bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using the Discord Application to Facilitate EFL Vocabulary Acquisition
Authors: Odinokaya Maria Alexandrovna , Krylova Elena Alexandrovna , Rubtsova Anna Vladimirovna , Almazova Nadezhda Ivanovna
Published: August 2021

Vocabulary knowledge is a prerequisite for mastering any foreign language. It takes a lot of time and effort to develop English as a foreign language (EFL) vocabulary skills. Efficient ways to facilitate this process should be studied and analyzed. The present study aimed to investigate the role of the Discord application in teaching and learning EFL vocabulary. Discord is a free messenger with support for IP telephony and video conferencing, as well as the possibility to create public and private chats for exchanging text and voice messages. The study relied on pre-test and post-test design to get the necessary data of one experimental and one control group, 80 university students altogether. The results of the pre-test showed no significant difference between the two groups. The experimental group was taught with the help of the Discord application, while the control group was dealing with the traditional educational process, that is, 180 min every week in a classroom with a textbook and no electronic educational resources. Results of the t-test indicated that the experimental group significantly outperformed the control group on a researcher-made vocabulary post-test. A post-treatment speaking test was administered—the participants took part in speaking interviews where they were asked to give a short speech on one of the topics studied during the experimental training. The representatives of the experimental group managed to use more vocabulary items per person correctly (pronunciation, lexical combinability, etc.). The findings revealed that the suggested way of using the Discord application may positively influence the acquisition of EFL vocabulary and its further application in speaking. Hence, it is recommended that the Discord application be used as a tool in the EFL vocabulary teaching and learning process to reinforce in-class tasks and activities.
Analyzing Cognitive Demands of a Scientific Reasoning Test Using the Linear Logistic Test Model (LLTM)
Authors: Krell Moritz , Khan Samia , van Driel Jan
Published: August 2021

The development and evaluation of valid assessments of scientific reasoning are an integral part of research in science education. In the present study, we used the linear logistic test model (LLTM) to analyze how item features related to text complexity and the presence of visual representations influence the overall item difficulty of an established, multiple-choice, scientific reasoning competencies assessment instrument. This study used data from n = 243 pre-service science teachers from Australia, Canada, and the UK. The findings revealed that text complexity and the presence of visual representations increased item difficulty and, in total, contributed to 32% of the variance in item difficulty. These findings suggest that the multiple-choice items contain the following cognitive demands: encoding, processing, and combining of textually presented information from different parts of the items and encoding, processing, and combining information that is presented in both the text and images. The present study adds to our knowledge of which cognitive demands are imposed upon by multiple-choice assessment instruments and whether these demands are relevant for the construct under investigation—in this case, scientific reasoning competencies. The findings are discussed and related to the relevant science education literature.
The Psychological Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Remote Learning in Higher Education
Authors: Godoy Lívea Dornela , Falcoski Raquel , Incrocci Roberta Monteiro , Versuti Fabiana Maris , Padovan-Neto Fernando E.
Published: August 2021

Stressful events can cause a significant impact on education; however, it is not yet clear how the interplay between anxiety, work, and social dysfunction relates to learning impairments. In this study, we investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on students’ learning and mental health. This study was conducted during four modules of a remote Psychopharmacology course between 5 October and 20 December 2020. We collected data from 28 Psychology undergraduate students at the University of São Paulo, Brazil. We used pre- and post-test multiple-choice questions to obtain a quantitative measure of learning. Students completed an online survey to report demographic information, functional impairment (Work and Social Adjustment scale; WSAS), generalized anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale; GAD-7), coronavirus anxiety (Brazilian adapted version of the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale; CAS-BR), and self-perception with the remote lectures’ methodology. In our sample, 42.9% of respondents experienced symptoms of generalized anxiety disorders (GAD-7 ≥ 15), and 53.6% had moderate to severe functional impairment (WSAS > 20). We also observed an overlapping profile of highly anxious and dysfunctional students. A chi-square test of independence revealed a relation between pairs of multiple-choice questions answers and GAD-7 scores, indicating that less anxious students were more likely to perform better in pairs of pre- and post-tests. Intriguingly, the correlational analysis suggested that students with moderate to severe functional impairment (WSAS scores > 20) were less likely to change from an incorrect to a correct answer to pairs of pre- and post-tests. This data suggests that psychological distress and anxiety states might influence students’ ability to coordinate social and work activities and performance during remote learning. Although this study evaluated a small sample of students, our data highlights the importance of investigating anxiety and functional impairment measures as part of the remote-learning curriculum.
Application of Minimum Energy Effect to Numerical Reconstruction of Insolation Curves
Authors: Maga Dusan , Hrad Jaromir , Hajek Jiri , Othman Akeel
Published: August 2021

