bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Re-Discovery of Giardiavirus: Genomic and Functional Analysis of Viruses from Giardia duodenalis Isolates
Authors: Marucci Gianluca , Zullino Ilaria , Bertuccini Lucia , Camerini Serena , Cecchetti Serena , Pietrantoni Agostina , Casella Marialuisa , Vatta Paolo , Greenwood Alex D. , Fiorillo Annarita , Lalle Marco
Published: June 2021

Giardiasis, caused by the protozoan parasite Giardia duodenalis, is an intestinal diarrheal disease affecting almost one billion people worldwide. A small endosymbiotic dsRNA viruses, G. lamblia virus (GLV), genus Giardiavirus, family Totiviridae, might inhabit human and animal isolates of G. duodenalis. Three GLV genomes have been sequenced so far, and only one was intensively studied; moreover, a positive correlation between GLV and parasite virulence is yet to be proved. To understand the biological significance of GLV infection in Giardia, the characterization of several GLV strains from naturally infected G. duodenalis isolates is necessary. Here we report high-throughput sequencing of four GLVs strains, from Giardia isolates of human and animal origin. We also report on a new, unclassified viral sequence (designed GdRV-2), unrelated to Giardiavirus, encoding and expressing for a single large protein with an RdRp domain homologous to Totiviridae and Botybirnaviridae. The result of our sequencing and proteomic analyses challenge the current knowledge on GLV and strongly suggest that viral capsid protein translation unusually starts with a proline and that translation of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) occurs via a +1/−2 ribosomal frameshift mechanism. Nucleotide polymorphism, confirmed by mass-spectrometry analysis, was also observed among and between GLV strains. Phylogenetic analysis indicated the occurrence of at least two GLV subtypes which display different phenotypes and transmissibility in experimental infections of a GLV naïve Giardia isolate.
Biomimetic Approach for the Elaboration of Highly Hydrophobic Surfaces: Study of the Links between Morphology and Wettability
Authors: Legrand Quentin , Benayoun Stephane , Valette Stephane
Published: June 2021

This investigation of morphology-wetting links was performed using a biomimetic approach. Three natural leaves’ surfaces were studied: two bamboo varieties and Ginkgo Biloba. Multiscale surface topographies were analyzed by SEM observations, FFT, and Gaussian filtering. A PDMS replicating protocol of natural surfaces was proposed in order to study the purely morphological contribution to wetting. High static contact angles, close to 135∘, were measured on PDMS replicated surfaces. Compared to flat PDMS, the increase in static contact angle due to purely morphological contribution was around 20∘. Such an increase in contact angle was obtained despite loss of the nanometric scale during the replication process. Moreover, a significant decrease of the hysteresis contact angle was measured on PDMS replicas. The value of the contact angle hysteresis moved from 40∘ for flat PDMS to less than 10∘ for textured replicated surfaces. The wetting behavior of multiscale textured surfaces was then studied in the frame of the Wenzel and Cassie–Baxter models. Whereas the classical laws made it possible to describe the wetting behavior of the ginkgo biloba replications, a hierarchical model was developed to depict the wetting behavior of both bamboo species.
Integrating ECG Monitoring and Classification via IoT and Deep Neural Networks
Authors: Yeh Li-Ren , Chen Wei-Chin , Chan Hua-Yan , Lu Nan-Han , Wang Chi-Yuan , Twan Wen-Hung , Du Wei-Chang , Huang Yung-Hui , Hsu Shih-Yen , Chen Tai-Been
Published: June 2021

Anesthesia assessment is most important during surgery. Anesthesiologists use electrocardiogram (ECG) signals to assess the patient’s condition and give appropriate medications. However, it is not easy to interpret the ECG signals. Even physicians with more than 10 years of clinical experience may still misjudge. Therefore, this study uses convolutional neural networks to classify ECG image types to assist in anesthesia assessment. The research uses Internet of Things (IoT) technology to develop ECG signal measurement prototypes. At the same time, it classifies signal types through deep neural networks, divided into QRS widening, sinus rhythm, ST depression, and ST elevation. Three models, ResNet, AlexNet, and SqueezeNet, are developed with 50% of the training set and test set. Finally, the accuracy and kappa statistics of ResNet, AlexNet, and SqueezeNet in ECG waveform classification were (0.97, 0.96), (0.96, 0.95), and (0.75, 0.67), respectively. This research shows that it is feasible to measure ECG in real time through IoT and then distinguish four types through deep neural network models. In the future, more types of ECG images will be added, which can improve the real-time classification practicality of the deep model.
Business Strategies in HR in Times of Crisis: The Case of Agri-Food Industry in Central Greece
Authors: Ragazou Konstantina
Published: June 2021

