bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implications of SARS-COV-2 infection in the diagnosis and management of the pediatric gastrointestinal disease
Authors: Dipasquale Valeria , Passanisi Stefano , Cucinotta Ugo , Cascio Antonio , Romano Claudio
Published: March 2021

Gastrointestinal diseases such as celiac disease, functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), inflammatory bowel disease (IBDs) and acute or chronic diarrhea are quite frequent in the pediatric population. The approach, the diagnosis and management can be changed in the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic era. This review has focused on: i) the current understanding of digestive involvement in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infected children and adolescents and the clinical implications of COVID-19 for pediatric gastroenterologists, ii) the impact of COVID-19 on the clinical approach to patients with pre-existing or onset diseases, including diagnosis and treatment, and iii) the role and limited access to the instrumental diagnosis such as digestive endoscopy. To date, it is unclear if immunosuppression in patients with IBD and chronic liver disease represents a risk factor for adverse outcomes. Scheduled outpatient follow-up visits may be postponed, especially in patients in remission. Conversely, telemedicine services are strongly recommended. The introduction of new therapeutic regimens should be made on an individual basis, discussing the benefits and risks with each patient. Furthermore, psychological care in all children with chronic disease and their parents should be ensured. All non-urgent and elective endoscopic procedures may be postponed as they must be considered at high risk of viral transmission. Finally, until SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is not available, strict adherence to standard social distancing protocols and the use of personal protective equipment should continue to be recommended.
Comparative effectiveness of first-line palbociclib plus letrozole versus letrozole alone for HR+/HER2− metastatic breast cancer in US real-world clinical practice
Authors: DeMichele Angela , Cristofanilli Massimo , Brufsky Adam , Liu Xianchen , Mardekian Jack , McRoy Lynn , Layman Rachel M. , Emir Birol , Torres Mylin A. , Rugo Hope S. , Finn Richard S.
Published: March 2021

Background

Findings from randomized clinical trials may have limited generalizability to patients treated in routine clinical practice. This study examined the effectiveness of first-line palbociclib plus letrozole versus letrozole alone on survival outcomes in patients with hormone receptor–positive (HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor–negative (HER2−) metastatic breast cancer (MBC) treated in routine clinical practice in the USA.

Patients and methods

This was a retrospective observational analysis of electronic health records within the Flatiron Health Analytic Database. A total of 1430 patients with ≥ 3 months of follow-up received palbociclib plus letrozole or letrozole alone in the first-line setting between February 3, 2015, and February 28, 2019. Stabilized inverse probability treatment weighting (sIPTW) was used to balance baseline demographic and clinical characteristics. Real-world progression-free survival (rwPFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed.

Results

After sIPTW adjustment, median follow-up was 24.2 months (interquartile range [IQR], 14.2–34.9) in the palbociclib group and 23.3 months (IQR, 12.7–34.3) in those taking letrozole alone. Palbociclib combination treatment was associated with significantly longer median rwPFS compared to letrozole alone (20.0 vs 11.9 months; hazard ratio [HR], 0.58; 95% CI, 0.49–0.69; P < 0.0001). Median OS was not reached in the palbociclib group and was 43.1 months with letrozole alone (HR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.53–0.82; P = 0.0002). The 2-year OS rate was 78.3% in the palbociclib group and 68.0% with letrozole alone. A propensity score matching analysis showed similar results.

Conclusions

In this “real-world” population of patients with HR+/HER2− MBC, palbociclib in combination with endocrine therapy was associated with improved survival outcomes compared with patients treated with letrozole alone in the first-line setting.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov; NCT04176354
Genome-wide impact of hydrogen peroxide on maintenance DNA methylation in replicating cells
Authors: Seddon Annika R. , Liau Yusmiati , Pace Paul E. , Miller Allison L. , Das Andrew B. , Kennedy Martin A. , Hampton Mark B. , Stevens Aaron J.
Published: March 2021

Background

Environmental factors, such as oxidative stress, have the potential to modify the epigenetic landscape of cells. We have previously shown that DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) activity can be inhibited by sublethal doses of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). However, site-specific changes in DNA methylation and the reversibility of any changes have not been explored. Using bead chip array technology, differential methylation was assessed in Jurkat T-lymphoma cells following exposure to H2O2.

Results

Sublethal H2O2 exposure was associated with an initial genome-wide decrease in DNA methylation in replicating cells, which was largely corrected 72 h later. However, some alterations were conserved through subsequent cycles of cell division. Significant changes to the variability of DNA methylation were also observed both globally and at the site-specific level.

Conclusions

This research indicates that increased exposure to H2O2 can result in long-term alterations to DNA methylation patterns, providing a mechanism for environmental factors to have prolonged impact on gene expression.
SIENA: Semi-automatic semantic enhancement of datasets using concept recognition
Authors: Grigoriu Andreea , Zaveri Amrapali , Weiss Gerhard , Dumontier Michel
Published: March 2021

Background

The amount of available data, which can facilitate answering scientific research questions, is growing. However, the different formats of published data are expanding as well, creating a serious challenge when multiple datasets need to be integrated for answering a question.

Results

This paper presents a semi-automated framework that provides semantic enhancement of biomedical data, specifically gene datasets. The framework involved a concept recognition task using machine learning, in combination with the BioPortal annotator. Compared to using methods which require only the BioPortal annotator for semantic enhancement, the proposed framework achieves the highest results.