Increasing the efficiency of the solar energy harvesting system is an urgent need in light of the climate changes we live in nowadays. The most significant data to be processed in the photovoltaic harvesters are the curve of solar radiation intensity to achieve the maximum benefits of the solar incident light. This processing contains complicated procedures, and the used algorithms are also high computational power-consuming which makes using special software and high potential hardware essential requirements. An explanation of the Minimum Energy Effect method is presented in this article. Our proposed algorithm uses this method to provide a simple and high-accuracy mathematical tool for generating a simple alternative curve instead of the complicated original nonlinear curve of solar radiation intensity. The produced curve is suitable for further operations, such as derivatives, integrals, or even simple addition/subtraction. Our algorithm provides a gradual procedure to find an optimum solution of the equation system, unlike the iterative methods. In addition, the results of analyzing the effect of time-division density showed the relationship between the speed of solving the task and the accuracy of results.
Approach to an Emulation Model to Evaluate the Behavior and Impact of Microgrids in Isolated Communities
Authors: Paredes Carlos M. , Bayona Andrés F. , Martínez Diego , Crespo Alfons , González Apolinar , Simo José
Published: August 2021

In microgrid projects, social ownership involves aspects beyond their operation that may compromise the sustainability of the system. For this reason, the development of analysis methods to assess the feasibility and impact during the design stages of these solutions is of growing interest. Recent studies have proposed methods that allow an individual analysis of technological components and social behaviors. However, a complete evaluation of the performance and the impact of these projects should allow the simultaneous evaluation of the behavior of these subsystems, allowing the analysis of their interactions and effects in a dynamic way. Accordingly, this paper presents simulation and emulation models to evaluate the impact of a microgrid in isolated communities. These models contemplate sublevels that consider the energetic, automation and computational aspects in the microgrids and a multi-agent system (MAS) that is used to study the environmental and economic impact of the microgrid through the evolution of certain indicators. The socio-technological interdependence in the operation of the isolated microgrid is analyzed through the integration of the microgrid emulation platform with the MAS. Our approach includes a comprehensive study of the performance of these projects in specific communities, in order to contribute to the design and implementation, considering the technological, economic, environmental, and social impacts.
Protection Systems for DC Shipboard Microgrids
Authors: Bayati Navid , Savaghebi Mehdi
Published: August 2021

In recent years, shipboard microgrids (MGs) have become more flexible, efficient, and reliable. The next generations of future shipboards are required to be equipped with more focuses on energy storage systems to provide all-electric shipboards. Therefore, the shipboards must be very reliable to ensure the operation of all parts of the system. A reliable shipboard MG should be protected from system faults through protection selectivity to minimize the impact of faults and facilitate detection and location of faulty zones with the highest accuracy and speed. It is necessary to have an across-the-board overview of the protection systems in DC shipboards. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the issues and challenges faced in the protection of shipboard MGs. Furthermore, given the different types of components utilized in shipboard MGs, the fault behavior analysis of these components is provided to highlight the requirements for their protection. The protection system of DC shipboards is divided into three sub-systems, namely, fault detection, location, and isolation. Therefore, a comprehensive comparison of different existing fault detection, location, and isolation schemes, from traditional to modern techniques, on shipboard MGs is presented to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of each scheme.
Comparison of Carbonaceous Compounds Emission from the Co-Combustion of Coal and Waste in Boilers Used in Residential Heating in Poland, Central Europe
Authors: Czaplicka Marianna , Klyta Justyna , Komosiński Bogusław , Konieczny Tomasz , Janoszka Katarzyna
Published: August 2021

In this study, the effect of the addition of waste on the emissions from coal co-combustion was investigated. Coal was co-combusted with different additions of medium-density fiberboard and polyethylene terephthalate plastic (10 and 50%), in a low-power boiler (18 W). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, phenols, alkylphenols, phthalates, and biomass burning markers emissions were determined. Gas chromatography, coupled with a mass spectrometry detector, was used to analyze these compounds in particulate matter and gas phase, after extraction and derivatization. The emissions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were the highest among all the compounds determined. The total emission of these compounds was 215.1 mg/kg for coal, and 637.7 and 948.3 mg/kg for a 10 and 50% additive of polyethylene terephthalate plastic, respectively. For the 10 and 50% additive of medium-density fiberboard, the total emission was 474.2 and 464.0 mg/kg, respectively. The 50% addition of PET also had the highest emissions of phenols (638.5 mg/kg), alkylphenols (246.5 mg/kg), and phthalates (18.1 mg/kg), except for biomass burning markers, where the emissions were the highest for the 50% addition of medium-density fiberboard (541.3 mg/kg). In our opinion, the obtained results are insufficient for the identification of source apportionment from household heating.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Electricity Demand Profiles: A Case Study of Selected Business Clients in Poland
Authors: Malec Marcin , Kinelski Grzegorz , Czarnecka Marzena
Published: August 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused changes in electricity demand and, consequently, electricity consumption profiles. Given the rapid changes in energy prices, it is significant from the perspective of energy companies, and forecasting consumed energy volume. A necessity for accurate energy volume planning forces the need for analyzing consumers’ behaviors during the pandemic, especially under lockdowns, to prepare for the possibility of another pandemic wave. Many business clients analyzed in the paper are economic entities functioning in sectors under restrictions. That is why analyzing the pandemic’s impact on the change in energy consumption profiles and volume of these entities is particularly meaningful. The article analyzes the pandemic and restrictions’ impact on the total change of energy consumption volume and demand profiles. The analysis was conducted basing on data collected from a Polish energy trading and sales company. It focused on the energy consumption of its corporate clients. Analyzed data included aggregated energy consumption volumes for all company’s customers and key groups of economic entities under restrictions. The analysis demonstrates the influence of pandemic restrictions on energy consumption in the group of business clients. Significant differences are observable among various sectors of the economy. The research proves that the largest drops in energy consumption are related to shopping centers and offices. Altogether, the restrictions have caused a 15–23% energy consumption drop during the first lockdown and a maximum 11% during the second against expected values.
Modeling and Control Design Based on Petri Nets Tool for a Serial Three-Phase Five-Level Multicellular Inverter Used as a Shunt Active Power Filter
Authors: Othman Sana , Alali Mohamad Alaaeddin , Sbita Lassaad , Barbot Jean-Pierre , Ghanes Malek
Published: August 2021

