bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Framework for Optimizing Co-adaptation in Body-Machine Interfaces
Authors: De Santis Dalia
Published: April 2021

The operation of a human-machine interface is increasingly often referred to as a two-learners problem, where both the human and the interface independently adapt their behavior based on shared information to improve joint performance over a specific task. Drawing inspiration from the field of body-machine interfaces, we take a different perspective and propose a framework for studying co-adaptation in scenarios where the evolution of the interface is dependent on the users' behavior and that do not require task goals to be explicitly defined. Our mathematical description of co-adaptation is built upon the assumption that the interface and the user agents co-adapt toward maximizing the interaction efficiency rather than optimizing task performance. This work describes a mathematical framework for body-machine interfaces where a naïve user interacts with an adaptive interface. The interface, modeled as a linear map from a space with high dimension (the user input) to a lower dimensional feedback, acts as an adaptive “tool” whose goal is to minimize transmission loss following an unsupervised learning procedure and has no knowledge of the task being performed by the user. The user is modeled as a non-stationary multivariate Gaussian generative process that produces a sequence of actions that is either statistically independent or correlated. Dependent data is used to model the output of an action selection module concerned with achieving some unknown goal dictated by the task. The framework assumes that in parallel to this explicit objective, the user is implicitly learning a suitable but not necessarily optimal way to interact with the interface. Implicit learning is modeled as use-dependent learning modulated by a reward-based mechanism acting on the generative distribution. Through simulation, the work quantifies how the system evolves as a function of the learning time scales when a user learns to operate a static vs. an adaptive interface. We show that this novel framework can be directly exploited to readily simulate a variety of interaction scenarios, to facilitate the exploration of the parameters that lead to optimal learning dynamics of the joint system, and to provide an empirical proof for the superiority of human-machine co-adaptation over user adaptation.
Inflammation-Mediated Angiogenesis in Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Zhu Hua , Zhang Yonggang , Zhong Yi , Ye Yingze , Hu Xinyao , Gu Lijuan , Xiong Xiaoxing
Published: April 2021

Stroke is the leading cause of disability and mortality in the world, but the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke (IS) is not completely clear and treatments are limited. Mounting evidence indicate that neovascularization is a critical defensive reaction to hypoxia that modulates the process of long-term neurologic recovery after IS. Angiogenesis is a complex process in which the original endothelial cells in blood vessels are differentiated, proliferated, migrated, and finally remolded into new blood vessels. Many immune cells and cytokines, as well as growth factors, are directly or indirectly involved in the regulation of angiogenesis. Inflammatory cells can affect endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and activation by secreting a variety of cytokines via various inflammation-relative signaling pathways and thus participate in the process of angiogenesis. However, the mechanism of inflammation-mediated angiogenesis has not been fully elucidated. Hence, this review aimed to discuss the mechanism of inflammation-mediated angiogenesis in IS and to provide new ideas for clinical treatment of IS.
Altered Phase Separation and Cellular Impact in C9orf72-Linked ALS/FTD
Authors: Solomon Daniel A. , Smikle Rebekah , Reid Matthew J. , Mizielinska Sarah
Published: April 2021

Since the discovery of the C9orf72 repeat expansion mutation as causative for chromosome 9-linked amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in 2011, a multitude of cellular pathways have been implicated. However, evidence has also been accumulating for a key mechanism of cellular compartmentalization—phase separation. Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is fundamental for the formation of membraneless organelles including stress granules, the nucleolus, Cajal bodies, nuclear speckles and the central channel of the nuclear pore. Evidence has now accumulated showing that the formation and function of these membraneless organelles is impaired by both the toxic arginine rich dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs), translated from the C9orf72 repeat RNA transcript, and the repeat RNA itself. Both the arginine rich DPRs and repeat RNA themselves undergo phase separation and disrupt the physiological phase separation of proteins involved in the formation of these liquid-like organelles. Hence abnormal phase separation may explain a number of pathological cellular phenomena associated with C9orf72-ALS/FTD. In this review article, we will discuss the principles of phase separation, phase separation of the DPRs and repeat RNA themselves and how they perturb LLPS associated with membraneless organelles and the functional consequences of this. We will then discuss how phase separation may impact the major pathological feature of C9orf72-ALS/FTD, TDP-43 proteinopathy, and how LLPS may be targeted therapeutically in disease.
One-Year Prospective Study of Plasma Biomarkers From CNS in Patients With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Clarke Gerard Janez Brett , Skandsen Toril , Zetterberg Henrik , Einarsen Cathrine Elisabeth , Feyling Casper , Follestad Turid , Vik Anne , Blennow Kaj , Håberg Asta Kristine
Published: April 2021

Objective: To investigate the longitudinal evolution of three blood biomarkers: neurofilament light (NFL), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and tau, in out-patients and hospitalized patients with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) compared to controls, along with their associations—in patients—with clinical injury characteristics and demographic variables, and ability to discriminate patients with mTBI from controls.

Methods: A longitudinal observation study including 207 patients with mTBI, 84 age and sex-matched community controls (CCs) and 52 trauma controls (TCs). Blood samples were collected at 5 timepoints: acute (<24 h), 72 h (24–72 h post-injury), 2 weeks, 3 and 12 months. Injury-related, clinical and demographic variables were obtained at inclusion and brain MRI within 72 h.

