bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neural resonance in consumers' right inferior frontal gyrus predicts attitudes toward advertising
Authors: He Lin , Pelowski Matthew , Yu Wenhuan , Liu Tao
Published: June 2021

Advertising plays a critical role in the commercial success of services and products. However, despite a long history of attempts to evaluate the efficacy of advertisements, actual objective, consistent means of assessing and anticipating whether an advertisement might be effective and why it would be expected to translate to actual, desired purchasing decisions remain elusive—especially as this regards advertisements' ability to resonate or create emotional connections across audiences. In this study, focusing on female participants, we employed functional near‐infrared spectroscopy to monitor brain activations over empathy and emotional contagion regions as individuals viewed advertisements, matched with a multi‐brain network model for assessing synchronicity patterns across all participants' brains. Study 1 demonstrated that high‐scoring advertisements induced more densely coupled brain activations among participants in their right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), tied to emotional empathy via embodied experience, and thus potentially representing shared understandings and emotional resonance among consumers. Study 2 replicated this finding with popular music and confirmed that density of the right IFG multi‐brain network could predict real‐world population‐level performance, thus presenting an intriguing new tool that might be coupled with other assessments.
Terror at the front gate: Insurgency in Mozambique and its implications for the SADC and South Africa
Authors: Mlambo Victor H. , Masuku Mfundo Mandla
Published: June 2021

The paper, employing a qualitative research approach through the review of literature seeks to examine the increasing acts of terrorism in Mozambique's Northern Cabo Delgado region and its implications for the SADC and South Africa. Regionally, the SADC's failure to act has cast doubt on the regional body's ability to protect and support member states in times of need and has painted a bleak picture for the region's security, should the insurgency spread to other countries. For South Africa, this presents a security conundrum, not only are the country's land borders porous, but the country's intelligence services have been marred by political interference, thus questioning the country's ability to promptly respond to possible threats that may emanate from its land borders. The current political discourse in South Africa argues that should terror groups consolidate their presence in Mozambique and look to expand their operations to South Africa, The country's borders at their current state together with a politically compromised intelligence service would serve little purpose in protecting the country considering their state of disarray. The paper recommends that collective action is needed to address the on‐going insurgency in Mozambique through a SADC initiated regional framework, which is supported by member states. For South Africa, investment in border operations, policy harmonisation, and the impartiality of intelligence services are key issues that ought to be addressed to ensure that going forward, South Africa can repel any possible terror‐related incident.
Influence of multiwalled carbon nanotubes on the structure and properties of poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate‐co‐carbon monoxide) nanocomposites
Authors: George Gibin , Mahendran Arunjunairaj , Murugesan Selvakumar , Anandhan S.
Published: June 2021

In this work, composites of poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate‐co‐carbon monoxide) (EVACO)/surface‐modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes (m‐MWCNTs) were prepared using a solution casting technique. Acid treatment was employed for the surface modification of MWCNTs to improve the compatibility between polar EVACO and MWCNTs. The influences of m‐MWCNTs on the crystalline, mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of EVACO at very low filler loading were systematically evaluated. The presence of m‐MWCNTs in the EVACO matrix influenced the crystallinity, and the respective changes were determined and quantified using dynamic scanning calorimetry and X‐ray diffraction. The mechanical properties of the composites were improved remarkably by the addition of a minute quantity (0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, and 0.25 wt%) of m‐MWCNTs. Additionally, m‐MWCNTs in the EVACO matrix improved the thermal stability and electrical properties of EVACO. However, the filler loading is below the threshold loading of the fillers, and there was no drastic improvement in the electrical conductivity of the composite.
Molecular weight and concentration of poly (acrylic acid) dual‐responsive homogeneous and intrafibrillar collagen mineralization using an in situ co‐organization strategy
Authors: Shen Lirui , Bu Honghong , Zhang Yuanzhi , Tang Pingping , Li Guoying
Published: June 2021

Intrafibrillar mineralization is crucial in the synthesis of collagen‐hydroxyapatite (HAP) composites with hierarchical structure resembling natural bone. The polymer‐induced liquid precursor method, which involves immersing the matrix into polymer‐stabilized amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) solutions, has been widely used to regulate collagen mineralization; however, heterogeneous infiltration and crystallization of ACP precursors from the surface to the inner matrix remain a concern. In this study, the polymer‐mediated co‐organization strategy in which poly (acrylic acid) (PAA)‐stabilized ACP solutions were initially introduced to collagen solutions before sol–gel transformation was employed to achieve homogeneous mineralization. Moreover, the effects of PAA with various molecular weights (2, 10, and 450 kDa) and concentrations (40, 80, and 120 mg/L) on collagen mineralization were evaluated. Increasing concentration and decreasing molecular weight both improved the stability of ACP precursors, which affected collagen mineralization. A lower concentration (40 mg/L) of 2 kDa PAA and higher concentration (80 and 120 mg/L) of 100 and 450 kDa PAA effectively retarded ACP crystallization, thereby inducing intrafibrillar mineralization. Extremely unstable ACP precursors failed to infiltrate the interior of fibrils using 100 and 450 kDa of PAA at 40 mg/L, resulting in extrafibrillar mineralization. Inversely, collagen fibrils were unmineralized until 7 days owing to excessive stability of ACP precursors using 2 kDa of PAA at higher concentrations. The present results further explain the mechanisms of intrafibrillar mineralization, and may provide a facile method for producing biomimetic materials.
Annealing and crystallization kinetics of poly(lactic acid) pieces obtained by additive manufacturing
Authors: Reis Iago Augusto , Cunha Claro Pedro Ivo , Marcomini Andre Luis , Capparelli Mattoso Luiz Henrique , da Silva Sandro Pereira , de Sena Neto Alfredo Rodrigues
Published: June 2021