Conclusions

Using concept recognition combined with machine learning techniques and annotation with a biomedical ontology, the proposed framework can provide datasets to reach their full potential of providing meaningful information, which can answer scientific research questions.
The pons as reference region for intensity normalization in semi-quantitative analysis of brain 18FDG PET: application to metabolic changes related to ageing in conventional and digital control databases
Authors: Verger A. , Doyen M. , Campion J. Y. , Guedj Eric
Published: March 2021

Background

The objective of the study is to define the most appropriate region for intensity normalization in brain 18FDG PET semi-quantitative analysis. The best option could be based on previous absolute quantification studies, which showed that the metabolic changes related to ageing affect the quasi-totality of brain regions in healthy subjects. Consequently, brain metabolic changes related to ageing were evaluated in two populations of healthy controls who underwent conventional (n = 56) or digital (n = 78) 18FDG PET/CT. The median correlation coefficients between age and the metabolism of each 120 atlas brain region were reported for 120 distinct intensity normalizations (according to the 120 regions). SPM linear regression analyses with age were performed on most significant normalizations (FWE, p < 0.05).

Results

The cerebellum and pons were the two sole regions showing median coefficients of correlation with age less than − 0.5. With SPM, the intensity normalization by the pons provided at least 1.7- and 2.5-fold more significant cluster volumes than other normalizations for conventional and digital PET, respectively.

Conclusions

The pons is the most appropriate area for brain 18FDG PET intensity normalization for examining the metabolic changes through ageing.
Technical efficiency and productivity of farms: a periurban case study analysis
Authors: Gaviglio Anna , Filippini Rosalia , Madau Fabio Albino , Marescotti Maria Elena , Demartini Eugenio
Published: March 2021

Periurban farming systems are characterized by the need to adapt the farming practices coping with a modified natural and social environment. Questions are thus posed on the efficient use of the inputs. The purpose of this study is to estimate the technical efficiency and the productivity of periurban farms. To do so, the study employs a data envelopment analysis that properly captures the heterogeneity of the periurban farming system. The sample considered livestock and crop farms, located in the South Milan Agricultural Park, where 50 farms were selected and interviewed. Results show that crop farms are more efficient than livestock farms, but they have a less productive technology. The participation in short food supply chains and the multifunctional agriculture does not affect the levels of technical efficiency of the farms. Policies are thus needed to improve the education level of farmers and to sustain the efficiency of farms that diversify the farm’s economy.
Mutant IDH and non-mutant chondrosarcomas display distinct cellular metabolomes
Authors: Pathmanapan Sinthu , Ilkayeva Olga , Martin John T. , Loe Adrian Kwan Ho , Zhang Hongyuan , Zhang Guo-Fang , Newgard Christopher B. , Wunder Jay S. , Alman Benjamin A.
Published: March 2021

Background

Majority of chondrosarcomas are associated with a number of genetic alterations, including somatic mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) andIDH2genes, but the downstream effects of these mutated enzymes on cellular metabolism and tumor energetics are unknown. AsIDHmutations are likely to be involved in malignant transformation of chondrosarcomas, we aimed to exploit metabolomic changes inIDHmutant and non-mutant chondrosarcomas.

Methods

Here, we profiled over 69 metabolites in 17 patient-derived xenografts by targeted mass spectrometry to determine if metabolomic differences exist in mutantIDH1, mutantIDH2, and non-mutant chondrosarcomas. UMAP (Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection) analysis was performed on our dataset to examine potential similarities that may exist between each chondrosarcoma based on genotype.

Results

UMAP revealed that mutantIDHchondrosarcomas possess a distinct metabolic profile compared with non-mutant chondrosarcomas. More specifically, our targeted metabolomics study revealed large-scale differences in organic acid intermediates of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, amino acids, and specific acylcarnitines in chondrosarcomas. Lactate and late TCA cycle intermediates were elevated in mutantIDHchondrosarcomas, suggestive of increased glycolytic metabolism and possible anaplerotic influx to the TCA cycle. A broad elevation of amino acids was found in mutantIDHchondrosarcomas. A few acylcarnitines of varying carbon chain lengths were also elevated in mutantIDHchondrosarcomas, but with minimal clustering in accordance with tumor genotype. Analysis of previously published gene expression profiling revealed increased expression of several metabolism genes in mutantIDHchondrosarcomas, which also correlated to patient survival.

Conclusions

Overall, our findings suggest thatIDHmutations induce global metabolic changes in chondrosarcomas and shed light on deranged metabolic pathways.
Dynamic modeling and optimal control of cystic echinococcosis
Authors: Rong Xinmiao , Fan Meng , Zhu Huaiping , Zheng Yaohui
Published: March 2021

Background

Cystic echinococcosis is one of the most severe helminth zoonosis with a drastic impact on human health and livestock industry. Investigating optimal control strategy and assessing the crucial factors are essential for developing countermeasures to mitigate this disease.

Methods

Two compartment models were formulated to study the dynamics of cystic echinococcosis transmission, to evaluate the effectiveness of various control measures, and to find the optimal control strategy. Sensitive analyses were conducted by obtaining PRCCs and contour plot was used to evaluate the effect of key parameters on the basic reproduction number. Based on forward–backward sweep method, numerical simulations were employed to investigate effects of key factors on the transmission of cystic echinococcosis and to obtain the optimal control strategy.