In this work, we represent a shunt active power filter (SAPF) based on a serial three-phase flying capacitor multilevel inverter (FCMI) controlled by a Petri Nets representation (PNs). This structure is chosen for its significant performances. In fact, the use of the FCMI within the SAPF makes it possible to increase the apparent switching frequency of the structure in order to reduce the value then the volume and weight of the inductance of the output filter. Besides, the FCMI allows the synthesis of a high-voltage signal using low-voltage semiconductor components. Therefore, improving the reliability of this structure leads to the improvement of the dynamics of the SAPF. This paper deals with a new control methodology based on PNs to regulate the flying capacitor voltages and the reference currents issued by the instantaneous active and reactive power theory. Compared to a conventional SAPF composed by a classical two-level inverter and controlled by a simple PWM control, simulation results demonstrate that our proposed control enhances the dynamic system and the power quality by reducing the total harmonic distortion (THD) satisfying the limits of IEEE standards.
Numerical Modeling of CO2 Sequestration within a Five-Spot Well Pattern in the Morrow B Sandstone of the Farnsworth Hydrocarbon Field: Comparison of the TOUGHREACT, STOMP-EOR, and GEM Simulators
Authors: Kutsienyo Eusebius J. , Appold Martin S. , White Mark D. , Ampomah William
Published: August 2021

The objectives of this study were (1) to assess the fate and impact of CO2 injected into the Morrow B Sandstone in the Farnsworth Unit (FWU) through numerical non-isothermal reactive transport modeling, and (2) to compare the performance of three major reactive solute transport simulators, TOUGHREACT, STOMP-EOR, and GEM, under the same input conditions. The models were based on a quarter of a five-spot well pattern where CO2 was injected on a water-alternating-gas schedule for the first 25 years of the 1000 year simulation. The reservoir pore fluid consisted of water with or without petroleum. The results of the models have numerous broad similarities, such as the pattern of reservoir cooling caused by the injected fluids, a large initial pH drop followed by gradual pH neutralization, the long-term persistence of an immiscible CO2 gas phase, the continuous dissolution of calcite, very small decreases in porosity, and the increasing importance over time of carbonate mineral CO2 sequestration. The models differed in their predicted fluid pressure evolutions; amounts of mineral precipitation and dissolution; and distribution of CO2 among immiscible gas, petroleum, formation water, and carbonate minerals. The results of the study show the usefulness of numerical simulations in identifying broad patterns of behavior associated with CO2 injection, but also point to significant uncertainties in the numerical values of many model output parameters.
Pilot-Scale Experiences with Aerobic Treatment and Chemical Processes of Industrial Wastewaters from Electronics and Semiconductor Industry
Authors: Innocenzi Valentina , Zueva Svetlana B. , Vegliò Francesco , De Michelis Ida
Published: August 2021

TMAH is quaternary ammonium salt, consists of a methylated nitrogen molecule, and is widely used in the electronics industry as a developer and silicon etching agent. This substance is toxic and fatal if ingested. It can also cause skin burns, eye damage, and organ damage. Moreover, TMAH exhibits long-lasting toxicity to aquatic systems. Despite this known toxicity, the authorities currently do not provide emission limits (i.e., discharge concentrations) for wastewater by EU regulation. The current scenario necessitates the study of the processes for industrial wastewater containing TMAH. This work aims to present a successful example of the treatment process for the degradation of TMAH waste solutions of the E&S industry. Research was conducted at the pilot scale, and the process feasibility (both technical and economic) and its environmental sustainability are demonstrated. This process, which treats three exhausted solutions with a high concentration of toxic substances, is considered to be innovative.
Telecommunication Facilities, Key Support for Data Management and Data Sharing by a Biological Mobile Laboratory Deployed to Counter Emerging Biological Threats and Improve Public Health Crisis Preparedness
Authors: Vybornov Aleksandr , Nyabi Omar , Vybornova Olga , Gala Jean-Luc
Published: August 2021