Results: Plasma GFAP and tau were most elevated acutely and NFL at 2 weeks and 3 months. The group of patients with mTBI and concurrent other somatic injuries (mTBI+) had the highest elevation in all biomarkers across time points, and were more likely to be victims of traffic accidents and violence. All biomarkers were positively associated with traumatic intracranial findings on MRI obtained within 72 h. Glial fibrillary acidic protein and NFL levels were associated with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score and presence of other somatic injuries. Acute GFAP concentrations showed the highest discriminability between patients and controls with an Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.92. Acute tau and 2-week NFL concentrations showed moderate discriminability (AUC = 0.70 and AUC = 0.75, respectively). Tau showed high discriminability between mTBI+ and TCs (AUC = 0.80).

Conclusions: The association of plasma NFL with traumatic intracranial MRI findings, together with its later peak, could reflect ongoing secondary injury or repair mechanisms, allowing for a protracted diagnostic time window. Patients experiencing both mTBI and other injuries appear to be a subgroup with greater neural injury, differing from both the mTBI without other injuries and from both control groups. Acute GFAP concentrations showed the highest discriminability between patients and controls, were highly associated with intracranial traumatic injury, and showed the largest elevations compared to controls at the acute timepoint, suggesting it to be the most clinically useful plasma biomarker of primary CNS injury in mTBI.
Development and Validation a Nomogram Incorporating CT Radiomics Signatures and Radiological Features for Differentiating Invasive Adenocarcinoma From Adenocarcinoma In Situ and Minimally Invasive Adenocarcinoma Presenting as Ground-Glass Nodules Measuring 5-10mm in Diameter
Authors: Shi Lili , Shi Weiya , Peng Xueqing , Zhan Yi , Zhou Linxiao , Wang Yunpeng , Feng Mingxiang , Zhao Jinli , Shan Fei , Liu Lei
Published: April 2021

Purpose

To develop and validate a nomogram for differentiating invasive adenocarcinoma (IAC) from adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) and minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA) presenting as ground-glass nodules (GGNs) measuring 5-10mm in diameter.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective study included 446 patients with 478 GGNs histopathologically confirmed AIS, MIA or IAC. These patients were assigned to a primary cohort, an internal validation cohort and an external validation cohort. The segmentation of these GGNs on thin-slice computed tomography (CT) were performed semi-automatically with in-house software. Radiomics features were then extracted from unenhanced CT images with PyRadiomics. Radiological features of these GGNs were also collected. Radiomics features were investigated for usefulness in building radiomics signatures by spearman correlation analysis, minimum redundancy maximum relevance (mRMR) feature ranking method and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) classifier. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to develop a nomogram incorporating the radiomics signature and radiological features. The performance of the nomogram was assessed with discrimination, calibration, clinical usefulness and evaluated on the validation cohorts.

Results

Five radiomics features remained after features selection. The model incorporating radiomics signatures and four radiological features (bubble-like appearance, tumor-lung interface, mean CT value, average diameter) showed good calibration and good discrimination with AUC of 0.831(95%CI, 0.772~0.890). Application of the nomogram in the internal validation cohort with AUC of 0.792 (95%CI, 0.712~0.871) and in the external validation cohort with AUC of 0.833 (95%CI, 0.729-0.938) also indicated good calibration and good discrimination. The decision curve analysis demonstrated that the nomogram was clinically useful.

Conclusion

This study presents a nomogram incorporating the radiomics signatures and radiological features, which can be used to predict the risk of IAC in patients with GGNs measuring 5-10mm in diameter individually.
Characterization of Frequently Mutated Cancer Genes and Tumor Mutation Burden in Chinese Breast Cancer
Authors: Xiao Weikai , Zhang Guochun , Chen Bo , Chen Xiaoqing , Wen Lingzhu , Lai Jianguo , Li Xuerui , Li Min , Liu Hao , Liu Jing , Han-Zhang Han , Lizaso Analyn , Liao Ning
Published: April 2021

Objectives

Various genomic alterations and genomic signatures, including ERBB2 amplification, mutations in PIK3CA, AKT1, and ESR1, and tumor mutational burden (TMB), have become important biomarkers for treatment selection in breast cancer (BC). This study aimed to investigate the mutational features of Chinese early-stage BC patients.

Methods

Tumors and matched blood samples collected from 589 Chinese patients with early-stage BC were sequenced using a commercial gene panel consisting of 520 cancer-related genes to analyze all types of genomic alterations and estimate the TMB status.

Results

A total of 18 genes were found to be more frequently mutated (P<0.05) or amplified (P<0.05) in stage T3–4 tumors as compared with T1–2 tumors. A total of 18 genes were found to be differentially mutated (P<0.05) or amplified (P<0.05) in patients with lymph node metastasis than those without lymph node metastasis. Younger patients (≤35 years) were more frequently identified with mutations or gene amplifications in eleven genes (P<0.05). TMB >10mutations/Mb were found in 5.7% of our cohort. Although the TMB was similar for various molecular subtypes between our cohort and the BC cohort of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) study, the TMB were statistically different for HR+/HER-, HR+/HER2+, and triple-negative subtypes between our cohort and African Americans in the TCGA study. As compared to the TCGA BC cohort, our cohort had a much earlier median age of diagnosis (48 vs. 58 years, P<0.001), and had significantly lower frequency of triple-negative subtype (11.5% vs. 18.4%, P<0.001) and invasive lobular BC (2.4% vs. 19.0%, P<0.001). Further subgroup analyses revealed that mutation rates in various genes including TP53, ERBB2, and PIK3CA were distinct for patients who were younger (≤35 years), had triple-negative or invasive lobular BC in our cohort than in the TCGA cohort.