Crisis, in whatever form it takes, is a challenge for modern business. The challenge lies in the fact that a company is prepared to balance the difficult conditions that are created, while preserving their business interest and efficiency. Thus, companies focus only on their perceived fixed bases, those that are in the internal environment such as the human capital. The need for better human resource management is more urgent than ever, and the burden on the business department is particularly great. The aim of this qualitative research is to highlight the strategies that were developed by agri-food companies in Greece and contribute to the maintenance and motivation of employees in the context of economic crisis. The methodology of this study is based on in depth interviews that were conducted in focus group discussion. Eleven companies from the agri-food sector in the region of Central Greece participated in the research. The executives highlighted three different strategies that were developed by agri-food companies in Greece, which focused on internal mobility, training and appraisal performance. Companies had to face different difficulties to use these strategies, but most of them proved that they can face their weaknesses and apply these strategies in a turbulent period like a financial crisis.
Development and External Validation of Deep-Learning-Based Tumor Grading Models in Soft-Tissue Sarcoma Patients Using MR Imaging
Authors: Navarro Fernando , Dapper Hendrik , Asadpour Rebecca , Knebel Carolin , Spraker Matthew B. , Schwarze Vincent , Schaub Stephanie K. , Mayr Nina A. , Specht Katja , Woodruff Henry C. , Lambin Philippe , Gersing Alexandra S. , Nyflot Matthew J. , Menze Bjoern H. , Combs Stephanie E. , Peeken Jan C.
Published: June 2021

Background: In patients with soft-tissue sarcomas, tumor grading constitutes a decisive factor to determine the best treatment decision. Tumor grading is obtained by pathological work-up after focal biopsies. Deep learning (DL)-based imaging analysis may pose an alternative way to characterize STS tissue. In this work, we sought to non-invasively differentiate tumor grading into low-grade (G1) and high-grade (G2/G3) STS using DL techniques based on MR-imaging. Methods: Contrast-enhanced T1-weighted fat-saturated (T1FSGd) MRI sequences and fat-saturated T2-weighted (T2FS) sequences were collected from two independent retrospective cohorts (training: 148 patients, testing: 158 patients). Tumor grading was determined following the French Federation of Cancer Centers Sarcoma Group in pre-therapeutic biopsies. DL models were developed using transfer learning based on the DenseNet 161 architecture. Results: The T1FSGd and T2FS-based DL models achieved area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC) values of 0.75 and 0.76 on the test cohort, respectively. T1FSGd achieved the best F1-score of all models (0.90). The T2FS-based DL model was able to significantly risk-stratify for overall survival. Attention maps revealed relevant features within the tumor volume and in border regions. Conclusions: MRI-based DL models are capable of predicting tumor grading with good reproducibility in external validation.
A Novel Signature of CCNF-Associated E3 Ligases Collaborate and Counter Each Other in Breast Cancer
Authors: Chang Shu-Chun , Hung Chin-Sheng , Zhang Bo-Xiang , Hsieh Tsung-Han , Hsu Wayne , Ding Jeak
Published: June 2021

Breast cancer (BRCA) malignancy causes major fatalities amongst women worldwide. SCF (Skp1-cullin-F-box proteins) E3 ubiquitin ligases are the most well-known members of the ubiquitination–proteasome system (UPS), which promotes cancer initiation and progression. Recently, we demonstrated that FBXL8, a novel F-box protein (SCFF-boxes) of SCF E3 ligase, accelerates BRCA advancement and metastasis. Since SCFF-boxes is a key component of E3 ligases, we hypothesized that other SCFF-boxes besides FBXL8 probably collaborate in regulating breast carcinogenesis. In this study, we retrospectively profiled the transcriptome of BRCA tissues and found a notable upregulation of four SCFF-box E3 ligases (FBXL8, FBXO43, FBXO15, and CCNF) in the carcinoma tissues. Similar to FBXL8, the knockdown of FBXO43 reduced cancer cell viability and proliferation, suggesting its pro-tumorigenic role. The overexpression of CCNF inhibited cancer cell progression, indicating its anti-tumorigenic role. Unexpectedly, CCNF protein was markedly downregulated in BRCA tissues, although its mRNA level was high. We showed that both E3 ligases, FBXL8 and FZR1, pulled down CCNF. Double knockdown of FBXL8 and FZR1 caused CCNF accumulation. On the other hand, CCNF itself pulled down a tumorigenic factor, RRM2, and CCNF overexpression reduced RRM2. Altogether, we propose a signature network of E3 ligases that collaboratively modulates CCNF anti-cancer activity. There is potential to target BRCA through modulation of the partnership axes of (i) CCNF-FBXL8, (ii) CCNF-FZR1, and (iii) CCNF-RRM2, particularly, via CCNF overexpression and activation and FBXL8/FZR1 suppression.
Retinal Ganglion Cell Transplantation: Approaches for Overcoming Challenges to Functional Integration
Authors: Zhang Kevin Y. , Aguzzi Erika A. , Johnson Thomas V.
Published: June 2021

As part of the central nervous system, mammalian retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) lack significant regenerative capacity. Glaucoma causes progressive and irreversible vision loss by damaging RGCs and their axons, which compose the optic nerve. To functionally restore vision, lost RGCs must be replaced. Despite tremendous advancements in experimental models of optic neuropathy that have elucidated pathways to induce endogenous RGC neuroprotection and axon regeneration, obstacles to achieving functional visual recovery through exogenous RGC transplantation remain. Key challenges include poor graft survival, low donor neuron localization to the host retina, and inadequate dendritogenesis and synaptogenesis with afferent amacrine and bipolar cells. In this review, we summarize the current state of experimental RGC transplantation, and we propose a set of standard approaches to quantifying and reporting experimental outcomes in order to guide a collective effort to advance the field toward functional RGC replacement and optic nerve regeneration.
Induction of Stress-Induced Renal Cellular Senescence In Vitro: Impact of Mouse Strain Genetic Diversity
Authors: Liao Chieh Ming , Wulfmeyer Vera Christine , Swallow Maxine , Falk Christine Susanne , Haller Hermann , Korstanje Ron , Melk Anette , Schmitt Roland
Published: June 2021