In the case of rapid outbreaks of infectious diseases in remote locations, the lack of real-time information from the field and rapid spread of misinformation can be a major issue. To improve situational awareness and decision-making at all levels of operational deployment, there is an urgent need for accurate, reliable, and timely results from patients from the affected area. This requires a robust and fast channel of communication connecting first responders on-site, crisis managers, decision-makers, and the institutions involved in the survey of the crisis at national, regional, and international levels. This has been the rationale sustaining the development of advanced communication tools in the Biological Light Fieldable Laboratory for Emergencies (B-LiFE). The benefit of terrestrial (TETRA, LTE, 5G, and Wi-Fi-Fi) and SatCom communications is illustrated through a series of missions and exercises conducted in the previous five years. These tools were used by B-LiFE operators to provide accurate, comprehensive, timely, and relevant information and services in real time. The focus of this article is to discuss the development and benefits of the integration of multi-mission, multi-user nomadic, rapidly deployable telecommunication nodes for emergency uses (TEN) in the capacity of B-LiFE. Providing reliable communication channels through TEN enables the development and use of an ICT toolbox called MIML_LIMS (multi-institution, multi-mission, multi-laboratory LIMS), a tool which is mandatory for efficient and secure data management and data sharing by a mobile laboratory.
Improving Construction Industrialization Practices from a Socio-Technical System Perspective: A Hong Kong Case
Authors: Jin Xin , Shen Geoffrey Q. P. , Ekanayake E. M. A. C.
Published: August 2021

Construction Industrialization (CI) tends to improve industrial performance and contributes substantially towards global sustainability. Considering these merits, many countries and regions, including Hong Kong, have released policies to promote CI uptake. However, those policy interventions ignore the dynamic influence of stakeholders and technologies, which significantly influence the efficient management of CI. In response, this study aimed to objectively depict a real socio-technical system of CI uptake based on a representative case study in Hong Kong. Further, this study identified the critical issues associated with the CI uptake and proposed policy-related recommendations to overcome the key issues. In addition, this study proposed a novel approach based on two-mode social network analysis to facilitate the analysis from a socio-technical perspective. Theoretically, this depicts the interactions of construction industry stakeholders and artifacts within a dynamic, complex socio-technical environment, indicating a new stance for construction management. Finally, this research also provides valuable implications for the government to anticipate the impact of different CI policies on promoting its uptake within the complex socio-technical system.
Evaluating the Prevalence and Incidence of Bronchiectasis and Nontuberculous Mycobacteria in South Korea Using the Nationwide Population Data
Authors: Park Da-In , Kang Sungchan , Choi Seunghye
Published: August 2021

Although the prevalence and incidence of bronchiectasis are rising worldwide, basic epidemiologic data have not been reported in Korea. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate epidemiological characteristics of bronchiectasis and NTM (nontuberculous mycobacteria) pulmonary diseases in Korea using the National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort (NHIS-NSC) data. The relative risks of prevalence and incidence after adjusting for demographic characteristics were evaluated by multivariate Poisson regression. The result of this study showed the prevalence and incidence rates of bronchiectasis and NTM to be epidemiologically similar to each other with a few slight differences, while the prevalence rate of bronchiectasis was not significantly different by gender, and its incidence rate was significantly lower in women than in men. Both the prevalence and incidence of NTM were significantly higher in women than in men. Both the prevalence and incidence rates of bronchiectasis and NTM were significantly lower in the age group below 40–49 years, and significantly higher in the age groups thereafter. As there were gender differences of bronchiectasis and NTM, gender-sensitive risk management should be available. In addition, since both bronchiectasis and NTM increase in prevalence and incidence after the age of 40–49, early detection and intervention strategies targeting the appropriate age group are needed.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Burnout in Primary Care Physicians in Catalonia
Authors: Seda-Gombau Gemma , Montero-Alía Juan José , Moreno-Gabriel Eduard , Torán-Monserrat Pere
Published: August 2021

Background: Recent demands to raise the clinical quality, improve the patient experience, and decrease costs have progressively increased burnout among primary care physicians. This overstretched situation has been greatly aggravated since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the study is to analyse the prevalence of burnout among primary care physicians and to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on burnout. Methods: This was a multicentre longitudinal descriptive study of occupational factors and burnout before and since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to assess the impact of the pandemic on burnout in primary care physicians, two paired groups of physicians were compared using Wilcoxon’s and McNemar’s tests. Results: In January 2019, 10% of primary care physicians scored high on all burnout domains. Seven months into the COVID-19 pandemic (October 2020), this percentage increased to 50%. Paired groups analysis showed unprecedented worsening due to the pandemic: emotional exhaustion, which already affected 55% of primary care physicians, jumped to 77%. Conclusions: Burnout is endemic among primary care physicians. It has been associated with lower patient satisfaction, reduced health outcomes, and increased costs. The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed burnout in primary care professionals to the edge.
Exploring an Efficient Remote Biomedical Signal Monitoring Framework for Personal Health in the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Tang Zhongyun , Hu Haiyang , Xu Chonghuan , Zhao Kaidi
Published: August 2021