Results

The food resources of stray dog and invalid sheep vaccination rate, which are always neglected, were significant to the transmission and control of cystic echinococcosis. Numerical simulations suggest that, the implementation of optimal control strategy can significantly reduce the infections. Improving the cost of health education and domestic dog deworming could not decrease human infections.

Conclusions

Our study showed that only a long-term use of the optimal control measures can eliminate the disease. Meanwhile, during the intervention, sheep vaccination and stray dogs disposing should be emphasized ahead of domestic dogs deworming to minimize the control cost. Simultaneously reducing other wild intermediate hosts and strengthening the sheep vaccination as well as disposing the stray dogs would be most effective.
Safety and efficacy of Razumab™ (world’s first biosimilar ranibizumab) in wet age-related macular degeneration: a post-marketing, prospective ASSET study
Authors: Sharma Shashikant , Gupta Vishali , Maiti Aniruddha , Natesh Sribhargava , Saxena Sandeep , Dave Vivek , Parmar Vimal , Sampangi Raju , Murthy Hemanth , Dharwadkar Sandhya , Yadav Naresh Kumar , Joshi Shrinivas , Mayor Rahul , Ratra Dhanashree , Basu Soumyava , Goel Neha , Chaturvedi Alok , Patel Ronak , Jose Vinu
Published: March 2021

Background

Razumab™ (world’s first biosimilar ranibizumab) is approved for several macular disorders including wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We evaluated the safety and efficacy of biosimilar ranibizumab in wet AMD.

Methods

This prospective, multicentre, rAnibizumab bioSimilar Safety Efficacy postmarkeTing (ASSET) study enrolled patients aged ≥ 50 years with wet AMD having best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) between 20/40 and 20/320. The patients received intravitreal biosimilar ranibizumab 0.5 mg every 4 weeks for 24 weeks. Safety endpoints included the incidence of adverse events (AEs), serious AEs (SAEs), and immunoreactivity after 6 months. The efficacy endpoints were the proportion of patients who lose fewer than 15 letters, increase in BCVA, change in central retinal thickness (CRT), and change in Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (VFQ-25) score, from baseline to 24 weeks.

Results

Of the 126 enrolled patients, majority (95.24%) of the patients received all 6 doses of biosimilar ranibizumab (total 3 mg). Nineteen AEs were reported (n = 16; 12.7%); majority (78.9%) were mild. There were no serious AEs reported, except one AE of death which was unrelated to the study drug. None of the patients discontinued the study due to an AE. The most common ocular AE was increase in intraocular pressure (4 events) and non-ocular AE was pyrexia (5 events). A total of 7.9% (10/126) patients prior to dosing and 7.1% (9/126) patients post-treatment were positive for anti-ranibizumab antibodies. No AEs suggestive of immunogenicity were noted. At 24-weeks, 97.60% patients in the intent-to-treat (ITT) population (N = 125) and 97.41% patients in the per-protocol (PP) population (N = 116) lost < 15 letters from baseline visual acuity. In the ITT and PP populations, 31.20% and 32.76% patients, respectively, showed improved visual acuity by ≥ 15 letters. Significant improvements in BCVA (mean difference: 8.8, 9.2, p < 0.001 for ITT, PP) and VFQ-25 (8.5, 9.2, p < 0.001 for ITT, PP) were seen; CRT reduced significantly (125 µm, 119.3 µm, p < 0.001 for ITT, PP).

Conclusion

Razumab™ (world’s first biosimilar ranibizumab) was well-tolerated without new safety concerns and significantly improved visual acuity in wet AMD patients.

Trial registration CTRI/2016/03/006739. Registered 18 March 2016—Prospectively registered, http://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/pmaindet2.php?trialid=13141&EncHid=&userName=2016/03/006739
Reliability sensitivity of wind power system considering correlation of forecast errors based on multivariate NSTPNT method
Authors: Dong Wangchao , Li Shenghu
Published: March 2021

The impact of wind power forecast errors (WPFEs) on power system reliability can be quantified by a sensitivity model, which helps to determine the importance of different wind farms. However, the unknown distribution and correlation of WPFEs make it difficult to calculate the reliability sensitivity. The existing univariate non-standard third-order polynomial normal transformation (NSTPNT) expresses the reliability sensitivity of WPFEs by a normal random variable with explicit distribution, and is not suitable for multiple wind farms with correlated forecast errors. In this paper, the univariate NSTPNT method is extended to the multivariate by deriving the analytical expression of the correlation coefficients before and after the transformation, to establish the transformation between the WPFEs and a normal random vector (RV) with the specific correlation. A reliability sensitivity model to the WPFEs expressed to the normal RV is then proposed. The numerical results validate the accuracy of the proposed multivariate NSTPNT and the sensitivity model. The maximum relative error for using the sensitivity to approximate the change of reliability with distribution parameters of the WPFEs is less than 2.42%. The necessity of considering the correlation of WPFEs is analyzed. The maximum relative error of the sensitivity reaches 83% when the correlation is ignored.
On L-fuzzy closure operators and L-fuzzy pre-proximities
Authors: Ramadan A. A. , Elkordy E. H. , Usama M. A.
Published: March 2021

