bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular Mechanism of Arsenic-Induced Neurotoxicity including Neuronal Dysfunctions
Authors: Thakur Manisha , Rachamalla Mahesh , Niyogi Som , Datusalia Ashok Kumar , Flora Swaran Jeet Singh
Published: September 2021

Arsenic is a key environmental toxicant having significant impacts on human health. Millions of people in developing countries such as Bangladesh, Mexico, Taiwan, and India are affected by arsenic contamination through groundwater. Environmental contamination of arsenic leads to leads to various types of cancers, coronary and neurological ailments in human. There are several sources of arsenic exposure such as drinking water, diet, wood preservatives, smoking, air and cosmetics, while, drinking water is the most explored route. Inorganic arsenic exhibits higher levels of toxicity compared its organic forms. Exposure to inorganic arsenic is known to cause major neurological effects such as cytotoxicity, chromosomal aberration, damage to cellular DNA and genotoxicity. On the other hand, long-term exposure to arsenic may cause neurobehavioral effects in the juvenile stage, which may have detrimental effects in the later stages of life. Thus, it is important to understand the toxicology and underlying molecular mechanism of arsenic which will help to mitigate its detrimental effects. The present review focuses on the epidemiology, and the toxic mechanisms responsible for arsenic induced neurobehavioral diseases, including strategies for its management from water, community and household premises. The review also provides a critical analysis of epigenetic and transgenerational modifications, mitochondrial oxidative stress, molecular mechanisms of arsenic-induced oxidative stress, and neuronal dysfunction.
A Guided Scratch Visual Execution Environment to Introduce Programming Concepts to CS1 Students
Authors: Hijón-Neira Raquel , Connolly Cornelia , Palacios-Alonso Daniel , Borrás-Gené Oriol
Published: September 2021

First-year computer science (CS1) university students traditionally have difficulties understanding how to program. This paper describes research introducing CS1 students to programming concepts using a Scratch programming language guided visual execution environment (VEE). The concepts addressed are those from an introductory programming course (sequences, variables, operators, conditionals, loops, and events and parallelism). The VEE guides novice students through programming concepts, explaining and guiding interactive exercises executed in Scratch by using metaphors and serious games. The objective of this study is, firstly, to investigate if a cohort of 124 CS1 students, from three distinct groups, studying at the same university, are able to improve their programming skills guided by the VEE. Secondly, is the improvement different for various programming concepts? All the CS1 students were taught the module by the same tutor in four 2-h sessions (8 h), and a qualitative research approach was adopted. The results show students significantly improved their programming knowledge, and this improvement is significant for all the programming concepts, although greater for certain concepts such as operators, conditionals, and loops than others. It also shows that students lacked initial knowledge of events and parallelism, though most had used Scratch during their high school years. The sequence concept was the most popular concept known to them. A collateral finding in this study is how the students’ previous knowledge and learning gaps affected grades they required to access and begin study at the university level.
Investigating Complimentary E-Marketing Strategy for Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises at Growth Stage in Taiwan
Authors: Lin Chiu-Ching
Published: September 2021

Globally, 95% of enterprises are small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Social media has recently become a powerful marketing tool due to characteristics such as the ability to share digital information and interact with consumers instantly. In SMEs, limited budgets restrict the use of social media as marketing tools. Thus, complimentary use of social media may be an alternative method for SMEs to maximize their marketing strategies. This study identifies what marketing goals are important for SME growth and how complimentary social media are used for attaining marketing goals. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) analysis was conducted to confirm the order of local weights and global weights for marketing goals and complimentary social media. We found that the order of local weights for marketing goals for SMEs in the growth phase is brand awareness > online purchase > sales potential. The order of global weights for complimentary social media to meet above marketing goals is Facebook > PIXNET > Twitter > Instagram > YouTube > LINE. Finally, we used an SME from Taiwan as a case study to ensure that the application of the above complimentary social media can meet above marketing goals and potentially increase the survival of SMEs at the growth phase in Taiwan.
Examining the Determinants of Facebook Continuance Intention and Addiction: The Moderating Role of Satisfaction and Trust
Authors: Maqableh Mahmoud , Obeidat Zaid , Obeidat Ahmad , Jaradat Mais , Shah Mahmood Hussain , Masa’deh Ra’ed
Published: September 2021

Social media addiction has undergone a remarkable transformation among regular users, but limited research has been conducted on exploring the antecedents of addiction. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between continuance intention and addiction. Moreover, it investigates the moderating role of satisfaction and trust on the relationship between continuance intention and addiction. The developed conceptual model suggests that continuance intention is the antecedent of addiction, while satisfaction and trust act as moderators between continuance intention and addiction. The antecedents of continuance intention are emotional, informational, social, and hedonic values. A survey was conducted to collect data from 572 voluntary participants, and the analysis was performed using SPSS and AMOS. The statistical result showed the effects of emotional, informational, and hedonic values on Facebook use continuance intention, but the effect of social value was not supported. Results also confirmed a significant effect of continuance intention on Facebook addiction. Additionally, it confirmed the moderating role of satisfaction on the impact of continuance intention on Facebook addiction, but the moderating role of trust was not supported. The results of this study provide insight for Facebook users, managers, and policymakers regarding treatment and intervention for Facebook addiction. It discusses several theoretical and practical implications. In this research, we proposed a new model based on extending the associations between perceived value and continuance behaviours theory.
New Cytogenetic Photomap and Molecular Diagnostics for the Cryptic Species of the Malaria Mosquitoes Anopheles messeae and Anopheles daciae from Eurasia
Authors: Artemov Gleb N. , Fedorova Valentina S. , Karagodin Dmitriy A. , Brusentsov Ilya I. , Baricheva Elina M. , Sharakhov Igor V. , Gordeev Mikhail I. , Sharakhova Maria V.
Published: September 2021