Nowadays people are mostly focused on their work while ignoring their health which in turn is creating a drastic effect on their health in the long run. Remote health monitoring through telemedicine can help people discover potential health threats in time. In the COVID-19 pandemic, remote health monitoring can help obtain and analyze biomedical signals including human body temperature without direct body contact. This technique is of great significance to achieve safe and efficient health monitoring in the COVID-19 pandemic. Existing remote biomedical signal monitoring methods cannot effectively analyze the time series data. This paper designs a remote biomedical signal monitoring framework combining the Internet of Things (IoT), 5G communication and artificial intelligence techniques. In the constructed framework, IoT devices are used to collect biomedical signals at the perception layer. Subsequently, the biomedical signals are transmitted through the 5G network to the cloud server where the GRU-AE deep learning model is deployed. It is noteworthy that the proposed GRU-AE model can analyze multi-dimensional biomedical signals in time series. Finally, this paper conducts a 24-week monitoring experiment for 2000 subjects of different ages to obtain real data. Compared with the traditional biomedical signal monitoring method based on the AutoEncoder model, the GRU-AE model has better performance. The research has an important role in promoting the development of biomedical signal monitoring techniques, which can be effectively applied to some kinds of remote health monitoring scenario.
Provision of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy in Austria during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Jesser Andrea , Muckenhuber Johanna , Lunglmayr Bernd , Dale Rachel , Humer Elke
Published: August 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought massive changes in the provision of psychotherapy. To avoid or reduce the risk of infection, many therapists switched from face-to-face sessions in personal contact to remote psychotherapy, i.e., psychotherapy delivered by telephone or videoconferencing. This study examined the attitudes toward and practice of remote psychotherapy among Austrian therapists with a psychodynamic orientation at the onset of the pandemic as well as changes in the therapeutic process that were experienced by the therapists due to switching to a remote setting. A total of 161 therapists with psychodynamic orientation took part in an online survey. The results show that attitudes toward remote psychotherapy changed positively in psychodynamically orientated therapists and most are willing to switch to remote settings, if necessary. However, many therapists reported negative effects of remote psychotherapy and prefer seeing their patients in-person. The strongest changes were experienced with regard to transference/countertransference, the therapeutic process and the intensity of session. The analysis further revealed an overall decrease in the number of patients treated, indicating an undersupply of psychotherapy, at least during the first wave of COVID-19 infection in Austria. In summary, the experience during the first COVID-19 lockdown has led to an increase in remote psychotherapy and more openness toward these treatment modalities among psychodynamically oriented therapists. However, in-person therapy will remain the first choice for most therapists.
Grief Reactions and Grief Counseling among Bereaved Chinese Individuals during COVID-19 Pandemic: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial Combined with a Longitudinal Study
Authors: Tang Renzhihui , Xie Tong , Jiao Keyuan , Xu Xin , Zou Xinyan , Qian Wenli , Wang Jianping
Published: August 2021

COVID-19 has caused nearly 4.3 million deaths all around the world. People who have experienced loss during this special period may find it difficult to adapt to life after loss, and may even suffer from prolonged grief disorder or other mental health problems. However, there is a huge gap of grief research in China, with almost no comprehensive grief intervention training system or very few professional grief consultants. Considering the large number of bereaved individuals who are suffering from grief and other mental health problems, it is significant to develop a suitable and effective intervention protocol immediately. This article illustrates a study protocol initiated by a Chinese university to investigate the mental health of bereaved individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic and train grief counselors to provide grief counseling to the bereaved, as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of the grief counseling. The method is as follows: (1) 300 psychological counselors will be recruited to attend the grief counseling training. Assessments will be conducted at three time points: baseline (T0), after the basic training (T1), and after the advanced training (T2); (2) 500 bereaved Chinese will be recruit to join the online survey and will be assessed at two time points with a six-month interval; and (3) a two-armed (grief counseling versus wait-list controls) RCT (random control trials) will be conducted with 160 bereaved individuals. Assessments will be conducted at three time points: before randomization (baseline, T0), at the post-counseling (T1), and three months after the post-counseling (T2). Primary outcomes will be assessed by the Prolonged Grief Questionnaire (PG-13), the 20-item PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), and the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). This research will help develop grief research and grief counseling in China, as well as provide professional mental health services for individuals who may suffer from grief-related disorders in the future.
Consequences of Perceived Personal and Group Discrimination against People with Hearing and Visual Impairments
Authors: Pérez-Garín Daniel , Recio Patricia , Molero Fernando
Published: August 2021