Cellular senescence, a stress-induced state of irreversible cell cycle arrest, is associated with organ dysfunction and age-related disease. While immortalized cell lines bypass key pathways of senescence, important mechanisms of cellular senescence can be studied in primary cells. Primary tubular epithelial cells (PTEC) derived from mouse kidney are highly susceptible to develop cellular senescence, providing a valuable tool for studying such mechanisms. Here, we tested whether genetic differences between mouse inbred strains have an impact on the development of stress-induced cellular senescence in cultured PTEC. Kidneys from 129S1, B6, NOD, NZO, CAST, and WSB mice were used to isolate PTEC. Cells were monitored for expression of typical senescence markers (SA-β-galactosidase, γ-H2AX+/Ki67−, expression levels of CDKN2A, lamin B1, IL-1a/b, IL-6, G/M-CSF, IFN-g, and KC) at 3 and 10 days after pro-senescent gamma irradiation. Clear differences were found between PTEC from different strains with the highest senescence values for PTEC from WSB mice and the lowest for PTEC from 129S1 mice. PTEC from B6 mice, the most commonly used inbred strain in senescence research, had a senescence score lower than PTEC from WSB and CAST mice but higher than PTEC from NZO and 129S1 mice. These data provide new information regarding the influence of genetic diversity and help explain heterogeneity in existing data. The observed differences should be considered when designing new experiments and will be the basis for further investigation with the goal of identifying candidate loci driving pro- or anti-senescent pathways.
Release Profiles of Dyes and Proteins from Calcium Phosphate Microspheres with Different Crystalline Phases
Authors: Miyazaki Toshiki , Masuda Koudai , Sakamoto Kazuki
Published: June 2021

Calcium phosphate is attracting attention as a bone repair material and a controlled-release carrier of various drugs such as bone disease therapeutic agents and anticancer agents. Compared with some bioabsorbable polymers, calcium phosphates have the advantage of preventing a pH decrease in the surrounding body fluid. However, there are few studies comparing the effect of supporting substances with different physicochemical properties on the production of calcium phosphate microspheres with different crystalline phases. In this study, we investigated conditions for obtaining low crystallinity apatite and octacalcium phosphate (OCP) microspheres from calcium carbonate microspheres with different crystalline structures using a simple phosphoric acid treatment. Furthermore, we investigated the adsorption and release behavior of different dyes and proteins from the apatite and OCP microspheres. Overall, the factors governing the adsorption and release behavior are different depending on the molecular size and surface charge of the dye and protein adsorbates.
Translation-Invariant Excitons in a Phonon Field
Authors: Lakhno Victor D.
Published: June 2021

Large-radius excitons in polar crystals are considered. It is shown that translation invariant description of excitons interacting with a phonon field leads to a nonzero contribution of phonons into the exciton ground state energy only in the case of weak or intermediate electron-phonon coupling. A conclusion is made that self-trapped excitons cannot exist in the limit of strong coupling. Peculiarities of the absorption and emission spectra of translation invariant excitons in a phonon field are discussed. Conditions when the hydrogen-like exciton model remains valid in the case of electron-phonon interaction are found.
SimpliFI: Hardware Simulation of Embedded Software Fault Attacks
Authors: Grycel Jacob , Schaumont Patrick
Published: June 2021

Fault injection simulation on embedded software is typically captured using a high-level fault model that expresses fault behavior in terms of programmer-observable quantities. These fault models hide the true sensitivity of the underlying processor hardware to fault injection, and they are unable to correctly capture fault effects in the programmer-invisible part of the processor microarchitecture. We present SimpliFI, a simulation methodology to test fault attacks on embedded software using a hardware simulation of the processor running the software. We explain the purpose and advantage of SimpliFI, describe automation of the simulation framework, and apply SimpliFI on a BRISC-V embedded processor running an AES application.
Si–OH Nest and Al Distribution of Silicalite-1 Core/Al-ZSM-5 Shell Zeolites for Methane Dehydroaromatization Reaction
Authors: Hong Do-Young , Kim Hyun Su , Zhang Haoxiang , Kang Su Kyung , Tikue Elsa Tsegay , Lee Pyung Soo
Published: June 2021

Silicalite-1 core/Al-ZSM-5 shell zeolite crystals were prepared in various sizes for use as catalysts in methane dehydroaromatization (MDA), and the growth kinetics and corresponding physicochemical properties of this core–shell zeolite were investigated. Al-ZSM-5 was grown on silicalite-1 seeds at various Si/Al ratios. Core–shell catalysts of all size variations exhibited similar deactivation trends in the MDA reaction, with minor changes in aromatic yields despite clear differences in reaction channel lengths and acid-site properties. This outcome was shown to originate from the unique growth kinetics of the Al-ZSM-5 layer on silicalite-1 seeds, in which the Al species in the sol used in the synthesis were consumed quickly during the early aggregative growth period. This led to an interesting spatial distribution of Al in the Al-ZSM-5 layer, in that the inner layer was relatively Al-rich. This distribution is advantageous because it can inhibit coke deactivation, which often occurs at the catalyst surface during MDA. However, a substantial quantity of Si–OH nests, which inhibit the effective loading of Mo species at the acid sites of the crystals, were detected in the microstructural analysis of large crystals. Therefore, this study shows that silicalite-1 core/Al-ZSM-5 shell zeolites can be prepared for use as coke-resistant catalysts for the MDA reaction. Further work is required, however, to design a synthesis method which reduces the number of Si–OH nests formed.
Efficient Reactive Obstacle Avoidance Using Spirals for Escape
Authors: Azevedo Fábio , Cardoso Jaime S. , Ferreira André , Fernandes Tiago , Moreira Miguel , Campos Luís
Published: June 2021