Conclusions

This study revealed distinct mutational features of various molecular subtypes of early-stage BC among Chinese patients. Moreover, we provide new insights into the differences in early-stage BC between the East and West.
Control Analysis of Protein-Protein Interaction Network Reveals Potential Regulatory Targets for MYCN
Authors: Pan Chunyu , Zhu Yuyan , Yu Meng , Zhao Yongkang , Zhang Changsheng , Zhang Xizhe , Yao Yang
Published: April 2021

Background

MYCN is an oncogenic transcription factor of the MYC family and plays an important role in the formation of tissues and organs during development before birth. Due to the difficulty in drugging MYCN directly, revealing the molecules in MYCN regulatory networks will help to identify effective therapeutic targets.

Methods

We utilized network controllability theory, a recent developed powerful tool, to identify the potential drug target around MYCN based on Protein-Protein interaction network of MYCN. First, we constructed a Protein-Protein interaction network of MYCN based on public databases. Second, network control analysis was applied on network to identify driver genes and indispensable genes of the MYCN regulatory network. Finally, we developed a novel integrated approach to identify potential drug targets for regulating the function of the MYCN regulatory network.

Results

We constructed an MYCN regulatory network that has 79 genes and 129 interactions. Based on network controllability theory, we analyzed driver genes which capable to fully control the network. We found 10 indispensable genes whose alternation will significantly change the regulatory pathways of the MYCN network. We evaluated the stability and correlation analysis of these genes and found EGFR may be the potential drug target which closely associated with MYCN.

Conclusion

Together, our findings indicate that EGFR plays an important role in the regulatory network and pathways of MYCN and therefore may represent an attractive therapeutic target for cancer treatment.
A Pancancer Analysis of the Expression Landscape and Clinical Relevance of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 2 in Human Cancers
Authors: Li Juanni , Hu Kuan , Huang Jinzhou , Zhou Lei , Yan Yuanliang , Xu Zhijie
Published: April 2021

Background: Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) is frequently altered in tumors and one of the top therapeutic targets in cholangiocarcinoma (CHOL) with FGFR2 fusions. Although there have been several studies on individual tumors, a comprehensive analysis of FGFR2 genetic aberrations and their simultaneous clinical implications across different tumors have not been reported.

Methods: In this study, we used the large comprehensive datasets available, covering over 10,000 tumor samples across more than 30 cancer types, to analyze FGFR2 abnormal expression, methylation, alteration (mutations/fusions and amplification/deletion), and their clinical associations.

Results: Alteration frequency, mutation location distribution, oncogenic effects, and therapeutic implications varied among different cancers. The overall mutation rate of FGFR2 is low in pancancer. CHOL had the highest mutation frequency, and fusion accounted for the major proportion. All these fusion aberrations in CHOL were targetable, and an FDA-approved drug was approved recently. Uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC) had the highest number of FGFR2 mutations, and the most frequently mutated positions were S252W and N549K, where the functional impact was oncogenic, but targeted therapy was less effective. Additionally, DNA methylation was associated with FGFR2 expression in several cancers. Moreover, FGFG2 expression and genetic aberrations showed clinical associations with patient survival in several cancers, indicating their potential for application as new tumor markers and therapeutic targets.

Conclusions: This study showed the full FGFR2 alteration spectrum and provided a broad molecular perspective of FGFR2 in a comprehensive manner, suggesting some new directions for clinical targeted therapy of cancers.
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Associated Hepatotoxicity in Primary Liver Cancer Versus Other Cancers: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Fu Jianyang , Li Wang-Zhong , McGrath Nicole A. , Lai Chunwei Walter , Brar Gagandeep , Xiang Yan-Qun , Xie Changqing
Published: April 2021

Background

Overall risks of hepatotoxicity with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have yet to be compared in primary liver cancers to other solid tumors.

Methods

We reviewed data from the PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases, and assessed the risk of hepatotoxicity associated with ICIs.

Results

A total of 117 trials were eligible for the meta‐analysis, including 7 trials with primary liver cancers. The most common hepatotoxicity was ALT elevation (incidence of all grade 5.29%, 95% CI 4.52-6.20) and AST elevation (incidence of all grade 5.88%, 95% CI 4.96-6.97). The incidence of all grade ALT and AST elevation was 6.01% and 6.84% for anti-PD‐1 (95% CI 5.04-7.18/5.69-8.25) and 3.60% and 3.72% for anti-PD-L1 (95% CI 2.72-4.76/2.82-4.94; p< 0.001/p<0.001). The incidence of ≥ grade 3 ALT and AST elevation was 1.54% and 1.48% for anti-PD‐1 (95% CI 1.19-1.58/1.07-2.04) and 1.03% and 1.08% for anti-PD-L1 (95% CI 0.71-1.51/0.80-1.45; p= 0.002/p<0.001). The incidence of all grade ALT and AST elevation was 13.3% and 14.2% in primary liver cancers (95% CI 11.1-16.0 and 9.93-20.36) vs. 4.92% and 5.38% in other solid tumors (95% CI 4.21-5.76 and 4.52-5.76 in other solid tumors; p <0.001/p<0.001).