The main objective of this study was to examine the consequences of perceived discrimination in people with hearing and visual impairments. Using path analysis, we attempted to validate a multigroup model in which perceived personal discrimination is associated with internalization of stigma, which, in turn, is negatively related to self-esteem; conversely, perceived discrimination against the in-group contributes to enhanced group identification, which promotes the intention to engage in collective action, which, in turn, has beneficial effects on self-esteem. The sample consisted of a total of 200 Spanish-speaking participants, of whom 104 had hearing impairments and 96 had visual impairments. The results showed that the proposed multigroup model fit the data well. For both groups, internalized stigma played a mediating role in the relationship between perceived personal discrimination and self-esteem. However, the pathway from group discrimination to self-esteem was not as clearly supported by the data. The results are interpreted from a psychosocial perspective and may contribute to design interventions aimed at improving the well-being of people with hearing and visual impairments.
Bioactivity and Antibacterial Behaviors of Nanostructured Lithium-Doped Hydroxyapatite for Bone Scaffold Application
Authors: Keikhosravani Pardis , Maleki-Ghaleh Hossein , Kahaie Khosrowshahi Amir , Bodaghi Mahdi , Dargahi Ziba , Kavanlouei Majid , Khademi-Azandehi Pooriya , Fallah Ali , Beygi-Khosrowshahi Younes , Siadati M. Hossein
Published: August 2021

The material for bone scaffold replacement should be biocompatible and antibacterial to prevent scaffold-associated infection. We biofunctionalized the hydroxyapatite (HA) properties by doping it with lithium (Li). The HA and 4 Li-doped HA (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 wt.%) samples were investigated to find the most suitable Li content for both aspects. The synthesized nanoparticles, by the mechanical alloying method, were cold-pressed uniaxially and then sintered for 2 h at 1250 °C. Characterization using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) revealed particle sizes in the range of 60 to 120 nm. The XRD analysis proved the formation of HA and Li-doped HA nanoparticles with crystal sizes ranging from 59 to 89 nm. The bioactivity of samples was investigated in simulated body fluid (SBF), and the growth of apatite formed on surfaces was evaluated using SEM and EDS. Cellular behavior was estimated by MG63 osteoblast-like cells. The results of apatite growth and cell analysis showed that 1.0 wt.% Li doping was optimal to maximize the bioactivity of HA. Antibacterial characteristics against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) were performed by colony-forming unit (CFU) tests. The results showed that Li in the structure of HA increases its antibacterial properties. HA biofunctionalized by Li doping can be considered a suitable option for the fabrication of bone scaffolds due to its antibacterial and unique bioactivity properties.
Genetic Architecture and Genome-Wide Adaptive Signatures Underlying Stem Lenticel Traits in Populus tomentosa
Authors: Li Peng , Zhou Jiaxuan , Wang Dan , Li Lianzheng , Xiao Liang , Quan Mingyang , Lu Wenjie , Yao Liangchen , Fang Yuanyuan , Lv Chenfei , Song Fangyuan , Du Qingzhang , Zhang Deqiang
Published: August 2021

The stem lenticel is a highly specialized tissue of woody plants that has evolved to balance stem water retention and gas exchange as an adaptation to local environments. In this study, we applied genome-wide association studies and selective sweeping analysis to characterize the genetic architecture and genome-wide adaptive signatures underlying stem lenticel traits among 303 unrelated accessions of P. tomentosa, which has significant phenotypic and genetic variations according to climate region across its natural distribution. In total, we detected 108 significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms, annotated to 88 candidate genes for lenticel, of which 9 causative genes showed significantly different selection signatures among climate regions. Furthermore, PtoNAC083 and PtoMYB46 showed significant association signals and abiotic stress response, so we overexpressed these two genes in Arabidopsis thaliana and found that the number of stem cells in all three overexpression lines was significantly reduced by PtoNAC083 overexpression but slightly increased by PtoMYB46 overexpression, suggesting that both genes are involved in cell division and expansion during lenticel formation. The findings of this study demonstrate the successful application of an integrated strategy for dissecting the genetic basis and landscape genetics of complex adaptive traits, which will facilitate the molecular design of tree ideotypes that may adapt to future climate and environmental changes.
Machine Learning-Based Radiomics Signatures for EGFR and KRAS Mutations Prediction in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Le Nguyen Quoc Khanh , Kha Quang Hien , Nguyen Van Hiep , Chen Yung-Chieh , Cheng Sho-Jen , Chen Cheng-Yu
Published: August 2021