The Eurasian malaria vector Anopheles messeae is a widely spread and genetically diverse species. Five widespread polymorphic chromosomal inversions were found in natural populations of this mosquito. A cryptic species, Anopheles daciae, was differentiated from An. messeae by the presence of several nucleotide substitutions in the Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 (ITS2) region of ribosomal DNA. However, because of the absence of a high-quality reference cytogenetic map, the inversion polymorphisms in An. daciae and An. messeae remain poorly understood. Moreover, a recently determined heterogeneity in ITS2 in An. daciae questioned the accuracy of the previously used Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) assay for species diagnostics. In this study, a standard-universal cytogenetic map was constructed based on orcein stained images of chromosomes from salivary glands for population studies of the chromosomal inversions that can be used for both An. messeae and An. daciae. In addition, a new ITS2-RFLP approach for species diagnostics was developed. Both methods were applied to characterize inversion polymorphism in populations of An. messeae and An. daciae from a single location in Western Siberia in Russia. The analysis demonstrates that cryptic species are remarkably different in their frequencies of chromosomal inversion variants. Our study supports previous observations that An. messeae has higher inversion polymorphism in all autosomes than the cryptic species An. daciae.
Comparative Analysis of Transposable Elements in Genus Calliptamus Grasshoppers Revealed That Satellite DNA Contributes to Genome Size Variation
Authors: Majid Muhammad , Yuan Huang
Published: September 2021

Transposable elements (TEs) play a significant role in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes genome size evolution, structural changes, duplication, and functional variabilities. However, the large number of different repetitive DNA has hindered the process of assembling reference genomes, and the genus level TEs diversification of the grasshopper massive genomes is still under investigation. The genus Calliptamus diverged from Peripolus around 17 mya and its species divergence dated back about 8.5 mya, but their genome size shows rather large differences. Here, we used low-coverage Illumina unassembled short reads to investigate the effects of evolutionary dynamics of satDNAs and TEs on genome size variations. The Repeatexplorer2 analysis with 0.5X data resulted in 52%, 56%, and 55% as repetitive elements in the genomes of Calliptamus barbarus, Calliptamus italicus, and Calliptamus abbreviatus, respectively. The LINE and Ty3-gypsy LTR retrotransposons and TcMar-Tc1 dominated the repeatomes of all genomes, accounting for 16–35% of the total genomes of these species. Comparative analysis unveiled that most of the transposable elements (TEs) except satDNAs were highly conserved across three genomes in the genus Calliptamus grasshoppers. Out of a total of 20 satDNA families, 17 satDNA families were commonly shared with minor variations in abundance and divergence between three genomes, and 3 were Calliptamus barbarus specific. Our findings suggest that there is a significant amplification or contraction of satDNAs at genus phylogeny which is the main cause that made genome size different.
Role of lncRNAs in the Development of an Aggressive Phenotype in Gallbladder Cancer
Authors: Pérez-Moreno Pablo , Riquelme Ismael , Brebi Priscilla , Roa Juan
Published: September 2021

Long non-coding RNAs are sequences longer than 200 nucleotides that are involved in different normal and abnormal biological processes exerting their effect on proliferation and differentiation, among other cell features. Functionally, lncRNAs can regulate gene expression within the cells by acting at transcriptional, post-transcriptional, translational, or post-translational levels. However, in pathological conditions such as cancer, the expression of these molecules is deregulated, becoming elements that can help in the acquisition of tumoral characteristics in the cells that trigger carcinogenesis and cancer progression. Specifically, in gallbladder cancer (GBC), recent publications have shown that lncRNAs participate in the acquisition of an aggressive phenotype in cancer cells, allowing them to acquire increased malignant capacities such as chemotherapy resistance or metastasis, inducing a worse survival in these patients. Furthermore, lncRNAs are useful as prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers since they have been shown to be differentially expressed in tumor tissues and serum of individuals with GBC. Therefore, this review will address different lncRNAs that could be promoting malignant phenotypic characteristics in GBC cells and lncRNAs that may be useful as markers due to their capability to predict a poor prognosis in GBC patients.
Effects of Metolazone Administration on Congestion, Diuretic Response and Renal Function in Patients with Advanced Heart Failure
Authors: Palazzuoli Alberto , Ruocco Gaetano , Severino Paolo , Gennari Luigi , Pirrotta Filippo , Stefanini Andrea , Tramonte Francesco , Feola Mauro , Mancone Massimo , Fedele Francesco
Published: September 2021