Conclusion

Our study indicates that anti-PD-1 is associated with a higher risk of all‐ and high‐grade hepatotoxicity compared to anti-PD-L1, and primary liver cancers are associated with a higher risk of all‐ and high‐grade hepatotoxicity compared to other solid tumors.
DDX54 Plays a Cancerous Role Through Activating P65 and AKT Signaling Pathway in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Yu Yi , Wang Jing-Long , Meng Li-Li , Hu Chun-Ting , Yan Zhao-Wen , He Zhi-Ping , Shi Xiao-Qin , Fu Guo-Hui , Zu Li-Dong
Published: April 2021

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most malignant cancers, and its incidence is still steadily increasing. The DDX RNA helicase family members have been found to play a role in various cancers; however, the role of DDX54 in colorectal cancer is still unclear and needed to be defined. Here, we found DDX54 was overexpressed in CRC tissues by the label-free mass spectrum, which was also verified in tissue microarray of colon cancer, as well as the CRC cell lines and TCGA database. High DDX54 level was correlated with tumor stage and distant metastasis, which always indicated a poor prognosis to the CRC patients. DDX54 could promote the proliferation and mobility of CRC cells through increasing the phosphorylation level p65 and AKT leading to the tumorigenesis. Here, we have preliminarily studied the function of DDX54 in CRC, which would improve our understanding of the underlying biology of CRC and provide the new insight that could be translated into novel therapeutic approaches.
Long Non-Coding RNA LINC01929 Accelerates Progression of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Targeting the miR-137-3p/FOXC1 Axis
Authors: Che Hongze , Che Yanhai , Zhang Zhimin , Lu Qing
Published: April 2021

Recently, additional long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been identified and their possible roles were investigated in a variety of human tumors. One of these lncRNAs, LINC01929, promoted the progression of some cancers, whereas its expression and biological function in human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains still mostly uncertain. The LINC01929 expression in OSCC tissues or cell lines was identified via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The cell counting kit-8, transwell migration, wound-healing, and flow cytometry assays were utilized to characterize the functions of LINC01929 in OSCC cells. The interactive relationships between LINC01929 and miR-137-3p, miR-137-3p and Forkhead box C1 (FOXC1) were investigated by the dual-luciferase activity assay. Our findings demonstrated that LINC01929 was highly expressed in OSCC tissue samples and cell lines, whereas miR-137-3p expression was downregulated. LINC01929 acted as a carcinogenic lncRNA with accelerated OSCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and suppression of apoptosis. We further indicated that LINC01929 facilitated tumor growth in xenograft mouse models. Mechanistically, LINC01929 acted as a sponge for miR-137-3p to elevate FOXC1 expression, which is the target of miR-137-3p. In addition, downregulated miR-137-3p expression rescued the suppressive behaviors of LINC01929 knockdown on the biological behaviors of OSCC cells. Taken together, LINC01929 functioned as a tumor-promoting lncRNA via the miR-137-3p/FOXC1 axis in OSCC, suggesting novel targets for OSCC therapy.
Pediatric Fibrinogen PART I—Pitfalls in Fibrinogen Evaluation and Use of Fibrinogen Replacement Products in Children
Authors: Huisman Elise J. , Crighton Gemma Louise
Published: April 2021

Fibrinogen is a key coagulation protein, playing a critical role in hemostasis. It is the first factor to decrease to critical levels during bleeding. Hypofibrinogenemia is an important risk factor for bleeding in clinical settings, including pediatric surgery. Yet, the optimal measurement of fibrinogen levels is subject to debate, as is the critical threshold for intervention. Fibrinogen replacement may be provided by cryoprecipitate and fibrinogen concentrate. Whilst both products contain fibrinogen, they are not equivalent, each has its own advantages and disadvantages, especially for pediatric use. Unfortunately, medical literature to support fibrinogen replacement in children is limited. In this article we review the current diagnostic tools to measure fibrinogen, with respect to their use in the pediatric critical care setting. Secondly, we evaluate the different fibrinogen replacement therapies, focusing on cryoprecipitate and fibrinogen concentrate and examine their individual product characteristics, associated risks and benefits, different dosing strategies and specific pitfalls for use in children. We summarize by highlighting current knowledge gaps and areas for future research.
Hansenia weberbaueriana (Fedde ex H.Wolff) Pimenov & Kljuykov Extract Suppresses Proliferation of HepG2 Cells via the PTEN-PI3K-AKT Pathway Uncovered by Integrating Network Pharmacology and Iin Vitro Experiments
Authors: Feng Yueqin , Hao Fengjin
Published: April 2021

