Sandra Andrea , Hofer Michael
Published: January 2021

Since the beginning of the severe SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, an increasing number of countries reported cases of a systemic hyperinflammatory condition defined as multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). The clinical features of MIS-C can be an overlap of Kawasaki Disease (KD), Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), Macrophage Activation Syndrome (MAS), or have often an acute abdominal presentation. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is recommended as first line therapy in KD. Recent evidence suggests intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) resistance in some cases of SARS-CoV-2 related MIS-C, thereby questioning the benefit of immunomodulators such as IL-1 or IL-6 blocking agents. We report on a cohort of 6 Swiss children with SARS-CoV2 related MIS-C presenting with clinical features compatible with Incomplete KD and Toxic Shock Syndrome associated to a cytokine storm. Serum cytokine profile investigations showed increased IL1RA levels (8 to 22-fold) in 5 of the 6 patients (one patient had not been tested), whereas, IL-6 serum levels were increased only in the 3 patients of the 6 who were tested. With exception of one patient who had only benefited by Anakinra, all patients received at least one dose of IVIG. One patient has only received Anakinra with favorable evolution, and three patients had also a steroid treatment. In addition to all this anti-inflammatory medication two patients have also received one dose of anti-IL6. In conclusion, our case series reports on clinical and laboratory findings of most of Swiss cases with MIS-C and suggests the use of Anakinra as an alternative to steroids in these children, most of whom presented with high IL-1RA levels.
Investigation of Salt Tolerance Mechanisms Across a Root Developmental Gradient in Almond Rootstocks
Authors: Shao Yuhang , Cheng Yukun , Pang Hongguang , Chang Mingqin , He Fang , Wang Minmin , Davis Destiny J. , Zhang Shuxiao , Betz Oliver , Fleck Chuck , Dai Tingbo , Madahhosseini Shahab , Wilkop Thomas , Jernstedt Judy , Drakakaki Georgia
Published: January 2021

The intensive use of groundwater in agriculture under the current climate conditions leads to acceleration of soil salinization. Given that almond is a salt-sensitive crop, selection of salt-tolerant rootstocks can help maintain productivity under salinity stress. Selection for tolerant rootstocks at an early growth stage can reduce the investment of time and resources. However, salinity-sensitive markers and salinity tolerance mechanisms of almond species to assist this selection process are largely unknown. We established a microscopy-based approach to investigate mechanisms of stress tolerance in and identified cellular, root anatomical, and molecular traits associated with rootstocks exhibiting salt tolerance. We characterized three almond rootstocks: Empyrean-1 (E1), Controller-5 (C5), and Krymsk-86 (K86). Based on cellular and molecular evidence, our results show that E1 has a higher capacity for salt exclusion by a combination of upregulating ion transporter expression and enhanced deposition of suberin and lignin in the root apoplastic barriers, exodermis, and endodermis, in response to salt stress. Expression analyses revealed differential regulation of cation transporters, stress signaling, and biopolymer synthesis genes in the different rootstocks. This foundational study reveals the mechanisms of salinity tolerance in almond rootstocks from cellular and structural perspectives across a root developmental gradient and provides insights for future screens targeting stress response.
An Agent-Based Crop Model Framework for Heterogeneous Soils
Authors: Lopez-Jimenez Jorge , Quijano Nicanor , Vande Wouwer Alain
Published: January 2021

Climate change and the efficient use of freshwater for irrigation pose a challenge for sustainable agriculture. Traditionally, the prediction of agricultural production is carried out through crop-growth models and historical records of the climatic variables. However, one of the main flaws of these models is that they do not consider the variability of the soil throughout the cultivation area. In addition, with the availability of new information sources (i.e., aerial or satellite images) and low-cost meteorological stations, it is convenient that the models incorporate prediction capabilities to enhance the representation of production scenarios. In this work, an agent-based model (ABM) that considers the soil heterogeneity and water exchanges is proposed. Soil heterogeneity is associated to the combination of individual behaviours of uniform portions of land (agents), while water fluxes are related to the topography. Each agent is characterized by an individual dynamic model, which describes the local crop growth. Moreover, this model considers positive and negative effects of water level, i.e., drought and waterlogging, on the biomass production. The development of the global ABM is oriented to the future use of control strategies and optimal irrigation policies. The model is built bottom-up starting with the definition of agents, and the Python environment Mesa is chosen for the implementation. The validation is carried out using three topographic scenarios in Colombia. Results of potential production cases are discussed, and some practical recommendations on the implementation are presented.
The Insulin Receptor Mediates Insulin’s Early Plasma Clearance by Liver, Muscle, and Kidney
Authors: Meijer Rick I. , Barrett Eugene J.
Published: January 2021