The usage of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) has increased in recent years and new application scenarios have emerged. Some of them involve tasks that require a high degree of autonomy, leading to increasingly complex systems. In order for a robot to be autonomous, it requires appropriate perception sensors that interpret the environment and enable the correct execution of the main task of mobile robotics: navigation. In the case of UAVs, flying at low altitude greatly increases the probability of encountering obstacles, so they need a fast, simple, and robust method of collision avoidance. This work covers the problem of navigation in unknown scenarios by implementing a simple, yet robust, environment-reactive approach. The implementation is done with both CPU and GPU map representations to allow wider coverage of possible applications. This method searches for obstacles that cross a cylindrical safety volume, and selects an escape point from a spiral for avoiding the obstacle. The algorithm is able to successfully navigate in complex scenarios, using both a high and low-power computer, typically found aboard UAVs, relying only on a depth camera with a limited FOV and range. Depending on the configuration, the algorithm can process point clouds at nearly 40 Hz in Jetson Nano, while checking for threats at 10 kHz. Some preliminary tests were conducted with real-world scenarios, showing both the advantages and limitations of CPU and GPU-based methodologies.
Students’ Word Associations with Different Terms Related to the Wadden Sea: Does the Place of Residence (Coast or Inland) Have an Influence?
Authors: Schmäing Till , Grotjohann Norbert
Published: June 2021

This paper presents students’ word associations with terms regarding the Wadden Sea. A continuous free word-association method was used in which the students from secondary schools (n = 3119, average age: 13.54 years) reported their associations with the stimulus words Wadden Sea, mudflat hiking tour, and tides in written form. Data were collected from students living close to the Wadden Sea and from students living inland. We performed a quantitative content analysis including the corresponding formation of categories. In addition, students’ school, out-of-school with the class, and private experiences the Wadden Sea ecosystem were recorded. The study shows that not only subject-related concepts should be considered at different levels, but non-subject-related aspects as well. The associations of the inland and non-inland students are statistically significantly different. The Wadden Sea and its biome were found to be completely unknown to some students. Students’ school, out-of-school with the class, and private experiences of the wetlands are also very mixed, regarding their Wadden Sea visitation frequency, and surprisingly cannot be directly derived from their place of residence. This research makes an important contribution towards the design of future biology didactic studies on the Wadden Sea.
Synergistic Effect of Polymorphs in Doped NaNi0.5Mn0.5O2 Cathode Material for Improving Electrochemical Performances in Na-Batteries
Authors: Leccardi Francesco , Nodari Davide , Spada Daniele , Ambrosetti Marco , Bini Marcella
Published: June 2021

Layered NaNi0.5Mn0.5O2, employed as cathode materials in sodium ion batteries, is attracting interest due to its high working potential and high-capacity values, thanks to the big sodium amount hosted in the lattice. Many issues are, however, related to their use, particularly, the complex phase transitions occurring during sodium intercalation/deintercalation, detrimental for the structure stability, and the possible Mn dissolution into the electrolyte. In this paper, the doping with Ti, V, and Cu ions (10% atoms with respect to Ni/Mn amount) was used to stabilize different polymorphs or mixtures of them with the aim to improve the capacity values and cells cyclability. The phases were identified and quantified by means of X-ray powder diffraction with Rietveld structural refinements. Complex voltammograms with broad peaks, due to multiple structural transitions, were disclosed for most of the samples. Ti-doped sample has, in general, the best performances with the highest capacity values (120 mAh/g at C/10), however, at higher currents (1C), Cu-substituted sample also has stable and comparable capacity values.
Process Optimization of Amorphous Carbon Hard Mask in Advanced 3D-NAND Flash Memory Applications
Authors: Jiang Zheng , Zhu Hao , Sun Qingqing
Published: June 2021

Amorphous carbon hard mask (ACHM) films are widely used as etching hard masks in 3D-NAND flash memory, which has put forward higher requirements in the film deposition rate, film transparency, uniformity, and selective etching. In this work, the ACHM film processing is engineered and optimized by comparatively studying acetylene (C2H2) and propylene (C3H6) as carbon sources at the different temperatures of 300 °C, 350 °C and 400 °C. By increasing the deposition temperature, the deposition rate, non-uniformity, and dry etch rate of ACHM are improved at the penalty of a slightly increased extinction coefficient of the film, due to lower incorporation of hydrocarbon reactants absorbed into film at higher temperatures. However, the Fourier transformation infrared (FTIR) spectrum intensity is decreased with the increase of the deposition temperature. The lower dry etch rate of ACHM is achieved by using C3H6 as a carbon source deposited at 400 °C. The best dry etch selective ratio values are also achieved with 10.9 and 9.5 for SiO2 and SiN, respectively. These experimental results can be very promising in the advancement of etching process in 3D-NAND applications.
Security of Things Intrusion Detection System for Smart Healthcare
Authors: Iwendi Celestine , Anajemba Joseph Henry , Biamba Cresantus , Ngabo Desire
Published: June 2021