Early identification of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) mutations is crucial for selecting a therapeutic strategy for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We proposed a machine learning-based model for feature selection and prediction of EGFR and KRAS mutations in patients with NSCLC by including the least number of the most semantic radiomics features. We included a cohort of 161 patients from 211 patients with NSCLC from The Cancer Imaging Archive (TCIA) and analyzed 161 low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) images for detecting EGFR and KRAS mutations. A total of 851 radiomics features, which were classified into 9 categories, were obtained through manual segmentation and radiomics feature extraction from LDCT. We evaluated our models using a validation set consisting of 18 patients derived from the same TCIA dataset. The results showed that the genetic algorithm plus XGBoost classifier exhibited the most favorable performance, with an accuracy of 0.836 and 0.86 for detecting EGFR and KRAS mutations, respectively. We demonstrated that a noninvasive machine learning-based model including the least number of the most semantic radiomics signatures could robustly predict EGFR and KRAS mutations in patients with NSCLC.
Integrated Medicine for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy
Authors: Tsai Chih-Hung , Lin Yuan-Ho , Li Yung-Sheng , Ho Trung-Loc , Hoai Thuong Le Huynh , Liu Yu-Huei
Published: August 2021

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common side effect of typical chemotherapeutics among cancer survivors. Despite the recent progress, the effective prevention and treatment strategies for CIPN remain limited. Better understanding of the pathogenesis of CIPN may provide new niches for developing a new ideal therapeutic strategy. This review summarizes the current understanding of CIPN and current recommendations along with completed/active clinical trials and aims to foster translational research to improve the development of effective strategies for managing CIPN.
COPD, Pulmonary Fibrosis and ILAs in Aging Smokers: The Paradox of Striking Different Responses to the Major Risk Factors
Authors: Beghé Bianca , Cerri Stefania , Fabbri Leonardo M. , Marchioni Alessandro
Published: August 2021

Aging and smoking are associated with the progressive development of three main pulmonary diseases: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung abnormalities (ILAs), and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). All three manifest mainly after the age of 60 years, but with different natural histories and prevalence: COPD prevalence increases with age to >40%, ILA prevalence is 8%, and IPF, a rare disease, is 0.0005–0.002%. While COPD and ILAs may be associated with gradual progression and mortality, the natural history of IPF remains obscure, with a worse prognosis and life expectancy of 2–5 years from diagnosis. Acute exacerbations are significant events in both COPD and IPF, with a much worse prognosis in IPF. This perspective discusses the paradox of the striking pathological and pathophysiologic responses on the background of the same main risk factors, aging and smoking, suggesting two distinct pathophysiologic processes for COPD and ILAs on one side and IPF on the other side. Pathologically, COPD is characterized by small airways fibrosis and remodeling, with the destruction of the lung parenchyma. By contrast, IPF almost exclusively affects the lung parenchyma and interstitium. ILAs are a heterogenous group of diseases, a minority of which present with the alveolar and interstitial abnormalities of interstitial lung disease.
Pediatric Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia: A Translational Perspective for the Clinician-Scientist
Authors: Kallas Dania , Lamba Avani , Roston Thomas M. , Arslanova Alia , Franciosi Sonia , Tibbits Glen F. , Sanatani Shubhayan
Published: August 2021

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is a rare and potentially lethal inherited arrhythmia disease characterized by exercise or emotion-induced bidirectional or polymorphic ventricular tachyarrhythmias. The median age of disease onset is reported to be approximately 10 years of age. The majority of CPVT patients have pathogenic variants in the gene encoding the cardiac ryanodine receptor, or calsequestrin 2. These lead to mishandling of calcium in cardiomyocytes resulting in after-depolarizations, and ventricular arrhythmias. Disease severity is particularly pronounced in younger individuals who usually present with cardiac arrest and arrhythmic syncope. Risk stratification is imprecise and long-term prognosis on therapy is unknown despite decades of research focused on pediatric CPVT populations. The purpose of this review is to summarize contemporary data on pediatric CPVT, highlight knowledge gaps and present future research directions for the clinician-scientist to address.
Efficient Attenuation of Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis by Oral Administration of 5,6-Dihydroxy-8Z,11Z,14Z,17Z-eicosatetraenoic Acid in Mice
Authors: Takenouchi Shinya , Imai Daiki , Nakamura Tatsuro , Murata Takahisa
Published: August 2021