In this study, we investigated the influence of isothermal treatment of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) 3D printed samples at different crystallization temperatures. In this case, we analyzed the effect of each crystallization temperature on spherulites formation in printed PLA, affecting the final mechanical properties of pieces. For such, the thermomechanical properties, morphological structure, and crystallization kinetics were analyzed before and after thermal treatment. The 3D printed samples were heat treated at 80°C, 90°C, 100°C, 110°C, and 119°C. With annealing, we observed an improvement in the mechanical PLA properties; however, the exothermic crystallization peak was different for the samples. Pieces before annealing were found to have a low crystallinity index (Ic) of 2%–7%, and the pieces after annealing presented a considerable Ic (27%–34%). Annealing temperatures of 100°C, 110°C, and 119°C produced the fastest crystallization kinetics, while annealing temperatures of 80°C and 90°C resulted in the lowest crystallization kinetics for complete crystallization. After annealing, improvement in the flexural strength (34%–47%) and Young's modulus (26%–51%) for all annealed pieces occurred. The appropriate condition was observed at 100°C, which was the onset temperature of crystallization, owing to the combination of the shorter time of crystallization with the increased mechanical properties.
Introducing an anthropology of convenience
Authors: Oka Rahul
Published: June 2021

This article serves to introduce the Special Issue of Economic Anthropology dedicated to “Convenience as a Driver, Mediator, and Moderator of Social Economies.” The twelve articles in this issue are based on papers presented at the fortieth annual meeting of the Society for Economic Anthropology at the University of Notre Dame from April 30 to May 1, 2020. In this introductory article, I briefly introduce, conceptualize, and generally define “convenience” as a heuristic and part of doxa and as a powerful force driving social economies, freshly revealed in the fractures left by the global COVID‐19 pandemic. I then discuss the etymology of the term convenience and review previous research on the topic of convenience within marketing, technology, business, and the medical sectors, which reveal it to be a fluid, multidimensional concept centered on key concepts such as efficiency, efficacy, ease, comfort, and/or advantage, but also culturally circumscribed. The articles in this issue speak to the complexities of “convenience” with ethnographic cases from the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Being one of the cornerstones of consumption driving contemporary global economies, “convenience” as a driver of economies has significant and even positive impacts for issues such as poverty alleviation. It also has, in this hyperscale global economic landscape, negative implications for human societies in its impacts on health and the environment. As such, I argue that convenience is a crucial topic for future anthropological concern.
Groundwater quality modeling: On the analogy between integrative PSO and MRFO mathematical and machine learning models
Authors: Zounemat‐Kermani Mohammad , Mahdavi‐Meymand Amin , Fadaee Marzieh , Batelaan Okke , Hinkelmann Reinhard
Published: June 2021

Reliable and accurate modeling of groundwater quality is an important element of sustainable groundwater management of productive aquifers. In this research, specific conductance (SC) of groundwater is predicted based on different individual and integrative machine learning, adaptive neuro‐fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), and nonlinear mathematical models. For developing the integrative models, the well‐known particle swarm optimization (PSO) and novel manta ray foraging optimization (MRFO) heuristic algorithms are embedded in the models. Presenting different univariate, bivariate, and multivariate input scenarios, the parameters used to develop and validate the models include groundwater level, salinity, and water temperature at an observation well near Florida City. The findings reveal that applying more independent parameters (multivariate scenario) enhances the performance of both the mathematical and machine learning models. Even though the mathematical models present an acceptable performance for the prediction of SC (index of agreement, IA, equals 0.933), the ANFIS models provide the most accurate SC predictions (IA = 0.943). Both the PSO and MRFO algorithms improved the prediction capability of the ANFIS models with, respectively, 13% and 5% for the RMSE.
Agroecology and the metropolitan biopolitics of food in Cape Town and Johannesburg
Authors: Kroll Florian
Published: June 2021