Web security plays a very crucial role in the Security of Things (SoT) paradigm for smart healthcare and will continue to be impactful in medical infrastructures in the near future. This paper addressed a key component of security-intrusion detection systems due to the number of web security attacks, which have increased dramatically in recent years in healthcare, as well as the privacy issues. Various intrusion-detection systems have been proposed in different works to detect cyber threats in smart healthcare and to identify network-based attacks and privacy violations. This study was carried out as a result of the limitations of the intrusion detection systems in responding to attacks and challenges and in implementing privacy control and attacks in the smart healthcare industry. The research proposed a machine learning support system that combined a Random Forest (RF) and a genetic algorithm: a feature optimization method that built new intrusion detection systems with a high detection rate and a more accurate false alarm rate. To optimize the functionality of our approach, a weighted genetic algorithm and RF were combined to generate the best subset of functionality that achieved a high detection rate and a low false alarm rate. This study used the NSL-KDD dataset to simultaneously classify RF, Naive Bayes (NB) and logistic regression classifiers for machine learning. The results confirmed the importance of optimizing functionality, which gave better results in terms of the false alarm rate, precision, detection rate, recall and F1 metrics. The combination of our genetic algorithm and RF models achieved a detection rate of 98.81% and a false alarm rate of 0.8%. This research raised awareness of privacy and authentication in the smart healthcare domain, wireless communications and privacy control and developed the necessary intelligent and efficient web system. Furthermore, the proposed algorithm was applied to examine the F1-score and precisionperformance as compared to the NSL-KDD and CSE-CIC-IDS2018 datasets using different scaling factors. The results showed that the proposed GA was greatly optimized, for which the average precision was optimized by 5.65% and the average F1-score by 8.2%.
Dual-Polarized Dual-Loop Double-Slot Antipodal Tapered Slot Antenna for Ultra-Wideband Radar Applications
Authors: Yang Guangyao , Ye Shengbo , Zhang Feng , Ji Yicai , Zhang Xiaojuan , Fang Guangyou
Published: June 2021

The miniaturized high-gain antenna is required in portable, ultra-wideband radar systems. However, the miniaturization, ultra-wideband and high gain often restrict each other in the antenna design. In this paper, a dual-polarized, double-slot, antipodal tapered slot antenna with a double-layer, dual-loop structure and novel slot edges is presented. The proposed magnetic dual-loop structure has the capacity to reduce the low cut-off frequency of the double-slot tapered slot antenna by weakening the resonance and coupling. In addition, the high gain, low sidelobe level (SLL), and low cross-polarization level are achieved in the boresight direction. A novel gradient slot profile is designed to improve the low-frequency directivity of the tapered slot antenna without affecting the matching. To feed the antenna elements, a kind of wideband, balun-divider structure is designed. The dual-polarized antenna is combined by two orthogonal elements in a cross configuration without galvanic contact or influence to performance. The measured results show that the impedance bandwidth of the proposed antenna is 0.6~4 GHz, and the maximum gain is 11 dBi. The isolation between the two antenna ports is better than 32 dB, and the cross-polarization discrimination (XPD) is better than 20 dB.
Modelling Tree Growth in Monospecific Forests from Forest Inventory Data
Authors: Sáez-Cano Guadalupe , Marvá Marcos , Ruiz-Benito Paloma , Zavala Miguel A.
Published: June 2021

The prediction of tree growth is key to further understand the carbon sink role of forests and the short-term forest capacity on climate change mitigation. In this work, we used large-scale data available from three consecutive forest inventories in a Euro-Mediterranean region and the Bertalanffy–Chapman–Richards equation to model up to a decade’s tree size variation in monospecific forests in the growing stages. We showed that a tree-level fitting with ordinary differential equations can be used to forecast tree diameter growth across time and space as function of environmental characteristics and initial size. This modelling approximation was applied at different aggregation levels to monospecific regions with forest inventories to predict trends in aboveground tree biomass stocks. Furthermore, we showed that this model accurately forecasts tree growth temporal dynamics as a function of size and environmental conditions. Further research to provide longer term prediction forest stock dynamics in a wide variety of forests should model regeneration and mortality processes and biotic interactions.
Discrete Vortex Prediction of Flows around a Cylinder Near a Wall Using Overlapping Grid System
Authors: Wardhana Wisnu , Wardhana Ede Mehta , Soetardjo Meitha
Published: June 2021