Previous studies have shown that Hansenia weberbaueriana (Fedde ex H.Wolff) Pimenov & Kljuykov extracts (HWEs) have antitumor activity, but their mechanism in vitro is still unclear. In this study, we first combined network pharmacology with experimental evaluation and applied a comprehensive strategy to explore and prove the therapeutic potential and potential mechanism of HWE. The mRNA expression profiles of PTEN, PIK3A, and AKT1 are from the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) of the Broad Institute. Our results showed that HWE has a good inhibition on HepG2 cells, and a slight inhibition on other cells. The results of the CCLE database showed that PTEN/PIK3A/AKT1 mRNA expression was up-regulated in HepG2 cells. Through further study, it was found that HWE increased the release of LDH, induced early and late apoptosis, and increased ROS levels in HepG2 cells. Western blot showed that HWE regulates the expression of mitochondrial apoptosis-related proteins. Meanwhile, the expression of PTEN was increased, and the expression of phosphorylated PI3K and Akt was down-regulated after HWE treatment. Our results show that HWE promotes HepG2 cell apoptosis via the PTEN-PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. This study is the first to report the potential role of HWE in the treatment of liver cancer.
A Transfer Learning-Based Approach for Lysine Propionylation Prediction
Authors: Li Ang , Deng Yingwei , Tan Yan , Chen Min
Published: April 2021

Lysine propionylation is a newly discovered posttranslational modification (PTM) and plays a key role in the cellular process. Although proteomics techniques was capable of detecting propionylation, large-scale detection was still challenging. To bridge this gap, we presented a transfer learning-based method for computationally predicting propionylation sites. The recurrent neural network-based deep learning model was trained firstly by the malonylation and then fine-tuned by the propionylation. The trained model served as feature extractor where protein sequences as input were translated into numerical vectors. The support vector machine was used as the final classifier. The proposed method reached a matthews correlation coefficient (MCC) of 0.6615 on the 10-fold crossvalidation and 0.3174 on the independent test, outperforming state-of-the-art methods. The enrichment analysis indicated that the propionylation was associated with these GO terms (GO:0016620, GO:0051287, GO:0003735, GO:0006096, and GO:0005737) and with metabolism. We developed a user-friendly online tool for predicting propoinylation sites which is available at http://47.113.117.61/.
Overexpression of a Sugarcane BAHD Acyltransferase Alters Hydroxycinnamate Content in Maize Cell Wall
Authors: Fanelli Amanda , Rancour David M. , Sullivan Michael , Karlen Steven D. , Ralph John , Riaño-Pachón Diego Mauricio , Vicentini Renato , Silva Tatiane da Franca , Ferraz André , Hatfield Ronald D. , Romanel Elisson
Published: April 2021

The purification of hydroxycinnamic acids [p-coumaric acid (pCA) and ferulic acid (FA)] from grass cell walls requires high-cost processes. Feedstocks with increased levels of one hydroxycinnamate in preference to the other are therefore highly desirable. We identified and conducted expression analysis for nine BAHD acyltransferase ScAts genes from sugarcane. The high conservation of AT10 proteins, together with their similar gene expression patterns, supported a similar role in distinct grasses. Overexpression of ScAT10 in maize resulted in up to 75% increase in total pCA content. Mild hydrolysis and derivatization followed by reductive cleavage (DFRC) analysis showed that pCA increase was restricted to the hemicellulosic portion of the cell wall. Furthermore, total FA content was reduced up to 88%, resulting in a 10-fold increase in the pCA/FA ratio. Thus, we functionally characterized a sugarcane gene involved in pCA content on hemicelluloses and generated a C4 plant that is promising for valorizing pCA production in biorefineries.
Medicago sativa and Medicago truncatula Show Contrasting Root Metabolic Responses to Drought
Authors: Echeverria Andres , Larrainzar Estíbaliz , Li Weiqiang , Watanabe Yasuko , Sato Muneo , Tran Cuong Duy , Moler Jose A. , Hirai Masami Yokota , Sawada Yuji , Tran Lam-Son Phan , Gonzalez Esther M.
Published: April 2021

Drought is an environmental stressor that affects crop yield worldwide. Understanding plant physiological responses to stress conditions is needed to secure food in future climate conditions. In this study, we applied a combination of plant physiology and metabolomic techniques to understand plant responses to progressive water deficit focusing on the root system. We chose two legume plants with contrasting tolerance to drought, the widely cultivated alfalfa Medicago sativa (Ms) and the model legume Medicago truncatula (Mt) for comparative analysis. Ms taproot (tapR) and Mt fibrous root (fibR) biomass increased during drought, while a progressive decline in water content was observed in both species. Metabolomic analysis allowed the identification of key metabolites in the different tissues tested. Under drought, carbohydrates, abscisic acid, and proline predominantly accumulated in leaves and tapRs, whereas flavonoids increased in fibRs in both species. Raffinose-family related metabolites accumulated during drought. Along with an accumulation of root sucrose in plants subjected to drought, both species showed a decrease in sucrose synthase (SUS) activity related to a reduction in the transcript level of SUS1, the main SUS gene. This study highlights the relevance of root carbon metabolism during drought conditions and provides evidence on the specific accumulation of metabolites throughout the root system.
Why Build a Robot With Artificial Consciousness? How to Begin? A Cross-Disciplinary Dialogue on the Design and Implementation of a Synthetic Model of Consciousness
Authors: Smith David Harris , Schillaci Guido
Published: April 2021