The aim of this paper is to investigate the relations among the L-fuzzy pre-proximities, L-fuzzy closure operators and L-fuzzy co-topologies in complete residuated lattices. We show that there is a Galois correspondence between the category of separated L-fuzzy closure spaces and that of separated L-fuzzy pre-proximity spaces and we give their examples.
Resistance of bacteria isolated from leachate to heavy metals and the removal of Hg by Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain FZ-2 at different salinity levels in a batch biosorption system
Authors: Imron Muhammad Fauzul , Kurniawan Setyo Budi , Abdullah Siti Rozaimah Sheikh
Published: March 2021

Leachate is produced from sanitary landfills containing various pollutants, including heavy metals. This study aimed to determine the resistance of bacteria isolated from non-active sanitary landfill leachate to various heavy metals and the effect of salinity levels on the removal of Hg by the isolated bacterium. Four dominant bacteria from approximately 33 × 1017 colony-forming units per mL identified as Vibrio damsela, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas stutzeri, and Pseudomonas fluorescens were isolated from non-active sanitary landfill leachate. Heavy metal resistance test was conducted for Hg, Cd, Pb, Mg, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu (0–20 mg L− 1). The removal of the most toxic heavy metals by the most resistant bacteria was also determined at different salinity levels, i.e., fresh water (0‰), marginal water (10‰), brackish water (20‰), and saline water (30‰). Results showed that the growth of these bacteria is promoted by Fe, Mn, and Cu, but inhibited by Hg, Cd, Pb, Mg, and Zn. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of all the bacteria in Fe, Mn, and Cu was > 20 mg L− 1. The MIC of V. damsela was 5 mg L− 1 for Hg and >  20 mg L− 1 for Cd, Pb, Mg, and Zn. For P. aeruginosa, MIC was > 20 mg L− 1 for Cd, Pb, Mg, and Zn and 10 mg L− 1 for Hg. Meanwhile, the MIC of P. stutzeri was > 20 mg L− 1 for Pb, Mg, and Zn and 5 mg L− 1 for Hg and Cd. The MIC of P. fluorescens for Hg, Pb, Mg, and Zn was 5, 5, 15, and 20 mg L− 1, respectively, and that for Cd was > 20 mg L− 1. From the MIC results, Hg is the most toxic heavy metal. In marginal water (10‰), P. aeruginosa FZ-2 removed up to 99.7% Hg compared with that in fresh water (0‰), where it removed only 54% for 72 h. Hence, P. aeruginosa FZ-2 is the most resistant to heavy metals, and saline condition exerts a positive effect on bacteria in removing Hg.
Evaluation of in vitro antioxidant, anticancer activities and molecular docking studies of Capparis zeylanica Linn. leaves
Authors: Warake Ruturaj A. , Jarag Ravindra J. , Dhavale Rakesh P. , Jarag Rekha R. , Lohar Nikhil S.
Published: March 2021

Background

Capparis zeylanica Linn. leaf extract was subjected to phytochemical screening for the determination of antioxidant and anticancer activity on (MCF-7) human breast cancer cells. The phytoconstituents previously determined were subjected to molecular docking studies against human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) protein as a target receptor to support antioxidant and anticancer activities.

Results

Powdered plant leaves were extracted by maceration method using ethyl acetate, chloroform, methanol, ethanol and distilled water. Preliminary phytochemical evaluation and total phenolic and flavonoid content of the extract were evaluated using biochemical tests. Total antioxidant capacity of the extract was evaluated using different assays. Anticancer potential of methanolic and ethanolic extracts was studied on human breast cancer cells. Molecular docking studies were performed to evaluate the binding interactions of phytoconstituents on HER2 protein using AutoDock Vina.

Phytochemical evaluation confirmed the presence of saponins, flavonoids, tannins, phenols, carbohydrates and proteins. Ethanolic extract showed a maximum total phenolic and flavonoid content in support with antioxidant and anticancer activities. The ethanolic leaf extract showed 66.63% cell growth inhibition against MCF-7 cells. Molecular docking studies revealed the highest binding affinity (− 8.4 Kcal/mol) of α-amyrin followed by quercetin and β-carotene. Glucocapparin, syringic acid, vanillic acid and p-coumaric acid showed almost a similar binding affinity to the amino acid residues of HER2 protein as compared to 5-FU.

Conclusion

C. zeylanica leaf extract showed the presence of phenolic and flavonoid constituents responsible for antioxidant and in vitro anticancer activities. Molecular docking studies showed the binding affinity of phytoconstituents on targeted HER2 protein.
Risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 prognosis with the use of renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors: a systematic review
Authors: Iheanacho Chinonyerem O. , Odili Valentine U. , Eze Uchenna I. H.
Published: March 2021

Background

Angiotensin-converting-enzyme-2, being the receptor for SARS-CoV-2, is increased in the use of RAAS inhibitors. Therefore, concerns have been raised over risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection and poor prognosis of COVID-19 in persons with prior exposure to these drugs. This study aimed to systematically review available evidence for associations between exposure to RAAS inhibitors with susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and clinical outcomes in infected persons. It hopes to address the question on the effects of RAAS inhibitors on the risk of COVID-19 and its prognosis.