As urban food systems erode the ecological foundations of society, researchers advocate multi‐level and adaptive governance to promote transitions toward sustainability. Agroecological discourse proposes transition to resilient, localized, and democratic city–region food systems, but neoliberal interpretations subvert radical aspirations. In the South African metropoles of Johannesburg and Cape Town, the governance terrain entails a concentrated industrial food system providing large, impoverished populations with unhealthy food derived from monocultures and transported along global value chains. Governing these urban food systems toward agroecological transition requires engagement with state governance mechanisms and rationalities. Considering state capabilities to promote agroecological transitions, the paper shows that fragmented institutional structures, policy patchworks, intersecting logics of control, and divergent ideologies constitute an ambiguous governance terrain posing major hurdles to transition. For metropolitan states to muster the will and assemble means for deep transformation of food systems and dominant state rationalities, a compelling alternative narrative must emerge. This requires persistent strategic engagement between officials and agroecological movements. To cultivate fertile political ground for seeds of deep, just transitions to take root, agroecology movements must grasp the nettle of metropolitan state capabilities.
Cerebrospinal fluid analysis lacks diagnostic specificity in dogs with vestibular disease
Authors: Danciu Cecilia Gabriella , Szladovits Balazs , Crawford Abbe Harper , Ognean Laurentiu , De Decker Steven
Published: June 2021

Background

Although, vestibular syndrome is a common neurological presentation, little is known about the diagnostic value of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis in vestibular syndrome in dogs.

Methods

Medical records were retrospectively reviewed, and dogs with vestibular disease that had undergone magnetic resonance imaging of the head, CSF analysis and were diagnosed with central or peripheral vestibular syndrome were included. Disorders affecting the central vestibular system included meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (MUO), brain neoplasia, ischaemic infarct, intracranial empyema or metronidazole toxicity. Disorders affecting the peripheral vestibular system included idiopathic vestibular disease, otitis media/interna or neoplasia affecting the inner ear structures. Total nucleated cell concentration (TNCC), total protein concentration (TP) and cytologic assessment were recorded.

Results

A total of 102 dogs met the inclusion criteria. The sensitivity and specificity of increased CSF TNCC to differentiate central from peripheral vestibular syndrome was 49% and 90%, while the sensitivity and specificity of increased TP was 58% and 39%, respectively. The TNCC and TP in dogs with MUO were significantly higher than in dogs with idiopathic vestibular disease (p = 0.000 and p = 0.004). MUO was associated with lymphocytic pleocytosis, while idiopathic vestibular disease and ischaemic infarct were associated with the presence of activated macrophages or normal cytology (p = 0.000).

Conclusion

Although consistent CSF abnormalities were observed in dogs with MUO, CSF analysis did not allow reliable differentiation between central and peripheral vestibular syndrome. CSF analysis is not reliable as the sole diagnostic technique in dogs with vestibular disease.
KLT factorization of winding string amplitudes
Authors: Gomis Jaume , Yan Ziqi , Yu Matthew
Published: June 2021

Abstract

We uncover a Kawai-Lewellen-Tye (KLT)-type factorization of closed string amplitudes into open string amplitudes for closed string states carrying winding and momentum in toroidal compactifications. The winding and momentum closed string quantum numbers map respectively to the integer and fractional winding quantum numbers of open strings ending on a D-brane array localized in the compactified directions. The closed string amplitudes factorize into products of open string scattering amplitudes with the open strings ending on a D-brane configuration determined by closed string data.
Role of pressure in stabilization of oxynitride phosphor synthesis
Authors: Adamczyk Barbara J. , Poelman Dirk , Korthout Katleen , Michalik Daniel , Pawlik Tomasz , Sopicka-Lizer Małgorzata
Published: June 2021

The possibilities of improving the crystallization and optical properties of strontium europium oxonitridosilicate phosphor powders were discussed. Two different routes of synthesis were presented: traditional solid-state reaction method and gas pressure synthesis. It was proven that altering the partial pressure during the process of synthesis enhances crystallization of a desired single, triclinic SrSi2O2N2 phase. XANES measurements confirmed complete reduction of the trivalent europium activator ions in all of the tested materials. The photoluminescent properties were determined by emission, excitation and decay times measurements. CIE1931 colour points and luminous efficacy were calculated as well. Thermal quenching studies in the range of 0–225 °C confirmed good thermal stability of the investigated powders combined with excellent quantum efficiency at room temperature.
Cognitive trajectories in multiple sclerosis: a long-term follow-up study
Authors: Carotenuto Antonio , Costabile Teresa , Pontillo Giuseppe , Moccia Moccia , Falco Fabrizia , Petracca Maria , Petruzzo Martina , Russo Cinzia Valeria , Di Stasi Martina , Paolella Chiara , Perillo Teresa , Vola Elena Augusta , Cipullo Maria Brunella , Cocozza Sirio , Lanzillo Roberta , Brescia Morra Vincenzo , Saccà Francesco
Published: June 2021

Background

Cognitive impairment occurs in multiple sclerosis (MS) and undergoes a progressive worsening over disease course. However, clinicians still struggle to predict the course of cognitive function. To evaluate baseline clinical and imaging predictors of cognitive abilities worsening over time, we performed a latent trajectory analysis for cognitive performances in MS patients, up to 15 years from disease onset.