Creativity is intrinsic to Humanities and STEM disciplines. In the activities of artists and engineers, for example, an attempt is made to bring something new into the world through counterfactual thinking. However, creativity in these disciplines is distinguished by differences in motivations and constraints. For example, engineers typically direct their creativity toward building solutions to practical problems, whereas the outcomes of artistic creativity, which are largely useless to practical purposes, aspire to enrich the world aesthetically and conceptually. In this essay, an artist (DHS) and a roboticist (GS) engage in a cross-disciplinary conceptual analysis of the creative problem of artificial consciousness in a robot, expressing the counterfactual thinking necessitated by the problem, as well as disciplinary differences in motivations, constraints, and applications. We especially deal with the question of why one would build an artificial consciousness and we consider how an illusionist theory of consciousness alters prominent ethical debates on synthetic consciousness. We discuss theories of consciousness and their applicability to synthetic consciousness. We discuss practical approaches to implementing artificial consciousness in a robot and conclude by considering the role of creativity in the project of developing an artificial consciousness.
Processing of Ordinal Information in Math-Anxious Individuals
Authors: Colomé Àngels , Núñez-Peña Maria Isabel
Published: April 2021

This study aimed to investigate whether the ordinal judgments of high math-anxious (HMA) and low math-anxious (LMA) individuals differ. Two groups of 20 participants with extreme scores on the Shortened Mathematics Anxiety Rating Scale (sMARS) had to decide whether a triplet of numbers was presented in ascending order. Triplets could contain one-digit or two-digit numbers and be formed by consecutive numbers (counting condition), numbers with a constant distance of two or three (balanced) or numbers with variable distances between them (neutral). All these triplets were also presented unordered: sequence order in these trials could be broken at the second (D2) or third (D3) number. A reverse distance effect (worse performance for ordered balanced than for counting trials) of equal size was found in both anxiety groups. However, HMA participants made more judgment errors than their LMA peers when they judged one-digit counting ordered triplets. This effect was related to worse performance of HMA individuals on a symmetry span test and might be related to group differences on working memory. Importantly, HMAs were less accurate than LMA participants at rejecting unordered D2 sequences. This result is interpreted in terms of worse cognitive flexibility in HMA individuals.
Distributing Agency and Experience in Therapeutic Interaction: Person References in Therapists' Responses to Complaints
Authors: Etelämäki Marja , Voutilainen Liisa , Weiste Elina
Published: April 2021

The primary means for psychotherapy interaction is language. Since talk-in-interaction is accomplished and rendered interpretable by the systematic use of linguistic resources, this study focuses on one of the central issues in psychotherapy, namely agency, and the ways in which linguistic resources, person references in particular, are used for constructing different types of agency in psychotherapy interaction. The study investigates therapists' responses to turns where the client complains about a third party. It focuses on the way therapists' responses distribute experience and agency between the therapist and the client by comparing responses formulated with the zero-person (a formulation that lacks a grammatical subject, that is, a reference to the agent) to responses formulated with a second person singular pronoun that refers to the client. The study thus approaches agency as situated, dynamic and interactional: an agent is a social unit whose elements (flexibility and accountability) are distributed in the therapist-client interaction. The data consist of 70 audio-recorded sessions of cognitive psychotherapy and psychoanalysis, and the method of analysis is conversation analysis and interactional linguistics. The main findings are that therapists use the zero-person for two types of responses: affiliating and empathetic responses that distribute the emotional experience between the client and the therapist, and responses that invite clients to interpret their own experiences, thereby distributing control and responsibility to the clients. In contrast, the second person references are used for re-constructing the client's past history. The conclusion is that therapists use the zero-person for both immediate emotional work and interpretative co-work on the client's experiences. The study suggests that therapists' use of the zero-person does not necessarily attribute “weak agency” to the client but instead might strengthen the clients' agency in the sense of control and responsibility in the long term.
Character Strengths in the Life Domains of Work, Education, Leisure, and Relationships and Their Associations With Flourishing
Authors: Wagner Lisa , Pindeus Lisa , Ruch Willibald
Published: April 2021

A growing body of research demonstrates the relevance of character strengths for flourishing in general, but also for important outcomes across different life domains (e.g., work performance and relationship satisfaction). Studies have also shown that there are differences in the extent to which character strengths are applied, that is, perceived as relevant and shown in behavior in a given context, between work and private life, but they have not considered other life domains. This study aims to close this gap by examining the life domains of work, education, leisure, close personal relationships, and romantic relationships. The present study investigates whether (a) strengths-related behavior across different life domains explains additional variance in flourishing beyond the trait level of each respective character strength and studies (b) differences in the relevance of character strengths and strengths-related behavior across different life domains, and examines (c) their relationships with flourishing. A sample of 203 German-speaking adults (78.8% females; mean age = 29.4 years) completed self-reports assessing flourishing and character strengths. They also indicated which of the five life domains were personally relevant to them (i.e., on average 4.23 life domains) and reported the character strengths' perceived relevance and the frequency of displaying strengths-related behavior for each of these life domains separately. The results demonstrate that (a) strengths-related behavior averaged across all relevant life domains explained unique variance in flourishing above the trait-level of character strengths in some cases (e.g., creativity, kindness, and fairness), (b) different life domains were characterized by specific profiles of character strength—regarding both their relevance and strength-related behavior. Moreover, (c) character strengths and strengths-related behavior in different life domains both showed substantial correlations with flourishing. In some cases, these associations were domain-specific (e.g., displaying love of learning in the context of education was related to higher levels of flourishing). In conclusion, we suggest that examining strengths-related behavior across different life domains represents a worthwhile addition to research on character strengths.
The Trickle-Down Effect of Leaders’ VWGB on Employees’ Pro-Environmental Behaviors: A Moderated Mediation Model
Authors: Wu Jianfei , Zhang Weinan , Peng Chuanhu , Li Juan , Zhang Saiyu , Cai Wenjing , Chen Dan
Published: April 2021