5,6-dihydroxy-8Z,11Z,14Z,17Z-eicosatetraenoic acid (5,6-DiHETE) is an eicosapentaenoic acid-derived newly discovered bioactive anti-inflammatory lipid mediator having diverse functions. Here, we assessed the potential of orally administered 5,6-DiHETE in promoting healing of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. We measured the plasma concentrations of 5,6-DiHETE in untreated mice before and 0.5, 1, 3, and 6 h after its oral administration (150 or 600 μg/kg) in mice. Mice developed colitis by DSS (2% in drinking water for 4 days), and 5,6-DiHETE (150 or 600 μg/kg/day) was orally administered from day 9 to 14. Next, the faecal hardness and bleeding were assessed, and the dissected colons on day 14 via H&E staining. The plasma concentration of 5,6-DiHETE reached 25.05 or 44.79 ng/mL 0.5 h after the administration of 150 or 600 μg/kg, respectively, followed by a gradual decrease. The half-life of 5,6-DiHETE was estimated to be 1.25–1.63 h. Diarrhoea deteriorated after day 3 and peaked on day 5, followed by a gradual recovery. Histological assessment on day 14 showed DSS-mediated granulocyte infiltration, mucosal erosion, submucosal edema, and cryptal abscesses in mice. Oral administration of 150 or 600 μg/kg/day of 5,6-DiHETE accelerated the recovery from the DSS-induced diarrhoea and significantly ameliorated colon inflammation. The therapeutic effect of 600 μg/kg/day 5,6-DiHETE was slightly stronger than that by 150 μg/kg/day. Our study reveals attenuation of DSS-induced colitis in mice by the oral administration of 5,6-DiHETE dose-dependently, thereby suggesting a therapeutic potential of 5,6-DiHETE for inflammatory bowel disease.
Deregulated Expression of Immune Checkpoints on Circulating CD4 T Cells May Complicate Clinical Outcome and Response to Treatment with Checkpoint Inhibitors in Multiple Myeloma Patients
Authors: Kulikowska de Nałęcz Anna , Ciszak Lidia , Usnarska-Zubkiewicz Lidia , Frydecka Irena , Pawlak Edyta , Szmyrka Magdalena , Kosmaczewska Agata
Published: August 2021

Unlike solid-tumor patients, a disappointingly small subset of multiple myeloma (MM) patients treated with checkpoint inhibitors derive clinical benefits, suggesting differential participation of inhibitory receptors involved in the development of T-cell-mediated immunosuppression. In fact, T cells in MM patients have recently been shown to display features of immunosenescence and exhaustion involved in immune response inhibition. Therefore, we aimed to identify the dominant inhibitory pathway in MM patients to achieve its effective control by therapeutic interventions. By flow cytometry, we examined peripheral blood (PB) CD4 T cell characteristics assigned to senescence or exhaustion, considering PD-1, CTLA-4, and BTLA checkpoint expression, as well as secretory effector function, i.e., capacity for IFN-γ and IL-17 secretion. Analyses were performed in a total of 40 active myeloma patients (newly diagnosed and treated) and 20 healthy controls. At the single-cell level, we found a loss of studied checkpoints’ expression on MM CD4 T cells (both effector (Teff) and regulatory (Treg) cells) primarily at diagnosis; the checkpoint deficit in MM relapse was not significant. Nonetheless, PD-1 was the only checkpoint distributed on an increased proportion of T cells in all MM patients irrespective of disease phase, and its expression on CD4 Teff cells correlated with adverse clinical courses. Among patients, the relative defect in secretory effector function of CD4 T cells was more pronounced at myeloma relapse (as seen in declined Th1/Treg and Th17/Treg cell rates). Although the contribution of PD-1 to MM clinical outcomes is suggestive, our study clearly indicated that the inappropriate expression of immune checkpoints (associated with dysfunctionality of CD4 T cells and disease clinical phase) might be responsible for the sub-optimal clinical response to therapeutic checkpoint inhibitors in MM.
Plasma Technology Increases the Efficacy of Prothioconazole against Fusarium graminearum and Fusarium proliferatum Contamination of Maize (Zea mays) Seedlings
Authors: Masiello Mario , Somma Stefania , Lo Porto Chiara , Palumbo Fabio , Favia Pietro , Fracassi Francesco , Logrieco Antonio Francesco , Moretti Antonio
Published: August 2021

The contamination of maize by Fusarium species able to produce mycotoxins raises great concern worldwide since they can accumulate these toxic metabolites in field crop products. Furthermore, little information exists today on the ability of Fusarium proliferatum and Fusarium graminearum, two well know mycotoxigenic species, to translocate from the seeds to the plants up to the kernels. Marketing seeds coated with fungicide molecules is a common practice; however, since there is a growing need for reducing chemicals in agriculture, new eco-friendly strategies are increasingly tested. Technologies based on ionized gases, known as plasmas, have been used for decades, with newer material surfaces, products, and approaches developed continuously. In this research, we tested a plasma-generated bilayer coating for encapsulating prothioconazole at the surface of maize seeds, to protect them from F. graminearum and F. proliferatum infection. A minimum amount of chemical was used, in direct contact with the seeds, with no dispersion in the soil. The ability of F. graminearum and F. proliferatum species to translocate from seeds to seedlings of maize has been clearly proven in our in vitro experiments. As for the use of plasma technology, the combined use of the plasma-generated coating with embedded prothioconazole was the most efficient approach, with a higher reduction of the infection of the maize seminal root system and stems. The debated capability of the two Fusarium species to translocate from seeds to seedlings has been demonstrated. The plasma-generated coating with embedded prothioconazole resulted in a promising sustainable approach for the protection of maize seedlings.