Main body

Search was conducted in the databases of PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, Embase and MedRxiv.org from December 2019 to May 31, 2020, using relevant keywords. Additional articles were identified through hand-searching of reference lists. Studies that reported associations between positive tests to COVID-19 and use of RAAS inhibitors, and treatment outcomes of COVID-19 patients who had exposure to RAAS inhibitors were considered eligible. The Newcastle–Ottawa scale was used to assess risk of bias in individual studies. The review was conducted in line with Preferred Regulatory Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines 2009. From the 952 studies screened and 2 studies from reference hand-searching, 18 were reviewed. Four studies evaluated the risks for SARS-CoV-2 infection among RAAS inhibitors users, and 16 (including 2 of the 4 studies) evaluated the clinical outcomes associated with previous exposure to RAAS inhibitors.

Conclusion

Evidence does not suggest higher risks for SARS-CoV-2 infection or poor disease prognosis in the use of RAAS inhibitors. This suggests the continued use of RAAS inhibitors by patients with existing needs, which supports the position statements of American Heart Association and European societies for Cardiology.
Identification of Patient-Reported Outcome Phenotypes Among Oncology Patients With Palliative Care Needs
Authors: Kaufmann Tara L. , Getz Kelly D. , Hsu Jesse Y. , Bennett Antonia V. , Takvorian Samuel U. , Kamal Arif H. , DeMichele Angela
Published: March 2021

PURPOSE:

Despite evidence-based guidelines recommending early palliative care, it remains unclear how to identify and refer oncology patients, particularly in settings with constrained access to palliative care. We hypothesize that patient-reported outcome (PRO) data can be used to characterize patients with palliative care needs. To determine if PRO data can identify latent phenotypes that characterize indications for specialty palliative care referral.

METHODS:

We conducted a retrospective study of self-reported symptoms on the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System collected from solid tumor oncology patients (n = 745) referred to outpatient palliative care. Data were collected as part of routine clinical care from October 2012 to March 2018 at eight community and academic sites. We applied latent profile analysis to identify PRO phenotypes and examined the association of phenotypes with clinical and demographic characteristics using multinomial logistic regression.

RESULTS:

We identified four PRO phenotypes: (1) Low Symptoms (n = 295, 39.6%), (2) Moderate Pain/Fatigue + Mood (n = 180, 24.2%), (3) Moderate Pain/Fatigue + Appetite + Dyspnea (n = 201, 27.0%), and (4) High Symptoms (n = 69, 9.3%). In a secondary analysis of 421 patients, we found that two brief items assessing social and existential needs aligned with higher severity symptom and psychological distress phenotypes.

CONCLUSION:

Oncology patients referred to outpatient palliative care in a real-world setting can be differentiated into clinically meaningful phenotypes using brief, routinely collected PRO measures. Latent modeling provides a mechanism to use patient-reported data on a population level to identify distinct subgroups of patients with unmet palliative needs.
Compositional Stasis and Flexibility in American Indian Tribes
Authors: Orr Raymond I. , Orr Yancey A.
Published: March 2021

American Indian tribal power has typically expanded since the 1960s. During this period, often referred to as the Self-Determination Era, tribes have regained much of their earlier political centrality. One rarely addressed limitation during this period is the inability of tribal polities to break into smaller units while maintaining recognition as legitimate. This essay identifies the inability of tribes to exercise what the authors call compositional flexibility and fracture to form new polities discrete of the previous tribe. The authors argue the absence of compositional flexibility shapes tribal politics and is at odds with many forms of traditional governance systems.
Trans-spliced mRNA products produced from circRNA expression vectors
Authors: Chu Jennifer , Robert Francis , Pelletier Jerry
Published: March 2021

Circular (circ) RNA expression vectors are used as a method of identifying and characterizing RNA sequences that harbor internal ribosome entry site (IRES) activity. During the course of developing a vector series tailored for IRES discovery, we found evidence for the occurrence of trans-spliced mRNAs arising when sequences with promoter activity were embedded between the upstream CTD and downstream NTD exons of the pre-mRNA. These trans-spliced products regenerate the same open reading frame expected from a circRNA and can lead to false-positive signals in screens relying on circRNA expression vectors for IRES discovery. Our results caution against interpretations of IRES activity solely based on results obtained from circRNA expression vectors.
Promoting citizen science in the energy sector: Generation Solar, an open database of small-scale solar photovoltaic installations
Authors: del Cañizo Carlos , Cristóbal Ana Belén , Barbosa Luisa , Revuelta Gema , Haas Sabine , Victoria Marta , Brocklehurst Martin
Published: March 2021

Citizen science is becoming an effective approach in building a new relationship between science and society, in which the desire of citizens to participate actively in knowledge production meets the needs of researchers. A citizen science initiative dealing with the development of photovoltaics (PV) is presented. To generate a “responsible” initiative, the research question has been designed collectively from the beginning, involving diverse actors in order to encourage creativity while addressing their interests and concerns. The result has been called Generation Solar. It aims at co-creating an open database of PV installations including their technical characteristics, and an online map for visualizing them. The initiative responds to a clear scientific demand; an important drawback for researchers working on energy modelling and predictions of production lays precisely in the lack of information about these installations’ locations and characteristics. The initiative invites citizens, companies and public institutions with a PV installation to collaborate by providing such data. Data will follow the format of Open Power System Data in order to be fully exploitable by the scientific community and society. The success of the initiative will rely on the capacity to mobilize citizens and register the largest possible number of installations worldwide.
A simple and cheap aerosol penetrometer for filter testing using an electronic cigarette.
Authors: Lifka Sebastian , Ponomarev Ivan , Weth Agnes , Baumgartner David , Lamprecht Bernd , Baumgartner Werner
Published: March 2021