Although previous research has highlighted the positive effect of leaders’ voluntary workplace green behavior (VWGB), limited research attention has been given to empirically testing how and when such behavior produces trickle-down effects. Taking a role model perspective and drawing on social identity theory, this research aims to fill this gap by proposing and testing the mechanism and boundary conditions of the influencing processes whereby leaders’ VWGB can trickle down to employees’ pro-environmental behaviors. By theorizing a moderated mediation model, the current research empirically examines the hypotheses by conducting a hierarchical regression analysis. We employed a survey questionnaire research design to collect two waves of multisource data. The data used in the analysis are from survey responses of 313 subordinate-supervisor dyads at two different time points. The results show that leaders’ VWGB can have a trickle-down influence on employees’ task-related pro-environmental behavior and proactive pro-environmental behaviors through their green self-identity and that this trickle-down effect is greater among employees with higher green climate perceptions. Our results reveal the intervening mechanism and boundary condition of leaders’ VWGB by conducting a systematic examination of how this effect trickles down.
Victim's Perspective of Forgiveness Seeking Behaviors After Transgressions
Authors: Martinez-Diaz Pilar , Caperos Jose M. , Prieto-Ursúa Maria , Gismero-González Elena , Cagigal Virginia , Carrasco Maria José
Published: April 2021

Forgiveness seeking after a relational transgression is an important aspect of relational repair from an interpersonal perspective, although it has received much less attention than the process of granting forgiveness. This research focuses on the victim's perspective of the transgressor's behaviors and how they are related to forgiveness and offense characteristics. This paper proposes a multidimensional concept of seeking forgiveness that includes four dimensions: apologies, restorative action, relational caring behaviors, and diverting behaviors. A questionnaire for assessing these dimensions was developed and tested with a general population sample of 450 subjects. Participants recalled a specific offense and then answered a questionnaire about the perceived usefulness of different forgiveness-seeking behaviors, a forgiveness inventory, and several questions regarding the characteristics of the offense (severity, intentionality, and frequency). Our results support the four-factor structure of the questionnaire. As the perceived intentionality of the offense increases, behaviors that are directly related to the transgression, such as apologies and restorative actions, are experienced as less useful for forgiveness. The more hurtful the offense, the less useful the diverting behaviors are. Behavior such as apologies and restorative action are related to a lower (less) motivation for revenge, while all forgiveness-seeking behaviors are related to an increase in feelings of benevolence toward the offender.
The Impact of Universal Mask Use on SARS-COV-2 in Victoria, Australia on the Epidemic Trajectory of COVID-19
Authors: Costantino Valentina , Raina MacIntyre Chandini
Published: April 2021

Objective(s): To estimate the impact of universal community face mask use in Victoria, Australia along with other routine disease control measures in place.

Methods: A mathematical modeling study using an age structured deterministic model for Victoria, was simulated for 123 days between 1 June 2020 and 1 October 2020, incorporating lockdown, contact tracing, and case findings with and without mask use in varied scenarios. The model tested the impact of differing scenarios of the universal use of face masks in Victoria, by timing, varying mask effectiveness, and uptake.

Results: A six-week lockdown with standard control measures, but no masks, would have resulted in a large resurgence by September, following the lifting of restrictions. Mask use can substantially reduce the epidemic size, with a greater impact if at least 50% of people wear a mask which has an effectiveness of at least 40%. Early mask use averts more cases than mask usage that is only implemented closer to the peak. No mask use, with a 6-week lockdown, results in 67,636 cases and 120 deaths by 1 October 2020 if no further lockdowns are used. If mask use at 70% uptake commences on 23 July 2020, this is reduced to 7,961 cases and 42 deaths. We estimated community mask effectiveness to be 11%.