Modelling of unidirectional and oscillatory flows around a cylinder near a wall using an overlapping grid system is carried out. The circular grid system of the cylinder was overlapped with the rectangular grid system of the wall. The use of such an overlapping grid system is intended to reduce the CPU time compared to the cloud scheme in which vortex-to-vortex interaction is used, i.e., especially in calculating the shedding vortex velocity, since calculating the vortices velocity takes the longest CPU time. This method is not only time efficient, but also gives a better distribution of surface vorticity as the scattered vortices around the body are now concentrated on a grid point. Therefore, grid-to-grid interaction is used instead of vortex-to-vortex interaction. Velocity calculation was also carried out using this overlapping grid in which the new incremental shift position was summed up to obtain the total new vortices position. The engineering applications of this topic are to simulate the loading of submarine pipeline placed close to the seabed or to simulate the flow as a result of the scouring process below the cylinder since there is space for the fluid to flow beneath it. The in-line and transverse force coefficients are found by integrating the pressure around the cylinder surface. The flow patterns are then obtained and presented. The comparison of the results with experimental evidence is presented and the range of good results is discussed.
Innovative Milling Processes to Improve the Technological and Nutritional Quality of Parboiled Brown Rice Pasta from Contrasting Amylose Content Cultivars
Authors: Taddei Federica , Galassi Elena , Nocente Francesca , Gazza Laura
Published: June 2021

The demand for gluten-free products, including pasta, is increasing and rice pasta accounts for the largest share of this market. Usually, the production of rice pasta requires additives or specific technological processes able to improve its texture, cooking quality, and sensory properties. In this work, two rice cultivars, with different amylose content, were subjected to parboiling, micronization, and flour air fractionation to obtain brown rice pasta, without any supplement but rice itself. In particular, two types of pasta (spaghetti shape) were produced, one from 100% micronized wholemeal, and the other from refined rice flour replaced with 15% of the air-fractionated fine fraction. Regardless of the cultivar, pasta from wholemeal micronized flour showed higher protein and fiber content than refined flour enriched with fine fraction, whereas no differences were revealed in resistant starch and antioxidant capacity. Pasta from the high amylose content genotype showed the highest resistant starch content and the lowest predicted glycemic index along with sensorial characteristics as good as durum semolina pasta in fine fraction enriched pasta. Besides the technological processes, pasta quality was affected the most by the genotype, since pasta obtained from high amylose cv Gladio resulted in the best in terms of technological and sensory quality.
Novel Expressions for the Derivatives of Sixth Kind Chebyshev Polynomials: Spectral Solution of the Non-Linear One-Dimensional Burgers’ Equation
Authors: Abd-Elhameed Waleed Mohamed
Published: June 2021

This paper is concerned with establishing novel expressions that express the derivative of any order of the orthogonal polynomials, namely, Chebyshev polynomials of the sixth kind in terms of Chebyshev polynomials themselves. We will prove that these expressions involve certain terminating hypergeometric functions of the type 4F3(1) that can be reduced in some specific cases. The derived expressions along with the linearization formula of Chebyshev polynomials of the sixth kind serve in obtaining a numerical solution of the non-linear one-dimensional Burgers’ equation based on the application of the spectral tau method. Convergence analysis of the proposed double shifted Chebyshev expansion of the sixth kind is investigated. Numerical results are displayed aiming to show the efficiency and applicability of the proposed algorithm.
“You’re the One That Was on Uncle’s Wall!”: Identity, Whanaungatanga and Connection for Takatāpui (LGBTQ+ Māori)
Authors: Hamley Logan , Groot Shiloh , Le Grice Jade , Gillon Ashlea , Greaves Lara , Manchi Madhavi , Clark Terryann
Published: June 2021

Takatāpui (Māori LGBTIQ+) challenge static notions of relationality and belonging or whanaungatanga for Māori. Explorations of Māori and LGBTIQ+ identity can often polarise experiences of family as either nurturing spaces or sites comprised of actors of spiritual and physical violence. However, such framing ignores the ways in which cultural practices for establishing relationality for takatāpui extend beyond dichotomies of disconnection or connection within families and into spaces of new potential. In this paper we outline a bricoleur research praxis rooted in Māori ways of being which underpins the research. We engage in photo-poetry as an analytic tool, constructing poetry from our interviews with Waimirirangi, a twenty-year-old whakawahine (Māori term for trans woman or trans femme) and bring them into conversation with the images she provided as part of the broader research project. As the interface between her ancestors and future generations, Waimirirangi demonstrates the potentiality of whanaungatanga as a restorative practice for enhancing takatāpui wellbeing.
Tūhonotanga—A Māori Perspective of Healing and Well-Being through Ongoing and Regained Connection to Self, Culture, Kin, Land and Sky
Authors: Riki Tuakiritetangata Donny , Ibarra-Lemay Alicia
Published: June 2021

Tūhonotanga relates to one’s physical and spiritual embeddedness to the surrounding world, including to culture, to kin, and to Father Sky and Mother Earth. Kanien’kehá:ka researcher Alicia Ibarra-Lemay from the community of Kahnawà:ke, interviewed Māori psychotherapist Donny Riki from Aotearoa, to explore her practice of healing in relation to her own connections to the Ngāpuhi and the Ngāti Paoa. As granddaughter to Ina Tepapatahi, Patara Te Tuhi, Puahaere, and Haora Tipakoinaki, Donny carries the responsibility for healing in the sense of helping her people find their way back home after 186 years of colonial violence and rule in her homeland of Aotearoa. This chapter discusses the way she works with tāngata whaiora (Māori people, seekers of wellness) and how the process of healing is conceptualized in her Mãori worldview.
‘I’m Not Swedish Swedish’: Self-Appraised National and Ethnic Identification among Migrant-Descendants in Sweden
Authors: Adolfsson Caroline
Published: June 2021