The role of the insulin receptor in mediating tissue-specific insulin clearance in vivo has not been reported. Using physiologic insulin doses, we measured the initial clearance rate (first 5 min) of intravenously injected ([125I]TyrA14)-insulin by muscle, liver, and kidney in healthy rats in the presence and absence of the insulin receptor blocker S961. We also tested whether 4 weeks of high-fat diet (HFD) affected the initial rate of insulin clearance. Pre-treatment with S961 for 60 min prior to administering labeled insulin raised plasma ([125I]TyrA14)insulin concentration approximately 5-fold (p < 0.001), demonstrating receptor dependency for plasma insulin clearance. Uptake by muscle (p < 0.01), liver (p < 0.05), and kidney (p < 0.001) were each inhibited by receptor blockade, undoubtedly contributing to the reduced plasma clearance. The initial plasma insulin clearance was not significantly affected by HFD, nor was muscle-specific clearance. However, HFD modestly decreased liver clearance (p = 0.056) while increasing renal clearance by >50% (p < 0.01), suggesting a significant role for renal insulin clearance in limiting the hyperinsulinemia that accompanies HFD. We conclude that the insulin receptor is a major mediator of initial insulin clearance from plasma and for its clearance by liver, kidney, and muscle. HFD feeding increases renal insulin clearance to limit systemic hyperinsulinemia.
Study of the Relationship between Sigma Receptor Expression Levels and Some Common Sigma Ligand Activity in Cancer Using Human Cancer Cell Lines of the NCI-60 Cell Line Panel
Authors: Sereti Evangelia , Tsimplouli Chrisiida , Kalaitsidou Elisavet , Sakellaridis Nikos , Dimas Konstantinos
Published: January 2021

Sigma (σ) receptors have attracted great interest since they are implicated in various cellular functions and biological processes and diseases, including various types of cancer. The receptor family consists of two subtypes: sigma-1 (σ1) and sigma-2 (σ2). Both σ receptor subtypes have been proposed as therapeutic targets for various types of cancers, and many studies have provided evidence that their selective ligands (agonists and antagonists) exhibit antiproliferative and cytotoxic activity. Still, the precise mechanism of action of both σ receptors and their ligands remains unclear and needs to be elucidated. In this study, we aimed to simultaneously determine the expression levels of both σ receptor subtypes in several human cancer cell lines. Additionally, we investigated the in vitro antiproliferative activity of some widely used σ1 and σ2 ligands against those cell lines to study the relationship between σ receptor expression levels and σ ligand activity. Finally, we ran the NCI60 COMPARE algorithm to further elucidate the cytotoxic mechanism of action of the selected σ ligands studied herein.
Recent Advances in Monoclonal Antibody Therapy for Colorectal Cancers
Authors: Hwang Kyusang , Yoon Jin Hwan , Lee Ji Hyun , Lee Sukmook
Published: January 2021

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths worldwide. Recent advances in recombinant DNA technology have led to the development of numerous therapeutic antibodies as major sources of blockbuster drugs for CRC therapy. Simultaneously, increasing numbers of therapeutic targets in CRC have been identified. In this review, we first highlight the physiological and pathophysiological roles and signaling mechanisms of currently known and emerging therapeutic targets, including growth factors and their receptors as well as immune checkpoint proteins, in CRC. Additionally, we discuss the current status of monoclonal antibodies in clinical development and approved by US Food and Drug Administration for CRC therapy.
Photocatalytic Activity of Silver-Based Biomimetics Composites
Authors: Machín Abniel , Soto-Vázquez Loraine , Colón-Cruz Carla , Valentín-Cruz Carlos A. , Claudio-Serrano Gerardo J. , Fontánez Kenneth , Resto Edgard , Petrescu Florian I. , Morant Carmen , Márquez Francisco
Published: January 2021