Conclusion(s): Lockdown and standard control measures may not have controlled the epidemic in Victoria. Mask use can substantially improve epidemic control if its uptake is higher than 50% and if moderately effective masks are used. Early mask use should be considered in other states if community transmission is present, as this has a greater effect than later mask wearing mandates.
Aerosol Production During Blood and Urine Pre-analytical Processing and Handling in a Hospital Biochemistry Clinical Laboratory During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Dubuis Marie-Eve , Duchaine Caroline
Published: April 2021

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has created a troublesome issue for employees in biochemistry clinical laboratories due to fears of aerosol generation during sample treatment. This study was designed to assess aerosol production during the pre-analytical procedures for blood and urine samples using a model bacterium. Air sampling and surface swabbing were conducted during four typical procedures. Bacteria were not recovered in any air or surface samples. Other studies have reported low and undetectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA in blood and urine samples, respectively. Therefore, the occupational risk for employees appears to be low in terms of aerosol exposure from processing SARS-CoV-2 patient samples.
Investigation of the Dynamic Breakdown of a Dielectric Elastomer Actuator Under Cyclic Voltage Excitation
Authors: Liu Xuejing , Xing Yu , Sun Wenjie , Zhang Zhouqiang , Guan Shengqi , Li Bo
Published: April 2021

The dielectric elastomer (DE) is a new kind of functional polymer that can be used as a smart actuator due to the large deformation induced by voltage excitation. Dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) are usually excited by dynamic voltages to generate alternating motions. DEAs are prone to premature breakdown failure during the dynamic excitation, while the research on the breakdown of DEAs under cyclic voltage excitation is still not fully revealed. In this paper, the dynamic breakdown behaviors of DEAs made from VHB4910 film were experimentally investigated. The factors affecting the breakdown behavior of DEAs under dynamic voltages were determined, and the relevant changing laws were summarized accordingly. The experimental results show that under dynamic voltage excitation, the critical breakdown voltage of DEAs were augmented slowly with voltage frequency and showed a substantial dispersion. In addition, the maximum cycle numbers before breakdown were significantly affected by voltage parameters (such as frequency, amplitude, waveform). Finally, the underlying mechanisms of breakdown under cyclic voltages were discussed qualitatively, a power-law equation was proposed to characterize the maximum cycle number for the dynamic breakdown of DEAs, and related parameters were fitted. This study provides a new path to predict the service life of DEAs under dynamic voltage.
A Combined Lidar-Polarimeter Inversion Approach for Aerosol Remote Sensing Over Ocean
Authors: Xu Feng , Gao Lan , Redemann Jens , Flynn Connor J. , Espinosa W. Reed , da Silva Arlindo M. , Stamnes Snorre , Burton Sharon P. , Liu Xu , Ferrare Richard , Cairns Brian , Dubovik Oleg
Published: April 2021

An optimization algorithm is developed to retrieve the vertical profiles of aerosol concentration, refractive index and size distribution, spherical particle fraction, as well as a set of ocean surface reflection properties. The retrieval uses a combined set of lidar and polarimeter measurements. Our inversion includes using 1) a hybrid radiative transfer (RT) model that combines the computational strengths of the Markov-chain and adding-doubling approaches in modeling polarized RT in vertically inhomogeneous and homogeneous media, respectively; 2) a bio-optical model that represents the water-leaving radiance as a function of chlorophyll-a concentration for open ocean; 3) the constraints regarding the smooth variations of several aerosol properties along altitude; and 4) an optimization scheme. We tested the retrieval using 50 sets of coincident lidar and polarimetric data acquired by NASA Langley airborne HSRL-2 and GISS RSP respectively during the ORACLES field campaign. The retrieved vertical profiles of aerosol single scattering albedo (SSA) and size distribution are compared to the reference data measured by University of Hawaii’s HiGEAR instrumentation suite. At the vertical resolution of 315 m, the mean absolute difference (MAD) between retrieved and HiGEAR derived aerosol SSA is 0.028. And the MADs between retrieved and HiGEAR effective radius of aerosol size distribution are 0.012 and 0.377 micron for fine and coarse aerosols, respectively. The retrieved aerosol optical depth (AOD) above aircraft are compared to NASA Ames 4-STAR measurement. The MADs are found to be 0.010, 0.006, and 0.004 for AOD at 355, 532 and 1,064 nm, respectively.
Enhancing Virtual Walking Sensation Using Self-Avatar in First-Person Perspective and Foot Vibrations
Authors: Matsuda Yusuke , Nakamura Junya , Amemiya Tomohiro , Ikei Yasushi , Kitazaki Michiteru
Published: April 2021

Walking is a fundamental physical activity in humans. Various virtual walking systems have been developed using treadmill or leg-support devices. Using optic flow, foot vibrations simulating footsteps, and a walking avatar, we propose a virtual walking system that does not require limb action for seated users. We aim to investigate whether a full-body or hands-and-feet-only walking avatar with either the first-person (experiment 1) or third-person (experiment 2) perspective can convey the sensation of walking in a virtual environment through optic flows and foot vibrations. The viewing direction of the virtual camera and the head of the full-body avatar were linked to the actual user's head motion. We discovered that the full-body avatar with the first-person perspective enhanced the sensations of walking, leg action, and telepresence, either through synchronous or asynchronous foot vibrations. Although the hands-and-feet-only avatar with the first-person perspective enhanced the walking sensation and telepresence, compared with the no-avatar condition, its effect was less prominent than that of the full-body avatar. However, the full-body avatar with the third-person perspective did not enhance the sensations of walking and leg action; rather, it impaired the sensations of self-motion and telepresence. Synchronous or rhythmic foot vibrations enhanced the sensations of self-motion, waking, leg action, and telepresence, irrespective of the avatar condition. These results suggest that the full-body or hands-and-feet avatar is effective for creating virtual walking experiences from the first-person perspective, but not the third-person perspective, and that the foot vibrations simulating footsteps are effective, regardless of the avatar condition.