Methods

We collected age, sex, education, dominant and non-dominant 9-hole peg test (9HP) and timed 25-foot walk (T25-FW) as well as MRI measures (grey matter volume and lesion load) within 6 months from disease diagnosis for relapsing–remitting MS (RR-MS) patients. At diagnosis and over the follow-up, we also assessed cognitive status through the symbol digit modalities test (SDMT). Cognitive impairment was defined by applying age-, gender- and education-adjusted normative values. Group-based trajectory analysis was performed to determine trajectories, and the predictive value of clinical and imaging variables at baseline was assessed through multinomial logistic regression.

Results

We included 148 RR-MS (98 females and 50 males). Over 11 ± 4 year follow-up, 51.4% remained cognitively stable whereas 48.6% cognitively worsened. Cognitively worsening patients had a higher T25FW time (p = 0.004) and a reduced hippocampal volume at baseline (p = 0.04).

Conclusion

Physical disability as well as hippocampal atrophy might depict patients at risk of cognitive worsening over the disease course. Therefore, using such predictors, clinicians may select patients to carefully evaluate for cognitive impairment as to eventually introduce cognitive rehabilitation treatments.
Wing-waving behaviors are used for conspecific display in the Japanese scorpionfly, Panorpa japonica
Authors: Ishihara Ryo , Miyatake Takahisa
Published: June 2021

Species of scorpionfly (Mecoptera) in the family Panorpidae perform wing-waving behaviors, whereby they rotate their front and rear wings at the same time. Previous studies have suggested that a male, which carries food for use as nuptial gifts for females, performs the wing-waving behavior when the male gives the gift to a female or competes with other males. However, when and how the wing-waving behavior occurs during a series of nuptial giftings and male–male competitions have not been investigated. Therefore, we here observed the role of wing-waving behavior during the processes of giving nuptial gifts and male–male competition in the Japanese scorpionfly Panorpa japonica in the laboratory and field. Unlike previous studies, only males performed wing-waving behavior toward females, while females did not exhibit the behavior in the wild. Also, males always performed wing-waving behavior before male–male competition. After a male–male competition, winner males continued wing-waving behavior, but loser males never performed the behavior against the winner male. A comparison of wing-waving behaviors before competitions between winner and loser males showed that the frequencies of wing-waving behaviors were higher in winner than in loser males. The present results suggest that the wing-waving behavior functions in the inter-sexual and intra-sexual selection in P. japonica. Digital video images related to the article are available at http://www.momo-p.com/showdetail-e.php?movieid=momo210513pj01a and http://www.momo-p.com/showdetail-e.php?movieid=momo210513pj02a and http://www.momo-p.com/showdetail-e.php?movieid=momo210513pj03a.
Schwannoma of the abdominal wall: updated literature review
Authors: Panici Tonucci Tommaso , Sironi Andrea , Pisa Eleonora , Di Venosa Benedetta , Bonavina Luigi
Published: June 2021

Background

Schwannoma is a benign tumor arising from Schwann cells of the peripheral nerves. It is often asymptomatic and can develop in the retroperitoneum, mediastinum, head and neck region, and upper and lower extremities. Schwannoma of the abdominal wall is extremely rare, but differential diagnosis with malignant neoplasms is important to reduce the risk of undertreatment.

Methods

A narrative review of abdominal wall schwannoma was performed using PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science database and the search terms “schwannoma”, “neurinoma”, “neurilemmoma”, “soft tissue tumors”, “neurogenic tumor”, “rectus abdominis mass”, “abdominal wall”. In addition, the hospital charts were reviewed to report the personal experience.

Results

Only 9 single case-reports of benign schwannoma of the abdominal wall were found in the English medical literature over the past decade. None of the patients received preoperative biopsy and all were resected with clear margins. In addition to the literature review, we report the case of a 58-year-old man referred for a palpable mass in the left upper abdominal quadrant. Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a solid and well-encapsulated mass inside the left rectus abdominis muscle. A core biopsy of the lesion provided the diagnosis of cellular schwannoma and this was confirmed by histopathologic examination of the surgical specimen.

Conclusions

Benign schwannoma of the abdominal wall is extremely rare. Percutaneous core needle biopsy is important for the differential diagnosis with more common and biologically more aggressive malignancies, such as desmoid tumors and sarcomas, and may be relevant for planning the most appropriate management.
Hydrolytic stability of anticancer drugs and one metabolite in the aquatic environment
Authors: Toński Michał , Dołżonek Joanna , Stepnowski Piotr , Białk-Bielińska Anna
Published: June 2021