Background: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic face masks grew in importance as their use by the general population was recommended by health officials in order to minimize the risk of infection and prevent further spread of the virus. To ensure health protection of medical personal and other system relevant staff, it is of considerable interest to quickly test if a certain lot of filtering facepiece masks meets the requirements or if the permeability changes under different conditions. As certified penetrometers are rather expensive and were difficult to obtain during the COVID-19 pandemic, we describe two quite simple and cheap methods to quickly test the filter permeability based on an electronic cigarette.

Methods: The first method uses a precision scale, the second method uses a light scattering detector to measure the filter penetration. To make sure these two methods yield reliable results, both were tested with freshly cut filter samples covering the range of approx. 2 % to 60 % permeability and compared to the results of a certified penetrometer.

Results: The comparison of the two methods with the certified penetrometer showed a good correlation and therefore allow a quick and rather reliable estimation of the permeability.

Conclusions: Several examples about the use of faulty masks and the resulting health risks show that simple, fast, cheap and broadly available methods for filter characterization might be useful in these days.
Building a safety buffer for European food security: the role of small-scale food production and local ecological and gastronomic knowledge in light of COVID-19
Authors: Sõukand Renata , Kalle Raivo , Fontefrancesco Michele Filippo , Pieroni Andrea
Published: March 2021

The lockdown caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has created a situation in which food availability is affected not only by the availability of money but also by the availability of food itself. On the basis of five pillars, including 1) supporting community-based farming, 2) defending small firms, 3) developing narratives on the high value of local food,4) encouraging subsistence gardening and foraging in the wild, and 5) promoting local ecological and gastronomic knowledge, the article points a way forward to attain greater sustainability and resilience of safe food chains that starts with reassessing the relevance of local food systems.
‘Baltic catacombs.’ Translating corpisanti catacomb relic-sculptures between Rome, Polish Livonia, and the Lithuanian Grand Duchy circa 1750-1800
Authors: Budzyński Radosław , Filipchyk Dzianis , Jakubowski Melchior , Marozau Dzmitry , Noyes Ruth Sargent , Veličkaitė Vika
Published: March 2021

This article offers a first study of the traffic of corpisanti catacomb relic-sculptures between Rome and sites in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Polish Livonia in the decades just before and during the Age of Partition (c. 1750-1800). The article firstly frames an overview of current knowledge on corpisanti more broadly against cases in Livonia and the Grand Duchy. It secondly provides a clearinghouse of secondary and primary source evidence on this topic, with particular attention to providing previously largely unpublished or under-studied texts pertaining to corpisanti cults in the north in translation, included as appendices. This article also presents a study in methods of collaborative scholarship in the pandemic era, investigating across distinct genres of source materials and material and artistic cultural heritage objects accessed via scholarly networks both in the field and online, representing historic sites and institutions in present-day Italy, Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania.
Climate change and mental health: a review of current literature
Authors: Gawrych Magdalena
Published: March 2021

Niniejszy artykuł przeglądowy skupia się na implikacjach zmian klimatu dla zdrowia psychicznego. Globalne ocieplenie może spowodować poważne i powszechne sytuacje kryzysowe: ekstremalne upały, susze, pożary, katastrofy wodne (np. powodzie, huragany i burze przybrzeżne), ekstremalne opady śniegu, gwałtowne burze oraz tornada. Rosnące temperatury, podniesienie się poziomu oceanów oraz ekstremalne zjawiska pogodowe mogą Doprowadzić do drugo- i trzeciorzędowych konsekwencji, np. konfliktów społecznych, zubożenia i przesiedleń ludności. Zagrożenia dla zdrowia psychicznego obejmują: silne stresory, zaburzenia związane ze stresem, lęk, rozpacz, depresję i myśli samobójcze. Zagrożenia te mogą wynikać zarówno z bezpośrednich następstw klęsk żywiołowych związanych z klimatem (np. ekstremalne zjawiska pogodowe), w tym wolniej przebiegających katastrof (np. susza), jak i obaw o samo zjawisko zmiany klimatu. Skoncentrowanie się na wpływie zmian klimatu na zdrowie psychiczne może pomóc lepiej zrozumieć czynniki, które wzmacniają odporność i adaptację psychospołeczną, a także opracować interwencje dostosowane do lokalnych potrzeb. Efektywna adaptacja psychospołeczna do nadchodzących wyzwań wynikających ze zmian klimatu wymaga rozwoju kapitału społecznego oraz wzmocnienia systemów instytucjonalnych.
Electric Vehicle Routing with Public Charging Stations
Authors: Kullman Nicholas D. , Goodson Justin C. , Mendoza Jorge E.
Published: March 2021