As a country of high migration, Sweden presents an interesting case for the study of belongingness. For the children of migrants, ethnic and national identification, as well as ascriptive identity, can pose challenges to feelings of belongingness, which is an essential element for positive mental health. In this article, survey data were collected from 626 Swedes whose parents were born in the following countries: Somalia, Poland, Vietnam, and Turkey. The results show that Poles significantly felt they received more reflective appraisals of ascription than any other group. However, despite not feeling as if they were being ascribed as Swedish, most group members (regardless of ethnic origin) had high feelings of belongingness to Sweden. Overall, individuals who felt that being Swedish was important for their identity indicated the highest feelings of belongingness. Further, individuals across groups showed a positive correlation between their national identification and ethnic identification, indicating a feeling of membership to both. These results mirror previous research in Sweden where individuals’ ethnic and national identities were positively correlated. The ability to inhabit multiple identities as a member of different groups is the choice of an individual within a pluralistic society. Multiple memberships between groups need not be contradictory but rather an expression of different spheres of inhabitance.
The TNFRSF13C H159Y Variant Is Associated with Severe COVID-19: A Retrospective Study of 500 Patients from Southern Italy
Authors: Russo Roberta , Andolfo Immacolata , Lasorsa Vito Alessandro , Cantalupo Sueva , Marra Roberta , Frisso Giulia , Abete Pasquale , Cassese Gian Marco , Servillo Giuseppe , Esposito Gabriella , Gentile Ivan , Piscopo Carmelo , Della Monica Matteo , Fiorentino Giuseppe , Russo Giuseppe , Cerino Pellegrino , Buonerba Carlo , Pierri Biancamaria , Zollo Massimo , Iolascon Achille , Capasso Mario
Published: June 2021

To identify host genetic determinants involved in humoral immunity and associated with the risk of developing severe COVID-19, we analyzed 500 SARS-CoV-2 positive subjects from Southern Italy. We examined the coding sequences of 10 common variable immunodeficiency-associated genes obtained by the whole-exome sequencing of 121 hospitalized patients. These 10 genes showed significant enrichment in predicted pathogenic point mutations in severe patients compared with the non-severe ones. Moreover, in the TNFRSF13C gene, the minor allele of the p.His159Tyr variant, which is known to increase NF-kB activation and B-cell production, was significantly more frequent in the 38 severe cases compared to both the 83 non-severe patients and the 375 asymptomatic subjects further genotyped. This finding identified a potential genetic risk factor of severe COVID-19 that not only may serve to unravel the mechanisms underlying the disease severity but, also, may contribute to build the rationale for individualized management based on B-cell therapy.
Public Awareness of Common Eye Diseases and the Role of Pharmacists in Raising This Awareness in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Alshammari Farhan , Shaikh Sameer , Hussain Arshad , Alafnan Ahmed , Almuzaini Ibrahim , Alshammari Bushra
Published: June 2021

Knowledge of common eye disorders and their prevention and treatment can play an essential role in reducing the visual impairment burden. A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted from 15 November 2020 to 15 January 2021 to estimate the knowledge and awareness about common eye problems and their possible risk factors among the general population of the Hail Region, Saudi Arabia. The study also investigated the participants’ sources of information about eye diseases. Participants from various areas of the Hail Region were randomly selected. There were four parts in the questionnaire based upon the general awareness about the common eye diseases, participants’ knowledge and awareness of risk factors associated with eye disorders, awareness of treatment and prevention of various eye disorders, and the participants’ sources of information about ocular diseases. The questionnaire was distributed to the participants by direct contact with them at eye clinics, hospitals, malls, and markets. The number of participants in the survey was 400 people, 53.8% males and 46.3% females. Cataracts were known to 31% of the participants, 43% knew about glaucoma, 66% knew about dry eyes, and 44% knew about diabetic retinopathy. Overall, 46% of the participants knew about eye problems, and the male participants had better knowledge about eye problems than the female ones. The primary sources of information about the common eye diseases were pharmacists (43.3%), family physicians (40.3%), the Internet (37.3%), the community (37.3%), television and radio (9.3%), and books/ brochures (9.5%). In the Hail Region, the general public carries a moderate awareness of preventable vision-threatening ocular disorders. However, the awareness of cataracts and glaucoma was low. The gaps in awareness can be overcome by public health promotion. In offering information about eye conditions to the general public, pharmacists may play a crucial role.
Dating Nathan: The Oldest Stained Glass Window in England?
Authors: Adlington Laura Ware , Freestone Ian C. , Seliger Léonie
Published: June 2021

Relatively little is known about stained glass windows in England predating c. 1170; however, art-historical evaluation by Caviness (1987) argued that four figures from the “Ancestors series” of Canterbury Cathedral, usually dated to the late 12th and early 13th century, in fact date earlier (c. 1130–1160). This would place them amongst the earliest stained glass in England, and the world. Building on our previous work, we address Caviness’s hypothesis using a methodology based upon analysis of a few, well-measured heavy trace elements and a 3D-printed attachment for a pXRF spectrometer that facilitates in situ analysis. The results confirm two major periods of “recycling” or re-using medieval glass. The first is consistent with Caviness’s argument that figures predating the 1174 fire were reused in the early 13th century. The results suggest that in addition to figures, ornamental borders were reused, indicating the presence of more early glass than previously thought. In the second period of recycling (1790s), surviving figures from the Ancestors series were removed and adapted into rectangular panels for insertion into large Perpendicular-style windows elsewhere in the cathedral. The results show that the glasses used to adapt the panels to a rectangular shape were broadly contemporary with the glasses used to glaze the original Ancestors windows, again representing a more extensive presence of medieval glass in the windows.
Sustaining Heritage Patterns in Mining Towns of the North American West: A Historico-Geographical Approach
Authors: McClure Wendy R.
Published: June 2021