Different Ag@TiO2 and Ag@ZnO catalysts, with nanowire (NW) structure, were synthesized containing different amounts of silver loading (1, 3, 5, and 10 wt.%) and characterized by FE-SEM, HRTEM, BET, XRD, Raman, XPS, and UV–vis. The photocatalytic activity of the composites was studied by the production of hydrogen via water splitting under UV–vis light and the degradation of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin. The maximum hydrogen production of all the silver-based catalysts was obtained with a silver loading of 10 wt.% under irradiation at 500 nm. Moreover, 10%Ag@TiO2 NWs was the catalyst with the highest activity in the hydrogen production reaction (1119 µmol/hg), being 18 times greater than the amount obtained with the pristine TiO2 NW catalyst. The most dramatic difference in hydrogen production was obtained with 10%Ag@TiO2-P25, 635 µmol/hg, being 36 times greater than the amount reported for the unmodified TiO2-P25 (18 µmol/hg). The enhancement of the catalytic activity is attributed to a synergism between the silver nanoparticles incorporated and the high surface area of the composites. In the case of the degradation of ciprofloxacin, all the silver-based catalysts degraded more than 70% of the antibiotic in 60 min. The catalyst that exhibited the best result was 3%Ag@ZnO commercial, with 99.72% of degradation. The control experiments and stability tests showed that photocatalysis was the route of degradation and the selected silver-based catalysts were stable after seven cycles, with less than 1% loss of efficiency per cycle. These results suggest that the catalysts could be employed in additional cycles without the need to be resynthesized, thus reducing remediation costs.
Improved Survival of Periviable Infants after Alteration of the Threshold of Viability by the Neonatal Resuscitation Program 2015
Authors: Chen Yen-Ju , Yu Wen-Hao , Chen Li-Wen , Huang Chao-Ching , Kang Lin , Lin Hui-Shan , Iwata Osuke , Kato Shin , Hussein Mohamed Hamed , Lin Yung-Chieh
Published: January 2021

Periviable infants (PIs) born at 22–25 weeks gestational age (wGA) have a variable survival rate (49.7–86.2%) among hospitals. One factor involved in this difference may be the definition of the threshold of viability. The American Academy of Pediatrics revised the neonatal resuscitation program in late 2015 (NRP 2015) and altered the threshold of viability from 23 to 22 wGA. The impact on the survival of PIs after the guideline alteration has seldom been discussed. Since 2016, the unit of this study has implemented the renewed guideline for PIs. We retrospectively reviewed and analyzed the survival and clinical variables of PIs before and after implementation of the guideline, which included a 10-year cohort in a single center in Taiwan. There were 168 PIs enrolled between 2010 and 2019 (Epoch-I, 2010–2015; Epoch-II, 2016–2019), after excluding those with congenital anomalies and parent-decided comfort care. Compared to those in Epoch-I, the PIs in Epoch-II had significantly higher odds ratios (2.602) (95% confidence interval: 1.170–5.789; p = 0.019) for survival. Younger gestational age, small size for gestational age, cesarean delivery, low blood pH at birth, and surfactant therapeutic treatment were found to be significant risk factors associated with the survival of PIs (p < 0.05 for each). The altered threshold of viability by NRP 2015 may impact the survival of PIs. However, long-term follow-up for surviving PI is required in the future.
The “Hub and Spoke” (HandS) ECMO for “Resuscitating” Neonates with Respiratory Life-Threatening Conditions
Authors: Padalino Massimo A. , Doglioni Nicoletta , Nardo Daniel , Baraldi Eugenio , Vida Vladimiro L. , Trevisanuto Daniele
Published: January 2021

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) implantation for neonates with severe cardiorespiratory life-threatening conditions is highly effective. However, since ECMO is a high-risk and complex therapy, this treatment is usually performed in centers with proven expertise. Methods: A retrospective review of neonates, from January 2014 to January 2020, presenting with life-threatening conditions and treated by means of Hub and Spoke (HandS) ECMO in peripheral (spoke) hospitals. Data were retrieved from our internal ECMO registry. Protocols and checklists were revised and shared with all spoke hospitals located in North-Eastern Italy. Results: Eleven neonates receiving maximal respiratory and cardiovascular support at a spoke hospital underwent HandS ECMO management. All but three patients were affected by life-threatening meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS). The median ECMO support duration and hospitalization were four (range 2–32) and 30 days (range 8–50), respectively. All but two patients (with congenital diaphragmatic hernia), were weaned off ECMO and discharged home. At a mean follow up of 33.7 ± 29.2 months, all survivors were alive and well, without medications, and normal somatic growth. All but one had normal neuropsychological development. Conclusion: HandS ECMO model for neonates with life-threatening conditions is effective and successful. A specialized multidisciplinary team and close cooperation between Hub and Spoke centers are essential for success.
Computational Modeling of Dislocation Slip Mechanisms in Crystal Plasticity: A Short Review
Authors: Nguyen Khanh , Zhang Meijuan , Amores Víctor Jesús , Sanz Miguel A. , Montáns Francisco J.
Published: January 2021