Due to the genotoxic, carcinogenic and teratogenic mechanism of action, anticancer drugs are highly hazardous compounds. Their occurrence, fate, and effects in the environment have not been systematically studied as compared to other medicaments. Therefore, reliable data, including their stability and persistency, is required in order to assess it. Taking into account, that hydrolysis is one of the most important factors regarding stability of chemicals in water, the aim of our study was to investigate the hydrolytic stability of five commonly used anticancer drugs (ifosfamide, cyclophosphamide, 5-fluorouracil, imatinib, and methotrexate) and one metabolite (7-hydroxymethotrexate), as the systematized and coherent data available is limited. The hydrolysis studies have been prepared according to the OECD 111 procedure to obtain standardized and comparable results. The preliminary tests at pH 4, 7, and 9 and 50 °C show that only cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide are unstable, whereas the estimated t1/2 at 25 °C is >1 year for other investigated compounds. Moreover, much more detailed experiments were performed and indicate that at environmentally relevant temperatures, cyclophosphamide, and ifosfamide would be quite persistent in the terms of hydrolytic stability. Moreover, the preliminary investigation on the hydrolysis products was performed.
Environmental Product Declarations for plants and soils: how to quantify carbon uptake in landscape design and construction?
Authors: Kuittinen Matti , Hautamäki Ranja , Tuhkanen Eeva-Maria , Riikonen Anu , Ariluoma Mari
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Currently, no clear guidance exists for ISO and EN standards of calculating, verifying, and reporting the climate impacts of plants, mulches, and soils used in landscape design and construction. In order to optimise the potential of ecosystem services in the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions in the built environment, we unequivocally propose their inclusion when assessing sustainability.

Methods

We analysed the life cycle phases of plants, soils, and mulches from the viewpoint of compiling standard-based Environmental Product Declarations. In comparison to other construction products, the differences of both mass and carbon flows were identified in these products.

Results

Living and organic products of green infrastructure require an LCA approach of their own. Most importantly, if conventional life cycle guidance for Environmental Product Declarations were to be followed, over time, the asymmetric mass and carbon flows would lead to skewed conclusions. Moreover, the ability of plants to reproduce raises additional questions for allocating environmental impacts.

Conclusions

We present a set of recommendations that are required for compiling Environmental Product Declarations for the studied products of green infrastructure. In order to enable the quantification of the climate change mitigation potential of these products, it is essential that work for further development of LCA guidance be mandated.
The Age of Artificial Intelligence: Use of Digital Technology in Clinical Nutrition
Authors: Limketkai Berkeley N. , Mauldin Kasuen , Manitius Natalie , Jalilian Laleh , Salonen Bradley R.
Published: June 2021

Purpose of review

Computing advances over the decades have catalyzed the pervasive integration of digital technology in the medical industry, now followed by similar applications for clinical nutrition. This review discusses the implementation of such technologies for nutrition, ranging from the use of mobile apps and wearable technologies to the development of decision support tools for parenteral nutrition and use of telehealth for remote assessment of nutrition.

Recent findings

Mobile applications and wearable technologies have provided opportunities for real-time collection of granular nutrition-related data. Machine learning has allowed for more complex analyses of the increasing volume of data collected. The combination of these tools has also translated into practical clinical applications, such as decision support tools, risk prediction, and diet optimization.

The state of digital technology for clinical nutrition is still young, although there is much promise for growth and disruption in the future.
Trajectory Design for the ESA LISA Mission
Authors: Martens Waldemar , Joffre Eric
Published: June 2021

The three Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) spacecraft are going to be placed in a triangular formation in an Earth-trailing or Earth-leading orbit. They will be launched together on a single rocket and transferred to that science orbit using Solar Electric Propulsion. Since the transfer Δv depends on the chosen science orbit, both transfer and science orbit have been optimised together. For a thrust level of 90 mN, an allocation of 1092 m/s per spacecraft is sufficient for an all-year launch in 2034. For every launch month a dedicated science orbit is designed with a corner angle variation of 60° ± 1.0° and an arm length rate of maximum 10 m/s. Moreover, a detailed navigation analysis of the science orbit insertion and the impact on insertion errors on the constellation stability has been conducted. The analysis shows that Range/Doppler measurements together with a series of correction manoeuvres at the beginning of the science orbit phase can reduce insertion dispersions to a level where corner angle variations remain at about 60° ± 1.1° at 99% C.L. However, the situation can become significantly worse if the self-gravity accelerations acting during the science orbit phase are not sufficiently characterised prior to science orbit insertion.
Integrative Analysis of Genome, 3D Genome, and Transcriptome Alterations of Clinical Lung Cancer Samples
Authors: Li Tingting , Li Ruifeng , Dong Xuan , Shi Lin , Lin Miao , Peng Ting , Wu Pengze , Liu Yuting , Li Xiaoting , He Xuheng , Han Xu , Kang Bin , Wang Yinan , Liu Zhiheng , Chen Qing , Shen Yue , Feng Mingxiang , Wang Xiangdong , Wu Duojiao , Wang Jian , Li Cheng
Published: June 2021