Background: Advanced heart failure (HF) is a condition often requiring elevated doses of loop diuretics. Therefore, these patients often experience poor diuretic response. Both conditions have a detrimental impact on prognosis and hospitalization. Aims: This retrospective, multicenter study evaluates the effect of the addition of oral metolazone on diuretic response (DR), clinical congestion, NTproBNP values, and renal function over hospitalization phase. Follow-up analysis for a 6-month follow-up period was performed. Methods: We enrolled 132 patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) in advanced NYHA class with reduced ejection fraction (EF < 40%) taking a mean furosemide amount of 250 ± 120 mg/day. Sixty-five patients received traditional loop diuretic treatment plus metolazone (Group M). The mean dose ranged from 7.5 to 15 mg for one week. Sixty-seven patients continued the furosemide (Group F). Congestion score was evaluated according to the ESC recommendations. DR was assessed by the formula diuresis/40 mg of furosemide. Results: Patients in Group M and patients in Group F showed a similar prevalence of baseline clinical congestion (3.1 ± 0.7 in Group F vs. 3 ± 0.8 in Group M) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) (51% in Group M vs. 57% in Group F; p = 0.38). Patients in Group M experienced a better congestion score at discharge compared to patients in Group F (C score: 1 ± 1 in Group M vs. 3 ± 1 in Group F p > 0.05). Clinical congestion resolution was also associated with weight reduction (−6 ± 2 in Group M vs. −3 ± 1 kg in Group F, p < 0.05). Better DR response was observed in Group M compared to F (940 ± 149 mL/40 mgFUROSEMIDE/die vs. 541 ± 314 mL/40 mgFUROSEMIDE/die; p < 0.01), whereas median ΔNTproBNP remained similar between the two groups (−4819 ± 8718 in Group M vs. −3954 ± 5560 pg/mL in Group F NS). These data were associated with better daily diuresis during hospitalization in Group M (2820 ± 900 vs. 2050 ± 1120 mL p < 0.05). No differences were found in terms of WRF development and electrolyte unbalance at discharge, although Group M had a significant saline solution administration during hospitalization. Follow-up analysis did not differ between the group but a reduced trend for recurrent hospitalization was observed in the M group (26% vs. 38%). Conclusions: Metolazone administration could be helpful in patients taking an elevated loop diuretics dose. Use of thiazide therapy is associated with better decongestion and DR. Current findings could suggest positive insights due to the reduced amount of loop diuretics in patients with advanced HF.
Burden of COVID-19 Pandemic Perceived by Polish Patients with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Pokryszko-Dragan Anna , Chojdak-Łukasiewicz Justyna , Gruszka Ewa , Pawłowski Marcin , Pawłowski Tomasz , Rudkowska-Mytych Anna , Rymaszewska Joanna , Budrewicz Sławomir
Published: September 2021

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) were expected to be particularly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the burden of pandemic, perceived by Polish MS patients, with regard to major contributing factors. The survey, conducted in August/September 2020, included: Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced (Brief–COPE), questions on demographic data, MS characteristics, and health-related and social aspects of pandemic burden. Relationships were searched between PSS-10 and Mini-COPE results and other analyzed items, using U Mann–Whitney test, Kruskal–Wallis ANOVA rank test and Spearman rank correlation. The survey was answered by 287 MS patients (208 female, 79 male, aged 21–69 years). Since March 2020, 2.4% of respondents had been positive for COVID-19 and 5.2% had undergone a quarantine. Mean PSS-10 score was 19.99, with moderate or high level of stress in 83.3% of respondents. Problem-focused strategies were more frequently used than emotion-focused strategies (1.76 vs. 1.16). Higher PSS-10 score was associated with comorbidities (H = 4.28), increase in major MS symptoms during the pandemic (21.92 vs. 18.06), experience of healthcare limitations (21.12 vs. 17.98), work-related (22.58 vs. 18.69), financial (22.70 vs. 18.83) and family-related problems (22.54 vs. 17.73) due to pandemic restrictions. A coping model was associated with functional disability and limitations to daily activities (H = 7.81). During the first stage of the pandemic, MS patients reported increased level of stress and preferred problem-focused coping. The level of stress and coping showed more relationships with pandemic impact upon social issues than with MS-related variables.
Continuous Remote Patient Monitoring Shows Early Cardiovascular Changes in COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Eisenkraft Arik , Maor Yasmin , Constantini Keren , Goldstein Nir , Nachman Dean , Levy Ran , Halberthal Michael , Horowitz Netanel A. , Golan Ron , Rosenberg Elli , Lavon Eitan , Cohen Ornit , Shapira Guy , Shomron Noam , Ishay Arik Ben , Sand Efrat , Merin Roei , Fons Meir , Littman Romi , Gepner Yftach
Published: September 2021