The bridge between classical continuum plasticity and crystal plasticity is becoming narrower with continuously improved computational power and with engineers’ desire to obtain more information and better accuracy from their simulations, incorporating at the same time more effects about the microstructure of the material. This paper presents a short overview of the main current techniques employed in crystal plasticity formulations for finite element analysis, as to serve as a point of departure for researchers willing to incorporate microstructure effects in elastoplastic simulations. We include both classical and novel crystal plasticity formulations, as well as the different approaches to model dislocations in crystals.
A Best–Worst Measure of Attitudes toward Buying Seabream and Seabass Products: An Application to the Island of Gran Canaria
Authors: Cantillo Javier , Martín Juan Carlos , Román Concepción
Published: January 2021

Attitudes are important key drivers that affect consumers’ seafood consumption. The present investigation used a best–worst scaling approach to measure the level of importance and satisfaction of consumers’ attitudes towards the purchase of seabream and seabass in Gran Canaria (Spain). The investigation also compared the results of the best–worst scaling (BWS) approach with those of the traditional Likert-scale method and offers a different perspective of the results using an Importance–Satisfaction Analysis (ISA). The results indicate that the most important attributes concerned the hygiene and safety of the product, the health benefits, the freshness, the taste and the nutrients. At the same time, these attributes were ranked as those which satisfied consumers the most. However, some of the results obtained from the methodologies differed. The results suggest that, in the Likert-scale task, respondents might be overstating the importance and satisfaction of the attributes; while in the BWS, consumers were forced to evaluate a trade-off in the selection of the best and worst attributes in each scenario, so the task impeded, in principle, to define every attribute as very important and providing a high satisfaction. As a result, we consider that BWS offers more reliable and clearer results than traditional Likert-scale experiments.
Factors Associated with Quality of Dying and Death in Korean Intensive Care Units: Perceptions of Nurses
Authors: Lee Haeyoung , Choi Seung-Hye
Published: January 2021

The objective of this study was to investigate the factors affecting the quality of dying and death among terminally ill patients in an intensive care unit in Korea using a cross-sectional, online survey. A total of 300 nurses in the intensive care unit who had cared for a terminally ill patient for at least 48 h prior to death in the past six months were chosen to participate. The person-centered critical care nursing (PCCN) score and quality of dying and death (QODD) had a positive correlation. The QODD score increased when the consultation was conducted between the terminally ill patients and their doctors when CPR was not performed within 48 h of death, and when the PCCN score increased. The quality of death of patients is affected by whether they have sufficiently consulted with healthcare providers regarding their death and how much respect they receive. It is important for nurses to practice and improve patient-centered nursing care in order to ensure a good quality of death for terminally ill patients.
Optimal Span between Feet of Public Squat Toilet Based on Anthropometric Data and Squatting Stability Assessment
Authors: Chen Yi-Lang , Sari Resy Kumala , Liao Ying-Hua , Lin Wei-Cheng
Published: January 2021

Sitting toilets are preferred globally because they afford a relatively comfortable posture. However, squat toilets are among the most common toilets in numerous public areas because of their advantages, including personal hygiene, easy cleaning, and health benefits. This study attempted to determine optimal toilet design parameters and recruited 50 Taiwanese and 50 Southeast Asian women and collected span between feet (SBF) data for participants squatting in their most comfortable posture, and also surveyed maximum outer width (MOW) data of 28 public squat toilets in Taipei. Finally, we compared the squatting stability levels of 40 female participants (20 Taiwanese and 20 Southeast Asians) who squatted for 2 min at comfortable SBF and MOW-based SBF values. The results revealed that the minimum and maximum SBFs of Taiwanese were 14.52 cm and 18.40 cm, and that of Southeast Asians were 15.64 cm and 20.40 cm, respectively. No significant difference was observed in the SBFs between the two groups was observed. The mean (range) MOW of the surveyed toilets was 27.7 (27–29) cm. Analysis of variance results showed no difference in stability between the two SBFs. This implies that the comfortable SBF (i.e., 16 cm between the participants’ heels) was narrower than the MOW, as commonly used, indicating that the comfortable SBF can be considered as an optimal toilet width parameter because of its constant stability.
Simulation of Bay-Shaped Shorelines after the Construction of Large-Scale Structures by Using a Parabolic Bay Shape Equation
Authors: Lim Changbin , Lee Jooyong , Lee Jung Lyul
Published: January 2021