We introduce the electric vehicle routing problem with public-private recharging strategy in which vehicles may recharge en route at public charging infrastructure as well as at a privately-owned depot. To hedge against uncertain demand at public charging stations, we design routing policies that anticipate station queue dynamics. We leverage a decomposition to identify good routing policies, including the optimal static policy and fixed-route-based rollout policies that dynamically respond to observed queues. The decomposition also enables us to establish dual bounds, providing a measure of goodness for our routing policies. In computational experiments using real instances from industry, we show the value of our policies to be within 10% of a dual bound. Furthermore, we demonstrate that our policies significantly outperform the industry-standard routing strategy in which vehicle recharging generally occurs at a central depot. Our methods stand to reduce the operating costs associated with electric vehicles, facilitating the transition from internal-combustion engine vehicles.
The UK Kidney Association: stronger together
Authors: Castle Ellen , Sewell Caitlin
Published: March 2021

Ellen Castle, Communications Officer for the British Renal Society, and Caitlin Sewell, Marketing and Communications Officer for the Renal Association, provide an update on the new UK Kidney Association
Microsphere kinematics from the polarization of tightly focused nonseparable light
Authors: Berg-Johansen Stefan , Neugebauer Martin , Aiello Andrea , Leuchs Gerd , Banzer Peter , Marquardt Christoph
Published: March 2021

Recently, it was shown that vector beams can be utilized for fast kinematic sensing via measurements of their global polarization state [Optica 2, 864 (2015)10.1364/OPTICA.2.000864]. The method relies on correlations between the spatial and polarization degrees of freedom of the illuminating field which result from its nonseparable mode structure. Here, we extend the method to the nonparaxial regime. We study experimentally and theoretically the far-field polarization state generated by the scattering of a dielectric microsphere in a tightly focused vector beam as a function of the particle position. Using polarization measurements only, we demonstrate position sensing of a Mie particle in three dimensions. Our work extends the concept of back focal plane interferometry and highlights the potential of polarization analysis in optical tweezers employing structured light.
Compressive recovery of smartphone RGB spectral sensitivity functions
Authors: Ji Yuhyun , Kwak Yunsang , Park Sang Mok , Kim Young L.
Published: March 2021

Spectral response (or sensitivity) functions of a three-color image sensor (or trichromatic camera) allow a mapping from spectral stimuli to RGB color values. Like biological photosensors, digital RGB spectral responses are device dependent and significantly vary from model to model. Thus, the information on the RGB spectral response functions of a specific device is vital in a variety of computer vision as well as mobile health (mHealth) applications. Theoretically, spectral response functions can directly be measured with sophisticated calibration equipment in a specialized laboratory setting, which is not easily accessible for most application developers. As a result, several mathematical methods have been proposed relying on standard color references. Typical optimization frameworks with constraints are often complicated, requiring a large number of colors. We report a compressive sensing framework in the frequency domain for accurately predicting RGB spectral response functions only with several primary colors. Using a scientific camera, we first validate the estimation method with direct spectral sensitivity measurements and ensure that the root mean square errors between the ground truth and recovered RGB spectral response functions are negligible. We further recover the RGB spectral response functions of smartphones and validate with an expanded color checker reference. We expect that this simple yet reliable estimation method of RGB spectral sensitivity can easily be applied for color calibration and standardization in machine vision, hyperspectral filters, and mHealth applications that capitalize on the built-in cameras of smartphones.
Optical tweezers study of membrane fluidity in small cell lung cancer cells
Authors: Li Xuanling , Chen Zhaowu , Li Yinmei , Liang Hanci , Wang Haowei , Li Ming
Published: March 2021

The fluidity of the cell membrane is closely related to cancer metastasis/invasion. To test the relationship of membrane fluidity and invasiveness, we first demonstrated that transfection of small RNA miR-92b-3p can significantly increase invasiveness of the small cell lung cancer cell line SHP77. Then optical tweezers were used to measure membrane fluidity. This study employed continuous and step-like stretching methods to examine fluidity changes in SHP77 cell membranes before and after miR-92b-3p transfection. A newly developed physical model was used to derive the effective viscosity and static tension of the cell membrane from relaxation curves obtained via step-like stretching. Experiments showed that invasiveness and fluidity increased significantly after miR-92b-3p transfection. This study paved the way toward a better understanding of cancer cell invasion and membrane mechanical characteristics.
Biocompatible diameter-oscillating fiber with microlens endface
Authors: Lian Jingyang , He Bin , Wang Wenlong , Guo Yuankai , Xu Yue , Wei Xiaoming , Yang Zhongmin
Published: March 2021

Optical fibers have been widely applied to life science, such as laser delivering, fluorescence collection, biosensing, bioimaging, etc. To resolve the challenges of advanced multiphoton biophotonic applications utilizing ultrashort laser pulses, here we report a flexible diameter-oscillating fiber (DOF) with microlens endface fabricated by using Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomers. The diameter of the DOF is designed to longitudinally vary for providing accurate dispersion management, which is important for near-infrared multiphoton biophotonics that usually involves ultrashort laser pulses. The variation range and period of the DOF’s diameter can be flexibly adjusted by controlling the parameters during the fabrication, such that dispersion curves with different oscillation landscapes can be obtained. The dispersion oscillating around the zero-dispersion baseline gives rise to a minimized net dispersion as the ultrashort laser pulse passes through the DOF — reducing the temporal broadening effect and resulting in transform-limited pulsewidth. In addition, the endface of the DOF is fabricated with a microlens, which is especially useful for laser scanning/focusing and fluorescence excitation. It is anticipated that this new biocompatible DOF is of great interest for biophotonic applications, particularly multiphoton microscopy deep inside biological tissues.
Tailorable infrared emission of microelectromechanical system-based thermal emitters with NiO films for gas sensing
Authors: Li Nanxi , Yuan Hongye , Xu Linfang , Zeng Yongquan , Qiang Bo , Wang Qi Jie , Zheng Shaonan , Cai Hong , Lee Lennon Yao Ting , Singh Navab , Zhao Dan
Published: March 2021