Urban morphology provides essential methodologies to inform processes for heritage preservation and design intervention in historic places. Among principal research methods used by urban morphologists, the historico-geographical approach is particularly helpful for interpreting formative and transformative processes and for identifying key elements that define the physical structure of historic contexts at a town or neighbourhood scale. This article will discuss applications of an adapted historico-geographical approach to analyse heritage patterns in 19th-century mining towns located in mountainous regions of the western United States. Profiled case studies are part of an ongoing study intended to inform design and revitalization processes by architects, planners and community stakeholders in the region.
Genome Wide Characterization, Comparative and Genetic Diversity Analysis of Simple Sequence Repeats in Cucurbita Species
Authors: Zhu Lei , Zhu Huayu , Li Yanman , Wang Yong , Wu Xiangbin , Li Jintao , Zhang Zhenli , Wang Yanjiao , Hu Jianbin , Yang Sen , Yang Luming , Sun Shouru
Published: June 2021

Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) are widely used in mapping constructions and comparative and genetic diversity analyses. Here, 103,056 SSR loci were found in Cucurbita species by in silico PCR. In general, the frequency of these SSRs decreased with the increase in the motif length, and di-nucleotide motifs were the most common type. For the same repeat types, the SSR frequency decreased sharply with the increase in the repeat number. The majority of the SSR loci were suitable for marker development (84.75% in Cucurbita moschata, 94.53% in Cucurbita maxima, and 95.09% in Cucurbita pepo). Using these markers, the cross-species transferable SSR markers between C. pepo and other Cucurbitaceae species were developed, and the complicated mosaic relationships among them were analyzed. Especially, the main syntenic relationships between C. pepo and C. moschata or C. maxima indicated that the chromosomes in the Cucurbita genomes were highly conserved during evolution. Furthermore, 66 core SSR markers were selected to measure the genetic diversity in 61 C. pepo germplasms, and they were divided into two groups by structure and unweighted pair group method with arithmetic analysis. These results will promote the utilization of SSRs in basic and applied research of Cucurbita species.
Stigmatization from Work-Related COVID-19 Exposure: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis
Authors: Schubert Melanie , Ludwig Julia , Freiberg Alice , Hahne Taurai Monalisa , Romero Starke Karla , Girbig Maria , Faller Gudrun , Apfelbacher Christian , von dem Knesebeck Olaf , Seidler Andreas
Published: June 2021

Stigmatization from work-related COVID-19 exposure has not been investigated in detail yet. Therefore, we systematically searched three databases: Medline, Embase, and PsychInfo (until October 2020), and performed a grey literature search (until February 2021). We identified 46 suitable articles from 24 quantitative and 11 qualitative studies, 6 systematic reviews, 3 study protocols and 1 intervention. The assessment of stigmatization varied widely, ranging from a single-item question to a 22-item questionnaire. Studies mostly considered perceived self-stigma (27 of 35 original studies) in healthcare workers (HCWs) or hospital-related jobs (29 of 35). All articles reported on stigmatization as a result of work-related COVID-19 exposure. However, most quantitative studies were characterized by convenience sampling (17 of 24), and all studies—also those with an adequate sampling design—were considered of low methodological quality. Therefore, it is not possible to determine prevalence of stigmatization in defined occupational groups. Nevertheless, the work-related stigmatization of occupational groups with or without suspected contact to COVID-19 is a relevant problem and increases the risk for depression (odds ratio (OR) = 1.74; 95% confidence interval CI 1.29–2.36) and anxiety (OR = 1.75; 95% CI 1.29–2.37). For promoting workers’ health, anti-stigma strategies and support should be implemented in the workplace.
Intimate Partner Violence and Structural Violence in the Lives of Incarcerated Women: A Mixed-Method Study in Rural New Mexico
Authors: St. Cyr Shilo , Jaramillo Elise Trott , Garrison Laura , Malcoe Lorraine Halinka , Shamblen Stephen R. , Willging Cathleen E.
Published: June 2021

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a common feature in the lives of incarcerated women returning to rural communities, enhancing their risk of mental ill-health, substance use, and recidivism. Women’s experiences of IPV intersect with challenges across multiple social–ecological levels, including risky or criminalizing interpersonal relationships, geographic isolation, and persistent gender, racial, and economic inequities. We conducted quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews with 99 incarcerated women in New Mexico who were scheduled to return to micropolitan or non-core areas within 6 months. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed separately and then triangulated to identify convergences and divergences in data. The findings underscore how individual and interpersonal experiences of IPV, substance use, and psychological distress intersect with broad social inequities, such as poverty, lack of supportive resources, and reluctance to seek help due to experiences of discrimination. These results point to the need for a more proactive response to the mutually constitutive cycle of IPV, mental distress, incarceration, and structures of violence to improve reentry for women returning to rural communities. Policy and treatment must prioritize socioeconomic marginalization and expand community resources with attention to the needs of rural women of color.