COVID-19 exerts deleterious cardiopulmonary effects, leading to a worse prognosis in the most affected. This retrospective multi-center observational cohort study aimed to analyze the trajectories of key vitals amongst hospitalized COVID-19 patients using a chest-patch wearable providing continuous remote patient monitoring of numerous vital signs. The study was conducted in five COVID-19 isolation units. A total of 492 COVID-19 patients were included in the final analysis. Physiological parameters were measured every 15 min. More than 3 million measurements were collected including heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, cardiac output, cardiac index, systemic vascular resistance, respiratory rate, blood oxygen saturation, and body temperature. Cardiovascular deterioration appeared early after admission and in parallel with changes in the respiratory parameters, showing a significant difference in trajectories within sub-populations at high risk. Early detection of cardiovascular deterioration of COVID-19 patients is achievable when using frequent remote patient monitoring.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Neutrophil–Lymphocyte Ratio: A Systematic Scoping Review
Authors: Langley Blake O. , Guedry Sara E. , Goldenberg Joshua Z. , Hanes Douglas A. , Beardsley Jennifer A. , Ryan Jennifer Joan
Published: September 2021

Neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a biomarker of the systemic inflammatory response. The objective of this systematic scoping review was to examine the literature on NLR and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). PubMed, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, CINAHL, ClinicalTrials.gov, Cochrane Specialized Register, DOAJ, PDQT, Biosis Citation Index, Scopus, and Web of Science were systematically searched. A total of 2621 citations yielding 62 primary studies were synthesized under four categories: distinguishing patients with IBD from controls, disease activity differentiation, clinical outcome prediction, and association of NLR with other IBD biomarkers. Thirty-eight studies employed receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to generate optimal NLR cutpoints for applications including disease activity differentiation and prediction of response to treatment. Among the most promising findings, NLR may have utility for clinical and endoscopic disease activity differentiation and prediction of loss of response to infliximab (IFX). Overall findings suggest NLR may be a promising IBD biomarker. Assessment of NLR is non-invasive, low cost, and widely accessible given NLR is easily calculated from blood count data routinely and serially monitored in patients with IBD. Further research is justified to elucidate how evaluation of NLR in research and clinical practice would directly impact the quality and cost of care for patients living with IBD.
Effect of Intra- and Post-Operative Fluid and Blood Volume on Postoperative Pulmonary Edema in Patients with Intraoperative Massive Bleeding
Authors: Kwon Young-Suk , Kim Haewon , Lee Hanna , Kim Jong-Ho , Jang Ji-Su , Hwang Sung-Mi , Hong Ji-Young , Yang Go-Eun , Kim Youngmi , Lee Jae-Jun
Published: September 2021

In patients with intraoperative massive bleeding, the effects of fluid and blood volume on postoperative pulmonary edema are uncertain. Patients with intraoperative massive bleeding who had undergone a non-cardiac surgery in five hospitals were enrolled in this study. We evaluated the association of postoperative pulmonary edema risk and intra- and post-operatively administered fluid and blood volumes in patients with intraoperative massive bleeding. In total, 2090 patients were included in the postoperative pulmonary edema analysis, and 300 patients developed pulmonary edema within 72 h of the surgery. The postoperative pulmonary edema with hypoxemia analysis included 1660 patients, and the condition occurred in 161 patients. An increase in the amount of red blood cells transfused per hour after surgery increased the risk of pulmonary edema (hazard ratio: 1.03; 95% confidence interval: 1.01–1.05; p = 0.013) and the risk of pulmonary edema with hypoxemia (hazard ratio: 1.04; 95% confidence interval: 1.01–1.07; p = 0.024). An increase in the red blood cells transfused per hour after surgery increased the risk of developing pulmonary edema. This increase can be considered as a risk factor for pulmonary edema.
Prevalence and Incidence of Osteoarthritis: A Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Hamood Rola , Tirosh Matanya , Fallach Noga , Chodick Gabriel , Eisenberg Elon , Lubovsky Omri
Published: September 2021

While trends data of osteoarthritis (OA) are accumulating, primarily from Western Europe and the US, a gap persists in the knowledge of OA epidemiology in Middle Eastern populations. This study aimed to explore the prevalence, incidence, correlations, and temporal trends of OA in Israel during 2013–2018, using a nationally representative primary care database. On 31 December 2018, a total of 180,126 OA patients were identified, representing a point prevalence of 115.3 per 1000 persons (95% CI, 114.8–115.8 per 1000 persons). Geographically, OA prevalence was not uniformly distributed, with the Southern and Northern peripheral districts having a higher prevalence than the rest of the Israeli regions. OA incidence increased over time from 7.36 per 1000 persons (95% CI 6.21–7.50 per 1000 persons) in 2013 to 8.23 per 1000 persons (95% CI 8.09–8.38 per 1000 persons) in 2017 (p-value for trend = 0.02). The incidence was lowest in patients under 60 years (in both sexes) and peaked at 60–70 years. In older ages, the incidence leveled off in men and declined in women. The growing risk of OA warrants a greater attention to timely preventive and therapeutic interventions. Further population-based studies in the Middle East are needed to identify modifiable risk factors for timely preventive and therapeutic interventions.
Implicit and Explicit Memory in Youths with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Fucà Elisa , Lazzaro Giulia , Costanzo Floriana , Di Vara Silvia , Menghini Deny , Vicari Stefano
Published: September 2021