Infrared gas sensors hold great promise in the internet of things and artificial intelligence. Making infrared light sources with miniaturized size, reliable and tunable emission is essential but remains challenging. Herein, we present the tailorability of radiant power and the emergence of new emission wavelength of microelectromechanical system (MEMS)-based thermal emitters with nickel oxide (NiO) films. The coating of NiO on emitters increases top surface emissivity and induces the appearance of new wavelengths between 15 and 19 µm, all of which have been justified by spectroscopic methods. Furthermore, a sensor array is assembled for simultaneous monitoring of concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), humidity, and temperature. The platform shows selective and sensitive detection at room temperature toward CO2 and CH4 with detection limits of around 50 and 1750 ppm, respectively, and also shows fast response/recovery and good recyclability. The demonstrated emission tailorability of MEMS emitters and their usage in sensor array provide novel insights for designing and fabricating optical sensors with good performance, which is promising for mass production and commercialization.
Generation of pure longitudinal magnetization focal spot with a triplex metalens
Authors: Zhao Kun , Zhang Zhiyu , Zang Haofeng , Du Jing , Lu Yonghua , Wang Pei
Published: March 2021

A pure longitudinal magnetization focal spot is greatly desired by all-optical magnetic recording. In this Letter, a triplex metalens is proposed and demonstrated to possess triple functions of an azimuthal polarization converter, a helical phase plate, and a focusing lens. The three-in-one combination enables conversion of linearly polarized incident light to the first-order azimuthally polarized vortex beam and focusing into a diffraction-limited spot. The state of polarization of the focal spot is measured to be pure circular polarization implying that a pure longitudinal magnetization field can be induced by the inverse Faraday effect. The lateral full width at half-maximum of the focal spot is 1.9 µm, and the experimental conversion efficiency of the metasurface is about 19.3%.
Effects of weather and season on human brain volume
Authors: Book Gregory A. , Meda Shashwath A. , Janssen Ronald , Dager Alecia D. , Poppe Andrew , Stevens Michael C. , Assaf Michal , Glahn David , Pearlson Godfrey D.
Published: March 2021

We present an exploratory cross-sectional analysis of the effect of season and weather on Freesurfer-derived brain volumes from a sample of 3,279 healthy individuals collected on two MRI scanners in Hartford, CT, USA over a 15 year period. Weather and seasonal effects were analyzed using a single linear regression model with age, sex, motion, scan sequence, time-of-day, month of the year, and the deviation from average barometric pressure, air temperature, and humidity, as covariates. FDR correction for multiple comparisons was applied to groups of non-overlapping ROIs. Significant negative relationships were found between the left- and right- cerebellum cortex and pressure (t = -2.25, p = 0.049; t = -2.771, p = 0.017). Significant positive relationships were found between left- and right- cerebellum cortex and white matter between the comparisons of January/June and January/September. Significant negative relationships were found between several subcortical ROIs for the summer months compared to January. An opposing effect was observed between the supra- and infra-tentorium, with opposite effect directions in winter and summer. Cohen’s d effect sizes from monthly comparisons were similar to those reported in recent psychiatric big-data publications, raising the possibility that seasonal changes and weather may be confounds in large cohort studies. Additionally, changes in brain volume due to natural environmental variation have not been reported before and may have implications for weather-related and seasonal ailments.
Model-free estimation of COVID-19 transmission dynamics from a complete outbreak
Authors: James Alex , Plank Michael J. , Hendy Shaun , Binny Rachelle N. , Lustig Audrey , Steyn Nic
Published: March 2021

New Zealand had 1499 cases of COVID-19 before eliminating transmission of the virus. Extensive contract tracing during the outbreak has resulted in a dataset of epidemiologically linked cases. This data contains useful information about the transmission dynamics of the virus, its dependence on factors such as age, and its response to different control measures. We use Monte-Carlo network construction techniques to provide an estimate of the number of secondary cases for every individual infected during the outbreak. We then apply standard statistical techniques to quantify differences between groups of individuals. Children under 10 years old are significantly under-represented in the case data. Children infected fewer people on average and had a lower probability of transmitting the disease in comparison to adults and the elderly. Imported cases infected fewer people on average and also had a lower probability of transmitting than domestically acquired cases. Superspreading is a significant contributor to the epidemic dynamics, with 20% of cases among adults responsible for 65–85% of transmission. Subclinical cases infected fewer individuals than clinical cases. After controlling for outliers serial intervals were approximated with a normal distribution (μ = 4.4 days, σ = 4.7 days). Border controls and strong social distancing measures, particularly when targeted at superspreading, play a significant role in reducing the spread of COVID-19.