Among the various causes of coastal erosion, the installation of offshore breakwaters is considered the main cause that influences the most serious changes in shorelines. However, without a proper means for predicting such terrain changes, countries and regions continue to suffer from the aftermath of development projects on coastal land. It has been confirmed that the parabolic bay shape equation (PBSE) can accurately predict shoreline changes under the wave climate diffracted as a result of such development projects. This study developed a shoreline change model that has enhanced the previous shoreline change models by applying PBSE to shoreline changes into bay-shaped features. As an analytical comparison with the second term of the GENESIS model, which is an existing and well-known shoreline change model, a similar beach erosion width was obtained for a small beach slope. However, as the beach slope became larger, the result became smaller than that of the GENESIS model. The validity of the model was verified by applying it to satellite images that demonstrated the occurrence of shoreline changes caused by breakwaters for seaports on the eastern coast of Korea; Wonpyeong beach, Yeongrang beach, and Wolcheon beach. As a result, each studied site converged on the static equilibrium planform within several years. Simultaneously, the model enabled the coastal management of the arrangement of seaports to evaluate how the construction of structures causes serious shoreline changes by creating changes to wavefields.
Approximating Correlation Matrices Using Stochastic Lie Group Methods
Authors: Muniz Michelle , Ehrhardt Matthias , Günther Michael
Published: January 2021

Specifying time-dependent correlation matrices is a problem that occurs in several important areas of finance and risk management. The goal of this work is to tackle this problem by applying techniques of geometric integration in financial mathematics, i.e., to combine two fields of numerical mathematics that have not been studied yet jointly. Based on isospectral flows we create valid time-dependent correlation matrices, so called correlation flows, by solving a stochastic differential equation (SDE) that evolves in the special orthogonal group. Since the geometric structure of the special orthogonal group needs to be preserved we use stochastic Lie group integrators to solve this SDE. An application example is presented to illustrate this novel methodology.
A Random Walk Model for Spatial Galaxy Distribution
Authors: Uchaikin Vladimir V. , Litvinov Vladimir A. , Kozhemyakina Elena V. , Kozhemyakin Ilya I.
Published: January 2021

A new statistical model of spatial distribution of observed galaxies is described. Statistical correlations are involved by means of Markov chain ensembles, whose parameters are extracted from the observable power spectrum by adopting of the Uchaikin–Zolotarev ansatz. Markov chain trajectories with the Lévy–Feldheim distributed step lengths form the set of nodes imitating the positions of galaxy. The model plausibly reproduces the two-point correlation functions, cell-count data and some other important properties. It can effectively be used in the post-processing of astronomical data for cosmological studies.
Characterizations of Pareto-Nash Equilibria for Multiobjective Potential Population Games
Authors: Yang Guanghui , Li Chanchan , Pi Jinxiu , Wang Chun , Wu Wenjun , Yang Hui
Published: January 2021

This paper studies the characterizations of (weakly) Pareto-Nash equilibria for multiobjective population games with a vector-valued potential function called multiobjective potential population games, where agents synchronously maximize multiobjective functions with finite strategies via a partial order on the criteria-function set. In such games, multiobjective payoff functions are equal to the transpose of the Jacobi matrix of its potential function. For multiobjective potential population games, based on Kuhn-Tucker conditions of multiobjective optimization, a strongly (weakly) Kuhn-Tucker state is introduced for its vector-valued potential function and it is proven that each strongly (weakly) Kuhn-Tucker state is one (weakly) Pareto-Nash equilibrium. The converse is obtained for multiobjective potential population games with two strategies by utilizing Tucker’s Theorem of the alternative and Motzkin’s one of linear systems. Precisely, each (weakly) Pareto-Nash equilibrium is equivalent to a strongly (weakly) Kuhn-Tucker state for multiobjective potential population games with two strategies. These characterizations by a vector-valued approach are more comprehensive than an additive weighted method. Multiobjective potential population games are the extension of population potential games from a single objective to multiobjective cases. These novel results provide a theoretical basis for further computing (weakly) Pareto-Nash equilibria of multiobjective potential population games and their practical applications.
Loss of Motility as a Non-Lethal Mechanism for Intercolony Inhibition (“Sibling Rivalry”) in Marinobacter
Authors: Cruz-López Ricardo , Kolesinski Piotr , De Boever Frederik , Green David H. , Carrano Mary W. , Carrano Carl J.
Published: January 2021

Bacteria from the genus Marinobacter are ubiquitous throughout the worlds’ oceans as “opportunitrophs” capable of surviving a wide range of conditions, including colonization of surfaces of marine snow and algae. To prevent too many bacteria from occupying this ecological niche simultaneously, some sort of population dependent control must be operative. Here, we show that while Marinobacter do not produce or utilize an acylhomoserine lactone (AHL)-based quorum sensing system, “sibling” colonies of many species of Marinobacter exhibit a form of non-lethal chemical communication that prevents colonies from overrunning each other’s niche space. Evidence suggests that this inhibition is the result of a loss in motility for cells at the colony interfaces. Although not the signal itself, we have identified a protein, glycerophosphoryl diester phosphodiesterase, that is enriched in the inhibition zone between the spreading colonies that may be part of the overall response.