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) usually manifest heterogeneous impairments in their higher cognitive functions, including their implicit memory (IM) and explicit memory (EM). However, the findings on IM and EM in youths with ASD remain debated. The aim of this study was to clarify such conflicting results by examining IM and EM using two comparable versions of the Serial Reaction Time Task (SRTT) in the same group of children and adolescents with ASD. Twenty-five youths with high-functioning ASD and 29 age-matched and IQ-matched typically developing youths undertook both tasks. The ability to implicitly learn the temporal sequence of events across the blocks in the SRTT was intact in the youths with ASD. When they were tested for EM, the participants with ASD did not experience a significant reduction in their reaction times during the blocks with the previously learned sequence, suggesting an impairment in EM. Moreover, the participants with ASD were less accurate and made more omissions than the controls in the EM task. The implications of these findings for the establishment of tailored educational programs for children with high-functioning ASD are discussed.
Impact of Bedside Re-Explorations in a Cardiovascular Surgery Intensive Care Unit Led by Surgeons
Authors: Affronti Alessandro , Sandoval Elena , Muro Anna , Hernández-Campo Jose , Quintana Eduard , Pereda Daniel , Alcocer Jorge , Pruna-Guillen Robert , Castellà Manuel
Published: September 2021

Surgical re-explorations represent 3–5% of all cardiac surgery. Concerns regarding mortality and major morbidity of re-explorations in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting exist. We sought to investigate whether they may have different outcomes compared with those performed in the operating room (OR). Single center retrospective review of patients who underwent mediastinal re-exploration in the ICU or in the OR after cardiac surgery. Mediastinal re-explorations were also classified as: “planned” and “unplanned”. Primary outcome was 30-day mortality, secondary outcomes include deep sternal wound infection (DSWI), sepsis, ICU and hospital length of stay, prolonged intubation (>72 h), tracheostomy, pneumonia, acute kidney injury requiring dialysis and stroke. Between 2010 and 2019, 195 of 7263 patients (2.7%) underwent mediastinal re-exploration after cardiac surgery. More patients in the ICU group experienced two or more re-explorations (30.3% vs. 2.3%, p < 0.001), a higher incidence of postoperative pneumonia (22% vs. 7%, p = 0.004), prolonged intubation (46.8% vs. 19.8%, p < 0.001) and longer hospital stay (30.3 ± 34.2 vs. 20.8 ± 18.3 days, p = 0.014). There were no differences in mortality between ICU and OR (16.5% vs. 13.9%, p = 0.24) nor in sepsis (14.7% vs. 7%, p = 0.91) and DSWI rates (1.8% vs. 1.2%, p = 0.14). Re-explorations in the ICU were not associated with increased mortality, sepsis and mediastinitis rate.
Anatomy, Morphology and Function of the Tensor of Vastus Intermedius: A Systematic Review
Authors: Sahinis Chrysostomos , Kellis Eleftherios
Published: September 2021

The tensor of vastus intermedius is a newly discovered muscle that is located at the anterior compartment of the thigh. The aim of the present study is to report, assess and synthetize the existing evidence on the anatomy, variation and morphological characteristics of the TVI as well as to examine its clinical importance. A systematic review was performed evaluating both anatomical and medical imaging studies which provided information about TVI anatomy, prevalence, variations and morphological characteristics. The search strategy was conducted in major electronic databases. Two reviewers worked independently to screen all possible references via a title/abstract examination. Methodological quality was examined with the Anatomical Quality Assurance checklist. A total of 295 cadaveric knees were included in the nine studies where in 244 (82.7%) cases the TVI was identified. Based on this evidence, it appears that the TVI is located between the vastus lateralis and vastus intermedius. The muscle belly is located proximally, and it is combined with a broad and flat aponeurosis before forming a tendinous structure that is attached at the medial aspect of the patella. The TVI presented some morphological variations and complex muscle architecture that varied along its length. There is insufficient good quality evidence as more than half of the included studies were ranked as having a “High” risk of bias with various methodological issues. Higher quality studies are recommended to evaluate the TVI morphology to better understand its functional and clinical importance.
Systematizing Audit in Algorithmic Recruitment
Authors: Kazim Emre , Koshiyama Adriano Soares , Hilliard Airlie , Polle Roseline
Published: September 2021

Business psychologists study and assess relevant individual differences, such as intelligence and personality, in the context of work. Such studies have informed the development of artificial intelligence systems (AI) designed to measure individual differences. This has been capitalized on by companies who have developed AI-driven recruitment solutions that include aggregation of appropriate candidates (Hiretual), interviewing through a chatbot (Paradox), video interview assessment (MyInterview), and CV-analysis (Textio), as well as estimation of psychometric characteristics through image-(Traitify) and game-based assessments (HireVue) and video interviews (Cammio). However, driven by concern that such high-impact technology must be used responsibly due to the potential for unfair hiring to result from the algorithms used by these tools, there is an active effort towards proving mechanisms of governance for such automation. In this article, we apply a systematic algorithm audit framework in the context of the ethically critical industry of algorithmic recruitment systems, exploring how audit assessments on AI-driven systems can be used to assure that such systems are being responsibly deployed in a fair and well-governed manner. We outline sources of risk for the use of algorithmic hiring tools, suggest the most appropriate opportunities for audits to take place, recommend ways to measure bias in algorithms, and discuss the transparency of algorithms.
Numerical Study on the Tank Heel Determination Using Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics
Authors: Park Kyu-Sik , Luong Hung-Truyen , Choung Joonmo
Published: September 2021