Genomic studies of cancer cell alterations, such as mutations, copy number variations (CNVs), and translocations, greatly promote our understanding of the genesis and development of cancers. However, the 3D genome architecture of cancers remains less studied due to the complexity of cancer genomes and technical difficulties. To explore the 3D genome structure in clinical lung cancer, we performed Hi-C experiments using paired normal and tumor cells harvested from patients with lung cancer, combining with RNA sequenceing analysis. We demonstrated the feasibility of studying 3D genome of clinical lung cancer samples with a small number of cells (1 × 104), compared the genome architecture between clinical samples and cell lines of lung cancer, and identified conserved and changed spatial chromatin structures between normal and cancer samples. We also showed that Hi-C data can be used to infer CNVs and point mutations in cancer. By integrating those different types of cancer alterations, we showed significant associations between CNVs, 3D genome, and gene expression. We propose that 3D genome mediates the effects of cancer genomic alterations on gene expression through altering regulatory chromatin structures. Our study highlights the importance of analyzing 3D genomes of clinical cancer samples in addition to cancer cell lines and provides an integrative genomic analysis pipeline for future larger-scale studies in lung cancer and other cancers.
Macroeconomics
Authors: Thomas Alex M.
Published: June 2021

Macroeconomics: An Introduction, provides a lucid and novel introduction to macroeconomic issues. It introduces the reader to an alternative approach of understanding macroeconomics, which is inspired by the works of Adam Smith, David Ricardo, Karl Marx, John Maynard Keynes, and Piero Sraffa. It also presents the reader with a critical account of mainstream marginalist macroeconomics. The book begins with a brief history of economic theories and then takes the reader through three different ways of conceptualizing the macroeconomy. Subsequently, the theories of money and interest rates, output and employment levels, and economic growth are discussed. The book ends by providing a policy template for addressing the macroeconomic concerns of unemployment and inflation. The conceptual discussion in Macroeconomics is situated within the context of the Indian economy. Besides using publicly available data, the contextual description is instantiated using excerpts from works of fiction by Indian authors.
Adherence to Personal Protective Equipment Guidelines During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Health-Care Personnel: A Louisiana Case Study
Authors: Aggarwal Ayushi , Darwish Oliver A. , Karvar Mehran , Ma Chenhao , Wu Mengfan , Haug Valentin , Orgill Dennis P. , Panayi Adriana C.
Published: June 2021

Objective:

The aim of this study was to determine the extent that appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, was used during the coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic by health-care personnel (HCP) in Louisiana in 5 clinical settings.

Methods:

An online questionnaire was distributed to the LA Nursery registry. Appropriate use of PPE in each of the 5 clinical scenarios was defined by the authors based on CDC guidelines. The scenarios ranged from communal hospital space to carrying out aerosol generating procedures (AGPs). A total of 1760 HCP participated between June and July 2020.

Results:

The average adherence in LA was lowest for the scenario of carrying out AGPs at 39.5% compliance and highest for the scenario of patient contact when COVID-19 not suspected at 82.8% compliance. Adherence among parishes varied widely. Commentary to suggest a shortage of PPE supply and the practice of re-using PPE was strong.

Conclusions:

Use of appropriate PPE varied by setting. It was higher in scenarios where only face masks (or respirators) were the standard (ie, community hospital or when COVID-19 not suspected) and lower in scenarios where additional PPE (eg, gloves, eye protection, and isolation gown) was required.
Influence of Social Media Use on Practice of COVID-19 Preventive Measures Among Ethiopian Residents: An Online Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Sadore Abinet Arega , Handiso Demelash Woldeyohannes , Wontamo Tekle Ejajo , Mekango Dejene Ermias , Moges Sisay
Published: June 2021

Background:

Infection with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a severe public health issue worldwide. A broad amount of information related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic was disseminated by social media in Ethiopia. To date, there is limited evidence on the influence of social media use for COVID-19–related information on COVID-19 preventive practice. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the influence of social media use on the practice of COVID-19 preventive measures in Ethiopia.

Methods:

This study used an anonymous Internet-based online cross-sectional survey using Google Forms to collect the data from the respondents from May 15 to June 17, 2020, in Ethiopia. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between social media use as a predictor and COVID-19 preventive practice, after adjusting for socio-demographic and risk perception of COVID-19 variables. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 21.

Results:

A total of 372 respondents have participated in the study. From 372, a total of 208 (55.9%) respondents in this study were male. Study participants who had good use of social media to get COVID-19–related information were 9.5 times more engaged in COVID-19 preventive practices compared with study participants who had poor use of social media to get COVID-19–related information (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 9.59; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.70-16.13). Also, study participants who had a high-risk perception of COVID-19 were 2.6 times more engaged in COVID-19 practices compared with study participants who had a low-risk perception of COVID-19 (AOR = 2.63; 95% CI: 1.58-4.38). Study participants who were students at the time of this study were 4 times more likely to show an adequate COVID-19 preventive practice score compared with those who had another occupational status (AOR = 4.07; 95% CI: 1.66-9.98)

Conclusions:

Our results show that the use of social media networks can have a positive effect on the practice of preventive measures and public safety against COVID-19; high-risk perception contributed to preventive activities against COVID-19. Social networking platforms can be used by public health agencies as an important method to raise public health understanding by disseminating concise messages to targeted audiences.
On-farm assessment of cover cropping effects on soil C and N pools, enzyme activities, and microbial community structure
Authors: Feng Hanxiao , Sekaran Udayakumar , Wang Tong , Kumar Sandeep
Published: June 2021

Introducing cover crops (CC) in annual cropping systems can promote nutrient cycling and improve soil health. However, impacts of CC on soil health indicators vary and depend on the duration of CC, cropping systems, and other environmental conditions. We performed an on-farm assessment of cover cropping impacts on soil health indicators including C and N pools, enzyme activities, and microbial community structure under different no-till maize-based cropping systems (maize (Zea mays L.)–soybean (Glycine max L.) [CS], CS-winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) [CSWw], and maize-oats (Avena sativa L.) [CO]). At five farms, fields with different durations of CC were compared to adjacent no CC (NCC) fields. In general, long-term CC enhanced the soil health parameters compared to NCC. Long-term (20-year) winter rye CC had higher water-extractable C and N content, enzyme activities (β-glucosidase (1.2 times greater), urease (5.5 times greater), acid (1.5 times greater) and alkaline (4 times greater) phosphatase, arylsulfatase (0.8 times greater) and fluorescein diacetate (FDA) (0.7 times greater)) and soil bacterial community abundance (1.2 times greater). Short-term (3–6 years) legume and grass CC mixtures increased β-glucosidase (0.9 times), acid (0.7 times) and alkaline (1.5 times) phosphatase, arylsulfatase (3 times), FDA (0.8 times) activities and total phospholipid fatty acid (1.6 times) concentration. However, short-term (3–6 years) winter rye, legume and brassica mixtures did not significantly alter soil microbial community structure. This study showed that implementation of CC for >6 years promoted C, N, S, and P cycling that are beneficial to soil health in maize-based cropping systems.
Age heaping among individuals in selected South Asian countries: evidence from Demographic and Health Surveys
Authors: Singh Manish , Kashyap Gyan Chandra , Bango Madhumita
Published: June 2021

Age misreporting is a common phenomenon in Demographic and Health Surveys, and there are numerous reasons for this. The trend and pattern of disparity in age heaping vary between countries. The present study assesses age heaping in the selected South Asian countries of Afghanistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan using data from the most recent round of the Demographic and Health Survey. The respondent sample sizes were 203,703 for Afghanistan, 2,869,043 for India, 49,064 for Nepal, 81,618 for Bangladesh and 100,868 for Pakistan. Age heaping was assessed by respondent’s age, education level, sex and level of education. Whipple’s index was calculated to assess systematic heaping on certain ages as a result of digit preference. Bangladesh, Afghanistan and India showed stronger preference for ages ending with the digits ‘0’ and ‘5’ compared with Pakistan and Nepal among uneducated respondents. On the other hand, strong avoidance of ages ending in the digits ‘1’, ‘4’ and ‘9’ was observed in Bangladesh, Afghanistan and India. However, urban–rural place of residence was not found to be associated with digit preference in the study countries. Among males, age misreporting with the final digits ‘0’ and ‘5’ was highest in Bangladesh, followed by Afghanistan and India, and Nepal showed the least displacement. Strong digit preference and avoidance, and upper age displacement, were witnessed in the surveys conducted in Bangladesh, Afghanistan and India on the parameters of sex and education level. Innovative methods of data collection with the measurement and minimization of errors using statistical techniques should be used to ensure accuracy of age data.
Gerricola queenslandensis n. g., n. sp., a new monorchiid trematode from the eastern Australian coast and its life cycle partially elucidated
Authors: Wee N.Q.-X. , Cutmore S.C. , Cribb T.H.
Published: June 2021

Of over 250 species of Monorchiidae Odhner, 1911, just four are known from gerreid fishes. Here, we report adult specimens of a new species infecting Gerres oyena (Forsskål) and Gerres subfasciatus Cuvier from off Heron Island and North Stradbroke Island, Queensland, Australia. The species is morphologically most similar to the concept of Lasiotocus Looss, 1907, which currently comprises eight species, in the possession of an unspined genital atrium, bipartite terminal organ, round oral sucker and unlobed ovary. However, phylogenetic analyses of the 28S ribosomal DNA gene region shows the species to be distantly related to the two sequenced species of Lasiotocus – Lasiotocus mulli (Stossich, 1883) Odhner, 1911 and Lasiotocus trachinoti Overstreet & Brown, 1970 – and that it clearly requires a distinct genus; thus, we propose Gerricola queenslandensis n. g., n. sp. Morphologically, G. queenslandensis n. g., n. sp. differs significantly from L. mulli and L. trachinoti only in the possession of distinctly longer caeca, which terminate in the post-testicular region, and in the absence of a distinct gap in the terminal organ spines. The remaining species of Lasiotocus possess caeca that also terminate in the post-testicular region, which might warrant their transfer to Gerricola n. g. However, doubt about their monophyly due to a combination of significant morphological variation, a lack of information on some features and infection of a wide range of hosts, lead us to retain these taxa as species of Lasiotocus until molecular sequence data are available to better inform their phylogenetic and taxonomic positions. Sporocysts and cercariae of G. queenslandensis n. g., n. sp. were found in a lucinid bivalve, Codakia paytenorum (Iredale), from Heron Island. Sexual adult and intramolluscan stages were genetically matched with the ITS2 ribosomal DNA and cox1 mitochondrial DNA regions. This is the second record of the Lucinidae as a first intermediate host for the Monorchiidae. Additionally, we report sporocysts and cercariae of another monorchiid infection in a tellinid bivalve, Jactellina clathrata (Deshayes), from Heron Island. Molecular sequence data for this species do not match any sequenced species and phylogenetic analyses do not suggest any generic position.
Plasmodium ouropretensis, n. sp., a new case of non-erythrocytic species within lizard malaria parasites
Authors: Córdoba Oscar Hernandes , Ferreira Francisco C. , Pacheco M. Andreína , Escalante Ananias A. , Braga Érika Martins
Published: June 2021