Tank heel minimization is a significant issue in the design of LNG fuel tanks because it is associated with stable suction pump operation and thermal shock requirements during LNG bunkering. This study examined how the LNG tank heel is minimized, maintaining a suction pump fully submerged in LNG during dynamic vessel motion. The study assumed two LNG fuel tanks mounted on the forward deck of a 50,000 deadweight class oil product carrier. Information on the dimensions and shape of the LNG fuel tank was determined from Wartsila’s brochure, and the specifications of Vanzetti’s suction pump were referred to. The LNG fuel tank and LNG heel were modeled as rigid elements and hydrodynamically smoothed-particles, respectively. The number of particles could be determined by performing even keel analyzes by adding or subtracting particles until the target head was satisfied under the gravity load. To simulate the motion of the LNG fuel tank, the pitch and roll periods and amplitudes of the ship were calculated using the DNV classification rules. Visual observations of the dynamic flow during the pitch and roll motions with respect to the ship’s center of mass showed that the roll motion was more critical from the viewpoint of the LNG heel than the pitch motion. After performing the simulations for three cycles of roll and pitch motions, the suction pump submergence was reviewed in the last cycle. Under the conditions assumed in this study, a filling ratio of 15% was determined as the minimum LNG tank heel. Although the LNG heel has customarily been determined, the LNG heel needs to be determined through hydrodynamic analyses of each vessel because it depends on the shape of the fuel tank and the vessel motion characteristics.
Metabolic Profiling and Metabolite Correlation Network Analysis Reveal That Fusarium solani Induces Differential Metabolic Responses in Lotus japonicus and Lotus tenuis against Severe Phosphate Starvation
Authors: Nieva Amira Susana , Romero Fernando Matías , Erban Alexander , Carrasco Pedro , Ruiz Oscar Adolfo , Kopka Joachim
Published: September 2021

Root fungal endophytes are essential mediators of plant nutrition under mild stress conditions. However, variations in the rhizosphere environment, such as nutrient depletion, could result in a stressful situation for both partners, shifting mutualistic to nonconvenient interactions. Mycorrhizal fungi and dark septate endophytes (DSEs) have demonstrated their ability to facilitate phosphate (Pi) acquisition. However, few studies have investigated other plant–fungal interactions that take place in the root environment with regard to phosphate nutrition. In the present research work, we aimed to analyze the effect of extreme Pi starvation and the fungal endophyte Fusarium solani on the model Lotus japonicus and the crop L. tenuis. We conducted metabolomics analysis based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) on plant tissues under optimal conditions, severe Pi starvation and F.solani presence. By combining statistical and correlation network analysis strategies, we demonstrated the differential outcomes of the two plant species against the combination of treatments. The combination of nutritional stress and Fusarium presence activated significant modifications in the metabolism of L. japonicus affecting the levels of sugars, polyols and some amino acids. Our results display potential markers for further inspection of the factors related to plant nutrition and plant–fungal interactions.
White Rot Fungi (Hymenochaetales) and Esca of Grapevine: Insights from Recent Microbiome Studies
Authors: Del Frari Giovanni , Oliveira Helena , Boavida Ferreira Ricardo
Published: September 2021

Esca is a major grapevine trunk disease that heavily affects vineyards in the Northern hemisphere. The etiology and epidemiology of this disease have been subject of dispute ever since the earliest disease reports. The reason behind such debate is the presence of multiple internal and external symptoms, as well as several putative and confirmed wood pathogens. While the role of pathogenic fungi, as causal agents of wood symptoms, has been thoroughly assessed, their role in the expression of leaf symptoms remains to be fully elucidated. In this review, we analyzed etiological and epidemiological data, with a special focus on the microbiological aspect of esca and the involvement of Hymenochaetales (Basidiomycota). Vineyard studies have associated leaf symptoms with the presence of white rot, most frequently caused by Fomitiporia mediterranea (Hymenochaetales), while tracheomycotic fungi are commonly found, with similar abundance, in symptomatic and asymptomatic vines. Pathogenicity trials have excluded a direct effect of Hymenochaetales species in triggering leaf symptoms, while the data concerning the role of tracheomycotic fungi remains controversial. Recent microbiome studies confirmed that F. mediterranea is more abundant in leaf-symptomatic vines, and treatments that effectively control leaf symptoms, such as sodium arsenite spray and trunk surgery, act directly on the abundance of F. mediterranea or on the presence of white rot. This suggest that the simultaneous presence of Hymenochaetales and tracheomycotic fungi is a pre-requisite for leaf symptoms; however, the relation among fungal pathogens, grapevine and other biotic and abiotic factors needs further investigation.
Neopestalotiopsis Species Associated with Flower Diseases of Macadamia integrifolia in Australia
Authors: Prasannath Kandeeparoopan , Shivas Roger G. , Galea Victor J. , Akinsanmi Olufemi A.
Published: September 2021

Macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia) is native to eastern Australia and produces an edible nut that is extensively cultivated in commercial orchards in several countries. Little is known about the diversity of fungi associated with diseases of macadamia inflorescences. A survey of fungi associated with the dry flower disease of macadamia detected several isolates of Neopestalotiopsis (Pestalotiopsidaceae, Sordariomycetes). Five new species of Neopestalotiopsis were identified based on molecular phylogenetic analyses of concatenated gene sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), β-tubulin (TUB), and the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1α). The new species are named Neopestalotiopsis drenthii, N. maddoxii, N. olumideae, N. vheenae, and N. zakeelii, and are described by molecular, morphological, and cultural characteristics. The ecology of the isolates and their pathogenic, saprophytic, or commensal ability were not determined.
αβ-T Cells Engineered to Express γδ-T Cell Receptors Can Kill Neuroblastoma Organoids Independent of MHC-I Expression
Authors: Strijker Josephine G. M. , Pscheid Ronja , Drent Esther , van der Hoek Jessica J. F. , Koopmans Bianca , Ober Kimberley , van Hooff Sander R. , Kholosy Waleed M. , Cornel Annelisa M. , Coomans Chris , Bisso Andrea , van Loenen Marleen M. , Molenaar Jan J. , Wienke Judith
Published: September 2021

Currently ~50% of patients with a diagnosis of high-risk neuroblastoma will not survive due to relapsing or refractory disease. Recent innovations in immunotherapy for solid tumors are highly promising, but the low MHC-I expression of neuroblastoma represents a major challenge for T cell-mediated immunotherapy. Here, we propose a novel T cell-based immunotherapy approach for neuroblastoma, based on the use of TEG002, αβ-T cells engineered to express a defined γδ-T cell receptor, which can recognize and kill target cells independent of MHC-I. In a co-culture killing assay, we showed that 3 out of 6 neuroblastoma organoids could activate TEG002 as measured by IFNγ production. Transcriptional profiling showed this effect correlates with an increased activity of processes involved in interferon signaling and extracellular matrix organization. Analysis of the dynamics of organoid killing by TEG002 over time confirmed that organoids which induced TEG002 activation were efficiently killed independent of their MHC-I expression. Of note, efficacy of TEG002 treatment was superior to donor-matched untransduced αβ-T cells or endogenous γδ-T cells. Our data suggest that TEG002 may be a promising novel treatment option for a subset of neuroblastoma patients.
Dienogest and the Risk of Reoperation in Endometriosis
Authors: Seo Yong-Soo , Yuk Jin-Sung , Cho Yong-Kyoon , Shin Ji-Yeon
Published: September 2021

Background: This retrospective cohort study aimed to determine whether there is a difference in reoperation rates between patients who used dienogest (DNG) and patients who did not use DNG. Methods: Using Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) data generated between 1 January 2010 and 30 June 2018, we identified women with an endometriosis diagnosis code who used GnRH agonists after gynecological surgery. Among them, women prescribed DNG were selected as the DNG group, and those who did not receive DNG were selected as the control group. A survival analysis of the reoperation between the two groups was performed. Results: DNG and control groups were extracted from 9735 people each. The reoperation rates were 0.4% and 0.6% in the DNG and control groups, respectively, without adjusting. In the Cox proportional risk analysis, DNG use increased the reoperation rate {hazard ratio (HR), 1.599; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.005–2.545}. The site of endometriosis and the number of GnRH agonist injections were not associated with reoperation (HR, 1.008; 95% CI, 0.739–1.374; HR, 1.062; 95% CI, 0.690–1.635). In the subgroup survival analysis, according to the period between the last GnRH agonist injection and the first DNG dose, DNG did not increase the reoperation rates up to 9 months (~3 months: HR, 0.968; 95% CI, 0.551–1.699; 4~6 months: HR, 1.094; 95% CI, 0.58–2.063; 7~9 months: HR, 2.419; 95% CI, 0.735–7.962), but DNG increased the reoperation rate from 10 months onwards (10~12 months: HR, 3.826; 95% CI, 1.164–12.579 and ~13 months: HR, 8.436; 95% CI, 4.722–15.072). Conclusions: Women who used DNG had a higher endometriosis reoperation rate than women who did not use DNG. However, the initiation of DNG treatment within nine months after the last GnRH agonist injection did not affect the endometriosis reoperation rate.
Do Inflation Expectations Matter for Small, Open Economies? Empirical Evidence from the Solomon Islands
Authors: Rohoia Angeline B. , Sharma Parmendra
Published: September 2021

This paper examines the role of inflation expectations in Solomon Islands, a Pacific Island Country, using the Hybrid New Keynesian Phillips Curve model. The study applies the Generalized Method of Moments to estimate the Hybrid New Keynesian Philips Curve model using quarterly time series data for the period 2003–2017. The study confirms the existence of a Hybrid New Keynesian Philips Curve for Solomon Islands and finds that both backward-looking and forward-looking processes matter for inflation. Fuel prices and output gap are important indicators of current inflation. The study highlights key areas to further investigate including the weak monetary transmission mechanism and to examine the exchange rate pass through effect onto domestic prices. Studies on the role of inflation expectations in small, open, economies of the Pacific, such as Solomon Islands, is limited. This paper fills this void in literature by using quarterly time-series data to build a Hybrid New Keynesian Philips Curve model for Solomon Islands.
Predicting Insolvency of the Construction Companies in the Creditworthiness Assessment Process—Empirical Evidence from Poland
Authors: Balina Rafał , Idasz-Balina Marta , Achsani Noer Azam
Published: September 2021