Delimiting and describing Plasmodium species in reptiles remains a pressing problem in Haemosporida taxonomy. The few morphological characters used can overlap, and the significance of some life-history traits is not fully understood. Morphologically identical lizard Plasmodium forms have been reported infecting different cell types (red and white blood cells) in the same host and have been considered the same species. An example is Plasmodium tropiduri tropiduri, a species known to infect erythrocytes, thrombocytes and lymphocyte-like cells. Here, both forms of P. t. tropiduri were analysed using light microscope-based morphological characteristics and phylogenetic inferences based on almost complete mitochondrial genomes of parasites naturally infecting lizards in southeastern Brazil. Although morphologically similar, two distinct phylogenetic lineages infecting erythrocytes and non-erythrocytic cells were found. The lineage found in the erythrocytes forms a monophyletic group with species from Colombia. However, the non-erythrocytic lineage shares a recent common ancestor with Plasmodium leucocytica, which infects leucocytes in lizards from the Caribbean islands. Here, Plasmodium ouropretensis n. sp. is described as a species that infects thrombocytes and lymphocyte-like cells.
Serious complications in COVID-19 ARDS cases: pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, subcutaneous emphysema and haemothorax
Authors: Guven Bulent Baris , Erturk Tuna , Kompe Özge , Ersoy Ayşın
Published: June 2021

The novel coronavirus identified as severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 causes acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Our aim in this study is to assess the incidence of life-threatening complications like pneumothorax, haemothorax, pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema, probable risk factors and effect on mortality in coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) ARDS patients treated with mechanical ventilation (MV). Data from 96 adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit with COVID-19 ARDS diagnosis from 11 March to 31 July 2020 were retrospectively assessed. A total of 75 patients abiding by the study criteria were divided into two groups as the group developing ventilator-related barotrauma (BG) (N = 10) and the group not developing ventilator-related barotrauma (NBG) (N = 65). In 10 patients (13%), barotrauma findings occurred 22 ± 3.6 days after the onset of symptoms. The mortality rate was 40% in the BG-group, while it was 29% in the NBG-group with no statistical difference identified. The BG-group had longer intensive care admission duration, duration of time in prone position and total MV duration, with higher max positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) levels and lower min pO2/FiO2 levels. The peak lactate dehydrogenase levels in blood were higher by statistically significant level in the BG-group (P < 0.05). The contribution of MV to alveolar injury caused by infection in COVID-19 ARDS patients may cause more frequent barotrauma compared to classic ARDS and this situation significantly increases the MV and intensive care admission durations of patients. In terms of reducing mortality and morbidity in these patients, MV treatment should be carefully maintained within the framework of lung-protective strategies and the studies researching barotrauma pathophysiology should be increased.
Agile multi-beam front-end for 5G mm-wave measurements
Authors: Spira Steffen , Blau Kurt , Thomä Reiner , Hein Matthias A.
Published: June 2021

The 5th generation new radio (5G NR) standards create both enormous challenges and potential to address the spatio-spectral-temporal agility of wireless transmission. In the framework of a research unit at TU Ilmenau, various concepts were studied, including both approaches toward integrated circuits and distributed receiver front-ends (FEs). We report here on the latter approach, aiming at the proof-of-principle of the constituting FEs suitable for later modular extension. A millimeter-wave agile multi-beam FE with an integrated 4 by 1 antenna array for 5G wireless communications was designed, manufactured, and verified by measurements. The polarization is continuously electronically adjustable and the directions of signal reception are steerable by setting digital phase shifters. On purpose, these functions were realized by analog circuits, and digital signal processing was not applied. The agile polarization is created inside the analog, real-time capable FE in a novel manner and any external circuitry is omitted. The microstrip patch antenna array integrated into this module necessitated elaborate measurements within the scope of FE characterization, as the analog circuit and antenna form a single entity and cannot be assessed separately. Link measurements with broadband signals were successfully performed and analyzed in detail to determine the error vector magnitude contributions of the FE.