Prediction insolvency is one of the most important issues during creditworthiness assessment, especially in the turmoil environment. That is why the problem of insolvency and bankruptcy prediction has been the subject of numerous studies focused on its causes, consequences, and prediction. The main goal of the study was to develop a prediction model that can be effectively used in practice to analyze and signal the risk of insolvency and bankruptcy of a construction firms. Also, the research must identify the key factors that would allow for early identification of the symptoms of the upcoming financial failure of companies from a construction sector. To reach the goal of the study discriminant analysis, logistic regression and classification trees were used. The final estimated models included nine variables related to the profitability; revenues; liquidity; asset’s structure; and dynamics of own and foreign capitals, some of which referred to the industry and market situation in a construct sector, which is a novelty compared to previous research. What is more, results show that the method chosen to estimate the insolvency prediction model could have an impact on both partial and general effectiveness in the process of creditworthiness assessment.
Observed Methane Uptake and Emissions at the Ecosystem Scale and Environmental Controls in a Subtropical Forest
Authors: Wang Hui , Li Hong , Liu Zhihao , Lv Jianhua , Song Xinzhang , Li Quan , Jiang Hong , Peng Changhui
Published: September 2021

Methane (CH4) is one of the three most important greenhouse gases. To date, observations of ecosystem-scale methane (CH4) fluxes in forests are currently lacking in the global CH4 budget. The environmental factors controlling CH4 flux dynamics remain poorly understood at the ecosystem scale. In this study, we used a state-of-the-art eddy covariance technique to continuously measure the CH4 flux from 2016 to 2018 in a subtropical forest of Zhejiang Province in China, quantify the annual CH4 budget and investigate its control factors. We found that the total annual CH4 budget was 1.15 ± 0.28~4.79 ± 0.49 g CH4 m−2 year−1 for 2017–2018. The daily CH4 flux reached an emission peak of 0.145 g m−2 d−1 during winter and an uptake peak of −0.142 g m−2 d−1 in summer. During the whole study period, the studied forest region acted as a CH4 source (78.65%) during winter and a sink (21.35%) in summer. Soil temperature had a negative relationship (p < 0.01; R2 = 0.344) with CH4 flux but had a positive relationship with soil moisture (p < 0.01; R2 = 0.348). Our results showed that soil temperature and moisture were the most important factors controlling the ecosystem-scale CH4 flux dynamics of subtropical forests in the Tianmu Mountain Nature Reserve in Zhejiang Province, China. Subtropical forest ecosystems in China acted as a net source of methane emissions from 2016 to 2018, providing positive feedback to global climate warming.
Exploring Spatio-Temporal Patterns of Urban Village Redevelopment: The Case of Shenzhen, China
Authors: Lai Yani , Jiang Lin , Xu Xiaoxiao
Published: September 2021

The redevelopment of urban villages is a prominent part of urban renewal in China, which has attracted much attention from the academic community. However, the understanding of when and where the redevelopment of urban villages occurs is still limited partly because of the lack of empirical analysis. Through exploratory spatial data and overlay analyses, this study examines the spatio-temporal distribution characteristics based on data from 277 urban village redevelopment projects in Shenzhen, China, between 2010 and 2018. Results demonstrate that the redevelopment of urban villages occurs in central and suburban areas but rarely occurs in the periphery of the city. The overall spatial distribution is spatially clustered, having become increasingly significant from 2010 to 2018. In the beginning, the redevelopment of urban villages was dispersed in diverse areas and partly expanded into adjacent neighbourhoods. A majority of redevelopment took place in areas near the planning urban centres and the planning subway stations, which are almost in Density Zones I–III. The findings of this study contribute to new spatio-temporal perspectives in the global process mechanism of urban village redevelopment and call for special attention to the significant influences of state intervention, which is an informative reference for future sustainable urban development.
Application of the Adaptive Cycle and Panarchy in La Marjaleria Social-Ecological System: Reflections for Operability
Authors: Escamilla Nacher Marc , Ferreira Carla Sofia Santos , Jones Michael , Kalantari Zahra
Published: September 2021

The adaptive cycle and panarchy are recognised tools for resilience assessment prior to establishing new management approaches aligned with Anthropocene needs. This study used the adaptive cycle and panarchy to assess the dynamics of the social-ecological system (SES) of La Marjaleria, Spain, which experienced increasing human pressure and environmental degradation in recent decades, and developed the ‘adaptive curve’ as a novel graphical representation of system change in the presentation of the results. Based on a literature review of historical changes in La Marjaleria, a SES analysis was performed using the adaptive cycle and panarchy, following the Resilience Alliance’s Practitioners Guide. The assessment offered new insights into the social and ecological dynamics of La Marjaleria through identification of causes and consequences from a complex systems perspective. Previous land-use management in the area has generated tensions between different stakeholders and reduced environmental resilience. The systems thinking approach highlighted the complexity of change processes, offering the possibility of new routes for dialogue and understanding. The ‘adaptive curve’ developed as a method of illustrating interactions across scales in this study could be useful for synthesising the results of a panarchy analysis and supporting their interpretation, offering relevant departure points for future planning and decision-making.